#Gil: everyday I wake up

[softquietsteadylove]

The human au is very interesting! Would you do another one? Maybe they get attacked by the deviants and Thena is a bit too late to protect Gil and he gets hurt badly while he saves a kid?

The last thing he remembered was that little girl, standing in the middle of the chaos, looking up at the wall. But whatever they were fighting out there was big.

Gil was forbidden from leaving the gates when they were under attack, even to help get people inside. Partially by Ajak's order and strongly enforced by Thena, it was simply too dangerous for him to be out there.

He was as good as human, now.

He had run over to the girl, protecting her with his own body as a section of wall crumbled from the outside in. Human or not, he was still bigger than she was, and he could still protect humans, even if he was one.

"What happened?"

"You saved a young child," Ajak smiled down at him. She must have healed him, because the pain in his body was screaming.

"Some of the wall fell around and," Sersi grimaced, "on you."

"Don't worry, pal, the kid's fine," Kingo reassured.

Gil's eyes moved around them all. He could even see Druig and Ikaris on the outskirts of their little group. He groaned, "Thena?"

Looks were traded. Ajak looked behind her and nodded her head before looking down at him again. "You should rest, Gilgamesh."

The rest of the Eternals took their leave, leaving the Warrior Eternal to take their place to be the one and only in his vision. He looked up at her, trying to read the expression - or lack thereof - on her face.

"Are you in pain?"

Yes, he was in agony. He blinked at her, "not bad."

Still, she just stared at him, "you lie."

He watched as she moved around Phastos' examination table. He grunted as he tried to sit himself up, "that makes two of us."

"Gil," she put her hand to his chest.

He huffed, flopping back down again. He would have smacked his head on the table if not for her hand cradling the back of it. "Please?"

Thena kept her hand pressed on his chest, but did eventually move one to his back to help him up. "You must move gently. You were gravely injured, Gilgamesh."

He winced as his body took on its own weight again. "I don't remember."

"Perhaps because the gravity of your injury is blocking your memory."

He looked up at her. That eerily still expression was gone but it was replaced with an even worse on. "You're mad at me?"

"Do not trivialise this, Gilgamesh," she scowled at him. He did have to consider himself lucky. If he were anyone else he would be getting a lot more hell than just this. "You were nearer death than I have ever seen you."

He attempted a smile, "I saved that kid, right?"

Thena looked away. She had no argument to that, nor would she shame him for it, no matter her feelings on the issue. Her approach changed direction, "you were told to stay within the walls."

"I was, technically," he pointed out, not that it was helping his case.

She glared at him, "Gilgamesh."

"Hey, I'm the one injured here," he countered, but that just worsened things again. Her fists clenched and she leaned on the edge of the table. He frowned, "Thena?"

"I cannot be in two places at once," she conceded, and it sounded like she deeply and truly resented having to admit such a reality. She finally looked at him, eyes screaming what she could not. "There is only so much I can do to protect you."

Gil sighed, although his broken and then healed ribs protested. "You're protecting me day in and day out, already."

"Does that displease you?"

"I'm not saying that," he cut in quickly. He held out his hand, and was relieved when it seemed that this at least remained the same for them. He brought it to his lips. "How do we make this work?"

Thena bent herself to kiss his lips this time, gentle in a way that made them both want to cry.

"I can't go on like I'm made of glass," he stated aloud that which everyone had been avoiding saying. "And you know it."

"And what would you have me do?" she whispered, locking their fingers together. "Allow you to walk into harm's way when you are mortal?--something you would never allow to happen to me if I were in your place?"

She used that argument often. And she was right; if she had mysteriously turned human overnight he would nary let her out of his sight, let alone onto the battlefield.

And keeping her from fighting would hurt something inside of her, no matter how safe he kept her.

Thena touched her forehead to his, "I know you want to help."

"I can't do nothing, Thena."

"Of course not," she accepted, deeply saddened by his happy declaration. "But I will not watch you die, either."

Gil ran his hand over her cheek. It felt the same, even if he had no Cosmic Energy under his skin. He could still feel hers, though, as if rising to just under her skin, calling out to him. "I promise you won't."

Normally she would scold him for making a promise over which he held so little control. Now, all she did was lean into his touch. "I was too late, today. If that happens again-"

"It won't." Now he was just lying to her. But he tipped her lips to his again. "Hey."

She indulged him, looking into his eyes with her green ones.

"Y'know," he murmured, "this doesn't have an end in sight. Are you really ready to face...what if I never-"

Thena placed her finger upon his lips, then her own lips. She smiled, "am I prepared to have a human for a partner, you mean?"

He blushed.

She inhaled against his cheek. This was the most she had touched him in weeks. "If it's you."

[shuuney]

₊˚⊹ ᰔ some headcanons on how I think otomate characters would celebrate national girlfriend's day with you ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

~Yanagi Aiji ~

-He seems like the type to be walking walking around shinjuku and then see an ad only to realise and think "ah, today is national gf day. I should get something for her."

-He would prepare your favourite food, bouquet of flowers, everything you like and maybe fill up a box with them. It will be decorated very lightly, maybe just a simple white ribbon or so.

-His always sweet but he would be even sweeter, would shower you with love for picking him.

-And he seems like someone who would say these, "is there anything you want? I can do it for you don't need to hold back. It's a day to thank you for choosing me always"

-"I didn't know about this day until recently but I wanted to make sure you enjoyed it if you do"

~ Sasazuka Takeru ~

-He probably wouldn't even know this day existed and you would need to tell him

-He would hit you with this line, "HA? national gf day, that's just a useless marketing gimmick. Do we really need to celebrate something like that? Don't I give you enough love everyday"

-BUT he will gift you flowers and sweet treats at the end of the day, maybe around 11pm just right before the day ends, he would make you answer the door and it's a food delivery with the bouquet

-"hmph I don't care much about this day but if it makes my pooch happy, here's a treat"

~ Okazaki Kei ~

-He has two scenarios in my head where he either invites you over and treats it as a normal date.

-He would prepare a variety of snacks and food to share while smugly saying, "hehe did you know today is national girlfriend day? I prepared a bunch of things so lets celebrate okay!" Right after he would give you a bouquet of flowers that he prepared.

-Next scenario being him showing up at your door with a bouquet of flowers. And he would perk up and slightly exclaim "hehe surprise !! national girlfriend day!"

~ Shiraishi ~

-Another one who wouldn't know that such a day exists but he is always well prepared for last minute surprises because he strives to give you his best everyday. The moment he finds out he would quickly order a bouquet from the nearest florist and cook or order your favourite food.

-Would definitely say "I'm sorry I didn't realise earlier, I promise I love you."

~ Nicola Francesca~

-He would definitely go the extra mile with his gifts, flowers, cakes and every gift under the sun that he can provide for you. Plus he would plan the perfect date and guide you through the city like the gentleman he is.

-"I'll do anything for my signorina." and he would end of by saying something like, "Happy National Girlfriend day love, thank you for loving me."

~ Yang ~

-He too would not know what day it is and would hit you with this line, "National girlfriend day? What is that, never heard of such a useless thing. If you want to be loved you should just be honest and tell me that."

-However, when you wake up the next day in the afternoon, you notice that there's mysteriously a pile of gifts at the end of the bed.

~ Orlok ~

-Sweet summer child Orlok, he wouldn't know unless someone told me and once he finds out, he will quickly head into town to buy your favourite pastry or flowers.

-He would try to get the most he can, the biggest bouquet he can afford at the moment simply hoping to see your wide smile again.

-However, if he has no money, I see him as someone who would pick out flowers from a field, where he will make you a flower crown or a bouquet of four leaf clovers.

-Ending of the day with, "I'm sorry I didn't prepare enough for this day, I really do love you so so much. Next year I'll be sure to give you double of today to make up for this. I'm sorry. I hope to make you happy."

~ Gil Lovecraft ~

-He would take you out on a full day date, gifts you a huge bouquet of flowers, each stem a flower that you like or if you aren't sure which flower you like, he pays attention to flower language just so that the bouquet can convey his intense emotions.

-He would drive you everywhere you want to on this date, its a date solely focused on making you happy. If you have no where you want to go in mind, he has an itenary prepared and would have the restaurant sing in celebration for you.

-"Happy national girlfriend day, I love you so so much this is just a small token of my appreciation for having you by my side everyday. I love you more and more everyday."

-Then he would mumble, "I hope we continue loving each other like this. A dream come true."

~ Arsene Lupin ~

-He would 100% have flowers prepared, but he would take you on a casual date first

-Where you go around and eat desserts, do some activities. He would just casually and smoothly take the lead, buying you things casually as well. Whatever you like and look at for a minute too long, suddenly the item is in your possession.

-True magician style, he would give you the bouquet by making it appear out of thin air, and he would do it while the both of you are admiring the river of Thames or on a bridge anywhere with good view

-And he would end off the day by saying, "happy national gf day, here's just a small token of my love for you, just know you're stuck with me always"

okay that's enough delusions outta me,, my bad if they're ooc this just how i imagine them in my lil head. Hope it was a fun read── .✦

[beforeiforgetyou]

Gil’s philosophy on happiness. Late night thought.

Truth about life is that happiness isn’t given. It is earned. It isn’t bought. It isn’t even created. Happiness is taken. The world is full of love and beauty. But it’s also ugly, selfish, and cruel. Once you find the things that give you joy, you literally have to get up one day and just take all of it (or at least as much as you can) for yourself and protect it with your life. Took me a looooong time to figure that out. No one owes you anything. The universe included. The is no meaning of life. We make our own. Whether it’s raising a family, running a 5k marathon, or just enjoying that first cup of coffee in the morning… happiness, purpose, joy, it’s all subjective and it’s all right in our face and ripe for the taking. The world is chaotic and confusing. There’s no rules. No guidebook. You make your own. Or you chose the one you want to subscribe to. Whichever path you’re on, you can’t keep looking over your shoulder and worrying about who’s watching you, or where they are on their own path. Sometimes paths cross. Sometimes paths split. It’s part of the journey. What I’m saying is, happiness is individual and a state of being that you create for yourself. Happiness starts with identifying the way you want your life to look and evolves into the things you do daily to achieve and maintain those things. For me, happiness is love and freedom. My happiness comes from waking up everyday and doing what I want. When I realize that freedom was my greatest desire, I gave up everything to take it. I let my world literally crumble so that I could rebuild it the way I wanted to. And love. I don’t have the love I want right now but I realize that right now, in order to be able to take that love when it comes again, I need to love myself a little more first. Work on me. But keep my heart open and gentle at the same time.

I’m not unhappy. I’m moving. I’m growing. And I continue to reach for the things I desire.

[sharkgirls]

I love how this stings Gertrude. She allowed herself to be shattered and I don’t blame her on that part. I know that feeling. But assuming reality is only one perspective is naive. Yes reality is a painful, dark place. I know that place well. I live there. But Kreide, Kreide is what I love about myself and life. Gertrude is what I am wary of and feel capable of becoming if I allow myself to.

Like I don’t want to spend the rest of my life shattered because reality was a little too much to take. I want to be the kind of naive that allows me to be believe in better things. I don’t care if they aren’t actually there. I’d go full insane if I didn’t believe in something good. Between my mental health and the news, I find myself losing my grip. I hear myself wanting to surrender to the “this is the way the world really is” part that is only a piece of a reality, not even a fraction. Like yes, please call me naive! Call me whatever you feel like if that’s what you need. I simply want to be understood not pitied. I want to know happiness even if life repeatedly runs me over as it has done.

I didn’t fall back into a childlike perspective. I simply said, “There must be more to the world than what I know.” I embraced the unknown. I looked for the good in things.

Even if everyday it feels like more and more blood drenches my hands due my country’s sins. Even if everyday I wake up and I’m still fucked up like I am with little hope of getting better even with therapy. IF I don’t go looking for that good, if I don’t have those “childish ideals” then the world, my world will remain the same.

I didn’t revert, I evolved my world view to include more information and more possibilities. Because if there was nothing better, then dragging everyone to hell with me would be the right thing to do. Getting revenge would be the only thing. Of course, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t living off some spite. But that spite comes from a desire to see a better world.

Gertrude and Kreide represent two possibilities, two extreme ends. One is powerless to do much of anything and he makes the ultimate sacrifice for those he loves, while the other has power and uses it to stroke her metaphorical penis with it, isolating herself from others and reality.

Kreide’s perspective is always the more valuable one and the one that is closer to reality to me. Because reality is partially what people believe it to be. Both Gertrude and Kreide were hit by trucks yet Kreide up till the end fought for something better and more. More than reality would allow for him to have. His last words to Ebenholz are a reminder that we ultimately control our decisions no matter how tragic our lives can be. Happiness is a choice. The happiness Gertrude chose was impure in comparison to Kreide’s as it brought more suffering and cost Kreide his life and only chance for freedom.

Yes, you have to acknowledge the way the world really is. But accept it for just that? No! Never. It won’t change unless you start to believe in something better. Gil Scott-Heron believed something similar.

Perhaps my own ideals will change in time and perhaps they should. But this is the perspective they should grow from. This is the way I want to walk now. This is the promise I made to myself years ago. This is why I love Lingering Echoes. Shatter my heart, make me feel and remind me what the hell I’m still wanting to live for. The good things…

[thithesandofferings]

:::Wake Up Shinra!:::

:Synopsis: Shinra’s Crew waking up with you 

:Characters: Reno. Rude. Tseng. Rufus.

:Tags: SFW! GN!Reader. Domesticity. Forehead Kisses. Reno looking at you like he’ll die for you. Breakfast in bed. Doggies in bed too. Rude being himself.

:Authors Note: I just.... Really thought that @brilcrist​ photo series of Shinra’s crew morning had to be written in words. It was just so beautiful! I love their work! Please go check them out! Credit to the photo here.

Reno

"Do you really gotta go? C'mon theyre never gonna notice if you dont come in" You want to turn around and reprimand him , but you know if you turn, he'll get his wish. God he's beautiful, laying there like that, clutching your pillow against him. If you sneak a glance you can still see his face smashed into it, smelling your scent. Blinking sleeping up at you- waiting for you to come back to bed. You're not going to admit it, but you melt. This is your Reno, without the cool façade and the quippy words. The one who looks at you like you're his world. That he's ok with looking at you and nothing else ever again. Soft skin and hair that smells like your shampoo that he insist is so much better than his. He's always so warm in the morning. Making you want to bury your face in his chest while he rambles about something or another. Legs intertwining around the sheets. Secretly rolling your eyes because those sheets were thousands a Gil. Knows Reno sleeps naked because of it. You feel his stare now in the back of your head and you sigh knowing you cant win. He's grinning cockily when you do turn, holding the sheet out and making space for you. "C'mere, how about just ten more minutes" You know, even as you slide into the spot he kept warm for you, that you wont be leaving that soon.

Rude

Rude who never wants to wake you up in the morning. He knows its early so he'll do his best to get up quietly. But when you get up with him, just to be in his space, he is secretly grateful. There's a routine, making the bed, eating breakfast while you both watch the sunrise. Speaking quietly about the day ahead and what you plan to get up  to. But he waits for little moments. The moments where you yawn and press your face into his back as he cleans up his shave. Mumbling about how tired you are into the heat of his skin. You say he always smells good, but he hasn't done anything special so he just lets you say whatever you want. He'll grunts in acknowledgement, turn around silently to stare at you-waiting. Waiting for you to reach up and grab his freshly shaved skin and kiss his forehead, then his nose, and then his lips. The giggle you do relaxes his shoulders and sets his purpose to leave for the day. He doesn't want to leave, he’d rather stay with you; He would do this everyday with you if he could. But he's ok if he gets to wake up and have just one more kiss.

