#Currently weighing my pros and cons here to keep the other thoughts at bay.

[iero]

Every time I mention living alone to my mom, my mom always has to talk about how much she hates that I live alone and always extends an invitation to let me move in with her and her boyfriend and six months ago and before, it was a very hard no and now I'm like... Now I'm considering it to be honest.

Living alone, the number one most negative thing about it is that you’re left to simmer in your own thoughts because it’s just you there and if you’re a Master Overthinker, someone who just gets stressed super easy or you just suffer from classic mental illness? It’s not ideal.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Pretense

Here’s a one-shot fanfic from me, still on Legend of Korra.

- Lin/Tenzin, pre-LOK AU

- One-shot, completed

- Length: Approx 8.9k

Overview:

As far as the Earth Kingdom is concerned, Lin Beifong is in a relationship with the son of the Avatar.

No, not that one.

 ---

Lin could not believe that they managed to pull it off.

It has been a week since she arrived at Ba Sing Se. So far, it has gone well.

She towel-dried her hair as she moved around the room to get ready. The metalbender has just finished her shower right after coming home from training with the Dai Li.

Lin had always wanted to train with them. She felt that, aside from her mother, they would be a good source of learning different earthbending styles.

As expected, her grandmother Poppy was more than unwilling to have her train – for what good man would indeed wish to be with a brutish young lady like her. On the other hand, Toph Beifong was quite supportive but was hesitant on the grounds that it might hinder her progress with the police force.

Ever the people-pleaser as her pestering sister described her, Lin struggled to come to a solution that would hopefully meet all their concerns. By some fortunate coincidence, someone swooped in with a proposal, which she accepted after weighing the pros and cons.

Sliding into a long deep scarlet dress, Lin quickly pinned up her hair and applied lip stick.  It would simply not do for one of the ladies of the Noble House of Beifong to be seen unkempt.

This was the concession of her temporary move to Ba Sing Se: train with the Dai Li by day - attend society events at night.

It was enough to satisfy both her mother and grandmother. Toph hated these events expected from the current head of the Beifong family. Having Lin attend to it in her stead works for both of them - Toph gets to stay in Republic City and Lin gets to show her family (and the world) that she is highly capable in navigating these events. This way, no one need worry about the Beifongs not being recognized within the Earth Kingdom.

There was a knock at the door. Lin took one last look in the mirror and went to open it.

To add to her advantage, showing up with a date every time for these events keeps possible entanglements at bay.

“You look wonderful, Lin.”

After all, what better way to repel unwanted admirers than showing up at the arm of the Avatar’s son?

“Thanks, you look good too, Bumi.”

 ---

Tenzin unfolded the letter.

This was the address, he confirmed, standing in front of a tall nondescript gate, blocking the view and entrance to a residence in the Middle Ring in Ba Sing Se.

He rang the bell and waited.

The airbender shifted his bag from shoulder to shoulder, his robes billowing in the wind but interestingly not drawing attention from any passersby. He figured it was a good call to leave Oogi at the Air Temple and take a train to the Earth Kingdom instead, less commotion and less accommodations needed. He did not want to unnecessarily impose on others after all.

Tenzin was at the last leg of his travels and it happened to be a stop at the Earth Kingdom, specifically at Ba Sing Se University. Initially having thought that only minimal information documenting the Air Nomad culture survived the genocide, after the deposition of Ozai, more and more have contacted the Avatar to share artifacts and knowledge of the Air Nomads that they had hidden away during the war. Aang had eagerly responded to each of these letters and began to acquire these relics beholden to his culture. When Tenzin became of age and was to embark on his travels as a new airbending master, he sought to continue this practice and exploration. This is what brings him to Ba Sing Se University.

He had been writing to his mother to update her; telling of his plans to stop at the Earth Kingdom before going home to Air Temple Island. Katara had suggested to contact his brother who would be there for a diplomatic assignment. Tenzin was skeptical; he did not have a close relationship with his siblings after all. Nonetheless, to appease his mother, he did write to Bumi asking if he could stay for a couple of weeks with him. To his surprise, Bumi had responded in the affirmative.

“Coming!”

A voice answered the bell, a voice which was obviously not Bumi and was distinctly feminine.

The gate swung open, and Tenzin gaped.

“Hi Tenzin, you’re early!” Lin Beifong stood before him, clad in a gold qipao. For a moment Tenzin was not able to respond, focusing his attention on the curl at her neck that must have escaped the bun on top of her head.

“H-hello, Lin.”

She invited him in. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

We?

“I was able to catch the first train out and so cut a day from my travel time.” He managed to respond as Lin led him to the house.

“I see, we were going to fetch you.”

“So, is it really Tenzin?” A loud voice came from one of the inner rooms of the house.

The metalbender rolled her eyes. “Of course, has my seismic sense failed us yet?”

“One could hope not.” Bumi came into view, wearing a towel tied at his waist and nothing much else. “Tennyboy! Great to see you!” The military man clapped his hands then moved to embrace his brother tightly and lifting him up. “Welcome to Ba Sing Se.”

“Good to see you too, Bumi.” Tenzin gasped out, dropping his bags, and patting his older brother back.

From his peripheral view, he could see Lin watching them with amusement.

“I want to hear all about what you’re up to here, baby brother.” Bumi set Tenzin back on the ground, crossing his arms, unmindful of his still dripping hair from his shower.

Lin cleared her throat and both men turned to her. She simply raised an eyebrow.

“Ah right,” Bumi shrugged. “Lin and I were on our way out for a charity event, would you want to join us?”

“Um, thanks but no.” Tenzin thought it would be the height of poor manners to show up uninvited by the hosts to a formal dinner. “I’ll settle in first.” He gestured to his things.

“Maybe next time, then.” Suddenly aware of his semi-nakedness, Bumi quickly addressed Lin. “Lin, if you could show him to his room? I’ll finish getting ready.”

Lin inclined her head and beckoned Tenzin to follow her.

Tenzin, although bewildered, followed Lin as she showed him where everything was (pantry, kitchen, living room). He also noted the shiny red embroidery on Lin’s dress that crept from the shoulder (is that a dragon?) to the small of her back which then drew his attention to her –

“And here is your bedroom.” Lin pushed open one of the doors.

“Thanks.” He paused just in time not to crash into the woman in front of him.

“If there’s anything you need, well, just let Bumi know.”

And, with a curt nod, Lin left Tenzin to settle in and wonder what he just got into.

 ---

Tenzin heard the front door open hours later as he sat at the living room, having a cup of tea while going over his notes.

“That was tough.” Bumi’s deep timbre echoed in the silent house.

Both he and Lin came into Tenzin’s view as they entered. Lin removed her heels and all but collapsed at the couch. “Remind me to decline any event that comes right after physical training sessions.”

“I did remind you,” Bumi slid down beside her, nodding at Tenzin to acknowledge his presence. “And you said, and I quote – ‘it’s just a short event, how bad can it be?’”

Lin covered her face with hands and groaned. “I underestimated the amount of networking that they expected during a charity event.”

Bumi laughed good-naturedly, patting Lin’s back. “Hey, Ten – how was your afternoon?”

“Good, good. I managed to unpack everything. All set for tomorrow.” Tenzin waved a sheaf of papers.

The non-bender looked between the metalbender who was slumped on the couch, eyes closed, and the airbender at his other side, clearly up for a long night of paperwork. An idea came to him. “I know, let’s all go out and have a late dinner and some drinks to welcome to you to Ba Sing Se.” He placed an arm over his brother’s shoulder. “What do you say?”

Tenzin grimaced a bit, having travelled conventionally without his sky bison was tiring. “Thanks for the offer but I’d rather stay in and get some rest.”

Bumi nudged Lin, who gave him a baleful glare. “Okay, no.” He laughed and got up, checking his pockets to make sure he has enough money. “I’ll just get us some take-out and we’ll eat in then.”

“That’s the first time you made sense tonight.” Lin grumbled.

With promises of a well-balanced meal for them of both vegetables, meat, and booze, Bumi loped off.

Lin remained in the couch, sighing as she stretched her legs and then tucked them to herself.

Tenzin adjusted his glasses and surreptitiously observed Lin as he went through his research notes.

He always had a soft spot for this childhood friend. They spent most of their toddler years and early childhood with one another, but Lin (and eventually Su) had been shuttled back and forth from Gaoling and Republic City. This was highly dependent on the Beifong grandparents as well as Toph’s schedule (and how dangerous her cases were). Meanwhile, his education has turned to focusing on Air Nomad culture. Their days intersected less and less as time passed by.

Their friendship dwindled, and they were not as close as they could have been.

Truth be told, as he watched Lin stretch once more then pad over to the kitchen with familiarity, he did not even know what she had been up to recently. He had some inkling to it (mostly relating to the police academy) but he did not expect her to be in Ba Sing Se. And most especially not around in Bumi’s UF provided residence.

He did harbor crush on the earthbender in their adolescence; surely at least Bumi knew about it, if his subsequent teasing during his visits to Air Temple Island were any proof.

Tenzin shook his head.

That was then and this was now; he had grown up and something as silly as a childhood crush was soon forgotten.

At least, that was what he kept telling himself as Lin came back to the living room, placing her own cup of tea on the table then disappearing to Bumi’s bedroom, claiming to retrieve a book she had been reading earlier.

Yes, it was all forgotten, Tenzin convinced himself even as he felt a pit form at his stomach.

 ---

The next time that Lin was over, Tenzin was lugging with him a large book bag filled with loaned books from the university library. After a couple of visits, he felt that the scrutiny from some of the staff and students made him uncomfortable. There was no denying who he was, with his tattoos brightly announcing to the world his mastery of a long thought to be dead element.

The fawning and the preferential treatment were a little less bad than how the air acolytes had regarded him. That was not conducive to his productivity and so he decided to bring home as much relevant material as he could instead and work from there.

He had only managed to spread out all the books and was in the process of cataloging the references when Lin burst into the house.

“Is Bumi home?” Lin appeared have rushed over, and Tenzin appreciated the flush on her cheeks and neck exposed by the tank top she wore.

Tenzin made a noise and pointed to Bumi’s bedroom and was responded to by a hasty thanks.

 ---

“You said you had news?” Lin asked without preamble upon entering the bedroom.

“Spirits, Linny!” Bumi shouted, pretending to cover himself up with his blanket when he was obviously doing some mending of his clothes. “What if I had been indecent?”

Lin simply snorted. “I’ve seen you in worse conditions.” She was no doubt pertaining to the time he had gotten drunk, and she had to bail him out.  “So, what is this about?” She sat at the edge of the bed, mindful of the sewing basket.

“Eh,” Bumi shrugged unconcerned but grinning. He tossed her an opened letter. “See for yourself.”

Skimming through the letter, a grin formed on Lin’s face as well. “Bumi! This is great!”

Prior to his assignment in Ba Sing Se, Bumi was short-listed for the next round of promotions. While tried and tested in the field, Bumi’s skills in diplomacy were yet to be proven. This latest assignment was a chance to prove just that.

And as in everything in his life, Bumi had to work doubly hard to prove himself. He had been a month in Ba Sing Se, attending meetings in the Royal Court, with the legislature and the kingdom’s security. He felt that he was not making a lot of leeway into reaching the accord that the United Forces needed with the Earth Kingdom. Their queen, Hou-Ting, had recently ascended to the throne and was distrustful of anything linked to the United Republic.

He had taken a couple of days off to visit his mother to take a breather and maybe a change in the scenery would give him more ideas how to approach the dilemma. He was going to sneak into the kitchen for a late breakfast when he overheard a conversation between his mother and Toph Beifong – which ended up with him seeking Lin to discuss a mutually-benefitting proposal…

This brings them to this moment where one of Bumi’s superiors had sent a missive on how one of the Earth Kingdom nobles had revisited his stance on the agreement between the United Republic and the Earth Kingdom. Included in the letter as well as a congratulatory note to continue whatever tactic he has employed as the results were in their favor. It was a simple introduction into the right company, an assistance that came in the form of Lady Lin of the Noble House of Beifong, who knew the Who’s Who in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se and the influential nobility in the Earth Kingdom.

“We should celebrate these little wins.” Lin handed the letter back. From her end, she will know if her presence in the upper-class of the Earth Kingdom has made any impact once she hears from her grandmother (who in turn, would have learned from one of her contemporaries living in Ba Sing Se).

“I don’t see why not.” Bumi merely tossed his mending into his sewing basket.

Grasping Lin’s arm and eagerly bringing her to the living room, he called out to his serious brother. “Tenzin! Get up, man – we’re going out to celebrate!”

 ---

Tenzin looked up to his beaming brother and Lin who was blushing from Bumi’s arm.

He wanted to decline joining them, fearing an outing of being the third wheel to the couple. At the same time, it had been a long time since he had spent time with Lin (and Bumi for that matter). Additionally, for some reason, that he did not want to dwell on right now, he did not want to leave the couple alone to their own devices.

Seeing Lin’s smile and Tenzin knew his decision was made for him.

 It was not too bad, not really.

Lin and Bumi had tossed banter, speaking of nobles and politics that flew over Tenzin’s head. He did not bother to clarify, thinking that it must be some sort of inside joke between the two. Or something confidential related to their fields of work.

They selected a small food court still in the Middle Ring, which catered to the varied crowd with different cuisines. Bumi ordered mounds of varied barbecued meats and sauces.

