#But she's off in Paris and she's not back until tomorrow :(

[queers-gambit]

Curiosity Killed The Cat

prompt: after rescuing you from kidnappers, you overhear your boyfriend-turned-savior complain about how clingy you've become.

pairing: Mafia!Bucky Barnes x female!reader

fandom masterlist: Marvel

collection masterlist: Clingy Baby

word count: 5.1k+

note: author wants things out of her drafts! also don't take this fic too seriously, it's not much at all - just me writing for the fuck of it until i'm ready to focus on my bigger projects.

warnings: modern AU, Mafia AU, obvious cursing, small hurt and comfort, brief depiction of physical violence and self-destruction in the form of: loss of appetite, lack of sleep, other symptoms of depression. NOT edited! author is ashamed because she knows she can give you something better but oh well.

Your feet planted, jarring you to a halt the moment you heard your name in a conversation you were not apart of.

You heard the hammering of your heart, echoing beats of your blood pumping with harrowing desperation. Hands turned cold and clammy, sweat breaking out on your brow and then freezing, feeling as if your throat had swollen to a new restriction and you were anchored in you in place.

Rooted.

But for now, all you could identify was the paralyzing anxiety that anchored you to your spot and made your heartbeat thunder in your ears. You stood outside the lounge, unable to comprehend relevant thought; still listening to low, docile tones continue their conversation, but you couldn't hear real words.

You were stunned. Panicked, confused, hurt - so very hurt. That seemed to register, too; you were really, really hurt.

This was perhaps why curiosity killed the cat.

You reprimanded yourself for listening in - transporting back to childhood during all the times your parents would scold you for eavesdropping. You knew it was wrong, you knew this was a private conversation meant to be shared between trusting confidants, but you couldn't help it - you heard your name and stopped. It was natural, right? To feel curious regarding a conversation seemingly about you that you, yourself, was not apart of?

Curiosity, indeed.

Blinking rapidly, you remembered the only other time you felt such mounting, pressurized fear, and while it might be dramatic, the only other time you could remember this level of anxiety was from about two months ago...

"Yes, baby, I got the bacon."

"And the jalapeños?"

"Uh-huh, the biggest they had."

"Cream cheese?"

"Do you know who you're talking to?" You laughed into the phone. "I'm a professional housewife by now, you can relax. I got all you needed for your fancy little dinner experiment."

Bucky laughed down the phone, "Oh, please, like I didn't see you salivating when we watched the segment on Top Chef."

"Hush," you laughed, too. "I'm leaving the store now," you told him, pushing out of the heavy glass doors, "and should be home in, like, 10 minutes?"

"Lemme pick you up."

"I have legs to walk with, so, no thank you."

He sighed, "Well, I'll open the wine to let it breathe. Red's still good?"

"Let's do a white tonight, please."

"Good deal," he mused softly. "Hey, I was thinking earlier - "

"Hang on," you pleaded.

"What's wrong?"

"No, nothing. There's just a van slowing down, I don't want to get hit," you chuckled some, looking up and down the street before crossing. "Sorry, so, what were you thinking?"

"We haven't been to Paris in months."

You smirked, "I'm sure our plants in the apartment are dead by now."

Bucky laughed, "Oh, I am, too. But, look, how 'bout it, Peach? You, me, all the croissants we can consume this weekend. I'll take Monday and Tuesday off, we can leave tomorrow night."

"Oh, that sounds nice," you moaned. "Paris in the spring? Baby, that's so dreamy!"

"So, is that a yes?"

"It's a hell yes," you grinned. "Do you know the weather?"

"Supposed to be nice and sunny, not too warm or cold. Figured this would be ideal," he chuckled. "But does the weather matter if we're in bed the whole time?"

"No, we're not wasting our time!" You laughed. "We're gonna go do shit, okay? Stereotypical tourist-couple shit."

"I'll bring the camera."

"And I was hoping we could have dinner at that little place we love?"

"I wouldn't take you anywhere else," he mused.

"I think it's - FUCK!" Bucky froze when he heard the screeching of tires; a van coming up to a skidding halt, flurry of voices all yelling but he heard yours clearly. "No, no, no, hey, hey, what the hell's happening? Hey! What's this - hey, hey! Don't touch me! Ow, shit! No! Hey! Fuck's sake - oh, my God! Ow! Hey!"

"Baby!? Peach! Hey! The fuck's going on!?"

There was a thudding over the phone, and Bucky listened to more struggling - more fidgeting and fighting - and then the slamming of a car door. Still calling your name, Bucky heard a scrape over the line before a different voice answered your phone, "James Barnes. On behalf of HYDRA, you're overdue on your payment and we warned you there would be consequences. Deliver the full amount of 17 million - "

"It's 15," he growled.

"Two million more for the inconvenience of stalking your woman."

"If you even so much as touch her, I swear to God - "

"17 million at midnight, at the pier, or every minute you're late, she'll receive the brunt end of our frustration."

"Don't hurt her - "

"Midnight, Mr. Barnes, at the pier - you know where. Don't be late, she looks like she won't last long."

The line went dead after he heard your screech of pain, confusion, and fear. The moment the line cut, he dropped his phone and slowly lowered himself to sit on the kitchen floor, shock coloring his system. It wasn't that he didn't have the money, quite the opposite - but he and his men had a plan in motion to take out HYDRA, their org's competition, and this was totally against all they anticipated. After a minute to sit in his own worry, Bucky jumped to his feet, grabbed his phone, keys, wallet, and two handguns; holstering them both before shrugging his suit jacket on.

He made every phone call he could, gathering the men he trusted most to (one of) his warehouse(s).

For hours, you were strung up by your wrists in a joint-pulling position while the Brooklyn Mafia formulated a plan of attack. It was the most pain you've ever known, but then the abuse started and you were blinded by this new pain. You had bruises most places, cuts that wept blood; scars that would never heal, wounds that wouldn't ever close. You were delirious, miserable, confused, just dazed and confused; praying to a God who didn't listen.

"Oh, look at that," your captor mocked, holding a thick-bladed hunting knife in hand, "it's one minute til midnight, and I don't see your loverboy anywhere."

You sniffled, unable to respond.

He stared out the lone window, tisking and narrating, "Nope, I see not a soul - and with how protective he is over you, you'd think he'd want to ensure your safety. Not leave it to chance, huh?"

You whimpered as the clock struck midnight, your heart hammering in heavy-hung worry. You had tears in your eyes, heart nearly beating out of your chest, feeling incredibly nauseous. The desire to scream never lessened, just fearing what was to come; the men in the room making you fear for the state of your life, their knuckles cracking. You only begged, "Please. Don't."

The main captor laughed, "You can do better than that! C'mon, give me the satisfaction of tellin' ol' James you begged for mercy - but it wasn't enough to sway me. I'll lie, for sure, and say it happened but it will be so much sweeter if you actually do it."

"Please," you shook your head, avoiding eye contact. "Just don't do this, please."

"Oh, honey," he mocked, "it's not our fault he's late. Lads! Have at her, but leave her face for now - she's still real pretty."

You listened as he gave commands in Russian, understanding after the years at Bucky's side; whimpering when the first blow landed to your gut and knocked the wind out of you. The minutes drug by and you felt your resolve crumbling, heart still hammering to a never-before-felt speed that made it feel as if it were jumping out of your very body at every single pulse point. You struggled in your restraints, but it was futile by how tight you were bound; unable to protect yourself.

At 12:03 am, the doors blew open in a resounding blast; concrete crumbling and sprinkling the floor. You cried out as the smoke choked you, coughing through the haze; only barely able to make out certain figures to know Bucky had brought his best men. However, despite the sting to your eyes from the swirling dust and smoke, you saw a lone man stalk through the blasted wall, through the fray, and straight up to you.

"Bu-Bucky!" You choked in relief as he reached to untie your feet first. You dangled for only a moment as his metal prosthetic ripped off whatever held your wrists to the torture contraption. "Oh, my God. Oh, my God, Bucky, holy shit, baby, please, please, please," you rambled as he freed you and instantly caught you on his broad shoulders.

"I got you, Peach, I'm here, I've got you," he promised in your ear, hoisting your legs around his waist so they latched and then wrapping his arms around you securely. "Don't let go and don't look up, okay? Hear me, Peach?"

You nodded into his neck, only able to cry.

Bucky jolted and jerked slightly as he moved through the fight again, but not a minute later, you were stepping outside into the sobering, brisk spring air. This was the moment you understood how dangerous and fleeting life with Bucky could be, making a promise to yourself that if he says take the car, you'll take the fucking car.

And now, here you were, outside the high-rise apartment's lounge (which was just a converted bedroom), listening to your boyfriend complain about you some 2 months after the whole fiasco. HYDRA had been all but wiped out, and in the weeks since, Bucky's men had gone on smaller missions to eradicate the HYDRA members they heard rumor of being local. Yet you didn't feel safe, yet.

You didn't feel safe if you weren't around Bucky.

Everything made you jump: the beep of the done-dryer, that spritz of the automatic fragrance mister in the bathroom, the "duh-dunnn" of a loaded-up Netflix. Keys jingling, car horns, the barking of the dog in the apartment a floor below you... Everything.

Being around Bucky was just like holding a safety blanket. He would always protect you, and for about a week after your rescue, he laid in bed and around the home with you; being lazy; time off work to simply hold you and assure you were safe. Safe in his arms. Safe in his embrace, his presence.

So now... To hear this... You were devastated.

You didn't mean to eavesdrop, it just sort of happened. It was still earlier in the morning, but Bucky hadn't been in bed beside you and based on the feel of the sheets, his body hadn't been there in a while. So, you made some coffee and then ventured around the home in search of your lover; coming upon the lounge and hearing voices from within.

You knew it was common for Steve Rogers and / or Sam Wilson to stay late or visit early, so, you weren't shocked by that, but did falter in announcing yourself when you heard Sam ask how you were doing since the kidnapping. He used your name specifically, making Bucky sigh, and for your curiosity to peak.

"She's different, man."

"How so?" Sam wondered.

"She doesn't like being without me now," he chuckled without humor. "I'm serious, she won't go to the gym until I do, waits to have meals together, won't leave the house if I'm out, and," he scoffed to himself, "you can forget going to the grocery store or anything - she's even stopped going to work - "

"You told her to stop working, like, two years ago when y'all first moved-in together," Sam deadpanned.

"I know," Bucky shrugged, "but it feels tenfold now that she's so reclusive."

"It's normal," Steve sighed gently.

"Yeah? Is it normal that I can't even go take a shit without promising her I'll be right back?" Bucky snapped in exasperation. "It's that bad, she's that fucking clingy, man. I go in the kitchen to make dinner, she's in there 30 seconds later to 'help' me. I take a shower, she finds a reason to linger in the bedroom, but that was better than before, when she wouldn't even shower by herself. It's just a lot, she's everywhere I look. I'm starting to find new reasons not to come home, man, she's always fucking here - and when I walk in the door, she's on me. I need to fucking breathe, but I can't tell her to stop, she'll get her feelings hurt and then I'm the bad guy."

"Man," Steve laughed, "you can't be the bad guy if you go to her in a calm and collected manner, but it's only been two months. She's still recovering."

"Exactly why if I say anything, no matter how calm and collected, I'm the bad guy. I get she's hurting and tryna recover, but Goddamn, does she have to be in every room I'm in? Do everything with me? How do I tell my traumatized girlfriend to back off? Let me breathe?"

Sam laughed, "You don't! You just said it - she's traumatized! Cut the girl some slack, she's got a lot to fuckin' deal with!"

"I'm not negating from that fact," Bucky argued, "I'm just trying to say, the way she's clinging onto me like she can't function without me is just grating at my nerves. I just need to breathe and recharge, but I can't tell her that - fuck's sake."

"Buck," Steve smirked, "you're worried Peach isn't gonna listen, but that's her literal superpower. Just communicate, she can't read your mind, but you need to remember how traumatic all of that was for her to experience - she's scarred from that kidnapping, man. So, sure, you need to recharge, but she needs the support."

"Is it wrong to ask for a day here and there to do that? To recharge?" Bucky asked quietly.

"If you communicate, it's perfectly reasonable to ask for," Sam assured softly. "And whatever you do, don't tell her you think she's clingy. Chicks hate that, that word is, just, like, taboo or something. Real heavy, negative connotations."

"But she is," Bucky growled quietly, "'s like she's afraid to let go 'cause I'll disappear or something."

"Oh, noooo," Sam mocked, "I'm Bucky and my girlfriend loves me too much and trusts me too much and actually feels safe and dependent on me too much - ohhh noooo!"

There was a thump, Sam's cried, "Ow!", and Bucky telling him to shut up. You slowly backed away from the door, trying to settle your breathing as you made your escape down the hall. When back in the kitchen, you whimpered and let the first tears fall... The first of many you shed in the hour it took you to prepare breakfast for everyone; doing your best to eat as you cooked so you didn't have to linger around the men. You took Bucky's words to heart, and maybe you were too sensitive, maybe you should venture outside again.

So, when the lads came out, you set the table without making eye contact with any of them. "Here," you directed, setting the pancakes down, "I made breakfast, come eat, it's still hot."

"Wow," Sam smiled brightly, "thanks, Peach!"

You hummed, still avoiding their eyes as you just set the abundance of food to the table. "You... Cooked without me?" Bucky asked you with skepticism.

"Mhm," you hummed, setting the coffee pot down to a hot pad, "and I'm going out shopping with Nat, so, eat up, lads, I'll do the dishes when I get home. Love you, boys, bye," you waved them off, snatching your keys and then moving to the door to stuff your feet into your sneakers.

"Woah, woah, woah," Bucky left the table, approaching you urgently, "hey, what do you mean? You're goin' out?"

"Yep, figured I've stayed in too long, might as well get out and remember life doesn't stop just 'cause I'm sad."

"Peach - "

"I'll see you when I get home, Buck, okay?" You mumbled, slinging your purse on your shoulder.

"Well, here, here, hey, wait, hang on," he pulled his wallet out, handing you over a wad of big bills. "Spend it all, okay? Have fun, call or text if you need me, yeah?"

"Sure."

Bucky leaned in to kiss you but you just opened the door, ready to leave. He frowned, watching you, barely managing to call a quick, "Love you!"

You didn't return the sentiment, feeling hallow and all too silly to return the affection. In your purse was your laptop, headphones, chargers, and whatever else, so, instead of meeting your friend, Natasha - being just a ruse to avoid Bucky - you started small and just went to the local café. You used to frequent it back in the day, but times were changed, and yet, they were all the happier to serve you the same as before. Getting cozy in the corner, you set up camp and ordered your favorite coffee basically every other hour - letting the day waste away as you caught up on work emails.

Might've wasted time on Instagram and Facebook and Pinterest. Got shopping done on Amazon. Browsed through Target's online selection. Checked out the sale items at Kate Spade. Perused Fenty Lingerie because you could.

Before you knew it, a message was coming in over your MacBook from Bucky, asking where you were - why had you turned your location off?

You packed up and with a to-go cup, made the short trek back home. When you got back, Bucky was pacing in the living room; staring at his phone and typing, then deleting, retyping, groaning, glancing up, typing again, then doing a double take. "Where've you been, Peach? Huh!?" Bucky demanded. "You're late!"

"Out with Nat," you eased.

He huffed through his nose, nodding slowly, "You have a nice time?"

"It was okay," you answered. "I'm gonna go to bed after I shower."

His brows furrowed, "I have a meeting tonight."

"I know."

"O...kay?" He let you go, wanting to ask why you didn't ask him to join like you had so often in the past few weeks.

And it didn't stop there, in fact, it got worse. When Bucky got home from his meeting, he was actually shocked to see you nestled in the bed; teetering on the edge of the shared space while snuggling a weighted body pillow.

When he tried to give you a snuggle, you stirred to life and pushed him back, muttering, "Too hot."

The following morning, he was relatively surprised to see you up and about before him; barely getting a word in before you were slipping out the door to go on a morning jog. He was confused by how all of a sudden, where you were once everywhere he looked, now, you were disappeared and distant and gone. You worked out alone, cooked alone - but always left him a plate, but long gone were the cute little sticky notes you left for him. You once haunted the apartment by never wanting to leave, and now, ghosted in and out of it on a daily basis.

You never bothered to go far from home. You liked hanging at the coffee shop and luckily, your job let you work from home most days, and the rare time you were due back in the office, it was only about a 20 minute walk. You got better at lying, couldn't even remember the last time you and Bucky had sex, and even now, the last time you had a meal together. You didn't text him about your day; where you once might've told him about an adorable dog you saw on the street, now, you only ever texted him if he asked a direct question.

Food lost appeal, your appetite vanished.

Sleep evaded you, plaguing you with nightmares when you did rest.

Interest dulled, passions were snuffed, and only fearful, confused anger remained. It showed in the way weight seemed to shift around your body, thinning; the lack of sleep creating dark rings and bags under your bloodshot eyes.

After two weeks of this, Bucky grew irritated and short with everyone around him. It reflected in his work, the way he spoke to everyone; even Steve and Sam getting the brunt end of his anger. Without you to assure him, Bucky was off his rocker; losing his cool; his patience stretched far too thin. So much so, the two mates approached an outside associate, Natasha Romanoff, after a particularly snappy meeting to plead for her to talk to Bucky.

"James," Nat greeted as she strode into his office without knocking.

"I know you're my oldest friend, but you don't have that privilege yet," he mused, never looking up.

"What?"

"Not knocking. What is it, Nat?"

"Just came to check on you, you know, like friends do."

"Hm," he chuckled without humor, "and what did Peach say to you?"

"About...?"

"Me."

"Nothing, I haven't gotten ahold of her for weeks."

Bucky paused, slowly lifting his head in confusion; brows furrowed and mouth set in a firm, straight line. "What?" He grit.

"Huh?" Nat wondered.

"She's been telling me that she's hanging out with you for the past two weeks," he revealed.

"Nope, not since the incident with HYDRA."

Bucky's (right) flesh hand crushed the pen in his grip, taking a long breath. "All right," he sighed, "so, why come today?"

"What's really going on, Buck?" She worried softly. "Is it really whatever's going on with Peach? You're this pissed off? What'd she even do?"

"She just..." He cut himself off with a long sigh. "It's nothing."

"Bucky," Nat gave a pointed look.

"She's just avoiding me," he muttered. "It's like she's barely home, almost like a ghost."

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yes, and no," Bucky snipped, rolling his neck out. "I'm just worried about her now, she's never not communicated before."

"Something's bothering her," Nat shrugged. "She probably needs you right now, Buck."

"I can't do it all," he whispered. "I can't be who she wants and run this organization at the same time."

"She doesn't need that, she just needs you to be her partner," Natasha spoke softly. "She needs to feel loved and supported, and surely, she maybe felt weird about whatever you were projecting. Instead of taking it out on your men," she smirked, "why don't you just talk to her? 'Cause I hear you're bein' a more-than-usual asshole lately. You need to ease up or get laid, 'cause you're taking it out on good, loyal men, and that's entirely unfair."

"They can take it."

"Sure, but they shouldn't have to," Nat rolled her eyes. "Look, since you won't answer me, I'm assuming the sour mood is in regard to whatever relationship issues you have right now?"

"Sure," he tossed the pen away, opened a skinny drawer to his right and select an identical one.

"Bucky," she growled.

He sighed, "She's lying to me, Nat. Saying she's with you when she's not... Is this an affair? She's gone all the time now."

"No way," Nat laughed. "Baby girl doesn't have the energy to entertain anyone - let alone two men. You're just the exception."

"Why lie, then?"

"Maybe she didn't want you questioning her..."

"No shit."

"Well, did you get into a fight?"

"No."

"Any reason she doesn't want to be home?"

He shook his head with a sigh, "Not that I know of."

"You had to do something."

"Honest, I haven't. She was being all clingy, but then one day, a switch flipped."

Nat frowned, "You think... Your girlfriend is being clingy... Because she was kidnapped and beaten up... Because of your fucking job... And is probably scared...out of...her mind...? I get that correct?"

Bucky paused for a long moment, muttering, "Oh, my God."

"Yeah, you asshole. Think of it that way! She's afraid!" Natasha snapped. "And probably picked up on your energy, so, she made herself scarce."

"I didn't mean - "

"I don't care, go home, apologize to that sweet angel - she doesn't deserve this."

Bucky paused, "What is 'this' exactly?"

"James. Focus on the present - your woman. Go make this right. We all know you're this big, bad dude - but it's okay to be a little sensitive towards the woman who loves you without condition!"

Bucky relented, figuring the redheaded Russian mobster was right.

The entire drive home, Bucky considered the ways you had changed in the few, short weeks since he vented to Sam and Steve about your clinginess. You didn't take meals with him, didn't cook, work-out, or do anything you used to do together. Sex? Forget it. Dates? Nope. Cuddling? No, you're always 'too hot'. And when he thought about it, he remembers seeing the wads of cash he'd leave for you stuffed in his sock drawer - surely trying to make him think it was just another emergency fund he had hidden. You never spent his money, feeling humiliated by his choice of words.

Clingy...

You didn't text or call him when he was gone, you hadn't even so much as kissed him in what felt like ages... Well, more like you hadn't initiated any kisses...

His heart weighed in his chest as he realized he hadn't even so much as hugged you in days. You were rarely in the apartment together, and when you were, you were just silent and busy with chores. It was as if you operated on the exact opposite schedule as he did, went to new extents to avoid him, and his heart clenched in his chest.

When he got home, you were caught cooking in the kitchen - being obvious that you weren't expecting him. The door slammed and his baritone voice snapped, "Peach!"

You gulped, holding the sauce-covered wooden spoon to your chest. When he rounded around the corner, he found you and slowed down, sighing in relief. "What's wrong?" You worried in a timid tone.

He panted lightly, relaying, "Needed to find you."

"I'm here."

"I know," he relented, charging up to you and engulfing you in a tight, heavy hug. "I needed to talk to you, Peach," he whispered.

"What's wrong?"

"You. You're what's wrong."

"What the fuck does that - "

"No, no," he pulled back to stare down at you fondly, "I don't mean it like that, just that... You're struggling. I can see that. But you're not alone, I'm here with you, and I got a little caught up in my head when I realized someone was so very dependent on me - it fucking scared me. But then... Then you just shut yourself off and hid away from me, and oh, my God, it's so much worse, baby. Don't do that," he breathed, "okay? Don't ever shut me out - don't stop loving me, don't stop talking to me, don't give up on us. I can't read your mind, you can't read mine, it's not an excuse - but we understand better when we trust each other enough to communicate what's required. I'm so sorry I got caught up in myself, I didn't know what you needed - but I'm here now, I'm here - I'm not leaving you."

You collapsed into his chest, taking a shuddering breath.

"Don't ever stop talking to me, Peach," Bucky whispered, kissing the top of your head; keeping you close. "I'm so sorry, baby, if I - "

"If?" You snapped, pulling back to glare at him through your tears. "I heard you, Bucky. I heard you talking to Sam and Steve, and about how clingy I am."

"I was wrong," he insisted. "I was overwhelmed and tired and just stretched thin, the easiest thing to do is attack those closest to me, and that's you. It's not right, it's the worst I could do to you after all you've been through, and I'm so sorry. I was wrong, you're not the person to take this out on - and I'm so sorry, Peach."

You sighed, "I don't mean to be... I don't mean to cling - "

"Nah," he chuckled, caressing your cheek, "you cling as much as you want. Cling as tight as you want, baby, don't let me go. I'm sorry for what I said and the way it made you feel, it was wrong - so fucking wrong of me, and I see that. When you pulled away from me, I just... I couldn't think. It felt so wrong, and I knew it was my fault." He took your face in both palms, promising, "I'm so sorry, Peach."

You shrugged meekly, "It's okay."

"It's not."

"No, but apologizing is a step in the right direction."

He nodded, "What else can I do?"

"Nothing - "

"Peach."

You paused to think, smiling shyly, "Movie night?"

"Whatever my pretty girl wants," he nodded.

"Hmm... Get a bath with me?"

"All right... Sure, okay..."

"And face masks."

He sighed, "Okay."

"And mani-pedis."

"Baby."

"You said you were making it up to me, right?"

He smirked, "That's right... All right, yeah, sure, fine, we can..." He sighed again, "We can do all that, Peach, whatever you want."

"I just want you," you told him softly. "I didn't mean to be so clingy. I was just afraid... I felt afraid everyday, just so very unsure in this life. You're the only thing that makes sense to me, Buck, and when I heard you, I just... I guess I realized how dependent I'd been and wanted to give you space. Last thing I want is to smother you, to drive you away from me."

"Not ever gonna happen," he promised softly. "I just didn't handle it like I should've. I'm sorry, Peach, but I'm here now - for whatever you need. Want me to take a few days off, just be together? I'll arrange it. Want to get away for a bit? We can go."

"I just need you," you whispered. "Only you and I should be okay - I can be okay if I have you, but feeling like I lost you? Even a fraction? Buck... James, it was such a harrowing feeling, I wasn't sure what to do to move forward. So, I think I just panicked, shut down; thought if I could just get back to normal, you'd love me again..."

"I never stopped loving you," he swore, "I just had a bad lapse in my own judgement. Nothing against you, baby. Nothing."

You nodded again, letting him tuck you into his chest; perfectly snug under his chin as he coiled his arms around you. He let out a long sigh, his guilt swelling to new heights, but for that present moment, everything seemed okay.

Felt okay.

Appeared okay.

And you'd both do whatever it took to remain as okay as you possibly could.

requesting rules and masterlist

Marvel masterlist

Clingy Baby collection masterlist

[blueberrybirdsworld]

Collision 15/20

Summary:

Lando always had a type : blonde, models, not ready to settle down. Yet once he met her, all his world is changed and he slowly start to realises maybe he was wrong all this time.

It's a prequel story of The Cat Distribution System, on how Lando Norris fall in love with Ariana. Could be read seperatly.

Pairing : lando norris x original female character

Genre : SMAU, Fluff, slow burn, enventual smut and angst

Warning : angst, Lando is sad (yes it's a warning)

CHAPTER 15 :

Serie Masterlist

The villa was too quiet. 

The kind of quiet that wasn’t peaceful but tense, sharp-edged, and waiting to explode. 

No one laughed today. No one joked. No soft teasing over breakfast. No sunbathing by the pool. The warmth of Brazil felt foreign now. Wrong. Like it belonged to someone else's story. 

Ariana had locked herself in her room since their fight. 

Lando hadn’t said a word to anyone. 

Not a joke. Not a glance. Not even a sigh. 

Max tried twice to get through to him: once with food, once with sarcasm. Neither worked. Charles suggested they go surfing. Lando didn’t answer. Carlos tried to break the tension by calling him “Romeo, version parano”, but even that landed flat. 

Everyone knew. 

Something had happened. 

Something big. 

Kika stood outside Ariana’s door at least three times, knocking gently. 

“Babe, just tell me if you’re okay.” 

Silence. 

Pietra eventually snapped. “They need to talk.” 

“Not our job to force it,” Max muttered. 

“No,” Kika said, eyes hard, “but it’s our job to stop them from breaking something real.” 

By the time sunset rolled across the sky like fire, the tension in the house had become unbearable. And Kika had enough. 

Lando was pacing in the living room. Ariana hadn’t emerged all day. 

So Kika did what no one else dared. 

She marched upstairs. Knocked on Ariana’s door. “Put on something. Five minutes. You’re talking to him.” 

Then she went straight to Lando, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him like a furious little storm cloud through the house. 

Pierre tried to interfere. She silenced him with a glare. 

“Get. In.” 

She shoved them into the smallest guest room, snapped the door shut behind them, and locked it. 

From the other side: “You’re not getting out until you talk. So fix it. Or burn it down. But decide.” 

Footsteps faded. 

Silence fell. 

Ariana stood near the bed, arms crossed. Lando by the door, fists clenched. 

The space between them felt oceans wide. 

Neither moved. 

Her voice came first, quiet but sharp. “We just have to pretend we’re fine. Then Kika will let us out. I’ll go back to my room, pack my things, and leave first thing tomorrow.” 

His jaw clenched. “Back to Paris.” 

She nodded. “Obviously.” 

“Back to your dear dancer,” he snapped. 

She froze. 

“What?” Her voice was hollow. 

Lando laughed, humorless and mean. “Isn’t that what this is? You come here, say all the right things, play with me for a week, and then go back to the guy you never stopped seeing.” 

She stared at him. 

He kept going, voice getting louder, sharper. “He’s the one, right? The one from the photos. The one you said was nothing. You still with him, aren’t you? Just couldn’t resist the thrill of sneaking around?” 

Her voice cracked. “Lando—” 

He cut her off. “Was I just a fun distraction?” 

Silence. 

Her tears welled instantly, blurring her vision. 

She took a shaky step forward. “Do you really think… I’m cheating on my ‘boyfriend’ to be with you?” 

He didn’t answer. 

“Do you really think,” she whispered, voice shaking, “that I would say all of that, do all of that, travel across the world to be here with you… if I was still with someone else?” 

Still silence. 

Lando stared at the floor, chest heaving. 

She let out a breathless, hurt laugh. “You don’t even see me.” 

“You never said anything,” he muttered. “You never explained. You refused to talk about him. I had to find out online.” 

“So that’s your excuse?” she shouted suddenly. “You believe Twitter over me?” 

He flinched. 

She stepped closer, voice rising. “You think gossip blogs and blurry pictures know me better than you do? Since when do you care about that kind of bullshit?” 

He stayed silent. 

And in that silence, something in her broke. 

“You want the truth?” she said, voice trembling, “here’s the truth.” 

She took a deep breath like she was pulling a blade from her own ribs. 

“I dated him, yes. His name is Marc. He was my partner for three years. We were together the whole time. I thought he was the love of my life.” 

Lando blinked, stunned. 

She kept going. 

“But he lied, hurt me, change me in a way I hated. Turns out he was cheating on me with half the damn company. Sleeping with students. Assistants. Anyone who smiled at him.” 

Her voice cracked fully now. “I found out. I left him. That was a year ago. That’s how old those photos are. And no, I’m not still with him. I fucking hate him.” 

Lando’s breath hitched. “Ari—” 

She shook her head. “No. You wanted the truth, so just listen.” 

His mouth snapped closed. 

“I still have to dance with him. Still have to see him. Smile. Be civil. Pretend everything is fine because it’s my job. Because it’s the fucking Royal Ballet and I can’t let heartbreak cost me everything I’ve worked for since I was a kid.” 

She wiped a tear off her cheek, furious with herself for crying. 

“And this fucking jerk is still around me, remembering me of how much an idiot I was for falling for him, to believe all his lies and manipulation. He still posts about me or hugs me after a show like I am still his and it’s killing me. But I can’t say a thing because he is the fucking lead dancer, he had power and connection, so I had to work with him and pretend I get along, until the day my contract end and I will return to Paris, until now.” 

Lando didn’t say a thing, he just looks at the ground, his heart fill with guilt and shame. 

“So yeah. I lied that night at the Opera in London. I told you he was just a friend because back then, you were a stranger, Lando. A stranger I met at a Christmas party. And I didn’t owe you anything.” 

He stood frozen, every muscle in his body aching. 

“But now you know. Now you’ve ripped it out of me. Congratulations.” 

Her voice dropped. 

“Do you know what hurts the most?” 

He lifted his gaze. 

“I told myself I would never trust another man again. Never fall for someone. Never let anyone in after him. And then I met you.” 

His throat burned. 

“I fell for you. I loved you,” she whispered. “I know I should've explain it to you but Lando I was scared, and it's a part of my life I prefer to forget, to not talk about. You could've understand it, be patient, be kind, but no the moment it got hard, the second you felt doubt… you turned on me. You threw everything I gave you in my face and treated me like the villain."

She tried to breathe, to find words through the mess clawing at her throat. 

"I never asked you about your past," she whispered, voice cracking with hurt. "Because it didn’t matter to me. Because I trusted you." 

He was crying now, silent, hot tears that slid down his face like punishment. 

"After everything I've been through..." she pressed on, voice breaking, "after everything, I still chose to trust you." Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to look away. "I saw the pictures too, Lando. I'm not blind. The girls at the clubs. The rumors about you. About the way you used to be." 

His mouth parted, chest shifting with a sharp inhale. 

"Ariana, I—" 

She shook her head sharply, cutting him off before the words could leave his mouth. 

"Don't," she whispered, voice thick with unshed tears. "Don't you dare try to explain now." 

He stepped forward instinctively, reaching for her, but she stumbled back, out of reach. 

"I ignored all of it," she said, voice trembling. "Because I knew you. Because I believed the Lando I fell for was different." 

He flinched at that, visibly. 

And then she added, softer, broken, like it was costing her everything, "But maybe I was wrong." 

The silence that followed was suffocating. 

Lando stood there, hand half-lifted like he didn’t know whether to reach for her or let her go. 

She turned to the door. 

“Kika!” Her voice was sharp. “Open the door.” 

Seconds passed. Then a quiet click. 

The door swung open. 

Kika stood there, silent. 

Ariana didn’t look at Lando again. 

She walked out. 

Up the stairs. 

Straight to her room. 

And the sound of her suitcase unzipping was the final note in the symphony of everything falling apart. 

The house was still dark when she left. 

6:04 a.m. 

No sunrise yet. Just a dim grey light casting long shadows across the marble floors of the villa, painting everything in the dull palette of goodbyes. Just her suitcase in hand, hair pulled back, eyes heavy but dry, the tears had already come in the quiet of the night. 

Ariana descended the stairs like a ghost. 

Kika stood first, wrapping her in a long, warm hug, whispering things into her ear that Ariana would later forget the words of, but not the warmth. Pierre kissed the side of her head gently and said nothing. Alexandra gave her a sad smile and Charles a long squeeze of her hand. Max, still in his hoodie and socks, looked heartbroken. 

“Are you sure?” he whispered. 

Ariana nodded. 

Pietra was crying in Rebecca arms while Carlos had no words. 

Lando stood in the doorway. 

He hadn't slept. Hadn’t eaten. His hoodie was stained with salt from silent tears dried and cried again. 

Ariana didn’t look at him. 

Didn’t say a word. 

Not goodbye. Not even a fuck you. 

Just silence. 

The kind that broke bones. 

And then she was gone. Out the door. Into the waiting car. Into a plane. Out of his world. 

Back in their room, it was still dark. 

The air was heavy. Still. 

Lando stepped in slowly, as if the room would collapse if he moved too fast. 

Her perfume was still there. 

Sweet, floral, soft. Like summer mornings and pointe shoes. Like the softness of her neck pressed into his chest. Like her laugh when she tried to cook pasta barefoot. 

And on the chair by the closet, the hoodie she always stole from him. 

Folded. 

Untouched. 

Cold. 

He sank to the floor. 

He didn't sob. Not at first. 

He just sat there. 

Then his chest heaved once, twice, and suddenly he was curling into himself, arms wrapped around his knees, the hoodie clutched to his chest like it was the only thing tethering him to her memory. 

And he cried. 

Hard. 

Ugly. 

Painfully. 

The kind of cry that comes when you realize you’ve truly, completely, irrevocably fucked it all up. 

She was gone. 

She had left him. 

And this time, it wasn’t a game. There would be no playful texts. No teasing glances. No lazy mornings and paint-stained kisses. No ballet tickets. 

Just absence. 

Downstairs, the mood was shattered. 

The group didn’t know what to say. 

No one wanted to touch it. 

Max, finally, got up and went upstairs. Quietly opened the door to Lando’s room and saw the boy he’d known since childhood curled in the ground. 

“Mate,” he said gently, stepping in, “I don’t want to tell you how to feel right now. You’re in hell. I get it.” 

Lando didn’t answer. 

“But you need to talk to her. Fix it.” 

Still nothing. 

Max sighed, ruffling his curls, helpless. “Alright. Be sad. But don’t stay here forever.” 

He walked back out. 

And that’s when Kika came in. 

She didn’t knock. 

Didn’t soften her voice. 

Didn’t give him any chance to prepare. 

She walked right up to him, arms crossed, eyes blazing. 

“What the actual fuck are you doing?” 

Lando flinched slightly, looking up from the floor. 

Kika didn’t stop. 

“She’s gone. She left. And you’re just sitting here like you’re the victim in this?” 

“I know I’m not,” he muttered hoarsely. 

“Then why are you acting like it’s over?” 

He looked away. “Because it is.” 

“No.” Her voice was sharp. “It’s over because you’re letting it be over.” 

“Kika—” 

“She loved you.” 

