#How do you reconcile that with your love for your family? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

punkshort · 3 months ago

Text

Protect and Honor

Pairing: Marcus Acacius x f!reader

Summary: Marcus Acacius promised his best friend he would look after his wife if he ever perished in battle. What he didn't expect was to fall in love.

Warnings: OC death (reader's husband), grief, descriptions of battle/wounds/blood, guilt, angst, smut (18+ MDNI), unprotected piv sex, dry humping, cum eating, pining, language

WC: 6.6K

dividers by @/saradika-graphics

The entire city of Rome slept when the army returned. Warships quietly entered the port with another victory to announce, along with countless lifeless bodies in the hulls. Tomorrow, the emperors would rejoice, filling the streets and arena with games, wine, and laughter. But many families would be in mourning over the loss of fathers, brothers, children, and husbands.

It was those families Acacius thought about when he stood in between the young leaders of Rome, accepting praise and applause for leading those brave men into battle, then leaving their loved ones with holes in their hearts.

It wasn't unusual for him to feel burdened with responsibility and grief when he returned from war, but this time was especially painful because he lost someone very important: Antonius Sattius. His right hand man in battle, and his close friend since he was a boy. The man he celebrated with when he was married one year prior was now carefully carried from his ship, body draped in clean linen and emblazoned with gold.

His heart felt heavy in his chest as he made his way up the winding road to your modest home. Even though it was the middle of the night, he couldn't fathom not telling you the news right away. You deserved to know directly from him and not rumors that would inevitably flow through the streets at first light.

He knocked on your door, then stood with his head bowed and his hands clasped firmly at his waist. He wore his amour, although now clean, out of respect. His muscles were weary and everything ached, yet the thought of his own soft bed was distant in his mind when you swung open the door a moment later with a small lantern in your hand.

"Acacius?"

His head lifted and he met your gaze, eyes filled with sorrow, and watched while your expression changed from confusion to despair when you realized the reason he was alone at your door in the middle of the night.

"My lady, may I come in?"

Your lower lip trembled when you nodded and stepped aside, allowing his hulking frame to engulf your small sitting room as you hurried to light some candles with shaking hands.

"Was it quick?" you asked with your back to him. He nodded, standing stoically next to your furniture.

"Yes. He did not suffer."

Flashes of your husband's bloodied, dirt streaked face clouded his vision. He remembered voices shouting, swords clanging, and distant cries of pain as he hunched over Antonius's body, searching for signs of life.

You sighed and turned to face him, silent tears staining your cheeks, then slumped into a chair.

"Please, sit."

He relented and chose to sit across from you, perched on the edge of his seat, poised and ready but for what, he did not know. He watched you stare down at your tangled fingers in your lap, giving you time to process your loss.

"How will I ever go on? What am I going to do?" you whispered softly. Marcus pursed his lips, his heart breaking.

"I shall help you with anything you may need," he said. "I made a promise to him long ago. He was able to die with peace in his heart, knowing you would be watched over."

You gave him a weak smile. "And what was he to do for you, Acacius, if you had fallen first?" you asked. "No wife. No children. I have never heard you speak of family."

"He was my family," Marcus replied. "He promised to return my body to Rome, to be buried next to my mother and father."

You nodded solemnly and looked around the candlelit room. He could see the anguish flitting across your face as you tried to reconcile with the new life you would have come morning.

"If I had a choice, I would have taken his place."

"Do not say that," you said firmly. You narrowed your watery eyes at him and he fell silent. "We lost him for a reason. The gods - they have their reasons. Perhaps one day, we will discover what those are."

He held your gaze for a moment, a heaviness hanging in the air between you until the tears began to spill down your face and your vision blurred. Without considering decorum, Marcus stood and crossed the room to sit by your side. Tentatively, he reached for your hand, and you eagerly took it before leaning into his shoulder to sob quietly. All the while, Marcus sat strong beside you, letting you cry yourself out until your body sagged and your eyes could no longer remain open.

You didn't ask him to stay and he didn't ask permission. Once you disappeared into your bedroom, he removed his armor and made himself as comfortable as possible on your lounging chair before crossing his arms and willing himself to sleep.

The following morning you weren't surprised to hear Marcus stirring in your sitting room, no doubt being woken up by the two girls you had employed to assist with meals and laundry. A luxury, you realized, you would likely have to forgo as a widow.

You wrapped yourself in a fresh stola and splashed some water on your puffy face, trying to make yourself look halfway decent before exiting your bedroom. Marcus was just securing his armor when he turned to face you.

"I hope you were able to rest," he said. You saw some movement from the kitchen and your gaze slid over his shoulder to the two sets of eyes peering around the door. The girls saw you and quickly disappeared, but it didn't stop your face from warming when you realized they must have been whispering about Marcus being in your home so early in the morning.

"Some, yes," you replied. You swallowed thickly and stretched your arm towards the dining area. "Would you join me before you leave?"

"Of course, thank you," Marcus said, straightening his spine and following you into the room to sit at your table, where the two servants had already begun to place some food.

After you had filled your plates, you ate in silence, the only sound coming from the cleaning being done in the kitchen. As you stared down at your plate, you felt your stomach churn. The thought of eating while your husband lied dead somewhere in the city made you sick.

"What happens now?" you asked. Marcus set his fork down to look at you. "His body? Where is it? What do I need to do?"

"I was hoping to take some of his clothes to the mortuary while I am here," he said. "Whatever you prefer he be buried in, of course. If it is too much, I can assist in planning the ceremony."

"I do not wish to make a spectacle of it," you told him. "Antonius would not have cared for that."

"I will be sure to keep it small. The men will understand."

Marcus kept his promise. He planned most of the ceremony on your behalf and even stood valiantly at your side the entire time. He supplied the two coins for you to place upon your husband's closed eyes, then led you back home. You cried more tears you ever thought possible in the eight days you spent mourning while soldiers came to pay their respects in small groups, all the while Marcus sat by your side like a pillar of strength.

Once the typical mourning period passed, you expected Marcus to go back to his life where he might occasionally check in on you to uphold his promise, but to your surprise, he stopped by your home every day. It wasn't always the same time of day, nor for the same length of time, but every single day for months, you saw one another.

Eventually, you fell into a routine once a week where he would escort you to the markets. With your basket looped around one arm and your other hand tucked into the crook of his elbow, you meandered down the street together, wandering slowly from stall to stall until you gathered all the goods you needed for the week.

"I wish you would have kept the girls," Marcus told you for the third time that week. "I would have paid-"

"It was not about money," you reminded him, picking up a ripe piece of fruit and testing the firmness between your fingers. "It was unnecessary, I told you this already. What do I need servants for? To cook food for one? I hired them in anticipation of having children. My dream of being a mother is gone."

"You could remarry."

You scoffed and rolled your eyes before placing the fruit back and moving on.

"You know as well as I that suitors look for an untouched woman," you said quietly so that you couldn't be overheard.

Marcus remained silent by your side as you continued to stroll. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining but it wasn't terribly hot, and there was a slight breeze in the air, bringing with it the scent of lemon trees from a nearby orchard. You were about to open your mouth to remark on the perfect weather when Marcus spoke.

"I could help you find a suitor."

You twisted around and looked up at him in surprise. The sun glistened off his tanned, battle-scared face, his dark eyes gazing down at you without the faintest glimmer of humor.

"You are serious."

"If you like," he said, "I know there are some higher ranking officers who are still unwed. I would never bring any man who Antonius would not approve of."

The idea of moving on left you speechless. It was something you knew you should do, that otherwise you would live a long and lonely life, but it still unsettled you.

"Perhaps," you said slowly, then looked away. Marcus noticed your discomfort and patted your hand.

"If you are not ready, we can wait."

You nodded, pinching your lips together as you pretended to look at some flowers.

"And what of you, Acacius?" you asked, changing the subject. "Are you searching for a bride?"

Marcus chuckled and shook his head. "I fear the emperors have chosen war as my betrothed. It was a rare act of kindness they have allowed me this time of rest and mourning."

Your heart clenched in your chest, realizing for the first time that some day soon, Marcus would be sent off to a faraway land once again, leaving you all alone. Suddenly, the perfect weather and the sounds of the market was not enough to keep a smile on your face. You struggled to make sense of the mixed emotions you were feeling but did your best to shrug them off and carry on.

What you didn't realize that right next to you, Marcus was wrestling with the same uncertainty.

Just as you both expected but didn't want to acknowledge, three weeks later Marcus received word he was to lead Rome's army across the sea to conquer yet another distant city. When you heard the soft knock at your door far too early one morning, you sat up in bed, dread filling your chest.

With a cloak wrapped tightly around you, you slowly padded towards your door, only opening it timidly after taking a deep, shaky breath.

Marcus stood on the other side, clad in his black battle armor with a look of regret once again. Your heart sank as you tried not to slump against the doorframe.

"Come in," you said meekly. He nodded, jaw tense, and stepped inside your home the same way he had been every day for six months, only this time he set his sword by the door and turned to address you.

"I have my orders," he began, "I will be gone for a month or two, but I have asked a trusted retired general to check in on you in my absence."

You nodded and blinked away the tears that welled up in your eyes, but you weren't quick enough. Two fell down your cheeks and your lower lip quivered when his face softened and he stepped forward.

"Be brave," he murmured, cupping your jaw and swiping the tears away with his thumb. It was the most intimate thing he had done since you have known him. "I will return and escort you to the market in no time. Until then, do try to stay out of trouble. I do not want Julius to write of you injuring yourself chasing after the crows in your garden again."

You laughed as more tears spilled down your face. "I will try."

He smiled down warmly at you, eyes scanning your face and palm still cradling your jaw. You both felt something shift in that moment. The air grew thicker when your eyes met and your heart flipped when his gaze briefly fell to your lips. Your fingers itched to touch him, to pull him close and dispel of the gap between you, but you hesitated. Unknowingly, Marcus was doing the very same, swallowing nervously at the butterflies in his stomach, something he hadn't felt in years with a woman. But neither of you acted on your feelings, for the ghost of your husband still lingered in the room.

You cleared your throat and gently took his hand, the one that was pressed against your cheek, and pulled it down to hang between you.

"Please try not to die."

Marcus grinned and the air in the room instantly lifted.

"I will try."

Begrudgingly, he let go of your hand and took a step back. "I will return before you know it. And when I do," he said, bending to pick up his sword, "I expect to be inundated with all the exciting rumors around the city, first thing."

You bit your lower lip and swiped the back of your had across your cheek.

"I promise."

Marcus gave you one last lingering glance before forcing his feet to move. You watched with a heavy heart as he made his way down your walk, towards the road, towards the direction of the sea. From where you stood, you could just see the tops of the warships, their sails already fluffed in the dimness of the sliver of sun peaking over the horizon.

As it turned out, Julius was quite good company. He was old enough to have all grey hair and deep wrinkles around his eyes. He walked with a limp, which was assisted by a cane he had whittled when he was a much younger man. He would share a meal with you or sit in your garden a couple times a week, and he would tell you stories of war, his family, and the exciting adventures he had experienced throughout his long life.

"My wife passed on three years ago," he told you one morning while you watched the sun break through the clouds and warm up your vegetable garden, which was growing at a substantial rate. "She had grown quite ill for a long time. She suffered greatly, and it broke my heart to not be able to ease her burden."

You frowned and gently took his hand in yours. "I am so sorry, Julius. But I am sure she was grateful for every moment she had with you."

He smiled at you, yellowing teeth peeking out behind his lips.

"We had a lovely life together. I feel such sadness that you and Antonius were not afforded the same luxury."

"As do I," you sighed, then turned to look back out at your peaceful little garden. "But the time we had together was good. He was a kind and strong man. Marcus told me once in this very garden how he died. That he was saving the life of a young, scared soldier. He sacrificed himself for that young man, because that was the type of soul he had. Always looking out for others."

Julius ignored your slip of the tongue, using Marcus's informal name, and instead hummed quietly next to you as he considered your words.

"He sounds as though he would want you to find another," he said after a beat. "Am I wrong?"

You shrugged and fiddled nervously with the hem of your tunic.

"I suppose he would."

"So... will you allow yourself to find happiness once again?"

You pressed your lips together, gaze falling to your lap. "I would like to, but..."

You trailed off, cheeks burning from guilt. Julius gave you a moment before he spoke again.

"Do not tell me you cannot find any suitors. You are a beautiful woman."

You laughed and shook your head.

"I have not been interested in seeking out a courtship," you said, but Julius could hear the hesitation in your voice. Slowly, realization dawned on him.

"Acacius is a good man."

You whipped your head to the side, eyes wide with shock. "What are you implying?"

Julius shrugged. "He told me he has been here to visit you every day since the passing of your husband. He knows much about you, about your life. Spoke to me for what felt like hours before he left."

"Well, yes, he has been assisting me due to a past obligation he promised my husband," you assured him, sitting up straight.

"And what if he has been assisting you simply because he enjoys your company?" Julius asked. "That, perhaps, something has grown amongst the anguish, tethering his heart to your doorstep?"

You sputtered in surprise, struggling to come up with something to say. Julius just chuckled and patted your leg before standing.

"I am simply an old man," he told you, grabbing his cane and putting all his weight on the wood. "But I have experienced love. Despite what you may think, Acacius cares deeply for you, of that I am certain. And I do believe you feel the same for him."

He left you frozen on the worn bench in your garden, mind reeling and heart fluttering wildly in your chest. He spoke the very words you wished you could admit. Even in the solitude of your home, you could never say just how much you had grown to care for Marcus. And now that the words were out there, floating around in the summer breeze, you couldn't think about anything else.

Marcus had been gone nearly three months. Not one. Not two. But three whole months. Fear gripped your throat every passing day until finally you were walking along the shore one morning and far off in the distance, you could see the ships on the horizon. They were just a handful of black triangles, but you couldn't stop grinning. As each hour passed, they got closer and closer, pulling in groups of people all day long to watch, but they were so far away that by the time the sun set, all had retreated to their homes. It was too dark to watch the ships arrive, and citizens knew there would be a celebration in the morning, so everybody chose to go home and rest.

Everybody except for you.

You sat on the shore, the sea breeze whipping through your hair and cutting across your cheeks. You shivered from the spray of the ocean but you stood your post valiantly. When the first of the ships reached the docks, you stood and bounced nervously from foot to foot, yet still kept your distance.

It took nearly an hour for the ships to unload, but even in the darkness of night with only the dull flames from their lanterns to guide them, you saw a flash of bright red and your hands clamped excitedly over your mouth.

He was home. He lived and he was safe.

He was calling out orders to his men and ushering workers onto the ships to assist with the fallen and injured soldiers, his red cape draped around his broad shoulders, billowing in the wind. When he turned away to walk up the dock, head hung low and bones likely weary from battle, you couldn't hold back any longer.

"Acacius!"

His head snapped up and his eyes locked onto you immediately. Instantly, his face brightened and he smiled wide. His pace quickened to reach you and yours did the same until you finally found yourselves standing just a mere foot away, gazing up at his tired but happy face.

Neither of you knew what to say. Instead, you both let your eyes rake up and down the other, examining each other for any differences or maybe just to confirm it wasn't all a dream.

"You did not die," you breathed, both of you laughing.

"I did not," he said, smile still stretched across his face. A shiver shot down your spine at the sight of him, all tall and imposing and real. He quickly shed himself of his cape and wrapped it around your shoulders, pulling you close against his armor and breathing you in.

"You smell of the sea. How long have you been here?"

"All day," you confessed, already feeling warmer. He tutted under his breath and nodded towards the sleeping city.

"I will walk you home and tomorrow, we shall celebrate."

You allowed him to lead you through the streets, listening to him tell you tales, but none of battle. He told you of the different animals he saw, about a terrible storm that gripped the army for three straight days, and how a drunken solider swore up and down he spotted a mermaid and had the whole ship poking fun at him for the remainder of the voyage.

You walked past the statue of him that was erected in the center of the city after his last victory and you grinned.

"I have not seen you in so long, I began to think this is what you looked like."

Marcus rolled his eyes and tugged you closer. "I am sorry it took longer than expected. I trust Julius kept you in good company?"

"He was wonderful," you told him honestly, then nervously added, "but I would have preferred you."

If it wasn't so dark, you would have seen his face flush.

"I have been told we will remain home for several months now," Marcus told you. "Emperor Geta has sought a bride. He wishes to spend the next few months planning a wedding. It sounds as though his bloodlust has been assuaged for now."

"Ah, so you are saying I get you all to myself once again?"

Marcus laughed as his face grew even warmer than before. "So it seems, my lady."

He walked you up the familiar path to your door, waiting patiently as you unlocked it and hurried inside to fetch your lantern. When you returned, you sheepishly handed him his cape with your thanks.

He did not toss it over his shoulders. Instead, he gripped it in one hand while his eyes roamed over your beautiful face. He had missed you so much that it caused an ache in his chest the whole time he was gone, mind riddled with thoughts of you to the point where he felt like a madman.

Inviting him inside would be forward and untoward. You racked your mind for a legitimate reason, but you couldn't think of a single one. So, you resigned yourself to feeling grateful he was alive and unscathed, that you could sleep peacefully knowing he was home and you would see him tomorrow.

"You will be by in the morning?" you finally asked when the silence had gone on long enough. Marcus blinked and focused on your eyes.

"Yes," he said, "first thing. I shall be here as if no time had passed at all."

You grinned and bit your lip. "Wonderful. Then... I suppose I will release you. Please go home and rest, General, you have earned it."

He nodded in agreement, then forced his feet to move away from you, even though every fiber of his being screamed at him to go the opposite direction, into your arms.

"Sleep well," he croaked, eyes still glued to your face. You smiled shyly, the reaction so endearing it had his heart leaping.

"You as well. I am glad you are home safe."

He stumbled backwards but continued to gaze at you until you giggled and slowly shut the door. Once you were hidden in the safety of your home, you took a deep, ragged breath and fanned your face. Your pulse was racing and your blood was pumping so fast, you were certain you wouldn't sleep a wink all night. Instead, you set your lantern down and began to pace around your sitting room, wondering what you should do to exhaust yourself when suddenly, you heard a sharp rap on your door.

Without thinking, you rushed to open it, already knowing exactly who it was.

"Marcus," you breathed when you laid eyes on him once again. He looked slightly different now, a little more disheveled and filled with determination. "W-what is wrong?"

You watched his throat bob nervously before he stepped forward and cupped your face.

"My apologies," he said, "but I should have done this months ago."

His neck craned down and his lips pressed urgently against yours. You melted immediately, throwing one arm around the back of his neck to pull him inside so he could kick the door closed behind him. His tongue flicked across your lower lip and your jaw dropped, granting him access to deepen the kiss.