Tseng

Tseng is the epidemy of orderly. Not a hair out of place, no shirt untucked. You love that Tseng, but you think you love Tseng even more when he is heaving a sigh out of bed. Black hair falling across his face, clothing wrinkled. Brushes over to kiss your forehead softly, smelling softly of warmth and laundry. He wont admit it, but sometimes he hums softly while he's getting ready. Its heady and low, comfortable enough to lull you back to sleep easily. But you love watching the process of Tseng getting ready. You get to see the sun filter into his hair and kiss his shoulders. Hear the shirt ride past his arms, the clicking of the buttons coming together, the tie tightening against his throat. Rubbing the lotion that is definitely yours, over soft fingers. He'll look at you sometimes, heavy and weighted, wanting to say something. Only to turn around and continue to put his shoes on. You dont ask him to stay, because you know he wont, but just to come back home to you- however it may be.

Rufus

Rich and luxurious sheets cradle the both of you. You cherish these moments, when he hugs you a little bit tighter and his frown is almost nonexistent. Where he stares and there's expressions in his eyes that he’s only saved for you. There is always a knock on the door, breakfast in bed. Specific foods for specific days. At least for Rufus it is. He only eats because it will give him more time to spend with you, but he’s not going to say that. He does flick your nose at the grumble of eating so early. This moment he doesn't dare talk about work, this moment is his. Demands that you shower with him, to wash his hair if you're feeling "useful". Shakes off his glower when he's come back, immaculately dressed and sees you back in bed with his silk robe on- cuddled with the dog. He wont waste his breath again when he demands that there will be no dogs in the bed. You never listen, you look him in the eye as you nuzzle your new warm pillow- his tell wagging in content. He'll make sure to tell you tomorrow, when he isn't so busy.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Feral (Part 11)

Summary: The reader is going into her first real heat, Dean is at his most feral ever, and the pair decide to finally let their instincts run the show...

Masterlist

Pairing: Alpha!Dean x Omega!reader

Word Count: 2,700ish

Warnings: language, angst, violence, mention of kidnapping, heavily implied abuse (non-graphic), smut

A/N: Enjoy!...

______

You woke up in Dean’s room, soft light filtering in through the windows. You rolled over and smashed your face straight into his, Dean chuckling quietly.

“Good morning. You got a solid fourteen hours there I’d say.”

“Geez. I’ve never sleep that late.”

“I don’t think you’ve slept much in days. You didn't even wake up when I carried you to the car and inside.”

“Been a little stressed,” you whispered. He draped his arm over your back and pulled your body into his. He was warm, wearing a pair of boxer briefs and a t shirt. A plaid Sherpa blanket was over the top of you both, a nice layer of weight on the cool fall morning. 

“S’okay,” said Dean. “I know a thing or two about stress. I slept amazingly the other night. I know how good it feels to give in and let it go.”

“I haven’t had a panic attack since college,” you mumbled.

“I haven’t had one since before I went feral which hey, being feral kinda saved me from that medicine in the collar ever hurting me. It was pretty ideal actually.”

“We need to figure out who was involved. This was serious long term planning and-“ Dean put a hand over your mouth, cutting you off.

“No investigation today. No doctor or medical tests today. I have two very qualified doctors down the road to take care of me if I need it. Today is my turn to take care of you. Dr. Insler mentioned as we were leaving last night that you’re under a lot of stress and with the physical changes in your body recently you need to cool it. So today I make the plans and you are going to be my very relaxed and happy Omega. Deal?”

You nodded, Dean moving aside his hand. He pressed a lazy morning kiss on your lips, lingering but soft and more comforting than anything else. 

“But-” He put his hand over your mouth again and touched his forehead to yours. 

“You are so damn stubborn,” he said. You bopped his nose with your own, smiling and dropping his hand. “What do you so desperately need to do today?”

“I need to add a few notes to your file. It’ll only take-”

“Nope,” he said, putting his hand back. “Gil and Sophia are my doctor’s now, not you. In fact, I’m getting all this medical equipment out of this house so my little workaholic Omega can’t go into work mode.”

You mumbled under his hand and he threw his leg over your hip. Your eyes rolled, Dean removing his hand, brushing his lips over yours.

“You agreed and you are no longer my doctor so we no longer need those things. I’m serious Y/N. You need to rest and if this is how you’re going to play it, I will keep you like this all day long.”

You looked down to his lips, closing your eyes. Dean moved both arms around your back, your head resting on his bicep. 

“I’m scared.” Long fingers toyed with the end of your hair.

“Of?”

“All I’ve had for years was the fact I could help people. Not only can I not do that anymore but if anyone ever finds me...you’re going to get hurt because of it. You’re going to be alone because of it and I don’t know what to do. I can’t take you away from Sam but I can’t keep you trapped in this house for the rest of your life.”

“Why do you think I want to go anywhere that isn’t with you?” He stroked over your bonding gland in your neck, thumbing it gently. “We aren’t trapped. For the first time in our adult lives neither one of us is trapped anymore. Sam will get your name cleared. I know without a doubt he will.”

“But what if he doesn’t? What if I go to prison for thirty years? The laws around black market Alphas are so strict now.”

“Then I will visit you everyday until you get out.”

“What if they don’t let you? What if they think I manipulated you and what if we mate and they think I manipulated that and what if they put you somewhere because of it and you lose your freedom again and it’s all my fault.” You hiccuped, Dean kissing your temple.

“Relax Omega. You gotta relax. Your head’s going a million miles an hour.”

“But there’s hundreds of ways this goes horribly for the both of us and only one it works and we don’t have good luck Dean. I can’t be the reason you get locked away in some other facility.”

“I’m Dean fucking Winchester. My family still holds incredible influence and my brother is one of the top Alpha Black Market lawyers at one of the top law firms in the country. They try to lock either one of us up and he’ll rip them to shreds. We’re safe and I bet we can both go out in the real world again soon. I promise.”

“But that fucking collar Dean. That isn’t normal, even on the Alpha black market. You were targeted and I’m scared that person is coming after you again the second you poke your head up. I can’t stop being scared. I can’t. I feel like I’m going to throw up and I can’t breathe and everything is going to go wrong.”

Dean dipped his head down to your neck, baring his teeth to the soft flesh.

“What are you doing?” you breathed out, breath caught in your throat.

“Dr. Insler said we can only fight the fact we’re true mates for so long. She said it could be overwhelming for us both now that we’re finally scenting each other with no medication in our systems blocking anything. Very overwhelming to the point of it starts to stress our bodies by resisting it.”

“You can’t mate me cause I’m upset,” you said. You rolled away from him, shivering at the loss of the heat. Your nose twitched and body instinctively turned back, shuddering into his. “I feel like I’m going crazy.”

“You’re not crazy. You’re fighting instinct and I think it’s time we both stopped.”

“You said last night-”

“That was before you had a panic attack and told me how terrified you are of everything. You’re still afraid and you’ll probably be afraid after we mate but it’ll be different. If you and me stop trying to fucking analyze and wait for the perfect logical moment…” he trailed off. His eyes were feral but you scooted closer, not trying to stop the fuzzy floating feeling creeping in. “Y/N. Please let me. My gut says now’s the time.”

“You can’t undo this,” you whispered, Dean pulling back only to rip off his shirt. 

“Do you trust me?” 

“Yes.”

“Do I have permission Y/N? You gotta say it.” Your head was swimming, a sucker punch to your gut making you gasp. Dean’s nose twitched and his eyes darkened. “You’re in heat.”

“Why does it hurt?” you breathed out, arms reaching for him. “Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop.”

“What the fuck is going on in here?” said Sam, barging in, scrunching up his face. “Fuck Dean she’s in heat.”

“Make it stop!” you shouted, your insides boiling inside of you.

“Claim her! You heard what Dr. Insler said last night if she goes into heat,” said Sam. Dean growled and leaned up. “Claim-”

“I don’t have permission!” snapped Dean, snarling at Sam.

“She wants-”

“She said only with permission and I don’t have it so get the fuck out,” growled Dean. 

“Dean make it stop,” you moaned, eyes shut, back arching.

“Y/N Dean has to-”

“I said get out!” said a deep voice that made you flash your eyes open. Sam’s were wide, Dean hovering protectively over you but face turned towards Sam. His eyes were nearly black, every hair on his body spiked up, a thin layer of sweat covering him. 

“Sam leave. He’s feral and thinks his Omega is threatened,” you said. Sam quickly jumped out of the room, Dean turning his gaze back on you. You swallowed, hot breath panting over you. “You’re really deep in feral right now. Raw instinct. Really, really raw instinct. Speaking is extremely rare in this state.”

“Give me permission,” he said, voice still too deep. “Please Omega.”

You forgot about the pain of the heat and took a deep breath.

“You’re unfiltered raw instinct and you speak. So I will ask you one question. Why do you want to claim me?”

“I love you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re warm.”

“Warm?”

“I was cold my whole life, even before being taken, but didn’t realize it until I met you and started to feel warm. I never want to be cold again.”

“Are you happy?”

“Not always but I feel loved. Do I have permission?”

“Why do you need my permission so badly?”

“I can’t claim you without permission. Your words. You are mine because you give, not because I take and that’s the same for me.” You smiled, the heat in your core barely noticeable now, the quiver of fear in the back of your mind quiet.

“Yes Alpha. You can claim me.” 

He didn’t move though and you reached a hand up to his cheek.

“Alpha?”

“That was...very strange,” said Dean, voice softer again. “It was me but I wasn’t thinking.”

“I know. You at your core is very protectively good and sweet Dean. I want you to claim me,” you said. 

“Yes Omega,” he murmured. You tugged up your shirt and took off your bra, Dean kicking his underwear down his legs. You kept the covers around his back, Dean smiling at the warmth now that it was slightly cooler. He rested his hands on your hips and slid them upwards over your ribs, his head cocking slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You feel so soft and warm is all.”

“I heard you got a thing for feeling warm.” 

“What can I say, I love you. But you’re a little too warm. We have to get your heat under control before you catch a fever.” You pushed his hands down to your hips, Dean breathing deeply. 

“You know what you’re doing. Do what feels right,” you said. He tore your underwear off without breaking eye contact, discarding them to the side. Your pulse quickened at being naked in front of him finally, Dean lowering himself even closer, chest pressed gently against yours. His hands on either side of you supported him, fingers turning your jaw up to meet his mouth. He kissed you roughly but you liked it. It felt right, felt right when Dean’s hands interlaced with yours, Dean pinning them by your head.

You gasped into his mouth when he started to rut against you, tip of his cock rubbing your clit. A dull pressure began forming in you, quiet and low. Dean ground himself against you and you felt more of his cock, wondering just how good he would feel. You’d seen him naked more than once and even hard and that was impressive alone, but he felt like he was even bigger now if you could imagine it. Dean hummed, a soft little one, and a spark shot through you, your hips bucking up straight into him. Wetness felt as though it was gushing out of you and Dean moved his head to your neck, kissing over your bonding gland.

“Dean. Fuck me. Please.” He rocked his hips and you started to squirm, Dean holding you down. “Please.”

“Not yet,” he murmured, keeping up with his slow ministrations, dick rubbing your clit, Dean kissing over your bond. Every pass of his cock was sending more and more shocks through you, every fiber in your body lit up. 

“Alpha,” you groaned. “Knot me, knot me, please.”

“Not yet, Omega,” he growled against your neck. You whimpered, laying back and trying to sink into the feelings filling you up. “Relax for me, sweetheart. Stop thinking and just relax.”

You squeezed your eyes shut, head pounding, body trembling. God all you wanted was his dick in you. You fucking needed his dick in you or you were going to explode. A pressure was building up inside of you and you curled your toes, throwing your head back as it built and built.

You shouted when Dean pushed inside of you slowly, teasingly slowly. But you still weren’t coming, hands squeezing his sweaty ones, skin sticky, Dean rolling his hips and thrusting hard. You didn’t understand why you weren’t coming, why your orgasm was right there and it wasn’t happening. 

It was right fucking there.

You leaned up and kissed Dean, something scratching at the back of your mind. Something with Dean, something you knew but couldn’t place. You opened your eyes, staring up at Dean as he thrust slow but hard, knot starting to form. 

He nodded and you returned it. That feeling, that being stuck on the edge feeling, was how he’d spent the past five years. 

“Trust me?” he breathed out. You smiled, Dean returning it, kissing you quickly. “Last chance to back out.”

“Alpha. Do it.”

He dipped his head down the second he slammed himself inside of you, knot and all. He thrust shallowly, the coil inside of you almost snapping, even more nerves on fire. You shouted when Dean bit into your neck, a million little lightbulbs going off in your head at once. Too much, not enough and you were coming, warmth filling you up, Dean grunting as you forgot how to breathe.

He rocked both of you through the high until you were coming down, sucking in a huge lungful of air. Dean rolled to his back, a careful arm moving you with him before he lapped gently at your neck. You knew it must have hurt, had always imagined how on earth Omega’s could tolerate that kind of pain where it leaves a permanent mark. But you felt nothing but good and amazing and calm in a way you never had.

Dean’s scent was slightly different now. A cozy campfire, leather and cinnamon apple pie, vanilla and musk and woodsy and fresh rain and if you weren’t mistaken, a hint of jasmine.

“You smell amazing,” you murmured, Dean cleaning your neck carefully until he pulled away and smiled, turning his head when you rested yours on his shoulder.

“You smell like a campfire now,” he said.

“You smell like jasmine.”

“Guess that means the whole bonding thing worked out.” You put a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat, your own thudding right along to his. “They’re in sync.”

“Yes. That can happen during bonding. A lot can happen during bonding.”

“You felt restrained,” he said. You nodded. “I could feel that. I didn’t know how to say it’d be okay. I was-”

“Going on instinct. When I stopped trying to make it happen and let you drive, that’s when everything sort of…”

Dean made a boom noise, chuckling when you started to giggle.

“How’d I do for my first time?”

“Fucking excellent. But fair warning, you are not always gonna be running the show.”

“I’m more than happy with that,” he said, nuzzling closer, sucking over your mating bite again.

“How do you know to do that?” you breathed out.

“I don’t know,” he mumbled. “I just feel that it’ll be painful for you if I don’t so I just do.”

“Good Alpha,” you hummed, Dean returning it, arms wrapped around your back as he finished cleaning you up. “I don’t feel like I’m in heat anymore.”

“It passed before it could take. No more danger,” he said quietly. 

“No more,” you said, smiling when one of Dean’s fingers started to dip along the curve of your back. “I should introduce you to the concept of foreplay while we wait for your knot to go down.”

“Hm, that sounds fun. What is it?”

“Oh trust me. You’re gonna love it.”

_______

A/N: Read Part 12 here!

[queer-cosette]

Monster High as John Mulaney quotes

Frankie: My vibe is like, "hey you could probably pour soup in my lap and I’ll apologise to you."

Draculaura: I’m one of the worst drivers I’ve ever seen, and I just want you all to know that if you’re ever on the highway behind me, uh, I hear you honking and I also don’t want me to be doing what I’m doing.

Clawdeen: Like, when my dad and I would talk, it was like that scene in the movie Heat, when Robert De Niro and Al Pacino sit down in that diner. We kind of had that rapport of, like, “Hmm, we’re not so different, you and I. You have your law practice, and me, I have all these fucking markers.”

Cleo: And without looking up at me, my dad just said, “You have the moral backbone of a chocolate éclair.”

Lagoona: Ah! One feels like a duck splashing around in all this wet! And when one feels like a duck, one is happy!

Ghoulia: It was so beautiful today that I only watched four hours of ‘Law & Order’ in my apartment.

Abbey: Why do people shush animals? They've never spoken!

Spectra: Was there ever even a ghost, Mother, or was the dead Victorian girl you saw just me all along?

Deuce: I would never say that, not even as a joke, that my wife is a bitch and I don’t like her. That is not true. My wife is a bitch and I like her so much.

Clawd: My wife and I walk around New York City pushing our French bulldog in a stroller, and it’s a big stroller and it has a big black hood. And people lean in to see the baby. And instead they see a gargoyle breathing like Chris Christie. Her paws are sweating. We’re like, “He’s sick.”

Heath: This is an on-fire garbage can. Could be a nursery.

Jackson: Late at night, on the street, women will see me as a threat. That is funny, yeah! It’s kind of flattering in its own way, but at the same time, it’s weird because, like, I’m still afraid of being kidnapped.