“I know.” 

“She trusted you.” 

“I know.” 

“Then what the hell are you doing crying on the floor instead of going after her?” 

Lando stood up slowly, eyes bloodshot. “Because I broke her. Because I said things I can’t take back.” 

“And?” 

“She won’t forgive me.” 

“Not if you don’t fight for her,” she shot back. “But maybe that’s the truth, maybe you don’t actually love her the way she loved you.” 

His head snapped up. “Don’t you dare.” 

“Then prove me wrong,” she hissed. “Because right now? She’s in a car. She’s in an airport. She’s in a goddamn plane flying away from the guy who she thought would never hurt her. And you’re just… what? Gonna stay here? Let her leave?” 

He didn’t answer. 

Kika’s voice cracked now, not angry, desperate. 

“Are you really going to let the love of your life walk away from you, Lando?” 

His eyes closed. 

“You know where she lives. You know where she dances. If you really love her, if you meant all of it then one mistake shouldn’t ruin everything.” 

Lando was breathing hard now, like he couldn’t catch his breath. 

Kika whispered. “Or will you let your fear ruin it.” 

The room was quiet again. 

But something inside him had cracked open, wider than guilt. Deeper than sadness. 

Something that ached to be fixed. 

And for the first time since she walked out the door… 

Lando wasn’t crying. 

Taglist : @angelluv16, @httpsxnox, @anunstablefangirl, @chocolatemagazinecupcake, @mayax2o07, @freyathehuntress, @verogonewild, @lilyofthevalley-09, @esw1012, @its-me-frankie, @linneaguriii, @ezzi-ln4, @rlbmutynnek, @actuallyazriel, @sofs16, @thulior, @sltwins, @knivesdoingcartwheels, @henna006, @stylesmoonlight12, @lilaissa, @sideboobrry11, @l3thal-l0lita, @lorena-mv33, @ispywlittleeye-blog, @lesliiieeeee, @sageskiesf1

Let me know if you wanted to be added to the taglist !

[leaawrites]

hii I saw your post about the short n sweet writing n I was wondering if you could do Logan huntzberger with one of them you can pick which one side I haven’t listened to the album yet x

Sharpest Tool

Logan Huntzberger x fem!reader

Summary: in which, the smart yale boy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to relationships.

Warnings: sexual references, rory is kind of a villian (but so is Logan), angst,

Wordcount: 0.7k

Masterlist, Short n'Sweet Series

She had been warned, by almost everyone. She should’ve known.

It was obvious, that somewhere in between promises and heartfelt laughter, somewhat a little less than something, but a little more than nothing was hidden. It was obvious, that whatever he said was nothing more than a line he said more than once that night. It was obvious, that the missed calls and lonely nights were signs enough. But they never talked about it, so she never understood what they were.

“You know, that Rory’s been over at his more often lately, right?” Paris asked, as both girls were occupied with the last papers for the Yale Daily News. The last story being put into it’s right place.

“It’s not like that,” she defended herself more than him. If Paris knew, that she wasn’t even aware of what they were, or that she knew that she wasn’t the only one, she wouldn’t gear the end of it. And she would never talk to Rory again, probably be kicked out of the Paper as well. “They are friends, that’s all.”

“They went out to dinner and Rory didn’t come back home that night,” Paris kept on pushing her closer to the edge.

“It’s nothing.”

“What is?” The brunette in the doorway asked, walking into the room as it feel deadly silent. “What were you talking about?”

God, why couldn’t she take a hint that she wasn’t appreciated here?

“Nothing,” Y/n answered once more, shooting a dirty look in Paris’ way to tell her to keep her mouth shut. “I need to go, I’m meeting Logan.”

“He’s out with the guys, he probably won’t be home,” Rory answered nonchalant, helping Paris with the Paper now.

The girl stopped dead in her tracks, leaving little space between her tears and skin, tearing one off with every blink of her eye. She couldn’t be serious, could she?

“I’ll find him,” she answered, before walking out and leaving Rory dumbfounded as to what she did wrong.

She should’ve known.

Of course, someone like Logan would never settle solely for her. Of course, she wouldn’t be the only one he whispered to in between his sheets.

She should’ve known.

Logan was busy talking to his friends to notice her walk near him, until her hand found his and he almost jumped back at the contact. Until his eyes met hers and he pulled her into a hug, kissing her head in greeting, instead of using his mouth and the words in his head. He was good at talking until it came to her - to them. Then he didn’t seem to know the definition of commitment or anything serious relationship related. It were always just kisses and smiles and hugs and flowers and chocolates and sex and whispers and moans and giggles, but never actual words.

“You’ve met Colin and Finn already, right?” Logan asked, keeping his hand on her waist as she shook both boys hands.

“Yes, we met at that one party. You introduced us,” she answered as if it was nothing. As if she was the only one he should remember, because there were no others.

“Oh, right. I forgot, sorry. The one at Halloween, right?”

No, one on a random Tuesday, where he seemed surprised to see her out of her dorm for once. Like she wasn’t supposed to be there.

“Yeah,” she answered with a smile. “I’m gonna go now, just wanted to say hi. The day was really long and tiresome, but I’ll see you tomorrow?” She asked, turning to Logan to see the wheels turning in his head, searching in his brain for a free time for her.

“Yes, of course,” he answered, not turning around once as she walked away.

She wouldn’t see him tomorrow, she saw him and Rory, yes. But not him. The boy she started to love two weeks after meeting him because he gave her hope for meaning something. And when she was too eager for more than he was willing to give, he couldn’t understand why she stopped calling.

He really wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

[moonlitcelestial]

Chapter 22 

Beyond the Lens - Logbook Videographer!Reader x OT8 Ateez

W/C 11,915

🎥 Series Masterlist 🎥

☽ Masterlist ☾ 

Inspiration Pictures

Pinterest Board Masterlist

Previous Chapter (Chapter 21)

Disclaimer: This story is purely a work of fiction. It is not meant to assume or mock anything about Ateez, Atiny, or anything relating to what I do not know about being a videographer. This story will follow several of the events that Ateez have done in the past year for Golden Hour Part 2, that being said I will not be able to include everything. 

Contains she/her pronouns.

The logo in the center is mine. Please do not reuse or copy.

I strongly recommend looking at the inspiration pictures and the Pinterest boards linked above (which will be updating as the story goes on).

General Warnings: cussing, conflict, angst, fluff, and obliviousness. 

CHAPTER WARNINGS - None, let me know if I should add any.

Let me know what you think! <3 Moonie

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

You finally landed in Paris, after being in a plane for upwards of 10 hours you were absolutely exhausted and stiff. Most of your time was spent rotating between sleeping, watching shows, catching up on some of the editing you could with the shotty Wi-Fi, and switching between listening to your most current audiobook and your favorite playlist. As soon as you landed you started moving to get your bags. Thankfully you had been in one of the first rows so you got off the plane quickly. When you got out and into the main portion of the airport you pulled out your phone to message everyone that you made it safely to Paris. They rapidly fired responses back to you shortly after. You knew it was early in the morning for them because of the time difference so you told them to get back to bed. 

When you got out of the airport after grabbing your bag from the baggage claim you made your way out to get a cab. You finally flagged one down after a few minutes and the little old man was smiling at you, after a little while you safely made it to your hotel. Checking in was a breeze as this was a hotel you had frequented when you came up here. The older woman had recognized you and already had some of the things ready as you made it up to her counter. You thanked her with your very limited French and she giggled at your thick accent. 

Your room was the perfect size for you as always. You took off your Beyond the Lens Studios baseball cap, threw it on the bed, and ruffled your hair out before you started to unpack your things. First you hung your clothes so they wouldn't wrinkle too badly, then you got your computer set up on the desk on the far side of the room right next to the door to the balcony. At one point you found a stray Jjongrami and Hetmongi, those sneaky bastards; you set the two of them up by the pillows on your bed. When you had those things set up you started getting more of your smaller things out, plugging in your cameras and all of the chargers for your electronics. You changed out of your airport outfit and into the blue space sleep set you brought. Flopping yourself into bed you sent off another message that you were in and settled at your hotel and that you would update them as you could throughout tomorrow.

While you were sprawled across the bed you checked your emails and some of your socials. There were several confirming the schedules of the shoots you were participating in. You shot off responses stating that you just landed and got settled and that you would be there at the requested meeting time. There was something that you were CC’d in from Aurora but that could wait until tomorrow. You responded to some of the other emails you had before getting on your socials. In the end you were watching edits and all sorts of things until your brain had slowed enough that you could get to sleep. With heavy lidded eyes you took off your glasses and plugged in your phone. Shortly thereafter you fell into a dreamless and restless sleep. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

You woke up freely which generally meant early as hell. With a groan you moved to grab your phone. It had been lit up with several messages from everyone back in Seoul. They were already into their afternoon while you were just waking up. Forrest had updated you on the filming he was taking over for you with the Ateez boys. Willow told you about all of the things she was doing to keep you updated on the progress of the edits for the first logbook Beyond the Lens was in charge of as well as the other things you have filmed for them. She was nearly finished with her part and would be sending it back to you soon for final edits, sadly you would have to hang onto it until they debuted the music. Aurora was messaging you about the project you and her collaborated on giving you a general rundown of everything including the CC’d email. The boys had been giving you little updates on how everything was going throughout their day. Some of them had taken to sending you ridiculous selfies and odd blurry pictures of some of the other boys. You smiled and responded to all of them with a blurry selfie of you with the covers pulled up to just under your eyes the Jjongrami and Hetmongi next to either side of your head. The responses were immediate, most of them protesting that you brought only those two, the team was rolling as they watched the chaos. You had to explain that you hadn't packed them and the two in question were smug as they admitted to sneaking them into your suitcase. San and Wooyoung had sent a selfie together saying the real thing was better. You responded by telling them if they wanted to be that way you would buy plane tickets for Yeosang to come up here; you left Hongjoong out of it because he already was coming up here. They immediately stopped their ranting and instead sent good mornings and a few other stray pictures. You rolled your eyes at them and couldn't stop smiling. 

Despite the initial chaos it felt like you were finally a part of a family, one that loved you as much as you loved them. You layed in bed for a little bit before you decided to get up and start getting ready. You threw on your cropped tank top, comfy shorts and one of your zip up hoodies as well as a few of the necklaces and rings you brought with you. When you finished getting dressed you grabbed your small backpack and put one of your cameras in it along with your essentials for going out on the town. Today was going to be a jet lag recovery day, you always planned a day into your schedule so you could adjust so you would be at your best when you were working. It also was the day you had been anticipating for weeks, something that you were extremely excited about.

As soon as you were ready you headed down for breakfast in the lobby. With a wave to the front desk people you started piling your plate high with some of the breakfast foods they had. In all honesty the food here was one of your favorite parts of the trip. As you sat down in the back corner of the dining room you brought out your phone and took a picture of your breakfast to send out to the Never-ending Nonsense group chat formerly known as the Ministry of Chaos. The name changed as soon as the boys Forrest and Aurora started arguing in the chat about something you can't even recall now.  You dug into the breakfast and watched people as you ate. It was almost too quiet, the chaos from the boys was missing. It was weird how much the few days of chaos seemed to have ingrained itself into your mornings. Just as you were finishing up you were met with multiple vibrations of your phone. You checked it and your heart warmed with more cute responses of your favorite people.

After you finished your breakfast you started to make your way over to your first and most likely only stop for today. On the way you got sidetracked and decided to go into a small shop to grab some snacks for throughout the day. You snagged some danishes, croissants, a couple of donuts and macarons. As soon as you got to your destination you couldn't stop smiling. One of your acquaintances owned the shop you stood in front of; Midnight Inkworks. She must have seen you because shortly after the door opened with a cute ding. Aurélie was standing there with a large smile on her face as she peaked at you. Her tan skin and black hair was gorgeous as always. The colorful tattoos and silver piercings stood out against her darker outfit; very similar to your own. While she peeked out the door she was just about a head shorter than you. It always cracked you up how short she was compared to you. You laughed at her and started stepping toward the open door. As soon as you passed the threshold she hugged you.

“Long time no see dear,” You hugged her back and started chatting with her as she started asking her normal questions. You fell into conversation easily with her, the two of you had found common ground the first time you came here for the moon tarot card piece on your hip. She was thoroughly impressed with you because you sat through it in one sitting; she had said you were one of the best clients she had after the fact. 

You set down the bag of snacks you procured while she pulled out the design you had been working on together. When you laid eyes on it your jaw dropped. It was absolutely perfect. This was the first time you got to see the finished product, the two of you had been shooting it back and forth working on it together for the past few weeks. The last time you saw it it was still fairly raw and unpolished, she had taken your visions and drawings and made them into a masterpiece. The sword through the middle was beautifully detailed with stipple shading. The yin and yang koi looked absolutely amazing with the small amount of shading she added to your initial drawings. The small flowers she added made the entire piece come together. (Tattoo it’s the last one) It was going to look perfect on the back of your left leg. You turned around so she could place the stencil. Before she did she took the first of several before pictures. After she placed it you stepped away from her and took a look at it in the large mirror and absolutely fell in love with the way it flowed. 

Aurélie brought you over to her chair and made you stand there for a second set of before pictures. When she was satisfied with the amount of them she started her work. 

You got to watch as her partner came in and had several clients throughout the morning, each time they left with large smiles on their faces. The two of them were the reason this business was constantly busy. They both were amazing artists with the kindest souls; even if they could be intimidating at first with their multiple sets of piercings and tattoos. You saw through them immediately because you were almost one in the same. People were always too quick to judge but if they truly got to know the people behind the ink they would realize that they were some of the best people you could have at your side. 

There were only a couple of times you took a break for her and for you. At one point she sat in front of you while you snacked on some of the small pastries you brought. She asked you about how life was going in Seoul and how you were doing in the photography business. You filled her in about your old company and how you got Beyond the Lens. Throughout the story she was telling you how proud she was of you as she was once in a similar situation; which is how she ended up having a very successful tattoo shop. She also asked if you had any luck in the dating pool; to which you told her yes without giving too many details. You talked about all of the qualities of the different boys making it seem like it was one person you were discussing instead of eight. She was absolutely swooning at the mention of how you were treated. 

While you were laying on your stomach in the chair you kept up with messaging everyone so none of them would get suspicious. Thankfully every time one of them asked how you were doing you could give a short noncommittal answer and then ask them what they were up to. Which generally resulted in a flurry of a bunch of different messages with everyone’s replies. 

Before too long the constant chatter of a couple of other people, the buzzing of the tattoo gun, and the soft lofi music lulled you into a light sleep. Apparently you hadn’t gotten enough last night; like always. 

You were awoken with light pats on your arms. Aurélie was squatting in front of you with a large smile on her face. The first time you fell asleep in her chair she panicked, almost calling the medics. After talking her off that ledge you told her that you fell asleep for most of your tattoos especially the large ones; which is what most of your body was covered with. This time was no different, “You're done doll, it came out amazing if I do say so myself.” 

She helped you stand and you turned to look over your shoulder at the large tattoo spanning from your thigh just under your butt down to your calf and to your achilles. The way she made the koi fall on either side of the bend of your knee made it look perfect. You couldn't stop smiling and immediately lunged at her to give her a hug. The two of you laughed and you praised her talent while you rocked back and forth in her arms. 

You separated from her and put your hands on her shoulders. “You are a saint, it looks absolutely magnificent. It is better than I imagined it being, I can't wait to show everyone back home!” 

“I'm glad you like it Y/n! Let's get some after pictures!” You nodded at her and let her stage you for the several pictures she was going to take for her profiles. After she had enough pictures you pulled out your camera from your backpack and took one over your shoulder with her standing proudly in the mirror. Then came the large clear bandage to keep it from drying out for the next couple of days. When the two of you were finished you made your way over to the register as she was half assed explaining the aftercare to you; she knew you already knew what she was telling you anyway. When you got to the register you pulled your cash out and handed it over to her, making sure to tip generously. She had tried to give some of it back but you were already halfway out the door. You waved to her and stepped out of the store as she was protesting the amount; she was worth it for the work she did. By the time you got out of the shop it was already close to two, you had been in there for just about six hours. You decided to head back to the hotel to possibly get some of your work done. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

When you stepped into the hotel you were met with the smiling face of the front desk receptionist. She watched you as you passed and went to the elevator. You unlocked your door and as soon as you stepped in you were met with the overwhelming scent of roses. Peeking around the room you spotted the bouquet of beautiful deep red almost black roses on the desk next to your laptop. You approached the desk and looked over the roses, there was a small note attached. 

Our Treasure,

We are happy you made it safe and sound.

With love, your Pirates 

How in the fuck did he even know where you were? You pulled your computer forward and turned it on so it could get booted up. While it was booting up you opened the balcony door so the fresh air could get into the room. Before you got too into work you decided to call the boys, it was getting late in Seoul and it felt odd not having them around.

You pulled up facetime on your Mac and clicked into the 9 Makes 1 Team group chat to start a group call with them. When it started ringing you moved over to the horizontal monitor on the left side of your laptop to see which projects you could help with in the Beyond the Lens Cloud. There were still some photos that needed editing for one of the shoots you were helping Willow with. You clicked into a few of them and brought them into Photoshop on your vertical screen which was on the right. While you were in the middle of adjusting the brightness of the first photo you heard the call ping alerting you someone had joined. Glancing over you realized Wooyoung was the first and only one to answer the call so far. 

“Noona! Hi! How is the city of love?” 

“Hi Woo, it's beautiful as always. It was absolutely gorgeous outside so I went out for a bit of a trip around the area and visited some shops.” You hadn't quite looked at him just yet, when you had the picture to a spot you wanted it to be you fully looked over.

“Did you get anything interesting?” He was watching you with a cute small smile. You grabbed one of the pastries you had leftover from earlier today and showed it to him before taking a large bite. 

“That looks really good!” You covered the bottom half of your face and you nodded while Wooyoung laughed at you and your chipmunk cheeks. Yunho and Mingi popped up onto your screen next. The two of them looked slightly out of breath like they had just been dancing. They both waved at you as they took large drinks of water. 

“Hi Princess! How are you? Is jet lag kicking your butt?” 

“I’m doing really well. It was but I got a decent amount of sleep on the plane and took a nap earlier today so I’m good to go.”

“Yuyu took one too, he was worn out from being up so early.” Yunho lightly smacked Mingi for revealing that bit of information. You and Wooyoung laughed at the two who started to lightly bicker. Hongjoong popped onto the screen and immediately clocked the twin towers bickering, he shook his head with a click of his tongue. 

“Hi Shutterbug, what are you up to?” He was looking at something beyond his phone, from what you could tell he had his phone propped up against his monitors in the studio. Sometimes you forget how similar you were to him. Workaholics at their finest.

“I think I am doing just about the same thing as you, talking to our loves while piecing some work together.” You started clicking around to see the before and after your quick edits. They looked good but there was still something you wanted to do to bring the focus to the model in the middle. There were a couple of clicks that came through his call as well. The two of you looked back at your respective devices at the same time which prompted a giggle from you and Wooyoung who was just watching everything. Mingi and Yunho’s bickering match paused hearing the two of you laughing. Hongjoong smiled at you before looking back up and speaking to someone. Shortly after, Yeosang popped into your view on Hongjoong’s call. 

“Hi Sangie! Having fun recording?” He gave you a small wave before looking at Hongjoong and taking a step back. He motioned violently that he wasn't, you could tell it was in a joking manner. Hongjoong was watching him from the reflection in the monitor. He turned around quickly in his chair and Yeosang froze. Your eyes widened just like Yeosang’s did as he stood up deliberately slowly and murmured something that the microphone on Hongjoong’s phone couldn't quite pick up. Yeosang turned beet red and his mouth was in a tight line trying to suppress what you could assume was a smile. You could only imagine what he had said to him. You looked at Wooyoung’s little box and he was watching it with a sly grin. Mingi and Yunho were doing the same. San popped up behind Mingi and Yunho and startled them, they must not have been paying attention. 

“Hi Sannie!” 

“Hi Y/n-nie” He gave you a small wave and kissed Mingi and Yunho on the cheeks before squeezing himself between the two of them. You looked back to your right screen and a lightbulb went off, you knew exactly what you needed to do to get the picture where you were imagining it. A smile and a noise of triumph left you before you started furiously clicking around in Photoshop to adjust the things you needed. When you zoomed back out from the picture you clapped your hands, it came out perfect. You saved it quickly and sent off the several saved versions to Willow and put them into the cloud under the correct file. When you focused back on the laptop screen you realized that you were being watched by all eight of your boyfriends; even Hongjoong had looked away from his computer to watch you. When Seonghwa and Jongho had gotten there you had no idea. You felt the heat rush to your face as you tried to suppress your bashful smile. 

“You're cute.” the words fell from the maknae’s lips before he could think anything of them. You crossed your arms with a small huff. 

“You're one to talk, Aegiya (baby). I have to repress the urge to squish your cheeks any time I am in your presence” The responding laughter at your muttered phrase made the smile you were suppressing finally slip free. With a quick glance you saw that he was suppressing a smile and his face may have been just a little red. He was also rolling his eyes at you and the rest of your boys. The teasing of the maknae never stopped. 

Your afternoon consisted of most of the boys chattering with you while you listened and worked. For the most part you have been productive until someone demanded your attention away from your photos. The first time it was Wooyoung, when he finally got your attention he made several aegyo faces at you. You rolled your eyes at him and continued your work with a smile. A while later the second time was Jongho who had taken you into one of the practice rooms with him. He serenaded all of you while he practiced. You had stopped all together to watch him while he sang, the smile never left your face. The third and final time was when Mingi, Yunho, and Yeosang had demanded that you watch them practice next. As soon as the music started you were absolutely a blushing mess as they started the choreography to Wake Up. When they finished they picked up the phone and took you with them to head back home. Most of the other boys did the same within the next 30 minutes. San had sent you pictures of the giants as soon as he made it to your house. There was also a video of Toothless screaming at him while he stood in the kitchen which made you laugh.

As it got later they slowly trickled out of the video call to go to bed. You had given them warm goodnights as they left. The only one that was there now was Hongjoong, he looked absolutely exhausted but you knew his mind was flowing with creative ideas and that he wouldn't stop any time soon. A little while later you glanced down and saw that it was just about 6 p.m. where you were, which meant it was almost 1a.m. there in Seoul.

“Joongie, you should probably go home to sleep some time soon.” He was in the middle of putting something together when you spoke. The only indication that he had heard you was the quick flicker of his eyes to his phone and then to something behind it. He opened his mouth like he was going to speak but as soon as the track he was working on started playing he muted himself. You tilted your head at him but after a minute of not being able to hear him shook your head and continued working on the last couple of photos in the album. You continued like this for a while before your stomach rumbled. 

“Joongie, I know you can hear me. If I have to I will call someone to go pick you up and drag your ass home if you continue much longer. I know it is nearly 2 a.m. there.” He looked down at his phone and then to the computers behind it, the dark circles under his eyes were fairly prominent. He leaned forward like he was going to unmute himself and started speaking, not even glancing at you on his screen. You tried to get his attention to let him know he was still muted, you spoke, you waved your hands in front of your camera but nothing was working. 

After a few more minutes of this continuing you decided to get up and go to your room’s phone. You called down and ordered yourself some room service for dinner. When you finished you looked back at your screen to see him still talking, but now you could see someone in the frame. That’s why, he was talking to someone and most likely deafened you. You made your way to the bathroom in the hotel room and looked at the back of your left leg. There were a couple of spots under the wrap that had blood on them but other than that it looked amazing. You ran your hand over the wrap that was on it, there was a slight twinge of pain as you made your way toward the back of your knee. It honestly surprised you that Hongjoong hadn't seen it when you were on the room phone. There was a small knock on the door to your room. You smiled widely at the man as he rolled the cart into your room. 

“Thank you!” He sat the dinner on your dresser as the desk was full of electronics. 

“Of course, have a great evening.” He nodded to you and started back out the door. You followed him and closed the door to the room. The food smelled absolutely divine. With quick steps you moved to the desk to push your computer back so you had enough room to eat; taking special care to avoid the roses. When it was situated at a good place you grabbed the tray of food and sat down to eat. Hongjoong was bopping to something while you ate. You just watched him quietly. He was so in his element but he really needed to go to sleep.

“Joongie, I don't know if you can hear me but I think you should go home, you have other schedules tomorrow morning and a packed full week. You need sleep if you're going to survive it without making yourself sick.” He was looking at something off the screen. You continued to watch him while you finished your meal, he had been completely silent and you had no idea if he could hear you anyway. With a sigh you decided to just hang up the call, “Please take care of yourself.” you whispered. Maybe if the light changed and you disappeared he would finally realize what time it is. 

When you were completely finished with your food you took the plate and placed it outside the door. You decided to grab your camera and go sit on the balcony. The air was warm as you stepped outside from the open sliding door. You lifted your camera up and started taking pictures of miscellaneous things. First it was the small flower shop across the way, then it was the couple standing in front of it smiling at each other while they picked out flowers for a bouquet. You turned to look at the beautiful one that was sitting on the corner of your desk. With a small smile you turned back to look over the city, your eyes caught on the Eiffel tower. Your body moved before your mind registered, your camera came up to your face and you had taken off your glasses and set them on top of your head before snapping the picture. Most of the time you had the camera close enough to your face that you didn't need your glasses, it was either that or you smacked into them while moving quickly. You watched as the photo popped up and quickly disappeared. It went on like this for what felt like a few seconds, it could have been an hour for all you know. There was no concept of time to you when you were taking pictures. You followed the streets and captured the genuine interactions of the couples coming out of the restaurants with large smiles. You almost wished at least one of your boys was here right now so you could do the same. 

A vibration came from beside you on the chair you tossed your phone into. You picked it up and held it extremely close to your face to see Hongjoong calling you. With a light roll of your eyes you answered the facetime call and put your glasses back to their normal place. He was pouting on the other end, before you could greet him he spoke. “You left.”

“You were in the middle of something, I tried talking to you but you had me deafened and you were muted.”

“I'm sorry Shutterbug, Maddox came into the room and was asking me a bunch of questions about the track I was working on.”

“That’s okay Songbird, I just figured I would be one less distraction you had to worry about while you were working, even though the both of you should be asleep because it is nearing” you tapped your phone which showed it was about 7:30 pm here, “2:30 am. You especially because I know you have a schedule tomorrow morning and then a flight here soon thereafter.” he rubbed the back of his neck with a small sheepish smile. 

“I’m heading home now, I promise.” He flipped the camera and showed the back of one of the company vans. You nodded to him and flipped your camera to show the city, more specifically the Eiffel tower. 

“Wahh, you've got a great view of everything! I love that you can see the tower without being too close to it.” He was leaning in close to his phone as he inspected the view. The wonder on his face was almost comical. You took a screenshot of him with a small smile. 

“That’s why I chose this hotel forever ago. Every time I come here I use this hotel, I've been here enough that some of the long term staff recognize me at this point.” You flipped the camera to focus back on yourself. He moved away from the screen slightly and you smiled at him. 

“Now that is a breathtaking view.” Your smile turned bashful and you could feel the heat creep up the back of your neck. When he saw that you were blushing his smile widened. The simplicity of the compliment made your heart flutter in your chest; it really didn't take much to make you blush like a schoolgirl talking to her crush. 

“Joongie, I have a question for you.” He nodded at you indicating he was listening as he got out of the vehicle. 

“How did you know where to send the bouquet you got me?” A small laugh left him at your question. 

”Magic.” You rolled your eyes at his answer. Of course he wouldn't tell you, you should have known. 

“Stalker.” There was a small snort of laughter that came from him as he walked in a door. You watched as he brought the phone up to his face and peered into your soul. All you could see was his eyes and forehead for just a brief second. He took you with him as he made his way through the darkness of the dorm. He changed out of your view and ended up carrying you to the bathroom and set it down on the counter while he brushed his teeth. It was so domestic, something that despite the several days they had spent at your house you haven't seen. 

“Shutterbug, you're staring,” you straightened slightly, zoning back in and looked everywhere but the phone in your hand. What you didn't see was he was watching you too. You moved and settled yourself on the seat your phone was previously on. When you looked back at the phone he was laying in bed. The small smile that graced his face was beautiful. 

“Stay with me?” You nodded at him as he settled. His small whisper showed how tired he was. You watched as his eyes slowly started to droop as soon as he was completely comfortable. There was just a little movement behind him that caught your eye. An arm moved around him and pulled him closer; you may or may not have wished that was you. There was a small sigh as the two of them got comfortable with each other. Hongjoong’s eyes had finally fallen closed and his breathing was just beginning to even out. The phone started tilting and before you knew it you were looking at the ceiling of his room. You stayed just a little longer making sure he was actually asleep before you hung up. 

The warm air had kept you comfortable as you basked in the quiet, the only noise was the bustling city below you. For as much as you loved the chaos, you also loved the quiet. It may have felt odd before but now as you were sitting in the quiet you realized how much you almost missed it. The same quiet that sometimes destroys you. You sat there for a while just watching the sky change. Mother nature was always the best artist; you grabbed the camera from around your neck and started adjusting the settings to be able to capture the beauty. When you were finally satisfied that it looked good you took several shots. 

Something overtook you then, the want to take more pictures. Your body was moving before you completely realized. You had slipped on your shoes, put on your Beyond the Lens ballcap and started making your way to the first floor. As soon as you stepped off the elevator you heard the laughter and clinking of glasses from the restaurant to your right. With a small smile you walked out to the street. The hustle and bustle almost overtook you but knowing how the flow worked here worked to your advantage. Falling into the rhythm of foot traffic you made your way wandering wherever you could. There was music coming from somewhere and you paused to listen for where it was coming from. When you found the source of the music you had completely stopped and watched the people dancing to the violin and piano. Everything was alive with joy, the people dancing, the crowd and the musicians. The warm lighting was perfectly shining to create soft shadows from the people scattered around. You lifted your camera and started taking pictures of the beautiful moment. The people were all smiling while you took pictures, you captured the genuine love in their gazes. You started garnering more and more attention as you took more pictures. This made you happy that you were wearing the hat that had your company logo, your personal photography social, and the QR code that brought people to your website. 

While you moved expertly through the crowd the smile didn't leave your face. This, this is what you are meant to do. You are meant to capture people’s favorite memories. You moved toward the people playing the violins and piano. You took several action shots of the three of them, there aren't many people that would ever think of capturing the people that were creating the moments for others. That’s where you always wandered, someone needed to take care of the people taking care of others. As you were taking pictures the pianist glanced at you with a large smile, it was the perfect opportunity to capture his picture. With a quick movement of your fingers your camera shuttered. You tipped your hat to him before wandering over the duo playing the violins together. A man and a woman who were smiling at each other as they played. You captured the moment from several different angles before they caught sight of you. When they did they slightly bowed as they kept playing. Just like the pianist their fingers were moving quickly over their instrument. 

You needed to move fast if you could capture the picture you wanted to. Gently you moved through the crowd to some of the chairs at a nearby cafe. You grabbed it and set it up so you could stand over the crowd that was laughing and clapping. Just as you were getting up onto the chair the end of the song was nearing, your movements were quick and precise as you brought the camera up above you. With a quick flip of the viewfinder you held and adjusted it to get the best angle. This was going to be either an amazing shot, or a blurry one. You took the chance anyway. Holding your finger over the button you let the shutter do its job. The musicians finished the piece with a flourish. You came off the chair and clapped along with the rest of the people. 

There were a few of the couples that had seen you approaching you. You smiled at them while they approached. When they asked about where they could find the pictures you told them about your socials and the website QR code. There was a general spiel that you started spewing without thinking. 

“We are a photography and videography business based in Seoul, South Korea. We travel all over the world for our clients and when we visit anywhere we always make a point of getting some more genuine pictures instead of the posed ones we always see. We do this not for the clout or money but for the people beyond the lens. We want to be able to make your memories come to life through our pictures. It will take a little while before I can get the pictures up but I promise it'll be within the next couple of weeks.” The couples listened to you while you spoke, the most rewarding thing was being able to show some of them their pictures. The gasps and general excitement that flowed from them made your heart happy. You took off your hat and offered the back of it so they could get the link to your website. When they had dissipated you slid one of your business cards to the man still sitting at the piano chatting with a couple of people. You did the same by dropping one in the violin cases for the violinists who were standing near a table talking animatedly with some people. 

After you had made it away from the crowd you meandered around. Somehow you ended up in front of the Eiffel tower. You took a seat and just watched the people mill by you, some were dressed casually some were dressed to the nines. There was a couple that you saw standing together just looking everything over. You quickly got up, a gut feeling was telling you that you needed to capture the moment. When you got close enough the man separated himself from the woman. You knelt and brought the camera up to your face as quickly as you could; smacking into your glasses in the process. After a moment’s hesitation so you could recover you started snapping the pictures as he knelt in front of her. 

Her hands flew to her mouth in shock, the man was grinning so widely as he held a box out in front of him with a gorgeous ring. The tower was perfectly behind them from this angle, the lights twinkling like starlight just like the ring in the box. You watched in real time as she nodded and threw herself into his arms. The both of them tumbled to the ground in a fit of giggles, she was laying on top of him just smiling while he slid the ring on her finger. You continued getting pictures intermittently as you approached the couple. They had gotten up by the time you finally got to them. They shared a sweet kiss while they held hands, you took one more picture.

You got closer to them and they both acknowledged you. “Hi, I’m so sorry for interrupting your absolutely beautiful moment, congratulations by the way. I just so happened to be nearby when I saw the two of you and felt the need to capture some pictures for you.” The woman squealed and looked over to her now fiance who was staring at you gaping. You let out a small chuckle at the two of them and moved forward to show them some of the pictures you captured of their life changing moment. The woman’s enthusiasm reminded you of San and Wooyoung. She was bouncing around excitedly and every once in a while she would smack her partner’s shoulder lightly when a picture came out particularly good. You stood there for a couple of minutes showing them the pictures, in the end you exchanged emails with the woman and gave her one of your business cards. They both thanked you several times before you parted ways. 

There was a perpetual smile on your face the entire way back to the hotel. As soon as you walked in there was a younger woman who greeted you as you passed. In the elevator you hummed to yourself a tune that had no name. When you stepped into your room you started getting changed and plugged in your camera so it would be charged for the first of many shoots tomorrow. You pulled out your favorite all black suit and hung it on the back of the bathroom door for tomorrow. After doing your nighttime routine you got under the covers and cuddled down grabbing the two small plushies and squishing them as close to you as you could. Your mind took a little while to shut down but as soon as it did you were brought into a dreamless sleep. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

Your alarm woke you up, you smacked around blindly and grabbed it before turning off the offensive sound and getting up. Trudging your way to the bathroom you checked your messages. Most of them stayed fairly consistent with yesterday but this time there were more pictures of the boys being professional from the team. With a light smile you saved all of the pictures you could. You did your morning routine and made quick work of light makeup. When you were done fixing yourself up to look at least somewhat professional you made your way over to your cameras and started packing everything up for the day. Before you left you grabbed your glasses chain and put it around your neck before attaching it to your glasses then you clipped your name tag to your blazer. You and the team had these made so people would recognize you and put a face to the name. Yours was a black name tag with white text; the other’s had colors corresponding with their alias’ Aurora with white, Forrest with gold, and Willow with purple. On your way out of your room you snatched your sunglasses and settled them over your normal glasses. You walked out of the hotel after grabbing a small breakfast to take on the road with you. Thankfully hailing a cab was fairly quick, you gave her the address and were there within thirty minutes.

You walked into the building closest to the bridge and immediately the woman at the front desk greeted you and asked for your credentials so you could get back to where everyone was. Once you got all of the things sorted and had a photographer’s pass you made your way back. When you walked in it was absolute chaos, the models were sitting at their stations with makeup artists surrounding each of them. The stylists were surrounding the racks of clothes and there were people running around trying to cater to everyone’s every whim. The chaos from your boys seemed to pale in comparison to this. You were approached by someone who held an air of confidence among the chaos. It was an older woman holding a clipboard, one that you recognized as the manager. She was beaming at you while she walked. 