His hands dragged down your sides, fingers plucking at the fabric of your stola as you lead him further into your home.

When you staggered into your bedroom, his eyes popped open to look around. It was modest, just like the rest of your home. A soft, large enough bed sat in the middle of the room, along with a small wardrobe and a chair that sat next to it. It was quaint and unassuming, just like you.

"Wait," he whispered, breaking the kiss. His palms still pressed against your cheeks, fingertips curling around the backs of your ears. You looked up at him, lips wet and parted, panting for air. "Are you quite sure this is what you want? We can slow down, we can wait."

"I am sure," you replied. Your hands fell to the tie on your stola, blindly undoing the knot as you continued to hold his gaze. "I thought of you every day. I feared something would happen to you and you would never know my true feelings. My heart could hardly handle the stress."

You felt the fabric slip loose and fall to the floor. Marcus's eyes darted down and with pride blooming in your chest, noticed the hungry way he looked at your naked body for the first time.

"Thoughts of you were the only thing that kept me alive," he murmured, walking you backwards to lay you down on your bed. He began to unhook his armor, all the while his eyes remained roaming over you. "You saved me more ways than I could count, my lady."

You almost told him that he saved you, as well. But something about the look in his eye told you he already knew. After the loss of Antonius, you were not the only one who felt despair. You both were broken, the memory of Marcus's dearest friend, your husband, weighing heavy on both your hearts. But finally, after months and months, you came to the realization that Marcus was your husband's final gift to you.

Once he finally rid himself of the last of his clothes, you allowed yourself a moment to take him in. He was strong and broad, just as you imagined, and his body was littered with old scars. By all accounts, he looked like a rough man, but much to your delight, his touch was soft and his kiss was tender. When he climbed on top of you, settling his hips between your legs and sliding his tongue leisurely past your teeth, you didn't feel scared. You felt safe.

The tip of his cock nudged against your inner thigh when he shifted his weight. The subtle reminder of his thick length you had only gotten a glimpse of caused you to inhale sharply.

"You are so soft," he mumbled against your mouth. His calloused hand drifted up and down your side, gently grazing along your skin before it rested on your breast, cupping the heavy flesh in his palm and rolling your nipple between his thumb and forefinger. You moaned and lifted your back off the bed, pressing into his hold while your fingers got lost in his hair.

Something stirred inside of him when he heard the noise of pleasure escape your lips. His hips ground against you and his mouth trailed down to suck a mark on the sensitive skin of your throat, eager to pull more sounds from you. It took no time at all before you were whining and rolling your hips in rhythm with his, relishing in the feeling of his cock gliding between your folds, taunting you with his size.

The very same hand that took countless lives with the blade of his sword slipped between your bodies so he could stroke two fingers through your pussy, testing your arousal and making a pleased noise at what he found.

"Does that feel good?" he asked lowly. His chest had pressed against yours, desperate to feel as close to you as possible, with only his arm separating you.

"Yes," you gasped while wrapping your legs around his waist. It seemed you wanted to be closer, as well. "I wish to feel you. Please, my general, do not make me beg."

Marcus chuckled against your throat, fingers still petting at your entrance. "I am willing to wager you would sound so pretty begging for my cock."

You squirmed impatiently underneath him and nipped playfully at his scratchy cheek, making him smile.

"Fine. If I really must," you sighed, "please, Marcus. I have spent countless nights dreaming of all the ways you would make me yours." You felt his muscles tense and his lips paused against your neck. "I would lie in this very bed wondering what kind of lover you are, your favored position to take a woman, and how incredible it would feel to be split open by your thick cock."

Marcus reared back with a growl, fisting himself before lining up his cock at your opening. Blind with lust and need, he pushed forward, entering you with one swift pass. Your head flew back into the sheets at the sudden fullness, mouth opening and closing pathetically, unable to formulate a single sound.

"Breathe," Marcus reminded you when he fell forward to rest on his forearms which were braced on the sides of your head. "Breathe for me, my love."

You forced yourself to drag in a shuddering breath, the pressure between your legs stealing all your attention. You couldn't stop yourself from glancing down, mouth agape, to see where you were joined, almost as if you couldn't believe it unless you looked. Seeing yourself stretched around his considerable girth shook loose a shattered noise from the back of your throat. His nose brushed against the side of your head and you heard a similar noise from him when he followed your gaze.

"Look how beautiful," he murmured before slowly pulling back his hips, leaving just the tip of his cock nestled snugly inside your cunt. Your eyes widened when you saw how his length glistened in the candlelight, soaked with your arousal, then moaned his name into the night air when he sunk back inside you, parting your walls and carving a spot for himself to claim as his own.

"You are so tight," he grunted, jaw clenched from the way you squeezed around him every time he thrusted back inside you. "Next time, I will make you come from my tongue and fingers first. But tonight, I simply could not wait."

You huffed a breathless laugh and dragged your eyes up to meet his. "I had no idea the fearsome General of Rome was so indecent."

Marcus lifted the corner of his mouth in a smirk. "I look forward to showing you just how indecent I am."

With every thrust, he drove himself deeper, knocking the air from your lungs each time the tip of his cock met a place inside you that had your back arching off the bed and your nails leaving red marks down his back.

Your hips burned from how wide you stretched and your skin tingled everywhere his lips touched. He was gentle, but assertive, a lethal combination you didn't know you needed until it was between your legs, whispering filth in your ear while ramming himself inside of you over and over.

You whispered his name, voice broken and raspy, then said, "I am close... please, please-"

Before you had a chance to realize what was happening, he rolled over, pulling you with him so you sat slumped over his chest. You blinked and looked around before pushing yourself up. Straddling his hips, you gazed down at him, eyes unfocused and hazy with desire.

"I now see why I never felt the urge to seek out a wife," he whispered, watching when you got your bearings and began to bounce in his lap. His fingers gripped your hips, indenting your skin and helping you move. "None could ever compare to you. You are more beautiful than any flower, taste better than any sweet-" He groaned when you began to circle your hips faster, grinding down on him and breathing heavily. "Your eyes shine brighter than any star. And this fucking cunt-" he growled, roughly grabbing at your ass so he could pull you up and down on his shaft. You cried out, fingers scrambling for purchase on his chest. "Best fucking cunt I ever had. Gods above, Rome could be in flames and it would not keep me from between your legs."

"Marcus," you whined, gasping for air while the pressure mounted low in your belly. "So deep... s-so deep, I can hardly breathe."

"Come for me," he commanded, "come on my cock. I wish to see the look on your beautiful face when you fall apart."

Moments later, you did just as he asked. Your eyes squeezed shut but stars burst behind your lids as your orgasm rolled through you, hitting you in waves that had you cursing and crying his name. The blood rushing in your ears was so loud, you didn't even realize he was speaking until his massive hands lifted you off with an urgency that had your eyes snapping back open. When you looked down, he was furiously stroking his cock, chin tilted towards the ceiling and bronzed chest glistening with sweat.

As quickly as you could, you slid down to the floor, kneeling between his thighs and pulling on his free hand for attention. When he saw you gazing up at him with your mouth open, spent but eager for his seed in your mouth, he whimpered and pushed himself up.

"Stick out your tongue," he whispered. You did as he asked, a shiver shooting down your spine when you heard his voice so thick with desire.

The fat head of his cock rested on your warm tongue. When his eyes met yours, you preened at the instant look of relief you saw half a second before he spilled down your throat.

His jaw hung open wide, hypnotized as he watched thick streams of his seed paint your lips and tongue. It wasn't until he was milked dry and exhausted that he let go of his cock. With parted lips, he gently lifted your chin, closing your mouth and nodding at you to swallow. He gave you a satisfied smile when your throat bobbed and you licked your lips, shaking his head in disbelief.

"And you speak of indecency," he said, voice hoarse.

You giggled and climbed into his lap, slinging your arms around his neck and nuzzling against his throat. With a deep sigh, he leaned back, pulling you with him until your bodies were stretched out across your bed, limbs tangled together while you caught your breath.

"Will you stay?" you asked meekly as you traced invisible shapes over his chest. He kissed the top of your head and gently squeezed your arm.

"Of course."

You laid just like that, holding one another with only the sound of insects outside your window filling the silence. Eventually, Marcus shifted a bit and your chin tilted up.

"Are you..." he began, then you watched him swallow nervously as his eyes darted up towards the ceiling before trying again. "Do you feel any regret? Or... guilt?"

You turned so your chin rested on top of his chest. "No. Do you?"

He shook his head but kept his eyes pinned to the ceiling.

"Not anymore. But months ago, when I began to see you differently... yes, I did."

You pressed a soft kiss against his skin, making his eyes drift back down to you. "I believe I denied my feelings for a very long time for the same reason," you admitted, "but while you were gone, it afforded me the time to think. And I have concluded Antonius sent you to me for a reason. He requested you take care of me should anything happen." You shrugged and rested the side of your head against his shoulder. "I believe he trusted you more than anybody in his life. He would have been happier I chose you rather than some stranger."

He considered your words for a moment before nodding and turning on his side. You smiled up at him sleepily with your head resting on the inside of his bicep. He cupped your cheek and, after searching your eyes, slotted his lips with yours for a tender kiss.

"Do you think we can share a fruitful life together?" he asked with his thumb brushing absentmindedly against your cheek.

"Oh, yes. You ought to see my vegetable garden. I hardly need to go to the market for much any more," you joked.

He laughed, dark eyes sparkling in the dim candlelight.

"That is a good start," he said, and you giggled. When you both quieted down, he gave you another kiss before saying, "I would be honored to take care of you for the rest of our days, if that is something you want."

"It is," you replied a little too quickly.

His face lit up at your eagerness. "Good. Then let us rest. Tomorrow at the ceremonies, I shall announce our pending nuptials."

And although it felt a little fast, you didn't argue.

Marcus followed through with his promise, as he always did. The following morning, you both dressed in your finest clothes to attend the celebrations being held at the arena. It was never something you enjoyed attending, the ritual of sacrifice feeling barbaric, but on that particular day you didn't mind. You sat with Marcus in the emperor's box, a place you only ever saw from afar. He introduced you to the emperors and you tried your best not to let your nerves show. Before the games began, Marcus announced his plans to wed, which was met with polite acclaim by those seated in the box.

"That was a little scary," you admitted quietly to Marcus once everyone had found their seats and the first fight began. The loud cheering and yelling drowned out anything you said, but you still kept your voice low.

"Nothing to be scared of, my lady," he assured you with the squeeze of your hand. You smiled when he brought your knuckles to his lips for a brief kiss. "I told you I would protect you for the rest of our days."

Happiness bloomed in your chest, excited for what your future held. But there was one thing you knew for certain:

As long as Marcus was by your side, you would never know sadness again.

Please follow @punkshort-notifs and turn on notifications for fic updates ❤️

#marcus acacius #marcus acacias x reader #marcus acacius smut #marcus acacius gladiator II #marcus acacius x you #gladiator 2 fic #gladiator #gladiator ii #gladiator 2 #marcus acacius fanfiction #marcus acacius fic

2K notes · View notes

reignpage · 4 months ago

Text

The Other Woman

Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3

The doctors and psychologists said it’d be great for your husband’s well-being to be with friends and family. And for the most part, that’s proven true.

Insisting on welcoming Satoru back properly, his students organised a party and invited anyone who had a remote connection with their teacher. Even Nanami had taken time off from work to be here and had given a polite pat on his shoulder and a genuine greeting.

That brought a huge smile to the white-haired man who pounced on the poor guy without remorse, giggling about how he knew he ‘always liked him really’. It felt great to watch him be surrounded by and showered with so much love and support, the kind he deserves; you could tell it was bringing life back to him. After all, it must have been painful for him to have been cooped up in the house trying to reconcile his new reality with the one he remembers.

You keep reminding yourself of that.

Satoru needs this.

He needs normalcy. The normal he remembers, the normal he went to sleep thinking about and not the one he had suddenly woken up to, years passing him by.

Everyone knows this. He knows this. Just as you do.

So why is every person in the party sneaking you pitying and concerned glances?

Sure, no one could possibly think this is easy for you, to be the stranger that Satoru still gets surprised to see in the morning. The one he hesitates to say goodnight to, unsure of the boundaries, the etiquette, the right thing to do. He sometimes forgets to text you if he’s going out, shocked and annoyed, you’re sure, to see the many missed calls and messages from you. And you know he studies the picture frames all over your house like a textbook that would give him all the answer he needs.

All he gets, you’re willing to bet, is the realisation that you’re both the tether he needs to keep grounded, that guides him through the sea of memories he cannot touch, and the leash that binds him to a role he doesn’t remember signing up for.

Are they looking at you with worry because of the inevitable toll this sudden shift has taken on your mental health or because your husband is talking to his ex-girlfriend the way he used to talk to you?

It can’t be the latter, right?

Because there’s nothing to be worried about.

Satoru is simply catching up, trying to stitch up the crater-sized hole in his memory with a familiar face. There’s no reason for your hand to shake as you sip your drink or for your eyes to keep darting back over to them, sat alone at a table like they’re the only people in here.

He’s laughing, throwing his head back and making that obnoxious cackle you love to hear. Loved. Because this one isn’t for you. It’s for her. The woman he shouldn’t be near, the woman he shouldn’t even think about, shouldn’t let touch his arm.

You’re the wife.

You’ve got the ring to prove it.

He’s wearing it. Just not on the hand attached to the arm strung over the back of her chair like he’s protecting her from the rest of the world. Hell, maybe he is. Maybe his infinity is on and covering her. But you don’t have it in you to throw something at them to find out. Either result would be just as humiliating as the other.

There’s nothing to be done.

You can’t interrupt.

Because Satoru needs to know what he said goodbye to all those years ago to know what he says ‘hey, pretty lady’ and ‘good morning, gorgeous’ to now. Or used to say. Now, you’re lucky if he even looks at you without shuffling his feet.

Eventually, the night draws to its natural end.

People bid their farewells twice, once to him and her, and then to you. Each time breaks your heart even more until you feel it crumble inside, little shards falling to pieces he won’t pick up. She stands before you, a small, shy smile, like she knows what she’s done. And says it’s ‘lovely to meet you’, and of course you can’t say it back.

Not when you had been introduced by your name, ‘my beautiful wife’ going nowhere near the tip of his tongue as if those words had never been uttered by your husband. And not when she had been introduced in a hastily withdrawn, stuttered freudian slip of hell.

“This is my girlfr— Sorry, I mean, my friend. From high school. Yeah, high school.”

Satoru blushes, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as he waves goodbye to her. And you can tell he finds the act lacklustre, an uninspired, unnatural way to say goodbye to the woman you woke up to and slept beside.

“Did you have a good time?”

He nods, a soft smile playing on his lip as he casts his gaze across the room, sweeping by the empty hall like he can still see every single person that came. “It was nice to see everyone and catch up.”

You’re thankful he doesn’t ask if you enjoyed the evening because you can’t lie to him but you also can’t tell the truth, can’t burden him anymore with the reminder that he doesn’t fill the shoes of your husband, that he continues to stumble with every step, dragging you down with him.

So, instead, you fill the silence with a question that is so harmless, so normal it slips out before you can even think to anticipate the devastating crack that goes through your very soul.

“Ready to go home?”

Satoru nods.

But he’s looking at a seat in the back.

A seat that’s probably still warm. A seat you could never fill because you aren’t the woman he thought, hoped, he would marry.

You’re just the woman he did.

#jjk x reader #jjk angst #jjk drabble #jjk oneshot #Gojo Satoru #Gojo angst #Gojo x reader #Gojo oneshot

1K notes · View notes

ghoulphile · 11 months ago

Text

janey's dad | c.h./the ghoul | part 01

➥ pairing | cooper howard/the ghoul x f!reader ➥ word count | 3.7k ➥ warning(s) | 🔞 smut; age gap, hair pulling, teasing, making out, mutual pining, lipstick kink, stockings, frottage, porn w/ feelings, porn w/ plot, mild angst w/ happy ending, divorced!coop, babysitter!reader, pre-war/bomb ➥ summary | “We really, uh, shouldn’t - oh fuck, you look --” ➥ notes | i'm so sorry this is later than it should be. i am unfortunately a corporate slave and this fic just did not want to cooperate 🫠 there are a lot more things planned and this fic is turning into a bit of a beast (20+ pages and counting rip lmao) so i've decided to split it into two parts to make it more manageable for myself mostly un-beta'd atm a special thanks to @corinthianism for all her lovely help ❤️!!

feel free to send in thots, questions, requests! | masterlist

Divorce is hard, but being a divorcé is downright hellish.

One of the ugliest things in the world, if Cooper Howard has any say. At least when he was a Marine, they told him where to point his gun, where to aim; nameless threats vanishing with a quick squeeze of the trigger.

Here, these ‘enemies’ aren’t enemies — not really.

It’d be easier if they were.

Worse still, they have names he holds as dearly as his own. There’s Barb, whip smart and always so clever. Then Janey, the light of his life and so sweet his teeth ache.

Once upon a time, life was sweeter than apple pie on Sundays.

Then came the separation.

Afterwards, he finds it hard to look at what’s left of his family without losing breath like a horse kick to the chest. Their absence rips open a hole inside him ten miles wide, its edges jagged and wrong.

And when he can’t take the silence anymore, fingers of malt liquor help dull the ache, though it’ll never be enough to mend what’s broken.

See, war’s something he understands.

But these domestic battlefields where he sits across from his ex-wife while lawyers barter this weekend and that holiday?

How he struggles to meet his daughter’s eye every time she asks if he’s coming home?

When Barb keeps the house and the money while he keeps the scrapbooks and the dog?

He doesn’t — can't — refuses to comprehend.

Because in what world can you reconcile looking down the barrel of a smoking gun only to find the woman you love staring back, finger on the trigger? Left out to hang as Vault-Tec orchestrates his downfall.

The true depth of their involvement is unknown, but it’s no coincidence his bank accounts dried up faster than the Mojave in June. The ink still wet when the media snapped up the story of his failed marriage.

Thus, his reputation (rather what’s left of it) unraveled faster than a spool of thread.

Knocked on his ass and kept there by a boot heel crushing his windpipe. Whose? He hasn’t got a fucking clue.

But whoever they are, they’re making sure he stays a washed up nobody who struggles to land a call back, much less pay his monthly alimony on time.

See what we can do? You were America’s favorite gunslinger - now look at you. Mind your place.

Hell, millions used to scream his name.

Nowadays people whisper it behind their hands like a dirty secret, “Oh, did you hear? Cooper Howard…” as they dissect pieces of his life into bite-sized Before’s and After’s. “Hah! Serves him right. Y’know, I never liked him much.”

While he grits his teeth and swallows his bitterness with a smile, he hates how he can’t protect Janey from snide reporters and nosy strangers. Juggling actor-father-divorcé with fumbling hands.