Holt: I ran into the laundry room and I jumped on the washing machine and I crawled out through a window into the backyard, and now I'm running through the backyard and there's this big chain-linked fence and I thought "I've never climbed a fence that high before!" and then I woke up at home.

Gil: Now, I was raised Catholic. I don’t know if you can tell that from the everything about me.

Slo Mo: It’s fun to be married. I’ve never been supervised before. I’m supervised. She studies what I do. Like an anthropologist. She’ll be like, “Sometimes, he will watch a movie on TV even though he already owns that movie on DVD. Pointing this out to him confuses and upsets him.”

Manny: I will keep all my emotions right here, and then one day I'll die.

Toralei: Sometimes, people would say, “What do you think you’re doing?” But that just meant “Stop.” They didn’t actually wanna know my thought process. They didn’t want me to be like, “Well, I was gonna put this bottle rocket into this carton of eggs, so that when I lit off the bottle rocket, the eggs would explode everywhere.”

Meowlody: And he shows me a tiny room that is covered wall to wall in stolen antique photos from different people’s parties over the years. And I said “Why? Why do you do this?” and Alex said “Cause it’s the one thing you can’t replace.”

Purrsephone: Just too anxious for a lot of things, I get nervous all the time, not even about like major life things, just about like everyday situations. Like this is my regular speaking voice, but if I’m in a pubic bathroom and someone knocks too suddenly on the door or stall door, I go into a whole different speaking voice. Which is “Eh, someone’s in hereee. Someone’s in hereee.” so they’re gonna be like “I think there is a carnival barker in there. I think someone’s trying to drum up business for a carnival.”

Robecca: Everything was slower back in the old days ’cause they didn’t have enough to do, so they had to slow things down to fill the time. I don’t know if you read history, but back then people would wake up and go, “God, it’s the old times.”

Venus: Oh! Hey! Would you like, like an old turnip we found in the cabinet? Would that be good for you? Would you like that?

Rochelle: [French accent] “Oh, the things I have seen, you cocksucker. You have no idea. The Gestapo threw my printing press into a river. But, go, tell your fucking jokes. Bring me my dish.”

Operetta: I'm really sorry about last night, it's just that I'm mean and loud. It will probably happen again.

Howleen: We started chanting, McDonald’s, McDonald’s, McDonald’s! And my dad pulled into the drive thru, and we started cheering and then he ordered one black coffee for himself and kept driving.

Twyla: In terms of like, instant relief, cancelling plans is like heroin.

Nefera: We want a gift! But only if it's MONEY!

[iliveiloveiwrite]

Stay The Night // Malcolm Bright (Prodigal Son)

Summary: He never stays the night.

A/N: My first Prodigal Son fic! I am still getting to grips with Malcolm’s character so forgive me if things seem off! I would love some requests for Prodigal Son so feel free to drop them in my inbox! I am only writing for Malcolm right now. I hope you all enjoy!

Warnings: light angst, hurt/comfort, cute

Word Count: 1.7k

He never stayed the night.

He would fasten his shirt; taking care with each button as he kisses you again and again. He would laugh against your mouth – his hands stopping yours from undoing the buttons once again.

He never stayed the night.

It never mattered how many times you told yourself this would be the last time; you found yourself answering his phone call or his text and unlocking your door for him. Knowing he would let himself in; sweet nothings on the tip of his tongue – ready to be whispered lovingly into your ear.

It didn’t matter how many times you pleaded with him. He never stayed the night.

He claims that it’s to protect you, but you wonder if it’s more to protect himself. That he’s so innately terrified that the walls he spent years building are so happy to crumble around you. That he just isn’t ready for that yet.

Doubts fly around your head; distracting you from your work, pulling you away from his arms when he least expects it. Malcolm notices – of course he does, he’s a trained profiler, he would notice the little changes in your behaviour. The distance you so obviously try to put between you; short answers to texts, upset sighs on the phone.

Malcolm starts to spend his days thinking of you: thinking of your smile, your laugh, your kiss. It occupies the better part of his day as he wonders whether he had taken advantage of you, of what the both of you have together. He knows that something has changed between you; that something is wrong, but he cannot work out the cause.

It comes to ahead the evening he enters the tunnels under the city, following a serial killer claiming to know more about the Girl in the Box. He follows the suspect blindly; not thinking of anything else but getting his answers though, for one brief moment, as his ribs are crushed in the turnstile gate, Malcolm’s mind briefly flickers to you. A moment of pain free peace in and amongst it all.

Malcolm’s breathing is slow and heavy when you find him in Gil’s office. His eyes are closed, but he feels your presence – it charges the atmosphere in the room, making him long to touch you, but falter at the idea that he could possibly hurt you.

“I thought they had called my mother,” Malcolm says in greeting; his voice tight as his ribs protest any movement, any breath.

You shake your head, holding up your phone as some semblance of evidence, “Gil rang about a half hour ago, asking me to come to the station and get you of his sight.”

Malcolm laughs, then gasps in pain, “I think Gil is angry with me…”

“Think?” You all but shout, “You think Gil is angry with you? Christ, Malcolm, I’m angry with you.”

Malcolm furrows his brows, confused at your outburst. His eyes wander over your body; the speed of your breaths combined with the flush under your skin and the thin line of your lips suggests your anger, but your eyes…

Your eyes show pain; anger is there, it is simmering away quietly, waiting for fuel to be added to the fire but through it all, pain is the key emotion. He cannot help but wonder how long he has been blind to the pain in your eyes; wonders whether it was visible every time he kissed you goodnight before leaving you once again.

Throwing your hands in the air, you cross your arms over your body, protecting yourself from whatever else is about to happen. Nudging the chair leg with your foot, you sigh, “Come on, I’ll take you back to your flat.”

Malcolm frowns: opening his mouth to begin to protest but decides against it at the last moment. Instead, he slowly pulls himself out the chair, doing his best to hide the grimace that falls across his face at the first hint of pain and follows you out of the door.

The car ride is silent and full to the brim with awkward tension. He doesn’t know what to say; he doesn’t know what to do. He cannot decide whether he should reach across the console and take your hand, offering you some form of comfort despite it being him that is injured.

He doesn’t take your hand. He chickens out at the last moment, unable to stop thinking about the pain in your eyes. Instead, he clenches his hand into a tight fist, willing himself to keep his hands to himself.

Distantly, Malcolm tries to pinpoint the exact moment it went wrong between you both. It wasn’t his job – you were just as dedicated to yours. It wasn’t his talent for profiling; for the keen sense of observation he uses in his everyday life.

It comes to him all at once.

He never stayed the night. He had left you too many times.

Tilting his head back onto the headrest, Malcolm deliberates whether he had left you alone one too many times, whether his time with you was now running out. He can feel the first crack in his heart when the thought crosses his mind; he feels it and he doesn’t like it.

-----

Malcolm’s flat is cold when you enter behind the brunette. His bird twitters away happily at the sight of their owner; you cannot help but smile softly at the sight of Malcolm greeting his beloved pet.

That very smile turns fond as Malcolm turns his attentions to you, gesturing you further into his home. To your heart, it didn’t matter how many times Malcolm had left you in the night, how his side of the bed turned cold before he had closed the door behind him. It didn’t matter because he had so easily managed to capture it for his own gain.

Malcolm takes a seat at his breakfast bar gingerly, willing himself not to jostle his side too much. He watches you with a wide-eyed expression as he tracks your movement; watching you grab a glass and fill it with water.

The glass landing on the counter is the only sound in the room. Malcolm doesn’t dare say anything for fear of pushing you further away; you refuse to say anything for fear of showing your true feelings.

“If you have everything you need, I’ll get going. I’ll call you in the morning to check up on you, Malcolm,” You comment quietly, pushing away from the breakfast counter, ready to leave and not come back unless absolutely necessary.

“What?” The questions falls from his lips before he even thinks it through; he just cannot seem to comprehend that you would leave him.

“I’m going. You’ve got your pain meds and some water, I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” You sigh, tugging your jacket tighter and heading for the door.

“Wait!” Malcolm calls, standing from the breakfast bar with slow, painful movements. It is only in this instant that he regrets ever following that man into the tunnel; it is only now he regrets such an action for the fact that it looks like you’re about to walk out of his life and Malcolm feels as if he won’t see you again.

“Wait,” He repeats, “Please.”

You pause at the door, turning to face him. His eyes are almost wild with unspoken emotions as he outstretches a single hand, as if he could bridge the gap that had grown between the both of you over the last few weeks.

“Yes, Malcolm,” You sigh tiredly. You feel the fight leave you as your limbs suddenly become heavy; the weight of the emotions you have been feeling these past few weeks beginning to press down heavily upon you.

“What happened between us?” He asks timidly, as if afraid of the answer he will find. Malcolm has searched for answers since he was ten years old, watching his father being hauled away by the authorities. Now, however, he finds himself scared of the answer he might find.

“You never stayed the night. You would always kiss me and then leave. Why?” You counter, finally asking the question that has been circling your mind since the pattern emerged. Your voice breaks with barely held in emotions.

“There is a lot involved when it comes to being with me. I didn’t want to put you through all of it,” He replies in reason, closing his eyes at the pain that so clearly sounded in your voice.

“I think I did alright tonight,” You comment airily, gesturing to his bandaged chest.

Malcolm laughs, but doesn’t regret the burst of pain from his ribs. He reaches for your hand again, smiling happily when you don’t pull your hand away. “I think you did alright tonight too,” He murmurs.

“So why would you leave?”

Malcolm averts his gaze, thinking over the words carefully. “Would you believe me if I told you I was scared?” He asks.

“Of what?”

“Of it all,” He confesses, “There is so much that comes with being with me, having to manage everything… I understand how it can become too much for one person so that’s why I would leave every time when all I really wanted to do was spend every waking minute with you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” You demand, curiosity your besetting sin.

“I was scared. I was doing it all to protect you, but I’ve gone about it the wrong way.”

You squeeze his hand, offering him a form of comfort as you work through what Malcolm has told you. He remains silent, happy for now to be stood by you, holding your hand in his.

“Stay the night?” He asks, pulling you gently towards the couch.

You bite your lip, glancing quickly between the door and the hopeful expression on Malcolm’s face.

“I want to make this a regular thing,” He states before clarifying, “Not the injured side of things, but staying with you, sleeping with you. I don’t like leaving you anymore. I don’t want to leave you anymore.”

“Malcolm…” You trail off, thinking of your countless attempts at taking your relationship further, at asking him to stay with you in the futile hope you could help with whatever terrors he suffers with at night.

“Stay the night?” He asks, repeating the same question from moments ago. His voice is hopeful, and his blue eyes shine bright with untold emotion along with the clear trust that burns there.

Smiling softly, you answer, “I’ll stay the night.”

****

Prodigal Son Taglist: @thecaptainsgingersnap​

[nanakibh]

Tokimeki★Final Fantasy Madouin Perystilium Suzaku ~May the Crystal guide me to love★~

※ THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. ※

A fake project presented on the Square-Enix channel broadcast in September 2012, this is the apparent precursor of the popular fictional YA novel series "Tokimeki★Akademeia" which appears in Final Fantasy Agito. (Which began its own development in September of the same year.)

The following is a translation of the slides presenting the characters and details regarding this fake game.

If you’re a Type-0 fan, this is probably the deepest layer of the iceberg. Enjoy.

Introduction

Khalia Chival XXV, the heroine who recently enrolled, is currently the only female cadet at Akademeia. Entrusted with a "certain role", she encounters cadets with unique personalities as she goes about her everyday school life.

What kind of predicaments await in her future?! And what is the tragic destiny she's shouldering?! May the Crystal guide her through her dokidoki school life!

--

The following are plans for the game

--

◆ Khalia's Destiny

The female protagonist's true motive is revenge.

She was once told the story of the tragic death of her ancestor, Khalia Chival VIII.

She bears the sad destiny to eradicate the descendants of Class Zero in order to avenge her family.

◆ A Day's Schedule

- Wake up - Breakfast in the cafeteria - Class - Lunch break - Afternoon mission - Dinner - Bedtime

◆ Days off (Weekend) are allowed to be spent freely

- Wake up - Breakfast in the cafeteria - Free to do whatever you want - Dinner - Bedtime

◆ ATB System

In this game, the protagonist performs various actions which are all advanced via the ATB system.

- Active Time Lesson - Active Time Talk - Active Time Battle - Active Time Lecture

◆ Active Time Lesson

Active Time Lessons begin when class starts. Do your best to not be outdone by other students by making full use of your magic and abilities to solve the teacher's rapid fire questions.

◆ Active Time Talk

You can interact with NPCs during your free time. These conversations are also managed with the Active Time system.

Grasp your conversation partner's mood and favorite subjects to create an enjoyable back-and-forth to deepen your relationship.

◆ Active Time Battle

Active Time Battles are fought with ATB commands. This will be used in training exercises and other battles. With this system, you'll never lose a battle in this game. You can fight together with the boys you meet by adding them to your party. If one of your party members is knocked out, your other acquaintances will appear one after another to fight.

If you run out of boys, you should run away. You'll definitely be safe that way. This is because the rate of escape in this game is 100%.

◆ Active Time Lecture

If you don't follow school rules, you'll be reprimanded by Kurasame-sensei.

Even when you're being scolded, you can have an Active Time conversation.

- If you're discovered while trying to sneak into the boys' dorm at night, you'll be scolded by Kurasame-sensei.

- If you dress inappropriately, you'll be scolded by Kurasame-sensei.

- If you talk to Kurasame-sensei too much at school, you'll be scolded.

--

Character Introductions

--

Khalia Chival XXV Class: Zero CV: Nishi Asuka (西 明日香)

"I'm going to do my best! Because I want to see everyone in Orience smile!"

The main character. A hardworking, somewhat withdrawn girl. She infiltrates Akademeia to fulfill her mission to eliminate the bloodline of her family's sworn enemy, Class Zero. Through her encounters at the academy, she is torn between her destiny and love.

Aoi Futatsuboshi Class: Second CV: N/A

"The Crystal's guidance... That's just a load of nonsense. The Crystal won't protect you..."

A calm and serious honor student. He is a member of Class Second, known for being at the top in terms of combat strength. However, because of this, he has lost many friends and has adopted a cold attitude to hide his sadness. At first, he acts unfriendly towards the heroine, but as they grow closer, his true feelings come out.

Yotsuba Tokijiku Class: Fourth CV: N/A

"You're trying too hard on your missions. Here, I'll cast Cure for you. Let me take a look."

He gives the impression of someone who's blunt and difficult to get along with, but he's actually an extremely considerate young man. Belonging to Class Fourth which specializes in healing magic, he aims to become Agito because he wants to save everyone. He takes care of the heroine any way he can while she's still getting used to Akademeia.

Mowegi Itsukaichi Class: Fifth CV: N/A

"*yaaawn*... Huh~? Hey, have you seen a pink moogle doing a backflip around here~?"

A mysterious boy who always seems to be sleepy. He never remembers who other people are and constantly makes airheaded remarks, so he does poorly in class, but he demonstrates his genius ability in real combat. The heroine, who he met while taking a nap, is one of the few people whose face and name he can remember.

Sakurano Nanafusa Class: Seventh CV: N/A

"What's with the gloomy face? C'mon, get on my Chocobo!"

He greets the heroine, who is new to Akademeia, in a casual and friendly way. Obsessed with Chocobos, he promotes the Chocobo Research Club, also known as the "Choco Club", where he studies Chocobo physiology. He's sensitive about his height, so mentioning it is forbidden.

Note: This seems to be the same "Choco Club" Izana asks Player to join in FF Agito.

Kohaku Kokonoe Class: Ninth CV: N/A

"Were I to describe you... You are my Megalixer. You will shine radiantly in the final battle!"

A handsome young man from an esteemed family, he's expected to have a promising future as an elite...... But he's kind of overly self-conscious and has an unfortunately strange way of thinking. He has his eye on the heroine and is always exuding an absolutely bizarre energy. In actuality, he's a member of Class Ninth, which takes on Akademeia's "dirty work." His lighthearted attitude is a response to the melancholy missions he must carry out.