“Onyx, wonderful to see you again. We are preparing for the initial shoots and then the show later. We are going to be taking the pictures on the bridge so once you get everything taken care of here we can head outside. Let me show you where you can get yourself set up.” You nodded to the woman and followed her through the crowd of people. You and her weaved through it with expert precision having done this many times. When you got into the makeshift studio you relished in the quieter nature of the room. She smiled at you and left you to get yourself set up. First the harness, then the extra lens holders, and finally your cameras. You made your way back out of the room and were met with her standing there speaking to someone. When she realized you were ready she led you back to the large room everyone was in. she already knew how you ran things so she let you take the lead. You grabbed a chair and stood on top of it and put your middle finger and thumb into your mouth to let out a loud whistle. Some people gasped and others completely froze at the high pitched noise. Perfect. 

“Alright everyone, my name is Onyx. I am the designated head photographer for today. I will be relying on all of you to help me make this go smoothly. I know all of you are stressed for the show later tonight, so if we can make this as quick and seamless as possible you will have less on your plate to worry about as the clocks tick down. I know that there is a tentative schedule all of you have for the shoot. That being said, I am going to be relying on all of you to help me through this process. Stylists, I am relying on you to have each model ready for me as we finish the shoots and get approval of the pictures. If there are group shots it will be your job to coordinate them with each other. Makeup artists, I would like a few of you on hand just in case we need touch ups. The reason I request only a few is because I need all the room I can get without having to worry about tripping over people. Staff, I will be counting on you to keep everything in a decent order, I will need you to be bringing out the models as they are finished among other things like keeping everyone on schedule. While I know that is a monumental task considering how many people we have here I know you can do it. Models, pre-show jitters are normal, in my years of working in this industry I have seen them in even the most experienced models. Do not forget you are the stars of the show today, I know this is stressful so I will try to make it as easy on you as I can.” Your voice carried over the large room and as you spoke each of the groups you spoke to were smiling and nodding along with you. Some of the crowd was whispering amongst themselves as you spoke to them, hopefully to create their gameplan. 

“All of that being said, I look forward to working with all of you. Let's make this a memorable shoot and kick ass on the runway together!” You held up your fist in a fighting motion like you had almost every other time you had photographed someone in Seoul, it was an unconscious habit at this point. There were cheers from some of the people as you stepped down off the chair. You made your way out and past the large group of people with the manager. The first model appeared shortly after and you gave him a smile. You gave light instructions to each model as they came through. When they finally got into the flow you smiled and joked with them; something you found made them loosen up a little. When you did this it made for the best pictures. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

Most of your day consisted of getting the pictures taken care of. Throughout the entire thing the miscellaneous staff kept you informed of the time and some of them even brought you things to snack on between the models. At one point between models you had gotten too warm so you ended up taking off your blazer, after adjusting your nametag and harness, and threw it over your shoulder. The woman who had become like your assistant gently took it from you shortly after. Some of the people gaped at your tattoos, most of the models had come closer to inspect them as you waited for the approval of their shots. It was endearing how they were fascinated by you, most of them expressed the want for a tattoo but they couldn't because it was a one way ticket out of their industry. 

When the final pictures got approval everyone started celebrating, yourself included. It had been a fast paced eight hours, but this is what you loved. Most of the models were laughing and celebrating having enough time to be able to relax before the chaos of show time started. You made your way away from the large crowd of people toward the back of the large bridge. When you were finally far enough away you pulled out your bluetooth headphones and hooked one of them up to your phone. You grabbed your phone out of your vest pocket and clicked on one of the members you knew you could just bask in the quiet with. 

After a couple of rings Yeosang appeared on the screen. “Hi Y/n-nie!”

“Hi my Sangie, how are things back home?” 

“They’ve been hectic. Joongie-hyung is trying to cram lots of things in before he leaves.” There was a lingering exhaustion in his gaze. “How are things in Paris?”

“It's also been hectic, I just finished an eight hour shoot for Louis Vuitton and then I have their runway show at eight. I wanted to at least see one of you today, and you are okay with just being in the quiet so I thought of you.” He nodded with a small smile. The two of you just sat there with each other, soaking in the moment of peace between your hectic schedules. In the background you could hear some of the other boys rustling around. His eyes flickered to who you could assume was Jongho by the sound of his voice. Just a second later the man in question appeared on the screen. 

“Hi Sojunghan,” you tilted your head at him.

“It means precious,” Yeosang was quick to come to your rescue. The flush that came to your face was instant at the realization of what Jongho just called you. You thought he would have been more reserved with nicknames. He had just proven you so absolutely and utterly wrong. 

“Hi, Aegiya (baby), how are you?” The small smile on his face widened just slightly at your term of endearment. Yeosang was looking back and forth between the two of you as you just looked at each other for a second. 

“I’m surviving the chaos of the rest of the children around here.” Yeosang let out a noise of complaint and you laughed at the irony of his complaint. Of course he was ‘suffering’ through the childishness of the other boys. You shook your head at the two of them. Jongho was snickering at his own joke as he leaned back with an arm around Yeosang. 

“Onyx, we are about to order some food for the staff, do you want anything?” The woman that approached was someone you had worked with in the past; you just couldn't for the life of you remember her name. 

“I'd love some,” you gave her your order and she took it down in her phone before offering a small wave goodbye. 

You turned back to your phone, Seonghwa had joined the two sitting in the frame. You smiled at him and gave him a slight wave. He returned the gesture and continued to look at something beyond your field of view. The three boys were just chatting quietly while you watched them. Being in their presence, although not physically, brought you a calm in the middle of the chaos. There were several voices that echoed toward you, with a glance you saw several of the staff coming your way. They probably wanted to escape for a little while too. 

“Loves, I think I should probably go. It is getting close to the chaos starting back up before the show.” the three of them whipped their heads to look down at Yeosang’s phone as you spoke. There was a slight pout on Seonghwa’s lips when he realized what you said. 

“Okay our treasure, good luck with everything. We can't wait to hear about it when you get back.” Seonghwa was the first to speak up after his exaggerated pout. The other two boys echoed something similar before you hung up the call. You stood up and slid the phone into your vest pocket before getting up and making your way back to where the main portion of people were hanging out. As you were walking you procured a couple of the younger models. They had asked you several questions about how things worked and what you did in the field. You animatedly answered them, happy to be able to talk to someone about your interests. The other models rotated in and out of the conversation as you walked telling you that they had fun and that you did an amazing job. When the food finally got here you sat in a large circle of stylists and makeup artists and ate.

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

It had been about an hour before people started showing up. You were led to where you would be taking pictures of the celebrities that were showing up. When you got into it the moments blurred by. You recognized several of the people you got to take pictures of. They were all kind to you, especially the ones who recognized you from your work in Seoul. BamBam and Jackson Wang in particular were a couple of the people that gave you some of the most dazzling smiles before they gave you quick hugs and left you with a pat on the shoulder. 

When everyone had finally trickled in you had to bust your ass to get out to the opposite side of the bridge. You passed some of the models on the way and gave them a large smile and thumbs up. At this point you were practically running to make sure you got to where you needed to be on time, your cameras were in your hands as you were moving. Some of the people you passed cheered you on, there was a shout of that's my friend from someone that had a very thick Korean accent. You didn't have time to look and see who it was but you had to guess it was BamBam. When you finally skidded to a halt you were met with some of the other photographers lined up. There was a space in the middle for you held by a couple of the staff members. As soon as you got yourself planted there the music started and Pharrell Williams made his appearance. Your brain was already moving your hands to get your long shot lens. When it was connected you started getting the shots. 

Your night consisted of much of the same thing. This was one of the times you had been happy to have two cameras on you. When the models were walking you used the long range, when they were closer you used the closer range. You expertly flipped between the two while the models walked. Amid some of the shots you took off your glasses and let them hang from the small star and moon chain around your neck. You moved with some of the models as you were getting their pictures. One of your favorite moments was when all of the models walked in a large group, it gave you some of the best shots from the night. Some of the people were blurred while you focused on one in particular, it gave it a sense of movement that you always loved to capture in pictures. There were a couple of times you directed some of the other photographers so they could get some more sideline shots. They surprisingly listened well. Generally there was a power struggle when a woman, who was obviously younger than most of the other photographers, was bossing people around. The camera crew that was filming above you was a well oiled machine, you didn't even have to worry about them. 

When the show came to an end you lingered and took more pictures. At one point someone was yelling your name through the crowd. It confused most of the photographers in the group that didn't know you well enough. The staff had been laughing at the confusion before BamBam and Jackson appeared in front of you. A large smile appeared on your face as they approached you at a quick pace. You gladly accepted their hugs. 

“You've grown from the little shy photographer from forever ago.” You rolled your eyes at Jackson. BamBam was just standing there nodding along with him. You were happy to have people that you knew here. Crowds of this size generally freaked you out a little bit, but knowing that someone you knew and appreciated was here eased your mind a little. 

“You did amazing! I can't believe you were heading this whole thing! Y/n-nie, I am so happy for you. It's awesome watching someone that is like a little sister to me doing such big things.” 

“Yah, I’m only a few months younger than you.” you were smiling the entire time you interacted with the two men. They had stuck by you while you were making your rounds. After a while a lot of the crowd had cleared. Some of the other photographers said their goodbyes while others continued to take pictures; your time was officially over as the show was over. You had been walking toward the building your things were in while talking animatedly. There had been a couple of people that looked at you weird as they passed, they must have been confused as to why you were speaking Korean. Oh well. BamBam had insisted on getting a picture with you and Jackson before you had to part ways. You posed with the pair holding up your camera and a finger heart. They continued taking pictures, both rotating doing some sort of cute poses while you laughed at them. You smiled as you watched them leave, they had unknowingly provided you with a little calm amongst the storm. Your phone pinged and it was a message with the pictures you just took with BamBam and Jackson. Your smile grew as you saved the pictures. 

Quickly and methodically you packed your things up and made your way out. Several of the models and other people stopped you and thanked you for making the day go so well. Most of the staff gave you waves as you passed. Even Bernard Arnault stopped you and thanked you for your services. In the time that you worked with Louis Vuitton you had only met him a handful of times. You were smiling ear to ear and offered him a polite bow out of habit. He chuckled at you and gave you a small pat on the head before he was called over by some other people. Finally you made it outside and far enough away from the event that you could hail a cab. When you did it was fairly quiet on the ride over, you could feel your shoulders slump as more time went on. As you walked into the hotel you could feel the exhaustion of the day physically weighing on you. When you finally made it to your room you gently set your bag on the chair in front of the desk and plugged everything in. Muscle memory took over for you at that moment. You checked your phone and realized that most of the boys had sent you goodnight messages. You sent a couple of pictures BamBam had taken with the caption “Look who I ran into!” Before plugging in your phone and flopping into the bed. You fell into memory lane, a good one this time. 

Today was one of the longest days you have had in a long time. You wouldn't trade it for the world. This opportunity was huge for your little on the rise company.

You had gotten many opportunities in college to intern with your professors, which gave you connections with JYPE, BigHit, Pledis, and Dreamcatcher Company. You were integrated on the idol side but you also knew that if you wanted to excel in the field you would have to be well rounded. You had come out of college and immediately chosen your old company for their rap sheet within the fashion and idol worlds not knowing it was going to be a shitty place to work in. Your extensive portfolio had impressed them and they almost immediately hired you after your initial interview. You excelled there because of the freelance work you did, and with the help of the professors that personally vouched for your skills. It also may have been because they could barely keep anyone on their teams. 

That's where you came in, your attitude was different. You didn't tolerate too much bullshit, you helped where you could and you made it so they were not competing with each other. That company thrived while you were there and sometimes you wondered what happened. If you had to guess they lost a lot of their business when your team left. You didn't have many things you were thankful for with that company, but the opportunities they gave you was one of the few. Those thoughts led you into sleep, a small smile gracing your face. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

You were awoken by your phone vibrating incessantly on the bedside table. You reached for it and squinted at the name. San? You sat up and answered the facetime call, the look on his face was worrying. He was wide eyed and ramrod straight. The first words out of your mouth were “Are you okay, is everyone okay?”

“I think there is someone in the house.” It felt like a bucket of ice water was poured over your head as the words left his mouth. You were definitely awake now. You grabbed your glasses and quickly put them on your face, almost stabbing yourself in the eye in the process.

“Where are you at right now?” 

“I'm in your room with the giants, we were cuddling before I had to get up like we have been for the past couple of days and then I heard someone shuffling around on the first floor.” 

“Fuck, okay. I need you to go close and lock the door.” You watched as he got up out of the bed, this was the first time you noticed that he had been shirtless. Now is not the fucking time for admiring your beautiful boyfriend. You heard the soft click of your door closing and the lock turning. 

“Okay, there is a bat in my closet. I want you to grab it and hang out while I figure out what the hell is going on okay.” He nodded at you while you clicked out of the facetime app and got into the cat cams you had all over the living room and kitchen. When you looked through all of them you spotted the culprit. Your mother. For fucks sake, you told her that someone was watching your children, generally that means you don’t need to show up. You clicked back into the facetime app and saw him sitting on your bed with the bat next to him. He looked like he was in the middle of debating his life choices.

“Sannie, everything is okay, the person downstairs is my mom. I guess she decided she needed to come check on the giants even though I told her someone was taking care of them.” His shoulders sagged and you heard a heavy breath leave him. 

“Jagi, this is not how I wanted to meet your mother.” You let out a laugh at his frazzled state. 

“I know Sannie, it's not how I wanted it to go either. But here's what we are going to do. You're going to put on a shirt and we can go downstairs and scare the shit out of her like she did to you. Don't worry, she's pretty chill.” He gave you a questioning look before nodding, he set the phone down on your bed while he moved around the room. Beans was investigating San’s phone as you cooed at her. She had gotten up fairly close and you took a screenshot of her while you waited. A minute or two later San had gently relocated Beans and grabbed his phone. You smiled at him and he matched it. 

“Before you start going to scare her, are you okay with me telling her you're my boyfriend and then telling her about the rest later?”

“Yeah, I'm okay with that Y/n-nie. This really is not how I expected my morning to go,” he muttered while walking toward the door. He was being silent as a cat while he made his way through your house, he had you looking out the back camera. You caught sight of your mother looking in the cat treehouse for the giants. San’s simple greeting to your mother elicited a scream from her, she leapt back and whipped around. Your laughter rang through your hotel room and you slapped a hand over your own mouth. You had neighbors that most likely wouldn't like being woken up by your giggles. You watched with amusement as she sized San up, she greeted him and looked into the camera. Your view moved to San’s pretty face as he approached her and handed her the phone. 

“Hi mom, having a fun drop in?” She shook her head at you and fixed you with one of the most motherly glares she could muster.  

“You are just like your grandmother I swear. You even got him into it.” Your grin widened, that was the ultimate compliment. 

“Yeah well you scared him first so we are even. Mom, this is San, my boyfriend.” She gaped at you, her gaze flickered between the two of you several times before she settled it back on you. 

“Boyfriend? You haven't told me about a boyfriend.”

“It’s fairly new, I wanted to be able to introduce you in person but since you decided to make a drop by visit you moved it up.” Her face turned just a little red at your comment. Serves her right, she should have just left well enough alone. 

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” You could just picture the polite man he was being. The small bow that he had most likely just given her was stuck in your head. You could also see the smile on his face clear as day, even if you couldn't physically see him, his dimples on full display. 

“Likewise San, when Y/n gets back we will have to go out to dinner to get to know each other better. I’m sorry that we had to meet like this and that I scared you. I just wanted to see the grand kitties and wasn't expecting anyone here.”

“I look forward to that,” She had transferred the phone back over to him after giving you a knowing look. The smile on his face was exactly how you pictured it as they chattered while he walked her to the door. Honestly, you couldn't have thought of a better one of your boyfriends to meet your mother first. While you absolutely loved the other boys they could be a little too chaotic, San had perfect manners and it really showed here. As soon as they had parted ways San looked fully at you. You were grinning already at him. He seemed to have recovered from the shock of everything. You heard the deep breath he let out like he had been holding it the entire time she was in his presence. 

“You did good Sannie, I’m sorry she just popped in.”

“That's okay jagi, I’m sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night.” You shook your head at him.

“I would rather you have called me than you scaring yourself shitless, and then scaring my mother shitless with your shirtlessness while you walked around my house.” That was a damn tongue twister. San was laughing at you while he made his way back to your room. 

“Jagi, you should go back to bed, I can see how tired you are.” You took stock in your body and felt the exhaustion pulling at you, you could feel your eyes drooping without you even noticing it. 

“Alright, I love you Sannie, I hope your day goes a little better than this morning has.” 

“I love you too, jagi. Have a good day when you actually wake up for it.” You smiled at him before he hung up the call. When he did you set your phone on the bedside table and cuddled back down into your comforter. You would have never expected your mother meeting one of the boys like that, but life had a weird way of taking the reins. A little while later when your body had gotten rid of the little bit of adrenaline in your system you fell into sleep. 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Next Chapter (Chapter 23)

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[flemingsfreckles]

Physio’s Daughter pt.5

Jessie Fleming x Reader

Read the previous parts HERE

Warnings: cursing

WC: 4.0k

A/N: hi :) enjoy (if you’re reading this the same day it was posted and want to help make a decision on the future of this story go vote on the poll on my feed)

The players ended up with way more downtime than the staff during the week before you all left for Paris they were really only responsible for keeping their bodies ready to play and showing up to get on the plane. You and the rest of the staff had meetings, more paperwork, you all had to pack your equipment away, it took more hours of your time than you had expected.

This meant you had to turn down Jessie on three different occasions when she asked you to coffee.

The first time Jessie shook off the rejection. Not thinking much about it, you were obviously busy with work and didn’t have the time that day.

“I’m wrapping up here. Want to grab a coffee this afternoon?” She stuck her head into your office.

“I would Jessie but I’m not out of here until 5 tonight. Plus should we be grabbing coffee?” You give her a questioning look. You had agreed to friends now, friends grabbed coffee but it felt like a gateway to something more with her.

“Oh, okay, sorry I didn’t realize you had to work so late.”

She shook you off, walking back over to her locker to grab her stuff and leave for the day, having to stop alone for coffee.

She didn’t stop asking, one thing about that girl, she loved to stop by your office and she also loved to get coffee.

“Coffee? Do you have a lunch break at some point?” Jessie’s head once again swung around your office door early in the morning when players were released for a couple hours break before having to return in the evening for film.

You sigh throwing your hands up, gesturing to the pile of papers in front of you “I’m supposed to get a lunch but I think I have more travel paperwork to do during that time, I don’t know Kelly from the administration called and-”

“Don’t worry about it.” You notice the tight lipped half smile she gives you. You so badly wanted to say fuck it to the paperwork and go get coffee with Jessie, you’d get coffee with that woman every second of every day if you could. But you had work. You were at work and she was your coworker.

Insistent on getting you to say yes, Jessie offers another plan. “What about tomorrow morning since it’s a later start? Before we come in?”

“Tomorrow I have to be here at normal times, it’s just you guys who get to come in late.” You give her a frown.

“Look if you don’t want to come to coffee with me, that’s okay, just say that though.” Her voice is quiet but she looks frustrated with you. Her eyebrows furrowed, upset lines on her forehead.

“No! Jessie, I do! I do want to get coffee with you, just, this isn’t a great week. I’ve still got a ton of work to get done before we leave. As the newbie on the staff I get all the simple but time consuming work no one else wants. Unfortunately the next few weeks will be just as crazy for both of us.”

“Okay.” She turns to leave “I’m sorry for bothering you.” Before you can really stop her to explain that she’s not a bother and honestly the short chats you get with her are the highlight of your day, she exits the door. And you're left alone in your office, a massive pile of paperwork to still get done.

With only two days left before you had to fly to Paris you were trying to get most of your work done today. You didn’t want to have to deal with work and the stress of packing tomorrow. You curse yourself for not packing sooner. You end up in the office until it’s dark outside checking your watch and seeing it was 7:30 at night. Your mom had left the office two hours ago, giving you a kiss on the head and telling you not to stay up too late.

You focus in, getting tunnel vision on the paperwork, racing through the stack of papers, until your phone goes off.

Jessie Fleming: what time do you have to be in tomorrow?

A text from Jessie has your phone vibrating in your lap. You pick it up and respond, wondering why she would need to know.

You: 5:30

You: Do you need treatment? Is your calf alright?

Jessie Fleming: So the facility will be open at 5:30? Calf is fine but I’m trying to get in some extra recovery and stretching, feeling a bit tight after today's work.

You: Yeah it should be, for all I know I might still be here when you show up.

Jessie Fleming: You’re still there?

You: I am

You: sent an image

You send Jessie a selfie of you, smiling in your desk chair, a significantly smaller stack of papers than she saw you with earlier in the day.

Jessie Fleming: sent an image

The image is her, in what you assumed was her Canadian apartment bed, a soft smile on her face, her head resting on a pillow with light gray cover on it. What also stands out to you is the way her sheet is pulled up, just under her collarbones. You can see her collarbones, she wasn’t wearing a shirt.

You: Why are you in bed this early?

You: Do you sleep shirtless?

You regret hitting send on the second message when you actually see that she’s typing.

Jessie Fleming: That’s professional to ask

Jessie Fleming: But yes

Jessie Fleming: Most of the time

Jessie Fleming: Obviously not when I have travel roommates or anything, but I’m in my own place for the next few days so I’m enjoying it before a lot of hotels with Janine.

Jessie Fleming: And I’m in bed because I’m watching a documentary and I’ve been told to get as much sleep as I can by the training staff at work.

Jessie Fleming: Especially this new young girl, she has been on my case about taking care of myself and whatever, but she’s cute so I gave her a pass.

The mention of Janine has your mind thinking back to the other day, Janine grabbing Jessie and whispering to her before she gave you a look that felt like she suddenly knew everything. You wanted to ask Jessie about it but now probably wasn’t the best time.

You: I sleep like that too, more comfortable

You: I’m sure that girl is just looking out for you.

Jessie Fleming: I know, right? I tried to tell that to so many of my teammates, none of them listen.

Jessie Fleming: stop texting me, go back to work so you can go home.

You: you’re the one texting me

Jessie Fleming: shhhhh

You: 🙄

You put your phone away, putting it on silent so there was no temptation to text Jessie, having no idea if she had responded. You finish your paperwork, finally standing up your back and knees both cracking as you stretch. You check you phone as you walk to the car, seeing it was 8:22. You’d have to go home, get dinner, shower, all to get up at 4:30 to be at work by 5:30.

A message from Jessie sits on your screen. You debate texting her back but you don’t want to wake her if she’s already gone to sleep.

Jessie Fleming: Have a good night, hope you’re not at work too late :)

When you sit back at your desk the next morning you feel deja vu, feeling like you never left. The only difference is there is no longer a pile of work in front of you, you thank yourself for staying to complete it all last night. You lean forward letting your head rest on your desk for a moment.

“Hi!” Jessie comes around the corner of your office, sounding way too chipper for 5:30 in the morning, but then again she was able to be in bed at 7:30. You look up to her to see her carrying two coffees. She approaches you and sticks her hand out offering you one of the drinks. You were so grateful, you had opted for 5 minutes of extra sleep in the morning instead of getting a coffee and you were starting to regret that decision.

“Should you really be showing up to my office with coffee? You do remember what happened last time you did that, right?” You question her, squinting at her across your desk and sending a glance to the wall where she had pinned you.

“Maybe that’s why I’m doing it, maybe I liked what happened last time.” She pauses, tilting her head, thinking back to the memory. “Except not when your Mom walked in, I didn’t like that, that was terrifying.” A quick grimace follows by a smile comes across her face.

“Jessie, we can’t.”

“I know, I know.” She sounds defeated. “I just figured since going out for coffee doesn’t really fit into your schedule right now, I’d just bring it to you. I promise I’m not trying to get anything out of you.” She sits down in the seat across from you.

“How late were you here last night?” Jessie’s phone buzzes on the table, she ignores it.

“Just before 9.”

“Oh wow, I was asleep by then.” You envy her early bedtime.

“Yeah so I am incredibly grateful for this, thank you.” You shake your coffee cup as her phone lights up with another notification. This time your eyes trail to it. You’re not trying to look at her messages but you just can’t help but glance at the lit up screen.

Jessie noticed your eyes' quick movement toward her phone, “Sorry that’s just Janine, I told her I was coming in to do some early recovery and she’s giving me a hard time about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s just teasing me.” She pauses, “about you.” She uses her coffee cup in her hand to point at you.

“Oh, did you tell her? She gave me a weird look the other day, after you came back and we hugged in the training room, you two walked out together and she sort of stared at me. So did you tell her? About the kiss I mean?” Finally getting an appropriate time to ask what was up with Janine’s look.

“It may have slipped out, one of the times I was talking about you. But she’s been teasing me about you since before that.” Jessie looks down to type back to Janine on her phone.

“Jessie!” Her head snapped back up when she heard you scolding her name. Knowing someone else knows about your kiss, someone you didn’t yet know well enough, makes you uneasy. “You can’t just be telling people that!”

“It’s Janine, she’s my best friend, she knows me too well, she knew something happened and asked. I didn't think it would be a big deal, she’s not going to tell anyone.” Jessie defends herself.

“I get that you think that Jessie, but if she slips up, next thing the whole team knows, then it gets out, you’ll get in trouble for sleeping with the student trainer, who’s 4 years younger than you.” You were spiraling, you’re not sure if you believe what you’re saying or if your mom had just scared you into it. You didn’t want your own career to be at risk and you definitely didn’t want Jessie getting in trouble.

“We haven’t slept together, plus you’re an adult, it’s not like I’m 20 and you’re 16! We’re both grown.”

“I know that, but good luck telling that to anyone else, they won’t listen!”

“I really didn’t mean to tell her, it just sort of slipped out and I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be an issue.” Jessie crosses her arms across her chest, she feels less warm than usual, less friendly, less inviting.

Only, it felt like it was a problem that she had told people. You weren’t sure why Jessie would think it was okay to go around telling people about your kiss without at least checking in with you. A small bubble of frustration with the woman sitting across from you started to build.

“Jessie, if people find out I could get fired! Sure, it might temporarily make your image bad but you’re too damn good, you’ll stay Captain, you’ll keep getting your call ups, keep being desired by different clubs, it won’t ruin your career like it could mine.”

“Nothing is going to get out, nothings going to happen, it’s not that big of a deal!” Now Jessie is raising her voice at you slightly. She’s leaning across your desk.

“Maybe it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal that to you, but it is to me.” You yell back, thankful that no one else was in at the office yet. You take a breath realizing this argument was not something you needed to be doing at 5:30 in the morning. “You should probably go do your recovery. I have things to get done” You point to the doorway.

“Oh.” It’s obvious the sadness on Jessie’s face and in her voice. A sudden change from her argumentative demeanor. “Yeah, I’m going to do that.” She pushed back from your desk. “I’m sorry.”

You let her walk out without saying anything. She doesn’t close your office door on her way out. Feeling stupid about the argument, you let your forehead come crashing back onto your desk with a loud thud, a lot harder than you intended.

“You okay?” You hear Jessie ask, hearing the sound of your head against your desk from the other room.

“Yeah, all good.” You groan back. You didn’t want her to care and feel the need to check on you. You know you shouldn’t care about he either but you can’t help yourself.

Despite being quite annoyed with Jessie at the moment, you’re unable to look away every time she passes by your door, doing exercises or walking across the room to get equipment. Time goes on and then you hear her digging in the ice cooler, the sound of a plastic bag and some shuffling around.

“Stupid wrap.” Hearing her talking to herself you stand up from your chair, it was your job after all to help with these things. You see her struggling to hold and secure a bag of ice she had made to her calf.

“Let me help you.” You offer empty hands to take the ice bag from her, grabbing the wrap and squatting in front of her to help her get it tight on her leg.

“Thanks.” She gives you a smile, the way she was grinning looking down at you sent a shiver through your body.

“Is it still treating you okay?” You look up at her from where you’re kneeling in front of her.

“Yeah it’s been good, just being overly cautious with it still, that’s why I’m doing all this.” She points down where your hands were wrapping the ice bag. You just nod, returning your focus to what you were doing instead of staring up at the girl’s pretty brown eyes.

You let the silence sit between the two of you for only a second before you break it.

“I’m sorry for how I reacted in the office just now. I think I’m just a little paranoid, we’re adults, we’re allowed to do what we’re doing technically. I just didn’t think you’d be going around talking about me and the fact that you kissed me.” You stand up.

“To be fair, I’m not going around talking about you to everyone, it’s really just been to Janine, she made some comments about you before we had even really talked much, she knows me too well. She knew I was interested, so she made some comments about me finding you pretty to which I blushed and she was onto me right away apparently I’m not great at hiding my crushes.” She looks down at her feet.

“I just freaked out, knowing that someone else knows that you had me against the wall, in my office.”

“If it helps, she doesn’t know I pinned you to the wall.” Jessie’s face is now a bright red. It’s suddenly very obvious to you how close the two of you we’re standing, face to face. It’s apparent that you can make out all the little details of her face, where each freckle sat across her nose and cheeks, you could see it all. Despite still being upset and frustrated with Jessie for telling Janine about your previous kiss, you suddenly don’t care and have the desire to kiss her all over again.

“Jessie.” You stare at her lips while saying her name. You don’t know if she noticed you’re staring, but her tongue runs over her bottom lip, wetting it.

“What?”

“Don’t, what, me. You know what.” Your eyes don’t move from Jessie’s lips.

“No I don’t. You’ll have to enlighten me.” You do, leaning in your hands finding her face you pull her toward you. Your lips meet hers, they’re warm and soft and plump against yours. Her hands find your hips, pulling you against her hard. Her grip is tight, it feels safe. This time you’re able to finish your kiss, both of you pulling away just before you debate sliding your tongue against her lips.

“You really should stop bringing coffee to my office I guess, it always seems to end like this.” You let out once you both breathe for a second. Jessie lets out a soft laugh.

You hear the door to the training room open and you jump away from Jessie, turning to pretend to organize something, finding nothing, everything already being packed up. This leaves you just standing there looking at the wall. You and Jessie both look over to see Janine standing there, coffee in one hand, training bag in the other and a smirk across her face.

“Well you two aren’t suspicious at all.” She says sarcastically as she walks from the doorway further into the training room and in your direction. “I’d recommend actually doing something to make it look like you two weren’t just doing what I think you were.” You can’t read her tone as she speaks to you. “Looking at imaginary things on the wall doesn’t really work as a good cover.” She stops behind you to speak softly only to you. You stay facing the wall, not wanting to turn and let either of the players in the room see how bright red your cheeks are.

“I’m going to go change, I’ll be back in probably 5 minutes, behave yourselves.” Janine says to both of you, she walks away into the changing room.

“Whoops.” You turn back to look at Jessie who is still standing where you kissed her. You both have matching blushes on your face.

“At least it wasn’t my mom this time.” You shrug at her, trying to make light of the situation again.

“I guess,” she shrugs back.

“But seriously Jessie, we can’t keep doing this, we leave for Paris in less than 36 hours. You have to go, be focused, be this team's leader, we can’t, I can’t be distracting you.”

“I know.”

“So that means no more surprise coffees, no more private meetings, like Janine said, we have to behave. Strictly professional from now on. No more of this.” You use a finger to point between the two of you.

“Strictly professional, got it.” She nods at you but her smile tells you she’s not taking you seriously.

“I’m serious this time Jessie.” You try your best to be stern with her.

“So am I.” You were both lying through your teeth, and you both knew it but neither of you were going to call each other out and say anything.

“Or just until the Olympics are over.” You add, hoping she’ll maybe be interested in whatever the two of you were doing come the end of the games.

“Until it's over.” She flashes you a smile before turning to leave, following in the direction Janine went to change. She flashes you a smile before heading through the doors. You move back into your office leaning against the desk.

“Hey.” You jump as Janine flies around the corner of your office door. She walks in closing the door behind you.

“Okay I don’t have a lot of time, but I need to talk to you really quick.”

“What’s up?” You move behind the desk, looking for her file pulling it out. You start to open it and Janine’s hand comes down on it, closing the folder hard.

“This isn’t about me.” She’s staring down at you as you sink back into your chair.

You realized exactly what this was about. “Oh.”

“If you so much as hurt a hair on her head-”

“I won’t.” You interrupt.

“I wasn’t finished.” You nod, letting her finish. “Jessie is a special human and quite frankly she doesn’t need you. She’s perfect on her own, she’s strong and independent and she doesn’t need you, but she wants you, so I’m going to respect that, but please let her focus on this tournament. I don’t know what you two are really doing, she’s been pretty tight lipped, but please. She’s smart but she might not think straight with her crush brain, she might think she can handle starting something with you during this tournament, but she can’t. She needs to be focused. She’d hate herself down the line if she let someone get in her head and mess with her playing. She’s worked her life for these tournaments. This team needs her focused, not distracted because of you.” Janine rants at you.

“I know. We’ve discussed it. I won’t be a distraction to her or to anyone. I promise, I want what’s best for her and the whole team.” You mean it, you want what’s best for the team, and you don’t want to distract Jessie or anyone, you saw how hard they all worked and would hate to be the reason anything went wrong.

“You seem like a good person, and given that Jessie likes you so much, you must be. So I’m going to trust you.” Her hand comes off the file on your desk.

“Janine! Come play Teqball with me!” Jessie hollers through the training room.

“Ahh the queen of Canada awaits.” Janine says, looking at you. She turns to leave, her hand on the doorknob. “Just so you know, I’m serious, don’t hurt her, I’ll make your life miserable.” The way she spoke with still a large smile while telling you she’d ruin your life was slightly terrifying, but very much fitting for her Canadian personality.

“I know.” You just nod. And you did know. It wouldn’t just be Janine coming after you if you messed up with Jessie her entire team would hate you. If you distracted her from the tournament the country of Canada would hate you. You’d never get to work for a Canadian team, you’d never get to live that down. Your nerves build up a bit, even though you had no intentions to hurt Jessie ever, things happen, life happens.

Your spiral of nerves is diminished as you hear Jessie’s laugh carrying through the room. Just her laugh made you smile, your nerves ease. You were in deep, probably in too deep, but there wasn’t anything you could do now, except go to Paris and do your best to just be coworkers with Jessie. You needed to be invisible and not a distraction..

So that’s what you did. Or at least tried to do.

[meazalykov]

d'or

salma paralluelo x reader requested

summary: her look at the ballon d'or ceremony sparked something inside of you

warnings: SMUT 18+ MINORS DNI!!! r!switch, s!switch, dry intimacy? (s is clothed as r pleases??), swearing

you lean heavily against the mop, pausing to catch your breath as you stare at the spotless tiles beneath you. 

the faint throbbing in your right ankle grows more insistent, a reminder that you shouldn’t even be standing right now, much less deep-cleaning your entire apartment. you can’t sit still. not tonight. not with salma somewhere in paris, stealing the spotlight, while you’re stuck here, restless and alone. 

yes, you got fifth in the ballon d’or rankings. however, barcelona staff didn’t want your ankle injury to get even worse by the amount of walking you would’ve had to do in paris. you wished you were with your girlfriend right now.

“i’ll behave tomorrow,” you mutter to no one, shifting your weight onto your good leg as you move to rinse out the mop. not that your physical trainers would believe you. the thought of them catching you mid-scrub makes you roll your eyes, but then again, how could they possibly know? 

salma, though—she’d tease you mercilessly. her voice rings in your mind, laced with that teasing drawl she saves just for you.  

“you’re the worst patient ever, cariño.” 

you smile despite yourself, remembering the way her hands had lingered on your waist just before she left for paris. she’d stood in your doorway, grinning, suitcase by her side. 