It’s only been six months; a heartbeat, a lifetime, and already he’s scraped thin like butter over too much bread.

Something’s gotta give.

After all, he’s only one man.

But just when it's bleakest, the clouds part.

A young woman moves in next door, the first bright thing that’s come his way in a long, long while.

At first, he kept his distance.

Exchanged vague hello’s and how-are-you’s. Then Janey took a shine; always so friendly and eager to talk about her latest books.

Any reservations he might’ve had died when he saw how enamored you are with her.

Only made sense that over time small pleasantries turned into playdates. Then those playdates turned into sleepovers.

Before long, you’re watching her when a gig runs late.

Rustling up grub and tucking her into bed more often than not these days. And when he slinks in through the door, knees aching and stripped to the bone, there you are with a shy smile and a warm meal.

So what if he takes himself in hand after you leave, stroking his cock to the thought of you down on your knees in that pretty little sundress?

Imagines the wide stretch of your ruby lips as you swallow him down, lipstick smeared an awful mess?

Cums hard to the fantasy of your teary eyes and hiccupy breaths as you choke?

What you don’t know can’t hurt you.

After all, he’s a gentleman... he promises to keep his hands to himself.

“All right, Sugar Bomb, it’s bedtime.”

Bundled in navy bedding up to her nose, Janey’s wide brown eyes peer up at you from beneath a riot of frizzy curls. Roosevelt, her ever faithful companion, plasters himself to her side. The tip of his tail swishes once, twice before falling limp.

“Ah, c’mon guys. Don’t look at me like that.” You sigh with a fond shake of the head, hip popping out to rest against the doorframe. “I don’t make the rules, I just follow ‘em.”

A muffled response sounds from the lump of little girl, “Nmfhm.”

Squinting, you dip your head and tap the side of your ear, "Pardon?"

“Mnhfmmmm.”

“Ye—eah… Didn’t catch that, Mumbler.”

Janey tugs down the blanket, her mouth pursed in a moue of displeasure. “I said,” she crosses her arms with a huff, “not until Dad gets home.”

Shit.

“M’sorry, baby. He’s still gonna be a while.” Walking across the room, you stop beside the bed and motion your hand back and forth. “Scooch over.”

Gangly limbs fumble as Janey wiggles into the middle of the mattress, her feet tangling in the blankets. Roosevelt takes a toe to the nose during the transition, but flops across her knees all the same.

Together they settle with a bounce of springs.

In the open space, you slide in.

The bed sinks under your weight, a plume of rich cologne tickling your nose; mint-spiced citrus. Cooper. Your stomach swoops, and your heart trips.

“I didn’t see him at breakfast — or lunch!” A pout tugs at her mouth. “Not even dinner. I gotta go home tomorrow. So when am I gonna see him?”

“Oh, bug.” You sigh, propping yourself up on your elbow. “Your dad’s been real busy at work. And I know that’s been hard for you, but I promise to make sure he’s here for breakfast tomorrow.”

“D’you mean it?” Her cold nose digs into your skin. “Me and Roosevelt miss him so much.”

Cuddled into your chest, Janey tosses an arm around your back. Her fuzzy head rests in the crook of your arm, springy curls tickling your skin.

You squeeze her tight and trace your fingertips over her forehead.

“I can do you one better,” you say, bopping the tip of her nose just to hear her giggle - a soft sound that sits warm and gooey in your chest. “I pinkie-promise.”

Her finger loops around yours, so small and fragile.

“I’ll even make pancakes. How’s that sound for a promise?”

“Oh, yes, please! I think Dad will like that,” a wide yawn cuts her off mid-sentence. “He’s sad, but he always smiles when you make food.”

Janey’s words — unexpected as they are sudden — cut so deep it steals the breath from your lungs. You flounder, your heart a throbbing bruise in your chest.

“... Then pancakes it is.”

As if nothing happened at all, she asks, “Do I have to go to bed now?”

“Afraid so, little miss.” Your responding chuckle sounds stilted even to your own ears. “Just you wait. When you wake up, Dad’ll be home.”

“Fi—ine, but I want extra pancakes.” Janey pauses, considers you with narrow eyes, then adds, “With syrup!”

“Whatever you want,” you say with an indulgent smile. “Now... time to sleep. It’s really past your bedtime.”

She gives you one last squeeze then lets you tuck her in nice and tight, blankets pulled up to her chin. You drop a kiss on her forehead while Roosevelt re-settles on the pillow beside her after a quick scratch behind the ears.

Everything in order, you turn to go only for a little hand to stop you.

“Yes?” you reply, glancing at her from over your shoulder.

“... can you put on one of Dad's movies?”

The tremble in her voice - like she’s about to get scolded - breaks your heart clean down the middle. Stitching on a soft smile, you nod and walk to the darkened TV set in the room's corner.

After fiddling with the nobs, static flashes to life.

“The Man from Deadhorse okay?”

The holotape sliding into the track swallows the sound of her tiny “Yeah.” Starting up with a whirl of machinery, the second-hand Radiation King flickers to life in black-and-white.

A vast plain and bright sky stretches across the screen.

Then Sugarfoot creeps into frame with the one and only Cooper Howard sitting astride the noble steed. The sheriff’s badge on his chest glints in the sun.

“Thank you,” she mumbles, already half-way to sleep.

“Anything for you, baby. Sleep tight.”

Flicking off the lights, you leave the door cracked. Walk away pretending like hearing her whisper goodnight to the TV doesn’t lance through you like lightning.

The desire to whisk her into your arms and soothe all of her ails is almost impossible to ignore.

Somehow, you distract yourself by wiping up the table, then by fixing a plate of dinner for whenever Cooper rolls in. Though all the while, how brokenhearted Janey sounded sits in the back of your mind like a leaden weight.

When Cooper stumbles into the living room, it’s half past midnight.

You’d gotten up to greet him, curled as you were in an armchair reading, when something about the stern line of his mouth gave you pause.

Where the usual lighthearted greetings lingered, a pensive stillness trembled to life.

Tension crackles through the air; a held breath of agitation. By the faraway gaze and defeated slump of his broad shoulders, it’s plain to see the night didn’t go as intended. And no matter how much you long to soothe, you can’t.

After all, he’s not yours to touch.

Instead, you offer a sympathetic smile and ask, “Rough night, huh?”

Cooper ignores the prompt, squeezing past with a brief touch to your elbow as he makes a beeline for the dry bar. The heat of his body is there and gone in a flash, his cologne teasing your senses. He says, “Thought you’d be asleep by now.”

Your heart flutters in your throat. “Ah,” you lick your lips, “well, I was going to finish my chapter first.”

Humming, he turns his back to you and fiddles with high balls and decanters. The tink of crystal glassware fills the air as he speculates which alcohol goes best with his mood.

“Thanks again for watching Janey.” He nods in approval and fixes his whiskey neat. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble, Mr. Howard.” You shrug. “She’s a sweetheart.”

He shoots you a dry look from over his shoulder, stirring the dark amber of his drink with a forefinger. When he sucks his skin clean with a soft pop - a flash of a pink tongue taunting, teasing - your stomach swoops.

God, I wonder what else his mouth can do.

Flustered, you clear your throat and stare at a spot on the wall.

“How many times do I gotta tell you to call me Coop?” he says, digging through some drawers until he finds what he’s searching for: a lighter. “It must be a million and one by now.”

Flint sparks as flames jump, eating away at the end of a cigarette. Cooper inhales in short little puffs, pulling on the filter. His cheeks hollow, the shadows enhancing the cut of his jaw before the tip catches alight.

“Well,” he exhales, his gaze catching yours through a plume of smoke as he turns, brow raised. “Anything to say for yourself?”

“Old habits die hard, I guess,” you chuckle.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a lopsided smirk. “I’ll drink to that.” He knocks back the last finger of whiskey before refilling with gin.

Springs groan in protest when he drops to the couch, settling in with an outstretched arm and wide spread thighs.

“It’s been a long fucking day,” he rasps.

Gulping, you try to ignore the space at his feet.

The stirrings of desire provoked by the urge to sink to your knees and fill it with your body, to ease tension from those shoulders with your hands, your mouth, your cunt — if he’d let you.

“You heading home?” Nursing the fresh drink, he swallows a mouthful, only to hiss low through his teeth at the chemical burn. His throat bobs, framed by the open collar of his shirt. “Whew! Goddamn, that’s strong.”

“No, I can stay for a while.” A bird on a wire, you perch on the cushion beside him. “Got nothing else planned for tonight, anyhow.”

Cooper snorts. “I doubt that very much. A sweet young thing like you,” he motions towards you with his glass, “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of fellas calling, especially on a Friday night. Don’t waste your time with me.”

“That’s not why I--” you stop yourself short.

Save for the bustling LA avenue right outside the complex, the apartment itself is stone silent for several heartbeats. Words hover on the back of your tongue, catching in the bend of your throat molasses thick.

Meanwhile, Cooper continues to swirl the alcohol in his glass.

Maybe in a different life, you wouldn’t hesitate to express yourself.

But here — with him — you shouldn’t.

Christ sake, he’s a grieving divorcé, you chastise yourself. The last thing he needs is me trying to lay one on him.

When you speak, his name glides off your lips for the first time, clementine sweet, “... Cooper, I’m not wasting my time. I enjoy spending it with Janey - and you.”

“Well,” he husks, hooded eyes dragging down your visage in a slow once-over, “you’re the first one in a long while to feel that way, sweetheart.”

Dripping like honey whiskey from Cooper’s lips, the simple phrase burns its way down-down-down until it blooms like liquid fire in your belly. Warms you all the way to your toes as your heart pounds against your ribcage.

“I mean it.” Your knuckles twist in the pleats of your sundress, bolts of blue fabric bunched around your knees. “Everything I do is because I want to.”

The flash of red nails plucking at the sheer nylon of your stockings snaps up his attention, his gaze snagging - staying as he chases the curve of your exposed leg, hungry.

He wets his lips, and tenses his jaw when he spots how the soft fat of your thigh dimples in because of your garter. “That’s awful sweet of you to say.”

You tremble beneath the intensity of his attention.

Greedy.

Little kisses of awareness spark bright along the path his eyes carve like the caress of shy fingertips.

However, before you’re able to confront him about his interest, the heat leaches from his expression, grows mute and cold like a muzzled dog.

Readjusting the waistband of his slacks with a tug, he says, “I know you got better things to do than keep an old man company.”

Irritation sparks. “Cooper--”

“If this is about paying you for tonight,” his lips quirk into a sheepish smile, “I won’t be able to yet.” He scrubs a hand through the stubble peppered along his jaw. “The gig tonight didn’t… Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“No, that’s not what I --”

He plows on, “Anyway, the one I’ve got tomorrow should be enough. How about I stop by around seven o’clock? I’ll treat you to dinner as an apology.”

Frustration bubbles beneath the surface of your skin, antagonism thrumming through your veins. Your hands shake almost as much as your voice. “Cooper!”

“I… uh, yes?” He blinks.

Your brows furrow. “You don’t get it,” you say. “I mean, you truly don’t know?”

“I’m afraid there’s a lot I don’t get. You’re gonna have to be more particular.”

Maybe not said in so many words (or at all) but actions speak far louder.

Otherwise, why else would you spend most of your time in his apartment, fill every spare moment with Janey, and reserve evenings for his company?

Hell, you even cook and clean!

Almost scream your interest from the rooftops, and it’s obvious to everyone but him, it seems.

Here you are thinking he was preserving your dignity whenever he ignored a passing comment or lingering touch when, in fact, he’d been oblivious to their existence to begin with.

How a man can be so obtuse when you’re throwing yourself at him is beyond you.

If he wasn’t so captivating…

“Are you kidding me,” you ask, mindful of your tone, “how could you not know?” You throw your hands in the air. “I’ve been — for months!”

“Well, I don’t have a goddamn clue what you’re talking about, sweetheart,” he snarks, setting his glass on the table. “Care to enlighten me?”

Fine. If that’s how he wants to play, let’s play.

When he moves to take another drag from his cigarette, you strike, fingers locking around his wrist mid-lift. And although his glassy eyes narrow, he keeps his hand still.

Waiting to see what you'll do.

Tucking your knee under you for balance, you bend forward and watch his face from beneath your lashes. When your lips wrap around the filter, a dark hunger bleeds into his expression, his pulse a steady thud against the pad of your thumb.

Inhaling, the cherry lights up, a flashbang in the dim overhead light.

Cooper’s breath hitches, and then you’re pulling away with a lungful of smoke; the taste of ash heavy on your tongue.

He tracks your movements with greed, gaze flicking for the briefest of moments past your chin before refocusing on the ring of red lipstick staining white paper.

“If you wanted one,” he chokes, gripping the back of the couch with white knuckles, “all you had to do was ask.”

With a coquettish grin, you exhale to the side and stare at him with hooded eyes. “Is that so?” Plucking the cigarette out of his limp hold, you stub it out in the ashtray. “What if I wanted to ask for something else, Mr. Howard?”

The next moment finds you deposited in his lap, his hands shooting out to grab at your waist only to freeze before they make contact.

“Woah! I--”

“Tell me something.”

Your lips caress the shell of his ear, sharing breath - sharing space as you plaster yourself to his front, arms looped over his shoulders. He jolts, body trembling with restraint.

“Would you give me what I wanted if I said please?”

The distance between you snaps taut with anticipation. “C-Coop,” he stutters. “Call me Coop.”

You hum. “Well, Coop, would you?”

“That depends almost entirely on what you’re asking for, sweetheart.”

Red nails skate along the back of his neck, play in the downy soft hair of his nape just to feel him shiver. And then you’re leaning back with your hands braced on his knees, your legs falling open in invitation.

The hem of your dress bunches around your waist, exposing the soft cotton of your underwear, and the darkened patch of slick soaking through.

“I think you know exactly what I want,” you purr. “Because you want it too. Don’t you?”

He bites down on a strangled moan when your hips arch forward, rocking the soft plush of your ass against the heavy weight of his thickening cock. The zipper digs into your skin as he tents the front of his slacks.

Mouth dropping open, his tongue flicks out to wet his lips - a slick circle of temptation that makes you clench. “I, uh, I don’t…”

Reaching between your splayed thighs, you hook a finger beneath your panties and pull the fabric aside. He jerks forward, exhaling hard at the flash of your soaked cunt and twitching clit.

“C’mon, be honest.”

With a sigh, you gather your arousal on the tips of your fingers.

Cooper’s gaze is a heavy weight pinning you in place as you pretend it’s him dragging his knuckles over the top of your mond. Him dragging calloused fingers up along sticky folds to play with your sensitive clit, ripping soft little mewls from your lips.

“Can’t you see what you do to me, Coop?” you say, pulling your hand away to show the webs of slick stretching between your fingers. “I’m so wet. Please, I’ve wanted you for so long…”

His hips rock against your ass in an aborted thrust. “Shit - shit!” Eyes slamming shut, he grits his teeth and digs his fingers into your sides hard enough to bruise. “We really, uh, shouldn’t - oh fuck, you look --”

“Why not?” Your hand brushes over his groin. “I can feel how hard you are.”

“It isn’t right, that’s why.” He stutters, stumbles over his words, “Besides, Janey…”

“I can be quiet,” you say, lips trembling. “I promise.”

“Goddamnit, you can’t say things like that and expect me not to --” Cutting himself off, strong fingers seize your chin and tilt until you’re met with Cooper’s severe expression, his scorching gaze. “You need to tell me now: are you sure this is what you want?”

There’s no hesitation, “Yes.”

In what world would you refuse?

The words barely pass your lips before Cooper’s bowing his dark head, mouth ravenous as it captures yours in a slick glide of bruising lips and hungry tongues.

He steals your breath, licks into your mouth and traces along the sensitive inside of your lip.

Pulse jump starting, your toes curl over the edge of the cushion and your thighs squeeze the barrel of his chest, kneecaps digging into his ribs.

“Oh,” a moan punches itself out of your throat - a breathy little thing swallowed up by his lips. “That’s--”

Anticipation swells, simmers between you like a band before it snaps. A strong forearm locks around your waist, tugging you into the cradle of his chest until you’re plastered from stem to stern.

Too hungry for tenderness as his free hand slips up to cup the back of your head, fingers catching in the briar of your hair and tugging at the roots.

You claw at his shoulders while sparks of pain ricochet down your neck, sufficing into a prickly flush that heats your blood. “Hnn, Cooper,” you gasp.

He murmurs your name through languid flicks of his tongue and sharp little nips of skin that leave your mouth tender and swollen. When he pulls away to survey his handiwork, his eyes are dark. Fathomless.

"I never thought I'd get the chance to kiss you like this," he says, wicking his thumb over the pillow of your bottom lip. "You taste as good as I imagined."

Dragging your nails across his scalp, you plead, “No more teasing - I can't take it.”

"Well," he grunts, fingers twisting up in your dress, “If that’s how you feel, then you better put those hips to good use and work for it, sweetheart."

part 2 dropping soon

#cooper howard x reader #cooper howard x you #the ghoul x you #the ghoul x reader #cooper howard smut #cooper howard #the ghoul #the ghoul smut

2K notes · View notes

antivancathedral · 2 months ago

Text

Building off this post by @karissaeb

What an incredible catch. I've only played through the ending once so far and I think I was so busy taking everything in that I didn't notice, but wow. Spite using his own voice to tell Solas to fuck off. "You hurt Rook. You lie."

How does Spite see Solas? In lines with other characters who refer to Solas as Pride, Solas says that he prefers Wisdom. I talk a bit here about Spite vs Determination and even use Pride vs Wisdom as an example, but...we can all agree this point that Solas isn't wise, right? Clever, sure. Wise? A wise man would know when to call it quits. When yearning for the past becomes too detrimental to the future to be worth doing. When Solas calls him "Determination" and Spite corrects him, it serves several purposes.

1) Spite tells Rook that there are three kinds of people: Family, enemies, and contracts. Solas is an enemy. Friends or family are allowed to call him Determination if they feel so inclined (Rowan, Isabella) but Solas is not in this category, as Karissa mentions, and Spite wants (spitefully!) to let him know that.

2) It reminds Solas that what happens to you shapes you. The way you respond to those events shapes you. Determination? Pah. Spite is something sharper, something more vindicating, something angrier. Wisdom? Pah. Pride is manipulation towards your own goals instead of guidance. Pride is insistence in your own views with disregard to all others. Solas is changed and warped by trauma. Spite's correction is a reminder and a demand. Acknowledge what changed me, and what changed you.

And the delivery of this line! It's not sharp and abrupt, not curt like you'd expect of someone who doesn't want anything to do with this guy. "Spite," he says, and I almost felt like I could hear him smile and turn up his nose there, like he was flashing his teeth. He sounds pleased with his own identity and threatening all at once, the way Lucanis sounds when he says "The Crows send their regards."