Tenzin noticed that Bumi did not order anything for Lin and Lin was left perusing the menu on her own.

The waiter stood patiently; pen poised over his notepad ready for their order.

“I’ll have the green mango salad please.”

“The green mango salad for me.”

Bumi looked at them with amusement. “Seems like you’ve finally found someone who enjoys shrimp paste as much as you do, Lin.”

Lin simply pursed her lips and went on to order another entrée on top of the salad (squid ink noodles) and a glass of cold tea.

Tenzin added an order of seaweed noodles for himself.

Once their orders arrived and they have dug in, Lin and Tenzin continued to rib Bumi for not having green mango salad, which in this case, included a healthy dollop of shrimp paste.

“I’m telling you, Bumi, this salad is good.” Tenzin insisted, taking in several bites of the salad. “You can’t know until you try it.”

“No, thank you.” Bumi grimaced with slight disgust. “It stinks high heaven.”

“I find it a good deterrent on a first date,” Lin happily mixed the shrimp paste into the leafy vegetables and sliced mangoes. “Makes it easier for me to weed out those with unscrupulous intentions.”

“Seriously, Lin – unscrupulous? You’re the only other person aside from Tennyboy here who uses words with more than three syllables.” Bumi evaded a slice of mango that the earthbender tossed him. “Well, there you have it Tenzin, if you do find that unique lady who would share this horrific salad with you – you could be rest assured that she’s not after your good name, your esteem or a good time that night.”

Lin chortled. “I doubt anyone who was looking to hooking up will even order it in the first place.”

“Imagine the stink during foreplay…” Bumi waggled his eyebrows and was rewarded with a slap upside his head from the earthbender.

Tenzin thought that he would not mind sharing a salad with Lin while on a date.

As Lin reached out her chopsticks to snatch a piece of meat from Bumi’s plate, which Bumi subsequently tapped away lightly, the airbender sneaked two pieces of meat from Bumi to Lin’s plate when his brother was preoccupied.

This was the Lin that he knew, in a plain tank top and loose pants. Not the Gaoling heiress made up with a fancy bun and a tight dress. While she did look beautiful in her formal attire, Tenzin thought that she was especially radiant tonight in her natural state.

The grateful grin that Lin gave him was enough to remind him that maybe his little crush was not all gone.

 ---

Later that night, after Lin went home, Tenzin made a mistake of hovering in the kitchen as Bumi put away some of their leftovers.

“Something’s bothering you.”

“N-no.” Tenzin stammered out.

“You’re making that face.” Bumi waved a hand in front of Tenzin’s face.

“This is my face, that’s all.” Tenzin knew the non-bender could be stubborn and will not budge unless he gave in. “Fine.” He sighed. “Seriously, Bumi – Lin? She – she’s not even your type.”

“So, I have a type, eh?” Bumi stood up to his full height, sending a critical look at the younger man.

“You know what I mean.” Tenzin crossed his arms. He sought to phrase his thoughts in a way that will not insult either Lin or his brother. “You take her on dates, and she doesn’t seem like the usual girls you go out with.”

A flash of something crossed Bumi’s face and a knowing smile formed. “I don’t see how that’s a problem. Think about it Ten, Lin Beifong has brains, beauty, and brawn – the complete package. Anyone should think that she’s their type.” He flexed his arms, giving his brother mischievous wink. “Now, she’s got Bumi too.”

The sinking feeling that Tenzin felt since the start of the night grew heavier as he watched his brother gleefully say his good night and left him to his thoughts in the kitchen.

What was he thinking? Reviving feelings over his brother’s girlfriend? That just was not gentlemanly to do nor was it right.

 ---

As much as Tenzin wanted to avoid Lin, he found that it was near impossible with the frequency of Lin dropping by or Bumi coming home with Lin.

The couple would also be very considerate and would often invite him to join them at their formal events. To date, Tenzin had not accepted any of their invites yet.

It was also hard to ignore the earthbender as Lin would usually be the one to initial conversation, usually by poking through his notes and the materials sprawled on the coffee table. If there was anything that Tenzin could talk about all day, it was anything and everything to do with the Air Nation and their nomadic culture.

Lin’s sincere interest in the topics similarly encouraged him to open up to her.

And, hopefully, dare he wished, her to him.

 ---

Finding more in common with him with their esoteric food tastes compared to Bumi, Lin had taken to bringing some packed food from the food court from time to time.

In one of their conversations, she admitted to Tenzin that while she did enjoy eating out with Bumi, the soirees that they go to tend to serve the usual Earth Kingdom Upper Ring fare and it tends to get a little bit redundant after some time. While she would love to sample more of the dishes in the multi-cultural food court, most of the orders were good for sharing. And, after an ill-advised selection with Bumi (which ended up with the man looking green the entire night, to be fair Bumi was a champ and had not complained all night and had valiantly finished their food), Lin did not have the courage to order more with the non-bender.

To her delight, Tenzin offered to do these taste tests with her. Unfortunately, the schedules that they both adhere to had prevented any outings like the night that they all went out with Bumi.

Lin came up with a solution and would stop by the stalls and the food court to order a dish or two to try. Then, over their paperwork (Lin had taken to bringing over her own paperwork to go through at Bumi’s house), the two of them would share this meal, pretending to review the dishes with posh and snooty language they read in the lifestyle section of the Ba Sing Se gazette.

Lin found herself looking forward more and more to these nights, a reprieve from the arduous Dai Li training and highly decorous hobnobbing with the Upper Ring.

Tenzin’s calming presence and dry wit kept Lin interested to spend more time with the airbender. It was as though they were picking up back from their previously close relationship.

Don’t get her wrong, she also enjoyed the company that Bumi provided when they go out on their dates. He was a good conversationalist and he helped her deftly navigate through the upper echelon of the Earth Kingdom society. Bumi is a good older brother who shared her experience in a similar industry, someone to talk to in terms of career and the practicalities of life.

Tenzin on the other hand…

Lin tilted her head in consideration while the airbender absentmindedly tapped his pen to his chin, a mannerism that she now recognized.

The airbender made her feel heard and seen.

She made a face and turned to face her own papers.

Put it like that makes it sound so sappy and un-Lin-like.

And yet, it felt right.

 ---

Tenzin had finished his research an hour or so ago.

He was now vacillating between going to bed early and leaving a few books on the table, in the illogical hope that maybe when Lin drops by later with Bumi she will be intrigued enough to stay for a chat. It sounded so stupid.

A beat.

He wants that.

He looked at the clock. Lin and Bumi will not be back for a few more hours.

While he was contemplating this conundrum that he placed himself in, the door opened and in limped Bumi, an arm over Lin’s shoulder.

Tenzin immediately stood up to take Bumi’s other arm to assist. “What happened?” He peered at his brother.

“Genius here decided that he was strong enough to -.” Lin had started to respond but Bumi swiftly twisted to cover her mouth with his hand.

“It’s not important how I got injured- just that I did.” Bumi interrupted as he held Lin’s gaze.

The unspoken communication between the two was too much for Tenzin and was about to leave the couple alone when Lin rolled her eyes and mumbled her agreement.

Bumi placed his arm again on his brother’s shoulder. “Let’s hop to it, Ten-Lin.” He ordered imperiously, nodding towards his bedroom.

“Of course, my liege.” Lin muttered, snark and sarcasm dripping from her words as they assisted the non-bender.

With a bit of maneuvering, Tenzin and Lin were able to place Bumi on his bed. Tenzin then noticed the glint of metal at his brother’s foot.

“Do you need any more help?” He directed his question to Lin rather than his brother who seemed to be smiling loopily at them.

“Ooooh Ten-Lin,” Bumi called out in an odd singsong voice then patted the bed beside him. “Care to have a heart-to-heart with Papa Boomboom here?”

Papa Boomboom?

“I’m good.” Lin shook her head, pulling at Bumi’s shoes and tapping the metal brace that she appeared to have created. “The healer on site was able to give him first aid and painkillers. He’ll be out in no time.” She was resolutely ignoring Bumi’s waggling eyebrows.

Tenzin inched out and quietly closed the door behind him, not wanting to find out what Papa Boomboom was up to, similarly disregarding Bumi calling out “Ten-Lin! Ten-Lin!” as he left.

 By the time Lin got out of the bedroom, the airbender was back in his spot in the living room, nursing a warm cup of genmaicha. His things were now in a neat pile on the coffee table. His hope of a conversation with Lin that he had initially looked forward to now a thing of the past. With his brother in semi-lucidity and injured to boot, no doubt Lin would be spending her visit (or even staying over) at Bumi’s bedside.

It was to Tenzin’s astonishment when Lin plopped beside him at her spot on the couch a couple of minutes later.

“Do you still have some of that?”

He blinked before realizing that Lin was pertaining to the genmaicha. “Ah yes, there’s more in the pot in the kitchen – let me get it for you.” He added belatedly, something warm curling within him at Lin’s soft smile as she thanked him.

The airbender got up to get the teapot while the earthbender proceeded to remove her shoes.

Lin was flexing then curling and uncurling her toes when he got back.

“Why do you even wear those shoes if they’re so uncomfortable?” He could not help but ask as he set the tea tray down on the table.

“It goes with the dress.” Lin nonchalantly stated as she shifted in her seat. She tucked both of her legs to her side at the couch and Tenzin had to concentrate on pouring her tea as her green silk skirt hiked a bit.

 They sipped their tea in comfortable silence for a few moments.

As always, Lin was the one who broke the quiet. “Aren’t you going to ask about Bumi?”

He wrinkled his nose. “I’m not sure if I want to know what happened but I’ll bite – how is he?”

“He’ll be fine tomorrow,” Lin scoffed. “I’ve removed the brace. Nothing else bruised except for his ego. Not going to give everything away but he injured himself because of a dance move.”

Tenzin was mid-sip and had choked on the tea.

“Easy there,” Lin moved to rub Tenzin’s back in circles, in an attempt to help him.

Unknown to her, it only heightened his embarrassment and the soothing movements only contributed to his discomfort.

“Dance move?” He eventually garbled out, having regained his composure.

Lin’s lips quirked up. “Yes, don’t go teasing him on it yet though. Keep that in your back pocket. You’ll never know when you might need it.” She removed her hand on his back and Tenzin felt its absence acutely. She reached for the pot on the table to refill her own cup. She then caught sight of the title of the topmost book that Tenzin had.

As Tenzin had hoped earlier, the earthbender brought their attention to the book and asked about his progress in his research on the instruments of the Air Nomads.

 Eventually the pot has been refilled and emptied, their cups left cold as their conversation suitably engaged them until the late hours of the night.

“Wouldn’t that be grand though,” Tenzin had expressed. “If we were able to have enough artifacts to host in a museum. I mean, Dad was able to transport the ancient airbending gates to Air Temple Island. It would be great if we’ll find something more to add.”

Lin, who, by now, did not care that her skirt was wrinkled and was now hugging a throw pillow to her chest, observed. “You really enjoy what you’re doing, don’t you?”

“Bits and pieces of it,” He picked at the frayed edges of his notes. “The thing I hate the most about being the Avatar’s airbending son is the travelling.”

“Oh?” The tone was non-judgmental but curious.

“I know it sounds terribly ungrateful.” Tenzin fidgeted. “But I really disliked moving from one temple to the other. I’m not made for this nomadic lifestyle. I sometimes think that being an airbender was wasted on me.” He had never spoken of this to anyone, not even his mother. “I would have been utterly contented spending my days at Republic City or at Air Temple Island even.”

He expected a rebuke or a scathing remark on him being an ingrate (Agni knows how some senior acolytes had spoken behind his back whenever he deviated from Air Nomad culture).

“What would you rather do if this wasn’t expected of you?” Lin’s gentle query and earnest expression was a balm to his anxious soul.

“Maybe a teacher or a scribe.” There was something about Lin that was drawing him in, making him want to be honest as possible. “Nothing fancy, nothing worth writing home about.”

“You’d be a good teacher,” She considered. “You’re very patient and very much willing to impart whatever knowledge you have.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, Lin’s intense grey gaze on him. “How about you? What if… you weren’t born a Beifong?”

He could see the hesitation. “Can you keep a secret?” Lin whispered, inching towards him after a few moments.

Tenzin could only nod. At this point, he will probably do anything for her.

She curled her finger at him, beckoning him closer, close enough to whisper in his ear. “I wanted to be a dancer.”

“I could see it.” There had always been something graceful with how Lin used to manipulate her metal cables. Where her mother was firmly stuck to the ground with rough movements, Lin seemed to be lighter on her feet with more fluid motions. He has not seen Lin metalbend recently; he could only imagine the difference a couple of years training would make on improving her bending.

“Really?” The surprise was apparent on her face.

Tenzin idly wondered if she, like him, thought that their dreams were ridiculous considering the heaviness of the mantle that were their parents’ legacies.

“Why not? I think you’d be good at it.” On a whim, maybe it was the lateness of the hour, the cathartic feeling of telling someone of his dream and insecurities, Tenzin let the words escape before he could even filter them. “Dance with me.” He stood up and extended a hand to the earthbender who was still curled up on the couch.

“What?” Lin’s eyes widened slightly (is that a faint blush he sees on her cheeks?).

“Dance with me.” He repeated.

“But there’s no music.” Despite saying that, she held his hand and allowed herself to be pulled up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Tenzin positioned themselves closer, he was sure it was not an airbending dance position but something he saw on a visit to the Fire Nation. “It’s just you and me now.”