“and you won’t even see my dress until the rest of the world does. believe that.”

you’d groaned, loud and dramatic, but she’d only laughed, that soft, melodic sound that always managed to unwind something tight inside of you. you can still see the mischievous sparkle in her eyes as she leaned in closer, whispering with her lips grazing your ear, “you’ll survive. probably.” 

and now here you are, surviving. just barely.  

the tv hums softly from the living room, still on the channel covering the ballon d’or ceremony, though you haven’t let yourself look yet. you know she’ll be there. walking that red carpet with aitana, alexia, marta, and caroline, looking unfairly good in whatever dress she chose—the one she refused to let you see.

your stomach twists as you wring out the mop one last time, limping slightly as you finally set it back in the closet meant for your cleaning supplies.  

the apartment is spotless now, though you barely remember doing half of it. you collapse onto the couch with a deep sigh, propping your injured ankle on a cushion. a sharp twinge shoots through it, and you wince, guilt prickling at the back of your mind. you’ll rest tomorrow. 

maybe.  

the announcer’s voice cuts through the quiet, pulling your attention to the tv. the ceremony has begun.  

you sit up straighter as the camera pans over the red carpet, your heart kicking up a little faster when you finally spot her. salma. she walks alongside aitana and caroline, the three of them with serious model faces, seemingly unaware of the cameras. how could they not be? the lights reflect off every inch of salma’s outfit—a sleek, understated black that clings to her in all the right ways. 

the material shifts with her movements, catching the glow of the spotlights and highlighting the graceful curve of her shoulders, the dip of her waist.  

her hair is styled perfectly, sleek with her braids freshly done, falling just past her mid-back. you’d told her once that you liked her hair like this, and now, seeing it paired with the simple elegance of her outfit, you’re not sure how to breathe. 

the camera cuts in closer as she leans in to whisper something to aitana, her lips pulling into that soft, secretive smile you’ve seen a hundred times before—but it still hits you like the first time.  

your fingers twitch against your thigh, the tension spreading through your chest like wildfire. it’s stupid, you think. you’ve seen her like this before—on the field, during post-match interviews, even lounging on your couch with her head in your lap. 

this feels different. she’s untouchable like this, framed by the glamour of the evening, and for some reason, it makes you ache.  

your phone buzzes on the coffee table, and you nearly jump at the distraction. at this point, the girls are not on the carpet anymore. the sow is gonna start in about ten minutes. 

you snatch the phone up quickly, already knowing who it is.  

salma: you’re watching, aren’t you?

you bite back a smile, your fingers hovering over the keyboard before you finally reply.  

you: against my better judgment. 

her response comes almost immediately.  

salma: and?  

you exhale slowly, your gaze flickering back to the screen where the camera catches her from another angle as she looks down at her phone that she is trying to hide. 

she’s walking with that effortless confidence she always carries, her chin tilted just slightly upward. you don’t want to admit how she’s making you feel right now, but she’d see through you anyway.  

you: you look ridiculous. 

you wait a beat before adding, 

you: too good. it’s annoying. 

there’s a longer pause this time, and you can almost picture her smirk as she types.  

salma: so you’re saying i look good? 

you groan, dragging a hand over your face as your cheeks burn. she does this on purpose—she always does.  

you: don’t get cocky.

you: but you’re sexy.  

salma: too late. 

the next message is a photo—a candid shot of her beside alexia, their arms linked. salma’s smile is wide and genuine, but it’s her eyes that do you in. the kind of look that’s effortless but leaves you feeling completely undone.  

you stare at the photo for a moment longer than you should before typing, 

you: you’re insufferable, go watch the ceremony that is about to start. 

her reply comes with almost infuriating speed.  

salma: and yet you’re still watching.

you shake your head, a small smile tugging at your lips as you set the phone back down. she’s right, of course. you are still watching. you couldn’t look away if you tried.  

minutes bleed into one another as the ceremony drags on, the announcer rattling off names and speeches that you can’t bring yourself to focus on. your eyes keep drifting back to her, whether it’s the camera catching her clapping politely or the way she leans back in her chair, completely at ease in the spotlight.  

then, expectedly, your name pops up on the right side of the screen with sophia smith of the USA being on the left.  

you blink at the screen as the announcer lists you in fifth place. fifth. your chest tightens, and you sit up straighter, staring in disbelief as the camera briefly cuts to aitana, who grins and nudges salma’s shoulder. 

salma’s head whips toward the camera, her expression softening with unmistakable pride.  

she claps, her gaze lingering a beat too long on the camera—as if she’s looking for you through it.  

its after teh ceremony when salma gets a chance to text you back. 

salma: fifth place!! that’s my girl.

you don’t know what to type back. you’re still trying to process the year that you had. you remembering salma’s look on the screen which had so much affection it made your pulse stutter.  

finally, you type, “did you guys know too?”  

salma: of course we knew. everyone knew.  if you weren’t in the top ten that would’ve been disgusting 

you shake your head, a laugh escaping your lips. she makes it sound so simple, like you’re the only one who doesn’t see yourself the way everyone else does.  

you: you’re impossible.

salma: and you’re proud of me for third, right? 

your smile softens as you stare at the words, the weight of them settling somewhere deep in your chest.  

you: always. 

the screen flickers again, cutting to an interview backstage. salma stands beside aitana, answering questions with that calm, easy demeanor that always draws people in. 

there’s something in her gaze, a spark that wasn’t there before. she’s holding back a smile, and you just know she’s thinking of you.  

you lean back against the couch, your ankle finally beginning to relax as you let the sound of her voice wash over you. it’s ridiculous, you think, how just seeing her can make you feel this way. the tension is still there, low and simmering beneath your skin, but it’s mixed with something warmer now. something softer.  

the pool below your waist didn’t go unnoticed, but it would have to be ignored.

ignored until salma came home the next morning. 

salma walks into the apartment with her bag slung over her shoulder, the door creaking softly as it swings shut behind her. the early morning sunlight spills through the window, warming the cozy space you’ve both built together in the last few months. 

she looks exhausted but radiant, her eyes bright with the short flight she had before, and the corners of her lips lift into a soft, knowing smile the moment she sees you.

you’re curled up on the couch, a bowl of yogurt balanced in your lap, spoon halfway to your mouth when you look up. the sight of her standing there—braids tied up in a messy bun, travel-worn, but still somehow flawless—makes your heart stutter.

“you’re home,” you say softly, a warmth filling your chest.

salma drops her bag near the door and moves toward you, her footsteps quiet against the hardwood. “i’m home,” she echoes, her voice lower, smoother, like she’s been saving it just for you.  

yes, she was only gone for two days, but two days is lifetime for the both of you.

she doesn’t stop until she’s standing in front of you, her eyes sweeping over you with that familiar fondness. you set your bowl on the coffee table, shifting to sit upright as she leans down just slightly. her lips brush against yours—soft and warm—before she pulls back, and you can’t help but smile at her.  

“i’m so proud of you,” you tell her, your voice barely above a whisper. 

“top three again. you deserve it.”  

her smile spreads, wide and teasing, her dark eyes dancing with mischief. 

“light work, cariño.”  

you roll your eyes, huffing out a laugh. 

“please be so serious.”  

her hands find your waist then, sliding under the hem of your hoodie to rest against your skin. her touch is firm but gentle, familiar in a way that makes your pulse quicken. “serious?” she repeats, tilting her head with a mock-offended expression.

you glance up at her, biting back another smile. she’s so close now, the smell of her perfume still clinging faintly to her clothes. it’s almost unfair how easily she does this to you.  

“you looked good last night,” you say finally, voice softening again. 

“too good.”  

her brow lifts, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. 

“thank you.”  

your eyes narrow playfully as you lean in just a bit closer, your nose nearly brushing hers. 

“are you getting cocky again?”  

“maybe,” she murmurs, her voice dropping lower.  

there’s a beat of silence—just her hands on your waist and the faint rhythm of your breathing mingling in the space between you. her gaze flickers down to your lips, and you swear you feel your stomach flip. 

you’re not sure who moves first, but the space disappears in a breath.  

her lips meet yours in a kiss that starts slow and deliberate, her hands tightening on your waist as you melt into her. the tension coils tight and thick in the air, the kind you’ve both been dancing around for far too long. but this time, you take charge.  

your hands slide up to her face, fingers tangling gently as you deepen the kiss, pulling her closer—closer than she already is. a small, surprised noise escapes her, one you swallow as you tilt your head and press further into her. 

it’s rare for you to take the lead like this, but something about it makes her falter, her grip on you loosening just slightly as she lets you.  

you pull back only for a moment, your breathing uneven as you blink up at her. her lips are slightly parted, her cheeks flushed, and the sight of her like this makes your head spin.  

“go to the bedroom,” you murmur, voice lower than usual.  

her brows knit slightly, though there’s a flicker of excitement in her gaze. 

“why?”  

you smirk faintly, running your thumb over her bottom lip just to tease her. 

“go put on what you wore last night.”  

her lips quirk into a slow smile, the kind that makes your pulse pound in your ears. 

“you’re serious?”  

“dead serious,” you reply, letting your hands slip down to rest on her chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breaths.  

she studies you for a long moment, her eyes searching yours before she nods slowly. “okay,” she says, her voice soft but filled with something heavy.  

she steps back reluctantly, her hands sliding away from your waist as she turns toward the bedroom. you watch her go, her figure disappearing into the hallway, leaving you breathless on the couch with your heart pounding in your chest.  

you take a deep breath, already counting the seconds until she returns.  

44 seconds, you counted. 

eager.. you thought too. 

you’re laying down on the couch as the spanish woman crawls on top of you, enveloping your lips into a gentle and soft kiss. you moan in satisfaction as she moves around to the apples of your cheeks.. to your earlobe.. then down to that sweet spot on your collarbone. 

many moans were still coming from your mouth that you couldn't stop making as salma lifted your shirt, kissing your underboob before giving satisfaction to the rest of your chest. 

"you're so needy, moaning at every little touch." she mumbled against your warm body. at the same time, she took off your pajama shorts, tossing them somewhere in your living room as your eyes were shut in satisfaction. 

somehow, you forgot that you were the one that wanted to give salma a award for dressing so nicely at the ballon d’or ceremony. 

“sal..” you moaned. 

“si?” she smirked as her lips were just below your belly button. 

as much as you wanted her to continue, you wanted to be the one who took the lead. 

“you lay down.” you sat up, groaning as salma held your hips. 

“hm?” the taller woman teased. 

you rolled your eyes playfully as you flipped her over, so she was laying on the sectional couch. not caring about your ankle that should be currently resting.

the way her abs showed through her black outfit, the way it fitted all of the muscular curves on her body. you didn’t give salma the chance to catch a breath before you leaned down into her ear. 

“sal, you have no idea how much i’ve wanted to do this.” you mumbled as you gave a light kiss to her right temple. 

“since last night?” she smirked with her charm, looking down at her outfit before looking back into your eyes. 

“oh.. shut up.” you playfully rolled your eyes before connecting your lips with hers. 

a couple of seconds later your lips trailed down her neck. your warm lips against her glowy skin caused a beautiful groan to come out of your girlfriend’s mouth. 

your hands moved up her waist before going underneath her shirt, playing with her chest as your right knee pressed gently, yet perfectly, in between her legs. 

“joder!” the spanish moaned as she pressed herself against your knee harder. you smirked at the idea of getting her off while wearing the beautiful outfit, your knee could do the job perfectly (since salma’s knee has been perfect for you in the past).

heat rose to your cheeks as you continued to satisfy her entire body. your soft lips on her neck, your hands on her chest, and your knee/thigh against her core. 

accidentally moving your body so you were laid more comfortably on top of salma on the couch, sal threw her head back and moaned profanities. your knee reached a good angle through her pants. 

perfect. 

sal’s lower region tightened as you started to nibble on her chest, bringing her closer to her peak in between her legs. 

“i-i” salma lets out as her fingers clench onto your waist in a tight hold. 

“i know, i know.” you tease, smirking as you feel her thigh shake beside your knee. 

through your bare knee and thigh, laying in a missionary position, you can feel the warmth and moisture while sal released. you brought her down from that high, removing your knee from her center and giving a last kiss on her lips before pulling back. 

salma takes a deep breath, not processing that you got her off without needing to even take her clothes off. 

you smirk, proud of giving your girl what she (and you) wanted. 

“don’t get cocky.” salma breathes out, making you from earlier. 

“too late, my player of the year.” 

masterlist

[vanfleeter]

Whiskey & Cherries

Summary: When love at first sight actually happens.

Characters: Jake Kiszka x Val Word count: 7.9k Warnings: 18+ || Language. Adult themes. Angst. Body insecurities. Self doubt. Tension. Smut. Sex. Unprotected penetrative sex (never be risky, always wrap it). Oral sex (f & m receiving). Fingering. Allusions to sex. Fluff. Jake with his words of affirmation. Jake and flowers. Just all around fluffy Jake. (pretty sure I may have missed something so please let me know so i can add it)

A/N: Got plans for this baby.

Dropping his guitar case on the floor in front of his bed, he slips out of his shoes and walks along the carpeted bedroom of the hotel suite until he reaches the balcony doors. He swings them open and breathes in the fresh air. The sun was shining high in the sky and he smiled. Being back in France felt so wonderful. He wasn’t cooped up in his home back in Nashville. At least here, not many cared who he was unless he wanted them to.

Hearing someone knocking on the door of his suite, he leaves the bedroom to go answer it. Seeing Josh through the peephole, he grumbles under his breath his annoyance before opening the door. “Twelve hours on a plane with you wasn’t enough quality time?” He says.

“I would say yes, but my dearest brother, we have rehearsal for the show tonight. The car is waiting for us downstairs.”

“Give me two minutes,” Jake says before closing the door again and going back to retrieve his shoes and his guitar.

Stepping out of the elevator, he follows Josh out of the hotel. Stepping into the revolving door, his eyes lock with the eyes of a brunette as she moves in the opposite direction. “Woah! Pay attention!” Josh yells as he pulls Jake from the revolving doors. “You almost squashed yourself.”

Jake looks behind him again to see the woman through the blurry glass as she approaches the check in counter.

“Jake!” Josh snaps, once again grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him to the car. “We cannot be staring at women right now. We have to get to rehearsal.”

All through rehearsal, Jake couldn’t get the image of the woman’s face out of his mind. Though he never missed a single note or beat while they rehearsed, his mind was still elsewhere. He obviously had no idea who she was, but he wanted to know who she was. But he knew he wouldn’t see her for a long time. He had a show to get through tonight and who knew what tomorrow would bring.

Jogging down the few steps of the side of the stage, Jake hands off his guitar to the tech and heads back to the dressing room. He pours himself a small glass of whiskey and knocks it back in one gulp before pouring himself another.

“We’ve still got hours before the show and you’re already getting drunk,” He hears Josh snicker behind him.

“I’m not drunk yet,” Jake says as he turns to face his twin.

“After tonight, we have a couple days free here in Paris before we move on to Rome. Have any plans for what you want to do?”

Jake shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe relax in the hotel, work on some songs.”

Josh scoffs, shaking his head. He grabs the whiskey bottle from Jake and takes a swig, causing Jake to raise his eyebrows in surprise. “What? I don’t just drink tequila brother.” Josh says before taking one more drink of the liquor and handing it back to Jake. “We are in Paris, Jake. France, for god sake. Do not hide away in your room for two days. You should come hang with us! I think we’re going to go exploring.”

“What more could we explore?” Jake says. “We’ve been here so much already, what do we do?”

Josh shrugs his shoulders. “I’m sure we can figure something out. There’s always something to do.”

Jake rolls his eyes and takes another drink. “I’ll think of something to do.”

“Or who..” Josh smirks. “I saw the way you were looking at her.”

Jake shakes his head. “I have not slept with a single woman this entire tour, I plan to keep it that way.”

“Bullshit.. I bet before we even leave Paris, that dumb vow you made will be broken.”

“And if you win, what do you want?”

“Teasing rights,” Josh smirks.

“Teasing? Really?”

“Or I get to drive your Porsche for a week.”

“Teasing it is,” Jake says.

“Afraid to let me drive your precious Porsche?”

“Actually yes,” Jake twists the cap back on the bottle and puts it away. “I don’t want to sleep with anyone,” He continues. “I have no need for it.”

“Jacob, there is always a need. You just choose not to act on it.” Josh sits on the arm of the couch and straightens up enough to see himself in the mirror and begins fluffing his hair. “I’m sure jacking off just isn't cutting it.” He throws a smirk over to Jake who just simply crosses his arms over his chest.

“You are stupid,” Jake says.

“You know I’m right,” Josh stands back on his feet and heads for the door. “We’re all going out for an early dinner, if you’d like to join.”

“Yeah sure, I’ll meet you outside.”

After dinner finished, and meeting a few fans, Jake finds himself back at the venue and getting ready for the show. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw just how tired he looked. Did he look like this the whole day? Maybe a day or two of relaxation and sleep isn’t such a bad idea.

Finally arriving at the hotel after the show, Jake thanks the driver before climbing out of the car and making his way inside. He turned down going out with the guys for an aftershow bar hang out. All he really wanted to do was sleep and that’s what he tried to do when he got back to the hotel. He laid there in bed for what felt like hours but sleep never came over him.

Getting out of bed, he walks over to the balcony doors and swings them open before stepping out inside the still warm air. Maybe a little fresh air could help. Falling into one of the balcony chairs, he rests his feet on the railing and leans his head back as he closes his eyes and takes in the sounds of Paris. It was somewhat quiet at this hour, a few cars driving by, maybe a couple talking every now and then.

“Beds exist for a reason.”

Peeling his eyes open, he turns to look behind him when he sees her. She was standing on the balcony that’s beside his, leaning against the railing. Seeing her this time, she was only wearing a thin, silk robe over a pair of shorts and tank top that showed more cleavage that was respectable to look at. Though he can’t say much, he’s only in his boxer shorts.

“Oh uh, couldn't sleep.” He says as he stands up from the chair.

“Time change?” She asks. “That’s my excuse.”

He shakes his head. “Sort of.. Also had a show and the adrenaline hasn’t quite worn off yet.”

“A show? Like a play?”

Jake chuckles and shakes his head. “No, I don’t act,” He says. “I play guitar.”

“Oh,” She says, nodding her head. “A band. Have I heard of it?”

“Obviously not if you have to ask.” He says as he walks over to the side of his balcony. “I’m Jake.”

“Nice to meet you, Jake. I’m Val.”

“Short for Valerie?” He asks.

Val shakes her head. “Valentine,” She says. “My mom gave us unique names when we were born.”

“Unique name for a unique person.” He says, only to immediately regret the words he just uttered. “I’m sorry,” He sighs. “That was pathetic.”

Val giggles and leans against the railing once more. “You’re cute when you blush,” She says. “So you said you play the guitar?”

Jake feels relief when she finally changes the subject. “Yeah, I do.”

“Care to show me?”

“I don’t think anyone wants to hear it at four in the morning.”

Val hums to herself before stepping backwards to peer into her room before coming back to the railing of her balcony. Slipping off her robe, she tosses it to Jake. It smelt sweet like cherries or something like it.

“Wait, what are you doing?” He says when he sees her swing a leg over the railing.

“Coming over,” She says, swinging her other leg over.

“Are you crazy?” He says. “You could fall.” He rushes over the railing, dropping her robe, and reaching out to grab hold of her. She leaps over to the edge of his balcony and he helps her over the railing.

“Not the first time I’ve jumped balconies,” She says, bending over to pick up her robe. She slips it on, not bothering to tie it and steps through the doors and into his room. “Must be a well known band if you can afford a room like this,” She says as she looks around.

“I don’t look familiar to you at all?” He asks.

“Should you?”

“Maybe?”

She flops down onto his bed and props herself up on her elbow. “What’s your band’s name?”

“Greta Van Fleet,” He doesn't hesitate to tell her.

“Ahhhh okay,” She says. “Still haven't heard of you.”

He scoffs and walks over to the bed, grabbing his guitar off the floor in the process. Sitting on the bed, he tunes the guitar just a little before beginning to strum a few chords. He hadn't noticed Val crawling across the bed as he played, his mind completely focused on the guitar. She sat perched at his side as she listened and watched him play. It came so easily for him as his fingers glided up and down the fretboard while the others plucked the right strings. The guitar seemed to meld with him, as if it were an extension of his body and he just knew how to use it perfectly.

The thought alone made her eyes wander over the rest of him. The focus on his face drew out the intensity and passion he has for what he does. His forehead wrinkled and moved whenever he played a different chord or note. His jaw clenches and relaxes and his lips just stay the same. They glistened whenever he licked his tongue over them. They looked soft. She wonders if they feel the same way too.

Val then moves down his body, watching as the muscles flex in his arms as he moves. His skin was slightly tanned, must have gotten some sun before coming here to Paris. Her eyes moved further down his body and towards his chest and torso. He wasn’t quite sturdy, has a little bit of a stomach but still he looks beautiful. He wasn’t sporting a six pack but that didn't matter. She still found him beautifully just the way he was.

His legs came into view and she found them to be a little hairy but not too much. The tan followed all the way down to his feet, which tapped to the beat, keeping him on track with what he was playing.

Her hands were itching to reach out and touch him. She could still feel his hands on her waist as he pulled her over to his balcony. She didn't pay attention to how his skin felt at the moment but now she wants to. She wants to feel every part of him.

Stop it, Val. You don't even know him.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He asks, drawing her out of her mind. She bashfully shakes her head, looking away. He chuckles and moves to set his guitar on the floor. “Did you like what you heard?” He asks.

“If you’re this good on an acoustic, I can only imagine what you must be like with this band.”

Jake smiles and turns himself on the bed to face her. “A simple youtube search would confirm that for you.”

“I’ll have to look it all up later.”

“Why not now?” He asks, finding himself leaning a little closer to her.

“Because I’m a little distracted.”

“Really? By what?”

“More like who..” She breathes.

He chuckles, his warm breath breezing over her lips before he presses into her. Her lips tasted just as her robe smelled. Cherries. Her lips were soft that he was thinking they would be. He pulls away, his lips lingering a little longer to savor the taste of her. Taking the initiative again, he leans back again and kisses her. Taking his hand, he wraps it around the back of her neck and uses his thumb to tilt her chin upwards.

He feels her poking her tongue against his teeth and he chuckles before granting her access. Without breaking apart, she moves her body closer and starts to wrap her legs around his waist until she’s seated on his lap. His hands drop to her waist, holding her in place as they continue their makeout.

His eyes peel open when she pulls away, only to start kissing down his neck. Usually it would be the other way around, but he isn’t complaining, he’s enjoying the feeling of her lips on his skin. He leans back on his hand, tilting his head back and closing his eyes again as he savors this moment. A moan escapes his mouth before he can even stop it and he can feel her smiling against his neck.

Giving in further to the moment, he lays down on his back on the bed, allowing her to have full control. If he leaves Paris, having broken his streak of not sleeping with anyone, so be it. He was hers and he didn’t care at all. The feeling she was giving him was euphoric and he wasn't going to deny it.

Feeling her hand trace the curve of his semi erection over the top of his boxers, he opens his eyes once again and looks down at her. She has those doey eyes that he can’t ever resist. He nods his head and she pulls down his boxers enough to release him. Another moan falls from his mouth when she takes him in hers. His hands snake down his body and tangles in her hair.

This can’t be real.

It has to be a dream.

His body tensed as he felt himself approaching his release. He can’t stop himself from spilling inside of her mouth, but he’s pleasantly surprised when she takes it all and swallows. Pulling away from him, she sits back up and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

“How was that?” She asks.

“Amazing.” He says breathlessly.

She pulls his boxers back up and climbs up to straddle his waist. She places her hand against his chest and smiles. “Your heart is racing.” He chuckles and pulls her down for a kiss.

“Can I taste you?” He asks before kissing her again.

“I think it’s only fair.” She says before sliding off her robe.

Jake glides his hands along her shoulders, following the robe as it falls down her arms and pools around her hips. His eyes canvas every curve of her body, every minuscule scar. She didn’t have the supermodel body, but he didn’t care, he still found her beautiful. Just like him, she had a little meat to her body, it was perfectly toned or sculpted but it was a body that has been lived in. Worn over the years but still beautiful. He gently traced his thumbs over to the strips on her hips and looked up into her eyes.

He could see the timid look in her eyes as she watched him, wondering if at any second he would change his mind and not want her like she was wanting him. His lips curved upwards as a smile graced his sun kissed face. His brown eyes single handedly reassured her that he was in complete awe of her.

He didn't even know her besides her name. None of that mattered in the moment as he still took the time to admire her body.

Slowly he let his hands run over the fuzzy elastic band over her shorts and tugged on them, pulling the fabric away from her body and letting go, watching it snap back against her skin. He giggles lightly to himself. He dips his thumb beneath the elastic and looks up at her.

“May I?” He asks. Val nods her head and he proceeds to go further down inside of her shorts. He feels her hands grip loosely to his hips, her own instinctively bucking against his thumb. He gently rubs over her clit making her gasp.

With graceful movements, he’s sitting up and laying her on her back between his legs. Removing his hand from her shorts, he takes them off and licks his lips at the sight of her laying bare in front of him. Leaning over, he licks his tongue through her folds earning another gasp from Val. She didn't taste like cherries but she did taste sweet.

Within a couple minutes he had her releasing on his tongue and he licked up every drop. He pulls her back up and kisses her, tracing her lips with his tongue as he pulls apart from her.

“Being a rockstar, you must have a lot of women when you want to.”

He scoffs with a smile. “I could, but I’ve chosen not to,” He says. “Sure I could live the drugs, sex, and rock ‘n roll lifestyle easily, but I like the calm paced life. Play a lot on stage, flirt with the fans during the set, and then just relax afterwards.”

“When was the last time you slept with someone?”

“It’s been a couple years..” He says. “I used to just have meaningless sex. None of it meant anything. I brought a woman home after a night out at the bar, we’d slept together, and then she was gone by the time I opened a bottle of whiskey.”

“So what am I?” Val asks. “It’s almost five in the morning–in Paris–and you have me in your bed.”

Jake brings his hand up to her face and brushes her hair behind her ear. “I don’t know.. There’s just something about you that I like–as if I was meant to meet you. You’re not like the others..”

“What if tonight was our only night? Then what?”

Jake shakes his head. “I don’t believe it to be our only night,” He says.

“How can you be so sure?” She asks.

“I feel something with you–something that I have never felt before. And if we only spend tonight together, I won’t ever forget you. Who knows,” He says, tracing his thumb over her cheek. “We may see each other again and if we do, then we will know we were meant for each other.”

“Already falling in love, are we?” Val teases.

“Well we are in the city of love,” Jake playfully responds. “No.. But when I saw you for the first time yesterday, I was hooked. I thought about you all day and having you here now feels like a dream that I never want to wake up from.” He kisses her lips and then down to her neck before stopping just above her cleavage. “Let me love you tonight and then prove to you later that you are to be mine, and I yours.”

“Spoken like a prince.”

“I like to think I was in another life.”

Val giggles and kisses him. “If you treat me just like the others, I will never forgive you.”

“Only if you promise not to leave after I open a bottle of whiskey.”

Val shakes her head, “Never. You are stuck with me until the sun comes up.”

He smiles. “Good.”

As the sun begins to rise, the light filling the room, Val wakes up to the feeling of Jake running fingers ever so gently over the surface of her back. She flips her head to the other side and looks up at him. “Good morning,” He says. His breath still smelled like whiskey.

“Good morning,” She responds before flipping over onto her back.

“Do you have any plans today?” He asks, walking his fingers up the expanse of her stomach.

“My friends and I were just going to relax on the beach, but I can cancel.”

“I don’t want you to cancel your plans,” He says.

“We have a whole week here, I can miss one day.”

“And what would they think about you spending a whole day with some guy you just met?”

“You’re not just some guy,” Val says as she reaches her up to push his hair back away from his face. “Not anymore.”

“What if we spent the whole day in bed?” He asks. “We can order room service and just be together..”

“You don't want to go out?” She asks. “Do some exploring?”

“I have explored Paris countless times,” He says. “But I have yet to explore you,” He says as he rolls over top of her.

“You have too,” Val giggles as she tries to roll away from him. “You have seen every inch of my body.”

“Ahh, but that was with my eyes,” He says. “I meant with my lips.” He says as he starts kissing her neck. She giggles at the tickling sensation he gives her as he works his way down her neck and to her collarbone. “You are so beautiful.” He says.

“You keep saying that and yet I have a hard time believing you.”

“I only speak the truth,” He says. “I would never lie to you.”

His fingers glide over her stretch marks again as he kisses her breasts. “I just can’t wrap my head around why a rockstar like you would ever love someone who looks like me? Last night was beautiful and I just thought you were saying those words.”

“I meant every word, why are you doubting me now?” He says.

“I guess I’m just getting deep inside my head..” She says. “I have always had trouble loving my body and yet a man like you still sees me as beautiful–even with my stretch marks and my hips.”

“Your hips are beautiful and so are your stretch marks,” Jake says as he traces the marks on her hips. “You don’t need a perfect body for me to be attracted to you. Your eyes alone have already done that for you.”

“And what about my legs? My thighs–”

He covers her mouth lightly with the palm of his hand. “You are beautiful,” He says. “With every mark on your body, your hips, your thighs. Every inch of you is beautiful. I do not need a super model’s body pressed against mine, I just want yours in all its flawed beauty.”

He sees a tear start to slide down the side of her face and he wipes it away with the pad of his thumb. “You are beautiful, don’t ever think otherwise.”

“How can you say such things about a woman you have only met just four hours ago?”

Jake shrugs his shoulders. “A woman deserves to know when she is beautiful.” He leans his head down and kisses her.

“I should probably tell my friends where I am before they think I was kid–napped..” She moans when she feels him slip back inside of her.

“At least your kidnapper is sexy,” He teases before thrusting back inside of her.

Within minutes they were both coming down as he gave her sloppy kisses.

Against his begging, she slips on her clothes again and heads for the door. “Ten minutes and then I’ll be back.” She says as she pulls herself away from his arms.

“Jake Kiszka?! You slept with him?!”

“Shhh!” Val says, clamping her hand over her friend’s mouth.

“How did that even happen? When?”

“Last night,” Val says as she steps away from her friend and heads over to her suitcase to grab clothes. “I saw him out on his balcony and he brought me into his room. He played me a song on his guitar and then… We slept together.”

“And you’re going back over there?” Val nods her head. “I just can't believe this is happening,” Her friend continues. “So you’re spending the day with him?” Val slides her shoes on and slips in a sweater over top of her shirt. “He leaves in like a day, while you’ll still be here.”

“I know..”

“So then what happens after that?”

“I’m not sure,” Val says as she fixes her hair. “I can’t go with him, but maybe we’ll meet again sometime.”

“Are you in love with him?”

Val shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know if I’d call it love just yet, but I do feel something. He’s so sweet, Jayge, and so kind. He’s not at all like the typical rockstar you would assume.”

“How can you be so sure about that?” Jayge questions. “What if.. What if he only thinks of you as just some women he fucked in Paris and he never thinks of you again?”

“Wow, way to be such a downer.”

“I’m not a downer,” Jayge says as she sits down in the bed. “I’m being logical here. Val, he’s a rockstar, currently on tour for the next four months and after this week in Paris, you’re going back to Dallas.”

“Then I will savor whatever this is while it lasts and then.. Well.. I’ll deal with the fact that I may never see him again.”

“Val, I’m sorry.. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up that this means anything. Of course, by all means, have sex and just have fun, but don’t let yourself get caught up on what could happen.”

Noticing Val was oddly quiet all of sudden, and not paying much attention, Jake pulls away from her, cocking his head slightly as he studies her face. “Hey,” He says, cupping her face in his hands. “Is everything okay?” He asks.

“Hmm?” Her eyes flicker up to his.

“You seem a little..distant.”

Val shakes her head. “No, no.. I’m okay..” She says.

“Are you sure?” He asks.

Val nods her head, forcing a smile on her face. “Yeah, I’m sure.” She says as she brushes her hand up along his arm.

Jake exhales a breath and drops his hand from her face. “Something’s bothering you,” He says. “Come on, talk to me.. What happened while you were back in your room?”

“Jake, it’s stupid.. Really..” Jake cocks his head, still not believing a word she’s telling him. Realizing that he won’t let it go, Val sits up on the bed and crosses her leg in front of her. “My friend.. She thinks that after you leave to finish your tour and I go back home, you’ll forget about me.. And that this was all just a simple fuck..”

Jake’s hands drop to his lap as he lowers his head. “That’s what she thinks of me?” He says.

“Jake..”

“Is that what you think of me?” He asks, looking back up at her. “I was honest with you.. I’m not like that anymore..”

“I know,” Val says. “But is she right about what happens when we go our separate ways? Jake.. We’re from two different worlds. You have this whole career and I’m just some girl from Texas.”

“You're not just some girl,” He says. “This isn’t just a simple fuck either.” He reaches for her hand and rubs his thumb over her knuckles. “I know this isn’t ideal and we do have separate for the time being, but I just know this isn’t over when I leave.”

“I don’t want her to be right,” Val says. “I don’t want to be just another girl.”

“You are not just another girl,” Jake says. “I want to explore more of this with you. Don’t let what your friend said make you think differently.”

Climbing off the bed, Jake grabs his button up shirt and slips it on before moving onto his shorts. “Come on, I think we need to get out of the room,” He says as he hands her her clothes.

Jake enjoyed seeing the smile on her face as she talked animatedly with the florist. Knowing he couldn't commit to memory, he took out his phone and snapped a photo as he continued watching the conversation play out. The smile she bore, he’d never want to forget that. Suddenly the florist was pointing towards him and Val looks over, still wearing a smile, and nods her head. The florist nods her head as if understanding whatever Val had told her before waving him over. As he approached the table, the florist handed him a small bouquet of wildflowers and motions for him to give them to Val.

“Oh okay,” He says, his cheeks growing a light shade of pink. He hands Val the flowers and leans over to kiss her cheek. “May our love grow wild and free like these flowers,” He whispers into her ear. He feels her skin grow warm and he chuckles. “Am I making you flustered?”

“Just a little..” She whispers.

“Good,” He says. “Just wait until we get back to the room. Your cheeks won’t be the only thing that will be red..” He says, keeping his voice low, before pulling away. He goes to retrieve his wallet from his pocket when the florist hurriedly stops him. “I have to pay you,” He says.

“No, no!” The florist exclaims. “It’s a gift.”

“Are you sure?” Jake asks.

“I am sure,” She says. “Love comes without a price.”

“Thank you,” Val says. “I hope you have a wonderful day.”

As they walked away from the stand, Val picked out one of the purple flowers. Jake tries to stop her but she already has the flower tucked safely behind his ear. “Beautiful.” She says.

“Val, men do not–”

“Men do,” She cuts him off. “And I think you look good with it.” She reaches up and kisses his cheek. “Keep it there.” He did keep there the whole time they ventured around the street market.

He snuck even more candid photos of her, not realizing she was doing the same. As he goes to put it away, he feels it vibrate and he lifts it back up to see a text from Josh.

‘Whatever you are doing, forget about it for a little while and come get lunch with us!’

Jake looks up at Val who’s distracted, smelling different candles. “Are you hungry?” He asks, walking up to her.

“A little, why?” She says as she straightens back up.

“The others are getting lunch, do you want to go?” Val lifts up a candle for him to smell. He scrunches up his face when he smells the god awful scent. “Ew..”

Val giggles and sets the candle back down on the table. “Are you sure?” She asks. “They won’t think–”

“Doesn't matter what they think,” He says as he pulls her into his arms. “But they will love you.”

“Ummm.. Sure, why not?” She says, shrugging her shoulders.

“Well well well, you must be the woman who’s captivated my brother,” Josh says as he embraces Val in a hug. “It’s nice to finally get to meet you.”

Val giggles and hugs him back, “It’s nice to meet you too…..”

Josh laughs, slapping his hand against Jake’s shoulder. “I see my brother has not told you about us,” He says. “I’m Josh, his twin.”

“Twin?” Val questions as she looks between the two.

“We don’t look so much alike now but we used to growing up.”

“Oh, and this is Sam, our younger brother,” Josh continues. Sam waves at her with a wide grin. “And then there’s Daniel, our childhood friend and badass drummer.” Danny waves as well before taking a drink of his beer. “Come sit and join us!” Josh says as he pulls her to their table.

All through dinner, they got to know each other, more so they wanted to know everything about Val. Jake also couldn't keep his eyes off of Val, watching her as she held conversations with his brothers and allowed them to ask her whatever they pleased.

“Do you ride at all?” Josh asks. “Horses, I mean..” He adds, glancing over at Jake.

Jake’s smile fades and he kicks Josh’s leg underneath the table. Josh winks at him and sips on his drink.

“I was taught how to ride from a young age,” Val says. “Still do.”

“Jake, I believe you found yourself a cowgirl.” Danny chuckles.

Jake smiles and reaches over to kiss Val’s cheek. “I don’t know, did I?” He whispers. He chuckles feeling her cheeks warm slightly and he squeezes her thigh.

They were barely inside the door of his hotel room before they’re tearing off each other’s clothes. Jake kicks the door closed behind him, the lock latching immediately behind him. As he picks her up, she wraps her legs around his waist and he carries her into the bedroom. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, with her still wrapped around him, he feels his way around her hips and pushes down her pants. Having left his jeans by the door already, she ground down against his groin, her clothed center rubbing against his semi hard dick.