And when Solas offers his help, that mask slips. Now those bared teeth sound gritted. Now there is an echo of something dark underneath his voice, and it's his voice.

This is the only time in the whole game that other people get to hear Spite's voice, aside from the time in Rook's mind prison and Emmrich's unique ability.

Referencing yet another of my posts, Spite speaks in slow chunks of sentences because he has to force his way to the surface of their body. He has to wrest control of Lucanis's mouth from him, and even after they reconcile and his speech improves a bit, it's clearly a struggle.

Spite is not a weak spirit, but speech through a mouth with two souls at the helm is difficult. You know how you become stronger when overcome with rage or panic? Perhaps it was easier because the Veil is thin here, with all the magic bullshit happening, but I can't help thinking it's a combination of the two. Solas has offered to rip Spite away from Lucanis, who I maintain that Spite loves, and he's hurt Spite's favorite person. Rook, who opens doors for him, who accompanied him steadfastly to Lucanis's mental inner sanctum. Rook, the only person to listen to him, to offer him a rope that would lead to his freedom. Rook, who is one of the very few people Spite can claim a relationship of any kind with.

Why should he trust Solas with Lucanis when Solas hurt Rook? When Lucanis and Spite where there when Solas sealed Rook away? When Rook vanished before their eyes? Can you imagine the thick, palpable, choking fury that would've overcome him, hearing that audacious offer?

This to me is the most blatant and tangible way Spite has shown his love throughout the game. The raw emotion in this single action is so, so potent. Fuck you, you lie. Know that all this love, and all the righteous anger that accompanies it, is mine.

#SPITE AND LUCANIS LOVE EACH OTHER AND THEY BOTH LOVE ROOK #i am dragged off stage coughing up blood and yelling #spite dellamorte #spite dragon age #lucanis dellamorte #dragon age rook #rookanis #veilguard spoilers #datv #dragon age veilguard #veilguard #cathedralposting #spite x rook #spite x rook x lucanis

453 notes · View notes

kalki-tarot · 20 days ago

Text

💌⊹。°˖➴ what is your person thinking about u ? their next actions ? 🐚

p i c k a p i l e | t a r o t

Intuitively, pick a pile ! 💘

Remember that this reading is only for entertainment purposes ♡

Pile 01

I see that this person wants to build or rebuild something stable between both of you. They want to lay a solid foundation between you guys for a long term commitment and also a marriage for some. They are ready to work hard and put the needed effort. This is a very positive reading. Whoever this person is, they are SERIOUS about you. They want a family and a happily ever after with you. They have a lot ot love and passion for you. They also want to communicate or talk about this with you. They may want to express their passion for you. There is a lot of physical chemistry between you guys too and they may even feel passion for you sexually. Let's not go deep into that aspect. But yes, they love you snd THERE IS A LOT OF PASSION. They can be a fire or earth sign, maybe in their 20s. For some of you, their next action would be reconciling with you. They may approach you again or text you/call you.

Pile 02

Emperor and empress side by side 👀

Whoever you're thinking about can be a masculine person, they think that they've finally found their counterpart (you). someone who's at the same level as them in all aspects. they deeply respect you and they do acknowledge your qualities like confidence and nurturing side. they may propose you or come with a love offer. but this person is also very conflicted from inside whether you'll accept their offer or not. nonetheless they will do come forward and express their love, it's upto you to decide whether you want this person or not. They can be a strong earth sign and may have dark features. They are mesmerized by your confidence and bold nature. They see you as someone who is as powerful as them, that's why they are attracted towards you. just be yourself around this person cuz they are already very attracted to you.

Pile 03

A manifestation of yours is coming true btw. This person can be your ex or someone with whom you're in a non contact with. They are reminiscing all the memories they had with you, they are soul searching and having a lot of realizations about themselves and this this connection. Ace of cups tells me that they can reach out to you again with an apology or a sweet message?

They are currently thinking about approaching you and they may be your long distance bf/gf. They regret their past actions and they wonder if things can be the same again. Some of you got cheated or lied to? They have this gut feeling that everything is over between you guys but they are also restless and may communicate with u to check the waters or how u feel abt them.

286 notes · View notes

sugarwarachan · 11 days ago

Text

(･ω･)つ andy's notes: feeling sad about the todoroki brothers and wrote about shouto pining hard. cws: angsty, shouto's messy thoughts on touya x nurse!reader, the todoroki family's wack-ass dynamics

the last time shouto ever really held his brother was years ago, when touya was exhausted and dying and angry, the boiling-hot slick of his skin rolling icy-hot under shouto's palm.

it's hard to remember how much touya hated him, even harder still to reconcile the image of his brother now with the man brought into the hospital all those years ago. his rehabilitation has been slow. countless surgeries and months of physical therapy have finally brought him a degree of relief, but the prosthetics still irritate his skin and it's a rare day when he can feed himself.

"i want more than fuckin' jello."

shouto can't help but chuckle at his brother's tone from across the room. it's always better to keep his distance when touya's back from surgery.

"too bad," is your inevitable reply. you've been touya's nurse for the past year and a half, a position normally held for a week or so. touya noted you've stayed on this long because you don't take any shit. "you got out of the OR only a few hours ago." you spoon a bite into his mouth, his scowl at being waited-upon like this evident.

shouto doesn't understand his displeasure. if anything, it looks...nice. domestic. something soft and hazy that neither brother knows much about, which is how he realizes his expression matches touya's fervent, hopeful longing.

he turns away to check his phone, ears burning.

visiting his brother is a necessity. shouto wouldn't divert from this routine any more than he would stop writing to his mother, but his brain's commitment has not caught up with his heart.

"why do they keep dragging me back there?" touya snarls. his mood is particularly foul today; the pain must be bad. "it's not like they're gonna make this ugly mug any prettier."

"improving your quality of life matters," you say, a bite in your voice. "and stop calling yourself ugly. it's not healthy."

you turn to him calmly, a gentle smile on your face. he wipes his own clear. "shouto, tell your brother how much words matter."

touya saves him from replying, which is best, because shouto never quite knows what to say after you ask something of him. "god woman, i get enough of this in therapy. give it a rest."

the set of your jaw is stubborn as you stare him down.

"fine. i suppose you'll just have to record a journal entry later to help you better reflect." you smile sweetly, a hint of flirtation lighting up your eyes. "well, i'll leave you two alone now. come get me when you're done," you say to shouto before closing the door behind you.

"weaponizing a man's own therapy journal against him, honestly." touya shakes his head, a dopey grin spreading across his face. "can you believe her?"

shouto might not always know how to respond to people, but he knows that question isn't meant for him to answer.

they catch up in their awkward, patched-up way, and when he stands to leave, he tries not to let the look of relief on touya's face hurt too much.

you're waiting outside with more jello. a playful grimace dances on your lips. "his favorite," you say, shaking the cup and shouldering your way into the room.

"more?!" he hears touya shout, followed by your giggle, high and bright.

you're good for him. in his way, touya is good for you, too.

and yet -

his desire to snatch away one of the good things in his brother's life is probably the most villainous thing about himself.

he doesn't have the stomach for betrayal, doesn't even really have the will, but thoughts swirl in his head nonetheless. shouto can't imagine a world where he can live outside of his family's name, one where he might fall in love and marry in a quiet ceremony.

but he can imagine those things for touya.

and he tell himself that's enough.

#i wanna hug him so bad #like this man's love map is so messed up #the todoroki family will never not punch me in the guts #shouto todoroki #shouto todoroki x reader #shouto x reader #touya todoroki #touya x reader #dabi x reader #touya todoroki x reader #the todoroki family #bnha x reader #bnha imagines #mha x reader #boku no hero academia #sugarwarachanwrites

224 notes · View notes

hamsternella · 7 months ago

Note

maybe a sfw alphabet🤭 stanford!!

Stanford Pines SFW Alphabet

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

Stanford is an eloquent man who always knows what to say on many subjects, as long as that doesn't mean he has to be clear about his feelings. And it's not because he doesn't feel it honestly; much less that he doesn't love you as intensely as you love him. It's just hard. It's that simple.

Ford would choose to show his affection for you with actions. Words are not going to be lacking, but showing you how he feels rather than saying it is much easier. So outside of shyness, this man is full of affection and tenderness; and always ready to let you know it. There isn't a day where you don't find his gaze full of love, with a smile painted on his face and his fingers trembling with the need to caress your cheek.

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

Here is something to consider regarding three primary moments.

Arriving in Gravity Falls, Ford turns out to be an educated and interesting man. He is young, with a bright future and lots of fresh ideas. You meet him during a walk in the woods; it could also be outside a store, where you make conversation and help him carry his groceries. Be that as it may, you and Ford promise to meet again, and inevitably become very good friends. He enjoys a company to surprise with his discoveries, feeding his ego as a scientist and first-time researcher; and you find a place of comfort among books and secrets that fill your head with fantasies and stories. He is a trustworthy man, with a kind heart and good intentions. He is an extremely pleasant person.

During the construction and management of the portal Ford becomes paranoid and insufferable. He begins to become selfish, and even borders on narcissistic as his head fills with voices that lead him down strange and disturbing paths; his dreams destroyed as he seems to coexist with those who don't belong in his world. Needless to say, at this point your friendship with him fragments. Ford does not seem to trust you, and his words as well as his treatment of you are given with violence and bad taste.

Today, returning after so many years, Ford is a man weighed down by the miseries he had to suffer as payment for his past ambition. You find in his eyes the ghost of regret; and although it is difficult to completely forget the pain and mistreatment, it does not cost you much to reconcile to recover the bond that had been suspended in time. That Ford you missed, with his sweet eyes and sensitive heart, has returned. Your best friend.

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

Ford loves to give hugs, although it's not something he recognizes as such. He does it almost unconsciously. Sometimes you are sitting on the couch or in his study, in peace, other times even outside soaking up the sun and watching the kids play; and you will find his arm hanging off the back, wrapping around your shoulders so he can find a space to rest or to feel closer to you. It is trust and affection that lead this man to feel at home with those people who are special to him. You are already family!

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

The idea of settling down fits Ford like a glove. At first it's complicated, because all his attention and commitment goes to science. But if he can find someone who can fit into his lifestyle, the option certainly begins to feel possible.

Now... let's see. First you have to keep in mind that this guy has been lost in other dimensions for years. All he knows about recipes are abominations impossible to find in the human world. It's as simple as that. Despite this, Ford is quick to learn; so a recipe book, and some help, can get this guy to master the skill and make friends in the kitchen.

As for the rest, Ford is not a dirty man but a messy one. He understands himself, just the same. It's as if the mess works in patterns and guides him to everything he needs… that, or he just forgets and doesn't say anything so as not to embarrass himself. Whatever it is, someone help this man.

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

It's hard for him, but he does it quickly and without spinning. Ford likes to get it over with as quickly as possible so he doesn't have to keep seeing your face. It's like taking a stab in his heart—the need to take you in his arms becomes dangerous.

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

The idea of marriage doesn't enter his head until he meets someone with whom he feels he is entirely compatible. Other than that, Ford is a man who is not afraid of commitment in any form.

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

Extremely gentle. Ford is a tender man, with feelings that hurt against his chest because of the intensity with which he allows himself to be affected by those he cherishes. Physically he can be clumsy, but he is gentle nonetheless.

H= Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it and what is it like?)

He likes them without a doubt. He doesn't ask for it much, though; but he accepts them without a problem. He always does it with a smile. He thinks the gesture is nice.

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

It takes him quite a while to say it without a problem. It's not that he doesn't feel it, it's that he just has a hard time with it. Chances are you'll end up saying it first, and eventually Ford will have the confidence to take the initiative and take you by surprise. As he does so his eyes twinkle, and the corners of his lips twitch with the birth of a shy smile.

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

Ford is not a particularly jealous man. If he does feel that way, he is likely to frown and look annoyed or uncomfortable. He would be embarrassed to admit that such an attitude was the result of a jealous rage.

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

His kisses are slow and sensual. Ford loves to kiss you on the lips, forehead and neck.

For his part, he likes to receive kisses on the lips, on the back of his hands —which he considers a sweet gesture and appreciates greatly— and on the cheek.

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

Ford tends to be a fun and sweet man around children. He's responsible, and you can easily tell he enjoys taking care of them. He tires quickly, though.

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

Despite having a lot of projects on his plate, not sleeping and, sometimes, not eating properly, Ford has an uncanny knack for waking up early. He does it with sleepy eyes; but always with a goofy smile if he happens to find you, the kids or Stan around the cabin. Always the tousled hair, the slow walk and the slightly hunched back—but that's okay! A good breakfast, a moment in the fresh air and this guy is ready to start the day! He does it quietly, though.

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

Although there is always something to research or do, Ford prefers to take a moment to enjoy a role-playing campaign, a movie or a walk with you if the evening is perfect to allow it. Sometimes the time is perfect to lie in bed, with a couple of hot drinks or sweet snacks, and some books. It doesn't matter what; but Ford has to spend the nights with you if you're there. There is no way to miss a moment that is special to him.

Hopefully you get to spend some family time with the others, too!

O= Open (When will they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or do they reveal little things slowly?)

Many of his secrets, or special details, are things Ford has told you long ago. After his return from the portal, it will be difficult for him to continue to share many others with you—but it's not impossible.

If you meet Ford after his return from the portal for the first time in your entire life, it's going to cost him three times as much. It is assumed that in this case you are new and that leads to distrust, fear of rejection and ridicule.

P= Patience (How easily are they angered?)

Not so easily. Ford is patient.

Q= Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail or forget the minor things?)

Does he remember your favorite flavor? But of course. Does he remember that day, on that date, back then, more than ten years ago...? But please, of course he does. This is Ford we're talking about; this guy does role-playing campaigns, runs his own library on alien languages, and has even gone so far as to learn the colors you don't like about the candy you two eat on movie nights. He always sets them aside for you to eat in peace. He always remembers.

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

To have met you. To run into you was to have given him the opportunity to have an amazing person like you in his life. That day surpasses any other discovery—coming to Gravity Falls, and seeing you with his own eyes. You are now a part of his life; every day is an ideal moment. In the bad, and in the good.

S= Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? how would they like to be protected?)

Ford keeps an eye on you whenever you accompany him on his quests deep in the forest. He is more than ready to fight to keep you out of danger, using his weapons or even his hands if necessary. Taking care of others is a priority.

But speaking of himself, Ford wouldn't know exactly how he would like to be protected. Maybe have his life saved if he finds himself cornered; but it would be difficult considering his experience. It's difficult if he has someone on the side to look out for, of course. If that person is also experienced, then he would like to fight side by side. It would be fun.

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

A lot of effort, although it is quite clumsy and in the end requires the help of someone else to put his ideas in order. If it's about his feelings it's hard not to lose his head in the process.

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

Despite being a sweet person, Ford can become quite inconsiderate when there is something he wants/desires very much, and in turn there is someone in the way to reach that goal. From hurtful or uncomfortable words, to acts that go so far as to make you feel abandoned. It's as if there's a button in his head; something that transforms him into a silent, dark and detached man from the real world.

Also, Ford can end up being very overprotective; and even have narcissistic attitudes for which it is better to walk away for a moment so as not to start a fight. It's not always.

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

Not too much. The most you've seen him struggle is with his beard. Ford prefers to incinerate it for an instant tidy look... and not so safe, though.

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

In the beginning, yes, definitely. It would take Ford years to get over your loss, and there would even come a point where he would have to accept living with that pain if he can't fill the void, or understand that you're not coming back.

If he were to overcome it, there would be times when homesickness would hit him hard; but he could go on with life as usual. Ford has suffered enough losses already—one more shouldn't stop him in his tracks.

X= Xtra (A random headcanon for them)

Ford can sleep anywhere, and in almost any position. It's a skill he's acquired over time. Sometimes it takes you by surprise to arrive at the cabin at night, and find him fast asleep in corners that make you feel as if you're going to wake up with an intense pain in your neck. It is enviable, especially at his age.

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

Violent, delusional, crazy and demonic people. Especially if they happen to be creatures from some other dimension with anger issues.

Z= Zzz (What are some sleeping habits of theirs?)

If you put your shoulder near him, chances are Ford will eventually drop his head on it. Sometimes he even goes so far as to intertwine his fingers with yours.

#fanfic #reader insert #reader #gravity falls stanford #gravity falls #stanford pines x reader #stanford #stan #stanford pines #sfw #headcanon #sfw alphabet #fluff

467 notes · View notes

raven-at-the-writing-desk · 8 months ago

Note

A fun question your opinion: In each arc, what do you think is the theme of each arc? ( It can be a motif, messages, subject)

These are a mix of jokes and serious thoughts ^^ just to avoid the post from being too heavy overall!

The Rose-Red Tyrant:

Breaking free from perpetuating a cycle of abuse

You are your own person, not a puppet controlled by your parent/guardian

At the same time, you have to take accountability for your own actions (your background can explain your poor behavior toward others but it does not excuse that behavior)

Control that is too constrictive will only push away potential connections and experiences, keeping you isolated and complacent

Anger management classes are good for you, guys

The Usurper from the Wilds:

Let’s play fairly and be good sports!

Judging people for their merits rather than by titles or birth

What makes someone worthy to lead is noble behavior and attiude

Standing up for what’s morally right, even if everyone else seems to be against you

You have value, worth, and hope in spite of what others may tell you and put you down for

It’s totally okay to get revenge on the asshole that tripped you that one time/j

It’s technically not a crime if you don’t get caught (except Leona did, in fact, get caught)

The Merchant from the Depths:

Don’t be ashamed of your past self—embrace it, accept it, and use it as a point of reference for self growth

Be the bigger person rather than becoming a bully yourself

Let your accomplishments speak for themselves

There is no “easy way out” or shortcut; be prepared to face the consequences of your actions

Not everything is as it may seem (think about the “trick” with Azul’s contracts)

… Read the terms and conditions very carefully and think things over before you sign a contract 💀

Schemer of the Scalding Sands:

Wow, this baby can fit so much generational trauma!!

Sometimes you just miss each other’s messages or greatly misinterpret the other’s intentions (Kalim giving Jamil the benefit of the doubt, Jamil obviously being the Bad Guy and everyone else has to point that out to Kalim)

There’s a very complicated relationship between those in power and those without power; this can breed hatred for those at the top

Talent and skill left unacknowledged can fester into resentment

Institutions of higher education can and will accept monetary bribes, what are you gonna do about it?