After few false starts, both got into a steady rhythm with Tenzin leading.

As Lin grew more relaxed in his arms, Tenzin knew he would take what he could now. He felt like he was just doused with cold water with the epiphany he had. He was just fooling himself. His crush was not over, far from it.

His feelings were stronger than ever.

His eyes landed on Bumi’s bedroom door.

His feelings which should remain hidden as they were towards his brother’s girlfriend. His feelings which he will never act on.

It never did cross his mind to wonder why the woman was still there in the house, spending time with him willingly hours after her supposed boyfriend had turned in for the night.

 ---

“Nobleman with a distasteful mustache at three o'clock, Lin.” Bumi whispered at her side, clutching her elbow as they weaved through the crowd.

Lin stood ramrod straight. “That’s the nephew of one of Grandma's friends.”

It was at situations like this that she valued Bumi's presence at her side. Nonetheless, they made sure to act in accordance with proprietary.

She overheard several matrons saying that it was a pity that Lady Beifong appeared to be spoken for; their son/grandson/nephew would have been perfect for her.

However, in all the soirees and events that they have been attending, no one had outright asked them the status of their relationship. Lin was not about to disabuse them of their assumptions as no one was brave enough to confirm anything with her.

This at least left her to freely engage in conversation without fear of misconstrued intentions. This also allowed Bumi to be included in these discussions where he would expertly drop opinions or statements that may influence their thinking in relation to the United Forces or the current political climate.

No one thought twice of the presence of the non-bending son of the Avatar – If the Beifongs approved of this military son of a pacifist, then he was good enough to mingle among the Earth Kingdom elite.

As the two of them navigated their way to the buffet table, Bumi casually asked. “When this is over, aren’t you worried about them vultures descending upon you? Or Republic City gossip rags?”

Lin hummed as she perused the selection. “No, not really. We’re far away from Republic City and this is very exclusive society is not about to dish out to anyone outside of their circle. That’s what keeps them in power.” She picked up a piece of bruschetta. “And besides, maybe I’ll ask Mom to send Su here in the next season – find herself a good husband or something.”

“Lin, she’s barely twenty.” Bumi commented, eyes twinkling in amusement.

The earthbender merely shrugged.

“And, what about you?” He prodded her side as they sat back at their table. “Any romantic entanglements you see in the horizon?” It was to Bumi’s credit that he detected the barely noticeable tightening of her jaw and widening of eyes. “So, there is someone!” He announced gleefully, turning a few heads their way.

“No, there isn’t.” Lin grumbled, stabbing a fork into the plateful of food that she had taken.

“Playing dumb with me never worked, Lin Beifong, even when we were children.”

Lin hated how Bumi was able to read her easily; their equally matched observational skills honed by their respective careers.

“Don’t think I didn’t see it coming or that I did not see it happening.”

She resolutely brushed him off and focused on her plate.

“What are you going to do about it?” Where Lin might be stubborn, Bumi was downright obstinate and pushy.

“There’s nothing I should do anything about.”

Bumi glanced at her pensively over the glass he was sipping from. “Maybe you’re right – you shouldn’t have to do anything.”

“Oh Bumi, you’re reading too much into this. It doesn’t mean anything,” She turned away. “Besides, he probably has some sweetheart waiting for him at one of the temples. We’re just friends.”

It doesn’t mean anything.

We’re just friends.

 At least, that was what Lin told herself even as she once again found herself sitting at Bumi’s living room that night long after Bumi had gone to bed.

 ---

“What did that piece of paper do to offend you?”

Tenzin paused the incessant pen tapping that he had been unconsciously doing as the notice he received was pulled from under the pen. He twiddled with his fingers while Lin read the document. “I got an offer from the university to hold a series of lectures in the coming days.”

Lin congratulated him on the offer. “What are you displeased about then? Surely it’s not about the lack of topics that you’ll discuss.” She raised an eyebrow at the stack of folders on the table, each labelled with meticulous care.

“No, it’s not that.” He waved it off. “I just – I don’t know if I can make it interesting enough for them.”

She handed him one of the folders. “Try me.”

“Come again?”

Lin leaned back in the couch, getting comfortable. “Practice with me, pretend I’m one of those bright-eyed students that you’ll be teaching.”

Yes, pretend.

Little did they know, both were pretending for each other’s sake long before they realized it.

 ---

“In all honesty, I envy Bumi and Kya.”

“You do?”

A nod. “They get to live their life the way they wanted it to be. There’s not a lot riding on their shoulders. Whatever they are doing now – they wanted it, they’re living the life that they want because they can.”

“Is that what you truly think?” The earthbender’s piercing stare held his gaze. He hoped that whatever she found conveyed his honesty. “Maybe you need to check in with them. They might see things differently.”

 ---

It was one of the rare weekends that Bumi, Lin, and Tenzin found themselves free from any engagement. They took this opportunity to head to dine at their usual food court.

While Bumi and Lin scouted for an empty table, Tenzin browsed the menu of one of the newly opened stalls.

“Master Tenzin?”

Tenzin turned to who called him and came face to face with a vaguely familiar woman.

“I’m Pema – from the lectures?” The student obviously expected that he would remember her.

“Ah yes,” Tenzin awkwardly responded because he did not really recall a lot from the sea of faces. “From yesterday’s morning session?”

The girl, Pema, beamed at him, nodding. “And the afternoon session from the day before, and the one session lecture the day before that.”

“Oh, so you managed to attend all of them?” There was mild interest in his tone now. Maybe he was able to get through the Ba Sing Se students. “Which topic interested you the most?”

Pema began to explain excitedly when Tenzin saw Lin wave at him from a few tables away.

“Say, are you eating alone?” At the very least, politeness made him invite the young woman.

“I-I-That is to say -no- I mean, yes.” Pema shifted her eyes.

“Would you like to join us?” At her nod, Tenzin motioned to have her follow him to their table.

Upon approaching, Tenzin saw that Lin and Bumi had already given their orders to the waiter.

At Lin’s raised eyebrow and Bumi’s curious look, Tenzin introduced Pema and said that she would be joining them today.

The waiter handed both a copy of the menu while Tenzin pulled the chair in front of Bumi for Pema to sit on.

“Ahh, Pema, is it?” Bumi placed an arm around the back of Lin’s chair. “Any idea what you would be getting?”

“I, um, not sure yet.” She hid behind the menu, brows furrowing.

Bumi grinned mischievously while catching his brother’s eye.

That can’t be good, Tenzin thought silently.

“Might I make a recommendation?” The non-bender leaned forward and at Pema’s nod, pointed on an item on the menu she was holding. “Tenzin loves this.” Bumi winced subtly that Tenzin could surmise was because Lin must have kicked him under the table.

“Oh, yes of course!” Was Pema’s immediate reaction and ordered.

Tenzin was surprised and ordered his food as well. When the waiter had taken all their orders and left, the airbender turned to the student. “You like the green mango salad?”

“Yes, I do – I enjoy it a lot.” Pema enthusiastically agreed.

“Even the shrimp paste?” Bumi asked innocently but sending a sly look at Lin, who steadfastly kept silent.

“Especially the shrimp paste. It gives it the texture and distinct salty taste.”

“Indeed.”

Tenzin finally caught Lin’s eye and there was an odd expression on her face that he could not explain.

Bumi proceeded to liven up the table with conversation and even make Pema feel at ease. It was one of the traits of his brother that Tenzin envied.

The rest of their meal went by uneventfully and they all got to know Pema a little bit more and her interest in the lectures from the past days. As Bumi did not draw attention to the unusually taciturn earthbender beside him, Tenzin did not attempt to draw her into conversation as well despite his confusion. Lin would commonly be a little bit more talkative during their small outings like this.

Maybe she had a bad day?

As the meal winded down, Tenzin thought he rather wanted to see more of Pema. At least, to not remain as a third wheel to the couple in front of him.

“So, we might have, uh, tea after dinner. Would you like to join us?”

Pema’s effusive acceptance became garbled to his ears as he detected the sudden screeching of the metal chair in front of him being pushed back.

“I’m sorry, I need to go.”

Both Bumi and Tenzin turned to Lin, who was only maintaining eye contact with her boyfriend.

“Oh right, your… report.” Bumi motioned to stand up as well. “Do you want me to bring you home?”

His brother’s unexpectedly gentle tone made Tenzin think if there is something else that he missed. A subtext that passed known only to the couple.

Lin tilted her head and smiled weakly. “No need, I can manage.”

Nonetheless, Bumi stood up, made their excuses to Tenzin and Pema.

Tenzin looked on as Lin allowed herself to be escorted by Bumi. The lie of having a report waiting for her tasting bitter in the airbender’s mouth.

But why?

“I suppose tea is out of question now.” Pema said shrewdly, moving to stand up as well when Bumi and Lin was out of their line of sight.

Maybe she was more perceptive than Tenzin gave her credit for.

If Pema thought that he was about to invite her elsewhere, she was mistaken, and Tenzin extended his hand to shake hers. “Pleased to meet you, Pema, thank you.” He paused and somewhat awkwardly added. “And good luck on your studies.”

Tenzin closed his eyes for a moment, a headache already forming.

He froze.

There on the table, beside Pema’s empty plate of what used to contain her order of skewers, was a full bowl of green mango salad, mixed but not a single bite taken out of it.

 ---

“You’re an idiot.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’s too young.”

He knew his older brother was right, but it stung to be called an idiot.

Ever since Lin urged him to talk to his siblings, Tenzin had consciously made time to connect to Bumi.

Along the way, he learned about how different their views of their childhood were. Bumi, on his part, was quite candid and the airbender appreciated that. More than once, Tenzin was tempted to evade some of their talks that were bordering on painful (cut-and-run much?). He felt that he owed it to his brother though to power through.

But tonight, there were emotions that were too raw to filter. If the couple just wanted some time together, they need not fabricate Lin having to work on a report. They need not pity him for being their third wheel.

“Lin is too young for you too and you don’t hear me berating you for it.”

“That’s different.”

“Is it, really?”

“Well, if you get your head out of your behind, maybe you’ll see what’s right in front of you.”

 ---

Letters swapped hands.

“Training’s almost done and as you can see there, Grandma has already received news from the grapevine about what an asset I am to the Beifong line.”

Bumi refolded the letter after reading. “I suppose your time in Ba Sing Se has come to an end then?”

“Only if you think you don’t need me anymore.” Lin paused and gave a short laugh, finding her phrasing funny. “I mean, if you think you don’t need help anymore with your assignment?” She leaned back, tapping the letter from Bumi’s superior in her hand.

“I should say mission accomplished to us both.” Bumi drew Lin into his arms. “Thank you.”

 It was most unfortunate that it was in this good-bye scene that the airbender arrived to.

 ---

The raindrops continue to fall, leaving staccato beats on the roof top.

The entirety of Ba Sing Se was coated in a haze that enveloped the typically green and brown place in a blueish gray hue.

The peaceful scene should have relaxed the airbender.

Tenzin sighed.

But it did not.

Not when he could hear characteristically feminine giggles from his brother's room.

He checked the clock, too early to have visitors over unless it were visitors who never left the night before.

His knuckles turned white, tightly grasping his mug.

As much as he felt that he should come clean to Bumi about his feelings for Lin (his girlfriend), his head was telling him not to. It would be another thing that Bumi might hold against him (on top of a lot of other childhood insecurities that their father inadvertently caused).

He just wants both Lin and Bumi to be happy. Even if it means hearing what they have been up to in the early hours of the day.

“Ah, Spirits what a turn out – it’s as though Tui and La decided to inundate the entire Earth Kingdom by flooding it.”

Tenzin’s head jerked up.

Lin Beifong was standing in the edge of their kitchen, hair dripping wet.

His mind was sluggish in realizing, shocked as it was to see the earthbender.

“Do you still have some of that?” Lin waggled her fingers towards Tenzin’s mug of genmaicha.

“Oh, yes – where are my manners –.” Tenzin tripped over his words and hastily poured her a cup. Then reaching over to the coat rack and draping his coat over her, he admonished her lightly. “What were you doing out in this deluge anyway? You’ll get sick!”

“Well, Bumi told me that you intend to leave in a few days’ time and as I was preparing for my trip back to Republic City, I thought that -.”

A door creaked open. “Lemme grab us a bite from the pantry; we need sustenance if we want to last all the way to noon.”

Damn.

“Oh.” Bumi stumbled into the room, completing their peculiar tableau of a dripping earthbender cloaked in red and yellow, a pale shock airbender standing at the edge of the room and a military man that, for whatever intent and purposes he may have, was wearing nothing.

Tenzin’s pale skin started to redden, comprehension dawning on him. “Oh – that’s all you have to say?” If Lin was here – then who was with Bumi the entire night/morning back in his bedroom?

The non-bender scratched his bum. “What did you want me to say?”

“Oh, for Spirits’ sake, Bumi cover yourself!” Lin averted her eyes. “I may not act like it the whole time, but I still am a lady!”

“Ah Beifong,” Bumi smiled devilishly, his hand moving from his head to his legs. “Come take a look at what you’re actually missing out on.”

Lin pointedly faced the ice box, her back to the naked man. “No way, I’m not missing on anything.”

“Come on, Linny!”

“No, Bumi.” Lin snorted a laugh then bent her head over her cup of genmaicha.