Pulling away from him, long enough to take off his boxers, she then lays him back on the bed and starts to kiss down his body. He hisses, grabbing a fist full of her hair when she nips his skin above his hips. “Did you just bite me?” He questions, titling her his chin downwards so he can see her.

She winks up at him before continuing down the rest of his body until she reaches his length. He can’t help the moan that escapes him when he feels her envelope him with her mouth. She licks and strokes him a few times before making him release her hair. She rises to her feet and slides off her underwear before climbing on top of him.

He moves further up the bed, carrying her with him, until he’s comfortably lying in the middle of the bed. He squeezed her hips as she sinks down on him, taking him as deep as he can go. “You’re so sexy from this angle,” He says, looking up at her. He moans again, his head falling against the pillows as she starts to lift herself and stop in a steady pattern.

Val rests her hands on his shoulder, keeping the pace, rising and falling repeatedly, bringing herself closer to her climax. Jake grips her hips tighter and pushes his hips upwards, meeting her thighs as they collide with his.

“Jake…” She moans, squeezing her eyes shut as her mouth falls open.

“Yeah baby, let go for me.” He says. “Come on..”

They both meet their ends and she collapses against his chest. He rubs her back and kisses her forehead. He slowly sits them both up and brushes her hair out from in front of her face. “I’m going to miss this,” He says.

“Gee, I hope you don’t only want me for sex,” Val jokes.

He lightly taps her ass as he laughs. “I want you for more than just sex,” He says. “I want to take you on romantic dates, fun adventures. I want to hold your hand and cuddle with you in bed. I want to have a life with you.”

“Boy you are falling quickly,” She jokes again, earning yet another smack to her ass, making her laugh. “All of that sounds wonderful,” She says. “Maybe I can teach you how to ride a horse.”

“Oh I know how to ride a horse,” Jake says.

“Yes but do you know how to ride a horse?” She says. “Full speed through an open space, the wind blowing through your hair,” She runs her fingers through his semi sweaty locks. “The adrenaline coursing through your veins and the feeling of being as free as the wind.”

“You make it sound like an adventure.”

“It can be,” She says. “It’s my favorite thing to do when I need to clear my head–or just to have fun.”

“How often do you go riding?”

Val shrugs her shoulders. “Whenever I decide to,” She says as Jake starts to kiss down her neck and over her shoulders. “I think you’d enjoy it.”

“I think I’d enjoy anything with you,” He says, continuing to kiss her body. He makes his way to her chest and sucks gently on one of her nipples. He can feel her heart beating in her chest. He releases her nipple and turns his head to press his ear to her chest. “I could listen to this all the time,” He says.

He sighs, realizing by the morning time he’ll be on a plane and flying to Rome…without Val. How was he supposed to leave her behind while he continues with this tour? He knows he can’t just cancel the rest of the tour. Missing someone you love wasn’t a big enough reason to cancel everything.

As if they were thinking the same thing, Val speaks up as she runs her hand through his hair. “You promise nothing will change when you leave?” She asks.

Jake lifts his head and tilts it backwards to look at her. “Nothing will change,” He says. “I promise..” He caresses her cheek and presses his lips to hers. “As soon as I get back home, I’m coming to you.”

The morning came sooner than either of them wanted and as Val still slept, Jake quietly made his way around the room collecting his things and packing them into his suitcase. Once everything was zipped and ready to go, he carries them out of the room to set by the hotel door. He quietly goes back to the bedroom and sits on the edge of the bed before gently waking up Val.

“Hey, it’s time for me to leave..” He says.

“Already?”

Jake nods his head. “Yeah..”

“Can I come with you to the airport?” She asks.

“Of course,” Jake says as he stands up from the bed.

The two of them stand in the middle of the crowded airport, not wanting to let each other go. Val was the first to finally pull apart, regretting looking up at Jake. His eyes were glossy with tears as they flickered between hers. “I wish you could come with me,” He says. “You’d love Italy.”

“I’m sure I would,” Val says as she reaches up to wipe away an escaped tear slipping down his cheek.

“Goddamn it,” He huffs, wiping his own hands over his cheeks. “I’m not supposed to cry… I’m so pathetic..”

Val giggles, shaking her head. “Only four more months,” She says, wrapping her arms around his neck. “And then it’s you and me and the open field.”

He smiles and leans down to kiss Val. “I’m looking forward to it.” He kisses her again, savoring the taste of her chapstick. “Cherries..” He hums. “Definitely going to miss that.”

“Jake,” Josh says as he walks up to the two of them. “We have to go.”

“Yeah, okay..” Jake says as he takes in a deep breath.

“I’ll see you soon,” Val says as she kisses him one last time before pulling away and heading off back through the airport. Jake wipes his face again and slips on his sunglasses, covering how red his eyes must look, and heads off to catch up with the others.

-4 months later-

Four months away from Jake proved to be harder than she had originally thought it would be. Sporadic texts here and there, last night phone calls when he was available. She was depressed the first few weeks, moping over what they had in Paris. Part of her didn't believe this would move forward, based on the tone of his texts. His voice when he spoke only sounded like he wasn't at all interested anymore.

But then they stopped all together. It has been at least a month now since she last spoke to Jake. He hadn't responded to any of her texts so eventually she stopped sending them. Maybe Jayge was right. Maybe Paris was only what it was at the moment. Even the words he spoke held no meaning anymore.

She needed to get her mind off of him and she knew of the only way to do so.

Riding.

She started out at a slow pace, taking in the colors of the wildflowers as they swayed in the wind, the clear blue sky with not a single cloud to be seen, the sounds of the birds singing from the trees. Then the slow trot turned into a full on sprint, as fast as the horse could go. The wind ripped through her hair as the tears stung her eyes.

She really was just some girl to him. At least that’s what it felt like. He gave her no reason to think otherwise, never reassured her that she was more than that. She felt just like the others that he talked about. Except this time, it wasn’t her leaving him by the time he opened a whiskey bottle, but it was him leaving the memories of her behind in Paris. Those memories would never leave Paris.

Eventually the horse started to grow tired, so she led him down to a nearby river to rest and drink. Her phone started to ring in her pocket and she pulled it out to see Jake’s name on the screen. She simply stared at it, not making a move to answer it, letting it disappear and go to voicemail. His name pops back up, another incoming call.

Rolling her eyes, she taps the answer button and presses her phone to ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey, are you busy?”

“Just riding..”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine..” She says, tilting her head down and fidgeting with the reins in her hand. “I haven't heard from you for a while…”

He sighs. “Yeah.. I know.. I’m sorry..”

“You know, if you don't want me anymore, you could just tell me..”

“What? No.. Val, of course I still want you. I meant every word I told you back in Paris.”

“Somehow I’m finding it hard to believe that anymore.. You’ve talked to me like you have no interest and even when you do talk to me, it’s so few and far in between.. I’m struggling to believe that you do mean what you told me.”

“Val, I swear, I meant it all. I’m sorry for acting that way, I have no other excuse except that I’m tired.. But the tour is finally over and I want to continue where we left off.”

“Jake, I have to go.”

“No, Val, please don’t-”

She doesn't let him finish as she ends the call. Letting the horse rest a little more, after a few more minutes she climbs back up onto the saddle and rides away from the river, keeping her phone on Do Not Disturb for the time being. This time on the way back to the ranch, she doesn't haul ass back through the fields, instead she decides to take her time riding back.

After an hour, she finally reaches the ranch. Climbing down off the horse, she walks him to the stables but stops when she sees Jake leaning against the stable door. He was dressed appropriately in jeans and cowboy boots, though his button down shirt was open to the last two buttons, revealing his still tanned chest. When he sees her, he pushes off the door and walks up to her.

“Please, can we talk?” He asks.

“Jake, I get it, okay?” Val says as she leads the horse into the stable. “I fell for your stupid trap. You got what you wanted.”

“No, I didn’t,” He says, following after her. “Val, I meant everything I told you. I was stupid for not following through, but I swear I’m not treating you like the others. You mean so much to me, Val.”

“Sure didn't sound like it the few times we’ve talked.”

“I’m sorry.. I-I don’t know what else you want me to do.”

“There is nothing you can do Jake.” She says as she turns to face him, after locking the horse inside the stable. “We were crazy to think this would ever move forward from Paris. We live in two different states and we have different lives. I can’t just drop everything to move to Nashville o-or to follow you on tour, and you sure as hell can’t move here because of the band. Just admit it, Jake, this is not going to work.”

“No!” He exclaims, following her out of the stables. “I am not going to admit it because I know we can make this work.” He grabs her hand and pulls her back to him. “I’m not asking you to follow me on tour, I won't make you do that. I’ve seen what happens if you do. I can’t ask you to give up your life for that, but I am asking for you to not give up on us. If I have to move to goddamn Texas, then I will. My bands will survive.”

“Jake, don’t move here.”

“Why not? You’re here.”

“You’d hate it.”

“I can deal with it, if I still have you. Come on, I know you’ve imagined turning this rockstar into a cowboy.”

Val can't help but laugh. “Cowboy by day, rockstar by night?”

“I could do it,” He says. “I know how to ride a horse.”

“You really want to move forward with us?” Val asks.

“You already know my answer,” He says as he pushes their bodies together, lifting up her chin and kissing. “I will do whatever it takes to keep loving you.”

“You’ll do whatever?” She asks, looking up at him. He nods his head and she smiles. “The house is empty,” She says, nodding her head to the white farmhouse behind her. “The boys are out wrangling the herd, could be a couple hours.”

Jake smirks before grabbing her hand and running for the house. Within minutes he had her naked and in her bed, kissing every inch of her body, making up for the lost time. When he reaches her legs, she pulls him back up and kisses him.

“I need you,” She says. “Please.”

He nods his head and adjusts himself between herself, careful to take it slow as he pushes himself inside. She hisses slightly and he pauses, looking at her. He slowly eases further in until he’s completely bottomed out. He stays like that, allowing her time to readjust to him. When she was ready, he began at a snail pace, taking his time until she was comfortable enough to let him go faster. In no time she was begging him to and he obliged, picking up the pace until the headboard began hitting the wall.

Her lips still tasted like cherries when he kissed her, the taste being enough to intoxicate him. He didn't stop until he was struggling to keep himself at bay but he couldn't. He couldn’t stop himself from hitting his climax and spilling inside of her. She followed not too long after him.

They laid there in bed, completely spent and covered in sweat but still cuddling each other. Jake traces the curves of her hip with his fingertips and kisses her forehead.

“Valentine!” A man calls from downstairs.

Val sits up in bed, holding the blankets up to cover her chest. “Who is that?” Jake asks.

“My dad,” Val says as she scrambles out of the bed. “Get dressed, hurry–and button up your shirt.”

“I have to meet your dad so soon?” Jake asks as he climbs out of the bed and starts picking up his clothes to put back on.

“Better to get it out of the way now rather than later.” Val says as she zips up her pants.

“Oh fantastic,” Jake mutters before following Val out of her bedroom.

@losfacedevil @writingcold @edgingthedarkness @i-love-gvf @katuschka @josh-iamyour-mama @sammysstolenbirks @asendingtothestarsasone @hollyco @musicislove3389 @its-interesting-van-kleep @katiegvf @tinydancer40 @gretavangroupie @lizzys-sunflower @fleetingjake @takenbythemadness @godly-sinsx @psychedelectable @dancingcarbon @cheersdannyx2 @piratejtk @katuschka @musicislove3389 @takenbythemadness @wildbluesorbit @hollyco

[authorhjk1]

Water gymnastics

Blackpink's Lisa X Male Reader

And that's how this happened."

The woman in front of you laughs as she covers her mouth with her hand.

"You didn't ask him to do anything?"

You shake your head, before reaching for the glass of wine.

The brunette giggles as she puts another piece of the cake into her mouth. You realized that she started to eat smaller and smaller bites. Maybe because it tastes so good.

"What flavor is that, by the way?"

"You wanna try?"

She uses her fork to separate another piece from the cake, before moving it towards you. It looks like she wants to feed you. You hesitate for a moment, knowing that this would look kinda weird. Especially, if someone would take a picture. Her fans wouldn't appreciate it and neither would Ahin.

You lean forward quickly, hoping that no one saw it. She gives you a big smile as you chew the chocolate cake, before swallowing it.

"Chocolate."

She nods excitedly before eating another piece herself.

"I honestly don't get, how you can eat waffles and stuff for supper and cake as dessert afterwards."

The brunette shrugs her shoulders as she smiles.

"I like sweet things."

She bites her fork and looks at you a second too long.

Once you finish your own piece of cake, you lean back in your chair, glancing at the hotel lobby, before focusing back on her again.

"Originally, I planned for all four of you to be here, but your company didn't want to hear that. I don't know why, but it might have been more profitable."

"That's because they have other schedules as well. And the company is sometimes more than just annoying."

You chuckle at her last comment, glad that you are your own boss.

"Have you been in Paris before?"

Nodding, you remember what happened the last time you were here.

"I did. I found a place that serves delicious tteokbokki."

"Wow. Your pronunciation is really good."

"That's because I speak Korean."

"Really?"

She eyes you with a surprised look on her face. Up until now, the two of you spoke English.

"I moved to an area around Seoul about two months ago."

"We could have met way sooner then."

She laughs as she playfully slaps your hand, which is resting next to your plate, across the table.

"Well, turns out I need to open a restaurant to be able to meet you."

The brunette chuckles as she shakes her head, finally chewing on her last piece of cake. You pick up your phone, which starts to vibrate on the wooden surface next to your hand. A message from Ahin appears on the lock screen.

"I'm gonna try on the clothes which I'm gonna wear tomorrow. Help me pick something? 😉😘"

You glance at the brunette, who is sipping her wine.

"I have something coming up. Unfortunately."

You gesture with your phone in your hand.

"Since the two of us are staying here, I guess I will see you today or tomorrow again. Maybe for breakfast."

The Thai girl's smile drops a little, but she nods her head.

"Breakfast with you sounds great."

Getting up, you button your jacket, before walking off. Going past her chair, you lightly place your hand on her naked shoulder.

"Have a good night."

"You as well."

Not turning around, you hear sounds, which indicate that she is watching after you as you walk out of the luxurious restaurant and towards the elevator. Pressing the button for the seventh floor, you video call your girlfriend.

As the doors open, she picks up. The pink haired woman has already placed her phone on the counter of her kitchen, showing her entire living room. You don't know what is keeping the phone up right, but you see all kinds of clothing sprinkled throughout the room.

Ahin is standing in the center. You don't even look up as the doors close again as you see her wave at you. Only wearing a black lacey bra and matching panties.

"Is this so difficult that you need my help?"

You ask in a mocking tone, before looking around, gladly realizing you are on your own.

"Well,"

Ahin places her hands on her hips, glaring at you.

"First of all, I'm doing this to look good. Which means, you have to help me, because I value your opinion the most."

Your girlfriend uses her thumb to slowly let her right bra strap slide off her shoulder.

"Second of all, I'm sure this will be very beneficial for the both of us."

Smiling, you walk out of the elevator, heading towards your room.

"I don't think this is how it works."

You sigh as you slowly stroke yourself, watching Ahin.

"What do you mean?"

She asks with an innocent look on her face.

"Don't you have to wear clothing to see if your accessories match it?"

Ahin puts on the second one of her long sparkling earrings, before putting her hair behind her ear. It's the only thing she is wearing.

"Are you actually complaining right now?"

"Not at all."

You grin as you keep your hand on your shaft. Usually you like to be a little rougher, even with yourself. But right now, this seems just as enjoyable.

Ahin uses both her hands to put her long pink hair behind her back gracefully. One of her fingers traces along her collarbone afterwards.

"Would you like anything on here?"

"You are not talking about a necklace, are you?"

She bites her lip seductively, trying to make you cum faster.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Now she plays coy as she walks over to the counter, where the phone is standing on.

"What kind do you like?"

She shows you a silver necklace, which matches her earrings.

You nod as you honestly don't focus much on her necklace. The way she is slightly leaning over the counter makes her chest look bigger.

"Or maybe this one? I would look hot in this. Don't you think?"

You tear your eyes away from her naked body to see the necklace in her hand. Or rather her choker. She puts it on, before letting her arms rest at her sides.

It's a black piece with small silver stripes in it. At the front a word in silver letters catches your eyes.

"Cumslut"

"I don't think this would be very appropriate."

You stroke yourself a little faster as you see Ahin like this. Naked. Only wearing her earrings and that small piece of fabric around her throat.

"But you seem to love it."

She winks at you.

"I won't wear it tomorrow evening. I don't know about tomorrow night though."

You chuckle as you see her start to pose a little. Her right hand rests on her waist, while she bites her finger on her left hand. She makes sure you have a clean view at her throat.

"Do you have anything else like this?"

Ahin's eyes sparkle with amusement.

"You would be surprised."

"How come?"

"Well, in case you wouldn't accept my confession, I was prepared to seduce you until you would give in."

"Maybe I should have waited a little longer then."

She bites her lip.

"I have so much stuff. I will make sure you won't regret your decision."

You are about to answer, when another message blocks your view. Groaning in annoyance, you read it. It's important, unfortunately.

"Ahin."

You sigh as you swipe the message away.

She pouts already, knowing what you are about to say.

"This is important. It's about tomorrow."

"You should pay more attention to me, you know?"

"I just spend twenty minutes watching you try on clothes."

"I think we both know you did more than watching."

"Ahin. I have to go now."

She rolls her eyes, before looking at you excitedly.

"Give me a second!"

She scurries out of view, probably towards her bedroom. She comes back a moment later, hiding something in her fist.

"Got something for you."

She wiggles her eyebrows playfully, before opening her hand. You sigh as you see the pink item.

"You might be overestimating my phone. I doubt, it would reach you from here."

Ahin shakes her head as she puts the small vibrator on the counter.

"I have the original remote, you know? I don't need you to get me off on the plane."

She sticks her tongue out as if she won this fight.

"How come you are so horny all the time?"

Ahin points at her choker, raising an eyebrow. No words needed.

Another message pops up.

As you see your phone's screen light up, you swim towards the edge of the pool. Drying your head with a towel, you answer the call.

After you got two messages earlier, you had to go the restaurant for some final decisions for the opening. Once you got back, you decided to cool off by taking a swim, since Ahin would be asleep by now. The time difference sucks.

Luckily, this call only takes a couple of minutes. As you hang up, you see someone entering the pool area.

The brunette is still wearing the yellow dress she wore at dinner.

"Lisa."

You greet her, when she sees you in the pool.

"Hi! Are you swimming as well?"

You nod, before letting go off the edge.

Pushing yourself off the wall, you watch Lisa walking towards the pool. Her skin is darker than Ahin's due to the sun. As you take in her body, you remember what your girlfriend did to you earlier.

Lisa sits down in one of the chairs, watching you in the pool.

"Are you not coming inside?"

"Is it cold?"

You shake your head as you swim a little closer.

"Maybe later. I had a drink at the bar."

You chuckle as you reach the edge of the pool once more, only two steps away from your new model.

"I think I have something to make you sober."

Before Lisa can reply anything, you are already moving. Drops of water hit her skin as you splash her with it playfully. It's not much, but there are now dark spots on her dress.

"Yah!"

She chuckles and glares at you at the same time.

"Now, I'm definitely not going in."

You rest your forearms on the edge and you catch Lisa staring at them. You were surprised at first, when Ahin complemented you on your forearms, when you rolled up your sleeves once. It looks like she isn't the only one, who likes them.

You tap the tiles with a finger, while looking at Lisa.

"If you don't want to get hit again, you have to join me."

She leans back in her chair, a cocky grin on her face.

"Make me."

"Your decision."

You pull yourself up, lifting your body out of the water and the pool.

Lisa can't help but stare as she watches you. Working out and sleeping with as many Korean stars as possible marks your body. She bites her lips as the muscles in your arms move. Her eyes fall onto your chest and then your abs as you leave the pool. The water glistens on your skin and partially drops down your body.

Looking towards her, you catch Lisa staring.

"Wanna take a picture?"

Her cheeks turn the deepest of red as she looks away. You walk over, standing in front of her.

"Take off your dress."

Lisa looks at you with wide eyes.

"W-What?"

"You don't want it to get wet, do you?"

She shakes her head hesitantly.

"Or do you plan on walking through the hotel in a drenched dress?"

Shaking her head once more, the brunette slowly stands up.

"Give me a second."

You don't actually know if she is wearing her swimsuit, or anything for that matter, underneath. Not wanting to look like a creep, you turn around. Hands folded behind your back, you look through the windows on the other side of the pool.

You hear her dress drop. Before you can react, you hear Lisa's shout.

"Yah!"

Something hits you in the back. Surprised, you stumble forward. That something, probably Lisa herself, pushes you further. Falling over the edge of the pool, your instincts take over. You reach behind you blindly, trying to hold onto anything. It feels like you caught her wrist. You fall face first into the water.

Collecting yourself, you look around, still underwater. You see Lisa's wide eyes as you keep holding her.

Wanting to have your revenge, you grab both of her hands with one of yours, before swimming upwards. The pool isn't deep. Maybe twice as deep as Lisa is tall.

When you break through the water, you pull her with you.

"Hey!"

She coughs as you look at her. The yellow dress is gone and reveals what Lisa was wearing underneath. A white bikini with different patterns on it.

"Who is staring now?"

She chuckles as you look into her eyes. Her dark hair is all wet, partially sticking to her skin.

"Just wondering how I should take revenge."

Before she can react, you pull Lisa towards you. The water makes both of your movements slower, but you manage to hold onto her hands. You pick her up bridal style. One hand reaching around her back, still holding hers, while the other grabs her thighs from underneath.

Her wide eyes are only millimeters away. Her nose almost touches yours. You catch Lisa glancing at your lips, before you lift her out of the water. Her body drips like a waterfall.

"Have nice flight."

Lisa's mouth opens wide to protest, but you already throw her up. She is not very heavy, so you can easily do it. You watch her hang in the air for a second as if time has stopped for a moment. Turning away, to not get hit in the face again, you hear Lisa hit the water. A wave washes over your body as she lands right next to you.

You turn around, the water slowing down your movements once more. She jumps out of the water, shaking her head.

"You! I could-!"

She raises her hand, but you jump her again. Quite literally this time. You push her against the edge of the pool. Lisa feels the cold tiles against her shoulders as you press yourself against her. The two of you stand as close as before.

"You could what?"

You tilt your head slightly.

"Shut up."

Lisa sneaks her arms around your nape and leans forward. Your lips touch and you can taste some of the water on her lips. You and Lisa make out in the pool. The water almost reaches her chest, while barely half of your body is getting wet.

You hold the back of her head with one hand, the other holds onto the edge as you slightly lean against it. This way, you can kiss Lisa comfortably, without having to pick her up.

The fierce Thai girl keeps kissing you, before she finally pushes you away, her hand still on your chest.

"I don't think my boss meant this when he said " do your best, Lisa "."

A sly grin plays on her lips.

You take her hand off your bare chest and pull her towards you again.

"Time to live up to his words."

Lisa bites her lower lip, before you capture it with your own pair once more.

"Fuck, you are hot."

She whispers into your mouth.

You break the kiss and reach underwater to grab her thighs. Lifting her petite body out of the water, you hold Lisa on your arms. Tasting the water on her toned stomach, you kiss her skin.

The brunette holds onto your hair. You move your lips as if you are running through an imaginary labyrinth on her abs. Occasionally using your tongue, you lick her belly button, making her giggle slightly.

"That tickles."

One of her hands is placed on your back. Her pink nails scratching you slightly, whenever you make her breath hitch.

Lowering her a little, you are now face to face with Lisa's bikini top.

"I think you are wearing too much clothes."

She reaches behind her to undo the strings, which hold it together and in place, before throwing it behind her. You palm her small mounds, admiring them for a moment, before leaning forward.

Yet again, you make your way all over her body. And once more, Lisa's nails find your skin. She isn't scratching hard, so it doesn't hurt, but it makes you want to please her harder. You take one of her nipples into your mouth, sucking on it, playing with it, before you focus on the other one. Switching again and again, you feast on Lisa's chest and the rest of her body as she squirms in your arms, never letting the water rest.

You stop as the lights suddenly turn off.

"What happened?"

You laugh at Lisa's slightly scared tone.

"After 12 pm, they turn off the lights in this room. We can turn them on later with the light switch."

The only lights which illuminate the pool now, are the sparkling lights from outside the windows. The city of Paris makes you see the silhouette of Lisa's body.

You resume your work on her tits, occasionally moving a little lower to pay attention to her stomach.

"Fuck, yes."

Lisa begins to slowly grind against you. Her hips are just above yours. You lower her a little further, which makes her moan as she feels your dick inside your trunks. Taking the new position as an opportunity, you dive into her neck. You kiss more and more of her skin as she starts to grind against you faster and faster.

You feel one of her hands reach downwards to cup your crotch.

"You feel so big."

Kissing her harder in response makes her moan again.

"Let me suck your cock."

That's a demand you can't say no to.

Slowly lowering Lisa's body into the water, you feel her slide out of your grip. You move back a little to sit on the upper half of the steps, which lead into the pool and which the two of you ignored earlier. Before you are able to sit probably, you can already feel her greedy hands on your waistband.

In a blink, your trunks are off and you feel Lisa's fingertips on your cock. The water adds a new sensation to it.

"Let me get out of the water."

You try to move upwards since you figure Lisa wouldn't love the idea of sucking your cock underwater.

Suddenly the door opens and you hear a man's voice.

"Mr. (L/n)? Your drink?"

He sounds a little confused and you remember that you ordered something before you came here.

You are about to say something, when you realize that you are holding Lisa's head under the water. Her hands are resting on your thighs. Then you feel her lips on your tip.

The man reaches for the light switch. That's the only thing you can see in the dark.

"Don't!"

You almost curse as you feel Lisa's lips move further down.

"I like it like this."

"Sure, sir."

You can hear the uncertainty in his voice. But you can't risk being caught. This is against the law in France anyways. You are in a public place. There is just no one else here at the moment.

"Can you just put the bottle on the table over there?"

"Of course, sir."

You can feel Lisa struggling for air. Just as the man from the staff turns around, you pull her head up. She gasps for air quietly. You can barely see her wide eyes.

Looking behind you again, you see the man turning around. Once more, you shove Lisa's head underwater. You hiss through your teeth as you feel her warm mouth around your cock.

"Anything else, sir?"

"No thanks."

You are about to scream at him to get out. Lisa's tongue flicks against your tip.

"Have a pleasant night, sir."

"You too."

The brunette gives your tip a small bite. It barely hurts, but jolts of pleasure rush up your spine.

You see the man walk through the door. Lisa taps your thighs again. As soon as the door closes, you pull her up.

"Holy fuck!"

She gasps as she recovers from her involuntary diving lesson.

"Now, get up."

She motions for you to move and you climb two more steps. The water is only reaching your knees now.

Lisa leans forward. And once again, you feel her lips on your cock. You can barely see her head, bobbing up and down as she sucks you off.

"Fuck."

You reach forward to hold her hair back. One of her hands is holding onto the base of your cock, while the other rests on your thigh. Lisa keeps her rhythm as she gives you head. Her tongue flicks against your shaft occasionally, before she takes more of you into her mouth.

At one point, you realize you have already adapted to her rhythm. You start to guide her head as you feel Lisa giving up control. Her warm mouth hugs your cock as her lips glide along its length.

Both of her hands are now resting on your thighs as you slowly start to fuck her face. Lisa doesn't move, her mouth a wet sleeve for your cock. You make her take more and more, until you hear her gagging.

When you let go of her, Lisa gets off your dick.

"I wanna fuck you."

She states, before climbing on top of you. Since she now knows, you might get caught, Lisa wants to do this quick.

You look at her in surprise as you feel her straddle you.

"I need it."

She kisses you once more as she reaches down, holding your cock in her hand. You hear her whimper as you begin to penetrate her and you realize that it's not her pussy.

"Lisa, what-"

She shuts you up with another kiss.

"This is my tightest hole. Don't you like it?"

You honestly can't complain as she sinks herself onto your cock.

"Fuck!"

She moans loudly as you enter her further.

Lisa does feel tight, but you realize that she has done this before. Her ass easily adjusts to your cock, making it less painful for her. You feel the ring of her muscles glide along the length of your shaft. The pleasure, which starts to build in your groin is already becoming unbearable. You reach for something, anything, to let it out. Your fingers close around Lisa's throat as you find it. You weren't searching for it, but the way the brunette moans, signals that you are doing the right thing.

She starts to slowly move up and down. The waves become bigger once more, due to her movements. Lisa was right. Her ass is really tight. And because you can barely see anything, it heightens your other senses even more.

With one hand on her throat and the other on her waist, you let Lisa bounce on your cock.

"Tighter!"

She yelps as she impales herself on your cock over and over again. You do as she says, tightening your grip on her throat. Her moans become raspier and you feel her walls clench around you. Your hand on her waist moves towards her ass, occasionally squeezing her cheeks.

"Fuck you are big."

You feel her becoming faster and now you regret not being able to see her face. The water splashes around the two of you and except for Lisa's moaning and her skin hitting yours, it's the only sound in the room.

Lisa's own hands are now both placed on your shoulders and she leans forward a little. Her head buries itself in your shoulder as she tries to muffle her moans. Your hand leaves her throat and dives for her pussy.

You start to rub her clit as she keeps bouncing on top of you.

"I'm gonna cum!"

The combination of your cock in her ass and your thumb on her clit proves itself too much for Lisa. The Thai girl manages to ride you a little longer, before she suddenly stays in place. Her hips seem glued to yours as her body freezes.

"Fuuuck!"

She moans loudly, which echoes through the room. You actually can't tell if she squirted or not, since you are wet anyways and it could have been a small wave.

"More. More."

Lisa begins to move to get off of you. You feel the ring of her muscles slide along your shaft, until you leave her.

You suddenly hear a knock on the door.

"Fucking hell."

You murmur, before glancing at Lisa. She is already in the water again, motioning you to follow her. And just as before, you sit in the same place as earlier, with Lisa's hand on your cock. She is ready to dive as soon as the door opens.

Once it does, you see some guy walk inside. The outline of his silhouette shows that he is still wearing his clothes. Feeling Lisa's lips on your cock again, you are too late to stop him. The lights turn on and you probably look like a deer in headlights.

The man jumps as he sees you sitting in the pool.

"What are you doing in the dark, mate?"

He has a thick British accent.

"Just wanted to enjoy the view."

You lazily gesture towards the window as you realize that Lisa's bikini top is swimming near by. You become nervous. Especially since Lisa is tapping your thighs again. Her lips around your cock are sealed tight.

"The showers are behind that door by the way."

You point to your right, hoping he would neither see Lisa nor her clothes.

"Thanks, mate."

He walks past you and you instinctively push Lisa's head down a little further. A couple of bubbles escape her nose and reach the surface. You crane your neck, waiting for the moment he steps through the door.

You pull Lisa out of the water, who is gasping for air again.

"Don't push me even further."

Her hair sticks to her shoulders and cheeks.

"Just making sure we don't get caught."

"Lets make you cum then."

Her blunt tone surprises you a little, but you follow her out of the pool. She looks over her shoulder at you, before kneeling on the chair, she sat on earlier.

"Pound me."

You step behind her and you see that she is still wearing her white bikini bottoms. She must have slid them aside earlier. You untie the strings, which hold the last piece of her clothing in place.

Her firm cheeks make you want to give her a couple of good slaps, but how are you going to explain those sounds? Instead, you just squeeze them, harder than before.

"Fuck me already."

Lisa sighs and reaches behind her. She pulls her ass cheeks apart, showing off her hole. You place your tip at her entrance and with one slow stroke, you are back inside her ass.

"Right there."

Lisa sighs again, trying to be a little quieter than before. Knowing that the other guy could come out any minute, you start to fuck Lisa into the chair. You start to chase your own orgasm as you feel her tightness around you.

The Thai girl's moans become louder with every thrust. You get nervous, when she doesn't stop. And although you hear him showering, her moans and screams would eventually overpower the shower.

While one hand stays on her waist, the other reaches forward. You close her mouth with your hand, making her moan and scream into it.

Her still wet body makes it hard to hold onto as you keep fucking Lisa into the wooden chair. It scratches on the tiles as you rock it back and forth. She is holding onto the backrest with both hands now, her knuckles turning white.

Lisa moans and says something, but you can't hear her. You can't stop fucking her like this. The sound of the chair sliding over the tiles becomes louder.

Lisa's ass hugs your cock tight and you can feel yourself, slowing approaching the end.

"Fuck, your ass feels great."

You feel her smile into your hand.

Due to her wet skin, your have to readjust your hand on her waist occasionally. Every time you do, you grip her a little harder. Slowly, red marks of your fingers start to appear.

You hear Lisa mumbling something inaudible again, but you can't take the risk of removing your hand.

The pressure in your crotch starts to build up further.

"Lisa-"

You are unable to say anything else. She nods vigorously. You feel her body shake a little and her ass gripping you even harder.

"I'm gonna cum inside."

She doesn't stop nodding as you keep plowing her into the chair.

You start to lose your grip and your hand slips off her mouth.

"Fuck, yes!"

Lisa takes her chance.

"Fill me up!"

In the back of your mind, you register that the sound of a running shower is gone. It's not like you can stop now anyways.

Lisa arches her back and it feels like you can go even deeper now.

"God yes!"

Lisa's head is now hanging off the backrest, while both your hands are holding her hips. You pull her back towards you, whenever you thrust forward.

"Almost there."

You groan, too overwhelmed by this quick but hard fuck.

Your grip tightens one last time and you can feel Lisa's muscles clench around you even harder. You manage to do two more strokes, before you finally cum.

You shoot your load inside her ass, making Lisa moan deeply. You have to hold onto the chair yourself as you fill her with your seed.

"It feels so good."

Lisa sighs.

"So fucking hot."

You are unable to speak for the moment. It takes you a couple of seconds to recover, before you remember the English dude.

"We have to hurry up."

"Yeah."

Lisa nods and you slowly start to leave her ass. Once you are out, you already see a globe of cum fall out of her hole. You grab her bikini bottoms and hand them to her, before you slowly walk into the pool. The sensation of the cold water makes it kinda weird. Once you finally reach your trunks and her top, you move to walk back out.

The two of you get dressed as fast as possible.

"I'm gonna see you for breakfast?"

You nod, before watching her walking off. Taking the bottle of gin with you, you follow her through the door. Still a little winded after a spontaneous anal session in the hotel pool.

You smile at her as you see her walk in.

"Ms Lee. It's nice to see you."

Greeting your girlfriend rather formal feels weird, but the two of you are keeping your relationship private so far.

"And it's nice to be here."

You are glad she isn't wearing the choker she tried on yesterday, but you do wonder if it's in her luggage. Nevertheless, she looks like a goddess with that pink hair and beautiful dress. The long silver earrings are now matched with a tight necklace, almost a choker. The black dress is showing off her shoulders and collarbone.

Ahin didn't want to wear anything too revealing, knowing that it might look weird and distract you from work tonight. As much as she loves to tease you and make you horny, she knows that this is very important to you.

The long sparkling silver belt adds a little more class to her outfit as well. It makes her waist look smaller.

"What would you like to eat?"

You gesture behind you, still being formal, knowing that at least one camera is capturing this moment. There are several journalists and such in this place. They are all trying to take the best pictures of the celebrities and write the best stories for their papers. After all, you are not no one. You aren't famous like Ahin, but your name is mentioned in news papers regularly.

"I would love to try some Korean dishes."

You extend your hand.

"Please follow me."

Your girlfriend takes it and you squeeze hers a little.

Your restaurant is quite unique. Instead of just serving one kind of food, you offer various dishes from countries all over the world. American burgers and pizza to Italian pasta, French delicacies, Chinese noodles and Korean BBQ and more.

It takes a lot of space, since the meals are actually made right at the customers' tables. Of course it was very expensive to plan and build all of this, but it hopefully makes you a lot of profit in the future. The walls and pictures and tables all represent the different countries you can eat from.

You and Ahin walk through the port of Venice and past the great wall of China, until you reach the banks of the Han River.

"Please, take a seat."

You gesture towards one of the empty tables. One of the chefs is already walking in your direction.

Although Ahin is a model for one of your companies, it would be weird to eat with her alone. You whish her a great night, before roaming through the restaurant once more.

[prettyyoungandbored]

The Night Before - Charlie Dalton

Pairing: Charlie Dalton x Fem!Reader

Author’s Note: This man has consumed my mind. Anyway, enjoy this cute bit.