Not everyone wants to reconcile and make friends; this is okay and should be more normalized

A Beautiful Tyrant:

You can try your best and work hard, but life doesn’t owe you anything (depressing thought, but unfortunately true)

Beauty is not limited to just one’s looks; beauty can also extend to one’s character and actions

Your worth shouldn’t come from external forces; if you are satisfied with yourself, you will always be “beautiful” no matter how you look or what losses you may experience

Public opinion and the entertainment industry are brutal af

Screw gender norms 😤

The Watchman of the Underworld:

The grieving process in general

Moving on from the past instead of fixating on it and letting the past consume your present and hold you back from a future

Learning to forgive yourself

Reaching out and making new support systems/opening up to others to help you cope

Bearing the sins of your ancestors (Shroud family curse)

The Lord of Malevolence:

Change is inevitable, all good things must come to an end; we must learn to accept them and bravely move toward the future

Love endures, transcending race (Sebek), blood (Silver), and time (Lilia)

Self-sacrificial love (Maleanor for Malleus, Lilia for the other Diasomnia boys, Dawn Knight for his own family, etc.)

Is it “true” happiness if it is a fake reality, a convenient dream?

We hate and fear what we do not understand, even though we have the capacity to

You cannot live forever in a happy fantasy world where none of your loved ones/favorite characters leave you, your trauma doesn’t exist, and everything conveniently pans out how you want it to; sooner or later, you must “wake up” and face reality (this point is particularly meta; it applies both in-game and in the real world, speaking to us players and our relationship with the escapist fictional content we consume)

Prologue: Welcome to the Villains’ World and Overall Main Story:

The power of friendship :))

Revisionist history (cuz… y’know… Great Seven and all)

We’re stronger together than alone

It’s okay to rely on others

We may be very different people from very different backgrounds, but it is still possible for us to understand one another

1K notes · View notes

0nlythrowharrybeaux · 20 days ago

Text

Twelve Days - Finale ^**

The grand finale is here! Thank you all for your patience! I made it loooong! Here's the Masterlist for the fic!

Warnings: Pregnancy & its symptoms, verbal & physical altercations, infidelity, phone sex, oral sex (male receiving), unprotected sex (P in V), daddy kink, alcohol consumption- I think thats it?

WC: 16.7k

You were still in complete shock at the news of your sister’s pregnancy. And while you knew that it couldn’t have been Harry, you were still spiraling as if it were. Harry was a very kind and decent man. He often put others before himself, he looked after you all. Maybe it was selfish of you, but you hated the idea of him stepping up for Julie if Joe didn’t. It wouldn’t be fair to him. And it wouldn’t be fair to you, especially since you both had deeper and more complex feelings for each other.

As badly as you wanted to call him to hear how the conversation with your sister went, you knew that he needed some space. He needed to process and think and feel…you could only imagine the amount of hurt and betrayal he felt when he heard that news. You were sad that you hadn’t been there to support him through that moment. And despite the delicious meal he had prepared, you couldn’t even go near it. The entire mood had been ruined.

And even by the next morning you were still feeling off. You hardly slept. You felt so worried and that sinking, nauseating feeling in the pit of your stomach was back. Waiting was not for the faint of heart, specially for those who struggled with patience, like you. But that’s what this situation required, an abundant amount of patience.

Harry’s POV:

The shrill ringing of Harry’s alarm was the final straw to his restless sleep. It only seemed fitting that just as he was about to lull off it went off. His back was a bit achey and his neck felt stiff when he turned towards the coffee table to turn it off. And as he lay there silently for a few minutes, staring at the wall across from him he thought about where he should be right now. He should’ve been at your place. Warm and cozy in your bed as you griped about him not turning off the alarm the night before. But he wouldn’t have let that early start go to waste. You would’ve probably had a very productive morning and made you some breakfast before you headed off to work. Even if he would have taken off from there, he would’ve had a really great morning with you.

But instead, he had spent the night on the couch, tossing and turning as he tried to understand why he was just so bothered at Julie for this. It wasn’t just the fact that she hadn’t bothered to use protection with this man. Or that she had taken Isabel to get confirmation of this news…it was deeper and more personal than that. He felt disgusted by her, by her selfishness to even ask him to consider being there for her if Joey wasn’t. She only asked because she knew that he would! And truly, in the past, when he still felt love for her, he probably would’ve found a way to reconcile that. To make peace with it in the depths of his mind. But now…now he had feelings for someone else. Someone who saw him in the trenches and understood. Someone who had empathy for him and the difficulties and complexities of his dying marriage with Julie. And most of all, someone who didn’t judge his fears. He couldn’t do that to you. He wouldn’t do that to you. Ever.

Despite his previous plans to not work, Harry padded on over to the master bedroom quietly to have a shower and go. Thankfully, Julie was still asleep, he still had nothing to say to her apart from the words shared the night before. But despite his longer than usual shower, that grimy, disgusted feeling that he felt was still there. It was swirling in his stomach, making him feel like he’d just been on a roller coaster five times straight. It was a waking nightmare… the family he had always hoped to have with her, she was having with another person now. A person who might not even want it!

But the longer he stood under the warm water, gently coaxing the conditioner from his hair with repetitive motions of his fingers, he concluded that this was for the best. What would happen if they had in fact had a child of their own right now? With all the arguing, infidelity, and an impending divorce…that wouldn’t be the environment he’d want for his child. They did try a few times during the shut-in of the pandemic and while he was disappointed that it didn’t happen then, he was more than relieved of that today.

His privacy was interrupted when Julie zoomed into the ensuite and right to the toilet before shutting the door quickly. Hearing her being sick was what had cut his shower off. He had just started applying his skin care when she emerged, still looking a little green. She wordlessly bent over her sink and brushed her teeth before splashing cool water on her face. It felt weird to be in this moment with her, sharing all this space but mentally and emotionally being eons away from each other.

“Ummm…I know that the last thing you want is to talk to me or probably even be around me right now…but I was hoping that you could drive me to the beach? I still feel nauseous and I don’t think I should be driving.” She explained, “We don’t have to talk or anything…I think it’ll make me feel better, stomach-wise, is all.” She elaborated.

“I can’t, I have work.” He said without sparing Julie a glance as he continued in his task.

“I thought you were off today?”

“I was but I decided I better not indulge in an extra day off if I’m already here. I do have a lot of things to get done and I’d rather not have to be there at 7am tomorrow just to catch up.” He explained.

“So you were fine with falling behind if it meant your day was spent with my sister, but I’m here feeling sicker than I have felt in my entire life and suddenly you can’t fall behind?” She asked in irritation.

“Yep.” He confirmed and she felt her frustration flaring up even further.

“Why are you being such a dick?” She questioned and he finally turned to her, face contorted in confusion.

“Uh, pardon? Am I the one who got you pregnant?” He asked and her eyes narrowed even further. “When I said yesterday that I am not taking responsibility for this, I meant it. Not for any part of it. You might live under my roof but this has absolutely nothing to do with me. If you need someone to drive you down to the ocean and you’re too much of a coward to have that conversation with Joe, you can either ask someone else to take you or you can walk there, it’s literally, 0.3 miles away, you’ve done it before.” He said simply.

“What if something happens to me?”

“Don’t play that card with me…” he said as he left the ensuite to go get some clothes from his drawers, but she followed him out to the bedroom.

“Oh you bet I am! Do you think I want to be around you when your detest for me is radiating off of you how it is?! If I had any other choice I wouldn’t be asking you!” She argued.

“I quite literally just gave you other options…” he said monotonously.

“You’re being a dick, Harry.”

“Oh, am I?” He laughed dryly as he turned to her, “Why? Because I’m done being your little bitch boy?” He questioned, “I don’t give a fuck about appearances any longer. If you want to tell your family that I’ve been seeing Y/N, go right ahead. But you can’t do that without explaining why that even happened in the first place! And you’re not going to do that because you’re a coward.” He said pointedly and she pouted, “So stop trying to make me feel bad and sorry for you in your current situation as if this isn’t all your own fault. You have until the end of the month to figure this out, Julie.” He finished and shut his drawer and headed back into the ensuite.

When he shut the door behind him he was nearly trembling from the adrenaline rush of standing up to Julie. He felt good and more in control now than he had in a long time. Was he a dick, probably a bit…but the fact was that doting on Julie during her pregnancy from another man wasn’t his thing to be concerned about! Seeing the manipulation tactics she used so clearly this time around also made him feel a little foolish and a bit sorry for his past selves. Though, he didn’t allow himself to dwell on that for a moment longer, he acknowledged the feeling and let it go. What mattered the most right now was that he had finally stood up for himself! And it had been your words that empowered him to do so.

When he emerged from the ensuite, changed and ready for the day Julie was back in bed, just scrolling on her phone mindlessly. He did feel bad for being so harsh, especially considering she was pregnant and probably already dealing with a lot mentally and emotionally, but he was just so done with her trying to get him under her thumb again.

He spared her one more glance and noticed that she seemed to be crying and he decided that one kindness he could do for her after tearing her a new one was brew her up another mug of that ginger tea to help settle her stomach. So he got that going while he made himself some breakfast. There were some knocks on the front door and he hurried over to look outside, once he saw it was Isabel again, he let opened up.

“Good morning, Harry!” She chirped and he smiled and hugged her briefly before kissing her cheek.

“Morning.” He hummed.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as she grabbed his hands and looked at him expectantly.

“I’m fine.” He chuckled but she didn’t let go and gave him another strange look.

“Positive?”

“I am.” He assured, “Who you should really check on is Julie. She’s having the time of it, up there. I put on some water for her tea but she had said something about going to the beach to take a walk? Maybe you could help her out there, she wasn’t too keen on driving herself.”

“Oh, it’s close! We should walk, it’ll help with the nausea.”

“That’s exactly what I had suggested, a little walk.” He said and she smiled. “I was just about to make some breakfast, avocado toast? Do you want some?”

“I’ve had my breakfast already, thank you, Harry.”

“Some coffee perhaps?”

“You know what, I will accept some coffee.”

“You got it.” He smiled.

“I’m going to head up, okay?”

“Sure.” He smiled.

“If I don’t see you before you go, I hope you have a good day.” She said.

“Thank you, you too.” Harry returned her pleasantry and with that she had headed on up to see Julie.

It wasn’t even five minutes before Isabel was coming back into the kitchen with a slight frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?”

“She’s in a mood.” She explained.

“I’m sorry. We had a little…tiff earlier, she’s probably taking it out on you.” Harry explained and she pressed her lips together pensively and Harry sighed. “I know, we shouldn’t be arguing when she’s in this state, you don’t even have to say it.” Harry assured her. And he meant that, he shouldn’t have blown up on her life that, even if she was in the wrong. “I’ll do better.” He said and Isabel let out a sigh.

“I know.” She said and Harry nodded, not really understanding what it was she was trying to communicate to him. “No, I mean that I… I know.” She said more emphatically.

“Know?” He questioned.

“About…Julie’s pregnancy.” She added lowly. And his eyes grew round with shock as he pieced together what she was trying to get at.

“D-did she finally say something or?” He asked right away and she shook her head.

“No, I ummm…I overheard you two arguing last night.” She clarified. “I’m so sorry.” She expressed her regret for how this situation had unfolded. “Of course, I am overjoyed for my daughter but I love you so much, like my own son! And to know that she’s been with someone else for who knows how long? It makes me angry for you.” She explained and he sighed.

“I appreciate that, Isabel.” Harry said lowly with a grateful smile, “Honestly, I think I’m past the point of being angry with her for cheating. But she keeps trying to save face and I’m so tired of not being able to get on with my own life because she’s concerned that this affair is not going to end how she would like it to.” He explained and she nodded. “I am so relieved that you know.” He chuckled lowly.

It felt overwhelming actually and he just hugged her into him and she smiled and smoothed comforting circles against his back as he leaned into her embrace. He hadn’t gotten a hug from his own mother in ages! Mom hugs were just different and so warm and safe-feeling. He almost felt like crying because of how happy he was that he and Y/N didn’t have to carry this on their own anymore.

“Thank you so much for saying something.” Harry expressed as they pulled away and she smiled compassionately at him.

“I couldn’t take knowing that and just wondering how you must’ve feeling…I assume you’re getting divorced?”

“I’m trying…have been for almost a month now, she won’t sign.” He huffed and Isbel tutted.

“And why not?”

“She’s scared that things might not…work out with the other guy. That was even before she knew she was pregnant! So I’m not too sure how things will go with this news.” He explained.

“I can…talk to her?”

“I’m hoping she’ll grow up a bit and do the right thing, I gave her until the end of the month.” Harry explained.

“Well…you know how stubborn she can be.” Isabel said and Harry chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah, I know…” he hummed. He also wanted to tell her about you, but maybe that shocker could be saved for a future moment. “This ought to do it though.” He said and she nodded.

“Does the other man know?”

“No, not yet.”

“Ay, Julie…” she sighed, trying to contain her disappointment.

“If it helps to know, she’s in love with him.” Harry shared and Isabel’s eyes softened.

“Yeah?” She asked and he nodded.

“Had been before we dated and I guess it was just always there, beneath the surface.” That seemed to make her a little less frustrated at her daughter.

“Well, I want you to know, that you are a hell of a catch, mijo!” She said as she reached up and cupped his cheeks. Harry chuckled bashfully and she smiled, “You are! Would you date Y/N? She deserves a really good guy in her life and selfishly, I know we wouldn’t want you out of the picture.” She said jokingly but Harry went completely red in the face. Isabel laughed at his response and let him go. “Sorry if that made you uncomfortable, that was wrong of me to suggest.” She apologized quickly.

“N-no that’s alright. I get it, I also dread the idea of…not being around any of you anymore. You’re practically my only family at this point! And well, Y/N too. We’re…quite close, especially with all of this going on.”

“Oh, she knows about the affair?”

“Yeah…I told her over the holidays, it’s why we were so buddy-buddy. We were just bonding over our failed relationships.” He explained and she smiled.

“Well, I’m glad that you had someone to share that with. She’s a great listener, very understanding.”

“Yeah, she really is. I’m very grateful for her. She’s been a huge support to me.”

“Good.” Isabel smiled, “Well, I will not delay you any further. Have a great day at work.”

“Thank you. And thank you so much for…everything.” He said and she nodded.

“Anytime.” She assured.

Harry could not get in the car fast enough, he needed to call you immediately!

Y/N’s POV:

You were heading to your first client’s home with a slight headache despite the coffee you’d had. You had a meal prepping client and then a taste-testing/menu creation for a follow-along cooking class for a galentine’s day celebration she would be hosting soon. These types of things took a lot of energy, so you weren’t too happy about your poor night of sleep. Additionally, you were just so in your head about everything. You wanted to call your mom and ask her what was going on and see if she would share more information with you, but you would hate it if anyone else in your family were prying to find out more details about something private going on with you, so you held off.

You were eager to speak with Harry, just to check on him. And just as you were thinking about this and when the next time you might hear from him would be, the phone started ringing through your car speakers and you quickly glanced to the screen to see Harry’s name. And then glanced down to your phone screen in the cupholder just to verify that you weren’t going insane. But it too was illuminated with Harry’s name and his contact photo. You quickly answered the call from your steering wheel.

“Hello?” You spoke, your grip tightening around the wheel.

“Hello, love.” He greeted you, “Are you on your way to work?” He asked.

“Yeah.” you confirmed “Are you?”

“Yeah, me too.” He hummed and you were wanting him to keep speaking so that you could read his tone and decipher his mood at the moment. But it was just quiet for a few moments. Your anxiety was making you feel like crawling out of your skin as you waited for him to say something else.

“Are you alright?” You finally asked.

“Yeah, sorry! Just ummm…trying to figure out how to say this to you.” He said and you bit your lip anxiously.

“I-is it bad?”

“No! Not at all, but just… shocking I guess. She…she knows.”

“Knows?” You questioned and then the word made your stomach drop. "A-about us?!” You asked frantically.

“No, not that. Sorry! She knows about Julie’s pregnancy not having anything to do with me and about her affair.” He explained and you sighed in relief.

“Oh, thank god!” You chuckled and he did as well. “Obviously not for her but I was just scared she’d somehow found out about it and thought I was a home wrecker or something.” You explained.

“Well…she did ask if I’d be open to dating you when Julie and I divorced because you deserved a good man and she dreads thinking of me being out of the picture.” He said through an amused giggle and you laughed along. “I know she was joking but-”

“There was probably a little truth to it.” You said with a grin.

“I hope so…she seems like she’d be supportive.”

“Yeah, she does… How did she find out about Julie?”

“She overheard us arguing last night. She was worried about how Joe might react and I told her that this wasn’t going to be my responsibility in any way.”

“He doesn’t know?”

“No. Not yet at least…”

“Shit…” you sighed, “Well, I’d be scared to have that conversation as well. Specially with what we know of this guy.” You sighed and Harry sighed.

“Yep.” He replied lowly.

You wanted to ask him if he had meant what he said about this not being his problem.

“You know, as she was telling me her concern about Joe not being supportive I… caught myself realizing just how much of a pushover I’d been when it came to Julie. And while I don’t relish in telling her that this is all of her own doing, the thought of helping her and ruining everything with you…losing you and hurting you like that, It’d be so much worse. I’d never forgive myself for it! Jesus, I don’t even know how I’d stomach being around you.” He shared and your eyes were welling up to hear him saying this. You were relieved to hear him say that though. Maybe it was insane of you but you just felt so good around him.

“Harry-”

“I know that’s fucking crazy of me to say. So I’m sorry if that’s a lot because we’re just getting started and figuring out what we can be or where this can even go, but it’s what I thought and felt.” He finished, you could hear the uncertainty in his tone as he shared this.

“Ummm…It’s not crazy of you to say.” You responded, still gripping the wheel tight as can be. “I have so many feelings for you and I…selfishly love to hear you say that.” You confessed and Harry chuckled.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I…I would be so sad if what we had ended before we could even…consider all the possibilities.”

“Yeah, I feel the same.” He replied.

“I also know that things are likely to get a little from here on out for a bit…” you said, “I’ll wait for you. If you need a little time to just get things settled, you know?”

“Thank you, love. I ummm…I’d like to see you for my birthday though. I’d love to have you here, but depending on where Julie is with Joe things might be a little bit different though.”

“Yeah, I get that. We can always celebrate after. Just as long as you get to do something nice…”

“Okay, well I’ll let you know as soon as possible so that we can try and plan ahead.”

“Perfect!” You exclaimed happily.

“Perfect. Do you have a long day ahead of you?”

“Yeah, some meal prepping and then a tasting for a Galentine’s thing a client wants to do.”

“Ooh, tell me more about that!”

“Well, she wants to do a little cook along thing with her girlfriends. So today we’re gonna meet up and I’m going to cook up a few different things for her to try. So I’m gonna do the starter, main course, and a dessert.”

“That sounds like a lot of work.” He chuckled.