Mashiro Tootoichi Class: Eleventh CV: KENN

"Watch this! My Flare Bullets will hit their break sights! ...YEOWCH IT’S HOT?!"

The king of inventions who's always getting ahead of himself. As part of the research class, Class Eleventh, he spends his time working day and night to develop new weapons, though his skill isn't quite up to par yet. He even carelessly loses control of his magic and gets the heroine involved in his mess?!

Asagi Hitotose Class: Twelfth CV: Hiroki Yasumoto (安元 洋貴)

"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from talking in the Crystarium. If you are truly a cadet like me, then behave in a manner befitting of Agito."

Although he's a straight-laced person who receives excellent grades, his uncooperative personality is his downfall, earning him a place in "the oddball group", Class Twelfth. His thorny words make it easy for him to be misunderstood, but he isn't trying to be malicious. He's simply awkward. As a result, he's concerned about having no friends. He gets along with the heroine on a mission, but he just can't express himself...

---

What's in a name?

The names of these cadets seem to be referring to their class number and mantle colors.

Aoi: Blue Futatsuboshi: From "futatsu", two

Yotsuba: Four-leaf Tokijiku: (Not sure. May literally mean “time axis.”)

Moegi: Light yellowish green Itsukaichi: From "itsu", five

Sakurano: From "sakura", pink cherry blossoms Nanafusa: From "nana", seven

Kohaku: Amber Kokonoe: Ninefold

Mashiro: Pure white Tootoichi: Literally "Ten and one"

Asagi: Pale blue-green Hitotose: Literally “one year” or “some time ago"

--

To wrap it up...

--

◆ Girls-Only Gathering Transmissions

With "Girls-Only Gathering Transmissions" female players can improve their girl skills! When you have a girls-only gathering, your girl power will greatly increase instead of being depleted.

When girl power goes up... 1. If you receive a gift item from a male character who likes you, the real item will be delivered to you.

When girl power goes up even more... 2. You can purchase items from Amazon with the gil you've obtained in-game.

◆ Product Information

Compatible Hardware: Smart phones Development Engine: Luminous Studio Release Date: TBD Estimated Price: TBD

※ THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Active Talk Preview Image

Event/Cutscene Preview Image

That's all! Thank you very much!

Production Department 1 Tabata Team

[plaidbooks]

SFW Alphabet - Nick Amaro

Requested by no one, but whenever I’m stuck on a fic, I seem to turn to headcanons, so here we are. I hope y���all enjoy some Nick headcanons!

Taglist: @the-baby-bookworm​ @beccabarba​ @thatesqcrush​ @itsjustmyfantasyroom​ @stardust-fray​ @permanentlydizzy​ @infiniteoddball​ @ben-c-group-therapy​ @glowingmess​ @whimsicallymad​ @lv7867​ @storiesofsvu​ @cycat4077​ @barbasimp​

(gif by @dwaynepride)

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Nick’s pretty affectionate—he likes to sit with you on the couch after a long day, arm wrapped around your shoulders. His love language is words of affirmation, so he’s constantly giving you compliments and telling you how much you mean to him. He also loves massaging you, whether your neck, shoulders, back, or simply your calves.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Nick’s always there for you if you need him. He’s mastered the art of listening to you vent and rage, or just sitting with you in silent comfort, whichever you need. You met Nick while at the park—he was with one (or both) of his kids, just a bonding day, playing. You were walking your neighbor’s dog at the time, and the kid(s) became enamored with it, asking to pet and play with it. The dog needed a good run, and what better way than with a child? So, you let it off the leash, and you and Nick idly chatted while watching them play. You quickly exchanged numbers, so that the kid(s) and dog could play again some time (and so Nick could have an excuse to talk to you)

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Nick likes to cuddle on the couch, but more so in bed. The only problem with cuddling on the couch is that one or both of you have to get up too often. In bed, however, he can hold you close to him for hours, his nose nuzzled against your neck.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Nick’s always been in a relationship—he doesn’t know how to not be. That being said, he hates cooking. He does it (and does it well), but it’s his least favorite thing to do. As for cleaning, he’s a bit of a neat-freak. He’s gotten Zara good at cleaning up her own mess (though her room is a different story), and he’s on top of messes in the house. He’s quick to clean anything that happens, and knows how to mix chemicals safely and effectively to clean any stain.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

Nick would keep his cool, collected façade the whole time—in person, of course. But, as soon as he’s alone, he breaks down crying. He’d be civil about it, making sure to get your things back to you quickly and efficiently so that you don’t have to go to his place.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

After Maria, he’s a little wary about marriage. He doesn’t want to make any mistakes again, so he’ll take it slow. He’d make sure you were really the one before proposing, and even then, he’d wait to marry you. And unless you were really into a big wedding, he’d probably just take you to a small chapel, with his mom, Zara and Gil, and your family as witnesses. But he doesn’t necessarily believe you have to be married to be in love.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

For the most part, Nick is gentle as can be. Because of his upbringing, he knows what it’s not to not have that. Though, sometimes work can get to be too much, and he’ll come home pissed, yelling and screaming. Once his anger passes, however, he’s apologizing profusely, holding you and caressing you gentler than ever. Even so, no matter how mad he gets, he’d never think to raise a hand to you.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Nick loves hugs, even if he won’t admit it. He’ll hug you on days you need it, rubbing your back and resting his head on yours. And on days he needs it? He won’t ask for a hug, but if you do hug him on rough days, he fucking melts against you. Sometimes, he forgets how much love and affection can be in such a soft touch, especially if he’s expecting something rougher, more violent.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It takes him a little bit to say it, but he shows it quickly. It’s evident in everything he does. And after he finally mutters it to you, it’s as if he’s seeing a door that was painted the same color as the walls. Of course, he loves you! Why didn’t he say it earlier? No matter, now he has all the time in the world to make it up to you, saying it constantly.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Nick is the epitome of jealous. He trusts you, sure, but he doesn’t trust anyone else. If a man so much as looks at you for too long, Nick will wrap himself around you, pulling you in for a dominating kiss. And if it’s a friend/coworker looking at you? Well, then that just means Nick has to take you home and mark you as his, so that those prying eyes will see his mark on your neck.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Nick’s kisses as rough and dominating, yet somehow tender and full of passion. His lips are soft against yours, his hands cupping your face, neck, hips, ass, pulling you closer to him. But his tongue is in your mouth, massaging yours, leaving you completely breathless by the time he releases you. Besides on the lips, Nick loves kissing your hands/knuckles/arms. He watched Tom ‘n’ Jerry as a kid, and saw that one episode(s) where Tom kisses the girl cat from hand up her arm to her face, and he loves doing that to you, especially because it makes you giggle.

Nick has a ticklish neck and loves when you kiss/nibble his neck/throat. It makes him laugh and he feels so warm and loved. And if you mark him? He plays it off as if he’s embarrassed, but he secretly loves it.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Nick’s the best dad! He has infinite patience with both his kids, never getting mad with them. Yes, he can be strict with them, but that’s only to make sure they’re taught right. He’s also never too tired after work or on days off to play with them, or read a bedtime story (for Zara). His only downfall is that he can’t be around them more. Nick also embarrasses them both with the worst dad jokes.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

On days that he works, Nick Is up early, making sure Zara is ready for school (if he has her). Then he’s shaved, dressed, and ready for work. He makes breakfast for both of you (and Zara, if she’s there), and then is on his way.

On his days off, and without Zara, Nick will stay in bed with you, waking you up with sleepy morning sex. If he can get away with staying in bed until noon, he will. Otherwise, he’ll get up and ready for whatever he needs to get done that day.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Sometimes, Nick needs to be held. When the cases are bad, or when he wakes up in the middle of the night from nightmares of his childhood, he’ll sob softly against you while you cuddle with him, telling him how much you love him.

Other nights, Nick will take you to bed and spend half the night rememorizing your body, the noises you make. He’s gentle, tender, whether you have sex or not. If not, he’ll just caress your skin with his big, warm hands, massaging you muscles slowly. And if you do have sex, then he’s slow, loving, his touch tender against you.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Nick’s pretty guarded—he’s been hurt before and is afraid to be hurt again. He’ll tell you important things first, like that he has two kids, and that’s divorced, but you won’t learn about either mom for months. He’ll also tell you he’s a detective, but he won’t tell you what department, nor what kinds of cases he gets. He compartmentalizes his work life and his home life. It’s not until he gets super defensive around his kids that you can put two and two together.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Surprisingly, Nick’s not easily angered…at least in his home life. He’s quick to anger if his children or family are threatened, but otherwise, he’s pretty chill. That being said, things at work, and his conversations with Maria, can get under his skin easier than anything else. But once he blows off some steam, he’s pretty quick to apologize, making it up to you or anyone else that was a recipient of his verbal lashings.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Nick’s brain is a steel trap. He remembers most things, even little details you didn’t think were important. Sometimes, though, he gets his facts a little mixed up (“I thought you said you loved ranch?” “Yeah, only as a dipping sauce, not as a salad dressing”). But he obviously tries, and you’re shocked that his years as a father didn’t completely destroy his brain.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

Nick got called in on his day off, and his mother was busy. In desperation, he called you to watch Zara, which you happily accepted. You had a great day with her, and she loved hanging out with you. When Nick finally came to pick her up, she didn’t really want to leave. “Can I come stay with Auntie [y/n] again? I love her!” Zara said. Nick picked her up, holding her against his side, heart swelling. “Uh, I don’t know. Would you like—” “I’d love to watch Zara again. Anytime,” you replied, and Nick fell completely in love with you at that moment.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Nick tries to make every date special, he really does. But if he had a dollar for every time he got called away halfway through a date, then Zara would be able to afford college no problem. If you’ve been dating for a long time, then he’ll slowly start giving up—though, he’d be sure to do at least something special that night. Gifts are always special with Nick—he puts extra thought into every single one, and they’re all incredibly touching.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Nick relies on takeout too much. Man hates cooking, and since he doesn’t have Zara 24/7 anymore, he doesn’t eat super healthy anymore. Which isn’t a problem for him—he goes to the gym and works out. It’s becoming a problem for you though. He also tends to turn to alcohol if he’s had a bad day.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Nick is well shaven and keeps good hygiene. It’s not that he’s concerned with his looks, it’s just simply taking care of himself. Sometimes, he’ll let the scruff grow out into a neatly trimmed beard, mostly because he knows you love it. But this man was slumming in Narcotics for a bit—he doesn’t care what he looks like, as long as he’s dressed for the correct occasion.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Once you’ve joined his family, you’re a part of the Amaro clan. It’s not so much that he would feel incomplete (though he would), but he wouldn’t know how to tell Zara. Poor girl has already had so much heart break in her short life; she doesn’t need to deal with that again.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Nick loves watching cartoons with Zara. He’ll sigh and roll his eyes when she picks out a movie or show to watch, but he sings along with the opening credits, and has matching shirts with the characters on them with Zara (you are to never tell anyone that). You once came home while Nick was off and Zara with her mom, and he scrambled to change the channel from Spongebob to sports, but you had already caught him red-handed.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Nick will never be with someone who’s abusive, whether verbally, emotionally, or physically. While he understands venting and releasing pent up anger, he’s dealt with that for too many years of his life to deal with it from a partner. And if you so much as looked at Zara or Gil wrong, you’re done.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

Whether it’s paternal instincts or because he’s been in a relationship so long, you don’t know, but if you and Nick are in bed together, he’s touching you. More often than not, he’s wrapping his limbs around you, holding you close. It’s only rarely that his back will be pushed against you. No matter how hot it is in the room, Nick is on you.

[softquietsteadylove]

Hey love! So, I know you already have the proposal au, but I was wondering if you could do an arranged marriage au. And basically, Gilgamesh is in the mafia and Thena's horrible abusive father (Arishem) steals money or drugs from him that Thena doesn't know anything about. And Gilgamesh and his men just show up to her home while Thena's not there and when she comes back she finds out that she's being forced to marry Gilgamesh (which she's not that mad about bc Gil is fine asf🤭). But Thena is basically just shocked and she has to get used to being treated how she should and with princess treatment (like opening her door, giving her gifts just because, etc) Maybe a little age gap like Thena's in her early 20s, Gil is in his Early 30s👀. Also maybe like Gil gives her princess treatment but disrespectful in bed vibes😜.

But anyways I love you and your whole existence and when I found your Tumblr acc it quite literally the happiest day of my life and I literally would kill for you. You're my whole world I live for all your posts and sit waiting everyday for you to post. You are the best thing that happened to me and I'm so grateful you're alive. I love you so much!😘❤️

"Thena?"

She startled, but a warm yet gentle hand touched her shoulder, "hey, it's okay. It's me--I'm sorry to startle you."

She looked around her. She wasn't at home--well, she was. She was no longer in her father's home, where falling asleep out in the open could lead to her getting her hair pulled if he was feeling particularly inebriated and particularly mean spirited.

She was home, in her home with Gilgamesh. It was a massive, modern and sprawling house. She had her own room, despite sharing the house with her husband. It had its own walk-in closet and full bathroom suite. He had installed a library having found out that she liked to read (that was all the incentive he needed, apparently). The only thing her room didn't have was a kitchen, and Gilgamesh did all the cooking anyway.

The first two weeks, when she wouldn't emerge from her room at all, he would leave trays out for her to take inside where she felt safe.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, speaking softly and moving so she could see him, showing her his hands. "I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that. I wanted to see if you were hungry, or if you wanted to move into your room."

A gangster for a husband, and he made sure her room was always open for her, that only she was allowed in it, unless there was any house keeping she wanted done. He had even hired a female cleaner, specifically in hopes of making her feel more comfortable.

"Thank you," she smiled at him, hoping to assuage his fears of scaring her. She let the book on her lap fall closed and curled her legs up under the blanket thrown over her. "Sorry, dozed off between chapters."

"You don't have to apologise," he assured her, moving slowly as he took a seat on the sofa. He wasn't at the far end of it, but it was more than enough space for her to feel separate from him. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Are you okay? You seemed to be having a bad dream."

She was. Even removed as she was from that place, sometimes she would think was waking in her room, her desperate attempts to start a real career crammed into the corner of her room where her father wouldn't know to go digging for money.

The crinkle of her clothes in plastic bags so that he couldn't get them all wreaking of alcohol before a job interview. The way she would walk on the balls of her feet so as not to wake him when he was passed out on the couch in the middle of the day. The fear that every knock on the door would be another debt collector.

"Hey," Gilgamesh said as softly as he could again, "what do you need?"

If she hadn't woken from such a terrible dream she might swoon. It was almost a shame their relationship was one of contract. Gilgamesh was very good at seeming romantic.

She inhaled, putting on a braver face. "Some food sounds good."

"Okay," he nodded. His hand hovered, as if he would pat her knee under her blanket. But he stood instead, pulling himself away from her. "I can do that."

Thena stood, nearly slipping on the stairs of the elevated seating area to follow him into the kitchen. "Do you need any help?"

He did let his surprise show on his face, and instances like these she was reminded of the menacing - as well as cocky - gangster who had first appeared in her home and informed her of their marriage. "Setting a fire?--no, sweetheart, thank you."

She huffed, and she even managed to get a chuckle out of him. Laughing suited him more. "You must have had a hard day."

He immediately looked at her, trying to tell how any clue of how his work had gone could have slipped through the cracks. He worked very hard to keep all aspects of his business out of their home life.

She leaned against the spotless granite island/sink. "You seem more tense than usual."

He didn't rise to her bait, focusing on putting together a meal for her--for them.

But she was in the mood to poke the bear, as it were--the big grizzly teddybear in the pinstripe suit. "I figured I would get a 'no need, princess', at least."

He shook his head at her, pulling out a clay pot and retrieving the ingredients necessary. For a man living outside the law, he really was a great cook. "No need for a house fire--that's true."

"I am not that bad," she insisted, rising to her own bait if need be.

Gil - not Gilgamesh but Gil - finally looked at her with a little more mirth. He even chuckled, "Need I remind you of the eggs?"

She rolled her eyes at him. He had this big, beautiful kitchen, and she was home alone all the time. And sometimes she didn't want to wait for delivery to make it all the way to the house (and past security) while Gil was at work. She had figured making herself some eggs couldn't possibly go wrong.