Part Two

NOT MY GIF

Charlie padded around the kitchen, tie loosened and dress shirt sleeves rolled up. He smeared some mayo on the toasted piece of bread before topping it off with a piece of lettuce.

His eyes met the telephone in the kitchen and for a brief moment, he considered calling Y/N. He was barely able to spend time with her at the rehearsal dinner.

When his father offered to host the rehearsal dinner at his -not Charlie and Y/N’s - favorite restaurant, Charlie knew it would not be about him and Y/N, but rather his parents bringing attention to themselves.

Her mother and his mother whisked her away from him. It wasn’t long until his father whisked him away and then the boys arrived and he mingled with them.

He did get to sit by her when speeches took place, but after that they were separated again shortly after.

But when he tried to kiss her goodnight before she headed to the hotel, his mother and her mother shooed him away, telling the couple not to make a show of it.

As much as he wanted to hear her voice, he knew it was late and that she needed her rest. He’d see her tomorrow, after all.

Just as he went to take a bite of the sandwich he’d just thrown together, he heard the front door open.

“Hello?” Charlie asked.

“It’s just me!”

The sound of Y/N’s voice caused his heart to drop down to his stomach. He put the sandwich down and made his way into the hallway where Y/N hung her coat on the rack, revealing her baby blue night gown.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she shrugged.

The way she scratched the back of her neck gave it away. It always did. Charlie knew what he had to do to get her to spit it out.

He threw an arm around her waist, leading her to the kitchen. “I wish you would have called me. I would’ve come and got you myself.”

“I figured you were out with the guys.”

“We grabbed a couple drinks afterward. I just got home an hour ago.” He motioned to the sandwich “I made this if you’re hungry.”

“I’m starving,” she chuckled softly. “I barely ate at the rehearsal dinner. My mother and your mother kept nitpicking at me every time I tried to eat.”

Charlie’s eyes softened. “They what?”

“You know how they are,” she sighed, waving her hand. “Izzie snuck me pieces of bread so I was ok.”

He handed her the plate with the already made sandwich. “Take this.”

“Isn’t that yours?”

“I can make another.”

She hesitated for a moment before taking it. She then grabbed the butter knife and cut the sandwich in half.

“Saves you the trouble,” she said.

Charlie happily took the half as the couple clinked their sandwiches before taking a bite.

Y/N moaned as she chewed into the sandwich. Charlie cracked a grin.

“My favorite sound,” he remarked.

She shot Charlie a playful look before taking another bite.

“So, what’s really going on?” Charlie pressed as he set his half back on the plate.

She exhaled, eyes meeting his. “Why didn’t we elope?”

He nodded in agreement. “I’ve thought about that every single day.”

“We had the opportunity while we were in Paris. We should’ve just taken it.”

“Not that I disagrees with you at all, but what’s bringing this on?”

She set down her half of the sandwich. Tears filled the brims of her eyes. “This wedding doesn’t feel like us. It feels like our parents are just using it and using us to make themselves look good. It’s become their day, not ours. I had to compromise with our mothers just to get the dress I wanted. I barely knew half the guests at our rehearsal dinner. I just-.”

She wiped her tears with her fingers. “I know I should be grateful that they are giving us the most beautiful wedding. But honestly, Charlie, I would’ve married you in the courthouse and been happy.”

Charlie pulled Y/N into his arms, kissing the top of her head. His heart sunk at her misery, wishing he could take it away. He knew all too well what it was like have to consistently compromise, even when it killed you to.

It was a life Charlie Dalton had been born into. He, of course, wasn’t afraid to break some of the rules that were put in place for him. Y/N never had the luxury to, other than her wedding dress.

He would make it his mission to break that for her.

He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. He wiped her tears with his thumbs.

“Tomorrow is our day,” he told her. “Ours, not theirs. They can have the hours leading up to it, but after we say ‘I do’, it’s our day and we can do whatever we want. And then after tomorrow, no more interferences from them. Just the very occasional dinners and holidays. The rest of the time, we live our lives the way we want to.”

She smiled. She could survive the hours before knowing that once they say “I do” that it would be over.

“How do you always know the right thing to say?” she asked with a soft chuckle.

“It’s a gift.”

His lips met hers, not as hungry as they normally were but gentle and rather reassuring. He’d save the hungrier kisses for later.

“Hm, plus,” he began, breaking away for a moment, “if it all gets to be too much, we can leave and get started on the consummation. Personally, I’m more excited about that part.”

She snorted. “Of course you are.”

“Can you blame me?”

She wrapped her arms around his waist. “You still want to marry me even though I’m breaking tradition?”

“Are you kidding? You breaking tradition makes me want to marry you even more.” He gave her a butt playful squeeze. “Personally I think the whole thing is bullshit.”

“I think it was meant for men by men with the idea of having one final night of freedom,” she said. “That’s just my personal hypothesis.”

“I don’t think you’re entirely wrong. Besides, it wasn’t like I was going to get belligerently drunk. After all, I have this thing tomorrow that I need to do that I want to be sober for.”

She scoffed playfully. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

He shrugged. “Just marrying the girl of my dreams.”

“Ever the charmer, Dalton.”

He smirked. “Get used to it, Mrs. Dalton. You already said ‘yes.’ Can’t turn back now.”

“Hmm, still have to get me to walk down the aisle.”

He leaned in close, breath hitching. “Do I?”

She hummed. “But you have tonight to convince me.”

His lips barely touched hers when the phone rang. Charlie smirked as he pulled away.

“I wonder who this could be,” he said before picking up the phone.

“Dalton residence…yes, hello Mrs.- yes, she’s here. She came home because she wasn’t feeling well so I am taking care of her.”

Y/N rolled her eyes. Of course her mother would do a bed check.

“Well, Mrs. L/N, as Y/N’s soon-to-be husband it’s my duty to take care of her when she’s not well. I believe the vows go ‘in sickness and in health,’ correct? Well, how can I say that in front of you and Mr. L/N and not prove myself beforehand?”

She giggled at the way he used his classic Charlie Dalton charm on her mother. She didn’t need to be on the phone to know it was working.

“Of course I will have her up and ready for you to pick her up. Should any further issues arise I will call you and let you know…ok, you too. Yes, good night.”

He hung up the phone and sighed.

“We should have eloped,” he finally agreed.

Y/N nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. “We just have to get through this ceremony and then it’s just us, remember?”

He smiled at her reminder. “Just us.”

She grabbed his hand. “C’mon now. We’ve already broken one rule. Might as well break another.”

[flemingsgirl]

Enough pt. 1

AN: Here's to our princess, the fighter and captain of an incredible, resilient, and unique team. You showed what you're capable of, and the next tournament will be yours. You shined all over these games and gave it all you have. What a comeback after the deduction.

Forever proud.

Find my other works here

The ringing of your phone pulls you out of your evening nap. As you read the caller ID, your lips turn upwards, and you’re quick to answer the call. “Hey, hey.” The girl on the other end greets.

“Bonjour,” you respond as she rolls her amber eyes, still a smile creeps on her cherry lips.

She shakes her head before she moves on. “How are you?”

You let out a chuckle at the casual conversation the Canadian tries. “Quite good. Just finished recovery and you?”

“Nervous, but all around okay. Can’t wait for the game tomorrow; I feel like the team has potential.” She rubs the back of her neck, eyes avoiding you through the screen.

“That’s great. Hopefully you can show off your talent, captain Fleming,” a smirk creeping on your lips as you wink at her.

“The team will do just fine with or without me. Never mind, how’s Paris?” her eyes drifting back to the screen watching as you walk from your bedroom out to the balcony.

“Superbe. I understand why it is called the city of love. Nice people, good food and all these athletes.” You lick your lips, locking your eyes with hers. “Excellente.”

“If you continue like this...I…” Jessie’s eyes are searching around her hotel room.

A giggle escapes your lips. “You…What?”

She rubs her chin, “I don’t know yet, but it’ll be terrible.”

“Nothings worse than how I miss you.” Your mouth fell open, and your eyes widen. A moment later your hands hide your face.

“Aww, I miss you more. Can’t wait to see you again.” The Canadian teases, one side of her mouth turning up.

“Yeah, hopefully with medals,” you comment. “Dancing in the setting sun.”

“Are you planning out our next date?” Now both corners of Jessie’s lips turn up.

“So, you’re thinking of dates when we meet?”

Her brows darted up. “What else would it be?”

“Two friends hanging out.” Jessie scoffs on the other end. “You’re nice and we can talk about everything, like you’re my bestie.” The Canadian rolls her eyes, lips falling into a frown.

“Okay I’m hanging up now. You’re mean,” her voice getting quieter, as if she distances herself from the phone.

“Wait… bebe.”

“Oh, I like that sound.”

“No-oh you’re not privileged.”

“Well seems like it. You already called me that, no takesies backsies, it’s my name from now on, no other.”

You sighed, you hated how your mouth had a mind on its own. “You’re unbelievable.”

Wishing you could erase the smirk that lingers on Jessie’s lips you adorn the football player. “I thought I was bebe.”

Without another word you end the call just for Jessie to call you back after a few seconds. Her smile the first thing you see as you accepted, her eyes beaming as she observes you. “You not quit on talking with me. I want updates.”

“On what? My relationship status? Last time I checked I was still single.” Jessie stays silent. “You know I don’t mean it like that. It’s just a joke. I enjoy getting to know you, slow and silently. It’s comfortable and you’re kind and a warm-hearted person. The last weeks were incredible and pretty dope.” You feel the heat rising to your cheeks and cover your cheeks and mouth behind your hand, a smile from ear to ear sitting on your face.

Jessie gives you a heartwarming smile back, eyes glued on you through the screen. “I was counting the seconds until you say this word.” She chuckles afterwards, her reddish cheeks growing a deeper shape.

“Wow thank you for the kind words, Fleming,” you roll your eyes, eyes avoiding the woman in front of you.

Another chuckle fills the room. “What? It was just a matter of time ‘til you use it.” The line stays silent, only the breaths of you two audible. “Thank you, you possibly don’t know how much your words mean to me. I enjoy spending time with you too. Your outgoing persona and you view for the small things in life influence me. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m really looking forward to watch your games and I’ll cheer on you!”

“And so do I! Sadly you aren’t making it into the gym.”

“Don’t be sad. I don’t need to be seen for you to feel like I’m there. Have a look in your bag.”

Your brows knitter as you scrunch your forehead. “What do you mean?”

“Just have a look, I promise.” You glance over to your luggage finding it still untouched after your arrival. In a second you moved over and find a carbon box covered with a ribbon on top in between your clothes.

“How did you…”

“Magic.” She waves her hands in front of her camera and you giggle at the sight of her silly side.

“Jessie, tell me,” you drag out the "e" as you push her to reveal her magic.

She shruggs her shoulders. “Theres nothing to tell.”

“For sure. How did this box end up in my bag in Paris when you’re in Saint Etienne?”

“Like I said. Magic. Open it.”

“I… I have no words, why? I’ve got nothing for you.”

“You don’t have to. Having you in my life is the best present someone can get.”

“Stop it.” Your smile falls into a frown and your eyes getting glassy as curtain of tears settles in.

Jessie’s bottom lip quivers and her brows rise. “Please don’t cry when I can’t reassure you. Open it, now,” she changes the topic. Her voice a higher-pitch and bubbly as she shuffles inpatiently in her spot.

“Alright, alright chef.”

You pull one string of the band, and it falls to the sides of the box. When you lift the lid, you’re meet with a moose plushie and upon further glancing a silver necklace catches your eyes. You take the item out and observe it in detail. The maple leaf chain is highlighted with rhinestones. “Jessie this is…”

The Canadian interrupts you. “I know its too much and if you don’t like it, I can take it back and we forget about it. It’s too soon, right? I knew it. I shouldn’t have done it…” her voice just above a whisper and it’s trembling as she rattles at a rapid pace.

“No, Jess stop. It’s perfect. I really like it. It somehow holds a connection to you and it’s great. Keep an eye on our team pictures,” you wink at her.

“I’ll do.” A knock echoes through the phone as Jessie’s eyes stop on the person who entered.

“It’s dinner time,” Janine’s voice fill the air. “Who are you on the phone with?” her eyebrows wiggle as she lowers herself to glance at Jessie’s screen.

“No one,” Jessie’s hand covers the phone as she spins in her position, now on her back and her phone pressed onto her body. “That’s my clue to go. We’ll talk later.” She rushes and catches you one last time on the screen. You give her a shy smile and nod in agreement.

Little did the Canadian know; you had a surprise yourself for the young woman.

[bon2bonn]

Change of winds

22!F1!grid X female!driver!reader

Words count : 3.2k .

* I'm so sorry for the long delay 🙏🏻 💔 . 💀🤦🏻‍♀️Life is shit in general and I can't finish any of my WIP list , so this might be the last update for a while until I could make/find the time to breathe and get some proper writing done .

2.october

Stretching after a long dreadful meeting was the first thing she did once everyone dismissed themselves out of the room , suppressing a yawn by covering her mouth as she leaned back in her chair in exhaustion . Today was a full schedule and that means back to back meetings along with legal and audit reviews of months worth of work , not to mention the preparations for upcoming events and gala's due to end of year celebrations back in headquarters .

To say her schedule was packed would be an understatement, but she made sure to not overwhelm herself and made time to check on the guys . she hated how they all got distracted by their busy schedules and lives in general, now they barely got a chance to meet eachother at their Spare time, and that was hard on all of them , the transition of going from spending most of their time working together even spending their off time close by to separate across the globe with them traveling constantly and her tucked away from one meeting to another not to mention the different timezones far away from their reach .

They still made the effort to call and leave voice messages daily, keeping her up with what's happening on the grid, and she in return left them all with voice messages and calls before every race , wishing them luck and a safe drive , religiously tuning in to every quali and race despite the time gaps and the work load , even indulging her now employees to enjoy the sport too , unknown to them how she herself used to race not long ago , some even recognized her but kept quiet out of respect to not get her unwanted attention, so she made most of the time to distract herself from the pit of uneasiness growing in her chest , and her almost overflowing schedule helped in that aspect.

A light knock snapped her out, followed by her assistant Lauren who peeked her head in , giving her an apologetic look making her sigh deeply before ushering her in " what now? " Lauren winced as she briefed her on the situation " you remember Mr Solly ? , head of the Australian branch is outside waiting on for an urgent meeting, something to do with the recent changes regarding the finance and marketing department " she tilted her head at the name " he came all the way to France to complain?" Lauren just nod not knowing what to say, making her huff a laugh " that's dedication, I'll give him that " taking a quick glance at her watch she then decided "Alright, I have 20 minutes before the next meeting so send him in , and please make sure to send out the Japanese deadline notice before we head to Montreal " Lauren nods as she typed on her pad then handed her the next meeting files " this will be our final meeting for the French branch , tomorrow will be field day and you have an appearance at Paris d'or gala , then you're free till Wednesday night , we'll be heading to Spain for the launch then we'll fly to Montreal form there before heading to New York on the 13th " she slumped over the desk dramatically , Groaning as she grumbled " and I thought my media duties were torturous " making Lauren remember " by the way the new Media team are going to attend the event tomorrow evening and will accompany us through the rest of the way back to UK " she snapped her head at the news " what!? , no no no " Lauren nod at her miserable face " yes, be grateful they're not following you everyday" , she straightened her posture and nods " if they try to get on my nerves I'm ditching them for good " Lauren nods in agreement " fair enough " then she made way to the door , letting Mr Solly in before closing it behind her .

The man walked in confidently with a certain look in his eyes, one she saw too many times to recognise with ease, he was sizing her and at the same time giving off the illusion of power , of having the upper hand over the situation, and she wanted to see the show he was trying to put up to it's end so she held her tongue as she greeted him " Mr Solly, you're a long way from Australia" he nods stoically " Ms L/N, I apologize for the inconvenience , I know how demanding your schedule is these days " she gave him a bored look " good to see we both think of it the same way " , her statement made him clench his hands but he kept his cool and proceeded " well , it's about the financial arrangements you installed previously and we see that they're a bit , extreme " she leveled him with a raised eyebrow " and may I ask who is we? " He cleared his throat " well the .... The directors and ..." She didn't waste time listening to his lame excuses " if my memory serves me right , and it does. The 'arrangements' as you called them were approved by the board members along with the department manager himself and the shareholders " his breath hitched and she didn't stop there " these arrangements came in time with various complaints from within the department about missing numbers from the accounts and they're not just small undetected numbers, they're big Mr Solly, too big to get swiped aside as human error or collateral casualty, so I'm asking you directly Mr Solly, do you have something to say? " , he clenched his jaw before he gritted out " what are you insinuating? " She leaned back on her chair with a wide grin " I'm not insinuating anything Mr Solly, I'm just asking obvious questions? But you seems to already know the answers " , He straightened his back and dropped his fake smile " you have no idea how things work, this is bigger than you , you think you can just come in and run around as you please just cause you're sitting on that chair? It's only a matter of time before everything crumbles because of your ignorance , you won't be smiling then " , she feigned surprise " are you threatening me Mr Solly? " He seemed satisfied with her reaction as he smugly answered " no , I'm simply enlightening you " she shook her head in boredom, staking her files and intertwined her hands on top of the stak giving him a wide smile unfazed by his falling apart façade " then let me enlight you in return , in two weeks time will be the next evaluation, I'll expect one of two things when I turn up by then , either your full report along with the missing accounts and data or your resignation letter, it's up to you to choose which one I'll be receiving first " .

She stood with a silent huff , not giving him space to react or answer back to the accusations and collected her files " now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be , I'm sure you know your way out " she made her way to the door and left like nothing happened.

The man was at the point beyond seething, he screamed at the empty chair, slamming his hands on the desk and proceeded to kick at chair before him . She stood by Lauren's desk, not bothering to glance at the closed door where the shouts of anger radiates off " charge him if he damaged anything and be sure to have at least one of the security to..... help him out if needed , and let me know if Martin call back or send the files I asked about " with a final nod she made her way to the next meeting .

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Posted Tuesday , 4.oct .2022

The L/N official

📍Paris, France 🇫🇷

Liked by Lewishamilton , Pierregasly, Redbullracing , and 2,274,119 others

TheL/Nofficial . light mode ☀️, night mode 🌑✨ , First official post with our lovely boss @Y/nsworld, we kicked off our journey with Paris 🗼 enchanting glamour, thank you France for the hospitality and we can't wait to return for more 🇫🇷♥️ .

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4.october 2022

Letting a chuckled at her frowning face , then shared an amused grin over her head with Sergio who extended his arm out for her to hold into " I thought you'd be more hungover than this " , she gave him a hard glare reaching blindly to smack him as she replied emphasizing with each smack " and I thought you'd be nicer " he dodged the last one groaning as he held his wounded shoulder from her assault " you ditched me for months!! and when you show up you hit me !? " She shrugged " I'm suffering and you're the one responsible for it so you have to suffer too " she turned to Sergio who was now laughing at their fight while kylian scoffed at her "it's not my fault you drink like a bottomless pit ! I told you to slow down !" She turned her head back to scowl at him " I was nervous!! and you dared me to drink half of what we had!" He looked away at her accusations finding interest in the ceiling , away from her glaring eyes .

She rolled her eyes and asked " where's Leo ? He's my favourite anyway, and he's for sure nicer than you " he pouted and made his way behind her to wrap his arms around in a tight hug, swaying them from side to side as he whined " I thought I was your favourite?! " She held his arms with one of her hands while she used the other to reach back to give him a hard pinch on his side " not when you're amplifying my headache " making him yelp in pain and flinch away holding his side " fuck! " , she ignored him and turned to Sergio who was holding back his laugh and raised an eyebrow at him with her eyes narrowed " you want one ? " He backed away raising his hands in fear " no thank you" she nods and made her way towards the rest of the team waiting for the tour guide to lead them further into the newly built facility .

Her father's company has been one of the main investors which made the responsibility to attend on a short notice to attend the tour either along with the other investors from other companies or with the team itself, and since she was barely conscious that morning when Lauren flooded her phone with SOS messages to drag her not even 15 minutes later to attend with the team their first tour on the newly built facility .

So here she is , willing her tired self to push through the day in favour of sleeping her killer hangover away , not to mention her little shit of a best friend who is making hard for her to not throw him in one of the construction containers to serve him for poking fun at her .

°°°°°°°°°°°

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

5.october

Tom made his way to the stairs, avoiding the crowded lift in order to clear his mind a bit , a little exercise with some music won't do him any harm , so with his headphones on loud he took the first two floors before contemplating his choice as his legs started to shake , and it didn't take long for him to deem his choice a shitty one and used the exit door to find the lift in the third floor .

He leaning on the wall to support his weight as he waited to catch his lost breaths , and when it finally arrived it was way less crowded than he expected, with only one lady standing on the side with her hands clapped before her in an elegant way , he adjusted his hoodie and greeted her in a polite " hello " receiving a nod back before taking the other side further from her after pressing the top floor, focusing his eyes on his phone to pass the time , after a moment she asked after noticing where he's heading " you're going for a meeting too ? " He looked at her then shrugged " you can say that " she hummed in thought then pointed at what he was wearing , a hoodie along with jeans and his hair a mess , and gave a disapproving face " I don't think you have an appropriate attire for such place " even shaking her head with disdain " kids these days " he gave her a side glance , huffing a laugh under his breath before speaking aloud " well , it's a good thing i didn't ask for your opinion nor approval on that , seeing it's none of your business " leaving her with her mouth shut and hands clenched into fists , and made his exit when they reached the floor , rolling his eyes at her then turned round the corner and out of her sight.

He came face to face with Eddie who looked ready to head to a meeting, giving him a glare as he stood his ground with his arms crossed making Eddie clap his hands in a pleading manner " it's a last minute meeting, I wouldn't go if it wasn't urgent, it's only half hour consultation " when he didn't receive any answer he went for bribery " I'll get you a brand new set " Tommy gave him an unimpressed look " Bibi already did send me one from France " Eddie rolled his eyes with a mumble of " of course she did " before huffing at his youngest brother and asked " what do you want ? " Tommy extended his hand with his palm up " I'm driving back , and for the next week " he glared back at him and Searched his pockets before throwing his key at Tommy's waiting hand pointing at him in warning " just this time " and hurried down the hall to the meeting room , he swung the keys around his finger as he made his way to Carlton , his brother's longtime assistant who sat behind his desk as usual , making the later look up when he made his way over , smiling up at him as he leaned on the desk " look what Van Gogh dragged in " Tommy's smile widened , with his dimples on full display as he peeked his head over the screen that Carlton was working on minutes ago , " oh , no need for insults , you could just say you missed me " Carlton raised an eyebrow at him and scoffed " yeah sure , I do miss you missing up my files and distracting me half of the time you're here , and the other half you spend whining up and down about being board " Tommy kept his grin and teased with his eyes squinted " so you do miss me ! " Carlton rolled his eyes and sighed going back to his work " sit your ass down, I got work to do " he saluted and made his way over to set of plush chair across from the desk and made himself comfortable then started working on one of his sketches , moments later he heard his name being called, and when he looked up he was greeted by a slightly medium sized bag aimed at his face but he caught it before any damage could happen, and before jumping to send it back at Carlton he looked at the bag and his smile returned at the sight of his favourite candy , and called out in a sweet voice " ooooh , so you did, did missed me !? " making the other mumble under his breath " sometimes I regret doing so " making Tommy ask loudly " what was that ? " , " nothing! , if you don't want it give it back ! " The call made Tommy hug the bag and lean away "ok! I want it ! And thank you for thinking of me ! " making Carlton groan and burry his blushing face on his hands almost regretting his action , almost , but the sound of Tommy's loud humming made him take it back , " huummmn , sweet , but not as sweet as you~ " , yup he definitely regrets it now .

Back to Edward who was making his way to his urgent consultation after handing over his car keys, taking a breath before unlocking the door and stepping in , about to greet the Clint who turned out to be a woman standing by the window overlooking the skyline of London with her back facing him , but his words died in his throat when she turned around to face him , a smile made it's way upon her lips and she didn't hesitate to greet him , taking notice of his stunned face and stiff shoulders " hello Edward , it's been a long time " , he couldn't grasp if it's real or if he was having a cruel dream , no a nightmare . but it took him a moment to find his voice again and ask in disbelief " Mom ? " .

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

[senditcolton]

I'm Still Glad I Met You

Isn't it profound, how such a brief experience can be so special?

summary: Emmaline 'Emma' Evans never expected to be in Paris, searching for inspiration to bring back to her new cafe in New York. She certainly didn't expect to meet Nico, a stranger who doesn't feel like one. But is it just the City of Love twisting her emotions, making her fall for someone who is sure to be temporary? Or is this is the start of something real? song inspo: need by taylor swift word count: 12.5k warnings: hinted intimacy (non-explicit), brief language, resolved angst. written for @wyattjohnston's winter fic exchange to @offside-the-lines with love 🤍❄️🖋️ bonus epilogue!

From the large windows, Emmaline Evans watches the darkened tarmac pass, her plane headed towards the gate. There was still a small part of her that couldn’t believe that she in Paris. It was exciting even though she wouldn’t be able to explore until tomorrow. But she knew to hold her excitement close to her chest, letting her head guide her instead of her heart.

She wasn’t here for a vacation. She was here for work.

While this trip was an early birthday gift from her parents, it was bought with the express purpose of helping her prepare for the opening of the café she and her best friend Morgan had been planning for the past year and was now only 4 months away.

La Crème de la Crème. The best of the best. That was the name and that was the goal; to bring a bit of France back to Greenwich Village and impress all who walked in with Morgan’s coffee talents and Emma’s pastry skills. And what better way to bring Paris to New York than to take inspiration from the City of Love itself?

Pulling her phone out from her purse, she checks the time. 8pm. She scours through her memory until she remembers that New York is six hours behind. Opening her messages, she shoots off a quick text to Morgan.

Landed! I’m going to get to the apartment and then try to sleep. How are things going over there? sent 8:08pm

The rustling of the other passengers pulls Emma’s attention from her phone, realizing that it was time to depart from the plane. She hastily grabs her items, lugging her suitcase from the overhead bin and makes her way through the airport. She utters a quick thank you to the universe for her knowledge of the French language or she would be completely lost. It isn’t until she has successfully grabbed a cab and began the route to the Paris apartment, does she check her messages again.

It's all good here! The rest of the equipment came today so the plan is to finish installing that today. And then all that’s left is the menu, staff, and décor. received 8:16pm

You make it sound so easy. sent 8:37pm

Babe, we’ve been planning this for ages. We are literally in the homestretch! received 8:42pm

I know, it’s just… ugh. I wish you were here with me. This is our dream after all. sent 8:44pm

I do too. But I’m perfectly fine holding down the fort here. You just focus on Paris and all the amazing desserts you’re going to recreate when you come back stateside! (don’t forget to make notes about the coffee as well!) received 8:49pm

I don’t know coffee nearly as well as you but I’ll do my best. Thanks, Morgan. I literally couldn’t do this without you. sent 8:53pm

You know it. received 8:54pm

A small chuckle escapes from Emma’s throat at Morgan’s reply. She sighs, looking out the taxi window, blinking a few times at the sights in front of her. She was so absorbed in the everything she left behind that she wasn’t even paying attention to where she was. She had entered the city limits. She arrived.

Paris. The city seemed to sparkle as she rode down the narrow streets and alleyways. It was early in the evening which meant the streets were crowded with people. Emma had always believed that New York was the city that never slept but she had a feeling that Paris would prove her wrong.

The taxi pulls up to the Airbnb that Emma rented and she takes her luggage, thanking her driver before grabbing the key out of the lockbox and making her way up the narrow staircase. She looks out the small window, looking at the city stretching out in front of her, the lights of the Eiffel Tower shining in the distance.

These next 4 days would be magical. That much she was sure of. What else could this experience be described as?

~*~*Day One*~*~

Emma had been in Paris for less than 16 hours and she had already found so much inspiration. It wasn’t just the cafés that she had stopped at so far, it wasn’t even the assortment of treats she had already eaten; it was the city. She thought the stories she heard about Paris were exaggerations – no city could be that amazing. People surely had to be over-romanticizing the city of romance. But they weren’t.

Here, in this moment, sitting at the Café de la Paix outside the Grand Hotel, watching as the people passed her by, listening as the chatter of multiple languages bouncing off her eardrums… she realized those stories were true. The city itself brought about its own kind of energy, cocooning her in a beautiful dream. The afternoon sun was warm on her face and Emma could only hope to bottle a mere drop of this feeling and pack it in her suitcase to bring back to New York along with her notebook that was already filled with scribbles and notes about the delicacies that she had sampled.

“Je peux me asseoir ici?”

The slightly butchered pronunciation pulls Emma out of her reverie. She looks over to see a man standing with his hand lightly resting on the chair across from her. She shoots him a smile, her hand gesturing towards the seat.

“It’s all yours.”

“Is it that obvious that I don’t speak French?” the stranger asks her as he sits down, a sheepish look on his face.

“I never said that,” Emma laughs, her lighthearted teasing pulling a relaxed smile onto his lips. “But you shouldn’t feel too bad,” she continues. “I’ve noticed that if you have even a hint of an accent, the locals here switch to English, even if you actually know how to speak French.”

“I take it that’s happened to you?”

“The American is hard to mask,” she replies with a slight shake of her head. “I’m Emma.”

“Nico,” the stranger replies, reaching for her outstretched hand to give it a polite shake. “So, American huh?”

“Born and raised. What about you? I don’t mean to pry but I do hear a… unique accent.”

“I’m from Switzerland but I work in America,” Nico explains.

“And you’re in Paris for…” Emma asks, unsure why she is so interested in this – very handsome – stranger’s story. But Nico doesn’t seem to mind her questions as he gives a small shrug and replies with that same gentle smile on his face.

“My job. Some press work,” he says, vague but nonchalant.

“Wow. You’re from Switzerland, you work in America, but your job also takes you to Paris? Quite a world traveler.”

“I’m very lucky,” Nico says before turning the question back to her. “What about you? Are you here for work or pleasure?”

“Work. But maybe a little bit of pleasure?”

“Well, now you’ve intrigued me.”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“I’d still love to hear about it.”

“Really? I don’t want to waste your time,” Emma says, hesitant. However, she can’t deny the small spark of hope that flutters in her chest over the prospect of Nico wanting to talk to her. Who wouldn’t deny the attention of an attractive and kind stranger?

“I have nothing planned for the rest of the day,” Nico assures her. “Plus, you’re one of the few people who has been welcoming to me, outside of the people from my… company.”

“Are the Parisian’s living up to the ‘stuck up French’ stereotype?” she laughs.

“Unfortunately for them, they are,” Nico replies with a laugh of his own. “But I guess it is pretty fortunate for me.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“Because then I wouldn’t have run into you.”

Emma feels her cheeks flush as his casual flattery, her head ducking down in shyness. When she looks up, she can see the grin on Nico’s face – as if he enjoyed making her flustered – and Emma is struck with the strange juxtaposition of wanting to playfully wipe that smirk away but also wanting to make sure it stayed just so she could see it more.

“Well, if I’m going to tell you my life story, I’m going to need more coffee,” she finally replies, before waving over the waitress.

The day ends up being a waste for Emma – well, at least in the work sense. She doesn’t leave Café de la Paix until late, sun hanging low in the sky; not nearly enough time left in the day to hit all of the cafés, boulangeries, and patisseries that she planned on visiting. But she finds that she doesn’t care. Because all those ‘wasted’ hours were spent talking to Nico.

He was funny and sweet and charming and drop dead gorgeous. Talking to him felt so natural, like they had known each other for ages even though they just met that day. The entire experience of him sitting across from her in a Paris café, listening to her stories, telling her stories of his own, and constantly shooting her that beautiful dimpled smile… it felt like something out of a dream.

The cynical part of her psyche wanted to shake her; he was a stranger and she was caught up in the romance of Paris. That was all. But the hopeless romantic side of her wanted to stay in this cotton-candy colored haze for as long as she could.

Which is why, now, as she sits in her rental apartment, her notebook splayed open in front of her, she isn’t brainstorming a menu or planning the ingredient list for the café or even scrolling through Pinterest for interior design inspiration.

Instead, her eyes are tracing the scrawl of numbers that Nico wrote in the top right-hand corner.

A number that was written as a request for him to join her on her exploration of Paris.

And – after she banishes that negative voice into the corner of her mind – Emma enters the number into her messages, texting him an invitation to meet her at Du Pain et des Idees on 34 Rue Yves Toudic.

She falls asleep to the knowledge of Nico’s reply.

See you then. received 9:18pm

~*~*Day Two*~*~

This was absolutely ridiculous.

That was all that Emma could think as she closes the door to her rented Parisian apartment.

Granted, a lot of things about this situation were ridiculous. The fact that she was in Paris. The fact that she was there to help open her dream café. The fact that everything she ate tasted better than she could ever imagine.

But the most ridiculous part of all? Nico.

The man that she had only met yesterday and yet… there was something about him. His gentle eyes, his soft smile, the dimples in his cheeks.

He was at the boulangerie when she arrived, a coffee in hand and an Escargot a la Pistache for her. Another thing to add into the ridiculous column – that pastry was the reason that particular store was on her checklist.

And then the day that followed… even more unbelievable. Walking down the Parisian streets with Nico by her side, taking multiple pit-stops into cafés and patisseries and boulangeries, talking about everything but also nothing at all. Nico stayed by her side into the late afternoon, until his job called him away.

There was a constant battle in her mind about why this was happening.

The hopeless romantic was telling her that this was fate; she was supposed to meet Nico here in Paris and they were supposed to experience this moment in time together. That there was a reason, some grand universal scheme, that out of all the tables he could’ve chosen to sit at in Café de la Paix, he chose hers.

The cynic, however, was telling her this was nothing. He chose that table because it was open. He accompanied her today because it came with the promise of delicious French cuisine. And sure, maybe he liked the way she looked. Perhaps that was the reason he stuck around; he was a young handsome man in a foreign country who was simply looking for a good time.

But if that was all he wanted, why choose her? He could easily pick up any beautiful French woman at any bar or club, spend the night with her and then forget her name come morning. Why spend an entire with her, seeming perfectly happy keeping her company, even if that company included her ranting to him about the details of pastry and desserts, something he admitted he knew nothing about?

That unknowable ‘why?’ was haunting Emma. Was she being paranoid? Or was she being careful? Or was she just overthinking about something and someone that was temporary?

In three days’ time, she would be on a plane flying back to New York and whatever she had shared with Nico would be over. She would never see him again. That wasn’t something that her emotions were lying to her about. That wasn’t something refutable. She would never see Nico again. Because that is what this was: temporary.

The thing is… it didn’t feel temporary.

If this was fate or destiny or whatever, it didn’t feel like Nico was supposed to come into her life for a few days and then leave without another word exchanged between them. It felt more intentional.

But, once again, perhaps her emotions were twisting this reality into the fairytale that she so desperately wanted her life to be.

Emma is startled out of her spiraling thoughts by the shrill sound of her phone ringing. After rummaging through her bag, she grasps her cell and is surprised to see Morgan’s number flashing on her screen.

The spike of fear that rushes through her clears her head faster than even the strongest cup of coffee. There was absolutely no reason for Morgan to be calling unless it was an emergency; money troubles, delivery issues, hell it could even be something worse like mold or an electrical fire. Emma quickly accepts the call and lifts her cell to her ear, mentally preparing herself.

“Girl, you better tell me what the hell is going on with you,” Morgan’s voice echoes through the line, clear as day even with the white noise of New York in the background.

“What?” Emma asks, taken aback by Morgan’s unexpected words.

“Nuh-uh, you don’t get to avoid this,” Morgan quips, confusing Emma even further.

“Morgan, I really don’t know what you are talking about,” Emma sighs.

“The pictures? The angles? That love-struck look on your face in every single one of them?”

“What are you talking about?” Emma repeats.

“Babe, come on. I’ve known you for years now. You think I don’t know what it looks like when you’ve tripped head over heels for someone?”

Finally, the fog lifts from Emma’s brain.

“You’re talking about the pictures I’ve texted to you,” she sighs, collapsing onto the couch. In an effort to keep Morgan updated, she had asked Nico to occasionally take her picture – across from café tables or in front of other classic Parisian sights, all which she sent to Morgan with a quick message or an even faster emoji.

“What else would I be talking about?” Morgan says, the exasperated tone that Emma had grown to love hitting her eardrums.  

“I thought you were calling me because there was some type of emergency.”