Tenzin felt like he was going to explode.

How dare Bumi disregard Lin Beifong just like that? Flaunting his floozy---

How dare Lin not call him out – it was beyond disrespectful!

What’s more: being in a relationship with Lin was something he personally wanted for himself - not because of his father, not because he is an airbender, but because he wanted this. To see Bumi taking her for granted was like a knife twisting in his chest.

“Get yourself some clothes before you catch a cold.”

“You dry yourself before you catch a cold.”

Why were they skirting over the obvious issue?

Tenzin let out a strangled sound.

“Something wrong, Tennyboy? Your vein is about to burst on your forehead.”

“Something wrong?” The airbender’s voice went a pitch higher. “Something. Wrong. You –.” He pointed aggressively at his brother. “Just spent the night with some,” He clenched and unclenched his fist as he tried to select the appropriate word. “Woman that is not your girlfriend!”

Lin’s eyes shot to Bumi’s. “You have a girlfriend?”

Bumi raised both hands. “Wait a minute, you know I don’t. This,” His shoulder gestured towards the bedroom. “Is a recent development and it’s just for fun, you know, and she definitely knows.”

“What!” Tenzin’s gasped out.

“Wait a minute,” Bumi snapped his fingers. “Lin, you didn’t tell him?”

“Tell me what?”

“Tell him what?” The earthbender scrunched her face thinking before it cleared as she seemed to have concluded something. “Oh. No. I didn’t – I didn’t think I had to –!”

Tenzin felt he was watching a ball go back and forth between the other two.

“You’re the one talking to him often.” Bumi crossed his arms.

“You’re the one living with him.” Lin pointed at the airbender.

“You’re the one in love with him!”

A stunned silence followed.

Surely… Bumi was mistaken?

 ---

Bumi ran a hand over his face. “I think you both have a lot to talk about.” Then, he grabbed the nearest food on the table (a loaf of sweet mung bread). “I’ll leave you both to it.” He waved the loaf then exited the kitchen.

Lin considered the tea in her cup, focusing as though it could lend her the fortitude for the upcoming conversation.

Tenzin sat on the chair opposite her, taking a sip from his own genmaicha. “Feel like explaining what that was?”

As an earthbender, Lin went into it head on. “Bumi and I are not – were not – in a relationship – we – I thought that was clear.” Then she proceeded to explain the arrangement that she had with his brother. “I’m sorry if we made you feel uncomfortable with this.” She waved her hand uselessly.

Lin bit her lip anxiously. She blew on her cup, waiting for the airbender to process the information that was dumped on him.

 ---

Two things ran through his mind.

Firstly, Bumi and Lin are not (never were!) in a relationship.

That key revelation echoed, unlocking several objections that he had repeatedly told himself to tamp down his feelings for the earthbender.

Secondly, it did not escape his notice that Lin did not say anything to refute Bumi’s claim.

His heart beat loudly, feeling like it was up in his throat. Excitement and nervousness made it difficult for him to breath, ironic for an airbender.

“Lin,” Tenzin cleared his throat. “And what Bumi said,” He leaned forward to tilt her head up so he could look at her eyes. He gulped and took a deep breath. “Is it true?” He felt Lin pull back for a second before she slowly nodded.

Without a hint of hesitation, Tenzin stood up to gather Lin in his arms, feeling complete and contented, something alien to him, something he had not felt for the longest time.

“I take it you like me too?” A muffled voice at his chest murmured.

“More than.” Tenzin bent his head, putting his forehead against Lin’s, unmindful of how her wet clothes now clung to them both. “I love you too.” He then closed the gap between their lips.

They would have gone longer if Lin had not shuddered involuntarily. They separated slightly, arms still around each other.

“I’m sorry, I probably need to get dried.”

Tenzin peered down at Lin’s now translucent attire. “Better yet, let’s get you out of those wet clothes. That is – if you don’t have any objections to it?”

“None whatsoever.” Lin tiptoed, pressing her lips to him. “No boyfriend, no rumored beau…Care to help me out?”

“Gladly.”

[george-mackay-macfine]

Fight Club

Requested

Synopsis: George and Y/N used to date, then George got popular, now they hate each other, mostly. 

Word Count: 4,518

“Looking hot this morning, Y/N,” My pen stopped writing on the page of my book as I looked up to see George fucking MacKay. The left side of his faint red lips tugged upwards creating a smirk on his God-like face. 

“You know what MacKay,” I dropped my pen on the table and leant back in my chair, crossing my arms under my chest, “Normally if a boy who looks like you, smiled at me the way you did I’d be turned on,” George lent down on the table, his smirk becoming devilish. 

“Oh yeah?” His eyes darting down to the ample amount of cleavage I had on display. “What happens?” 

“Well, my heart starts to race, and my breathing increases.” I let my chest rise and fall quicker, my hand drawing across the exposed skin, his blue eyes locked on the polished nail that grazed my own skin, “I don’t know where to look, and I bit my lip a lot,” I bit on my bottom lip his eyes locked in on the flesh. “And I start to get hot,” I let the cardigan I was wearing slip off my shoulder. “And I start to feel these flutters, down low…” George’s eyes flicked to meet mine, his eyes had become darker. “And when you smile at me like that…” 

“Yeah?” He asked, breathless. 

“None of that happens.” I snapped, Picking my pen back up. “In fact, the opposite happens.” George hits the table. His head thrown back in laughter. He shook his finger at me, his smirk now a full-blown smile, It was no less gorgeous than his smirk.

“You almost had me that time,” His laughter slowed, “The whole slipping the cardigan of the shoulder,” He dropped down so he was squatting beside me. “And watching your hand move across your chest,” He grunted. “Fucking sexy,” 

“I’m busy MacKay,” I gestured to the table in front o us, my books scattered all over, laptop poised on the table the script I was trying to write open. 

“Don’t look too busy,” I rolled my eyes, moving my head to look at him, eyes turning into slits. “Alright, Jesus,” He held his hands up at chest level as if it’d keep me at bay, “Just stopping by because Chapman is getting numbers for the party before the fight tonight,” His hands dropped, 

“I thought I wasn’t allowed at your fights or parties anymore,” It was George’s time to roll his eyes, “Remember?” George shrugged his shoulders. 

“You were flirting with my opponent, friends don’t do that,” 

“Since when are we friends?” I raised an eyebrow at him, leaning onto the desk, hand cupping my head as I looked up at him. 

“You make a good point,” He stood back up, his hands rest on his hips. “You comin’ or not?” 

“Jane will be there, so I’ll be there,” He nodded his head, 

“See you then,” He tapped the desk with his knuckles before he walked past me. “Don’t forget to wear something sexy,” George’s voice whispered hotly against my ear, his hands running up my arms as he lent down, “Red always looks good on you,” 

And just like that, he was gone. 

Here are the facts about George Andrew J. MacKay, 

He’s the ‘it’ boy of our college campus, you know the guy who all the girls want to fuck. The guy that they all think that they can be the one who changes his ways - it’ll never happen,

He uses woman for his own desires, his own pleasures and the worst part is he’s upfront about this, the girls know that they're being used, but they don’t care. 

He’s a good student, all top marks… surprising, for the college bad boy. 

He’s the guy whose currently undefeated in the fight club on campus, 

He is the guy I lost my virginity too when we were fifteen, then he went to football camp, and when he came back he was the most popular guy in our school, and had no time for his first… unless teasing me counted. 

He’s the biggest pain in my ass and I still have the biggest crush on his idiotic ass.  

After a long day of classes and another long afternoon with my best friend Jane going insane and pulling our dorm apart looking for the perfect outfit to wear to the party at the frat house, I was sick and tired of hearing George’s name… in fact, I was ready to be sick. 

“You’re wearing that?” She raised her eyebrow at me as I walked back into the room, I looked down at my outfit, raising my eyebrow at her. 

“I was going too,” She pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders, “What is it?”

“It’s nice…” She turned back to the bed, fiddling with her clothes she’d pulled out. 

“But?” She spun so she could look at me again. 

“It’s boring,” 

“Boring…” 

“My mum wouldn’t even wear that, especially if she was looking at getting laid…” 

“Who said I’m looking to get laid,” She gave me a pointed look. Her head drooping to one side. “Fine,” I threw my hands up, “What do you suggest I wear then?” Jane turned back to the bed shuffling through some things, thinking.

“Black jeans, your doc’s and this,” She turned rushing to the bag I’d carelessly dropped at the door three days prior when we’d returned from a shopping trip. “It’ll look so hot.” She wasn’t wrong, the red lace bodysuit would accentuate every curve of my waist while pushing my boobs up. “Trust me,”

“Fine,” I grabbed the bag from her, and grabbed my jeans, walking back to the bathroom. Changing quickly I walked back into the room. Studying myself in the mirror I decided to leave my hair how it naturally was, not feeling the need to apply any heat to it. “How’s it look?” She turned to me, her eyes widening, a big smile pulling at her lips. 

“George is going to cream in his pants,”

“Do you have to make everything so gross?” I huffed picking up my nearby red lipstick. “George and I are nothing, no chemistry… nothing… we fight all the time.” 

“You realize people like you and George are going to fight, right?" Jane laughed. “You’re both too hot-headed.” 

"You are officially fired. You are a terrible conscious.” I glared applying the lipstick. “Now, let’s go get drunk.” 

———————-

And we were drunk. Jane and I showed up to the frat house half an hour later and headed straight to the kitchen where the ‘bar’ was always set up. There we proceeded to skull three shots each in a row. Effectively creating a buzz. 

“There she is,” The all too familiar voice of George MacKay called from behind me, “Looking fucking beautiful, as always,” 

“How drunk are you?” I called picking up a beer, turning back to face him. 

“Not drunk enough to not recognise an angel when she’s standing right in front of me,” His eyes looked over my body, “Told you red looked fucking delicious on you,”

“Actually you said Red always looks good on you, nothing about me looking delicious,”

“Well you do look delicious, good enough to eat,” I rolled my eyes and turned back to Jane. “She left,” George’s voice laughed from behind me. “Dean told me he was hankering for a fuck, so they’re probably busy getting busy,” He wrapped an arm around me, “So you’re stuck with me,” 

“None of your girls? More chance of getting laid,” 

“No, got the only girl I need right here,” 

“I hope you get punched tonight, and whoever punches you wipes that cocky smile off your face,” 

“I never get punched babe,” I rolled my eyes and pulled myself up so I was sitting on the kitchen counter. “Unless I let them,” 

“I find it hard to believe that you only get hit when you let them hit you,” I rolled my eyes as George pulled himself up beside me on the kitchen counter. “In fact, I bet that you get hit tonight,” 

“Oh really?” George’s eyes sparked with excitement. “I’ll take that bet,” 

“What?” 

“What do you want if he gets a hit in?” George steamrolled past me, 

“George I wasn’t being serious,” 

“I was,” He brought the beer bottle to his lips, stopping just before they touched it. “Now, what do you want…” 

“You to stop having sex with random woman,” I blurted out. 

“Knew you wanted me,” He chuckled. “But fine,”

“And you have to publicly apologise for fucking so many of them, and not calling them back…”

“They knew what they were getting into,” It was my turn to give him the pointed look, “Fine, deal.”

“Get ready to lose,” 

“Wait, you haven’t heard what I want when I win,” 

“If,”

“When,” He cleared his throat, “If I win, you have to stay with me for a month worth of Friday and Saturday nights, and you have to come to my fights wearing a cute little cheerleaders outfit.” I weighed it up in my head, 

Pros    

George has to publicly apologise for his man-whore ways, 

George has to go a whole month without sex… something he has nearly every night.

Cons 

 On the off chance he wins I have to wear a cheerleading outfit, and     sleep in his bed, 

“Deal,” I extended my hand out to shake him. “Get ready for a month-long lesson is abstinence.” 

“I don’t think so sweetheart,” 

“So does this mean I get to come to the fight tonight?” I raised an eyebrow, George huffed and pursed his lips. 

“Do you promise to not flirt up a storm with my competition?” 

“Does your competition promise to not find me so desirable?”

“I don’t think anyone could promise that,” He smirked, “Now, do you promise?” 

“Yes, George. I promise,” 

—————-

“LISTEN UP MOTHER FUCKERS,” The Jonathan Carrington, the M.C’s voice boomed through a megaphone. “TONIGHT WE HAVE TWO REIGNING CHAMPIONS,” 

“You think he’ll win?” I asked Dean as we stood side by side near the front of the circle, “I hope he gets punched,”

“GEORGE MACKAY FROM SOUTHWEST.” The crowd went wild, “AND THOMAS WILSON FROM NORTHERN.” The crowd still cheered, it just wasn’t as big as when it was George’s. 

“He’s not going to get punched Y/N,” Dean called back wrapping his arms around Jane. “He never gets punched,”

“Fuck,”

“What did you do?” Jane turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing. 

“MacKay and I made a bet,” 

“On what?” 

“If he gets hit or not,”

“What’s the prize?” 

“He loses he has to stop having sex with random woman, and publicly apologise for fucking so many of them, and not calling them back…”

“And if he wins?” Dean laughed, 

“If he wins, I have to stay with him for a months worth of Friday and Saturday nights, and I have to come to his fights wearing a cheerleaders outfit.”

“Pack your overnight bag Y/N,” Jane laughed shaking her head. 