"The hob at our-" she paused and moved on like it was nothing- "at my old place would take ages to heat up. I could never have known that this monstrosity can boil water in under a minute."

Gil glanced towards his very fancy oven on the other counter and then back to her. "Who turns the heat up all the way to make eggs in a pan?"

She shrugged, "they cook faster."

Gil let out a real laugh now, finally relaxing some as he finally started preparing the veggies. She could tell he was enjoying it when he slid them onto an angle to slice them. If it were strictly business he would cut them into little cubes instead. He shook his head. "I told you not to lift a finger while you're here."

That was true. After the fire had been put out, her housekeeping companion had insisted she simply ask if she wanted a meal. It was part of her requirements for the job and everything! Which was a little insulting, no matter how aware of her own cooking habits Thena was.

"I thought men wanted a wife who would cook for them as soon as they got home."

But Gil didn't latch onto her joke. He put down his knife, slowly and gently. He dried his hands on the hand towel below. Then he moved towards her, holding his hands out and asking for hers.

She watched as he did, curious enough to give her hands over to him. He held them so gently, even as he brought them up to his lips to kiss the back of each. She shivered.

He opened his eyes, peering down at her as he stroked her hand with his thumb. "Those aren't men. And you are not just 'a wife', Thena."

Did he want her to fall in love with him or not? The times when he was at work, and then completely secretive about it at home really seemed that he didn't. It seemed that he was upholding his end of the agreement with her father, and his vow to respect her and not to allow any harm to come to her.

But then other times he would say things like this, and she wouldn't know what to think.

She blushed as he left one last kiss on the tip of her finger. Then he was back to chopping, as if he hadn't nearly swept her off her feet (metaphorically speaking).

"Why don't you go sit down, sweetie? I'll come up and join you once this is on the heat." Back to that respectful distance.

She pursed her lips, moving away from the kitchen island as he started rinsing the rice and mixing sauces. That was just like Gilgamesh, to say something so breathtaking and sweet one moment and be a husband in name only the next.

She glanced at her book, although she couldn't even remember what she was reading in it before she had dozed off. Throwing herself back on the couch did seem to catch his attention somewhat; she could tell by the tilt of his head only vaguely in her direction. She also pulled the blanket over her again, with a little more force than the light cashmere needed.

If he only wanted to be half a husband then fine, but he didn't have to be a full time flirt to do it.

She peeked up from her phone as Gilgamesh walked up the three small steps to join her. He had a bad knee but wouldn't admit to it, maybe that was adding to the pressure of his day today.

"Okay," he groaned as he too threw himself onto the couch. He looked over at her, at her safe and respectful distance. "So?"

"So?" she asked in return, bristling at the grin on his face. It suited him a little too much.

He nodded, as if he had been thinking something to himself and had the affirmation he needed. She didn't know what he thought he knew, but she almost didn't want to. He leaned back on the couch, relaxing his posture. This was how a gangster would sit, she imagined. "Well."

"Well?" she prompted him again. But all he did was lazily wave his hand at her. She raised her shoulders, "you want me to...?"

He shrugged, even turning his head away from her. "If you want, I mean. You seem like you want the company."

He was calling her out on her wanting his attention, he meant. And he was right, but she didn't appreciate it. She turned her nose up at it.

"If you wanna sit in my lap, you can say so."

She shivered again, turning and half expecting him to be nose to nose with her. But whens he did look, he was back to pretending like he was halfheartedly watching something on the obscenely large tv mounted on the wall.

To his credit, he didn't say anything as she quietly shifted her position. She didn't tuck herself into his embrace or anything. They weren't actually married.

Gil lowered his arm from the back of the couch to her shoulder, letting her lean partially on him but not so close that she would feel trapped. "Put on that show you like."

"The one that puts you to sleep?" she smirked, even as she picked up the remote.

"It does not put me to sleep."

"It does," she corrected him, and it was moments like these when the marriage did feel less like a business agreement and more like...well, like something. "What about the food?"

"It has a timer, just take it off the heat when it's done."

It was he who was on the verge of nodding off, now. He really had endured a truly terrible day to be so exhausted. And she wouldn't be the one waking him.

She did put on her show, a historical drama she liked. And he really did nod off, the clay pot dinner simmering in the background silently. And only because he was dead asleep did she take the liberty of tucking herself against his chest. Just this once.

[mrs-hollandstan]

Make Me Love You || Frat Boy!Tom [seventeen]

Warnings: language, the casual sex jokes, reunions, fluff, talk of angst

Word Count: 7,413

Author's Note: It's been long awaited but here it is! I think the reunion is adorable and I hope you guys enjoy too. Lemme know what you think! :)

Series Masterlist | Add yourself to one of my taglists

Tom was anxious as he stood, waiting in the middle of the airport. No matter how many times your friends told him to sit, he couldn't. Especially with the amount of coffee he had had. You were on a plane, coming back to him and every time he looked up at that screen, every time he read your flight name, his heart skipped again. Cole found himself staring up at your boyfriend as Tom watched the people around them, hoping one of them would be you soon. 

You had glanced over at Keaton sleeping beside you every once in a while, smiling as you read and check your phone off and on. You glance out over the city as the plane falls below the clouds, dreary Seattle coming into view. Your heart skips a beat as you pull an earphone from your ear to shake Keaton's shoulder. He wakes somewhat jolty, 

"What? Yeah?" You giggle, 

"We're landing Ke." You inform, watching him rub the sleep from his eyes and nod, 

"Cool, awesome." He mutters watching as the plane descends further onto the runway. When you're fully landed, you're patient waiting to get off the plane and after a few minutes, you and Keaton are headed towards baggage claim where you stand for a few more minutes,

"So... approximately how many people do I actually have to meet?" He asks, standing beside you with one of his hands in his pocket, the other holding his bag over his shoulder. You glance up at the ceiling, chewing the inside of your cheek as you count in your head, 

"About seven. That's how many people actually matter to me here." You inform, a smile rising to your lips. He smiles back, chuckling after a moment as he collects his suitcase from the belt, watching you claim your own suitcase and walking towards the exit. As you walk, Keaton laughs along with you, cracking jokes and telling you a story before you pause, those signature curls and soft brown eyes catching your eye. You stare at him for a moment, heart stopping momentarily before it pounds again, hard, almost making you pass out. Keaton pauses, glancing back at you before he follows your sight to Tom, but your boyfriend's eyes don't leave you. Keaton turns back to you, 

"Is that him?" He asks. You nod, Keaton watching your chest heave, your eyes never leaving Tom. There's a moment of silence before he juts his chin over his shoulder, 

"Go on, I got your suitcase. Go get your boy." He says, taking the handle of your suitcase from your hand before you look up finally. He nods with a soft, reassuring smile. You swallow, starting towards Tom. After another moment, he moves forward, tears rising to your eyes as you pick up pace in just a few moments. He blinks a few times and you know it's to clear his own tears as the rest of the group behind him stands. In just a few seconds you're barreling into him, one of his arms wrapping around your waist and the other around your shoulders, hand holding the back of your neck into his. You let the tears flow, sobs raking your body as your arms wrap around his middle, hands clutching the back of his sweater. He holds you, letting you sob and letting tears of his own fall, 

"I'm sorry darling. I'm so sorry and I'll never chase you away again. I love you so so much." He mutters into your hair, your heart pounding out to meet his. You nod, drawing back after a moment. He grasps your face in both hands, staring down at you, 

"Fuck Y/N, I'm so sorry." You nod, leaning in to peck his lips. Those same sparks you get every time you kiss him electrify your body and he feels it too, leaning in to kiss you again now that he knows you're okay with it. Your arms stay wrapped around his waist as you stare up into his eyes, his forehead coming to rest against yours as he fluffs your hair softly, 

"I missed you so much." He mutters, stroking your cheek. You turn into his palm, leaning in for one last kiss before you reach up, 

"I'm gonna slap you for doing what you did." You warn. He smiles before nodding and closing his eyes as you gently pull back and swat his cheek. But it makes him laugh as he nods, 

"I deserve it harder than that and you know it." 

"That's okay though. I forgive you, I swear." You tell him. He nods before you look over, catching Cole's eye. You pull from Tom's grasp, walking forward to pull him into your arms. He nuzzles his face in your neck, arms tight around you as if when he let's you go you'll disappear,

"I'm sorry." You whimper into him, feeling him shake his head, squeezing your shoulder as you let more of your tears slip from your eyes. He pulls back rather quickly, brushing them away, 

"I'm just glad you're back." He says, sniffling. You turn to the three girls standing beside you, Ivey reaching out. You're collected into three pairs of arms, Ivey kissing your cheek, 

"Us too. We're glad you're back babes." She whispers to you as you sniffle again, laying your head against Phoebe's. She squeezes you, kissing your temple after a moment as you reach out and squeeze Scarlett's hand, giving her a reassuring smile. She returns it before you pull apart and Harrison wraps an arm around your shoulders in a half hug,

"Welcome back. Maybe now your little boy toy will get some sleep." He says. You hug him back, 

"Thanks Haz. I'll try and get him back to normal."

"Ya know, it's actually freaky how much you've changed him." Ivey piped up. You shrug, 

"Dunno what it is about me he's obsessed with." You admit. The small group laughs before Phoebe licks her lips, 

"So uhh, who's blondie?" She asks softly. You turn and look past Tom at Keaton who stands awkwardly in the middle of the airport,

"Oh, guys... uhm, this is Keaton," the girls all chatter amongst themselves understandingly while Cole, Tom, Gil, and Harrison looking around, lost, "my dad's assistant. He uhm, he's here to check out Seattle." You explain. Keaton gives a somewhat shy smile and a wave, the group welcoming him before Tom steps up before you, holding out the small gold plated necklace you had gotten used to wearing everyday and sometimes even instinctively would reach up and touch the place it sat when you were back in New York, 

"Can I uhm, can I put it back on you?" He asks somewhat shyly. You smile and nod, letting him clasp the necklace around your neck. He let's it rest on his fingertips for a moment before letting it fall back against your skin. You reach up, running your fingers over it for a moment before he smiles, placing his hand on your hip. You swallow and reach up to touch his cheek, his face turning into your palm. He closes his eyes, turning his head softly to kiss the heel of your hand. You smile before turning to face Keaton, 

"Come here." You tell him, Tom watching the blonde approach. He smiles as he nears you, 

"Keaton, this is Tom, Tom, Keaton." You introduce with a soft smile. Keaton holds his hand out, Tom taking it after a moment and shaking, 

"Hey man, I've heard a lot about you." Keaton says to Tom, Tom giving a tight lipped smile, 

"Yeah, I've heard a little bit about you too. But uhm... thank you... for... taking care of her." Tom replies, looking to you for a moment. Keaton smiles back, 

"Yeah, of course, she was great company." Keaton admits, standing straight again. You smile, arm wrapped around Tom's waist, 

"Keaton was great company too." You tell Tom who's own arm wraps around your body. He nods as he looks down at you again. Keaton clears his throat, 

"So uhh, which- which of the girls is the one you said I needed to look out for?" Keaton mutters to you, Tom's eyes darting between the two of you as you glance over at your small group of friends, pointing to Phoebe secretly. Keaton follows your finger, listening to you explain what she's wearing. His eyebrows raise as Tom's do and he snorts, 

"You told him to watch out for Phoebe?" 

"Well I told him that if he was looking for a one night stand, she was quite the little minx." Tom chews the inside of his cheek before he shrugs and looks to Keaton, 

"Alright that's fair." The three of you laugh lightly before Keaton looks to Phoebe and licks his lips, 

"She uhh, she is pretty cute." He admits. Tom chuckles as you let out another laugh, 

"Well she kinda... seems to be interested so you could always... talk her up." You propose. He nods, looking between you and Tom for a moment before it hits him, 

"Aah. I uhh, I gotcha." He mutters before he starts to walk towards the small group of girls. Tom looks down, 

"Y/N..." Tom calls. Your eyes find his and he reaches out, holding your fingers in his, 

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, you know that?" You nod, squeezing his fingers. He drags you in again, arms bound around your middle as your arms bind around his shoulders, one of your hands threading the fingers through his hair, 

"I won't leave you again. It hurts me too and... we should be working through this. Not splitting up and trying to hurt each other more." You draw back, arms falling to wrap around his torso. His cross yours, hands placed at your lower back,

"Those other girls, Delilah, they gave up on you but I won't because," tears fill your eyes and your throat burns as you collect his face in your hands, "ever since I met you I've loved you Thomas Holland. And nothing will ever change that. No distance, no fight, no kiss, you're mine and I'm yours and I don't care how much you try and push me away, I won't let you." You lecture him, wiping his tears away. He nods, sniffling as you collect his face in your hands. His eyes meet yours, 

"When we get back to school I'm gonna... start going to therapy. I need you too much to Chase you away again and I'd love to get over this feeling of my bitching being too much for you but… I think the only way to do that is professional help." He admits with a sigh, glancing down for a moment as if he's ashamed. You take a breath, 

"I think it'll seriously help too." You tell him softly. He nods and smiles, 

"I'd do anything to keep you here." He says. Your smile widens before you lean in, arms wrapped tighter around him. He does the same and you sigh,

"Tom?" 

"Yeah?" He asks after a silent moment, drawing his head back from yours to see your eyes. You smile,

"Take me home." You remark. Tom chuckles and nods, sliding your backpack from your shoulders and onto his own back. Finding the handle of your suitcase, he wheels it towards the front door of the airport, jutting his chin over his shoulder to signal you're leaving to the rest of the group. You giggle as you pass Phoebe, Scarlett, and Keaton, Phoebe batting her lashes up at your new blonde friend. Tom threads his fingers through yours, leading you out of the airport and into the drizzly, cold Seattle weather. He leads you to his car, smiling as you close your eyes and take a breath, head tipping back to take in the cool Washington air, 

"Did you get any of this in New York?" 

"Not even close. It was warm until yesterday. I hated it." You admit. He chuckles, opening your door before opening the hatch and putting your bags in the back. He leaves it open, turning to Keaton who looks to you, 

"I uhh, I guess your dad got me a room at one of the hotels for a few days." He informs, 

"Ya know, I have an extra room at my place. If you wanted, we do like a roommate thing. I mean... if you're gonna stay of course." Cole remarks, tucking his hands in his pockets. You shrug as Keaton looks at you again, 

"Could be good if you like it. Cole's a great roommate." You tell Keaton. Your brother snorts, 

"Before this mess Y/N was either at the frat house or in her dorm. She doesn't even stay with me." He informs Keaton who laughs before you lean in to playfully punch Cole in the stomach, 

"But I'll visit more if two of my favorite men are living together." You pose as Cole wraps his arms around you, hugging you into him and kissing your hair, 

"So endearing. But yeah Keaton, if you stay and you wannna be roommates, we totally could. You know how to get in touch with me and all." Keaton nods, 

"Yeah, that sounds great. Uhh, so... what do you say? You guys drop me off at my hotel and then... we can meet up later for like dinner or something?" He asks. Tom shrugs and nods, looking to you, 

"Don't see why not." 

"We're making a welcome home dinner for Y/N/N at the dorms, but you're more than welcome to join. You too Cole." Phoebe implies suddenly. He nods, 

"Alright, nice." 

"Yeah uhh, I'll come... get you before I head over there." Tom tell Keaton who nods, 

"Thanks." Tom nods in return before letting Keaton put his bags in the hatch and closing it inside. He rounds the car and climbs inside, shoving his key into the ignition, 

"So which hotel is it?" Keaton hums as he pulls up his phone, 

"Uhhh, Silver Cloud in University District." 