“This is a freaking emergency!” Morgan shouts, causing a laugh to fall from Emma, one which is ignored as Morgan barrels on. “My best friend has been struck by Cupid’s arrow in the City of Love!”

“I have not.”

“Don’t deny it. Now, spill. Who is the mysterious French gentleman?”

“He’s actually Swiss,” Emma retorts, knowing that Nico’s nationality was the least important reason Morgan was calling. A thought that is practically confirmed by Morgan’s next words.

“What?”

“Nothing. His name is Nico. He’s in Paris for work. I met him at Café de la Paix yesterday.”

“Really? That’s it? That’s all I get? The CliffsNotes version?”

“Well, to be honest, that’s all I really know. I mean, we’ve talked about family and childhood and general get-to-know each other things – food, movies, all that – but that’s it,” Emma explains, the words feeling stupid as they come out of her mouth.

When talking to Nico, she didn’t mind that they kept things surface level. She knew the reason for it. It was because of that word that continued to plague her – temporary. No point getting into the ‘deep stuff’ when all this would be a distant memory soon.

“Is he handsome?” Morgan’s voice sounds again, her focus on what she considered ‘important’ forcing a laugh from Emma’s lips.

“Drop dead gorgeous,” Emma sighs, Nico’s eyes and dimples and smile dancing through her mind.  

“Have you slept with him yet?”

“Morgan!”

“What?” Morgan exclaims, her own laugh seeping into her words. “I feel like it’s a very relevant question: have you slept with the drop-dead gorgeous man you met yesterday, who is choosing to spend a day of his vacation with you?”

“I told you, he’s here for work. And we didn’t spend the entire day together.”

“Not important. Have you slept with him?”

“No, I haven’t,” Emma replies, the smile clear in her words.

“Bitch, why not?” Morgan shrieks, causing Emma to laugh once again.

“Because. Besides, you should know I don’t do that anymore.”

“Yeah, I know, not since you got out of school. But come on! First off, I take it he’s not a pretentious wanna-be pastry chef, right?”

“He’s not.”

“Alright. Secondly, you’re never going to see him again so what’s the harm?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Emma sighs as she sinks deeper into the couch cushions, the joy dropping from her voice at yet another reminder of this being temporary.

“Woah, okay,” Morgan says, her own voice softening at the sadness broadcasted in Emma’s. “Something else is going on here.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Clearly, it’s not considering how upset you sound. Come on, it’s just me. Your best friend in the whole wide world who may tease you a bit but would never actually judge you.”

Emma takes a deep breath, looking around her apartment, trying to get her thoughts in order. Her eyes move to the window where she can still see the shape of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

“It’s just…” she begins, hesitating, worried that the words will sound ridiculous. But she relaxes, remembering that it’s just Morgan. “I’ve never felt like this before. Nico, he’s… he’s so sweet and so kind. I mean, like you said, he’s spending his free time to hang out with me. Like, that must mean something right? I mean, if he wanted a piece of ass he could find one easily.”

“Not one as hot as yours,” Morgan interjects but Emma pays no mind to her words.

“It seems like he cares about me as more than just a potential hookup. And when I’m with him… it’s easy, like we’ve known each other for ages. Part of me wants to say that all these emotions are fake because – y’know – it’s the ‘City of Love’ and Paris just making me think this is more than it is but… I feel like I could fall in love with him.”

Emma can hear Morgan’s intake of breath, a tell-tale sign that she opened her mouth to speak but Emma cut her off before she could utter a syllable.

“I know that’s stupid to say about a man I met less than 36 hours ago. Plus, like you said, we’re never going to see each other again. His job apparently takes him all around the world so the chances of running into him after this are slim to none. But since I like him this much – in a way that is beyond casual – I’m worried that if I sleep with him or hell even kiss him, it will just make it harder to get over him. Which, again, is silly that I’m worried about getting over someone that I will might spend a maximum of four days with. Like – it’s just – I don’t know.”

Emma heaves another sigh, her hand moving to run through her dark hair before a half-hearted chuckle escapes her.

“This is why I don’t do casual.”

There is a small pause as Morgan takes in all of Emma’s words, the only sound filtering through the phone being the ambient noise of both of their respective cities. Emma finally hears a sigh from the other line before Morgan’s voice comes through.

“Listen, you know I’m not much for soulmates and true love and all of that. But I think you should just embrace it, whatever it is that you are feeling.”

This time, it is Emma who is about to voice a retort and Morgan who stops her before she can.

“Yeah, you’ll probably never see him again. Yeah, this is all temporary. But isn’t that even more reason to dive in headfirst while you can? Better to live a life of mistakes than a life of regret.”

Emma lets Morgan’s final statement sink in, her brain moving a mile a minute. She was right: what was there to lose? The question whirls around Emma’s head, the answer to which doesn’t instantly appear. The only thing that Emma could think to utter was another sigh.

“You know, sometimes you give really good advice.”

“It does tend to happen from time to time, thank you for noticing,” Morgan laughs. “And hey, regardless of what you decide over there in Paris, maybe this whirlwind romance will give you even more inspiration for the café!”

“And sometimes you give advice like that,” Emma jokes, the exasperation in the tone obvious.

“Eh, you win some, you lose some. I’ll let you get some dinner and sleep. Keep me updated – this time on everything not just the food, please and thank you.”

“Will do. Bye Morgan.”

Morgan replies with a quick goodbye before the call ends, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts once more. The hours pass and after ordering some takeout, Emma sits down at her small kitchen table. While she eats, Emma flips open to the back page of her notebook, writing down all the emotions and questions swirling around in her head, trying find some logical solution to her current predicament.

She’s in the middle of making a pros and cons list when her phone screen lights up with a message. Not thinking much of it, she doesn’t bother looking at the preview before unlocking her phone, ready to read another quip from Morgan. She is halted in her movements when she sees Nico’s name on the screen.

Hey. I had a lot of fun hanging out with you today. I was wondering if you wanted to do it again tomorrow? I have the evening off and would love to take in some Parisian nightlife. received 7:58pm

Emma’s eyes dance over his words before jumping back to her own looped handwriting on the pages of her notebook, trying to add this message into the tangle of possibilities. She is about to type up an excuse about why she can’t before a familiar voice echoes through her mind.

Better to live a life of mistakes than a life of regret. What’s the worst that could happen?

Yes, it could be a huge mistake letting Nico get any closer, letting him mess with her emotions any more than he already has. But maybe, just maybe, this was meant to be. And as Emma chews over those two possibilities, another question enters her mind.

Which would hurt more? Getting over Nico or never giving him a chance?

Emma looks back to her phone, the answer obvious to her now. She deletes the previously half written message before typing up a new response.

What did you have in mind? sent 8:06pm

Anything’s good for me. Just as long as you’re there. received 8:10pm

~*~*Day Three*~*~

Emma thought that she would get used to this feeling; the feeling of existing in a dream. It seemed to happen every hour she spent with Nico by her side. And now, the evening air warm as the two of them sit outside of Carette, the sweet taste of macarons in dancing across their tastebuds with the Eiffel Tower shining directly across the Seine… it was something out of a romance novel.

Emma glances across the small table towards Nico, wondering if he felt the same. He catches her stare and when that beautiful smile appears on his face, the butterflies erupt in her stomach. No one else had been able to illicit that reaction from her with something as simple a smile.

“Anything you would like to do next?” Nico asks, wiping the remnants of his dessert on the small paper napkins.

“Not really. I – well, we’ve – hit most of the cafés and stores on my list so I don’t have really anywhere I need to be,” Emma explains. Nico nods, acknowledging her words with a small hum. “I might just head back to my apartment. It is getting kind of late.”

“Need any company?”

His words catch Emma’s attention, the potential entendre clear within them. Emma shoots him a questioning look and it seems that her expression makes Nico realize how it must have sounded.

“I mean, not like that, I, um – what I was trying to say was would you like me to walk you home – keep you company on the way to your place,” he stumbles over his words and in the streetlights, Emma can see his cheeks turning a rosy pink. She assuages his fear with a soft laugh.

“I’d like that.”

“Good. Okay,” Nico sighs, his hands running through his hair.  He smiles again, one that Emma returns, before he lifts himself from his chair, holding his hand out to Emma. “Shall we?”

“We shall,” Emma says, placing her hand in his as he helps her from her seat. Emma is about ready release her grasp when she feels his grip slightly tighten, an action that brings another questioning look on her face.

“Is this alright?” Nico asks, his voice soft.

The butterflies in her stomach flip into overdrive at his gentle request. Although she had agreed to this – Date? Meeting? Rendezvous? Whatever. – with Nico, a part of her was still hesitant to make a more daring move. To dive head first as Morgan said. Vulnerability had never been much of a strong suit for her.

But considering that Nico was looking at her like she hung the stars, that sweet earnest expression on his face, she realized that she didn’t care if her heart would be broken by the end of this trip. Because whatever she shared with Nico… it was magical.

Why not keep the magic for as long as she could?

The smallest of smiles tugs at the corner of Emma’s lips as she adjusts her hold around Nico’s hand, weaving her fingers through his.

“It’s perfect,” she whispers, her voice wavering a bit; a waver that Nico hears but silences with a small squeeze of her hand and that bright dimpled smile.

The two of them leave the small café, walking hand in hand across the square, through the Trocadero Gardens to the Pont d’Iena bridge, the Eiffel Tower standing tall in front of them. The water of the Siene is a soft soundtrack below them and Emma finds herself caught up in the beauty of Paris.

Part of her thought that the novelty of the city would wear off eventually. But it seemed that Paris revealed something else wonderful to her every second she walked down its paved streets. As her and Nico walk underneath the sprawling base of the Eiffel Tower, Emma’s eyes trace the steelwork; its gentle arcs, its cross-work patterns, the diamond in the center that she knew lifted up and up, the lights hung on every intricate weld. This vacation was one of the best things that ever happened to her, that much she was sure of.

And it was made even sweeter with the presence of the man by her side, still holding her hand.

She looks over towards Nico, his eyes connecting to hers, a smile appearing on both of their faces. She lets him lead her away from the tower, down Champ de Mars.

Emma had previously thought that the city was manipulating her emotions, getting her hopes up over someone who didn’t feel the same. Now, she thought that perhaps the city brought Nico to her for a reason. That the city wasn’t scheming to break her heart… it was planning to open it and let Nico – with his gentle eyes and soft smile and adorable dimples – change her for the better.

Her daydreams are interrupted by a chorus of ‘oohs’ falling from the mouths of other tourists around her and Nico. Emma looks and sees a few people with their camera’s aimed behind them and when she turns, her jaw drops.

There in the background, the Eiffel Tower stands, it’s thousands of lights now flashing, making the entire structure look as if it was covered in glitter.

“I haven’t been able to catch the light show since I got here,” Emma whispers, partly to herself but her words also land on Nico’s eardrums. “I always forgot when it started.”

The two of them stand there, taking in the sparkling spire before Nico’s voice breaks the brief silence.

“Do you want a picture?”

“Could you? That be amazing,” Emma says, reaching into her purse before she stops. “Oh, right. My phone died.”

“I can use mine,” Nico replies without any hesitation, reaching into the pocket of his jeans.

“You don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” he says, phone now in hand.

Nico starts to take a step back, his hand slipping from Emma’s grasp. But before he can fully let go, her fingers tighten around his. The action takes Nico by surprise, his eyes jumping to their intertwined hands before looking back to Emma.

“Take one with me?” she asks, her own voice soft, the question seeming to hold more weight than it should. Emma watches as a flicker of hesitation passes across Nico’s face, the uncertainty making her anxiety jump. But Nico once again silences her fear, his expression morphing back into that smile that made her heart skip in the best way before he gently nods his head, stepping back towards her.

Nico turns their bodies so the Eiffel Tower is behind them before holding out his phone. Emma takes a small breath before she moves, slotting her body next to his, her free hand lifting to rest on his chest. Every movement is tentative, unsure of how much Nico will allow. But when Nico drops her hand to wrap his arm around her body, pulling her closer, Emma relaxes. Her body curls into Nico’s, head resting on his shoulder as Nico angles the camera to capture the shimmering tower in the background.

Nico’s thumb presses the shutter button a few times before moving the phone closer to them as his hands navigate from the camera to the photos. Emma looks over the images, the smile never leaving her face. Each picture is beautiful; the two of them looking incredibly happy, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance. She turns her attention away from Nico’s phone, back towards him. But when their eyes connect, her breath catches in her throat.

The look on Nico’s face is one that Emma has seen a thousand times before, but only in movies and television shows. A look that had never once been directed towards her. A look of utmost gentleness, the yearning in Nico’s irises gleaming with the same intensity as the light show still happening behind them.

Nico’s head dips closer towards Emma’s upturned face and Emma finds her own body is stretching up to meet him. They pause, bare inches in between them and Emma can feel the gentle brush of Nico’s breath fanning across her cheeks.

Another moment of hesitation, the air thick with indecision, waiting for someone to make the final move.

In the end, it turns out to be Nico that leans in, closing the gap between them and capturing Emma’s lips in a gentle kiss. The press of him against her surprises Emma – not because she wasn’t expecting it, not because she didn’t want it, but because she couldn’t quite believe it was really happening.

The touch of him, the taste of him… it felt too good to be true.

But when she feels Nico start to pull away, the shock subsides and the hunger takes over. Her hands blindly lift to burrow into the soft hair at the nape of his neck, dragging him back into her as she reciprocates the kiss.

This time, it is Nico that is taken aback by her intensity but it is brief – a minuscule surprise – until he matching her passion, his own hands tightening around her waist, pulling her body impossibly closer to her. The kisses deepen, the two of them enveloped in the desire that had been steadily building for the past two days.

Eventually, they fall away from each other, dazed from the kisses shared. Emma glances up at Nico, the smile on her lips mirrored on his.

“Wow,” he whispers, his hand lifting to delicately brush his fingers across Emma’s cheekbones, causing a light laugh to escape her.

They stand there for a moment, still wrapped in each other’s arms. Emma’s thoughts spin in her mind; questions about what this means and if this changes anything. But eventually, one voice takes over.

Embrace it, Emma.

She wasn’t sure if that voice was that of her best friend or of Paris or her own, but it didn’t matter who spoke. All that mattered was that she listened.

“Do you have anywhere you need to be tomorrow morning?” Emma asks, the words light with the crooked grin that twisted itself onto her lips. The smirk is quickly matched by Nico, this time the double entendre being anything but unintentional.

“I don’t. Why do you ask?” he says, his own voice teasing.

“Oh, there’s just this café right next door to my apartment that I think you might enjoy,” Emma nonchalantly replies, matching his taunt.

“Planning another brunch?”

“It opens pretty early. And people always say that first customers get the freshest food.”

“Breakfast then,” Nico says, his agreement to her anything but subtle offer painted clearly on his face. 

“Perfect,” Emma replies.

Nico leans forward, kissing Emma once more and if there was any question left in either of their minds, it was erased by the need coursing through their bodies. Nico pulls away, his arms falling from Emma’s frame – albeit reluctantly. He takes a single step back before offering his hand once again, one that is immediately accepted by Emma. Their fingers intertwine as Emma takes her place by Nico’s side. He looks down at her, his eyes bright.

“Lead the way.”

~*~*Day Four*~*~

The gentle morning sun rouses Emma from her slumber. The plush sheets brush against her bare skin, the warmth trapped within them comforting her, lulling her back into her dream. Or, more accurately, the dream of last night.

The brush of Nico’s hands against her skin, the strength of his hold on her hips, the feeling of his lips tracing her silhouette, the softness of his hair in between her fingers, his strong arms wrapped around her as they both fell asleep.

Arms that were no longer holding her.

Her brain slowly registers the emptiness surrounding her as she blindly reaches behind, hoping that her palm would land on the solid form of Nico. But when her hand lands on the softness of the sheets and solidness of the mattress, Emma’s eyes open.

She lifts her body upright, muscles protesting, still sore from last night’s activities. Her gaze dances around the studio apartment, finding it completely empty; only the fabric of her own clothes scattered across the floor.

Emma’s heart drops, the critical voice that had been kept dormant coming back in full force, assuming the worst.

He got what he wanted. He coerced himself into your bed and you were foolish enough to let him. And now that he accomplished what he set out to do, there was no reason for him to stick around.

The soft chime of the doorbell echoes around the apartment, cutting of the voice before it had a chance to berate her further. Emma sighs, lifting herself off the bed and grabbing the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door She throws it on before walking down the stairwell towards the entrance door.

She isn’t concerned about who is waiting on the street. It was most likely a delivery person who mistook her door for the side entrance to one of the stores next to her. But when she swings the wooden door open, the French poised on her lips, she is silenced by the sight of Nico standing on the other side of the threshold, a bag hanging from his arm and two cups of coffee in his hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to take your keys and make you think you lost them or something,” he explains, the sheepish look gracing his features. Emma stares at him for a moment, her thoughts rearranging themselves at the realization that she was wrong and he didn’t simply abandon her.

“It’s alright,” she says, stepping to the side. Nico crosses through the doorway as Emma closes the door behind him. He lets her climb back up the stairs first before they both re-enter the apartment.

Nico breezes over to the small table in the kitchen, leaving Emma still standing bewildered near the entrance. She watches as he sets down the two coffee cups before fishing into the brown paper bag and removing a pair of eclairs.

“I probably should’ve waited for you because my French is terrible. Thankfully, the workers remembered you so I trust that they got your order right,” Nico explains, shooting a smile her way. “You must really like that place if they know your name after only three days.”

“Wild & The Moon has great food. I think I’ve stopped there every morning since arriving,” she says, walking towards him and taking a seat in one of the chairs. Nico settles into the opposite seat, that soft smile on his face.

“Well, I’m not going to be one to disagree with a pastry chef,” he laughs, his cheery demeanor breaking through the thin wall that Emma had hastily created around her heart when she woke up to find him missing. She returns his grin, although it is slightly half-hearted. She can see her hesitance register on Nico’s face but Emma doesn’t address it. Instead, she grabs the coffee he placed in front of her, taking a small sip.

“Is everything alright?” he asks.

“It’s perfect. Exactly what I always order,” Emma replies with a small shrug.

“That’s good to hear but it’s not exactly what I was asking.”

Emma looks back up at him, his eyes trained on her face. His emotions were painted so clearly onto his features; concern, confusion, and an inkling of fear. Emma sighs again, shaking her head slightly.

“It’s nothing, really.”

“It’s bothering you so it isn’t nothing,” Nico shoots back, the earnestness in his statement startling Emma. Nico hesitates before reaching his hand out, brushing his fingers against hers before intertwining their grip. “Tell me, please.”

Emma takes a breath, the words sticking in her throat, unsure whether to tell him the truth or to brush off his worry again. But she decides to embrace it – every emotion, the good and the bad.

“I thought you left me,” she whispers, looking back up at him. “Took off after I fell asleep because this – whatever this is – is casual. And that’s what happens with casual.”

Emma immediately regrets the words when she sees Nico’s face fall.

“Is that what you think about me?”

“It’s what my worst intentions thought,” Emma answers honestly. “I’m glad I was proven wrong though,” she continues, a hopeful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. One that Nico blissfully returns.

“Last night…” he begins, pausing to deliberate his words. “Last night was amazing. Really. But I want you to know that I loved hanging out with you before that. I don’t want you to think it was all a ruse to get in your pants.”

Emma wants to tell him that she didn’t think that but it would be a lie so she just keeps her mouth closed, listening intently to Nico instead.

“I really like hanging out with you,” he concludes, looking back at her.

“I do too,” Emma responds with a smile.

She doesn’t tell him that she thinks she’s falling for him, or at least could see herself falling for him. Because, while this connection may be pure and genuine, that didn’t erase the fact that this wasn’t going to last. She was leaving tomorrow, back to New York. He would leave soon – back to wherever it was that his job took him next.

Instead, they sit there in silence, eating their food and sipping their coffee. It is a silence filled with a sense of comfort but an overlay of sadness as well. This was likely it for them.

“Today is your last day in Paris, right?” Nico asks, breaking the silence by voicing the unavoidable truth.

“Yeah. My flight is tomorrow at 9am.”

“Anything you want to do for your last day?”

“Still want to hear me rant about French pastry?”

“I have to admit, it is pretty entertaining,” Nico laughs, that jovial sparkle in his eyes. “And I was serious; I like hanging out with you. I don’t have anywhere I need to be so why not spend the day with you?”

The butterflies start up again; both at Nico’s sweet words but also at the heated way that he is looking at her from across the table, his eyes dancing over her frame. His gaze makes Emma suddenly aware of the only thing that is separating her bare skin from his sight is the fabric of her robe. She smirks, the desire sparking again as she lifts herself up from the table.

“Well, I looked at my notes and I actually managed to hit all the shops I wanted to,” Emma muses, taking a few steps towards Nico. “So, maybe we could go to the Louvre.”

“See the Mona Lisa?” Nico asks, his body turning towards her as she walks closer.

“Although I hear that it can get insanely crowded.”

“A little claustrophobic, wouldn’t you say?”

“My hosts – the couple who owns this apartment – left a long list of tourist spots that are close by. Some gardens, some museums…” she continues, her hands toying with the bow holding her robe together.

“That sounds relaxing,” Nico responds with a small hum.

“But I also have to do laundry and pack and I would prefer to not leave that to the last minute.”

“Completely understandable.”

“So, I don’t know really know what we should do today,” Emma sighs, her body settling between Nico’s parted thighs, the tie of her robe now partially undone, the fabric falling off one of her shoulders. His hands reach out and a small shiver rushes through Emma’s body at the sensation of his fingertips grazing the back of her thighs.

“Maybe we should just stay in?” Nico playfully suggests, his hands dancing up and down her bare skin.

“And waste our last day together?” Emma teases. Nico smirks up at her, one hand moving to the front of her body, gently undoing the remaining tie before slipping beneath the fabric, his fingers grazing her hipbone.

“I’m sure we can find something to do to pass the time.”

~*~*A Year and A Half Later*~*~

“Is the Frasier ready to go?” Emma shouts into the kitchen, her voice startling the few customers waiting by the pick-up counter.

“It’s loaded in the back of your car with the macarons and the components for the mille-feuille,” her sous-chef April calls back. “I’m need to grab profiteroles from the racks and we should be good to go.”

“We have all four flavors of macarons?”

“Yes, boss. Everything is accounted for.”

“Good. Be ready to leave in less than ten minutes,” Emma calls, pushing through the swinging kitchen doors, walking behind the café’s main counter. She weaves her way through the two baristas working on orders towards the pastry display. Leaning down, her scan over the pastries, taking inventory of what is left and what need to be replaced. She is almost halfway through her task before a nudge on her shoulder pulls her attention away from the case. Emma glances up to see Morgan’s blue eyes looking at her from underneath her blonde bangs. Wordlessly, she hands Emma a cup filled with a latte.

“You work her too hard,” Morgan says, nodding towards the kitchen, her words referencing April.

“Nothing she’s not used to,” Emma says, taking a drink. “Trust me. The chefs at her school were likely a hundred times more terrifying than me.”

“I don’t know, you’re pretty scary when you’re stressed.”

“Stressed? Who says I’m stressed?” Emma replies, her eyes turning back to the pastry case. “We need to replenish the Pain au Chocolate as soon as possible. It’s one of our best sellers so those five will probably be gone by the end of the morning rush and we don’t want the customers waiting.”

“I’ll get Jacob on that when he’s done taking orders. And you’d be stupid if you weren’t stressed.”

Her words bring Emma’s attention to her best friend and co-owner, her brows downturned into a scowl.

“Don’t give me that look,” Morgan scoffs. “Only a year since our business opened and a professional hockey team has asked us to cater their charity brunch? This is huge. You should be freaking out, it’s okay. You don’t have to hold it together for appearance’s sake, at least not in front of me.”

“You look pretty calm,” Emma retorts.

“I screamed my lungs out in the walk-in fridge when I got in this morning.”

“You should’ve told me. We could have screamed together,” Emma laughed, taking another sip of her coffee as her and Morgan departed from behind the counter, sitting down at one of the small tables in the corner.  

“With nothing but the eggs and milk as our witnesses,” Morgan laughed. The two of them look out over the café, the sound of customers talking and the hiss of the milk steamers echoing around the space.

“This is insanity,” Emma sighs.

A year. A single year from the grand opening of their café, La Crème de la Crème, and they were already more successful than they could’ve imagined. And now, in a few minutes, Emma and April would be driving across the Hudson to cater for the New Jersey Devils charity brunch.

“If you meet the person that decided to take a chance on us, give them a giant kiss on the mouth from me,” Morgan says, her testament causing Emma to laugh.

“If you want to kiss a hockey player, you should come yourself.”

“Gotta make sure this place doesn’t burn down. But who knows, maybe you’ll fall madly in love with a hot stranger like you did the last time you went to a different city without me,” Morgan jokes. The reminder causes Emma to roll her eyes.

“Will you ever let that go?”

“Have you?”

The blush that invades Emma’s cheeks is all the answer Morgan needs. Yes, it had been a year since the café opened, another four months on top of that since Emma returned from her ‘research’ trip to Paris. And she would be lying if she said she didn’t find herself still thinking about the man she met there.

Nico. He still occupied a space in her mind, ever since that last kiss they shared as he helped her into the taxi the morning she left. It was hard to let him go even though she knew that it would probably be for the best if she could just forget about him.

“The backstock should last you through the morning. If it doesn’t, Kenneth is coming in at 1. April and I should be back before then but if not, he can run the kitchen until we arrive,” Emma says, finishing off her drink and lifting herself up from the table. “Remember to have Jacob stock the Pain au Chocolate.”

“We’ve got it covered here,” Morgan says, her smile calming Emma’s beating heart. “Just focus on being the coolest pastry chef, impressing all those important people, and bringing in new customers.”

Emma responds with a playful salute before disappearing back into the kitchen. April is waiting for her by the back door, black chefs coat on, the café’s name written in cursive script over her breast. After confirming everything was in the car, they both hop in and start the drive to Newark, New Jersey.

Emma sends a thank you to whatever power there was for making traffic light, the trip not taking nearly as long as Emma had suspected it would. They are soon arriving at the hotel, pulling up to the entrance. After a quick explanation of who they were and why they were there, a few hotel workers come out to assist them as they bring their food into the kitchens.

“I’m going to find the organizer, ask where they want us to set up. Just get everything ready to be assembled and then we will go from there.”

April gives Emma a small nod in acknowledgment, turning her attention to the boxes of food in front of her. Emma leaves her to it, following the signs to the ballroom. She walks through the open doors, finding the room decorated in the red and black – colors that she now knew to be the teams –tables filling the space around a small stage.

On one wall lined with banquet tables, she spies an elegant woman holding a clipboard talking to the hotel staff, who Emma was told were providing the rest of the food. She makes her way over, the conversation hitting her ears, confirming that this was the person she needed to speak to.

Emma stands off to the side, waiting for the discussion to conclude before stepping forward.

“Hello. I’m Emmaline Evans, the co-owner and pastry chef from Crème de la Crème,” she says, holding out one of her tattooed hands.

“Oh, yes!” the woman says, graciously accepting Emma’s handshake. “I’m so glad you made it. My name’s Nicole, I’m one of the people who helped organize this brunch. Are you all settled, everything good?”

“Yes, my sous-chef is in the kitchen right now getting the plates ready. I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for the opportunity. It means a lot for our new business.”

“Of course! Though, I should really introduce you to Jess. She is the one that came in telling us about this amazing café in Greenwich that we just had to get,” Nicole explains, her bubbly personality infectious, making a smile break out on Emma’s face.

“I look forward to meeting her. I’ll probably be out once everything is prepared, introduce myself to some of the other guests and check to make sure everything tastes alright.”

“Perfect! I wouldn’t expect anything else from a savvy business woman, neither will any of the guests. A lot of driven people here,” Nicole explains, before turning to face the banquet tables. “We have the traditional breakfast fare here and your table is over there,” she gestures to a table a short distance away. “We decided to keep the sweets a little separate from the rest.”

“Makes perfect sense,” Emma nods, taking the layout into memory. “Would you like us to delay bringing the food out so there is a space between the main course and the dessert?”

“Is that alright for you? I think that would be best.”

“Absolutely.”

“Amazing. You can bring out the food at, let’s say 11:30? We might still be in the middle of speeches and all that but that could work out because after we’ve wrapped up there, we can direct people to your delicious food.”

“Of course. I’ll go back and get everything ready. We’ll be out at 11:30.”

“Perfect. Thank you again!” Nicole exclaims and Emma is about to extend her hand for another handshake until Nicole sweeps her into a hug instead. Emma embraces it politely before pulling away and disappearing back to the kitchen. On the way, she sees the beginning of the crowd trickling in, her eyes glancing over the guests decked out in expensive dresses and suits.

This was a golden opportunity and she wasn’t going to waste it.

She breezes into the kitchen towards the corner where April had completely set up everything in the few minutes she was gone. Emma explains the timeline and they both set to work; April filling the profiteroles with their whipped cream center and Emma assembling the layers of the mille-feuille. April finishes first and sets about arranging the macarons and profiteroles on the platters provided before moving to cut the Fraiser into slices and placing each piece on their separate plate. Emma finishes assembling the mille-feuilles and glances at the clock.

“Alright, we’ve got a few minutes. Finish plating the Fraiser and bring those out first. I’ll take the macarons and profiteroles and then we can both bring out the mille-feuille.”

“Sounds good. Do you need any help with the platters?”

“No, I should be fine,” Emma says, leaning down to pick up the silver tray the macarons were placed on. “We’ve got the labels for everything, correct.”

“Yes, boss. Do you want me to bring those out first or last.”

“Last. We can arrange the table how we see fit and then label the plates instead of having to shuffle everything around.” Emma is about to leave the kitchen before she turns back to April, the platter resting on her shoulder. “You know you don’t have to call me boss.”

“Force of habit,” April laughs, her brown eyes sparkling as she looks up from the Frasier. “You can stop pretending that you don’t like it.”

“Ha-ha,” Emma utters a sarcastic laugh before leaving. She retraces her path to the ballroom, hearing the echo of an amplified voice guiding her steps.

Emma slips in, the tables now filled with guests, their attention turned to the front stage as she sees Nicole as well as few other beautiful women standing by the podium. She registers parts of their speech; happiness for how the season was going, excitement for what was coming, reminder of the charity they were here for, and of course a call for generosity in donating. Emma makes her way around the perimeter of the room, coming to the assigned banquet table before setting the platter down. She moves back catching the eyes of April walking in with the platter of Fraiser and directs her with a nod of her head.

A few trips later, Emma is standing in front of the table, her eyes gazing over the assortment of the food she was proudest of. It looked beautiful, the whites and golds and reds and pinks and browns of the desserts creating a stunning mosaic, each section labeled in the same elegant cursive that graced her chef’s jacket.

“I’m going to go back, clean up the kitchen and get ready for any food we might have to bring back,” she says, looking to April.

“Don’t you want to stay here? You’re the chef after all,” April asks from the other side of the table.

“I plan on making the rounds a little later, get a little more personal interaction. I have no doubt that you’ll make an excellent first impression of our company without me.”

Emma sees her words register in April’s mind, a smile gracing over her features before it shifts to serious, her body lifting to stand a little taller.

“I won’t disappoint you, boss,” April says, her words serious but punctuated with a small wink, causing Emma to playfully roll her eyes. She doesn’t give another response, departing the ballrooms. She is only a few steps out of the door when she hears the final announcement echo from the speakers.

“Now please enjoy some delicious pastries from Crème de la Crème Café.”

Hearing her company name announced along with the applause that followed – although she knew the cheer wasn’t directed towards her – made her heart leap. Everything was perfect so far; all that was left was for the guests to like the food.

Emma cleans, packing the equipment they brought into her car and assembling a few take-away boxes that she hoped she didn’t have to use. She leaves the kitchen, taking a quick stop in the bathroom to wash her hands and adjust her appearance, making sure not a hair was out of place. She takes a few deep breaths, straightening her jacket before moving back into the ballroom.

She takes in the sight of plates filled with her food on tables, the smiles on peoples faces and it makes her relax. Emma catches sight of April still manning the table, her smile never wavering as she hands out desserts, her lips explaining each delicacy. She catches Emma’s eye, sending her a wink before turning her attention back to the guests. Emma lets out a sigh before she gazes around the ballroom.

“Oh, there she is! Emmaline!” she hears a voice call, locating Nicole sitting at a table waving her hand. Emma smiles, weaving through the crowd until she reaches her.

“Everyone, this is Emmaline Evans. She’s the chef that created all these wonderful treats for us!” Nicole explains and Emma smiles, nodding her head to the other guests sitting there.

“How is everything tasting?”

“Delicious!” one of the gentlemen at the table says. “Why haven’t we heard about your restaurant before?”

“We actually opened a year and a half ago so we’re relatively new.”

“Well, you are sure to get some new customers if your food always tastes this good,” he laughs, extending his hand. “Erik.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Emma says, accepting his handshake.

“I can guarantee that the food is always this good,” another feminine voice sounds from across the table. Emma turns her attention to a brunette smiling at her. “Definitely worth the drive to Greenwich.”

“Oh, right! Emmaline, this is Jess. She’s the one that insisted we book your company,” Nicole explains, the words forcing Emma to extend her hand eagerly, Jess accepting it with grace.

“Thank you for the opportunity. It really means a lot to me and my co-owner Morgan, so thank you for taking a chance on us.”

“I knew it wasn’t going to be that much of a risk. I’ve been forcing Nate to drive me to New York on his days off so I can get your food,” Jess says, nudging the shoulder of the man next to her – who Emma can only assume is Nate. “You deserve way more recognition. And, when I heard about a small woman-owned business, I knew I had to give my support. Kind of what we do.”

The other women at the table laugh in agreement, causing another smile to break out on Emma’s face. She politely stays for a few minutes, answering queries about the food provided, the menu at the café, and other general questions. Slowly, her body registers the weight of someone’s eyes on her from across the ballroom. A lull in the conversation allows her to lift her head and look around.

When her eyes land on the source of the stare, her heartbeat falters in her chest.

It had been over sixteen months since she had last seen him but she swears she could recognize those gentle brown eyes and that flowing chestnut hair anywhere.

A few tables away sat Nico; the man that she met in Paris all that time ago. The man who enchanted her from the moment he sat with her at the café table. The man she never thought she would see again.

He was here.

Emma quickly snaps out of her trance, breaking his gaze and turning her attention back to the guests in front of her with a polite smile. But beneath her composure, her thoughts were as erratic as her heartbeat. She steals another glance back in Nico’s direction, finding him in a conversation with the young man next to him, that familiar dimpled smile on his face.

“Apologies,” Emma says, interrupting the conversation taking place around her. “I should greet the other guest, check in on them.”

“Oh, of course! We’ve kept you long enough,” Nicole speaks.

“You should go talk to out team leadership,” the man next to Nicole says – Jesper, she remembered. Emma watches as he twists in his seat, eyes roving over the room before stopping, his long arm pointing to a table. “Over there.”

The directionality of his gesture has Emma’s heart skipping again, the anxiety only heightened when she follows his point to the table where Nico sat.

“That’s our captain, Nico, and our two assistant captains, Jack and Ondrej, along with their partners and a few others,” Jesper says turning back to Emma, who quickly plasters a gracious expression on her face.

“I will make sure to stop there, thank you,” she says before departing, moving only to the table next to the previous.

She was going to keep her word – she just needed a little time.

Emma introduces herself to multiple guests, answering the same questions, and handing out more business cards than she could count. She navigates the ballroom, slowly making her way over to Nico’s table. She swears that every time she moves closer, she can feel Nico’s eyes landing on her more frequently. She manages to focus on the guests in front of her enough that no one suspects anything is amiss. But she knows that the effort is half-hearted at best. The other part of her brain is twisting itself in knots over the prospect of speaking to Nico again.

She never expected to see him. She certainly didn’t expect to see him at a work event. In the fantasies that she allowed herself to occasionally indulge in, they would always run into each other at a bar or in the park or even on the street. In those daydreams, he was single and the magic from Paris would still be there between them.

But now, Emma is forced to make her brain prepare for the possible reality that she was about to walk into: that he was here with an insanely beautiful woman on his arm and the romance in Paris was exactly what she feared it to be – temporary.

It didn’t make it any better that she would have to reckon all of those heartbreaking truths with a pleasant smile on her face; the shield of professionalism she was forced to maintain that could absolutely not crack.