“It is…” you hummed, “But it’ll be nice to just zone out and use some rich woman’s gorgeous kitchen…She won’t be home until the evening, so everything should be ready by then. What about you? How’s your day looking?”

“I don’t have lecture today, which is probably a good thing. I feel like I’d be really distracted. I’ll just do some impromptu office hours and revise my midterm exam, make sure everything we’ve covered in class is on there…”

“Hot.” You hummed and he chuckled.

“You don’t even know what class it’s for!” he said and you giggled.

“Right..Which one?”

“Methods and Statistics of Research.” He responded through a chuckle.

“I knew it was something hot!”

“Stats is hot? Since when?!” He questioned through a disbelieving laugh.

“Since you mentioned it just now.” You replied with a smirk. “Also just the fact that you do research so you qualify to teach that to people. At the college level!” You added and he chuckled.

“Well, thank you for thinking that. My students absolutely dread it.”

“No they don’t.” You muttered and he chuckled.

“Well, they dread the lectures.”

“Yeah, how’s anyone supposed to pay attention to anything you’re saying when you look the way you do?!? I’d definitely fail, college wasn’t really my thing.” You admitted.

“Well, I’ve only failed a handful of people so far…” he said, “Like you actively have to try not to do well. It is a hard class but I’d like to think I make it a little more digestible and practical.”

“Would it be wrong if I sat in on one of your lectures one day? Just to see you do your thing?” You asked.

“That could be arranged…maybe one of the more fun classes next quarter…”

“Yeah, alright. I’m very open to this.” You agreed easily.

“Alright…” he chuckled, “We’ll make it happen.”

“Can’t wait.” You chipped. You were truly looking forward to getting to see him in that element. “You know, I…miss you already.”

“I do too…I would’ve much rather woken up beside you as opposed to how my morning started.”

“And how did it start?”

“With a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch. My alarm went off so early, I’d forgotten to turn it off.” he explained.

“Well maybe it’s a good thing we didn’t wake up together then.” You joked and Harry laughed.

“You know, that was my one of my first thoughts when I woke up. That the alarm would make you cranky but I’d make it up to you.”

“Did you really?” You chuckled and he hummed.

“Yeah…”

“What time does it go off?”

“Six sharp. I usually go for a run or workout before everything else.”

“I see…and how would you make it up then?” You asked and Harry smirked to himself as you walked you two into a new and exciting territory.

“Well…naturally, I’d have to start by tasting you.” He mumbled a bit lowly, timidly as if the people in the cars surrounding him had bluetooth connection to his car. “Wouldn’t even have to try and get you wet for me, would I?” He questioned teasingly.

Your face was heating with a blush and your body starting to tingle in that fluttery and delicious way it did when you were in his presence. You shook your head with your bottom lip bitten beneath your teeth, already hungry for a taste of him.

“I need your words, baby.” He practically purred, calling you back from your thoughts.

“No.” You finally said.

“No, what?” He asked and you smirked.

“No, daddy.” You clarified, feeling your skin rippling with goosebumps.

“Baby…” he mumbled with need, “I would’ve made you come so many times you’d be dreading saying goodbye.” You giggled nervously. “And now you’re gonna have to go about your day, your little pussy constantly all achey and wet for me…”

“Jesus, Harry…” you sniggered, trying to prevent that heat from spreading further through your body.

“What?” He hummed smugly.

“You’re obscene.” You remarked, still feeling so bashful.

“So are you…don’t pretend that you wouldn’t be forcing me down on my knees and begging me to help it stop aching.” You groaned and squeezed your thighs together as best as you could while driving. “I’d get in right up against that spot you love. Your slick would be dripping down my fingers.”

“Harry…” you whined pathetically as your walls started to flutter and pulse deliciously at the thought of it.

“What is it, baby?” He cooed.

“I’d need more than your fingers after all that.” You said, voice dripping with lust. “Are you hard?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Am I hard…?” He repeated your question in disbelief. “I could fucking cut glass.” He chuckled and you laughed softly.

“You did it to yourself…”

“Yeah, I must admit.”

“I’d be tempted to have a sneaky little quickie in your office but I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.” You hummed.

“Very considerate of you. At least one of us has self-control…”

“At least.” You giggled. “Are you almost at work?”

“Yeah, I’m about to pull into campus.” He informed you.

“Okay…I’ll probably have a later night than you but text me later, yeah?”

“Yeah, baby. Have a good day, for me.”

“Alright, you too. Talk soon.”

“Talk soon. Buh-bye.” He hummed before hanging up.

You were a fucking mess but knew you’d be feeling pretty wired for the rest of your day. There was nothing you could do to help the lust boiling your blood but wait it out.

*********

It was nearing 9pm when you were finally settling in your car to get home. Your client lived in Hidden hills so the drive home wouldn’t be too bad, thankfully. When you checked your phone you saw a text from Harry telling you to let him know when you were off work. You shot him a text to let him know you were out and starting your drive home when another text from him came in, telling you to please get home safe and to call him when you got in. You started to tingle all over at the ideas you were conjuring up about how your conversation with him might go. You were singing happy songs as you made your way home. You were planning on having a nice warm shower, probably get into a nice tang and some comfy bottoms before sending a cute and slightly risky picture or two. You were hoping for a FaceTime but with him being at home with Julie, you weren’t too sure what was possible.

The walk to your apartment from the garage was quiet as you made a mental checklist for your wind-down activities. But much to your surprise, when you stopped at your door, there was a bouquet of flowers sitting at your door and a bottle of wine. This reminded you of the call you needed to make to Harry. It rang a few times before he picked up.

“Hey, you.” He hummed and you smiled.

“Flowers and wine?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Yeah, love.” He hummed as you bent down to pick the items up and cradling them to your side as you put your key in the lock.

“Thank you, they flowers are lovely and I cannot wait to have some of this wine.” You hummed as you got inside. You turned to lock up behind you.

“Neither can I.” You heard and twirled around to see Harry behind you, already looking cozy in some sweats and a t-shirt. “Oh my god!” You gasped and he chuckled.

“I’m so sorry for being a creep. I talked the landlady into letting me in to surprise you.”

“That’s…dangerous and concerning.” You giggled and he chuckled.

“It is concerning, but she is a huge romantic and found it very sweet. It also helps that I befriended her while you were out working yesterday.” He informed you and you chuckled.

“That’s a lot of work just to have access to my place.”

“It’s worth it though…Isn’t it?” Harry asked as he stepped closer and you smiled and nodded.

“Definitely.” You hummed as he grabbed your face gently and quickly kissed your lips.

“Let me get this for you.” He said as he reached for the items in your arms and you released your grip.

“Thank you.” You whispered and he smiled.

“I also put some stuff in the bathroom for a bath.”

“Oh god, thank you! I was actually thinking about having a bubble bath. I’ll just have a quick shower first.” You shared with an endeared smile.

“Sounds good, love.”

“Will you join me?”

“I was gonna whip up some dinner for you.”

“Well, I still have that bolognese you made…” you informed him and he grinned.

“Alright. Have your shower, I’ll serve us the wine. We can have that in the bath?” He suggested.

“Okeeee!” You giggled with glee and skipped off to your bedroom. You could hear Harry chuckling at your reaction before you were completely out of his earshot. It was sweet of him to have come all this way, especially when you knew he’d have work in the morning so you didn’t want to keep him up too late but something told you that might be a little bit impossible.

After getting your make up off you quickly got your hair into a shower cap before you started to wash your body. You took a little extra care to use your sugar scrub and exfoliating glove to ensure optimum softness of your skin. That was one thing you loved about this older apartment building. While some things had been refurbished, you still had the original wood flooring around the house and the bathroom and been kept pretty much the same except the addition of some piping to allow showering capabilities in the original clawfoot tub. You smiled as you peaked out of the white cotton curtain to locate the things Harry had said. And you did see a little paper bag from LUSH. You reached for your towel and dried your feet before wrapping up and hurrying to see what was inside.

He had gotten you several things…the first thing you saw though made you giggle. It was a a Shaun the Sheep bath bomb which smelled like jasmine and rose. You hummed happily as you set it back into the bag and reached for the next one and continued looking through your options. You did hear the light creak of Harry’s foot steps approaching, so you weren’t startled when he spoke up from behind you.

“Is there one you’re leaning towards?” He asked as came up and set the wine glasses down on the counter.

“I don’t know! They all smell so good.” You responded.

“I did get you a sex one. Supposedly it’s an aphrodisiac one…”

“Is it the Shaun the Sheep one?” You asked jokingly, barely containing your giggles as the stupid joke tumbled from your mouth. Harry’s boisterous laughter fill the space and you turned to see him clutching his stomach as he laughed it out. He looked so lovely like that, eyes all crinkly with his gorgeous smile on full display.

“You’re funny…” he mused as he managed to get himself upright and you were just grinning triumphantly.

“Thank you.” You hummed as he grabbed your hips gently.

“Silly, girl.” He said lowly as he leaned in, lips hovering so close to your own.

“I don’t think we need the aphrodisiac bath bomb.” You whispered into the minimal space between the two of you and he chuckled again.

“Don’t think so either, it sounded interesting though.” He explained and you hummed.

“I agree! Do you know which one it is?” You asked and he nodded you moved aside to let him grab the bag and look inside.

“S’this one.” He said, picking up the pink and purple one that had a rose shape encircled in the center of it.

“Oh, this was my second choice!” You said happily.

“Do you wanna try this one or another one?”

“We can do this one!” You assured happily as you took it from him and went over to the tub.

“Want some music?” He asked you and you turned to him.

“Yeah! I got some new records last week if you want to check out the console table in the room.” You said and he nodded and headed out of the bathroom.

You got the stopper in and then turned the water on to let the tub fill up. You looked in the mirror to really secure your hair in the haphazard updo you’re thrown it in and as you made a few minor adjustments. You then went across the bathroom to crack open the window and reached for the lighter resting beside a candle you had on the windowsill. You lit the three candles you had in there and switched off the overhead lights, leaving the room with a dim, warm glow. You looked in one of the cabinets and pulled out your bath pillow and tray, setting them up carefully.

You couldn’t help but smile and sway your hips to the faint sounds of Etta James that started to flow in from your bed room. And moments later, Harry was coming back in, only in his boxer-briefs and you smiled at him as you turned off the water.

“Here, baby.” He whispered as he handed you the bath bomb and you dropped it into the hot water and smiled as it started to fizz and melt into this gorgeous light pink color. Without any further urging, you were pulling off your towel and handing it to Harry to hang on the hook fixed to the wall and started to submerge your body. Soon, he was handing the wine glasses over to you and you set them on the try as Harry got undressed. You scooted up, leaning forward to allow him to slip in behind you and when you felt his legs beside yours you grabbed your glass of wine and carefully slid back to lean against his firm chest. You took a slow sip before humming delightfully.

“This is so nice. Thank you.” You hummed as one of his hands slid around your body and found yours before interlacing his fingers with your free hand.

“Glad you like it, baby.”

“Want some?” You offered and his extended hand was the acceptance you needed to hand over your glass of wine.

“That is actually really good. I only picked it because the label was cool.” He admitted and you both laughed.

“Well, I guess you’ve got good taste naturally.” You complimented before taking another long sip and he chuckled. After another generous chug you sat up to set the near empty glass back down on the tray near the other end of the tub. “And this bath bomb smells divine.” You commented.

“It really does. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop kissing you with this scent lingering on your skin.” He said as he dipped down and smooched the side of your head and them playfully nibbled on your ear, causing you to giggle and curl up just a bit at the ticklish feeling. “Are you going tonight?” You asked him.

“Mmm-mmm. Tomorrow morning.” He said and while that made you ferociously giddy inside, you knew it meant an extremely early start for him. And if this Sex Bomb was anything to go off of, you’d also be having a late night, so you did feel a little bit bad and guilty that he was doing all of this for you.

“You’re gonna be so tired, H.All because of me! You do’t have to do stuff like this for me, you know? I get that you’re a bit far and have other priorities. Don’t want you to be sacrificing and stretching yourself thing for me.” You expressed as you fiddled with his fingers.

“S’well worth it to me, baby.” He replied without hesitation and hearing that made your heart melt. You were swooning in his hold. But more than that, you were eager to reciprocate, in any way you could. “Do you like hearing that?” He whispered when you said nothing in response. You nodded timidly, still smiling like a fool and not yet trusting your voice. “Like hearing how desperate I am to be around you that I can barely go a full 24 hours without you?” He said lowly.

“Stooooop.” You sang through a giggle. You were blushing so hard it was too much. You almost wanted to crawl out of your skin from the intensity of his straightforwardness. But when he let your hands go and squeezed around you and held you closer to him that uncomfortable feeling faded immediately.

“If you hate it a lot I won’t say it, I’ll just show you. But I like to tell you how I feel too.” He explained.

“I’m just not used to hearing stuff like this.” You confessed, “At least not until someone’s fumbled me so drastically that they say it as a last resort.”

“Boys.” He muttered and you giggled.

“Exactly.” You concurred. “I’m not going to lie…it is nice to hear you say those things. I feel the same way. I just get shy and a little scared when I think of being that…open.”

“I get that. Vulnerability has it’s pros and cons.”

“Well, after everything with Julie…you’re not…scared of being vulnerable like this again?” You asked.

“I definitely am but I feel safe with you. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me or to make me feel like being open with you is a mistake.”

“Even if it doesn’t work out?” You asked. You hated to say it but that was still a possibility.

“Yep.” He hummed confidently. You turned over in his arms and carefully straddled his lap.

“I’m really happy you came tonight.” You said timidly. “I missed you too. Been thinking about you since last night and well…a little more obsessively after this morning too…well, all the time, really…” you confessed with heated cheeks as you fiddled with the pendant around his neck with your right index finger and thumb. You glanced up at him through your lashes only to see him already smiling adoringly down at you. This prompted you to meet his gaze more confidently. “And I…can’t stop thinking about the feeling of you inside me…daddy.” You said softly. You were’t trying to be seductive per se, just honest about what you were feeling and thinking since the first time you’d had sex with him. And you had to sprinkle that in there to mess with him a bit. He grinned devilishly as your face went all hot with a blush from how bold you’d been.

“Neither can I.” He agreed and you surged up and grabbed his jaw as you leaded in and quickly closed the gap between your mouths.

The kiss immediately became heated. Your mouths were moving quickly and a bit sloppily as the desperation took over. The feeling of his erection steadily growing bigger, thicker, and heavier beneath you was making your brain start to short circuit. The way his bog, warm hands smoothed over your body, one over your breast in the most lascivious manner, and the other on your bottom, urging you to settle over his cock and provide some much needed friction for the both of you. Your tongue desperately invaded his mouth and he moaned as he felt it brush up against in his own. You hadn’t felt this desperate for another person in such a long time, not even your ex elicited this much of a reaction from you. Just him as a person was what made him so desirable to you. The fact that he was hot and a fantastic lay were just further embellishments on this gem of a human being. You were down bad for him and you’d have it no other way.

You bit down own your lip and moaned in satisfactions as his lips smooched down your your jaw and then latched to the underside of it, right where the column of your neck started. He opened a tad wider and gave your a tentative suck before introducing the slightest bit of teeth, and then he sucked harder, making your eyes squeeze shut and hiss slightly as he fervently sucked his mark into your neck. You weren’t usually one to love hickeys or other marks on your body from lovers, but with him…he could do whatever he wanted to lay claim over you. You wanted the reminders of his affections on you for days to come. You wanted little bruises littering your inner thighs from how hard he fought to hold you open as he made you come over and over again with his mouth. You wanted your nipples to be tender from his incessant suckles and nips. You needed your core to ache and clench from how hard he fucked you. You just needed to be absolutely suffocated in his presence.

“Let’s go to the bed.” You breathed out in a rushed manner and Harry hummed in acknowledgement of your request before pulling off of your neck and kissing you quickly.

You pressed up against his sturdy shoulders to stand and he offered his hand to help you climb out. You reached for your towel, not really caring for the heavy drips of water running down your naked body. You watched for a second as Harry gripped the edges of the tub to push himself out of the water. As he made his way up his impossibly hard dick peeked out of the water first and you just wanted to feel the weight of it in your mouth. Just watching it bob around heavily with his movements, seeing his balls swollen and full of cum just for you…it was driving you insane. You hurried to grab an extra towel for him from the cupboard in the bathroom and he was quick to drape it over his shoulders. You giggled at the sight of him all covered up from the top half but his cock standing straight up between his legs.

“Stop it…” he mumbled through a bashful little grin.

“It’s silly!” You excused.

“Try telling me that when your little cunt is throbbing around me.” He said smugly and you just smirked.

“Yeah… that’s fair.” You admitted and he chuckled as he stepped forward and started to walk you out of your bathroom and into the bedroom. Despite the significantly dimmer lighting of the room, he easily found your body and pulled the towel off of you so that his hands could roam over your soft skin. You were suddenly covered in goosebumps, though you weren’t too sure right now if it was from the sudden change in temperature or the way his hands were groping and feeling out each and every one of your curves as if he were touching you for the first time. It still find of felt forbidden and that did more to you than you cared to acknowledge in this moment. But as your body started to heat up as your lust and desire for him increased, you moved with more force and had him sit on the bed. You didn’t even allow him to kiss at your chest and midsection like you normally would. You just pushed him off of you as you dropped down to your knees and grabbed his cock. Your hand traveled up his length a few times over, thumbing over his tip in dizzying swipes until you could feel his thighs tensing beneath you.

“Fuck, baby…please suck it. I need you to suck it.” He panted desperately, his fingers were dug firmly into your covers to steady him. You didn’t need to be told twice and proceeded to lick up from the base to the tip before tucking him into your hot, wet mouth and sucking on his tip. You moaned as you tasted the mildly tangy flavor of his precum that almost immediately started dribbling from his slit. You knew he looked after himself really well and his taste was proof of that. You wanted more of it, so you reached down and fondled his balls before giving them a gentle squeeze in your palm. “Shit…” he moaned lowly and it shot a tingle right down to your clit. This egged you on to use your right hand to stroke the rest of his length to get him going even further. Your saliva was now running freely down his cock and you used it to ease the glide of your movements. You were focusing on getting his tip as far into your mouth as you could, using your tongue to rub against his frenulum for added pleasure.

“Oh fuck, baby…Tha-that’s so fucking good!” He groaned. It almost sounded like he was being tortured. You could feel his balls tightening up and his cock throbbing in your tight grip, this was your designation to keep going. You wanted him to burst in your mouth so badly, it was crazy how badly you needed to taste him. You needed it like you needed air. You chanced a glance up at him and saw his head tossed back, only allowing you to see the sharp and angular line of his jaw clenched so tight.