"Ahh that's not bad. That's like ten minutes from campus." Tom says, pulling from the parking lot and onto the street. You glance over at him before reaching across the center console and taking his hand in yours. He smiles as he looks in the mirror and checks his blindspot. He squeezes your fingers and when he knows it's safe, he looks to you, smiling. He draws your hand up to kiss the back of it, holding your hand tight in his, 

"Love you." He mutters against the skin. You smile and glance out of the window, 

"Prove it Holland." He chuckles, kissing the back of your hand again, 

"I'll spend the rest of my life doing just that." He admits. You smile, releasing his hand to reach up further and thread your fingers through his hair. And that's how he drives, eyes somewhat hooded as he continues past campus to Keaton's hotel, 

"You want us to go in with you Ke?" You ask, turning to look at him as he climbs from the car, 

"Nah, you guys deserve your time alone. I'm a big boy, I can do it by myself." He says, smiling at you. You return it before glancing at Tom as he pops his door open, 

"Here." He hops from the car, walking around to open the hatch and helps Keaton remove his suitcases from the back. Keaton thanks him before throwing his duffel bag over his shoulder and walking to your door, the window rolled down, 

"I'll see you later then?" You nod as Tom climbs back in beside you, smiling up at Keaton, 

"Of course. You have my number so you can reach out whenever. If you wanna talk or you need directions or a good food place or somethin. I mean... I'm not very good at that but... I've got my people that know somewhat what's good around here." You tell him with a laugh. He chuckles, 

"Yeah, I get you. But uhh, I'll see you guys tonight. Have fun." He says with a smile before you nod, 

"Bye Ke." He waves to you and Tom as he walks up to the doors, brushing inside as you roll your window up. Being alone with Tom makes you feel a number of things. Nervous, awkward, excited. Turning to look at him, you frown, 

"What are you doing?" 

"There's a really good takeout place on the way back home and I'm ordering some for lunch. I figure we could... ya know, hang out, catch up." He says, cheeks going red as he looks up from his phone. You smile and nod, 

"Sounds good to me." He nods, diverting his eyes to his phone again. He finishes the order, setting his phone aside and glancing up at the door again before he pulls from the curb. He sighs, 

"He uhh, he's nice. That's- that's who you were... with all the time back there?" He asks rather nervously. You nod, 

"Yeah. He was there the first day I was. My dad introduced me to him the second I walked in the door." You tell Tom, smiling as you stare out of the windshield. He glances over at you, smiling to himself, 

"I like him. Anyone that is that into you is crazy." He remarks. You glance up at him, 

"So what's your excuse Holland?" He stares into your eyes for a moment,

"I've got daddy issues. I'm fucking insane. That's why I love you more than anything in this world." He says, tears stinging your eyes after a moment, 

"And that's why you promise to spend the rest of your life proving it to me?" You ask. He's looked out at the road by now, but your eyes are locked on him. He blinks through half hooded eyes, swallowing before he nods and looks to you again, 

"Absolutely." 

He leaves you sitting in his car as he runs into the Chinese restaurant, returning with a styrofoam cup and a bag, handing you the drink and climbing back inside. He sighs,

"Figured we could share the drink but if you don't want to you can have it." He mutters as he checks the boxes in the bag, glancing up to watch you sip from the straw and shake your head, 

"We can share." He nods before he leans over the center console to kiss your cheek. You smile, focusing your view back out over the city you've come to love. It's like a breath of fresh air to be back, to be in your city with your people. In just a few short minutes, Tom is pulling into the dorm parking lot, handing you the bag of food, 

"I'll carry your bags. You can carry this." You smile, opening your door and climbing out, staring up at the hall that you came to with Cole eight months ago. Tom nudges your arm, drawing you from your nostalgia, 

"Come on you." He mutters, leading you in the hall and up to your floor. He sighs as he waits for you to unlock the front door to your dorm. Phoebe gasps before pulling you into her arms. You hold her, Ivey reaching up to brush hair behind your ear and nod at Tom when he announces he's taking your bags to your room. Phoebe pulls back and kisses your cheek, 

"First off, I'm glad you're back, I missed your cute face and I'm glad I'm done having to put up with moping Tom. Second off, your Keaton friend is hot and I'm gonna apologize in advance for fucking the shit out of him." She remarks. You giggle, laying your head against Ivey's,

"I'm glad to be back too. And hey, maybe you'll be able to something for Keaton I couldn't." Phoebe glances up over your shoulder when Tom re-enters the room, 

"And you you little shit. Now that she's back if you do what you did again, I'll cut your dick off." She warns, a smile crossing Tom's face as the two other girls in the room snicker. You click your tongue, 

"He's okay. I'll do it for you but... I don't think he'll do it again." You reassure, meeting Tom's eyes. He nods with his same smile, 

"Never. I'm a one girl typa guy now." He remarks. Phoebe cocks her head, 

"Remember that next time you try and make her jealous you asshat." 

"I got it, it won't happen again mum." He sighs, leaning against the doorway. You giggle, 

"We're gonna go eat lunch in my room." You tell the girls who all nod and there's a collective murmur before Tom is following you down the hall with the bag in his hand, the drink in yours. He sighs, closing your door behind him as you sit at the edge of your bed. You glance down at the sheets, a crumpled mess from your abrupt departure. You hold the blanket in your fingers as Tom sits across from you, leaning against your desk chair, 

"You alright?" He asks, sipping from the drink you'd set down. You nod, heart clenching and eyes watering as you avoid his eyes, 

"Yeah... the last time I was in this room you were sleeping in my bed and I was getting ready for that party." You inform, glancing up at him. The tears in your eyes hurt his heart. He sighs, holding his hand out which you take before he drags you down beside him, popping a box of the Chinese food open. Your mouth instantly waters despite the thoughts that run rampant. He finds a fork, an arm wrapping around your body, 

"A classic. Orange chicken. This place is fucking good. Sometimes when I study I go get some of this." He admits, feeding you a good size piece. He quickly spears another piece, eating it and glancing down at you, 

"It's good right?" You nod, resting your arm across his leg as you chew. He hums, brushing hair from your face and feeding you another piece before he kisses your temple, 

"What's happened in the past should stay in the past Y/N/N. I know I fucked up and unless it's coming from your mouth, I don't need everyone to tell me that I fucked up. I've already told you I'm going to therapy but I'm over it. I'm done trying to hurt you and hurting you and no matter what, I'm not gonna do what I did again. I'm yours and I promise to talk to you and give you a love like Harrison and Ivey. I promise, okay?" You nod, laying your head back against his shoulder. He hums as he pulls boxes from the bag, opening them to find spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken and chow mein. You've shifted to sitting across from him, cross legged as you dig into the boxes, 

"So," Tom shifts to cross his legs, "you didn't like New York?" He asks, lifting chopsticks with chow mein between them to his lips. You shrug, chewing on the end of a spring roll,

"I mean it's nice... like land wise but... it's too fast paced. There's something about it I don't like. I dunno, it's not where I wanna be." You admit. You find his eyes as he's nodding, 

"I told you that from the beginning. New York is great if you're into it but... unless you're visiting for a few days, maybe a few weeks or so, it's too much." He explains with a shake of his head. You nod, 

"I agree. Vacation worthy, but not living worthy." You conclude. He chuckles, 

"Definitely. We could visit someday. Like for a week or a weekend." He poses. You shrug again, 

"I'm sure we could find somewhere better to visit. Like the beaches of Florida or California-"

"I could take you to Oregon. It was pretty nice. Not the same without you but... it was nice." He says, tongue poking into his cheek. You nod,

"I could go for that. Just the two of us." You say with a sigh. He smiles, reaching out to rub your leg. He nods, 

"That would be nice." He says softly. You agree, fishing a piece of sweet and sour chicken from the container. You sigh, chewing as Tom's eyes are glued to your face, 

"Speaking of which..." He starts, waiting until your eyes find his face. He smiles, "speaking of being together," he continues. You smile, 

"Yeah?" He nods, licking his lips as he draws his phone from his pocket, 

"I uhh, now hear me out okay? I... was looking at apartments around here and I found some really nice ones," he hands you his phone, letting you scroll through, "I know that... it's super presumptuous cause you just got back and you have to get settled and everything and I get that but... maybe we could look and do some tours and see how we feel? I just... before you left we had talked about moving in together and then everything stopped but I still want it. I still want just you and me somewhere. Ya know, our own place, our own life, sitting at a kitchen table studying together." He rants, watching you scroll through the images of the apartments he'd been looking at. You smile, 

"These are beautiful Tom. I really like this second one. It's really really nice." You admit. He lets out a breathy laugh and you watch a blush creep up his throat, 

"Funny you say that actually, that's the one I really like too." He adds softly. You nod, 

"The bedroom is perfect, the kitchen is adorable, the living room is everything-" 

"And the shower is of decent size." He pipes up. You glance up at him and his smile fades slightly, 

"Oh... well... like ya know... when we get back into that part of our lives it uhh, i-it's big enough." He stutters, a smile creeping to your lips, 

"Like we need something big for that." You remark, Tom's mouth hanging open as he processes what you've said. It wasn't that you were telling him you weren't having sex anytime soon, you were telling him that you didn't need a lot of space to do it in a shower. He scoffs, 

"Oh... well... we'll have to be those people and get adhesives and then try and explain ourselves when someone uses the bathroom but yeah, yeah I guess we don't need a lot of room huh?" 

"We've done it in this cot right here just fine and it's the size of a postage stamp." You tell Tom, clicking through the pictures left of the apartments. He chuckles, 

"Yeah huh?" You nod, 

"Yeah." You hand his phone back, watching him scroll through some of it before he locks it and sets it beside him, 

"Alright let's hear it. What do you think? I can take it." He mutters. You smile, scooping up more chow mein. You chew it for a moment while Tom finds a suitable piece of orange chicken, eyes locked on you. You sigh, 

"Okay... I love the idea. I love the thought of getting an apartment and getting out of these dorms-"

"And the frat house-"

"Yeah, and the frat house and living together and just doing our own thing. But, I don't know that we're exactly ready. I mean... yeah, we've been together ya know, almost a year, but I don't know that I'm ready to leave here. I mean, the girls would have to find a new roommate and I know they don't want that cause I've only been here like less than a year. And before they had Delilah and I just... I dunno... I don't think now is a good time but I swear to you, after college or sometime next year, we will." You explain. He nods along, understanding etched across his face, 

"I respect that." He mutters. You sigh, 

"Tom-"

"No, I'm serious, I get it. It makes perfect sense and you're 100% right. The girls would kill me if I took you from them. And besides, I'd be ditching you some nights for the frat house anyways. We're supposed to be there a certain number of nights a month and I just... you're right. In the future though, definitely." He says with a soft, understanding smile. You sigh, 

"See," Tom sits up a little straighter as you pull yourself to your knees, crawling towards him, "this is why I couldn't stay away from you." He chuckles, dragging you into his lap, his hands slipping up to your cheeks, to brush his lips against yours. You sigh into his lips, his hands sliding down to rest at your lower back. He presses his forehead to yours after a moment, your hands rubbing up his arms, 

"I'm glad I'm that irresistible to you. I don't know what I'd do without you." He mumbles, your nose nudging his as you lean in to lay your head against his shoulder. He rubs up and down your back, listening to you let out deep breaths at the comfort he provides. You hold the back of his arms, melting into him, 

"I missed you so fucking much love. You're everything to me." He mutters, lips pressed into your hair. You press your own lips to his shoulder, listening to him breathe and smelling his natural scent. He wraps his arms around your waist, 

"I love you." He says. Pulling back, you stare down into his eyes, 

"I love you too. I can't even express how much it hurt to think about you when I was in New York." You admit. He smiles, 

"Well at least I'm that irresistible. Imagine if you could live without me." He jokes. You smile and nod, laying your forehead against his, 

"Yeah you're in luck huh?" He nods,

"So much luck." Humming, you kiss him again before sighing and standing from his lap, 

"I suppose I should regroup with the girls." You pose. Tom chuckles, 

"You're kicking me out now?" He asks. You smile, 

"Well you do have to go home and get dolled up for me for dinner tonight. Besides, distance makes the heart grow fonder my love." He grumbles, 

"I was away from you for three weeks so what about that distance?" 

"Well you're still snotty so apparently it wasn't enough." You quickly imply as he packs away the trash from lunch, tying the bag and leaving it sitting on the floor as he stands. He nears you, hands placed on your hips when he finally pauses to stand before you, 

"It was too long. Lost my goddamn mind without you." 

"I think you lost that long before I came around." You say, binding your arms around his neck. He clicks his tongue, hands slipping to your lower back, 

"So mean." He mutters, tilting his head to kiss you again. You hum, pressing your hands to his chest after a moment,

"I promise to spend more time with you tonight but... there are other people in my life I need to get reacquainted with." You tell Tom who stares down at you for a moment before he purses his lips and nods, backing away from you, 

"Fine, I know when I'm not wanted." 

"Oh shut up. You're such a drama queen." He tsks, 

"You're pushing it ya know. I just might not come tonight if you keep this up little Miss. I just might stay home." Grabbing his sides, you smile up at him, 

"Don't threaten me with a good time Mr. I'm sure Keaton and Cole would love to take your place as the main priority in my life. Hell, Cole would probably kill you for that role." You threaten. He glances up at your closet door and shrugs,

"You're probably right. That man is crazy." He mutters. When you snort, he smiles, 

"A lifetime of dealing with bullshit from people like you Holland. The man is a godsend." He chuckles, nodding and picking up the bag of trash, 

"Yeah. He's an odd one. The night you left I swore he was gonna snap. He was cool as a cucumber when we showed up at his place and it was the scariest fucking thing on this planet. But he just stood there and he scolded me and he just casually broke up with Scarlett-"

"Wait he did?" You pose, staring up at the brunette before you. He nods after a moment, 

"Yeah. He said he couldn't be with someone who defended a cheater like me. So he just broke up with her and closed his door in our faces." Tom reflects, cocking his head to still see your face when you bow your head. You sigh, 

"I didn't know that." You mutter. He leans in to kiss the tip of your nose, 

"No biggie." He says before opening your bedroom door and starting down the hallway with you in tow. He sighs as he pauses in the doorway, 

"Get dolled up for me too?" He asks, holding your hand in his. You shrug, 

"Maybe. Depends how I feel later." You tease, watching his lips turn up. He leans in and kisses your cheek, 

"Love you darling." You place your hands between his shoulder blades, rubbing and feeling your heart flutter at the pure contact resuming between you and your boy, 

"Love you too." You tell him, watching him wish the girls goodbye for now before shooting you one last loving glance and leaving the dorm. You stare at the door for a moment before sighing and turning to your friends who look up at your sudden movement, 

"So... where were we?" You pose with a smile that's shared by the three other girls in the room. 

                                                        ---

There are only a few hours and a handful of desperate text messages from Tom before your dorm is warm and the girls have gotten into a bustling chatter as they finish dinner and get dressed up just for fun. Just as you're finishing up a little bit of makeup, there's a knock at the door and more chatter as the boys are let into the house. Finishing up, you stare at yourself in the mirror for a moment, admiring the curls and gentle makeup that accentuate your lace crop and long sparkly black skirt with a long slit. Ivey had loaned it to you reassuring you that it'd blow Tom away. Packing away your makeup you stand and fluff the curls before finding your way down the hallway, towards the noise. You enter the kitchen, Tom instantly looking up from his place at the stove with Phoebe, his eyes widening, 

"Wow." He mutters, each pair of eyes landing on you. Ivey gasps before she steps forward to twirl you. You giggle,

"Stop. I look no better than the three of you." 