“ARE YOU ALL FUCKING READY?” Jonathan cried into the microphone. “Here they come,”

“Maybe I can distract him with my boobs?” 

“Just accept defeat, it’s easiest.” Dean chuckled. 

—————-

And defeat I had to accept. George hadn’t let his opponent lay a hand on him, not even when the fight was over, and the shit-eating grin he’d sent me when the fight was done… God the things that smile did to me. 

As I walked from the bathroom down the dark hall of George and Dean’s apartment, hating that I’d walked into this trap. Of course, George wasn’t going to get hit… he never did… for once I should have listened to the rumours. 

“Fuck, Y/N” 

I stopped still my breathing hitched as I peeked through the small gap in George’s ajar door, he was leaning against the wall, his jeans around his ankles his hand working his cock… his above average cock… His above average, angry, thick red cock… That I now had the desire to wrap my mouth around it coursing through my body.

“Just like that,” He groaned again his hand going faster, his back pushing harder against the wall. His eyes shut in pleasure. “So good, baby, fuck so good,” He grunted his hand gripping his cock tighter, his abdominal muscles tightening. “Wanna come all over those tits.” 

Fuck… He looked hot. 

“Gonna come…” He groaned through clenched teeth his hand working faster on himself… Even if I wanted to I wouldn’t have been able to look away, not with how he was working his hand over himself, his fist moving over the thick appendage he’d become so known for.  “Fuck.” He let out a final hiss through clenched teeth as he came into his hand, I could see from my spot outside the room he’d come a lot… His body expelling the thick white liquid. I found myself having the urge to push the door open and go help him clean himself up, but I wouldn’t. I’d walk back up the hall quietly and cough as I neared his bedroom, giving him the time to… fix himself. 

And that was exactly what I did… I walked back to the bathroom, slammed the door quietly, but loudly behind me and coughed as I walked down the hallway, trying to ignore the dampness that seeing George leant up against the wall, hand fisting his cock had created in my panties. 

“So how is this going to work?” I asked as I walked into the bedroom, “Are you sleeping on the lounge?” George looked up from his phone, his cheeks were still flushed from his activities, 

“You take the longest showers,” Thankfully not long enough, He looked up and down my body smiling. “Forgot how good you look in my clothes, But no, we’re sharing the bed.” 

“Firstly, I take the appropriate length of a shower, secondly don’t get used to it I’ll be in my own tomorrow night, and thirdly No way,” I shook my head. “I don’t want to wake up with your hand on my boob,” Yes I did, “Or you hand down my pants,” To be honest, I’d love his hand touching me right now, fingertip brushing my clit, pushing inside of me as I moan into the pillow… or his mouth…   

“I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour,” He held his hands up in defence before doing a cross over his chest. “No touching,” He smirked. “Until you ask.” He laid down on the bed, throwing the cover over for me to slid in beside him. When I laid beside him he pulled the cover over my body, leaning across to turn off the light. We laid in the darkness in silence, my mind going over how just minutes before George was wanking, and moaning my name… and fuck it had to be the hottest thing I’d ever seen. 

“Hey George,” I whispered unable to think of anything but his cock. 

“Yeah?” 

“I hate you,” 

“You’re going to hate me, even more, tomorrow when you have to wear the outfit to my fight,” I sat up and looked at him. Even with the minimal lighting, I could see the bright smirk on his face, “Something wrong?” 

“Since when do you double down on fights?”

“When I realised it would mean I get to see you in that itty bitty outfit that much sooner,” 

“I hate you,” I cried laying back against the plush pillows. 

“Sure you do,” He cackled. “Now, I’m going to sleep, please don’t feel me up in my sleep… I know you must be dying to see if the rumours are true, which they are by the way it’s grown since you last saw it, but my cock is on lockdown.”

 Oh, George, I was all too aware of just how much it’d grown. I’d never admit to him I want to do more than touch his cock… maybe put my lips around it… maybe a little cockwarming… maybe just touch it for a while… feel the heaviness in my hand. 

“You wish MacKay,” I groaned falling back into the pillows. 

—————-

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I glared at the small red cheerleading outfit George held out towards me, “I’m not wearing this.” I glared. 

“Yes you are,” He smirked

“No, I’m not, I won’t even be able to bend over without anyone seeing everything,” 

“Just let me know when you plan to bend,” George smirked walking to his bedroom door, “Hurry we leave in five.” 

“Fucking christ,” I screamed as George shut the door. I pulled my clothes off and pulled the outfit on, surprisingly it fit me really well. The skirt brushed mid-thigh, more on the shorter side than the longer side, and the shirt showed off my boobs spectacularly…. Who knows maybe Mackay was doing me a favour and I could get laid in this. 

“Fuck yes,” George groaned as he reopened his bedroom door, “Knew you’d look hot in that,” He spun his finger in the air. “Twirl for me,” I rolled my eyes and did as he said his eyes running over my body. “Brings back memories,” He walked towards me, his hand landing on my hip as he played with the fabric of my skirt. 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” He nodded his head, “To the time I fucked my first cheerleader at football camp,” Two can play at this game. 

“Well, Mackay as much as I hate this, you may have done me a favour,”

“Oh?” I nodded my head, biting my lip. 

“Yeah, this might help me find someone to fuck my brains out tonight, Maybe let me go for a bit of a ride.” I smiled innocently turning to go pull my hair into two braids. George had other ideas, he pulled me back against him. His strong hand laying across the exposed skin of my stomach. 

“The only person you’ll be riding tonight will be me.” His breath touched my neck, spreading goosebumps over the skin. “The only person who’ll be fucking your brains out tonight, will be me.” I turned to him, 

“We’ll see about that, I very much doubt you’ll be right,” His fingers pulled down my bottom lip, the pad of his thumb dipping into my mouth, I bit on it gently. “Maybe when I’m in the shower tonight you can fuck your hand again,”

“How did you…”

“You need to learn to shut the door properly G,” I smirked using the nickname I used to call him by. “Nice cock by the way,” I reached down and cupped it, patting it as I pulled away. “Let’s hope the boy who fucks me tonight has one the same.” I pulled away and walked to the door. 

“It’s going to be me, Y/N,” I turned back to him, smirking. 

“Don’t bet on it.” 

—————-

George had finished fighting again, another ‘renowned’ competitor, and I was here doing his bidding as his own personal cheerleader, I cheered when he punched the guy out and I screamed when he was announced the winner. 

“Like your outfit,” I turned as a guy grabbed onto my waist, pulling me back into his chest. “Look’s sexy,” I could smell the cigarettes and beer, and it was a real turn off. 

“Oh yeah,” I needed to find a way out of this situation. 

“Really fucking sexy,” 

“Don’t touch her.” I heard George’s bored tone come from my left, “She’s mine,” 

“Oh really?” The chuckled, “Why don’t we let her decide,” The guy released my waist, and allowed me to step away. 

“Ew,” I muttered under my breath as I looked at him. He was a stoner, long greasy hair that no man or woman would want to touch with a ten-foot pole. 

“Come home with me baby,” He muttered, his tongue wetting his lips. 

“Think I’ll stay with him, and his beyond average sized cock,” I smirked over at George who smiled back at me, “I don’t think you could even give a woman an orgasm without using toys,” 

“Why don’t you let me take you home and we can find out,”

“She’s mine,” George spoke again, “Look at her like that again, and I’m going to punch your eyes out,” 

“Look at her like what? I’m just looking at her,” 

“Like you want to bend her over and fuck her right here,” George grit out stepping towards the guy, I stepped in front of him, hands on his chest. 

“Can’t stop my mind,” His eyes moved down to my lips. “Those beautiful things would look perfect around my cock.”

“I’m going to kill you,” George stormed towards him, I managed to push him away, pushing him against the grimy wall. 

“George,” 

“I’m going back to punch his lights out.” George declared, nodding his head. “Going to punch him fucking out.” He pointed at the guy who was chuckling behind us. A crowd had begun to gather. 

“I’d love to see it, but it won’t help any.” 

“I’m going to kill him,” 

“George let it go,” 

“I can’t.”

“Why not,” I held onto his shoulders, “It’s just me.” His eyes met mine, his body stopped struggling. 

“Exactly,” He hissed. “He said it about you,” 

“He’s jealous,” I whispered, leaning up to his lips. “He’s jealous because he thinks that these lips wrap around you,” My lips brushed his with each word I spoke. 

“No one else,” He repeated. 

“No one else,” I affirmed.

—————-

“It’s kind of creepy when you’re alone,” I muttered as George and I walked into the apartment. Dean and Jane had gone to our dorm room for a private night alone, which meant the intended to spend the whole night fucking. 

“Yeah.” We both stood in the kitchen, looking over the dark apartment. “Your right it is creepy.” George laughed breaking the silence. “You can almost see the ghosts and creeps just lurking.” 

“Why would you say that?” I cried. “Now I’m not going to be able to sleep, George,” 

“Y/N, there’s no such thing as ghosts.”

“How do you know? Have you ever seen one?”

“No, and that’s how I know they're not real.” He smirked. I looked around the kitchen and groaned. “I forgot how much you hated ‘scary’ things,” 

“Remember when we watched house of wax?” 

“Yeah, you couldn’t sleep for a month,” He pursed his lips. “Are you sure it just wasn’t the acting that caused that?”

“No, I’m pretty sure it was because I was afraid someone would grab me in the middle of the night and turn me into a human wax figure,” I said as I sat myself up on the bench letting my legs dangle off the side. 

“No one is going to get you Y/N. Not while I’m around.” George laughed walking towards me. “I promise.” He whispered as he reached me. His hands held onto my hips, pulling me forward so he stood between my legs, the too-short cheerleading skirt bunched up around my thighs. 

“Promise.”

“I promise.” He whispered again. His head ducking down so he could kiss my cheek. I relaxed into him as he gently left a trail of kisses against my jawline, making his way to my ear. “I’m sorry I said anything, are you okay?” He had one arm around me, holding me close. The other was wound in my hair, gripping it gently but harsh enough I was feeling waves of pleasure from my scalp. 

“Yeah,” I nodded our noses brushing, his lips brushed mine ever so softly. Then harder, His lips attach to mine and I moan into his mouth giving his tongue the opening it needed and he takes full advantage, his tongue exploring my mouth. He brings his hand up to grasp my chin and holds me in place. “G,” I whimper as his lips move from mine down to my neck, as I pull the cotton shirt he had on up, “Off.” I pleaded pushing him away. His shirt was gone a second later. 

“Tell me it’s me you picture,” George groaned his hands gripping my skin, 

“What?”

“When someone’s between these fucking legs, tell me it’s you,” 

“Always you,” I nod, “Always picture you.” 

“I’m gonna fuck you,” George says matter-of-factly, pulling me off the bench. “I’m going to fuck you, and you’re going to see why none of those guys can do it like I can,” He spun me around and pushed me against the island, “And I’m going to remember why none of those girls were as good as you,” I heard the zip of his pants undoing, the belt clacking as it hit the tiles on the floor. 

“George,” 

“Did you enjoy it?” His hands went to the skirt, pulling it down slowly, “Them other guys fucking you while you pretended it was me?” 

“We weren’t together,” I cried out as George pushed inside of me, fuck his cock felt fantastic. 

“You think I don’t know we’re not together?” He gives a sharp thrust, causing me to suck in a breath. I look over my shoulder and I swear I nearly came from the sight alone, he was holding onto my shoulder, and my hip using me. “I think about it every fucking day.” His teeth gripped his bottom lip as he bottomed out inside me. 

“George,” 

“And it drives me insane. Do you think I like seeing you with other guys?” I push against George, managing to break free enough to push him to the floor, I sit on him, his cock back inside me, as I hold his hands up above his head while my hips circle on his beyond above average cock. 

“You think I like to see you with other girls?” I circled my hips faster, chasing my own release. 

“Easy solution then,” George slipped his hands-free, grabbing my hips and pounding up into me. “I won’t fuck anyone else if you don’t fuck anyone else?” 

“George,” I moaned as he hit my g-spot. “Need to come,”

“Say yes, and I’ll make you come,” 

“George,” His fingers dropped to my clit, pressing against it. My body shivering against his, “Touch me,” 

“Say yes,” 

“Yes,” I whispered as his hand began to rub, my body took over rocking back and forth on his cock, using him as I chased my own high. 

“So fucking perfect, always so fucking perfect,” He groaned his left hand gripping my hip. “Gonna come baby?” I nodded not trusting my voice to answer. “Wanna feel it again, feel you clenched around me,”

“I’m gonna,” I cried a tear falling from my eye as my head nodded uncontrollably as my body released. I cried out as George continued to fuck into me, “Need you in me,” I whimpered dropping down to his ear. “Need it.” 

“Gonna give it to you,” His grip tightened as he came, I felt it. Him inside me coating my walls with his come. “Fuck,” He pushed the hair off my face as we lay connected on his kitchen floor. “Give me five minutes and we’re fucking again,” 

[goblins-writing]

Cherry Blossoms

A/N: I find my titles becoming less and less creative, oh well. Also uncharacteristically insecure about the beginning of this but I still like it. Not requested, I was just thirsting for Lucifer yet again. I hope you enjoy! 

Pairing: Lucifer x MC

Warnings: I’m not sure if this should really be stated but just in case it is a trigger to some people; there is slight ownership play in this (is that even what you’d call it?). Also, slight spoilers for lesson 9.

Requests are open!! Send something in! 

Despite being a game, Doji Maji Memoriam felt quite real. 

The metal of the bleachers under your thighs was warm from the sun. The singing of the birds was melodic and sweet. The breeze carried cherry blossoms that flew past you and landed in your hair. The lemonade you were sipping on tasted sweet. And your heart fluttered just as much when Lucifer was near you. 

Luckily, this game allowed him to be in his own body despite the fact that he was currently in Satan’s in the Devildom. It made communicating with him much easier, you were no longer messing his name up with Satan’s. It also allowed you to shamelessly stare at him without Satan noticing the eyes on his current body, and teasing you for it. 

It was nice. 

You were stress-free for the most part. The possibility that you will not complete the game and therefore be stuck in this universe for the end of time, was now just a fleeting thought. 

You had bigger problems to focus on, like whose confession you would accept at the end of the game. 

You wanted to accept Lucifer’s since your adoration for him extended outside of this universe, too. The problem with that? The teasing you would receive from Satan and Levi, and the taunting you would endure from the other brothers when they were told about your choice. Also, the possibility that his feelings would not reciprocate once you all got back. This wasn’t just a game to you, and you didn’t want to be taken for a foolish and naive human. Not again.

You could accept Satan’s. What would he get out of that, though? Other than one upping Lucifer, of course. You wanted their relationship to repair, that was the whole point of this after all. At least if Lucifer won, he wouldn’t rub it in Satan’s face. If Satan won, however…

Yeah, Satan was a definite no. 

At this point, Leviathan seemed like the best choice; the one that would have the least consequences. Sure, he’d rub it in their faces but it was nothing they weren’t already used to. It would also make him happy, happier than it would make Lucifer or Satan, for sure. This was his game after all, losing would greatly upset him. 

Your thoughts had you in a trance, so preoccupied weighing the pros and cons that you didn’t notice when Lucifer walked up the bleachers and took a seat next to you. 

“Ahem…” A throat clearing to your left strikes you out of your contemplation.

You startle, turning your head and eyes meeting with sparkling ruby. A smirk lifts the corner of his lips up, your eyes watching every miniscule movement. He leans forwards, and your breath catches in your throat. 

Is he? Is he going to kiss you? 

Instinctively you shut your eyes, lips pursing just the slightest. Your heart thuds inside your chest, suddenly you are too aware of the flips going on in your stomach. 

Your mind races; What will his lips feel like? Surely they’ll be soft, just like how they look. And what would he taste like? Maybe the black coffee he often drinks. Or mint. Or something else completely, something you wouldn’t be able to put a name to. 

And as quick as the excitement starts, it ends. 

You don’t feel his lips on yours, rather his hand running through your hair. Eyes snapping open, you watch as he plucks a stray cherry blossom out of your hair, pulling back and examining the small pale petal in his hand. The smirk on his face now accompanied with an amused twinkle in his eyes. 

‘Of course he wasn’t going to kiss you,’ You think to yourself. Trying so hard to keep your tears of embarrassment and flared cheeks at bay. 

He takes notice of the water rising in your eyes, and his cocky facade falters. Lucifer never meant to make you upset, he had to fix this. 

Lucifer reaches out and takes your hand, opening it and placing the petal in your palm. He can’t help but take notice of how much you have in common with this small cherry blossom. 

Both of you are soft. Almost unbearingly so, he just wants to scoop you up and revel in your velvety smoothness. Both of you are fragile. So delicate, he’s scared the slightest touch will have you crack into a million pieces. Maybe that’s what keeps him from pulling you into his grasp. However, it doesn’t stop him from lifting your other hand to his lips. 

His humid breath fans over your skin, his eyes stare into yours. Suddenly, your cheeks are red for a completely different reason from embarrassment. 

When his lips meet your skin, your insides tighten up in the most delicious way. For something you imagined on repeat in your head, you never thought this would actually happen. It’s blissful. You never want him to stop. 

“You humans are so fragile. So innocent compared to us demons, so pure. I just want to devour you whole, encase you in my very being. Make you all mine.” Lucifer breathes out, voice barely above a whisper. His lips trail to your fingers, taking one in his mouth and sucking. 

“I-I..I’m.” You stammer, eyes growing wide. 

“Shhh.” He hushes you, pulling his mouth away and nibbling on your fingertips before moving his lips up your wrist and arms. Kissing you all the way. 

Listening to his soft command, you try your best to relax. Gulping on nothing, your mouth dryer than any desert. You were right, his lips are soft. They feel like heaven. 

‘Ironic.’ You stifle a laugh, but Lucifer notices. He stops and lifts his head up from where it was resting on the inside of your elbow. 

That smirk is back, along with the twinkle in his scarlet red eyes. 

“What’s the matter, my dove?” He hums, though you know it's not exactly a question. 

You try to speak, but a lump in your throat keeps any sounds from getting out. He quirks an eyebrow at your silence, so you clear your throat and try again. 

“I-I was just thinking…” Pausing as that embarrassment from earlier comes flooding back in. You can’t believe this was happening. “I was just thinking, that it’s-it’s ironic how someone so...sinful could make me feel something so heavenly.” You stumble out the words, faltering when his lips and teeth meet your skin again. 

He laughs a little at that, the vibrations from it pulsing through your veins; and you let out a small moan. Lucifer falters at the sound, looking at you from the corner of his eyes before making his way up your arm with his kisses. When he gets to your neck, a gentle kiss is placed on your shoulder before he licks a long stripe from the base of your neck to below your earlobe. 

If your red cheeks weren’t bad before, they were bad now. 

“You’re really enjoying this, huh?” He whispers in your ear, before licking that too. You shiver as he continues. “I’m glad. I’ll have you feeling no other way.” 

Slowly, confidence comes running into your veins. Feeling emboldened, you bring your hand to his hair. Clutching it roughly before a growl from him stops you, so you resort to just running your fingers through it. Unsurprisingly, his hair is just as smooth as his lips and skin. Who knew someone who kept such a cold resolve could be so soft. It brought a smile to your face. 

Lucifer lifts his head up from kissing your neck and pulls your hand away from his hair. A look in his eye that could only be described as dominant. He knew who was in control here, he had to make sure you hadn’t forgotten. So he pulls your hand to your side, keeping a careful grip on your wrist. 

He leans forwards so his lips are fanning breath over yours; “Who do you belong to?” He teases, smirking as your jaw drops in awe. 

“I-I don’t know.” Your mind going blank as you stutter. Luc doesn’t like that answer, so he pulls away slightly leaving you whining. 

“Who,” He tightens his grip on your wrist. “Do you belong to?” 

This time you make sure your mind doesn’t draw a blank, he was making it fairly obvious who you did belong to anyways. 

“You.”

He hums, “Say my name.” 

“You, Lucifer. I belong to you.” You state after drawing a breath in. 

Liking the answer, he smiles a little and moves his hand at your wrist to intertwine with your fingers. Then, he leans forwards. 

“May I?” Ever the gentleman. 

You smile, giggling a little before you give him consent. And before you know it, his lips are finally firmly pressed against yours. 

The kiss is passionate, and he slowly lowers your body so you’re laying down on the bleachers. He climbs on top of you, his lips never leaving yours. 

You stay like that for a few minutes, before he nips on your bottom lip and pulls away, breathing heavily. You, also breathing just as heavily. 

With you under him he can’t help but take notice of how beautiful you truly are. The sparkle in your eyes, the way the sun warms your features up. The gentle heaving of your chest, and the way your hair rustles in the breeze. 

He gets lost in your features, as do you get lost in his. You’re about to speak up when his hand comes closer. 

And he pulls a cherry blossom out of your hair. 

[cowboisadness]

Hang ‘Em High {Arthur Morgan X FemOC} Chapter 5

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x FemOC Summery: Belle Hawthorne is high society looking to escape her mean husband. A robbery by the Van Der Linde gang could be her chance. Can she escape his cluches and possibly discover what love should feel like?

. . . . . 

Chaper 5

The two weeks that passed were a struggle, the pain was easing now but i couldn't ease my mind no matter how i tried. Sitting out on the edge of the overlook would help slightly, looking out at the vastness of the wild lands, being the same height as the birds. But my mind always returned to him, to Frank. Surely after two weeks I would have heard something or read something in the papers that Hosea or Arthur would return with each morning. Arthur had said maybe he won't look for me, maybe he's not as possessive when it came to me...his wife. I doubted his words but hoped they could be true.

Getting closer to the others here helped as a distraction and Miss Grimshaw made sure my time here wasn't wasted, having me wash clothing or stitch ripped garments when I was feeling more useful. The girls were very kind, the only one I didn't speak too much being Mrs Sadie Adler. She had been through so much and was still adjusting but she seemed like a strong woman, all of the women do in fact. Abigail had to juggle a young boy and a man that didn't seem to want to be a father. Mary-Beth let me borrow some of her books, to be honest, they are awful romances but entertaining enough not to put down. Karen would share her drink with me while we sat round the fire, Javier singing into the night.

This morning, Hosea asked me to join him in a game of dominos. Despite never playing the game before he was happy enough to teach me.  He was wise and seemed to be the only one of the guys that was more logical when it came to jobs that needed to be done and how they should be done.

“You sure you've never played before. It's a simple game but you got the hang of it quickly.” he said as he placed his tile down. “Used to play poker, blackjack and chess with my father. Frank never let me gamble, saying gambling is a man's sport that's too complex for a woman to understand.”

He scoffed at that and shook his head “Seems like a quality man, shame robbing him wasn't successful.”

I giggled, continuing our game in silence until Arthur approached, mentioning how he was going to Valentine to meet up with Javier, Charles and Bill. Hosea told him to keep out of trouble as Arthur turned to leave. 

I decided to cut the game short, telling him I needed to ask a favour before Arthur left. I made my way over to where he was saddling his horse, a beautiful Mahogany Bay Tennessee Walker named Barley. “Hey Arthur, could I ask a favor? If you're not busy.”

“Sure.” “I have a couple of things I'd like to sell, would you be willing to take me to a fence? He pondered for a moment, weighing out the pros and cons as he pulled out his cigarettes from his satchel and lighting one.

“Promise you won't fall off my horse again?” He grinned slightly, meeting my gaze. 

“I'll try my best.” I couldn't help but to giggle at his taunt, looking down the ground as i flushed with embarrassment. 

He nodded and blew out a puff of smoke as I turned to get what I needed. The first night I arrived my dress was ruined, now being used for rags and patches but my necklace and earrings were still intact and could sell for a good price. I put them into my new satchel, given to me by Charles as he had no use for it anymore. Him and Arthur brought back a few good pelts and meat a few days ago. I really need to gain the courage to ask if I can join in their next hunt. I hadn't hunted in years, that being another thing my father taught me. 

The ride to Emerald Ranch didn't take long, Arthur kept the ride slow thinking I might fall again, possibly seeing me as this delicate being that would shatter if we got anywhere near the speed of a gallop. The man at the fence, Seamus his name was, was more generous than I was expecting. $75 for the necklace and earring set. I didn't really care about how much I would get, I wanted to get rid. Frank bought them after all. I unconsciously fiddled with my hands as he counted the money, my fingers brushed over the ring on my left hand. Looking down at it, the three small diamonds glinting in the midday sun, thoughts of my wedding day flooding into my mind. White silk that pooled at my feet, a train following behind. The intricate floral embroidery that hugged around the bodice. It being so tight it lifted my chest till I felt like my breasts were directly under my chin. I felt like a princess marrying her prince. Life is nothing like Mary-Beths books. My Prince being the villain in my life. As i snapped back into reality i pulled off the ring without a second thought, handing it over to Seamus.

“How much for this too?.” I could see Arthur now staring at me out of the corner of my eye, he knew I was trying to rid myself of any memory of that man. Seamus took the ring, holding it close to his face as he examined it “Now this is nice. Not too old and made by one of the biggest diamond companies in New York by the looks of it.” He looked to me for confirmation. I nodded, mentioning that it was made only 8 months ago and one of a kind.

I came away with $175 in total, offering to give Arthur some as a thanks, he refused so I made a mental note to sneak it in his saddlebag when he wasn't looking.

He offered to take me back to camp before he headed to Valentine but i wanted to spend some of my new fortune, plus it was nice to be out of camp after two weeks of being in too much pain or scared to venture outside of it’s perimeter. Once in the muddy cattle town of Valentine, Arthur hitched his horse outside of the Saloon where he was meeting the others. He dismounted and held out his arms to help me down. I reached out to his shoulders and he took that as permission to hold me by the waist, making sure he was gentle on my left side. I was told my ribs would take a month or more to heal depending on how bad. Breathing was back to normal but the dull ache and sharp shooting pains still persisted. He headed towards the Saloon telling me to meet him back here when I was done. I'd never been to Valentine before, i haven't been to many places the last 7 months unless it was with with Frank at business parties or joining other business partners for a fancy dinner. I scanned my eyes around the various buildings and my eyes landed on my target, the Gunsmith. 

I don't need anything pricey or flash, just something capable of protection if the need arose. I was living with outlaws now, people who live a life of crime to survive and who knows what my life will be like when I leave. Maybe i’ll make my way to New York to find my brother, he might know where mother and father are now. I miss them all dearly.

A cattleman revolver seemed like the best option as I looked through the catalog, cheap and it would do the job. It had been a long time since I handled a gun. I still remember how displeased my mother was of my father teaching me how to get comfortable with one. I really should have asked for more lessons. I thanked the store owner for his help and his generosity in giving me a gun belt seeing as it was my first gun to own. Sloshing my way through the mud to the saloon, adjusting the belt till it was comfortable hanging off my hip I could hear a commotion behind the doors. Before I had the chance to ascend the stairs and push open the doors a loud smashing happened to my left, causing me to jump backwards as a body was propelled out of the window. Not some random someone, Arthur. Before I could react the saloon doors swung open, knocking me off balance as a huge burly man made his way out and towards Arthur, now on his feet ready to continue the fight. 

They laid into each other, fists flying in the air towards each other's face. I stood in shock, not knowing what to do until the large man had Arthur pinned to the floor, punching him relentlessly as he tried to block each blow to his face and gut.

An audience had circled them, grateful for the entertainment by the sounds of it. I couldn't just stand back, my feet unconsciously moving me towards the fight to somehow intervene but before I made it off the stairs a hand pulled my arm, pulling me back towards them gently. “Don't even try Palomita.” Javier said as he released my arm and then sat on the stairs to watch the show. 

“Aren't you going to help him?” My voice was louder than i expected, showing the anger i didn't know i felt about this current situation.

He just shook his head and giggled “He's a big boy, he can hold his own.” 

Letting out a huff, I turned to see that Arthur had now gained the high ground, punching the man in the face over and over as Charles and Bill shouted words of encouragement from beside me. Through the crowd of shouting onlookers a man comes through yelling them to stop. Intervening and stopping the possible last fatal blows. “Stop! Stop! Please!” he shouts, now facing Arthur “You won the fight already, surely that's enough?” he continues to beg, Arthur releases his grip on the bloodied man into the mud. “What business is it of yours?”

“No business, but please i beg you” the man continues to beg but Arthur just pushes him out of his way, making his way through the crowd as they now disperse. The fun now over. I hastily make my way over to him, passing the man still in the mud without even a glance, my eyes not able to avert from Arthurs sorry state, covered in mud and in obvious pain as he sits on a chair outside another store. At first I didn't know what to say to him. Is this normal for them? I shouldn't be making a fuss if it is. “Are you okay?” is all i can say, silently cursing at myself at my stupid question. He looks up to me as I kneel in front of him, he can sense my concern, snickering slightly as his hand reaches up to his jaw, trying to rub away the ache. “I’m fine. Don't be worryin’ bout me.” You can't help it for some strange reason, still wanting to help him.

“Let's get you cleaned up, the hotel has a bath.” I nod in the direction of the hotel across from us, hoping he will take up the offer. But before we can make our way an unfamiliar British voice calls over to us.

“Making new friends again i see Arthur”

We turn to the voice, a smartly dressed man making his way over to us along with Dutch.

“Look who we found sniffing about.”

“Josiah Trelawney...” Arthur calls to him as he takes a welcoming bow “...I thought you'd gone to New York.”

“And miss all this glamour? You must be joking.” They all laugh “How are you?” 

“Well. Quite well indeed…” His attention turns from Arthur to me as we make our way towards them. “...I’m sorry, we haven't been introduced. Josiah Trelawney.” He extends his gloved hand to me. 

“Bella Hawthorn. Nice to meet you.” i shake his hand and smiling politely.

“My, my. You still enjoy the company of high society women i see Arthur.” He smirks, not taking his eyes off me as he lets go of my hand. 

“Nothing like that Josiah.” I blush slightly at his comment but I excuse myself to leave the men to their conversation, motioning over to the hotel and hoping they didn't notice the sudden pink in my cheeks.

-----

The water was heated perfectly as Arhtur makes his way into the room, slight moans escaping his lips, placing what looks like clean clothes he must have had stored on his horse on a chair.

He shrugs off his sodden jacket, dropping it to the floor and he works on the buttons of his blue shirt and pulling the suspenders down his arms. I’m frozen, unsure of what to do before realising i should leave him to it. He moans in pain again as he attempts to pull his shirt off his arms, the fresh aches and pains making it a struggle.

Once again, without thinking, I make my way over to him to help, this time no one to stop me but myself. With his back turned to me, he jolts slightly at my touch as I gently guided both of his arms out of his shirt, it now joining his jacket on the floor. He turns to me, not meeting my eyes as he murmurs his thanks, his hands then turning to his gun belt to remove it. 

The silence between us is deafening and awkward, he's the one to break it. “I see you got yourself a gun.” 

“Thought i'd treat myself.'' I smile and finally turn to the door, pulling at the handle.

“I'll wait for you outside.” It was barely above a whisper but I didn't turn back for confirmation that he heard me. Instead I shut the door behind me gently, leaning against it and releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding in. 

[megaphonemonday]

another chance for us to get it right

crimson_kiss17: I'd love to see how Mike and Ginny end up together at the end of a night that began with him showing up with Rachel and her still with Noah.

it’s not weird to write a New Year’s fic in April and post it in May, right?

read it on ao3

When Noah asked about Ginny’s plans for New Year’s, she hadn’t thought twice about it. After all, this was the guy who’d asked her to take a world tour after their second date, the guy who’d bought out a restaurant for their first. Asking about New Year’s plans in November was a little odd, sure, but she’d gotten kind of used to Noah Casey’s brand of odd.

(Used to it, but it really hadn’t grown on her.)

Still, Ginny replied without much thought, “I think the team usually hosts something? I’ll probably go to that.”

He’d grinned lopsidedly back and said, “Great! Good to have a plan already.”

Which could have been a compliment for her scheduling skills, but Ginny was pretty sure it was more along the lines of Noah inviting himself to the Annual Padres New Year’s Bash.

Sure enough, a month and a half later, Noah was her New Year’s Eve date. 

She’d only allowed it because she really didn’t want to be the only single person there. Well, the only single person among her friends, at least. Plenty of the front office staff and quite a few of her teammates were sure to show up stag, but it wasn’t like Ginny was going to spend the majority of the evening with them. 

No, she’d hang with Blip and Ev, like always. And Mike and Rachel, too, if they made the trip down from LA. Couples. She’d probably hang out with couples because that was her life now.

it would be nice not to be the odd one out for once. 

And walking into the swanky, bay front restaurant the team had rented for the evening with Noah at her side, Ginny even believed that. 

Noah whistled low after they cleared the coat check and finally got a good look at the venue. A huge bank of windows dominated one wall. During the day, Ginny was sure that they offered a beautiful view of the bay, but with darkness descended, just reflected the rosy glow of the room. A room which was nearly full to the brim with employees of the San Diego Padres, eating and chatting and drinking and even dancing.

It reminded Ginny of the Nike party—with admittedly fewer pictures of her face plastered on the walls. There were still a few, but mostly within team shots: highlights from the past season—She wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.

“Looks like you baseball players really know how to party.”

Ginny shook her head to clear the train of thoughts from her mind as much as the observation. She laughed anyway, elbowing him in the side. Teasingly, she replied, “If most of these guys had a say, there’d be three kegs, a bowl of chips, and a beer pong tournament. This is definitely the front office’s choice.”

“Well, thank God for the front office, then,” he drawled, his long, lanky arm draping over Ginny’s mostly bare shoulders and reeling her into his side. “Because I was a beer pong champ at Cal Tech and I’d hate to embarrass any of your teammates.”

She laughed again, more honestly this time. “Talk to me when you’re a Roomba pong champ, Casey.”

“Roomba pong?”

Ginny was so caught up in detailing the game she’d learned with Cara, she didn’t notice Noah’s arm dropping to her waist or the fact that he’d guided her out to the cleared space operating as a dance floor. She didn’t really notice until he twirled her around, words falling away.

It wasn’t the unexpected spin that startled her, though. No, that was down to the sight of Mike and Rachel walking into the restaurant, looking perfectly cozy together.

It hadn’t been a fight to get Rachel to agree to attend the Padres’ New Year’s party, but if it had been, Mike would’ve won. 

Which was maybe why Rachel had been so quiet in the car ride over. 

To make up for it, Mike was determined to make sure she had a good time. He even laid his hand, palm up, on the console between their seats, but she was too busy watching the scenery flash by to notice. 

When they finally pulled up to the valet stand outside the party, Mike hopped out of the car and jogged around the front to hand Rachel out because who said chivalry was dead? She already had the door open, but gave him her hand and a funny little smile as she climbed down. 

With a hand low on her back, Mike led her into the party. (Maybe one of his last as a member of the team. Who knew what his knees or even his back were going to spring on him this year?)

Music thumped through the restaurant, which was admirably doubling as an extremely exclusive club tonight, too. It took a moment for Mike’s eyes to adjust to the low lights, but sure enough, he could make out plenty of his teammates and their dates tearing it up on the dance floor. 

Shaking his head and grinning, he helped Rachel out of her coat and held his hand out for her purse. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d ended up holding her bag because Rachel got sick of carrying it around. Might as well get ahead of it now. 

“Actually,” Rachel said, bringing the small bag up to her chest, as if to protect it, “I’ll hang onto it. The network wants me on call tonight, so I need to keep my phone handy.”

That was the first Mike was hearing of this, but he tried his best not to react. 

“They expecting some big shake up on New Year’s Eve?” he asked with a grin, handing the coats over and accepting a claim ticket. 

“You know pro athletes,” she shrugged. 

Mike did. But he wasn’t sure he liked the edge of superiority in her tone. 

Rather than respond, he looked back over the crowd of dancing bodies. Almost immediately, his attention snagged on one in particular. 

It’d been a while since he’d seen Ginny Baker so carefree. Whenever he joined in on one of her postseason workouts, which were carefully monitored by a team of physical therapists and sometimes the coaching staff, she was all business. Focused. Intense. 

Out on the dance floor, though, her fluttery skirt swirling around her thighs, she was lit up. Dark curls bounced with her movement, whipping into her face and catching on her ears. Her head tilted back and Mike could hear the echoes of her laugh rattle through his mind even if there was no way he could actually hear it over the music. 

Then, from clear across the room, Ginny’s sparkling eyes connected with his.

Time (and Mike) froze, as he stood, unable  to look away from this woman who was his teammate and so much more. 

Too startled to do much more, Mike nodded to her, a simple chin up of acknowledgement.

Her chin tipped up in response, but his rookie’s smile was reserved for the man twirling back into his arms. 

Mike shook himself as Rachel’s hand tucked into his elbow. He looked down at her and smiled, ignoring the fact that, much as wanted this to work, someone else had just made his heart leap.

And that someone else was currently so fucking off limits—not just because she had a boyfriend and Mike had Rachel.

So, Mike did the smart thing. He smiled down at his ex-wife/current girlfriend and steered her away from the dance floor and away from anything like temptation.

Unfortunately, Ginny hadn’t properly weighed the pros and cons of bringing Noah to this party. All she’d really thought about was how much she didn’t want to be an awkward third wheel, hanging out with Blip and Ev because she hated mingling on her own. But she was starting to think that being the odd one out would have been better than this.

This, being constantly reminded of just how much she and Noah were not the Sanders and probably never would be.

(It wasn’t that she didn’t like Noah. He was sweet and a little goofy and very cute. They had fun together and she liked him just fine. But Ginny didn’t think she’d ever like him enough. Certainly not in the way Evelyn and Blip liked—loved—each other.

And, of course, there was also the fact that she happened to like someone else more. Much, much more.)

Maybe if everyone else weren’t quite so happy, it would be easier. 

Which was probably a terrible thing to think, Ginny scolded herself as she and Noah waited for their drinks at the bar. 

It was a good thing that Blip and Evelyn had worked out whatever issues they’d been having at the end of the season. They were Ginny’s closest friends; of course she was thrilled they were so solid. 

Of their own volition, Ginny’s eyes slid over to the real problem. 

Mike and Rachel cut through the crowd, Mike’s hand resting protectively in the small of Rachel’s back. He crowded against her as they snuck out onto the balcony, no doubt looking for a little privacy. Not that the lack of it had kept them apart. It seemed like every time Ginny looked (and maybe she was looking a little too often) her captain and his (ex?) wife were intertwined. Mike’s arm around Rachel’s waist, Rachel’s head against Mike’s shoulder as they talked to Oscar, the way he brushed her hair away from her face. Every bit Ginny saw made her stomach twist unpleasantly.

And now, shrouded in the dark of the balcony, Ginny had no idea what they were doing. 

Whoever first said Out of sight, out of mind, was full of it. 

“What do you think?”

Ginny shook herself, wondering what she’d missed. She cocked her ear towards Noah, like she hadn’t been able to hear. Which was close enough to the truth. 

Grinning, he snaked an arm around her back to pull her closer. His lips dropped to her ear, and Ginny wished that she felt, well, anything from the flirtation. There was a faint sense of fondness—Noah and she probably could’ve been pretty good friends if things had worked out differently—but not much else.

“How about we get out of here? I’ve got a helicopter and pilot on retainer. We could ring in the New Year in real style.”

The bright burble of laughter popped out of her all on its own, but when Noah didn’t join in in, Ginny had to rein it in. “Are you serious?”

He shrugged, head cocked to the side. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because this might be the only New Year’s I get to spend as a Padre?”

Waving her off, he replied, “You’re gonna be on this team for a long time, Ginny.”

“You don’t know that,” she argued, trying not to think how much more comforting the sentiment had been coming from someone else. Hey, Baker, you’re not going anywhere. “Anything could happen. I could get traded or sent back down or my arm—”

“I thought your arm was feeling better.”

It was. But it had been feeling fine before it ended her season, too, and Ginny wasn’t willing to take anything for granted. Not anymore. 

Which was why, looking at the man standing next to her, Ginny realized what was going to happen. 

They weren’t even fighting. She was sure that if she said she wanted to stay, Noah wouldn’t mind. And she did want to stay. Just not with him as her date. 

“Noah,” she sighed.

His eyebrows drew together, but a slight smile still played across his mouth. “Ginny,” he drawled back. 

“I think you should go.”

There was no pretend misunderstanding, no cute miscommunication or attempts to change her mind. Noah’s eyes roamed her face, a little confused and hurt, but he didn’t give voice to those feelings. Instead, he just studied her for a long moment before apparently reaching some conclusion of his own.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” she replied firmly.

Noah’s eyes searched her one last time before he sighed and nodded his acceptance. He leaned in and brushed her cheek with a kiss, parting with, “You know where to find me if you change your mind,” and a half smile. 

As she watched him go, suddenly feeling lighter than she had in months, Ginny was certain that she wouldn’t.

When Rachel turned away from a conversation they were having with Oscar and Charlie with a polite smile to answer her phone, Mike should have known what would happen. 

Honestly, though, a lot of his attention was taken up with the way Ginny was picking food off her—ugh—date’s plate. This, in spite of her own plate sitting unattended before her. Specifically, though, Mike was distracted by the stupid, fond little smile on the guy’s face, totally unnoticed by the pitcher currently stealing another crab puff. 

Mike’s attention was pulled back to his immediate surroundings by Rachel’s voice, an undercurrent of excitement that he knew all too well coloring her words. 

“Sorry about that,” she gushed, her hand sneaking into the crook of his elbow as she prepared to pull him away. 

“I hope it wasn’t an emergency,” Charlie replied, pleasant enough. 

“Actually, it was my producer. It sounds like there’s some kind of story out of the Big Ten that’s going to break tonight. I need to get into the studio.”

Rachel looked up at him expectantly. Mike blinked. 

“Oh, do you want the valet ticket?”

“Do you want me to get the car while you get our coats?” she asked, tone a little frostier than he felt he deserved.

“You want me to come with you?” 

Rachel’s smile froze on her face and Mike didn’t have to look at his GM or Charlie to know that they’d just winced in sympathy. 

“We’ll just let you discuss this in private,” Oscar murmured, pulling his boss away from the suddenly tense situation. 

Privacy actually sounded pretty ideal right now. 

With his hand at the small of her back, he steered Rachel through the throng and out onto the unoccupied balcony. No one would bother coming out here until it was time for fireworks, and those were still more than an hour away. He could tell from the set of her shoulders that she did not appreciate being led around, but figured the discretion was worth her annoyance.

Once they were outside, away from prying eyes and ears, Rachel stepped away from his hand, turning back to him with crossed arms. Either against the breeze off the bay or in annoyance. Her chin tipped up, jaw squared and Mike sighed. He knew the signs, a fight was practically inevitable now.

Didn’t mean he wouldn’t do his best to cut it off before it could really get going, though. 

“Rach, this is important to me, I can’t just leave.”

“A party is important to you? More important than my job?”

He huffed, trying to rein in his frustration. “You know what I meant. I’m not trying to keep you here if you need to go. Which was why I asked if you wanted the valet ticket.”

His wife’s eyes narrowed. Which, in the long and varied history of their relationship, had never been a good thing. 

“Yet when i told you I didn’t want to come tonight, you still just had to convince me!”

“Because I thought it would be nice to come to a team party with you again!” he exclaimed, wincing a little at how loud he’d gotten.

Rachel didn’t flinch. She regarded him steadily, arms still crossed. “You put in your appearance, Mike. Why can’t we just go?”

“Why would I go with you? What would I do? Sit in your office and twiddle my thumbs while I wait for you to finish?”

“You could talk to my producer. Or even the network execs.”

“About what?” he demanded, thrown for a loop.

Rachel stared at him like he was an idiot. “You’re not going to play forever, Mike.”

“So?” he demanded, defensively crossing his arms over his chest and scanning the crowd through the massive windows to see if they’d attracted any attention. They hadn’t, but just before his gaze returned to Rachel, it caught on Baker and her date looking cozy at the bar, though maybe that was just the low, warm lighting inside. That hope was blown out of the water as he watched the tech geek lay his hand low on her hip, angling Ginny into him. Her head cocked to the side as he murmured in her ear, her long neck perfectly displayed.

“So,” she said, like her next words were so obvious, she couldn’t believe she had to spell it out for him, “I thought you might want to get a head start on phase two.”

Phase two. They’d talked a lot about it when they’d been married. What Mike would do when he finally hung up his cleats. 

But a lot had changed since he and Rachel had been married.

“Look, Rach,” he sighed, scrubbing a hand through his beard. “I know that you love what you do, but it’s just not for me.”

“And you’ve decided this after just one try?”

Mike shrugged. It wasn’t as if he’d been all that good as a talking head, anyway. Not that he was afraid of hard work—the amount of effort it took just to stay game ready was a testament to that. Just, he didn’t see much point in working so hard for something he didn’t love enough. 

Which was a hell of a thought to have, arguing with his wife even as the image of another woman swam through his brain.

“You told me you would pack it in, Mike,” she continued, mercifully unaware of that loose thought. “That you’d retire if I—”

“And when I offered, you told me you were gonna marry that guy,” he shot back. “Let’s not hold each other to what we said then.”

Her mouth pursed. “Does that mean you’re not thinking about retiring?”

“I’m always thinking about retiring,” he replied honestly enough. It was true. There weren’t many days where retirement was far from Mike’s mind. Mostly, though, it was viewed with a sense of faint horror and unending praise that his life had yet to come to that. 

“But not seriously,” she frowned because Rachel did still know him. Better than almost anyone else.

Mike stared back at her in wordless confirmation. 

“I thought it was going to be different this time, Mike,” she confessed, shoulders slumping. “But it won’t, will it?”

There were lots of things that he could have said in response, and while they all swirled through his mind, all that came out of his mouth was, “I guess not.”

Rachel’s eyes slid shut and stayed that way for a long moment. When she opened them, her jaw was set, but this time it wasn’t in anger. Mike tried to dredge up the same depth of feeling, but he was coming up dry. 

Much as he’d loved Rachel, there was part of him that’d always known that this second chance wasn’t going to lead anywhere good. Mostly because he hadn’t really been running to her, but from something else. 

“Don’t bother with the valet ticket. I’ll call for a car. And have your things set back down here,” she finally said, voice steady and head high. 

Mike nodded his acceptance. “I’m sorr—”

“Don’t. We’ve both apologized to each other enough for one lifetime.” With one last wan smile, Rachel turned and left the balcony, leaving Mike alone. 

He just wished it wasn’t such a familiar feeling.

Ginny lingered at the door of the balcony, the sight of Mike’s hunched, shadowy form leaning against the railing, beckoning her out. Still, her hand lay on the handle and she hadn’t yet convinced herself to push and cross that line. 

It would be a lie to say that she hadn’t seen Rachel leave the balcony alone and watched, hawk-eyed, for Mike to make an appearance, too. But time ticked on, closer and closer to midnight, and her captain didn’t return to the party. 

Over the course of the next few minutes and two drinks, Ginny drifted closer and closer to the wall of windows, hoping she’d be able to make out his form through the glass. Even though the party was dimly lit, it was even darker outside, leaving the balcony swathed in shadows. 

Which had led her to this, peering through the glass door at Mike, wondering if she should really intrude on his privacy. 

Her body made her decision for her, pushing open the door and slipping out into the quiet night. 

At the burst of sound, Mike startled, checking over his shoulder to see who’d come to drag him back inside and preparing a gruff, “Go away.” The sight of Ginny, though, unaccompanied and standing on the threshold, goosebumps breaking over her skin from the chill wind, had him feeling slightly more charitable. He liked to think that was just the effect Ginny had on him, but it was probably as much about the fact that her tall, dorky shadow wasn’t around.

“Where’d the computer geek go?” he asked, turning back out to the bay. 

“Is that what y'all are calling him?” she responded, leaning against the rail next to him, a slight frown on her face. 

Well, no. That was just what Mike called him because it was better than what the guys had come up with: “Ginny’s boyfriend.”

He shrugged. “If the shoe fits.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, but replied, “He went home.”

“And left you here?”

It was Ginny’s turn to shrug. “I told him to.”

She could feel Mike’s attention shift off the not-so distant waves to her face. A quick glance at him out of the corner of her eye wasn’t enough, so she turned to face him, too. His head was tilted in consideration and Ginny couldn’t help but want to smile at his unnecessarily adorable face. Especially when he started to grin.

“You kick him to the curb?”

Ginny huffed, crossing her arms and shaking her head at him. She turned, leaning her hip against the railing to better study Mike’s gloating face. She narrowed her eyes at him. 

“No, but I saw Rachel march out of here like the place was on fire,” she challenged, brow raised.

Mike nodded, tongue prodding into the side of his cheek. “She had to go cover some story.” When Ginny continued to study him, he added, “And, apparently, pack up my stuff so she could ship it back here.”

That challenging look melted away, leaving her beautiful face so open, so full of feeling. For him.

“Mike, I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

He shook her off. “It’s fine. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.”

One of the things he loved most about Ginny—because Christ were there a lot of them—was the fact that she understood. Without being told or asking a thousand questions that all boiled down to the same thing, she understood. She nodded and frowned, but didn’t push him to say anything else because she didn’t need to. She just knew. 

Instead, they both turned back to the crashing water and the clear sky. 

The feather-light brush of Mike’s jacket against her arm as much as the dark, intimate atmosphere and cool breeze had Ginny breaking out in goosebumps anew. Next to her, Mike was such a solid, warm presence, and it took all of her willpower not to sway into him, laying her head against his shoulder. 

His wife had just left him. Again. There had to be better times to confront this thing between them. 

But Ginny couldn’t bring herself to do it. Wait. She couldn’t bring herself to play this cautiously. Not when she didn’t know what this next year would bring.

“You know,” she said, biting her lip before deciding to hell with it all. “They say what you’re doing at midnight on New Year’s sets the tone for the rest of the year.”

“So you’re gonna be shivering in the dark a lot?” he snorted, shaking his head. “Sounds real—”

“With you.”

Mike didn’t tease her the way he usually did when she interrupted him. His jaw hung slack, but no sounds came out of his mouth. 

Ginny shifted nervously. 

“Maybe I will be in the dark, ‘cause God knows I have no clue what’ll happen with my arm or my contract or—” she cut herself off, though she was pretty sure the way her cheeks heated up and she couldn’t quite look Mike in the eye filled in most of the blanks. Still, she swallowed and began again, “And I don’t know what you mean by shivering because it’s not even that cold, but none of that will matter. Because hopefully, I’ll have you. Exactly where you are right now.”

When she finally brought herself to look up at Mike, after a long silence, he was staring back, jaw still a little slack. That, even more than the silence, had her heart beating double time. 

“Ginny,” he murmured, his hand coming out to guide her to face him head on. He didn’t let go of her when she did, fingers skating up and down her arm. “What happened to not talking about this?”

“How happy did not talking make us?”

Mike knew she meant this, their feelings, when she said that, but the thought of not talking to her at all made him physically ache. He nodded his agreement, swallowing down the swell of emotions. 

“You think I can make you happy?”

Slowly, Ginny nodded. “I’m sure you can.”

The look that came over Mike’s face was indescribable. Ginny had seen him smile and grin and laugh, but this was somehow even better. Maybe because it was all for her, without any kind of audience. It wasn’t often they were like this. The last time, they’d nearly kissed.

Mike licked his lips and Ginny was sure that there would be no nearly about tonight. 

She swayed into him, chin tilting up just enough that when Mike leaned in, too, their mouths slotted together perfectly. 

Ginny sighed against him, her arms looping easily around his neck as she closed the distance. Mike groaned in response, his broad forearms banding across her back and lifting, just enough that he didn’t have to bend so much to keep kissing her. 

They lost track of time in the push and pull of lips, a quieter echo of the ocean breaking against the beach beyond. 

It wasn’t until fireworks overhead burst their dark, private bubble, signaling an end to their privacy and an end to the year, that they pulled away. Through the glass, raucous cheers filtered into the night as Padres celebrated the arrival of midnight. In no time, the balcony would be flooded with their teammates and bosses, but neither Ginny nor Mike could bring themselves to pull away completely, trading soft, easy caresses until they’d gotten their fill. 

For now. Each was sure they’d never get enough of kissing the other. 

It was Mike who murmured, “We’ll figure it out,” as silver sparks rained across the sky. His thumb swept just below her ear, making Ginny sigh.

“We will,” she promised, her nose nudging against Mike’s. The apples of his cheeks rounded as he smiled, Ginny so close she could feel them.  

By the time the balcony door opened and their tipsy teammates joined them to watch the rest of the fireworks, Mike and Ginny were back to standing side by side at the rail. Maybe they were a bit closer than anyone else would stand, but no one questioned it. That was just Lawson and Baker. 

Still, the two couldn’t keep from trading secret smiles, every brush against one another a reminder of how they’d begun the new year and how they intended to spend it.