You wanted to watch him moan and whine, so you gave his balls an even firmer squeeze and he quickly glanced down at you. Your eyes had adjusted enough to the darkness and you met gazes. He brought one of his hands to your cheek, mouth absolutely stuffed with his girth and you leaned into his gentle touch for a moment before carrying on. You added a slight rotation to your wrist and he bit his lip so you made it more apparent and went a little faster, causing his hips to slightly thrust up. “Yes…Mmmm, just like that, baby. Keep going just like that.” You moaned around him and he groaned at the vibrations traveling through his sensitive and tingling cock. You locked in to your movements and pace, doing whatever you could to get him over the edge. His soft moans and praises were keeping you steady and motivated as he got closer and closer to coming. And moments later, there it was, the twitching of his cock, the unmistakeable quivering of his thighs, and the loose grip in your hair to pull it out of it’s messy updo before gathering it in his fist.

“Fuck, baby…you’re gonna make me come.” He rushed out, voice so gravely and low it was making you even more wet that you were already. You moaned around him, eager to have his load flooding your mouth. “Don’t stop, baby! Don’t stop…” he panted, “Fuuuuckitfeelssogood…” He slurred and once again, his hips stuttered and seconds later his breath was hitching, leaving you in suspense for a moment before he moaned deeply and the first shot of his cum spurt into your awaiting mouth. You moaned around him as his hand pushed you down to take more of him. You opened your throat and let him get what he needed from you. It was absolutely dizzying to have him invading each of your senses until he was all done and pulling you off of him but only to dip down and get his mouth on yours.

Harry’s tongue pushed past your lips and he moaned at the the taste of himself on your tongue. You were desperate to be all over him and pressed your self up. He pulled you down onto the bed and you only broke apart to move up on the bed until he was laid atop your pillows and you were straddling him again as you made out with a slow, but fiery determination. The moment felt so charged as you slowed down the pace. The frantic and urgent energy started to fall away and you were just left with each other simply because that’s where you wanted to be and who you wanted to share this with.

You were taking the time to really feel out how he liked to kiss. How his lips felt, how his hands moved and felt on your skin. You could listen to the cues of his body and be more intentional about how you were physically showing him that you cared for him and it was all consuming. You wanted every detail of it etched in your brain for longterm use. You smiled as you pulled away from the kiss for a moment, though he followed after your mouth, ready for more.

“Baby, wait…” you giggled. He stopped and just let his forehead press to your own, “Just want to say thank you again. For…everything. For looking after me and treating me so well. For putting in so much effort for me.”

“No need to thank me, love. You’re well worth the effort to me.” Harry reassured you and you smiled.

“I feel like I can only repay you in sexual favors right now.” You giggled and he chuckled and quickly pecked your lips.

“You don’t need to repay me with anything, first and foremost. Second thing, you give me your time, your care, you make space for me, and listen without judgement. You help me process and that allows me to find safety and unconditional support in you…” he replied. “Don’t get me wrong, doing nice, romantic gestures for each other and the sexual parts are important too, but the things you do for me? The everyday things? That’s what truly matters. Those are the things that set the tone for everything else to be possible. If you weren’t the way you were, do you think I’d be willing to drive all the way out here just to spend a few hours with you? In Trump’s economy?!?” He joked and you both laughed. “You give me what I’ve been needing and that makes…everything else come so easily.” You couldn’t help but swoon inside.

“I love how you speak to me.” You said, not really sure how else to express what was happening in your brain. “I feel…really happy and like…I’m enough? I don’t know.” You mumbled, feeling a little doubt start to seep in from unintentionally being a little more vulnerable than planned (as if being naked on his lap wasn’t an act of vulnerability all on its own).

“C’mere.” He hummed. You could practically hear the smile on his face as he searched for your lips again until they were meeting perfectly.

In moments, the intensity was back in the air between the two of you. And when he made a move to try and flip you, you held firm over him, shaking your head.

“I wanna stay on top.” You panted breathlessly, taking advantage to breathe properly before your lips were moving together again.

You never wanted to stop kissing him, it was hard not to. You felt silly wishing that you could velcro your mouth to his, but that’s how badly you yearned to be near him. When one of his hands slithered up your body and gave your breast a firm squeeze, you knew he’d be hard again in no time. And when his other hand came up to the other it wasn’t even a minute before you felt him hard beneath you, cock bobbing up against your center. He gave you one more deep kiss before he smooched down your chin and to your neck, then your clavicles. You leaned back a bit since you knew where he was going with this and seconds later he had his lips wrapped around your right nipple, sucking it until it was pebbled between his lips and then gently digging his teeth against in. Your breathing hitched for a second as he did this and then moved along to the other side.

Your need for him was growing exponentially. You shifted your hips a bit, letting his cock spring up between your bodies before you reached down to stroke at it slowly. He groaned at the added friction and you just smirked, feeling quite pleased with the reaction you were getting from him as you continued your slow but effective strokes for a few more moments.

“Can I ride you?” You asked and he nodded almost a little too fast. You sniggered, “Eager much…” you teased and he chuckled.

“Can’t deny those allegations…” he hummed happily.

You knelt up and scooted up just bit more, finding that you needed just a bit more height to get him where he needed to be. But then Harry shifted himself a bit and you smiled down at him in silent gratitude as you were finally able to glide him through your slicked up folds and teased his crown to your entrance. He reached for your hip and looked up at you with what you could only describe as desperation. You knew it well because you were feeling it yourself. You took a breath and then started to push down against him, your nails bit into his brawny chest as your narrow channel adjusted to his girth. Feeling his own fingers digging into your hips was only adding to the sensation. It was sensational for him to feel himself being swallowed up by the warmth and snugness of your walls; it was making his tummy flutter viciously. And finally, when you bottomed out and his tip buried itself into that perfectly sensitive spongey spot inside of you, you both moaned in relief.

You immediately started to rock back and forth, allowing him to slide over that spot over and over and over again. His mumbles of praise and profanities only egging you on further. Your eyes were squeezed shut as you picked up the pace just a bit more and Harry groaned.

"Just like that, baby.” He muttered and you nodded down at him.

In moments he was leaning forward and taking one of your nipples between his lips, his thick mustache tickling your skin was an added layer to the pleasure. His sucks were deep but gentle, and you were loving the way his hand had traveled to the center of your back to push your chest closer to him. Your hands traveled up from his shoulders and into his hair. The gentle scrapes of your nails against his scalp were so comforting for him. This was perfection and as hard as you were trying, you couldn't really contain your moans any longer and they started to pour from your mouth with every delicious and determined swirl of your hips into his.

You were enjoying yourself far more than you normally did when riding, but he was just so engaging. He didn't just lay there and take it. He contributed to it. He found the rhythm and ever so slightly ground up to meet your own movements. He stimulated other parts of your body, he made sounds, he let you know that he loved being inside of you as much as you loved having him inside of you. And you also felt so full with him. He had the length to get to the right places in you, but also the girth to keep you on his cock. You truly never wanted to stop fucking him like this. The knot of pleasure nestled in the pit of your stomach was being wound up even tighter and tighter with each passing second. You were starting to feel hot all over and your walls were starting to tighten up around him.

“I’m getting close!” you warned and he popped off of your breast now and instead pulled you down for a hungry kiss as he wedged his index and middle fingers between your bodies and started to rub over your clit in precise swirls. You gasped when the zing finally reached your core and suddenly it felt like too much in the best way and your rhythm took a slight hit as your movements stuttered.

“Nuh-uh. Keep going, baby. I know it's hard, but if you want my cum you have to keep going.” He encouraged you. “You want it, don’t you? So badly.” He taunted you even from beneath you.

“Yes, daddy. Want it so bad!” you moaned weakly in response before doing whatever you could to find your pace again. You didn't even care that your thighs were starting to burn, you just wanted to feel him spilling his load inside of you.

You were squeezing so tight around him, Harry was inevitably moaning, rutting up to meet the steady drop of your hips against his own. The stimulation to your clit and those perfect spots inside of you were enough to have you drooling. Everything inside of you was building up in the most perfect way, preparing you for a mind-blowing and well-earned orgasm. Your eyes inevitably squeezed shut and your neck dropped back as the feeling started to spread from deep inside of you. Your breathing started to become agitated and your legs to tingle as you continued fucking him. Your core tightened, making your abs hurt a bit as you honed in on the feeling swirling there. Your body started to lose it’s strength and Harry pressed his torso up with his free hand. You leaned down and pressed your forehead into his, your lips grazing his own and drinking in his low grunts.

“Come on, baby. Let me feel you coming all over my cock.” He encouraged you.

“I-I’m coming!” You whimpered breathily and moments later you started to fall out of rhythm.

You inhaled sharply as you tried to keep the noise to a minimum and you pushed him back down into the mattress and fell over him as you started to tremble and grind on his cock at whatever pace felt good for you in the moment as you rode it out. You could feel Harry’s pecs and abs tightening and bulging against your palms as you came hard, it was getting to be so much but you also didn’t want it to stop, it felt too good, you felt drunk on him. Finally, you became over sensitive and trapped the hand smushed between your bodies. He got the hint and grabbed your hip instead, giving you a squeeze before holding you steady and bucking up into you at an unforgiving pace that you’d surely be feeling for the next few days. He was finding his own release and after a few more thrusts he was holding you down over him groaning as he spilled into you. You felt the last few feeble thrusts he gave, almost as if he wanted to ensure that you got every last bit of his cum as deep into you as possible.

You dipped down and kissed him deeply as he hugged around you, giving a few more erratic pumps into you before coming to a stop. You only pulled away for a moment to let him take a proper breath but he quickly put his mouth back on yours, and continued to hold you down over his cock. You found it endearing that he wanted to stay connected like this, but it wasn’t like you were planning on going anywhere any time soon. Your kiss continued for a few more minutes and naturally came to an end. He grabbed your face gently and gave you one more kiss.

“I am obsessed with you.” He hummed lowly and you smiled.

“The feeling is very mutual.” You assured him. “S’cold.” You whispered after a few moments.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and in bed.” He said and you nodded.

After a few minutes you were ready for bed and dressed comfortably before sinking beneath your sheets. Harry was doing his skin care now and as you lay there, hearing him moving around your bathroom, humming some made-up tune and out of nowhere, it hit you like a ton of bricks…you absolutely adored Harry. You did have love for him before but not like this. Not in a way that felt a little bit terrifying and all-consuming in the best way at the same time. You suddenly felt really hot and threw off the covers as you sat up. Your heart was pounding hard as the seriousness of the emotion settled over you and you just stared at the wall blankly.

“Baby?” You heard him say and you turned to him, “I’m gonna order you some more of that moisturizer tomorrow, okay? I must confess, it’s such a good one! I’ve been using it over mine when I come over.” He admitted and you smiled slightly at him.

“That’s fine.” You assured him and he smiled. When you didn’t look away his brows furrowed a bit.

“What?” He asked and you bit your lip nervously, “Why are you looking at me like that?” He pressed as he approached you with a curious smile.

“S’nothing…” you fibbed as you shook your head and moved to get out of bed and grab some water for your suddenly dry throat. “Want some water?” You asked instead, trying to deflect.

“Yeah, in a minute.” He said as he came closer and sat on the bed before you could get up. “What’s wrong?” He asked again and you sighed. “Is it something I did?”

“Yes.” You confirmed and his eyes softened, “Just not in the way you think.” You added and you saw as he started to crack his knuckles as the anxiety got the best of him.

“Okay…well tell me, then.” He insisted.

“Umm…I don’t know if you’ll want to hear this.” You added cautiously.

“That makes me think you’re right…but it also makes me even more sure that I need to know.” He said and you sighed.

Harry was freaking out. He felt his heart rate increasing and his stomach churning nervously as he waited for you to speak. He truly had no idea what you were going to say but considering how nervous you felt, he could only deduce that it would be something he didn't want to hear. Maybe you felt really bad about this and wanted to stop it. Maybe you sensed the intense feelings that he was growing for you and it was moving too fast for your liking? That scared him too, so fucking much, but not enough to get him to stop seeing you. But maybe you weren't there yet. He would understand if you weren't but he also couldn't bear the idea of you leaving him. The thought alone made him feel sad and lost.

“Please tell me.” He insisted again and you sighed and met his concerned gaze.

“I ummm…I…I love you.” You said softly with some uncertainty. He could see the fear in your eyes as the words settled over him. Your eyes were rounded with worry over how he would react and he looked perplexed for a moment before he shook his head and reached for your hand.

“Why wouldn’t I want to hear that?” He asked and you shrugged.

“Because of the situation we’re in?” You said inquisitively and he smiled.

“Well, I actually love hearing that because I love you too.” He confessed and your worry immediately dissipated.

“Yeah?” You asked with a sincere smile and he grabbed your face and nodded against you.

“How could I not?” He asked lowly and you sniggered happily before leaning down to press his lips into yours in a gentle kiss. “Love you so much.” He hummed.

Harry’s POV:

Leaving you after such a wonderful night and those confessions of love, had been immensely difficult but over the next few days, Harry had been walking on air. But with your mum in his corner with this whole Julie situation and the confirmation of your mutual feelings he was certain that nothing could interrupt this winning streak he was on. He was just finishing up dinner when the garage door flew open. He was startled by the abruptness of Julie’s entrance and when he turned he saw her sniffling.

“Oh great…you’re here.” She mumbled bitterly.

“Yeah, s'my house.” He chuckled, good mood not deterred by whatever she had going on right now.

“Thought you'd be with my little sister for the weekend again." She said bitterly.

"Not this weekend. She had to work.”

“Lovely.” She mumbled.

“Do you want some of this?"

“What is it?"

“Just carbonara.” Harry said and she nodded and put her bag down on one of the stools around the kitchen island. “Do you want to talk about…whatever’s going on?”

“Thought you said you didn’t want any part in this?” She questioned and he sighed.

“I’m sorry about before. I was really harsh. I don’t want to be involved the way you were…trying to get me to be. But I still want you to be okay. So if you need to vent tor whatever, you can.”

“Well…I finally told Joey.” She said and Harry glanced up from the pan where he was just giving the pasta one final good mix.

“Oh…I’m assuming he did not take it well.” He said and she shook her head and sniffled.

“No, he freaked out and said he couldn’t really think about it now. He had company, there was another car out front.” She explained.

“I’m sorry.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seeing someone else to spite me… specially since I’ve been avoiding him the last week.”

“You don’t know that for sure, Jules.” Harry offered some optimism and she huffed.

“She had a bedazzled license plate cover.” She added.

“Right…” Harry hummed.

“Well, I’m gonna get my make up off and change. Shout for me when it’s ready.”

“It’s ready now.” He added with a small smile.

“Oh right. Then I won’t be long.” She said and he nodded.

Dinner was mostly silent apart from some small talk about how the rest of their weeks had gone. This was some of the most civilized conversation they’d had in a while. But underneath the surface he could see how vacant Julie looked. She was struggling a lot with feeling like she was completely alone in this. He already disliked Joey but seeing the effect he had on Julie, it made him dislike the guy even more. Harry was never one to feel any violent urges but he did think about leaving a shiner on Joey's face for being such a prick. There was no excuse now. He knew and he behaved like that? He knew that maybe needing some time to process wasn’t out of the ordinary, but to have someone over at his place already? What an asshole…

When Harry woke up the following morning it was too early once again, but then again, sleeping on the couch was a large contributing factor to his poor sleep pattern. He’d heard Julie crying for a bit as she talked on the phone with one of her friends before he finally fell asleep so he decided that he would at least do her one more kindness and get her a decaf version of her favorite latte and a cinnamon roll while he went over to their favorite local coffee shop for a bit. She must’ve been tuckered out because she didn't even wake up as he washed up and got changed. He left her a note and soon took off.

The morning was quite chilly, as it tended to be by the coast and thankfully, he was one of three people in the coffee shop right now. Well, then again it was 7:30am on a Saturday. He placed his order and took up one of the little nooks and pulled out his AirPods and book to catch up on some reading. He had gotten through four chapters when the shop started to fill up a bit more and he realized it was a little past 8:30. It would be a good time to order for Julie, so he put his things away and got into the line and after another ten minutes he was grabbing her cinnamon roll and coffee and heading off to his car.

Harry always parked a bit further because he enjoyed the walk down this street but as he neared his intersection he saw none other than Joey rounding his car and opening the door for a woman. He felt his blood boiling a bit as Joeu animatedly talked to this woman as he neared them. And just as he was passing by, Joey gave a few careless steps back while laughing at something the woman had said and accidentally collided with him causing Harry to turn towards him swiftly.

“Hey man, so sorry! I was-” the smile completely wiped off of Joey’s face when he recognized Harry, who was wearing a stern and irate look on his face.

“Watch where you’re going, asshole.” Harry mumbled and Joey’s own features creased in irritation.

“It was an accident okay, Styles?”

“Oh, you two know each other?” The woman spoke up as she closed the car door and Harry glanced to her.

“Yeah, we do. He’s fucking my wife.” Harry said with a sardonic smile and the woman glanced towards him with a shocked expression.

“Joey-”

“Seriously, man? Right now?”

“Yeah, man.” Harry retorted. “You’re a real piece of shit, you know? You fuck her, get her pregnant, and replace her because she hasn’t fucked you in a week?” Harry confronted and Joey’s jaw tensed.

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re even saying, so shut the fuck up.” He responded defensively as he gave Harry a slight shove. Harry glanced down to where Joe’s hands had just been and he inhaled through his nose.

“I’ve stayed quiet about this for long enough.” Harry said as he set his things down on a one of the little tables right outside another shop behind him.

“Listen, Joe-” the woman started and grabbed his arm.

“Don’t touch me.” He warned and she sighed nervously and started to glance around.

“You need to grow the fuck up and take responsibility for this.” Harry said, placing a firm finger on Joe’s chest.

“Why should I? It’s not like she’s in a rush to sign the fucking divorce papers!” He reasoned angrily.

“Because it’s the right thing to do, you asshole. You wanted to woo her and fuck her? This is all on you! And instead, she finds you with some other chick to add to your body count?” Harry accused.

“Watch it, Styles.” Joey warned as he leaned in closer. They were about the same height but Harry was slightly more built than he was.

“Or what?”

“Or you’ll get what’s coming to you.” He warned.

“Joey, please.” The woman huffed nervously.

“Oh please…I’d lay you the fuck out.” Harry chuckled haughtily.

Next thing he knew, Joey was growling as he took a fast swing at Harry’s jaw and it caused him to stumble back. He heard the woman with him gasping as he glanced up through rage-filled eyes and lunged at him. Joey groaned as he was rammed into the side of his car and Harry held him up before delivering a hit to his face as well. Despite the stinging of his knuckles he went in for another hit as the rage flared up inside of him. The woman started to call for help which distracted Harry for just a moment and in that time he was on the ground with Joey trying to overpower him as he took erratic swings at him, some landing and others being blocked. With his adrenaline going into full gear he thrust his palm up into Joey’s chin the second he got an opening causing him to bite his tongue hard. He groaned in pain and Harry started to roll them over when finally they were starting to be pulled apart by some public interferers.

“I already called the cops, they’re on their way!” Harry heard from behind him and sighed as he saw one of the employees from the coffee shop they were in front of telling the man who was before him trying to calm him down.

“Seriously…?” he sighed as he glanced back to her and she gave him a slightly judgmental look. “He laid hands on me first.”

“Maybe so, but you kept it going.” She said and he rolled his eyes.

“It’s fine, man. Just cool down. You guys should be fine, no property was damaged.” He said and Harry nodded. Harry glanced darkly at Joey who was already looking at him with anger before turning away as he listened to whatever the woman with him was saying.

Minutes later the police arrived and they were both sitting handcuffed in the back of the vehicle as the police got the stories from the witnesses. The tension in the back of the trooper was high and after another ten minutes they were being driven off to the nearest station. Harry had never been in a situation like this before but it was quite scary, they weren’t being processed or anything yet, they were just sitting on a bench still handcuffed. When an officer walked by Joey called out for him.

“Hey officer, are we under arrest or something?” He asked and the guy turned towards him.

“We’re determining that now based on the stories from the witnesses. We’re gonna put you in a cell right now.” He informed and Harry sighed.

“Can I make my phone call? I have that right, don’t I?”

“That’s only if you’e charged.” The officer said and Joey huffed in annoyance before he walked away.

It was another few minutes before they were being led to a cell and getting their handcuffs removed. Harry thanked the officer before massaging each of his wrists as he plopped down on the narrow bench in the cell and then Joey took his seat on the other end of it. After a few awkward moments in silence one of the cops came by and gave them a talking to for fighting in public. And because it was a small one and there was hardly any damage inflicted on each of them and none to any public or private property they were going to be let off with a warning after they cooled off for a bit. They were then told that they were going to pull them out one by one to let them tell the cops who they wanted to call to get them picked up. They pulled out Harry first and asked him to unlock his phone so that they could find who he wanted to call and he immediately chose you.

“Thank you, we’ll give Y/N a call shortly, Mr. Styles.”

“Thanks.” He hummed and was escorted back to the cell where he sat in a contemplative silence until Joey returned and plopped down on the bench again.

“Sorry for hitting you.” He mumbled and Harry glanced over to him, “Thought you were gonna hit me first so I just…went for it.” He said and Harry smirked a bit.

“I sure as shit wanted to but I’m not that fucking dumb. Specially with your girl, or whoever she was, there.” He said and Joey sighed.

“That’s my younger sister.” He said and Harry glanced over to him before they both chuckled a bit. “She’s visiting from Washington for the weekend, she’s doing some really intense research for her dissertation or something nerdy.” He explained, “Haven’t seen her in like half a year.” He shared.

“Wow…well, shit, I’m sorry for ruining it.”

“It’s fine…I was working up to telling her about Julie. I knew she was going to be pissed at me for how we came together, so I was trying to be a little more discrete about that.” He said and Harry hummed. “Was kinda hoping they could meet, but she’s been dodging me all week.” He explained. “Now I know why…” he said with a sigh.

“And what do you…think about that? About the pregnancy?” He asked.

“Shocked. I thought she was on birth control or something…she never said anything about that.” He shared. “I love her though.” He admitted.

“Yeah?”

“Yep.”

“And why haven’t you said that to her?”

“Because of you. I mean…she wasn’t rushing to divorce you. She refused to talk about it when I’d bring it up. So even though I felt more for her I was just playing it really cool, you know? To not pressure her or risk losing her.”

“Yeah, I get that. She’s confusing.”

“Tell me about it.” He mumbled. “I wasn’t going to leave her for this. I just really needed some time to process and think but she jumped to the worse conclusion and just took off before I could even ask her to see her to properly talk about it. I tried calling her but she ignored my calls. Gave up around midnight and figured I’d deal with it tomorrow since my sister was planning to leave after breakfast.”

“Fuck…I mean, I still don’t like you. I think you’re an ass for this but…you’re definitely not what I expected.” Harry said and Joey smiled a bit. “Look, we are getting divorced. I know she’s afraid too of your level of commitment towards her and that’s maybe why she hasn’t been so straightforward with you. So maybe, you initiate that conversation with her and it’ll help her open up to you too.” Harry advised.

“Yeah. Thanks, man.” Joey hummed.

“Of course.” Harry assured with a slight smile.

It had been maybe a half hour before Joey’s sister showed up to pick him up and then nearly another hour before the office notified Harry that Y/N had arrived.

“Styles?” He called and Harry shot up from the bench. His ass was numb and his back hurt a bit from shitty seating. “Your ride is here.”

“Thank you.” He said as he came up to the cell door and waited eagerly to be let go. He followed the officer to a desk where they had a baggie of his things.

“Your personal effects. Just make sure nothing is missing.” He was instructed and Harry nodded and well, apart from the food items he’d purchased, the rest of his things were there.

“S’all there. Thank you, officer.”

“Yep. Now, according to the witnesses, Mr. Greene was the aggravator, meaning that you acted in self-defense. Did you overdo it, yeah…but you could press charges if you want.” The officer informed him. “Would you like to make a report?”

“No, it’s fine.” He sighed, “We worked it out in the cell.”

“Good to hear it.” He said and Harry offered him a smile before he was guided back out.

Y/N’s POV:

When you received a call from Harry but it was the police station you completely freaked out. Especially after hearing everything they’d told you. Despite being half asleep still, you immediately got out of bed, washed up and got dressed before taking off. Thankfully there was no traffic yet at this hour so you breezed up the PCH at illegal speeds. You hated the idea of him in a cell. When you finally arrived at the station you rushed inside and told the officer at reception why you were there and he assured you that it’d be a few minutes. You were sitting in a little plastic chair, tapping your foot incessantly as you waited. The door was opening and closing as officers came in and out and you were glancing up each time until finally, you saw Harry being led out.

You sighed in relief and shook your head and smiled as you saw him chatting nonchalantly and laughing with the officer. Of course he had even charmed the people he’d been in trouble with. His eyes finally met yours and he smiled. He looked fine, just a slight cut on his lip and a swollen cheek bone which would surely bruise over the next few days but apart from that, he was perfect.

“What the fuck?!” You laughed in disbelief as he came up to you and he smiled and shook his head.

“So fucking stupid…” he muttered as he stopped before you and reached up and lightly turned him to inspect the injury.

“Look at that…does it hurt?”

“Yeah, a bit.” He said and you sighed. “Thanks for showing up for me. You didn’t have to come for this nonsense.” He said and you smiled at him.

“Of course I did. I’ll always be here for you.” you assured him. “I love you.” You said quietly and his smile widened.

“I love you too.” He assured before hugging you into his body.

After telling you where his car was (he had fibbed so that the cops wouldn’t tow it), you drove him there while he looked through his phone and saw a slew of missed calls from Julie. She was worried because his note said he’d be right back and it was nearly noon now. She could only imagine the worst and despite him trying her a bunch of times she wasn’t answering now.

“I’ll follow you to the house, okay?”

“Yes, of course.” He nodded and soon you were making he short drive to his house and as soon as you turned onto their street you saw your parents’ car in the drive way. You sighed and pulled up across the street as Harry took up the other spot on the driveway since his entrance to the garage was blocked. You followed after him as he keyed his way inside and as soon as he opened the door your mom gasped and hurried up to him.

“Harry! Thank god you’re alright! We were so worried you’d been in an accident or something!” Isabel said as she came up to him and inspected him. “Mira eso…” she huffed as she saw his swollen cheek.

“I’m so sorry for worrying you all! Where’s Julie?”

“I sent her to have a shower and relax a little bit, she should be down soon!” She informed and he went up and greeted your dad while you came up to your mom. “What’re you doing here?” She asked surprised as she hugged you and you were stumped for a moment as you pulled back.

“I uh-”

“I called her.” Harry spoke up and you glanced to him.

“Oh, for what?”

“I got in a little tussle with…well…a guy.” He said vaguely.

“Who?!” Your father asked with some confusion and you swallowed thickly.

“I was defending someone’s honor is all.” Harry said and Isabel’s brows creased in and then it’s like she put two and two together.

“You saw the man Julie is having an affair with.” She said and then your dad turned to her with wide eyes.

“What?!” He asked in completely confusion and you groaned at her lack of tact in this moment. “She what?!”

“She’s been having an affair with someone for several months.” Your mother said to him more calmly and he just took a seat on the couch as the gears turned in his brain. “The baby, it’s not Harry’s.” She explained and that made his eyes widen again.

“Mom, you need to slow it down with these bombs you’re dropping.” You said to her and she sighed.

“I’m sorry! Ive just been keeping it to myself all week and I hate lying to your father!” She explained to you and Harry and your dad groaned and buried his face in his hands.

“Let me get you some water.” You said lowly and hurried off to the kitchen. When you heard Harry start to explain what had been going on to your dad you decided to take a bit more time and just serve up some water for everyone, even Julie, who hadn’t even joined you. You also wrapped a bag of frozen veggies medley in a thin kitchen towel for Harry’s cheek. When you returned Harry was finishing up the explanation.

“-I know we should’ve told you guys the truth sooner but Julie was feeling so awful about it and trying to save some face.” He explained. Not in an accusatory tone but in a sympathetic one. “I didn’t want to push her if she wasn’t ready to share that with everyone.” He said.

“I understand that.” Your dad said, “But it was not your responsibility to tell us that. If she did it, she should’ve taken ownership.” He said and he nodded but reminded him that it was hard for her to talk about it. “You’re kind in keeping that hidden for so long…” your dad said and Harry tutted.

“Here are the waters and ummm, a bag of frozen veggies for your cheek.” You said as you handed that over to him.

“Thanks, baby.” He said without really thinking about it and then you froze, eyes wide. And when he realized he groaned and then your parents both looked between you two.

“So my older daughter cheats on you and you get revenge on her with her sister?!” Your dad questioned frustration and you stepped in quickly.

“No, no, no!” You said coming to sit before him and your mom.

“He told me about Julie over the vacation in Palm Springs. And they weren’t sleeping together so he moved to the room beside mine and we were just spending a lot of time together talking and venting about our problems and we just got closer. It wasn’t planned or anything!” You explained and he groaned, “And when we came back we just kept talking and spending time together and realized that we… have deeper feelings for each other!” You explained and as you looked between your parents your dad still looked a little unconvinced but your mom was holding back from smiling as wide as she wanted to.

“Well, I like this.” She said decisively and you smiled timidly towards Harry as your dad quickly turned to her.

“Are you insane?! Isabel…” he huffed.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Julie is in love and pregnant with another man’s child. Harry’s all alone! Y/N all alone and in the valley! They’ve been good friends for a long time, they’ve always cared about each other… I don’t see why we should be opposed to it.” She explained her stance.

“It’s just…messy. Very messy.” Your dad shook his head and Harry nodded.

“I agree. But Julie and I are definitely getting the divorce. Even more so now that I talked to Joe, he loves her too and he is ready to step in and take care of her and their baby. He wants that with her! It was just big news for him, you know?” Harry explained and you smiled and gave one curt nod.

“I think this could work.” Your mom added and your dad was just sitting there, putting the puzzle pieces together once more, mentally arranging and rearranging everything he had just heard. Then, you all heard Julie’s descent from upstairs and she saw you all sitting in the living room silently.

“Harry!” She sighed in relief and then saw you, “And Y/N…” she said and then your dad glanced over to her.

“What have I missed?” She asked awkwardly as she came over.

“We know.” Your dad said and her brows creased in.

“Know?”

“That you’re pregnant with someone else’s baby.” He clarified and her face went pale and then started to grow red with anger as her eyes narrowed in slits towards Harry.

“You told them?!” She shouted angrily and he shook his head.

“No!”

“I overheard you two arguing about it!” Your mom shouted and she looked to her now as her eyes started to brim with tears. “When I came to drop you off from the urgent care, I heard it all. And I…told your father just now.”

“Oh my god…” Julie groaned into her hands for a few seconds and then she looked to your parents, peeking out from behind her hands.

“How could you do something like that?!” Your dad questioned her and she sighed. “He has given you everything and has treated you with so much love! To betray someone who loves you like that…”

“I don’t love him anymore! I was just scared that…the person I’d leave him for wasn’t going to do the same for me as Harry.” She explained with tears running down her face as he glanced to Harry apologetically. “I was so selfish! I know that! But I was so scared to make you all disappointed in me and to lose him… I know I’m awful and I deserve all of these bad things to happen to me but I just needed to follow my heart for once and now this man probably wants nothing to do with me!” she sobbed, “God, I’m such a wreck!” She exclaimed and Harry shot up.

“You’re not. Hey, no. That’s where I was.” He said and she wiped at her eyes, “Ran into Joe on the street and we…got into it. They locked us up for an hour to cool off and we got to talking a bit. That girl that was at his house? That’s his younger sister. She was visiting for the weekend.” He explained to her and Julie’s features softened. “He was just freaking out a bit about you being pregnant because he thought you were on birth control. He really just needed to process and maybe that was a bit much to process with a guest over.” He added and she inhaled sharply to try and catch her breath as Harry broke this news to her.

“Really?” She asked quietly and he nodded.

“Really.” He assured her, giving her a reassuring nod and she let out a sigh of relief.

“And you’re here because?” She asked you, still feeling a bit unsure of your presence.

“I called her to get me out of jail.” He explained and she turned to you again.

“They know about us too.” You added and Harry turned to you and smiled.

“Yeah, that too! It’s been an eventful few minutes.” He chuckled and your dad groaned lowly and you giggled at him.

“I can see that…and no one hates me?” She asked worriedly and you all shook your heads.

“We can’t say we agree with how you handled this, but we don’t hate you. We love you and just want you to be happy.” Your mom said, “Right?” She asked your dad and he nodded in agreement. And Julie sniffled as she heard this and hurried over to them and hugged them tight as she started to cry a bit.

Harry came back over to you and pulled you into his side as your parents comforted Julie and talked to her softly.

“What a shit show…” you giggled quietly and he sniggered, “But I’m glad it happened this way.” You hummed.

“I am too, baby.” He whispered as he interlocked his fingers with yours. “Love you.”

“Love you.” You whispered back with an adoring grin.

One Year Later…

You weren’t being dramatic when you were saying that this had been the best year of your life. After everything going on with your sister, Harry, and you had come to light things started to look up. Julie signed the divorce papers right away after talking with Joey and it was only two months before the court made it official. Your dad did come around to the idea of you two dating after a few talks with Harry, it did help that he already liked him, but just ensuring his intentions were pure was really what he was interested in, specially after everything you had been through with Ash. And well, you’d been dating ever since in everything was like a dream! You ended up moving in with him near the end of the last summer and there hadn't been any issues between you at all. You complimented each other so well and made such an amazing team, getting this little glimpse of how the rest of your life could be with him made you look forward to every new day.

Initially, Julie still felt a little bit weird about Harry being with you for a bit. But once the pregnancy got further a long and she saw how Joey really stepped it up the completely forgot about that. It was the end of October when Julie had her baby, it was a little boy and she and Joey were still going strong. He had even proposed to her at Christmas and they were hoping to be married as soon a bit later down the line when the baby was a bit more grown so that they could plan things properly. You were truly happy for your sister and hoped that her family was a successful one, even if that closeness never really grew much more between you.

“Baby, which tie?” Harry asked as he came down to the kitchen with two different options in his hand. He had a big evaluation meeting at his work for a promotion to associate professor which would land him even more security and a nice pay rise. He positioned one after the other over his ensemble to give you an idea of what each option would look like.

“Ooh… the plum one!”

“Thought so.” He grinned and set the other one down as he started to get the tie around his neck.

“Your coffee is about ready. And remember, I’m working that dinner party tonight so I’m gonna be late.” You reminded him.

“I remember.” He hummed and you smiled as you grabbed his traveling mug from underneath the Nespresso and covered it for him and set it down beside his work bag. “Is it straight?” He asked you and you came over and made one minor adjustment.

“There.” You whispered and he smiled down at you.

“I love you so much. You got this.” You assured him.

“I love you. And I know I got this.” He said, “When that new paycheck comes in, we’re buying your engagement ring.” He said and you giggled and rolled your eyes. “You think I’m kidding?” He asked and your smile dropped a bit.

“Harry…” you tutted, “You know I don’t need one. We could save that money for something else!”

“You need one.” He said and you smiled, “You deserve one. Want you to love it and flaunt it and tell everyone we’re getting married! I’ve been waiting for you for so long, don’t want to have to be discreet about it.” He said and you smiled.

“Well, that’s true…” you hummed a bit timidly and he grinned.

“And besides, the sooner we get engaged the sooner we get married. And the sooner we do that, the soon we make babies. And I’m dying to have a baby with you. No offense to your sister, but you have to know our babies will be the cuter ones.” He said to you with a smug little grin and you giggled and he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close. “This eval is step one to all of that. So I’m gonna do a great job, not just for me! But for us.” He said decidedly and you smiled.

“I know.” You assured him confidently. “Now let me give you a kiss for good luck.” You whispered and he smiled as he dipped down and pressed his lips to yours gently.

Every time you kissed it made your heart race. It felt like the world stopped just for you two to be able to relish in each other and there was nothing better than that. After a few heated moments you pulled apart with big smiles and playful pecks until your nose was brushing against his gently.

“And when would you find out if you got it?” You asked him.

“Ummm…University EXCO meets not next Wednesday, but the following one.” He said and you smiled.

“Okay, that’s just…” you paused as you mentally counted the days. “Twelve days.” You said.

“Twelve days.” He smiled with optimism. You let him grab his things and followed him to the garage door and held it open for him to get to his car. “I’ll see you tonight.” He said as he stepped out and you nodded. “I love you so fucking much.” He said before giving you one final smooch.

“Love you.” You mumbled against his lips as he hurried into the car. You opened the garage as he settled in to the car got it on. You saw him take a deep breath before putting the car into gear and slowly backed out. He kissed his palm and threw the imaginary kiss at you and you did it back and with that he was off for the day. You were confident in him and you knew that in twelve days, he’d hear exactly what he’d be hoping to hear.

Previous Part

Thank you so much for reading!!!!

As always, feel free to request updates on this pair/story!

—- TAG LIST —-

@harrystyleshotwife @daphnesutton @mads3502 @triski73 @xoxxjada @fangirl509east @stylesftcher @charlottesrecommendations @taintedwonderland-blog @goobernickle @loverofhsandallthings1d @toasterstreudelsworld @sassamanda77 @behindmygreyeyes @thepopcultureaddict

177 notes · View notes