"Right but... Tom's eyes haven't popped out of his head or his dick tented his pants because of the three of us. That's all you babe." Phoebe jokes, the room breaking out into laughter before Tom points to her, 

"Hey, I don't have a boner yet." He defends before he reaches behind him and grabs a dozen red roses and walks towards you. His features soften as he approaches, 

"You look beautiful darling. These are for you." He hands the roses over, watching you sniff them with a cheesy smile. You giggle again, holding them at your side as your free arm wraps around his shoulders. He hugs you into him, your nose pressed into his neck. Pulling back, your hand rests at his shoulder, eyes roaming his body, 

"Wow." You mutter just as he had and Tom feels small. A tan and white striped shirt clings to his biceps, rolled up to the elbows and the top two buttons are unbuttoned to show a great deal of his chest. Black jeans and his regular tennis shoes accentuate the look, pulled together with his usual watch, usual necklace, and gelled back curls. He licks his lips, breaking you from your thoughts,

"Well?" You nod, 

"You look good. I like it." You tell him, watching him nod and place his hand at your hip, sliding it around to your lower back and kissing your cheek when he draws you in, 

"I like the way you look too baby." He mumbles in your ear, following you back to where he was leaned so you can find something to put your roses in. He watches you fill the vase and set them off to the side. He leans back against the counter, you just beside him, staring up at Keaton who's preoccupied with helping Scarlett and Phoebe get something out of the oven. You find Cole's eyes, his eyebrows raising before you near him, dragging him into the living room by his wrist, Tom following close behind. You sit Cole in an armchair, Tom sitting on the couch and accepting you in his lap, 

"Why didn't you tell me you broke up with Scarlett?" You ask him softly, Tom's arm binding around your waist, his other hand rested on your thigh, through the slit on your skirt. Cole's eyes dart to Tom for a moment before looking back up at you,

"I thought you knew. I told you I wasn't texting her." 

"I wasn't texting Tom and we hadn't broken up. She's crazy about you Cole." 

"And?" 

"And? And you two are adorable, Tom was the one to blame for what happened and she just provided a little bit of her opinion and you broke up with her for it. She didn't do anything wrong. Do you... not like her anymore?" You rant. His eyes have left yours, locked on the TV against the farthest wall. He looks up at your question, 

"No. I still like her. Are you kidding? I'm obsessed with that girl. But I'm not going to let my sister get her heart broken and listen to her tell me that my own girlfriend defended the kid that broke her heart and just sit by and watch and resent her because of it." He defends. His eyes sparkle and your heart skips a beat, 

"Alright, the first part of that statement was adorable. Cole... I'm fine. I would've been fine if you continued your relationship. She didn't do anything to me. And I don't see how if she did, that would affect you and her. You weren't there." 

"But you're all I have left Y/N. I've known her less than a year, I've known you my whole life and no matter what, I'd stand with you. No matter how bad what she did was or wasn't." He admits. The tears that sparkle in his eyes and the crack in his voice draws Tom's eyes to him and cause his hand to stop moving across the skin of your thigh. You stare at your brother for a moment before standing and letting him scoot to the end of his chair. His arms wrap around his waist as you fight your own tears, your hands rubbing between his shoulders, 

"I love you more than anything. You and I are inseparable and you know that but... what happened to me not getting involved in your bullshit and you not getting involved in mine. You can separate your life from mine Cole, you know I would never hate you." 

"I know." He mumbles into your stomach. You sigh, 

"Talk to her. If I can come back to the shitshow that is my own relationship you can get back to yours no problem. I mean, she's crazy about you and you two are like... adorable in every way and I'm obsessed with seeing one of my best friend's making my brother happy and vice versa. You mean the world to me and I don't want to see either of you upset because of a decision out of your control." You tell him, Tom's heart skipping a beat at the way you console your brother. It's the same way you've consoled him for months and he destroyed the best thing for him overnight. But he'll never do it again. You bring his chin up in your fingers, 

"Talk to her. Please." You tell Cole who stares up at you with curious eyes. He huffs, eyes averted after a moment before he nods, 

"Fine mom, I'll talk to her." He mumbles, eyes darting up to your own. His lips turn up and he snorts, 

"Get off me." He says, brushing your hand away from his face and standing. He drags you in, arms around your body, 

"I am glad you're back. I missed you." He says, Tom staring up at you both. You smile, squeezing your brother's body into yours. You draw back, 

"I missed you too Coleslaw." He rolls his eyes, 

"Just for that, I have to tell you my sex life was tanking and I'm glad you want me back with your friend." Your nose turns up and you swat at his chest, 

"Disgusting-"

"Seriously, I went from like twice maybe three times a week to none at all for three weeks-"

"Cole!" You squeal, walking towards Tom who snorts, sitting back against the couch to accept you in his lap again. Cole chuckles, 

"I digress." He mutters, heading for the kitchen. Tom holds you in his lap, his face nuzzled in your neck, 

"Two, three times a week, wow." He mutters in your ear. You giggle,

"So intriguing. Considering we do it every… two weeks? Interesting to know what it's like to do it every week, more than once a week." You tell Tom. He chuckles, nuzzling deeper into your hair, arms wrapped tighter around you,

"You're such a little peacemaker, I can't get enough of you." You giggle, 

"Guess I do balance out your chaotic ass huh?" He nods, 

"Absolutely. Hey, speaking of talking to her, I planned a series of actual dates I wanna take you on if you'll let me." He poses. You smile, hands placed over his arms,

"Of course. Will you tell me any of them?" 

"Nope. It's a surprise." He mutters, kissing your cheek. You giggle as he tickles you before he glances up, the group entering the living room, 

"The kitchen is definitely not big enough for all of us so fuck it. We're eating in the living room. But we all have to sit on the floor. That's the catch." Phoebe states as she sets a tray of cheesy garlic bread on the coffee table. You giggle, letting Tom's hands wander to your hips as Keaton sets the pot of spaghetti beside it, Scarlett, Cole, Ivey and Harrison carrying drinks. Harrison offers Tom a beer but he shakes his head, finding your eyes when you furrow your brows at him, 

"Since when do you deny a beer?" You ask him, sliding onto the floor. He clears his throat as he slides down beside you and accepts a plate, 

"Since I got drunk and cheated on my girlfriend." He mutters, holding his plate out for Phoebe to place spaghetti on, 

"Wait to say grace fucker." She mumbled, filling everyone's plate before sitting between Keaton and Ivey, 

"Alright. Uhm, so should I say grace then?" She asks. There's a collective murmur before she sighs, 

"Alright. So we are grateful for Y/N more than anything. She's been an amazing roommate, friend, drinking buddy, girlfriend, and sister and I speak for everyone when I say we're glad she's back. We feel complete now." She starts, holding her drink up. You smile, tears welling in your eyes, 

"And now may we never be without her or each other. Everyone in this room matters most and I'm grateful for our health and our friendship and our relationships and everything that makes us happy. So... to Y/N, and to us." She adds, watching everyone hold up their varying drinks, 

"To us." You all mumble, leaning in to clink your bottles together. You all drink, your eyes finding Tom's as you swallow, 

"To us." He mutters as you lean on his thigh, kissing your nose. You smile, 

"Forever and always Holland." 

"Hell yeah, no more fuckups." You smile and kiss him softly, 

"No more fuckups. Ever." He holds his pinky out jokingly before you loop yours with his, kissing his fingers. He sighs as you lay your head over his shoulder sipping more of your beer and praying he's right.

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[beforeiforgetyou]

Maybe it’s the pills. They’ve really allowed me to see things as they are and organize my feelings. I been holding onto this heaviness for so long but I didn’t even know what it was. And then today it was just so obvious what was really bothering me.

I think the most difficult part is that I don’t want it to be like this either. I genuinely enjoy that aspect of our relationship. But it really does put me in a position to have these negative feelings towards him individually and the situation overall. It bothers me whether I want it to or not. And I need to respect those feelings. She made her choices, set her boundaries, and now I have to do the same. I do worry it will end whatever is left of our friendship…but if it does it really only reinforces that I made the right decision.

I’ve felt so powerless lately. But I am not powerless. I am worthy of the love I crave and I have a right and duty to myself to protect my heart. This doesn’t mean I ever did anything wrong. I have no regrets. But it does mean that as things have changed, I should have been changing with them instead of continuing the same behaviors and being upset by them. Because in reality it’s always been my decision.

I do want her to be happy. I want her to have everything she wants and deserves. Honestly my hope is that he is able to step up and provide those things that I was giving. And do those things that a man should do for his woman. But ultimately it’s not my responsibility anymore. She’s not my woman. She never really was but it was different when she was single. It was fun. Simple. There was this unwritten agreement between us. I wanted a girl to go out with, spoil… and in return I wanted that constant attention. It never was supposed to come with so much love to be honest. But it did. And I don’t regret it. Like she always says. It was sudden. Unexpected. My favorite girl. Her favorite guy. Simple. But things have changed now. And that’s okay. I’m still learning to be okay with it. But it is.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is also where a lot of that anger came from. Yes I was jealous. Yes I upset when I wasn’t getting the same time and attention I was before. But a lot of those feelings were also coming from the fact that I felt like I was making a fool of myself treating this girl like a princess but she had another prince. Even though she was still doing everything in her power to make me happy too. To make me feel important. Appreciated. Wanted. Loved… That fact was never overlooked. To this day she still tries to make me happy. Make sure I’m satisfied. And I love her for that. My god how I love her for that… If there’s one thing I want her to know is that she always makes me happy. Just seeing name in my phone when I wake up in the morning makes my heart a little lighter and my day start a little better… I love that girl…

But I don’t think anyone can ever really understand how painful it is to feel like the other guy. That isn’t an excuse for any of my behavior. But as I reflect on everything now I realize that there was so much frustration at that feeling of being this dirty little secret. Even if it never intended to be that way. For me, that’s how it felt. But I’m not going to put myself in that position anymore. I’m not the other guy. I’m me. I’m Gil. I’m a whole person and I have so much love and generosity in my heart. It’s not about the money. Never was. It’s about the energy. And I need to protect that and reserve it for the right person going forward.

I am worthy of love. I am worthy of the kind of love I desire. I am not asking for too much by asking to be loved the way I need. I am done playing the victim. I recognize my mistakes, my flaws, my weaknesses. I am learning and growing from them day by day. Everyday I am a better man than I was the day before. I will no longer allow anyone or anything to make me feel like less than I am.

The love will always be there. I don’t think anything can ever change that. But just like she is learning to put herself first, I have to remember to do the same for myself.

I love that girl. Nothing can take that from me. I pray we still have good days left ahead of us.

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter XXX

A/n: Some unnecessary drama in this chapter, but I wanted to make it more interesting. Love you all!!! ••••••••••••••••••••

Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis went their separate ways, wishing to not discuss their feelings on what happened at Zegnautus Keep and how Noctis was absorbed into the Crystal.

Instead of heading to Lestallum like his friends, Prompto departed for Hammerhead after they returned to Lucis. He figured Cindy would allow (Y/n) to stay there until she regained consciousness. The mechanic was more than happy to let the girl stay in the bed located in the back room connected to the garage.

But now, that was three months ago. Prompto spent most of his time in Hammerhead, taking up whatever hunts he could with fellow hunters. After a job was complete, he'd return to the outpost and visit (Y/n) in hopes to find her awake. Even Cindy would pay her visits from time to time.

Unfortunately, she remained in what was almost an eternal slumber. He had time to think about the words Brahma spoke to him and was able to understand why she was in such a state. She wouldn't awaken until Noctis returned.

Although she was perfectly safe and healthy, his heart ached. He wanted her to wake up and help him through the darkness that now engulfed every corner of Eos. He was beginning to lose his mind without her by his side.

Today, Prompto had finished slaying a horde of iron giants and imps with a few hunters. He returned to Hammerhead and ate a quick meal before going to see the slumbering (Y/n).

He entered the small room located in the back of the garage and sat down in the comfy chair beside the bed. He leant forward, reaching a hand out to take one of hers. He could still feel the warmth radiating from her body. It brought him a semblance of peace but also one of heartbreak. "Hey, (Y/n)." His thumb caressed her knuckles. "Guess what I did today? I took down two iron giants by myself! I'm getting pretty good at daemon hunting. I'm thinking about doing a hunt by myself." Prompto then told her about whatever came to mind. He wasn't sure if she could hear him, but he wanted to believe she could.

"Oh, hey." Prompto scooted closer to the edge of the seat. "Remember that one time Noct came over to study a few days before finals and he almost found you?"

•••••

"We're not seriously gonna sit here and study, are we?" A sixteen-year-old Noctis asked, throwing his head back. He stared up at the ceiling of Prompto's apartment, leaning back in the chair. He drummed his pencil against the kitchen table.

"Oh, c'mon, buddy!" A sixteen-year-old Prompto whined. "Let's do a few more math problems!"

"I suck at math," the prince groaned.

"So do I! That's why we're studying so we don't completely bomb the final. I don't care about getting an A or B, I just wanna pass..."

"Specs can help us with the math later." Noctis closes his math book and stood up, tossing his pencil down. "Let's order some pizza and play video games."

Prompto glances at the clock on the oven. "We've only beens studying for thirty minutes..." He followed his friend's actions and agreed. "Yeah, let's do it. I'll order the pizza while you pop in a game."

Noctis walked into the living room and grabbed Assassin's Creed II while Prompto pulled out his phone and ordered two large pizzas. Once their order was placed, he joined the prince on the couch and watched him play the game. They handed the controller back and forth whenever one of them died.

An hour later, their pizzas arrived. Prompto paid the delivery boy and thanked him before closing the door. He placed the pizza boxes on the coffee table before sitting back down to watch Noctis wander around the streets of Monteriggioni as Ezio. When he decided to return to the story, the raven-haired boy glanced over at the blonde. "So, you gonna tell me why you didn't wanna go out with that girl who asked you out today?"

Before Prompto could answer, a loud sound came from the bedroom. Both boys looked down the hallway when hearing the sound. Noctis' brows furrowed together. "The hell was that?"

Prompto knew it must've been (Y/n), who was hidden in the closet. "I-I didn't hear anything. Maybe you're just hearing things."

Noctis stood up, putting the controller on the coffee table. "No, I definitely heard something." He began wandering down the hallway towards the bedroom. Prompto was close behind him, hoping he wouldn't discover the girl hidden in the closet. He began nibbling his bottom lip nervously as they walked into the bedroom. He began tugging on the green and white tie of his school uniform as Noctis closed in on the closet.

When Noctis went to open the closet, Prompto acted quickly. He cleared his throat loudly and knocked off the picture frame of his adoptive parents off the nightstand beside the bed. He pointed at it and grabbed the prince's attention. "Hey, Noct! I think this is what we heard."

Noctis' hand froze on the handle to the closet door. He turned around and spotted the picture frame on the floor. He lowered his hand, walking away from the closet. "Guess so." He picked up the picture frame and put it back on the nightstand. At that exact moment, the prince's stomach grumbled. "Damn, I'm hungry. Let's dig into that pizza we bought."

"You go right ahead, buddy. I'll be back shortly. I've gotta go to the bathroom," Prompto said as Noctis left the room. Once the raven-haired boy was gone, he crept towards the closet. Before he could touch the handle, the door slid open slightly. From the small opening, he saw a single gold-slitted eye peek out from the darkness. He titled his head in confusion. "What're you doing in there, (Y/n)?"

The guardian opened the closet door more to show her entire face. She reached out a single arm and grabbed his tie, yanking him towards her. Their faces were mere inches from each other, resulting in a blush on Prompto's face. "Why didn't you tell me a girl asked you out?!" She whisper-yelled. "And you turned her down?!"

"Wh-Why does it sound like you're scolding me?" Prompto muttered. "And how in the world did you here that...?"

"You two aren't exactly quiet!" She pulled his face closer, their noses touching. "I can't believe you let the perfect opportunity for you to get a girlfriend slip!"

"I-I didn't like her like that!" Prompto protested. "Besides, I-I already have someone I really like..."

"Really?" (Y/n) gasped. "Who is it?"

"W-Well, it's..."

"Hey, Prompto!" Noctis shouted from the living room. "You fall in or something?"

"Be right there, buddy!" Prompto hollered back.

The spirit sighed begrudgingly and released him. "Go have fun. Just make sure to save me a couple of slices of pizza."

He nodded with a smile. "Will do, (Y/n)."

•••••

Prompto smiled at the fond memory. "The person I really liked was you, (Y/n). I was almost able to tell you, but Noct kinda ruined the moment."

He then went on to tell her about his recent visit to the chocobo farm in the Duscae region. After falling silent once going into great detail about his visit, Prompto squeezes her hand as the all-too-familiar sting of tears was felt in his eyes. His throat tightened painfully as he tried to keep from whimpering. "I...I hope you wake up soon, (Y/n). I really miss you." He lifted her hand, placing the back of it against his cheek. "Noct better hurry up and come back. I don't know how long I'll survive without either of you..."