 Emma concludes her previous conversation, taking a deep breath before turning towards the table she had been avoiding all afternoon. She walks up to the edge, glancing around the faces of the guests, trying not to let her eyes linger on one face in particular.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she speaks, calling their attention to her. “I’m one of the owners of Crème de la Crème and I just wanted to check in, see how everything was tasting.”

“It’s fucking fantastic!” the dirty blonde next to Nico exclaims, causing Nico’s head to turn with a glare and a hiss of ‘Jack!’. A blush invades his cheeks before the man – Jack – looks back towards Emma. “Sorry, I mean, it’s really, really good.”

Emma laughs gently at his words before speaking.

“It’s alright. I’m glad to hear you like it that much.”

“It really is delicious,” the stunning blonde woman next to Jack speaks. “Is your store located in Newark?”

“No, we’re actually located in Greenwich Village in New York. But this was an amazing opportunity for our business that we just couldn’t pass up.”

“That’s awesome. Do you normally cater?”

“We’re relatively new to the catering side of food service. We do provide food for smaller parties: birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations like that. This has been out biggest event yet so this was also a test for us, to see if we could handle it.”

“Well, I say you passed with flying colors!” the woman smiles. “Could I have your card? My sister would love this and her birthday is coming up.”

“Of course,” Emma says, her hand dipping into her pocket to retrieve a card.

“Actually, could I have two? I might slip one in this guy’s hockey bag as an anniversary reminder,” she laughs, nudging Jack’s shoulder.

“When have I ever not wooed you?” he laughs.

“I’m not saying you haven’t. This is just a subtle hint about what a few delicious macarons might do.”

Emma nods, grasping the two small slips of paper and extending them to her.

“Could I also have one?” an all too familiar accented voice requests.

Emma turns her attention to Nico, her eyes connecting to his. She doesn’t give a verbal response; just another nod of her head. She hands two cards off to Jack’s partner before turning to Nico, holding a business card out to him as well. Emma suppresses a shiver that threatens to run through her body as Nico’s fingers graze against hers as he takes the paper from her hand.

“Planning on surprising a special lady, as well?” Jack teases. The question is innocent when coming from his mouth but it stops Emma’s heart as she waits for the answer – preparing for the worst.

“If by special lady, you mean my mom when she flies in for the mom’s trip, then yes,” Nico jokes back, his eyes flickering back to Emma. “Besides that, no one else comes to mind.”

Emma lets out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding at Nico’s subtle admission; he wasn’t seeing anyone, at least not seriously. The other women at the table were with his teammates, not him.

“Could I ask where you learned how to cook?” another gentleman at the table asks, his voice turning Emma’s attention to him.

“Of course. I went to The French Pastry School in Chicago, which is one of the only schools that focuses exclusively on pastry creation,” Emma explains, her eyes darting towards Nico as she contemplates her next words. “But I was also blessed with the opportunity to travel to Paris and experience the authentic Parisian cuisine first hand. That trip inspired me in many ways.”

From the corner of her eyes, Emma watches as a smile tugs at Nico’s lips.

“I’ve been to Paris as well. It’s a beautiful city with amazing food.”

“Right, you were there a little over a year ago, with the NHL European press tour,” another guest says, providing answers to questions that Emma didn’t bother asking back then. He told her that he was there for work. That wasn’t a lie. She just didn’t know that this was his job.

“It was an amazing trip,” Nico replies, his eyes darting to Emma, the weight behind his words only noticeable by that recognizable sparkle in his irises.

Emma’s own smile graces her features. Their silent conversation reminded Emma of passing secret notes, communicating in a way that only the two of them could understand. The hope soared in her chest but she pushes it down in an effort not to get caught up in the moment. She excuses herself, sneaking one last quick glance over her shoulder at Nico before making her way over to April.

She forces herself to focus on the moment at hand, taking stock of the remaining food, the event dwindling down. Emma helps April carry the remaining leftovers into the kitchen, instructing her to pack up the food and load it into the car before helping the hotel staff clean the few remaining dirty dishes.

Emma makes her way back into the ballroom, gathering the remaining business cards from their table, as well as the labels before helping the staff pick up the plates scattered on the tables.

She is absentmindedly gathering the plastic plates into a stack, reaching out to grab the last plate at the table. But before she can, it is taken by a strong hand before it is extended to her. Emma lifts her eyes to thank whoever it was in front of her but her voice catches when her eyes connect with Nico again.

“So, Paris, huh?” he asks, the question loaded with a myriad of emotions that Emma couldn’t even begin to place. She takes the plate from his hand with a smile.

“Yeah, it was a really wonderful experience.” 

“I bet.”

“Ate a lot of good food, saw some beautiful sights,” she continues, a mischievous smirk appearing on her face, her eyes never leaving Nico’s. “Met this really great guy.”

Emma swears that she can see the sigh escape Nico’s chest – the potential fear leaving him as his body relaxes, his tentative smile shifting to match her grin.

“I was worried you didn’t remember me,” he confesses. Emma’s eyes soften at his admission, her head slightly shaking in disbelief.

“Did you really think I’d forget?” she murmurs, her own words just as much of a confession as Nico’s. She watches his brown eyes shift, the confusion dancing within them.

“At the table…”

“I had to remain professional,” she explains, gently cutting him off. “Talking about a whirlwind romance I had with the team captain in front of potential clients – some of which are his teammates – isn’t really the way to get rehired.”

“Good point,” Nico laughs, the sound echoing around the almost abandoned ballroom, his hand lifting to run through his hair. His chuckle pulls a giggle from Emma’s own lips as she shakes her head again.

Their laughter dwindles until the silence covers them again. Emma can’t seem to tear her eyes away from him and it is clear that Nico feels the same. The two of them stand there, taking in the sight of the other, seemingly convincing themselves that they were really standing in front of each other. That this wasn’t just a fantasy.

“In truth,” Emma says, breaking the fragile silence, “You’re hard to get over. No one I’ve met since Paris has even come close.”

The broad smile that appears on his face makes Emma’s happiness increase, the subtle admission that she was also currently unattached understood by Nico.

“I never thought I’d see you again,” he tells her, the words bringing a small teasing laugh from Emma.  

“Didn’t know you missed me that much,” she jokes.

Her words seem to catch Nico off-guard. Her green eyes follow Nico’s movements as he reaches into the interior pocket of his suit jacket, fishing out his phone. His fingers move, tapping on the screen and scrolling until he pauses. A smile tugs at his lips as he stares at whatever was on his phone before he turns the device towards her.

Emma swears her heart skips for the hundredth time that day as she takes in the image on the screen. It’s the picture they took that night in Paris – the night everything changed. Her eyes dance over the screen, looking at the ease in which her body was resting against Nico’s, the way his arm was wrapped around her frame, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background.

“You kept it,” she whispers.  

“Of course, I did,” Nico responds with just as much tenderness. Her eyes flicker back up to the man in front of her, the look in his eyes an echo of the one from that same night. She watches as he hesitates, seemingly debating the words he was about to say. Whatever doubts he had, they apparently weren’t enough to stop him as he speaks again. “I don’t know if I ever missed anyone as much as I missed you.”

If her heart was beating erratically before, it practically stopped at Nico’s gentle words. The desire, the yearning, the emotions hanging from every syllable hit Emma like a freight train, his need bringing forth her own. A need that she tried – desperately – to get rid of for months because she thought she would never see him again.

But he was here. He was real. And he missed her.

“I missed you too,” she admits, the confession not feeling dangerous or terrifying. Instead, it felt as simple as breathing. It felt as easy as it always did when she was next to him. It felt like Paris.

Emma and Nico look at each other, the truth of their admission floating around them, seemingly enveloping them in that love-struck haze that they existed in months ago. In a different city. In a different country.

“I don’t know if this is way too forward but I’d like to take you on a date. Or, I guess another date. If that’s alright with you?” Nico asks, his words still hesitant. Emma responds with a gentle smile.

“That sounds perfect.”

“I can’t promise that it will be as magical as Paris though,” he laughs.

Emma’s expression falters a little at his words, the fears from Paris returning along with the joy. Their reunion felt enchanting right now but maybe the shock of seeing each other again after all those months was the only thing causing this sensation. Maybe after the moment died, the worry that invaded her mind in Paris would be proven true: that it was just the City of Love that fueled their connection.

Embrace it. All of it.

It is that small voice of bravery and vulnerability that sounds, the declaration echoing in her mind. Emma takes a deep breath, summoning the courage she felt in France and letting it fill her body, letting her heart guide her actions. She reaches out towards Nico, letting her hand creep closer to his, her fingers brushing over his skin.

The energy that surges between them when their fingers intertwine is powerful. Those fireworks sparkle stronger than anything before; stronger than the lights about them, stronger than all the lights on the Eiffel Tower. That electricity has Emma looking up at Nico, seeing the same emotions dancing on his face. That touch was proved a fact that they knew in their hearts to be true but their heads still doubted.

That this – whatever it was, whatever they shared those months ago… it wasn’t temporary. It wasn’t the city. This was real.

“Paris wasn’t the magical part.”

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[scarlettjohanssons-mistress]

Are you safe with me

Warnings: Implied/referenced rape/non-con, sexual assault, angst and hurt/comfort, assault

Word count: 1.5 K

Pairing: Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) x Fem!Reader

Prompt: R has just suffered a trauma

Requests: OPEN

[Main masterlist] [DC masterlist]

Carefully, and trying to make it as unobvious as possible, I stretched out my arms, making my bones thunder, and carefully, I yawned, trying to get some oxygen to my poor, battered brain.

My boss had kept us in the conference room for what seemed like years.

More than three hours trying to find a solution to an extremely stupid problem, from which, it seemed, the magazine was hanging by a thread. It was extremely stupid.

Carefully, I looked at the watch on my wrist only to realise that it was already 11:30 PM.

"Does anyone have any solutions?" asked Jessica, the boss. Nobody answered, we were all extremely tired.

"Jessica, I don't think this is going anywhere," said Raquel, her right-hand woman, "We are extremely tired. We can sort this out tomorrow".

Jessica kept quiet, but watched us with a very unfriendly look on her face. She even stared at everyone's faces for a few seconds.

"It's OK. You can go."

Quicker than I would like to admit, I grabbed my things and left the office. I didn't even check my mobile phone or my work computer, I just turned it off, picked up my coat and went out into the streets of Paris.

Carefully, I ran down the stairs of the metro and climbed into the first carriage I came across, a few seconds before it closed its doors.

It was almost empty, only for a man and a woman with her baby. I carefully placed my bag in my arms, hugging her tightly and trying not to fall asleep.

"Hi cute" I looked up to see that the man was sitting next to me. I turned my head to notice that we were the only ones in the carriage.

"Sorry but…" I tried to get up from the seat, but his big hand stopped me. I sat back down.

"Why are you leaving, beauty?"

"Get away from me!" my right hand struck his cheek, but, apparently it only made him angrier.

"Well, princess, if you don't want to do it the easy way, you'll have to do it the hard way."

Out of nowhere, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at my head. I froze immediately and just raised my arms.

"Give me your phone and your wallet"

With a trembling hand, I took both things out of my bag and handed them to him. He quickly stuffed it into his sweatshirt pocket, but he never stopped pointing it at me.

"Good, beautiful. I like obedient girls. Now on your knees."

Without even thinking about it, I fell to my knees, feeling my stockings tearing on the scratchy floor.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see him start to undo the belt of his jeans.

"You're hungry for a fat cock, aren't you, gorgeous?" I could tell as he dropped his trousers until they covered his shoes. "Are you going to suck my cock?"

Before either of us knew it, the metro had reached the next station, so he pulled his trousers back up and forced me to stand up.

Thankfully, the station was one of the most used by tourists, so, despite it being almost 12:00 P.M. the carriage began to fill up quickly, so I took that opportunity to get off the carriage and run to the outside of the station.

With bated breath and a sense of dread, I approached a restaurant, asking a waiter if he could spare a couple of coins to call someone.

Maybe I looked really bad, because he didn't give me the coins, he just passed me to the kitchen and told me I could call whoever I wanted.

With trembling hands, I dialled the number I knew by heart.

"Hello?" Her voice was hoarse. She was asleep. Shit.

"Diana?"

"T/N, My love, is that you?"

I felt my eyes fill with tears again.

"Are you OK, why are you calling me from an unknown phone?"

Evade.

"Can you come and get me?"

"Oh, sure baby, are you at work?"

"No"

"Where are you?"

I broke away from the phone to see where I was. It was only then that

I realised where I was standing.

"Do you remember the restaurant from our first date?"

"Yes"

"Here I am"

"Okay, I'll be there in 5 minutes. Are you sure you're okay, T/N?"

I made a sound of denial.

"Can you hurry up… please?"

"Sure, baby. I'll be right there."

And she hung up.

———————————————————————————

Before I knew it, two toned arms embraced me tightly, as that sweet scent wafted into my lungs.

"I'm here".

Before she could say another word, I quickly pounced on her, hugging her torso and hiding my face in her chest.

Only then could I start to cry.

Diana like the good girlfriend she is, simply let me cry and began to rub soothing circles on my back and start a light cooing.

When I calmed down, I simply lifted my face and looked her in the eye.

Just looking into her beautiful eyes made me feel at peace.

"Can we go?"

"Sure"

With his right hand on my lower back, he guided me to the car Bruce had lent her, but not before thanking the staff.

If he had come by car and arrived in 5 minutes, that meant that he might have broken more than three traffic laws.

She opened the passenger door and made me sit down, even put my seatbelt on, closed the door and ran into the car.

She quickly began to drive,

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" she asked in her soft voice.

"Can we talk about it later?"

"We can talk about it anytime you want, baby, I just want you to be okay."

She gave me a smile as he took her right hand out of my hand and kissed the back of mine.

"Thank you. I love you."

"I love you"

———————————————————————————

I thought I would fall asleep on the way home, but no matter how sleepy and tired my body was, it was impossible for me to close my eyes for more than a few seconds.

So, I had no choice but to look out of the window and make Diana believe that I had fallen asleep. Until we reached our home.

Diana turned off the car, causing the soothing music on the radio to stop playing, leaving an uncomfortable silence.

"I know you're awake T/N"

But she didn't say anything else, she just got out of the car and opened my door, raising her hand. I took it and we both went into the house.

Once in the house, I went upstairs and into the bathroom. I quickly removed my smeared make-up and went into the bath.

I washed my hair about three times and scrubbed my arms, legs and face with enormous force. I even hurt my thighs a bit.

I left the bathroom to put on some panties and one of Diana's few casual T-shirts.

I put a towel over my head and lay down.

Minutes later, Diana arrived and lay down next to me, hugging me from behind, pressing little kisses on the back of my neck.

"I was assaulted"

The kissing stopped abruptly and I felt her get up.

"What?"

"I was mugged in the underground. The man had a gun" I began to sob "and he almost raped me, Diana".

The brunette didn't hesitate for two seconds to hug me tightly, letting me cry as much as I wanted, but when I pulled away from her chest, I noticed that she was crying too.

"Why are you crying?"

"This wouldn't have happened if I had been with you."

I took her face in my hands and forced her to look at me.

"No, my love. Neither of us is to blame for this."

We both hugged each other for a long time. Trying to soothe each other with Diana's body heat. It was a great advantage of dating a goddess.

"I'm going to kill him"

She tried to get up quickly, but my arms prevented her from doing so.

"No, not today. Now I just want you to hold me" I hugged her burying my face in her neck. "Please, I just need my girlfriend."

"Here I am, sweet girl. I'll always be here for you" I constantly kiss my head "You'll always be safe with me"

"I know, I always feel safe with you."

"What did they steal from you?"

"My mobile phone and my wallet"

"The one you just bought?" I just nodded, feeling the tears of anger start to roll down my cheeks. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry."

After another moment of silence, of her hand trying to reassure me and her lips kissing my temple and my hands playing with the zip of her sweatshirt.

"I love you, and believe me, I'll be sure to cut off his testicles."

"I know, I know your word is fact."

"Just like my love"

"Just like mine" I kissed her nose.

Note:

The only good thing about having my own cell phone stolen is that… I'm more active writing

I hope you enjoy it

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[paingoes]

Destroyer - Light Show

(Masterlist)

(Content: living weapon whumpee, implied minor character(s) death, sensory overload, magical exhaustion, fainting, hiding injury, dehumanization)

For a moment, sunlight streamed in through the window with a terrible clarity. The ship was pulling into the orbit of the red star’s nearest planet, catching violent rays. Gradually, the planet began to eclipse their view of the star, until the ship was once again immersed in black night. They were drawing closer to their destination. On the earth below, all was silent.

“Get up,” Paris hissed with urgency, shaking Delta awake. Delta’s eyes shot open. He recoiled, pulling himself back into the corner. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, his alarm grew.

“I’m sorry,” he said hurriedly, thinking he had overslept. It was impossible to tell in space. But Paris shook his head, reaching for his arm.

“C’mon. I have a job for you,” Paris tugged him out of the bed. 

“I’m not dressed,” Delta protested. Paris paused a moment, looking him up and down. He wasn’t in fatigues, obviously, but he was decent.

“Just put your shoes on. We don’t have time.” Paris pushed the door open. Delta slipped his sneakers on, jogging after him. Paris caught his wrist, dragging him along to the loading bay. He shoved him into a small craft without ceremony or explanation. A pilot was already inside. She waved at him politely, which Delta returned.

Moments later, they were joined by Simon, Dr.Martino, and an admiral that Delta didn’t recognize. Paris and Dr.Martino were in the middle of an argument.

“Just wait until morning, you don’t need surprise with this. They don’t know what we have. That *is* the surprise,” Dr.Martino complained. 

“Shut up,” Paris held up a hand to him, “I want everyone to see it. The Scythians are pulling out tomorrow morning because they think we’ve got it covered. I want them to be here when we launch. God, they’ll be able to feel it from where they are. Let’s go,” He patted the pilot on the shoulder, slamming the door shut behind him.

“You didn’t even give us time to warmup,” The doctor complained, “Didn’t even have breakfast.”

“Cry me a fucking river,” Paris said, barely audible over the sound of the rotors starting up, “Delta’s the one doing all the work, I don’t hear him complaining.”

Delta was staring blankly ahead, still half-asleep, only perking up when he heard his name mentioned. Simon had slid into the seat next to him, looking only slightly less disheveled. Delta looked to him for help, but didn’t have the gall to speak without permission in front of so many people. Simon held up a finger, signing Wait.

The ship blasted off into the night. Below, there were lights from the military camps, but no signs of active combat. They’d settled down for the night, so it seemed. The bright orange and red against the dark ground made it look not so different from outer space. Delta found it oddly peaceful.

“Further East,” Paris pointed out, “And higher up, we’re still in visible range.”

The pilot nodded, pulling up above the cloud cover. Paris sat back in the chair, like someone who was trying to relax but didn’t know how.

“Hover here.” He said to the pilot. The craft stopped abruptly, jostling all of them. There were only clouds below. 

Paris twisted around to look at Simon and Delta. “We’re directly above the mech site. Most of their land fighters are here and the engineers have an encampment about a mile wide around the complex. I need you to level it.”

Simon nodded, “Any preference for how?”

“Whatever’s the most dramatic,” Paris said.

Simon considered this for a moment, “Permission to unleash?” 

“Granted.”

Simon fidgeted with a small device in his wrist, as did Dr.Martino. Delta flinched as the collar around his neck suddenly deactivated, electrocuting him and everyone else in the ship. 

It was like he was everywhere at once. Delta could felt the contour of the entire planet, the depth and order of each form. It was a kind of euphoria and a kind of sickness. He was vibrating, vision switching from black to white and back again as the blood coursed through him. His skin glowed and a deep blue light emitted from his eyes.

Simon snapped his fingers in front of his face, urging him to recenter. It didn’t matter much. Delta couldn’t see with his eyes then. The sixth sense overloaded him, made him fully dependent on it. He tried to focus back in on Simon’s voice.

“Do you know where the site is? Do you need visuals?” Simon asked.

Delta confirmed the target. It was a couple miles below them. Even without seeing it, Delta was faintly impressed, almost sad to destroy it. It reminded him of a launch site. There was a giant mecha inside of the hanger and two more just lounging outside of it. Their features were ursine and bulky. Around them, much, much smaller forms moved. The soldiers and engineers running around camp. Delta could feel the expanse of it, a little over a mile in diameter.

“Lock on. Await further instructions,” Simon ordered him, all business now. He addressed Paris, “We could go for an energy strike. It’d be the most dramatic, probably the highest risk of complications though.”

“Do it,” Paris said. 

“Permission to launch?”

“Launch,” Paris affirmed.

Simon turned to Delta, whispering the code into his ear. In an instant, the clouds below them were lit up as if in a storm. The bright blue glow held for four, five seconds before fading out. A sharp sound, almost like a church organ, pierced the air. The wind carried the sound off into the night.

Delta signaled Target Destroyed.

The collar clicked back on. The sudden collapse of his senses sent Delta lurching forward, passing out neatly. Simon caught him, leaning him back against the seat. A slow stream of blood trickled out of his nose. Martino reached over, feeling his pulse at the neck.

“I want to see it,” Paris said.

The ship pushed off into motion again, slowly dipping beneath the clouds. 

“That might be an issue, Your Highness,” the pilot said softly, as pillars of smoke clouded the windshield. She kept advancing until they were out of the carnage. As she turned back to the mothership, she encircled what was left of the sight, allowing all of them to witness the destruction. A large crater was carved into the middle of the clearing. The vapor coming out of it was too thick to see through. There were no human bodies visual, no machinery. Everything had been wiped clean.

Paris let out a low whistle.

“You think everyone saw it?” He asked the admiral.

“It would be hard to miss,” He responded.

“Yeah. Bet the cameras caught it, too. I had one trained on it, hope we were at effective range. Oh well,” He kicked his legs up on the dashboard, “Let’s go back.”

When Delta regained his consciousness, he was in the same craft, now idle in the bay. Paris was pressing a handkerchief against his nose to stop the blood flow, his other hand gripped at his chin.

“See, if I’d let you get dressed, you would’ve gotten blood on your uniform,” he chided gently, “Hold it.”

Delta took the handkerchief from him. He could feel the blood had mostly stopped, but his shirt was now soaked with it. Dr.Martino was in the seat next to them, unfazed at the sight of Delta’s blood everywhere. It had stopped being shocking years ago. No one else was in the ship.

“You did good, but you need to get up now. Victory lap. Don’t pass out again and don’t look hurt,” Paris warned him. Delta looked at him foggily, prompting Paris to smack him on the side of the head.

“That’s what I mean. Look alive.”

“Sorry, sir. I will,” He was still out of it, but with his hair hanging in his face, it was less obvious. He didn’t look any more tired than he usually did, which was something. Paris wrapped his jacket around Delta to cover up the blood on his shirt. It was several sizes too big and too warm to be comfortable. Seeming to sense this, Dr.Martino reached a hand out to his foreheads, clicking his tongue. 

Paris pushed the door open, rolling out skillfully. He offered a hand out to help Delta down, but was totally unable to resist yanking him the rest of the way. He caught him before he could fall completely. The doctor hopped out next, shutting the door behind him. He looked ill at ease. Even from the hanger, they could hear the sound of frenzied chatter. It sounded like the whole ship was up in arms. 

Not letting go of Delta’s wrist, Paris marched out of the hanger, back into the common area of the ship. All at once, the chatter ceased, replaced with an eerie silence. Delta didn’t look up, feeling the hundreds of eyes on him. All the blood was rushing from his head. Paris moved him forward, not acknowledging anything was amiss. The fearful silence followed wherever they went. As they passed, it was replaced with hushed whispers. 

Paris led Delta into his room, slamming the door behind him. He leaned against the door, laughing quietly. Delta collapsed into a kneel, no longer able to remain standing. His vision was fading again. Paris didn’t seem to notice, immediately moving to his laptop, which was sounding off in a cacophony of notifications. 

“Stay,” he ordered sharply, darting out the door. Delta fainted the second it closed.

[quatregats]

I havent even finished reading the list yet but I saw barbara in vienna and BOLTED here to ask for that!!

Yayayay I <3 this fic my favorite Barbara through a wringer moment which I have not worked on since Insane Influenza Injanuary (an attempt at alliteration was made, sorry)

There's a lot going on in this fic but I liked this opening and since it probably won't make the final cut in this form I may as well post it:

So he had gone to France after all—she received his letter in Vienna the day before they were to host a party, the largest party yet, which the Tzar himself was supposed to attend. She had felt the temptation to sit down and stare at the wall, visions of his pretty French mistress with the auburn hair flashing through her mind; but instead, she had pulled herself together and gone down to impress upon the butler the importance of polishing the silver properly, until the color is perfectly even and perfectly white, or I shall have to see that you and the rest of this household are replaced by servants with the slightest understanding of English competence, and after that, she had spent the rest of the afternoon overseeing the set-up of the grand ballroom, making sure all the decorations were in line. By the end of the evening, she thought smugly to herself, she had quite forgotten the letter at all; it was only when Arthur asked after young Richard that she had let slip about the boy’s father and his whereabouts.

“What in God’s name is the man doing in France?” Arthur exclaimed, looking up from his pile of reports and papers with surprise. “He might as well be in Vienna, if he is going to go traipsing around the continent.”

“He is visiting some old friends of his, who kindly sheltered him during his time in France,” Barbara said, the words carefully forming on her tongue. “The Count of Graçay and his daughter-in-law, I believe.”

“Ah, yes, I remember seeing them in Paris,” Arthur replied carelessly; years in the field had made him very good at reading the intentions of men, but less good at seeing through the cares of women. “They seemed decent enough people. A bit too provincial, though.”

“Quite. But I suppose one must go pay respects to one’s friends, provincial or not.”

“The girl was very pretty.”

Barbara bit into her lamb with such vehemence that she nearly took her tongue in the process. “Very pretty indeed.”

“Though she rather more like a count’s mistress than a count’s wife. Her manners were fine enough, but she was rough at the edges.”

There was a brief pause; Arthur did not look up from his report.

“Well, perhaps they might prove more fitting company for your husband anyway. The man knows his way around a ship, but when it comes to matters on land...” He looked up then, caught Barbara’s eye. “You oughtn’t let yourself be so bothered, not over a man like that.”

There was an admonition there which she had gotten from Richard many a time since she had married Horatio—he’s a very fine man, but you are a Wellesley—and she, in her stubborn Wellesley pride, had refused to heed it. But now she could see what he had meant, and her stubbornness turned in the other direction.

“He is a fool if he—” Arthur began, but Barbara cut him off.

“He is a fool,” she said levelly, taking another bite of lamb. “And I am utterly unbothered by anything he chooses to do. I washed my hands of him in Paris.”

“Good,” Arthur said, and went back to his report. Barbara went back to thinking on the china for tomorrow evening, and not about Horatio at all.

[sequinsmile-x]

All's Well That Ends Well to End Up With You

Emily and Aaron get married, and they make other promises to each other along the way.

-x-

Hi besties!

I'm back at work tomorrow following my surgery, and the most intense Sunday Scaries ever have set in...so I wanted to write some fluff. This is based on an idea from the lovely @louisaland who suggested something to do with our favs wedding day.

This is part of the kissing prompt series I am doing of unrelated mini-fics and oneshots, and this is the 'kisses as a promise' prompt.

As always, a full list of the prompts I'm working my way through are on the main fic's master list.

As always let me know what you think <3

-x-

Warnings: so fluffy you should floss after reading

Words: 2k

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

Emily hums a tune she can’t remember the name of, letting the vibrations of it pass from her chest to her two-month-old daughter’s, hoping that it lulls her back to sleep. It was 3 am, the house quiet apart from her humming and the occasional grunt from Mia, the little girl resistant to sleep even though she had a clean diaper and a full belly. Emily tilts her head to look down, sighing when her eyes meet Mia’s, the dark eyes she’d got from her staring back at her, wide and open as she grunts, squirming in what Emily thinks is an attempt to get even closer.

“Mia, baby,” she says, hearing the slight whine in her own voice as she kisses her daughter’s head, breathing in the sweet smell she’d been addicted to since she’d first held her, “You need to sleep. We both do,” she runs her hand up down her back, “Mommy and Daddy are getting married today,” she can’t help the smile at the thought of it, resting her cheek on the top of Mia’s head, “We need our beauty sleep.” 

Aaron proposed just two weeks before they found out she was pregnant. They’d been trying for a little while, both achingly aware they were working against a ticking clock and that this was something they wanted. When she was staring at two lines on a pregnancy test, her engagement ring sparkling just out of the corner of her eye, it all felt too good to be true. Like she was in a dream she’d wake up from only to find herself alone and in her apartment in Paris, everything that had happened to her since a fantasy she’d let herself get lost in. Aaron would always assure her it was real. He’d hold her and let her hear his heartbeat, and he’d breathe a little deeper so she’d feel the rise and fall of his chest as he told her all about their present and their future- something so intimate and real she knew her imagination could never come up with it. 

She had everything she’d ever wanted. A house that actually felt like home. A little boy she loved as her own. A little girl she’d felt grow beneath her skin. A partner who loved and respected her in equal measure. 

And today, she was going to marry him. 

As soon as they found out she was pregnant they decided to hold off the wedding until she had the baby. She didn’t want to be a pregnant bride and Aaron was happy to do whatever she wanted to do. They agreed the wedding would be small, and no matter how much Elizabeth made her opinion on it clear Emily was pleased that she’d managed to stop her from interfering.

When she was a little girl, she never imagined that she’d pick a wedding dress based on ease of access so she could nurse her 8-week-old baby. She never imagined she’d get married in her friend’s backyard. She never imagined she’d find a man like Aaron, and that she’d have the kind of love she felt every day. 

It was nothing like what she’d pictured, but it was infinitely more. 

“Neither of you need beauty sleep.” 

She looks up at the doorway of the nursery, and she smiles when her eyes meet her fiancés. He looks deliciously rumpled, his pjyamas askew and his hair sticking up in every direction. Exhaustion that came with having a newborn written all over his face in a way she’s sure is written all over hers. She hums and looks back down at Mia, unsurprised to find that she’s still awake.

“Daddy is lying, Mia,” she says, stage whispering as she raises an eyebrow when she looks back over at him, “But we love him for it.”

He shrugs and walks over, joining them on the loveseat, his arm hooked around her shoulder as he replies, “Not a lie,” he kisses her forehead and then places his hand over hers on Mia’s back, “You’re both beautiful. If you got any more beautiful it would be unfair on everyone else.” 

She chuckles and rests her head against him, her cheek pressed against his jaw, “You promise?” 

He cups her cheek and encourages him to look at her, stamping his lips against hers, soft and sure and simple. “I promise.” 

It was something that had started in the early days. Back when they were both too nervous to admit how much they loved each other. She didn’t even remember the first time she’d done it, the first time she’d looked up at him, her smile shy as she asked him if he promised. He kissed her in response, his forehead against hers as he followed it up with a confirmation. It became their thing before they could say that they loved each other. Two words instead of three that were never replaced when they did become brave enough, another way to express how they felt for each other that was just theirs, an oath they could make in front of other people without them knowing. 

She smiles and kisses him before she pulls back, casting a glance down at the still awake Mia. Emily groans, the sound turning into a shaky breath as she feels tears press at the back of her eyes, exhaustion starting to get the better of her. “Why does she hate sleep so much? I’m so tired.” 

“Let me take her for a bit,” he says, offering his hands out to take her as Emily nods, letting go of Mia as he shifts her into his arms, kissing the top of her head as he settles her against her chest. Emily wraps both of her arms around one of his and rests her head on his shoulder, her eyes drifting closer for a moment as she breathes him in. 

“You should sing,” she says, not even attempting to suppress a yawn as she settles into his side, “It always helped when she was living inside of me and never stopped kicking.” 

“I can sing,” he replies, yawning, rubbing a circle on Mia’s back, “If I can think of any songs.” 

She chuckles and kisses his shoulder, “We seriously need some sleep otherwise we’re going to say the wrong names during our vows tomorrow.” 

He kisses the top of her head, “You’ve just given me an idea,” he says, clearing his throat before he starts to sing, “Goin' to the chapel, and we're gonna get married, gee, I really love you-”

“Oh god,” she grumbles, hiding her smile against his tricep, “Of all the songs-”

“And we're gonna get married, goin' to the chapel of love-”

“We aren’t even getting married in a chapel, we’re getting married in Dave’s backyard.” 

“Are you going to keep on interrupting me?” He asks, his eyebrows raised as he looks down at her, “Close your eyes and relax.” 

She sighs, putting fake irritation into it as she makes a point of closing her eyes, “Go ahead.” 

He kisses her forehead and returns his attention to Mia, “Spring is here, the sky is blue, whoa birds all sing as if they knew, today's the day we'll say ‘I do’, and we'll never be lonely anymore.”

___

“Bells will ring, the sun will shine, whoa, I'll be his and he'll be mine, we'll love until the end of time-” she cuts herself off with a groan and stops her pacing, taking an opportunity to look down at Mia, smiling when she sees the little girl was, of course, awake, “Daddy is lucky Mommy loves him so much sweet girl, because he’s got that damn song stuck in my head. I walked down the aisle humming it to myself.” 

It had been a beautiful day. Small, simple, perfect and theirs. The party was still going on outside, but she’d heard Mia’s cry through the monitor she’d been keeping an eye on since Aaron, her husband, put her down for a nap just a couple of hours ago. Dave had set up one of the rooms downstairs for Mia to nap in and they’d brought the pack and play. Despite Elizabeth’s insistence that it wouldn’t work, that they’d need to get a sitter all day for their 2-month-old and not have their daughter at their wedding, there hadn’t been any problems. Except for when Mia started crying in Penelope’s arms during the vows. She only settled down when Emily passed over her bouquet and took her little girl from her bridesmaid, holding her against her chest as she promised forever to the man who she was building her family with. 

“There’s my wife and the world’s most adorable bouquet.” 

She looks at Aaron and smiles, enjoying the parallel from the early hours of that morning. It was only a handful of hours ago, but so much had changed. He was her husband now. She was a Hotchner, at least in her heart - there was a mountain of paperwork to get through before she made it official. Elizabeth had been horrified when she found out she was changing her surname, said she was throwing away all the opportunities her name gave her, but Emily had simply rolled her eyes. 

Being a Hotchner had given her everything and she’d only been one for two hours. 

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she quips and he shrugs and walks into the room, letting the door close behind him before he wraps his arm around her. 

“I’d happily walk in on my girls together for the rest of my life.” 

She smiles and kisses him, “You’re corny as fuck today.” 

“No cursing in front of the baby,” he says, smiling when she rolls her eyes at him, “And I’m allowed to be corny today,” he stamps a kiss against her lips, “We got married.” 

She nods, “I guess I can give you today,” she says, sighing in relief when she looks down and sees Mia is asleep, “I’m going to put her down.”

He smiles and kisses Mia’s forehead, “Love you so much, Mia.”

Emily does the same, whispering her love for her daughter against her skin before she lays her down in the pack and play, holding her breath as she lets go and waits for a moment, smiling when she stays asleep. Aaron steps up behind her, crowding her between him and the portable bassinet their daughter is asleep in. He kisses her shoulder, then her neck and she hums contentedly.

“We should go back outside,” she says quietly, turning in his embrace, her smile getting wider when he wraps his arms around her, his hands warm and firm against her back, “It’s us they are celebrating out there.” 

“And our love for each other,” he replies, stamping his lips against hers, “Don’t forget that part,” he winks at her when she playfully narrows her eyes at him, “You did just say I can be as corny as I want today.” 

She shakes her head lovingly at him and wraps her arms around his neck, scratching her blunt nails against the base of his head, “Don’t tell anyone this,” she says, her teeth sinking into her lower lip, “But I like it when you’re corny.” 

He already knew, because of course he did. She knew he didn’t miss how she’d smile when he’d say something she would have once considered trite and the thing of cheap airport romance novels. How she’d sink into his embrace as he told her how much he loved her and their life together. He already knew but he smiles anyway, his lips catching the corner of her mouth before he pulls back enough to speak. 

“Your secret is safe with me.” 

She smiles, any attempt to contain it ruined when her dimples give it away, carved out deep in her cheeks by love and happiness, “You promise?” 

He kisses her, his hands on her back holding her in place, and she holds him close too, wanting nothing more than to sink into him, her husband, for the rest of her life. When they finally pull back, his forehead against hers again, she sees his smile, the same one he’d given her when they’d been confirmed as husband and wife, before he whispers his reply. 

“I promise.”