<-----------<<<<<

Three excruciating long years passed by. Prompto, although still hopeful (Y/n) would wake up soon, was slowly losing that hope with each passing day. In order to distract himself, he kept busy by hunting any troublesome daemons and eventually was able to take up hunts all by himself. From time to time, he would join other groups of hunters, but most of the time he did hunts by himself to give him time to clear his head.

After he finished hunting down a necromancer, he found himself visiting Lestallum in hopes to see Gladio or Ignis. Instead of seeing his two friends, he found Iris. She waved at him as he walked over to her stall. "Hey, Prompto. I haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been pretty busy lately with hunting down some daemons. The gil's good and it lets me clear my head from time to time," he said.

Iris frowned melancholically. "Gladdy told me what happened to (Y/n). I'm so sorry."

Prompto smiled sorrowfully at the mention of the girl. "I try to visit her everyday, but...it's getting more difficult to see her like that."

"I can't even imagine how you feel," she mumbled.

"Maybe you should get the hell over it," a voice growled.

Iris and Prompto turned around to see Gladio approaching them. The young Amicitia glared at her brother. "Gladdy, how could you say something like that?"

Prompto knew how tough it'd been for Gladio to accept Noctis' disappearance. It had caused him to become tougher on him and others. His temper was shorter than ever and he was easily angered. However, that didn't excuse him from talking in such a manner. The blonde casted a glare in the shield's direction. "The hell's your problem?"

"I've no problem. You're the one who's still crying about a girl who's dead," Gladio hissed.

"She's not dead!" Prompto bellowed at the top of his lungs in anger. It grabbed the attention of everyone in the main thoroughfare. He clenched his fists tightly by his sides. "Would you be saying that if the woman you loved was in (Y/n)'s place?!"

"I'd stop moping and do something about it," the brute growled.

"I've already tried! There's nothing I can do, dammit!" Prompto bunched his hands up in his hair and tugged at his golden locks. "Even after a damned god told me she wouldn't wake up until Noct returns, I still tried!"

Gladio's angered expression was now dabbed with bewilderment. "What's this shit about a god?"

He untangled his hands from his hair, realizing he didn't tell Gladio or Ignis of how Brahma spoke to him. He thought they heard the Astral, but he was wrong. The god's words were for his ears only. "Brahma spoke to me at the Keep. He wants me to protect (Y/n) while she slumbers until Noct comes back."

"You're telling me an Astral is the reason why (Y/n)'s like that?" Gladio crosses his arms with a huff of annoyance.

"Yes!" Prompto shouted, his anger returning. "How the hell is anybody supposed to break a magic spell casted by a damned god?!"

"Try harder then," he spat. "I would if (Y/n) was my woman."

Prompto snapped. He punched Gladio in the face as hard as he could, causing him to fall to the ground. Iris was in shock. Not once had she seen someone punch Gladio so hard that it knocked him over. What was even more shocking was that person was Prompto. She wasn't mad at the blonde for punching his brother. If he hadn't done it, she would've.

"You're an asshole," Prompto snarled. His fist hurt, but that didn't match how painful his heart ached for (Y/n). "If you really think I haven't tried my hardest to get her back, you don't know me at all." With those final words, Prompto walked away.

Iris sighed, shaking her head. "I'm not gonna lie: you deserved that."

"Damn... Pipsqueak's gotten a lot stronger these past three years." Gladio wiped the small amount of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He then looked up at his sister. "You gonna help your big brother off the ground?"

"No way," she scoffed. "I've gotta find Prompto. There's something I want to give him." She turned around to the stall she was managing and grabbed a bouquet of (f/c) flowers.

"Hold the damn phone," Gladio said before Iris could walk off. "You're giving him flowers? Don't tell me..."

"No!" She sneered. "I know how much he loves (Y/n). There's no way I'd do that to them. Besides, these are for her, not him. I wanted to give them to her myself, but I've been too busy to visit Hammerhead. I thought he could take them with him once he leaves."

Iris sauntered off, leaving Gladio sprawled out on the ground. She searched Lestallum and found Prompto sitting by the fountain outside the Leville. Seeing he was staring down at the fist he used to punch her brother, she carefully approached him. Once she was close enough, she saw the bruises forming along his knuckles. "I always knew punching Gladdy was like punching a rock."

Prompto lifted his head, revealing his face. He was still clearly angry, but he tried to keep it hidden under a facade of calmness. "It really did felt like I punched a rock. My whole hand hurts..."

The girl giggled and sat down beside him. "If you hadn't punched him, I would've." She gazed down at the bouquet in her grasp. "I'm really sorry about the way he acted. Ever since you guys came back, he's changed. He's more...angry and doesn't know how to deal with his emotions."

"We're all on edge," he sighed. "Some more than others, of course..."

"Moving away from my brother's awful behavior..." Iris held out the (f/c) flowers towards him. "I was hoping you'd give these flowers to (Y/n). I'm a little busy with running the stall and haven't had time to stop by Hammerhead."

Prompto's eyes widen at seeing the color of the flowers. "How'd you know (Y/n)'s favorite color is (f/c)?"

"I...actually didn't," she confessed with a smile. "It was a lucky guess."

He took the bouquet with a grateful smile etched across his face. "I'll give them to her. Thanks, Iris."

After a brief conversation with the young Amicitia, Prompto decided to leave Lestallum. He headed to where he left the small car he used to get around Lucis and drove back to Hammerhead.

When he arrived, he entered Takka's diner and asked the man behind the counter if he had something to put flowers in. All he could offer was a white tea kettle that he no longer used. Taking it from him, the blonde filled it with water and placed the flowers inside. Taking a step back to look at the makeshift vase, he smiled when realizing it actually looked cute. "I think she'll like it," he whispered to himself.

Grabbing the white tea kettle, Prompto left the diner and headed to the garage. He entered the small room in the back, his smile faltering slightly when seeing (Y/n) was still asleep. One day, he prayed he would open the door and find her sitting up in bed with her eyes open, waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late today, (Y/n). I decided to visit Lestallum to see how Iggy and Gladio were doing, but... Well, it didn't end pretty." He sat down in the chair, placing the tea kettle in his lap. "Anyway, Iris got you some (f/c) flowers! I was surprised to see flowers after three years. I wonder where she got them from?"

He places the kettle on the small plastic table by the bed. He then proceeded to tell her about his accomplishment of slaying a necromancer by himself. He felt a sense of pride in how he was able to handle such a powerful daemon without the help of anyone else.

Finishing his story, Prompto leaned over and placed a kiss on (Y/n)'s cheek. He said his farewells for now and left the room. Deciding to take the caravan and rest for a couple of days, he searched for Cindy and paid her. She thanked him sweetly, giving him the keys to the caravan.

Inside the caravan, the blonde placed the key down by the stove and dragged his exhausted body towards the bed located in the back. He flopped down on the mattress, not even bothering to get under the sheets. Grabbing one of the pillows, he hugged it against his chest and buried his face into it with a sigh. He muttered a few colorful slurs directed towards Gladio. He wanted to say so much more to the shield, but held his tongue in the heat of the moment.

Eventually, Prompto ceased cursing the brute's name and closed his eyes, allowing himself to fall into a deep sleep.

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[kalgalen]

Day 6: cloak, temple, curse & Day 7: dawn, desert, legend

They are separated there as quiet women with faraway looks come and take Martin away. Peter notices Jon's clenched teeth, and smiles indulgently.

"Relax, they are simply going to dress him properly. Can't be showing up at his own wedding in everyday clothes, can he?"

"How can you do that to him? You're his father," Jon says, scowling. "This is - revolting."

The King gives a little laugh. "Well, I am his father. I only want what's best for him - and for my domain. He isn't happy here; perhaps the Darkness will be a better fit for him, hmm? Come now. You can be his witness."

Reluctantly, Jon follows Peter down the stairs, through guard-lined corridors, and out of the castle. From the front entrance, he can see the path that leads up an underwater hill devoid of any buildings - except for one: what looks like a sunken church. Its twin steeples rise higher than even Martin's tower, but still doesn’t come close to breaching the surface far above. As they come closer from it - Peter still chatting away, uncaring whether Jon answers or not - broken shards of moonlight reflect off the tinted glass set into thick walls of granite. Jon squints to take a better look at them, curious despite the block of icy despair that has replaced his heart. He can see monstrous marine animals, twisted bodies, broken ships; it's a temple to the drowned and the drowning and to those who wait for them under the waves. They pass the high gates of the church, and for the first time since he's woken up here, Jon can feel the water in his lungs burn, urging him to save himself.

But there's no way out anymore, is there? His only hope was Martin, and they are both getting their most dreaded ending tonight.

There's a silhouette standing before the altar. It is tall, and long, and austere, dressed all in black fabrics that float in the currents. Peter leaves Jon on the front row bench with a friendly pat on the shoulder which doesn't make him forget the two guards standing on either side of him, and walks up to the dark wraith. The person turns toward him, and Jon freezes when he catches a glimpse of their face. The skin is bone-white and paper thin, stretched over high cheekbones and a prominent brow; if not for the sickly, sticky feeling he's getting from him, Jon would almost call him noble. But his eyes - his eyes are blank, wide and blind the way deep sea creatures' are, and at one of Peter's words his unseeing gaze points right at Jon - and then his other eyes open, slashing into his face, into the one hand that's visible, even into the shadows at his feet.

At the sight, Jon can't help but whimper. The monster doesn't smile, but his posture radiates satisfaction as he readjusts the cloak wrapped around his shoulders.

Jon screws his eyes shut, and forces himself to breathe even though his chest is still burning faintly, the promise of suffocation now at an arm's reach.

When he opens his eyes again, Peter has vanished - and the man, that Lord of Many Eyes, has thankfully turned away. Jon lets out a relieved breath, and stills again when the doors of the temple swing open once more.

Organ music, eerily deformed by the water, starts to play; Jon doesn't want to turn around, but the curiosity is too strong, and he does. He sees Martin walk down the alley the way a condemned man would walk the plank, gripping his father's arm with white-knuckled panic; he's dressed in light satin and laces now, but even the veil floating around his face can't mask his terror.

It's at this point that Jon understands he can't give up, no matter how dreadful things might seem.

Martin gives Jon a quick glance when he passes him, a plea for help Jon receives loud and clear. He looks around - for an escape plan, for an ally, anything. His eyes fall on the Lord again, on the cape around his shoulders. It seems out of place on the creature's frame, like it doesn't belong to him. Hope sparks into Jon's heart, and he sees it mirrored in Martin's expression when he takes in his fiancé's outfit. What is Peter playing at? Is this some kind of taunt, giving Martin's object of salvation to his future jailer?

The Lord of Many Eyes offers his arm to Martin, who catches it as if it's the only thing keeping him up. Peter places himself in front of them and declares:

"Let the ceremony...begin."

Several things happen at the same time:

Jon acts and lunges forward, aiming for the cloak. The two guards at his sides spear in his direction, and he's almost sure that if he hadn't decided to move, he would have been ran through. The doors of the temple fly open, and a crowd of pale-eyed people floods the building, armed with pitchforks, wooden pikes, anything that can even remotely be considered a weapon and used against the guards.

Sasha and Tim are at the front.

"Martin! Go!" Sasha shouts, burying her improvised spear in the shoulder of the nearest guard.

Tim parries a blow that was meant for his head, and yells out: "This is your moment, don't blow it!"

The mob fills every bit of the church, quickly overwhelming the guards. They aren't trained, however; it's only a matter of time before the King's forces recover from the surprise attack.

In the confusion, Jon snatches the cape from the Lord's shoulders. The Lord snarls, staring into Jon - and he feels seen, he feels observed, dissected, known in a way that makes him want to crumble to the floor and hide - but he's dealt with bullies before, he's learned to keep his head high, and this is no different. He dodges a clawed hand headed for his face and jumps back, toward the space he's seen Martin standing in a couple of seconds before. He's still here, flanked by Tim and Sasha who give Jon a nod before tackling Peter. The King, who'd been trying to grab Martin, gives out an enraged scream. It's obvious he's stronger than Tim and Sasha combined and that he will overpower them soon. Jon doesn't waste any time; as soon as he reaches Martin, he wraps the cloak around him, and yells to be heard above the ruckus:

"Get us out of there!"

Martin looks distressed. "But Sasha, and Tim, and everyone…"

"They're doing this for you! Don't let their sacrifice be for nothing!"

They stare at each other, the chaos around them forgotten for a moment. Then Martin sighs.

"Right. Right, of course. Let's get out."

Jon follows Martin as they dash toward a narrow staircase that Jon can only assume leads up one of the steeples; Martin looks back one last time, eyes filled with sorrow and regret, at the chaos behind them; but then he's ascending the stairs, Jon right on his heels.

They reach the top of the tower after what feels like an eternity, no noise of pursuit following them. There's a large window cut at the top of the tower, and Martin stops in front of it. He turns towards Jon.

"Do you still trust me?" he asks urgently.

Jon nods. "Of course. With my life."

Martin smiles without humour. "Good. That's exactly what I need."

Then he swoops Jon into a hug, whispers into his ear: "Don't let go", and throws them both out of the window.

***

Jon coughs and gasps as he wakes up in the sand. He's cold, soaked to the bone, and it takes him a moment to remember what happened. Right. The fall in the water, Martin, the wedding, the escape -

Martin!

He looks to the side, and here's the former prince of the sea, wrapped up in his cloak. There's the slightest breeze, and the garment turns to dust - and with it disappears Martin's gils, as he takes his first breath with human lungs.

Martin shivers, and opens his eyes. He gasps when he sees Jon above him, and sits up.

"Jon! Are you okay? Where are we? Oh -" he gasps again, as his gaze runs wildly around, taking in his surroundings in a way that's not without reminding Jon of his own discovery of the underwater world. "Are we... Are we out?"

He sounds so incredulous that Jon laughs, sitting beside him.

"Yes. I'm sorry, that's it. Very underwhelming, I know-"

"No," Martin interrupts, staring at the line where the sky meets the sea. "No, it's beautiful."

Jon follows his gaze; he has to admit he's right. The sky is pink in a way that announces more rain later, but for now the morning is crisp and clean like a new beginning.

"Yes," Jon murmurs. "Yes, it is."

They sit in silence for a bit, watching the light of dawn spread across the horizon. The beach around them is deserted; it won't be for much longer, as people come out for a run or to walk their dogs, but for now it's theirs to enjoy.

At last, Jon gets up. He feels every bruise in his body, and his mouth tastes like salt - will for a long time, he's willing to bet. He holds out a hand to Martin.

"Let's go."

Martin looks up at him with surprise. "Jon?"

"You don't look very inconspicuous right now, you know? We should get you new clothes." Then, when Martin keeps staring at him: "What?"

"Oh," Martin says. "I just didn't think - you still want to help me?"

"Of course," Jon says. "After all, I-" He stops himself right before admitting "I love you", and coughs. "Do you know how I ended up under the sea in the first place?” Martin shakes his head silently. "Well, there's this statue on the beach - here, you can see it over there," he points out the other side of the beach and the dark shape that stands there. "And there's this legend that says that if you light a flame inside its lantern, you can make a wish. I wished - I wished not to be alone anymore. And I think you're it."

"It?"

"Yes. My…friend, I suppose?" Jon says, feeling awkward. "That is, only if you want to…"

Martin finally takes the hand that's offered to him, and hauls himself up to his feet. He doesn't let go once he's standing.

"I would like that," he says timidly. "This is a weird new world. I could use a friend."

"Great," Jon smiles. "Let's get you home, then."

[mostly-angel-gilbert-and-ludwig]

SO ALFIES 🅱USSY IS 🅱USSIN??

GIL!!! GIL!!! LUD SAID-

*Strangled by beefcake*

L: I SAID NO COMMENT!

G: :eye: :lips: :eye:

L: For the love of all that is good in this world, please stop saying the emojis out loud

G: :pensive: I cannot

L: I swear

G: :kissing_smiling_eyes:

L: I-

You just wake up everyday and choose violence.

G: Yep! :heart: