#I cried tears of joy like less than a minute before taking this photo

[gauntletqueen]

Literally sitting on a coffin lid this place rules

[pinkczennie]

Male escort | Johnny (m)

Summary: After getting your heart broken, you hire a male escort to spend Christmas with you.

Pairings: male escort!Johnny x female reader

Genre: fluff, a tiny bit of angst (breakup), smut

Word count: 5k 

Warnings: mature language, explicit sexual content, fingering, protected sex

Notes: I don’t know how escorts work completely so I’m just using my imagination and assuming based on a film I was inspired by. This is my first fic in a while so I hope you guys like it! 

Tag list: @commentgirl​ 

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Great. Just great, you thought to yourself.

Today is December 19, just a few days away from Christmas. You just finished work for the day and you were counting down the days until you get to spend Christmas with your boyfriend.

That was until your boyfriend said he wanted to break up with you.

You felt your heart shattering as he broke the news to you and tears threatening to escape your eyes. Honestly, you should have seen this coming because it explains why he hasn’t been spending much time with you lately and the texts became less frequent but you just assumed he was busy. 

You walked back to your apartment that day feeling completely numb. You couldn’t believe your boyfriend of two years just broke up with you, a few days away from Christmas nonetheless. That evening, you stayed in bed crying your eyes out. Thankfully, your roommate was staying over at her boyfriend's apartment for the night, so you wailed and cried your heart out. You didn’t eat or drink anything at all and you probably would have dehydrated and starved yourself had it not been for the ping coming from your phone, signaling a text message.

You peered at your phone, a piece of you hoping it was your boyfriend messaging you to say that he’s sorry, that he made a mistake, and wanted you back.

Unfortunately, it was just your roommate.

My joy, Sooyoung <3: Hey can you open the door for me pls? I need to grab something real quick from my room but I forgot my keys at jaehyun’s apartment as he was driving me here lol

Wiping your tear-filled eyes, you got up slowly from bed with what little strength you had left and dragged your feet out of your room and to the front door without checking your appearance in the mirror first. 

You arrive at the front door and open it for your roommate to enter. 

“Hey girl, sorry about th-”

When Sooyoung and Jaehyun both got a good look at you, their eyes widened at the sight of your appearance.

There was a crumpled up tissue in your hand, your hair was a mess, and your eyes were red.

“Y/n...are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Her question triggered tears to flow out again. No, you were not okay.

“Lucas, broke up with me,” you said quietly, trying not to have a breakdown in front of the two.

“What?” Sooyoung gasps. “Oh no, y/n...come here.” 

Sooyoung engulfs you in a giant hug and you lean into her body as you silently cry into the tissue in your hands, not wanting to stain her jacket and hair with your tears.

“I’m sorry, y/n,” Jaehyun says as he places his hand on your shoulder. 

“Thanks, Jaehyun,” you croak out.   

“Do you want to talk about it?” Sooyoung asks. 

And that's how all three of you ended up in the living room. You sat on the couch with a bottle of water in your hand, which Soyoung thankfully got for you from the kitchen. Sooyoung sat by your side and Jaehyun sat by her side as you explained to the two about what happened.

“That piece of shit,” Sooyoung mutters, “I’m going to kick him in the balls if I ever see his face.”

Jaehyun rubs comforting circles around the top of Sooyoung’s hand with his thumb, trying to sooth his seething girlfriend. 

“It’s okay, Sooyoung. You don’t have to do that. He was a great boyfriend to me.” You soften as you reminisce about all the good memories you had with him during those two years, which only made your heart hurt more as you remember. 

“I’m just upset at the fact that he broke up with me so close to the holidays even though I had all these plans I made with him already. I bought us two tickets for the Christmas fair, I made prepaid reservations at a fancy restaurant, I even booked a hotel....” Your voice lowers to a whisper as you said that last part. 

“I don’t know what to do now since my flight to visit my parents won’t be until the day after Christmas because I already told them I was going to spend Christmas day with Lucas. All he could say was ‘sorry, but I don’t think I can continue with this relationship any longer’.” 

“I’m sorry, girl,” Sooyoung pats your shoulder. 

“It’s okay,” you sigh. “I guess I’ll just figure out what to do with the ticket and reservations since it looks like I’ll be spending my Christmas day here, eating ice cream and binge watching anime until my flight.” 

You’d offer it to Sooyoung and Jaehyun but you already knew they planned to go to a ski resort during Christmas, so you’ll have to find someone else who would want them.

“Is there maybe some other guy you could possibly go with?” Sooyoung suggests. 

You shake your head. “I’d rather not go with anyone I know just so it doesn’t get awkward and no one gets any strange ideas that I might be interested in them.”

Sooyoung turns to Jaehyun. “Hey, you have some single guy friends, right?”

“Yeah…” Jaehyun hesitantly nods.

“Do you have any guy friends who might be able to go with her? Like...Yuta?”

“He already went back to Japan to visit for the holidays.”

“What about Sicheng?”

“His flight to China is in three days.”

“Mark?”

“Canada.”

“Doyoung?”

“He’s recently been seeing someone.” 

Sooyoung sighs and taps her chin as she thinks of any other possible solution while you internally groan at the thought of having to spend Christmas single AND alone.

“But, if you want,” Jaehyun speaks up after a silent pause, “why don’t you hire a male escort?”

Both you and Sooyoung perk up at Jaehyun’s suggestion. 

“A male escort?” Sooyoung questions.

“Yeah. I knew one of my frat bros from college who hired a female escort. And don’t worry, escorts aren’t just for sex. You can just hire a guy as your fake boyfriend for a day just so you could have some company and your plans don’t have to go to waste. I can even ask him for the website he searched on.”

Sooyoung looks at you. “It’s just a suggestion. You don’t have to do it though.“  

Maybe it was just the loneliness that got to you, but you were honestly considering it. “I’ll keep it in mind.” 

After an hour, you felt bad for holding them up so you decided to end it there. At first, Sooyoung was hesitant to leave you alone, but you insisted because you already felt bad for making them stay for a whole hour listening to you.

“Alright then, we’re leaving now,” Sooyoung said at the door before gently squeezing your arm. “Make sure to eat something, drink some water, and shower before you go to bed tonight. And call me if you need anything, okay?”

“I will.”

And with that, the two left. 

You did as Sooyoung asked. You ate some ramen noodles because you didn’t have the stomach to eat much or cook anything, and finished a bottle of water. Then, you took a nice, warm shower, changed into a comfy pair of pajamas, and went to bed. After the rough day you had, you were able to knock out pretty quickly from exhaustion. 

------

You woke up the next day with swollen eyes, probably from all the crying last night. Instead of getting up, you just laid in bed staring at the ceiling. Your body felt heavy and you lacked any motivation to get up.

After a few minutes, you reached for your phone to check the time and any messages. It was currently 11:16 am. You received a couple of notifications since the last time you checked your phone. 

After looking through all your notifications, you decided to check Instagram. When you clicked on Lucas’s profile, your heart sank when you saw that he had already blocked you. You probably assume he already blocked your phone number and other social media accounts too. 

You were about to cry again at the thought, but then you remembered what Jaehyun said. 

A male escort.

Jaehyun sent you the website link the night before, just in case you wanted to take his suggestion. 

It took you a moment, before you said fuck it. 

You sat up from bed to retrieve your laptop on your desk beside the bed and brought it to your lap. You turned the laptop on and typed in the website link. 

Seekingescorts.com  

There were hundreds of escorts to choose from. Each of the escorts had pictures attached of what they looked like and basic information listed, such as their name, age, height, etc.

Thankfully, there were filters presented for you to narrow down the choices of escorts, such as gender preference, age window, and within a certain distance of your location. After filtering your preferences, the escorts were narrowed down to just seven people. You looked through the profiles of the available seven escorts and the third escort instantly caught your attention. 

 Name: Johnny Suh

Age: 25

Height: 6’0”

He looked extremely attractive in the photos provided, not that the other escorts weren’t attractive, but Johnny just seemed more your type.

After looking through the other escort’s profile, you knew for sure your mind was set on Johnny. You pressed on his profile, filled in the necessary information required, and clicked submit. 

Thank you for your submission. You will receive an email confirmation and a message from the escort you have chosen shortly. 

You did it. You actually hired an escort. 

A couple hours later after going about your day, you receive a text message from an unsaved number.

Hello, this is Johnny Suh. Thank you for hiring me as your escort on December 25 from 1pm to 11pm. I have read through the information you have given me and look forward to spending my time with you. Please let me know where you would like for us to meet and any other information I should know. 

After reading through his message, you reply back to him with the meeting location.  

There wasn’t any other communication sent between you two after that, other than a I’ll see you at 1pm, so you just counted down the days left until you would be spending Christmas with Johnny.

-----

Today is December 25. 

You looked at your phone. It was currently 12:58pm, two minutes before the time you were supposed to meet Johnny. 

You had a light layer of makeup on and dressed as nice and warm as possible because it was pretty cold today. Your heart pounded from nervousness as you thought of all the possible scenarios as to how the day will unfold while making your way to the designated meeting point that you and Johnny agreed on. Once you arrived, you stood there and stared at the people passing by as you waited for Johnny to arrive. 

As you stared at the people passing by, you suddenly began to hesitate, feeling dumb for hiring a male escort to pretend to be your boyfriend so you can spend your plans with someone that were originally supposed to be spent with your now ex-boyfriend.

What am I doing? You thought to yourself. This is stupid, I can’t believe I’m doing this. This was such a selfish and impulsive decision just because I didn’t want to be alone on Christmas. I should have just stayed home, not go out with some male escort I don’t even-

“Y/n?” 

You turn around at the mention of your name. 

Whoa. 

You stare up at the man that just called your name and you were absolutely speechless. 

Johnny looked just like in his photos, maybe even better in person. He could even pass off as a model. His hair was nicely styled and he was dressed in a long, beige coat, and black jeans. He was tall, had a sharp jawline, and the most mesmerizing eyes that you were slowly getting lost in. There were no words to describe this man other than absolutely stunning. 

“Are you y/n l/n?” Johnny asks, snapping you back into reality.

“Y-yes,” you stutter. 

“Hi, I’m Johnny.” He extends his hand out for you to shake with a gentle smile on his face. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” You shake his hand. 

“You look really pretty today, y/n.”

You blush at the compliment. “Thank you. You look really good too.”

“Thanks,” he smiles. “Are you excited for today?” 

“Yeah. A little nervous as well,” you honestly confess. “I’ve never hired an escort before so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

“Whatever you want to do, just let me know and I will happily do so. Also, if anything I do makes you feel uncomfortable, tell me and I will stop. My goal for today is to be the best boyfriend for you. Alright?” 

You nod, feeling a little less nervous at how easygoing he seems.

“What are we doing first today, my love?” he asks before taking one of your hands in his and presses a kiss to the top of your hands.

You swoon at his gesture before quickly pulling out the two tickets to the fair from your pocket and presenting it to him. 

Johnny looks at the pieces of paper in your hands. “The Christmas fair first? Alrighty then, let’s go!” 

And thus your day began with Johnny at the fair. You two played games, rode on the rides, and ate fried food together. For hours, it was just filled with fun and laughter. 

There were quite a few people, so Johnny would hold your hand to keep you by his side whenever you two would walk by a large crowd, making sure no one strays away from each other. 

For a second, it didn’t even feel like you were with an escort because Johnny was such a natural at playing the boyfriend role that there was never an awkward moment with him. It genuinely seemed like you two were just a couple going on a date to anybody looking. 

If Johnny was made of something, it would be boyfriend material. He was handsome, treated you like a princess, and a great conversationalist so there was never any awkward silence.

At around 5:30pm, it was time to leave the fair because you had a prepaid dinner reservation at 6pm. 

The restaurant was dimly lit and there was a pianist softly playing classical music at the back.

A waiter from the restaurant arrived to escort you both to your reserved table in the middle of the room. The table was surrounded by lit candles, roses, expensive silverware, and a bottle of wine. 

Johnny, like the gentleman he is, pulls your chair out for you to sit and pushes the chair back to the table after you sit down before he takes his seat. The waiter opens the wine bottle and pours both of you a drink. You both clink glasses and enjoy your meals while chatting throughout the dinner.

After dinner, the fancy restaurant was in the same building as the hotel you booked, so you checked in and then headed to the elevators up eight stories to your hotel room.

You both look around the nice hotel room in awe. There was a nice view of the city lights by the window, a single king-sized bed, and a large bathroom by the door.

There were a basket of flowers and a card that sat on the table. You went over to read the card and your heart clenches.

Welcome to the SME Hotel, y/n and Lucas. 

You forgot to call the hotel ahead of time to get his name removed or changed. 

You were so distracted by the card that you didn’t even notice Johnny looking over your shoulder, peering at the card in your hand that has your attention. He reads the card and notices the male name, ‘Lucas’, written after yours. Then, Johnny looks at you and notices your sad eyes.

Johnny walks in front of you and gently cups your face, grabbing your attention as he brings your face up to look at him.

“Is something wrong, my love?” he asks.

You look away from his gaze with a shake of your head. “Nothing’s wrong."

“Are you sure? Because you looked really upset reading that card. You can tell me if anything’s wrong.”

You stay quiet for a moment before you release a sigh.

“I was supposed to spend Christmas with my boyfriend. Well...ex-boyfriend now,” you explain. “He broke up with me a few days ago, even though we had all these plans together. I guess I just got a little upset when I saw his name on this card because I’m suddenly reminded that we’re no longer together.”

Johnny softens at your story and strokes your cheeks with his thumbs. “I’m sorry he did that to you. I know it hurts right now, but just know that the pain will slowly go away with time, and you will find someone new again.”

You nod with a sad smile. 

“But for today, you’re mine. So I don’t want you to be thinking about another man in front of me or I’ll get jealous.” 

You know Johnny is just playing the character of your boyfriend, but you couldn’t help but feel your heart skip a beat at his words. 

He takes the welcome card from your hand and places it back, face down, on the table.

“Come here.” He brings you into his warm embrace. You softly smile at his comforting gesture and hug him back.  

You both just stand there while hugging each other until an idea suddenly pops up into his head. “Hey, let’s get your mind off of him for a moment.” 

You look up at him with a raised eyebrow and tilt your head to the side at his words. 

Then, Johnny takes out his phone and clicks on the Spotify app. Suddenly, Taylor Swift featuring Shawn Mendes’s Lover plays. He turns the volume up to the highest setting before placing his phone on the table. Then, he turns to you and brings his hands out.

“Dance with me.” 

You stare at him for a second before looking down at his extended hands and slowly take his hands. 

We could leave the Christmas lights up ‘til January. This is our place we make the rules.

The dance began playful, filled with giggles and laughter as Johnny spun you around, doing elegant twirls. 

Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close? Forever and ever. 

As the song progresses, Johnny brings your head to rest against his head and you melt into his body. His arms wrap around your back and your arms wrap around him. You both close your eyes and silently listen to the song while your bodies slowly sway to the music.

See I finally got you now, honey. I won’t let you fall.

There was nothing on your mind right now except Johnny and the feeling of his body against yours and the steady beating of his heart against his chest. 

Oh, you’re my, my, my, my. Darling, you’re my, my, my, my lover. 

The music ends. 

You remove yourself from Johnny’s body to look up at him who was already staring down at you with a tender gaze. For a moment, you were both just lost in each other's eyes. Slowly, your eyes went from his eyes to his lips. 

You gulp. The longer you stared, the more you thought about leaning in to kiss his plump lips. Is it wrong to have such a strong desire to kiss another man a few days after getting dumped? 

“What are you thinking about right now?” he asks, his voice one octave lower, making you feel some type of way. 

“How much I want to kiss you,” you confess. You don’t know where this newfound confidence to say that sentence out loud came from, but knowing that you probably won’t be getting another opportunity like this any time soon, you threw all care out the window. 

Johnny leans in dangerously close with a smirk on his face. “Then do it.”

No one knows who leaned in first, but the next thing you know is that you’re both kissing each other. 

The kiss starts off gentle, like two lovers kissing each other for the first time again. Then, the kiss became more intense as Johnny’s arms wrap around your waist to pull you closer into his body and your arms cling onto Johnny’s shoulders.

Eventually, you both part ways to gasp for air without letting go of each other. You look up at Johnny with eyes full of lust and his eyes are just as dark as yours. The sexual tension was lingering in the air and you couldn’t take it anymore. You feel wetness pool in your underwear that you could no longer ignore and you desperately want him to do something about it.

“Johnny…” you breath out.

“Do you want to…” He didn’t finish his sentence but you already know where this is going.

“Are you sure? You’re not obligated to just because you’re-”

“You’re not forcing me to do anything. I want to do this,” he states. “Do you?”

You search his eyes for a bit before you reply, “Yes. I want you too.”

The verbal consent was enough for him to dive back in for another kiss. You wrap your arms around Johnny’s neck as you feel him lift you up with his arms and make his way over to the bed where he gently places you on your back without breaking the kiss. 

You shiver as Johnny stops kissing you and begins sucking open mouth kisses on your neck, but not leaving any marks in case you didn’t want any visible hickies on your skin.

He removes all your clothes, so you were completely bare in front of him. You become shy as Johnny’s large figure looms over you, his hungry eyes raking over your exposed body while he’s still fully clothed.

Johnny brings his face right in front of your chest and cups your soft mounds. A moan escapes your lips as he suddenly takes one of your erect nipples into his mouth and pinches the other one in between his fingers. As he continues to suck on your bud, you feel something poking your thigh, so your hand palms his erection and he shudders at the contact.

After a while, he removes himself from your breasts and starts taking his clothes off but keeps his pants on. 

You couldn’t help but stare at the sight in front of you because Johnny was built like a Greek god, sculpted by the finest artists. 

“Like what you see?” he smirks.

You nod. You weren’t even going to deny it and he chuckles at your honesty.

He brings two of his fingers to your awaiting entrance and you shudder.

“God, you’re fucking soaked,” he whispers into your ears. His sultry voice and fingers rubbing against your folds just made you even more wet.

He slowly pushes his two fingers inside of you and you bite back a moan. Oh god. 

“Let me hear you,” he says as he nibbles on your earlobe. “I want to know that I make you feel good.”

Johnny slowly thrusts his digits in and out of you as you release your moans that you could no longer hold in for him to hear. 

Once he thought that you were ready, he added a third finger and you grip the bedsheet from the additional intrusion.  

“Johnny,” you gasp as he brushes against your walls and hits that one spot that causes your body to arch against the bed.

“Right there,” you chant so he continues to rub against that spot.

You could already feel your orgasm starting to approach as your breathing becomes harsh and your wall clenches around his fingers as the pleasure continues to build up in your body.

You usually last longer than this, but something about doing this with Johnny, a somewhat stranger to you, an attractive stranger might you add, made it so much more thrilling. 

“I’m going to cum,” you warn him.

“Go ahead. Cum for me.” 

After a few more thrusts, you cry out in bliss and release all over his fingers. You pant heavily as you quickly try to recover, knowing that there was more to come. 

As you try to recover, Johnny finally removes his pants and boxers, allowing his cock to spring forward. You look down and your eyes widen at the sight of his erection. Holy shit, he’s huge. 

As you continue to stare, he reaches for the condom in the bedside table drawer he found while looking around the room earlier and rips the plastic open. 

He was able to get hard from kissing and fingering you, so he easily puts the condom onto his dick without any additional stimulation and positions his length in front of your entrance.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

Your heart was pounding, wondering if he’ll even fit inside of you. But regardless, you still nod. 

Johnny slowly enters you and you gasp at the pain and the pleasure. It felt like he was ripping you in half, even after being stretched open with three fingers.

“Shit, you’re still tight,” he hisses as he continues to enter you.

“Too big,” you whimper as your nails dig into the mattress. 

“I’ll go slow.” He kisses your forehead to distract you from the pain and continues to slowly enter you, just as promised. Once he is fully inside you, he waits patiently for you to adjust to his size. “Let me know when I can move.”

After adjusting to his size, you tell Johnny that he can move. 

He begins his thrusts slow just in case it was still too much for you. He was so gentle with you as if you were going to break. You were still slightly overstimulated from being fingered earlier, but you didn’t care and allowed Johnny to thrust inside you. 

"Faster,” you plead and he does as you request. You moan his name, along with a string of curses, as he begins to pick up the pace. 

The room was filled with nothing but the sounds of loud panting, skin slapping against skin, and the bed creaking as Johnny pounds into you. Hopefully, the hotel walls are thick because the people staying in the rooms next door or even passing by would surely be able to hear everything.

It didn’t take long for your second orgasm to approach again and he could feel it too as your walls clench around his length. 

“I’m going to cum again,” you announce.

“Fuck, me too. You feel so good, baby.” Johnny begins to groan and his thrusts become less accurate, signaling that he was close too.

Your toes curl and your back is arching off the bed as you come around his cock. With one last thrust, he groans and releases his seeds into the condom. 

Both of you just stay in your current positions, chest heaving as you both try to come down from your highs. After a minute, Johnny slowly pulls himself out of you and gets up from the bed to make his way to the bathroom. He removes the cum filled condom, ties it up, and tosses it into the trash can. Then, he returns to the bed and plants a kiss on your cheek before wrapping his arms around your body in a warm embrace. 

For the remainder of the time left, you and Johnny just cuddled naked under the blanket until your time with him was up. 

“What did you think of everything?” Johnny asks.

“Are you referring to the date or the sex?” You tease.

Johnny laughs, “The date, you pervert. But yes, I’d like to know how the sex was too.”

Seeing his laughing face brought a satisfied smile to your lips. “I had a really good time today. And the sex? Wow.” 

“I’m glad.” Johnny returns a smile and he brushes a stray hair of yours away from your face. “I had a good time today too.” 

There was a comforting silence before you hesitantly ask, “Do you do it with all your clients?” 

“Not all of them. We have the right to say no,” he replies. “And don’t worry, I always do it protected and get tested regularly just in case.”

A few minutes before 11pm, you both start putting your clothes back on because it was almost time for Johnny’s departure. You were quite sad the day is already over, but today has been such an eventful day. 

Even though you knew Johnny was just a male escort only meant to comfort you by spending the day with you so you wouldn't be alone during Christmas, you were going to feel empty once again. But you were still happy nonetheless. Johnny made you feel so loved, even if it was just temporary. You were so glad to have met Johnny because this will be a Christmas worth remembering for sure. 

You walk him to the door once 11pm hits. 

“Thank you for today, Johnny,” you smile up at him. 

He returns the smile back, “It was my pleasure.” 

Johnny leans down and presses a gentle kiss on your forehead. You just couldn’t get enough of his kisses. 

“Goodnight, y/n. Merry Christmas.”

“Goodnight, Johnny. Merry Christmas.”

And with that, he turns around and walks away from your hotel room and heads to the elevator. You wait until you are no longer able to see Johnny before retreating back into your room and shutting the door behind you.

A loud sigh escapes your lips as you stare at the empty hotel room as memories of your day with Johnny flooded your mind. This day didn’t turn out like you expected it to, but it was way better than what you could have hoped for. 

You were definitely going to have to thank Jaehyun later. 

The loneliness begins to settle in again, so you grab your phone from the bedside table and begin to type a text message to someone, then hit send. 

You: Can I see you again on New Years? 

[moon-lixie]

Yes, he had been aware that it was the literal end of the world, but to hear that he only had so little time left made everything appear clearer in front of his now blurry sight.

word count: 3.699k

warnings: mentions of riots and guns.

genre: apocalyptic AU, slight enemies to lovers, fluff.

song: moya- Godspeed You! Black Emperor

The sound of the tv in the background didn’t allow Seungmin to concentrate on the only thing that seemed to matter to him at that moment, you.

What met his wide eyes was the familiar cream white walls that he could only associate with his home, because that’s exactly where he was, in his childhood house while you were away, not awfully so but still not close enough for him to reach out to you in the way he wanted.

If he had learnt something from this situation it was that he didn’t have many instances he would like to go back and fix, and that he had always seen you in the wrong way. Either because he liked living in denial or because —without noticing— he had become the most dense person to have ever existed.

And it was infuriating that he had only noticed now, having had plenty of time before he had only come to the realisation because of the end of—

The volume of the tv became louder and he had to bite back his urge to belligerently ask his parents to turn it down when he heard what was being said on the news.

‘Specialists have estimated that we have only 48 hours left before it becomes impossible to leave our houses due to the radiation. People have apparently taken this ultimatum just as predicted by many as unprecedentedly violent riots have started breaking out all across the globe,’ the woman on the news channel said, wearing a cool expression that he wished he could also keep in a situation like this.

On the screen various photos and videos of chaos flashed in an instance, flooding the small living room with an orange glimmer that came from the flames he saw as mere pixels.

Seungmin’s blood ran completely cold; yes, he had been aware that it was the literal end of the world, but to hear that he only had so little time left made everything appear clearer in front of his now blurry sight.

The first tear travelled down his left cheek and impacted against the wooden floor right when the barking of what sounded like all the dogs of the neighbourhood started resonating with force and alarm.

Hell was breaking loose not only all across the world but in his chest too, he felt too many and yet so little at the same time. His body began moving on an impulse as he took long strides towards the white entrance door. Feeling excessively heavy he let his weight fall to the ground as he sat and put his shoes on, taking special care of making a double knot on the shoelaces of the black converse he had been wearing the night before when he arrived.

It was hard but he still managed to stand up and open the door hastily; ignoring the questioning voice of his mother he began sprinting towards the sidewalk where some of the people he had grown up seeing greet him with vibrant smiles now wearing cold expressions and getting inside their cars with a definite goal in mind.

He couldn’t care less about getting his hands on material objects; just as before, he felt pleased with his life and the things he had, that sentiment wouldn't change just because his life was close to reaching its end.

The night before he had fallen asleep in his parent's room as they had all cried their eyes out and confessed the love they were already aware of. But now he needed to make one last confession, and that’s why he had to reach your side before it was too late. That’s the only reason why he ran.

The pavement punched his soles as his steps increased its pace, every step resonated against every centimetre of his body as he tried to move faster. His heart was beating on his throat and he knew it wasn’t because he was exhausted, he had just begun running after all, it had all to do with the words he had never wanted to say until today.

Desperately he wanted to figure out when had this feeling on his chest begun, when and how? And the current situation suddenly felt like the best way to figure it out, because as he felt the air hit against his face and knew the world was slowly crumbling around him, he felt like he was not only rushing to you but through memories as well.

He knew for sure that his feelings had nothing to do with that evening in the park back when you were both kids. Your hands wrapped tight around the handles of the mint green bike he had pointed out was hideous just because you seemed to love it so much, eyes soaked with innocence wavering with nervousness and little white sneakers sitting on the pedals.

The memory was quite vivid, how you had taken various deep breaths before your hesitant glare turned to one of determination and you voiced out that you were in fact ready to try on your own.

Your father let go of your bike and you began pedalling, screaming out in joy as you managed to move forward the first two meters completely unscratched before you fell. The consequences of your bravery were a scraped knee and tears that dried fast as you refused to keep crying when he started making fun of your fall.

Neither did it seem to be related with all of those petty fights that had taken place at school back when you felt like you were on top of the world with a perfect score on the chemistry test everyone else had flunked.

All of those instances in which he had gotten to erase a smug smirk from your lips came rushing back, specifically on those midterm tests where he had managed to get an almost perfect score on every single subject after having spent the prior three nights staying up until ungodly hours just to study. Because he wanted to win.

No, he wanted you to see him, even if it meant you were mad at him because he had outperformed you, he wanted to have your undivided attention if only for a couple of minutes and he cursed himself for not knowing better than to annoy you in order to get it.

The feeling constricting his chest had a lot to do with that evening in the eighth grade where the moon shone with a special glimmer. The park that had witnessed the both of you bicker and tease each other endlessly was then completely quiet while it cradled two teenagers sitting on the swings.

It had been around the time where you both seemed to come to terms with your stupid rivarly and accepted that it was just the way you two functioned. And so the late night meetings and the sitting together at lunch with your other mutual friends had become so usual that many times you had both taken it for granted.

“I kissed Felix, well, he kissed me,” you confessed, wearing a dumb grin on your lips, your eyes holding every star that had previously been on the sky that faced the unpleasant feeling harboring on his chest.

He was sure it had a lot to do with the bitter taste that congratulating you for it had left at the back of his mouth, and the annoyance he felt for the following weeks when he faced his freckled friend, because Felix had been your first kiss and not him.

A loud shattering sound interrupted his thoughts, he looked towards his right side without stopping for a second, being met with the image of one of his middle school classmates breaking the window of one of the establishments that were near your favourite ice cream spot downtown.

He hadn’t realized how far he had come while running, not even his ragged breath had done much to bring him out of his daze as opposed to the chaos that was turning his hometown into something that must look like hell.

Completely mortified was an understatement to explain how he felt about the situation, but he at least had the comfort of knowing that both you and his parents were far away from this mayhem, even if that meant he still had a considerable way to go before reaching you.

Nothing could stop him or at least that is what he thought before a flying tv crossed his eyesight, he stopped immediately, almost not being able to dodge the shoe that was thrown into someone else’s direction right after.

He would’ve laughed at the absurdity of both objects crossing his eyesight if it hadn’t been for a loud crash that made reality wash over him once and for all. Turning around he witnessed a blue pickup truck being consumed by greedy flames that threatened not to leave anything behind for the owner of the vehicle.

Right after, he became aware of the hysterical screams of everyone around him and just how many people were there running without a destination and taking as many things as they could hold in their hands.

Deep inside he wished there was a way to make all of this stop but he soon regretted that wish when a gunshot rippled over the loud voices. The world came to a stop for a second as some threw themselves to the floor and covered their heads —Seungmin included— and some others froze in place.

The chaos resumed soon after when the people still standing began running once again without direction, pushing each other and trying to pick up things others allowed to fall from their arms as they tried to escape.

He was trembling on the floor, eyes wide open and trying to take in every last detail he could. The person who had shot was standing on top of a black car, holding a handgun he definitely shouldn’t have. Their eyes were closed as he aimed somewhere else and he shot again.

Another wave of screams filled the city and he choked back a sob as he began crawling on the cold pavement. The sleeves of his jacket were picking up all the dirt of the floor and becoming stained perhaps forever, but that was the least of his worries.

His current goal was reaching the other sidewalk where some small houses were spread in order to keep himself alive, at least he thought that was his best shot for now.

The world seemed to want to prove him wrong, a blaring shriek uncovered that his crawling plan wasn’t fool proof. Beside him a car had barely managed to stop on time not to impact against him.

For what felt like a couple of minutes all he could see were the blinding yellow lights, his body completely frozen and unwilling to react even when his mind screamed that he needed to move.

“Are you alright?” asked a robust man that had stepped outside of the car and kneeled in front of him. And the answer was no, he wasn’t alright, nobody was, hell was consuming every inch of that place and he had no time to spare, not even 48 hours because he might just not make it through another one.

He should thank the man for taking its time to check on him even when Seungmin himself wouldn’t have stepped down from the car if he saw such atrocities taking place, but all he could do was stand up and run with all of his might.

One blue fence looked like the best place to hide behind, not that much as he tried to climb it and ended up falling to the floor where plush grass met his back and elbows. Thankfully he hadn’t hit his head.

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he allowed his head to rest back atop the grass. In front of his eyes the sky had begun turning grey, the warning of yet another inconvenience waiting around the corner.

The unsuccessful attempt at climbing the fence had reminded him of that time he had tried to sneak to your house along with Jisung and Felix, who had planned to climb the fence of your backyard and then come inside from the back door that you would be waiting by.

Of course he had fallen to the floor just like now, grunting more loudly than he should’ve if your parents were asleep and unaware of their presence there —which they weren’t.

You had run towards him with a mocking grin on your face and told him, “you need to stop trying to be interesting because this is all you get from it. Just stick to your books and stay away from any physical activity.”

“Shut up,” he had scowled while sitting up, “I’m more athletic than you.”

“I apologize if I hurt your ego, mister star of the baseball team. But I’m pretty sure the fence did a better job at that than I could.” And he hated that you were right as much as he hated you and your stupidly pretty smile that would appear whenever you were amused.

Taking a deep breath he stood up with more determination than he had when he was in the middle of the main street. He had to make it there and tell you how he felt, even if it was the literal last thing that he managed to do.

He circled the small house and got out through the back door of the yard, taking special care of locking it afterwards, thinking of it as a favour he could do for the people that surely were inside that house facing the horror of the collective hysteria.

There was no time to waste, that was the only certainty that humankind had been given and so he resumed his running, pushing his tired legs to make the most of all of those years of being on the baseball team because that had to be worth something, right?

While running he had always allowed his mind to drift to wherever it pleased, especially back in high school on the early trainings where his coach would send them to run three laps around the school.

Right then and there his mind went back in time once again, this time to a similar instance to the one he underwent. It was in the middle of training when he had heard you had injured yourself and Jisung had taken you to the infirmary.

Of course the worried Felix forgot to mention that you had only twisted your ankle while going down the stairs, nothing more and nothing else. The days that followed he found himself wondering if he would have ran with such desperation if he had been aware of that detail or if he perhaps would’ve experienced the same need of having to see you.

He ran and ran, up the stairs and through the hallways where he had previously scolded people for doing so, but he didn’t care. He wouldn’t slow down until he saw you were alright; and when he finally made sure of it, it was his heart that would refuse to slow down.

After making sure you were okay he had waited by your side, cracking light hearted jokes and making fun of you for being so clumsy when in reality all that he wanted was to hold your hand and sigh loudly in relief. He was such a big idiot for not realising it sooner.

He had always been too scared, of you and especially of the things you made him feel that he couldn’t quite put into words; never knowing exactly how to act around you he had acted like an idiot on many occasions. Not that he was the only one at fault, you could be pretty rude too when you put your mind to it.

Just like at that party in your senior year of high school in which everyone had agreed to the genius idea of playing spin the bottle, which had ultimately resulted in the both of you cramped inside Jisung’s messy closet.

“We don’t have to do anything, in fact, I won’t even touch you so you don’t have to be worried,” he had told you, trying to avoid looking directly at your eyes that were too close for comfort.

“Just say that you’re a coward and stop trying to pretend you’re not doing anything to be a gentleman.” The tone of your voice was outright mocking and it made his blood boil with annoyance.

“I’m not a coward,” he retorted almost right away, “as a matter of fact I could kiss you right here and now but I won’t because you’re going to make a fuss just like you always do.”

What was it about the presence of the other that always made the both of you turn into childish idiots and take stupid decisions? He sincerely had no idea but it happened again after you spoke next. “You don’t have the guts to do it.”

“Watch me.”

The skin of your cheeks felt searing against his palms; your loud friends outside seemed to go silent as if they had a way of knowing he was leaning ever so slowly towards you.

Once he could feel your breath fanning over his lips he looked at your eyes, asking for permission despite his initial impulse of just proving you wrong. You nodded softly before closing your eyes and he finally did it, he kissed you like he had wanted to do since god knows when.

Your lips moved softly against his, warming up his chest and the now rosy skin of his cheeks. He wanted to stay there forever and kiss you until he had robbed you of every breath you could have but you pushed away before he had the chance to.

Confusion had been painted clearly on his face but you didn’t even seem to notice or you simply didn’t care as you pushed open the doors of the closet and loudly declared that the idea was so stupid that you wouldn’t go throught wiht it, that you didn’t want to kiss him not for seven minutes or seven seconds when all he wanted then was to kiss you forever.

Stupid Seungmin, stupid. He chanted in his head as he saw the building of your apartment come closer with every single one of his steps.

He should’ve kissed you more, asked you to prom, he should’ve insisted on hugging you a bit longer the last time you both saw each other, he should’ve told you he loved you, he needed to.

Upon entering the building on the outside of the city where you had decided to settle a year ago, he looked around only to find an eerie silence greeting him. The place wasn’t particularly lively, but this was a contrast that made him shiver.

He looked towards the elevator and quickly discarded that idea, he still remembered how he had to carry box after box up the stairs when you moved here because the elevator was “temporarily” out of order; what the landlord had forgotten to mention was that temporarily meant always for him.

You lived on the fifth floor which usually didn’t present much of an inconvenience but having run across the whole city he felt like his knees were about to give up and no amount of determination could push them to function any better. Nevertheless you were so close already that he couldn’t even think of giving up.

Kim Seungmin had never been one to quit easily nor one to let anxiety persuade him from going after he wanted, and so, mind set on staying true to himself and being well aware that he had nothing else to lose, he knocked on your door three times, just like he always used to.

A couple of minutes passed by until he heard a loud gasp behind the door before he saw you step outside into the hallway with a confused expression painting your beautiful face different from what he remembered.

Was it silly that he just wanted to see you smile?

“What are you doing h—” Your sentence was cut short by the sobs that escaped from in between his lips once he hugged you close to his chest.

He had made a recount of every moment he had spent with you, about every touch and every word you had ever exchanged and used it as a fuel to run away from the chaos that could’ve killed him and all he wanted was you.

Despite all the chaos, hysteria, despite the end of the world, he had run all the way there just because of you.

“I love you,” he said once he had calmed down and you had pulled him inside your apartment, “I love you so much and I was the biggest idiot in the world for not noticing sooner.”

With him your gaze was rarely as soft and comforting as the one you gave him now, with him things had always been complicated because both decided to play dumb, he knew that now.

Your hand travelled to brush his hair away from his face and ultimately to cup the left side of his face where a small scratch had slipped its way on his face on his way there. He melted into the touch and closed his eyes feeling a foreign pain begin taking over his chest.

“The world is ending and you ran all the way here?” you asked seemingly amused, though he couldn’t ignore the slightly worried undertone to your comment.

“I don’t care, I love you,” he whispered back, like a broken record, he believed himself only capable of repeating those three words over and over again.

“You’ve always been an idiot.” Your eyes were filled with tears as you hugged him and brought his head to rest on your shoulder. “But I love you too.”

He began crying once again, because he was terrified and amazingly regretful of not telling you before. But despite of the world falling apart, he finally had you.

[mtab2260]

Okay, I desperately need to rant about Apocalyptic Natasha Romanoff in this episode of What-If and I've decided to do it here over Reddit. Screw me.

First off...

Holy Fucking Shit! That was bloody AMAZING!

Second, I'm basically going to be explaining my excitement and jumping on the ceiling about each scene she was in, but also pointing out a few things as well.

(This feels like a Guardians of the Galaxy reference. No?)

I absolutely love this line because it says so much. In the main timeline, Steve had no clue about her Russian Vodka Family (as I've seen someone call it). In that timeline, I don't think she told anyone, not even Clint. But in Peggy's timeline, that Natasha clearly had to have opened up to Peggy which just shows how close those two had become during the year following the Battle of New York. Natasha Romanoff isn't an open person with anyone, in any timeline— even with Clint, the person she literally sacrificed herself for so he could live.

That says a million words I can't explain.

I also love the fact that the filter on Apocolypse Ultron World is dreary and it dulled out all the colour, and the sun's missing too. But in this shot, you can see hints of the sun shining through. It represents the hope Natasha saw when she saw them. The colour on Peggy's face and hair pop out. It automatically feels less dark and hopeless.

Also, I don't care what anyone might say this line is what sold Natasha that Peggy was an ally and that something was going on that she didn't yet understand. At the mention of Alexei, she just knew.

However... I must point out there are a few inaccuracies with this line. Actually, this entire line doesn't work.

Not really.

As because, up until ghosty Red-Skull said it on Vormir, Natasha had no clue what her birth father's name was and Peggy getting the serum instead of Steve wouldn't change that. So if she didn't know, there's no way she could tell Peggy.

And for the second part of that line... up until the events of Black Widow (the movie), Natasha was still lying to herself that their family in Ohio wasn't real— that it was just a mission and they were all just roles, nothing more.

But, I will say, maybe in that universe she and Peggy had a talk about it and Peggy make it clear she was a bloody numpty for thinking that and it was real regardless of the reason they were brought together. That could've happened in that universe. It's been made clear that those two traded stories with each other as her Nat knew about Steve, yet, main-timeline Nat didn't know about Peggy until she saw him staring at her photo. So who really knows.

But regardless, I still let out a jump of joy at this line because the What If series is letting the Russian Vodka Family be real!

Not that it wasn't real, but you get what I mean— anyways, onward!

This scene... oh my gawd... bloody-hell it's fucking terrific!

I cannot say how fucking overjoyed I am that when it came down to it, fucking Natasha Romanoff and bloody Clint Barton saved the entire bloody-fucking multiverse!

The (and I quote some random asshole) "Useless Avengers", saved everything ever known while also being the only survivors in an entire universe.

Let that sink in.

IT'S FUCKING AWESOME!

Like...

Holy Shit That's Awesome!

(I need more adjectives)

That's Bloody Insane.

I don't care how tacky they may be, I fricken loved these slow-mo arrow shots. And with the mirroring of Clint's (albeit fucking stupid) sacrifice coming full circle and to a close is outstanding.

Which brings me to my next point, that's kinda also this point too.

This point is part II we'll call it.

I

Am

So

Fucking

Happy

They

Didn't

Forget

About

What

Clint

Meant

To

Nat

And

Also

Just

Plainly

Forget

About

Clint

'Cause that would've sucked. I would've sued Marvel if that happened.

This scene. These two shots.

For someone who hides behind fake smiles and witty remarks, these shots show exactly what she's thinking at that moment and it's amazing. You can literally see the absolute peace on Nat's face that they did it, they ended Ultron, she avenged Clint's death, she avenged everyone's death, it was over. And hey look, Yelena, they didn't even need one of the big ones to do it!

But also look, see what I said about the filter— Natasha's hair actually looks fiery red instead of vibrant brown. Also, SUN!

Moving on...

I don't really have much to say about this line, but I fucking loved it, and serves the dude right.

She Has A Very Valid Point.

The pure amazement and life in Natasha's eyes and face is everything.

She saw everything she ever knew nuked and murdered because a robot spent five seconds on the internet and yet here she was now in a clusterfuck war full of life. Life that was at war with each other. But an alive war nonetheless and that's all she cares about at that moment.

Natasha and Clint being best buds part threeeeeeee........

On come on we all know what was going through Natasha's mind at this moment.

PAYBACK BIATCH!

Seriously I just love this short little bit. And the fact that Loki took over the world in a week, yet, this Natasha took him out with a kick and a small poke says things.

It's awesome.

As heartwarming as this scene was, I was hoping for more and truthfully it's a load of bullshit.

I don't care whatever the fuck Nick Fury has seen in his days, he did not know about the multiverse and if he wasn't happy as hell to see her on that Helicarrier then he was suspicious as hell as to who was this Natasha Romanoff imposter was. I'm sorry, I refuse to believe otherwise. No one's first thought after they've seen an alive version of someone they buried in the ground is—

"Oh, you must be Natasha just not my Natasha. Yeah, that makes sense."

Yeah, no.

Also... might I again remind you EVERYONE ON HER PLANET WAS FUCKING NUKED TO DEATH?! Did everyone seem to forget about this?

The first time we've seen Natasha Romanoff cry (almost cry) was Fury's death in The Winter Soldier. That's proof enough for how much Fury meant to her.

So the first person in like over a year (probably) she sees that she recognizes (besides Thor) who she also knew for a fact was dead— her reaction should've been more than a smirk. Especially if it was someone she cried over when they died. The line the two Natasha's share after Peggy's "I've got the shield. You've got the sword." line proves that different universes don't change a person's personality. So her seeing Fury again should've been a helluva lot more emotional for her, hell, for the both of them.

It probably should've gone something more like...

"Natasha...?" A very familiar voice behind her breathed. It wasn't one she's heard for over a year but she recognized it immediately. She froze— which was not a thing she did, ever, but it was only truly hitting her now that not everyone she knew was dead anymore. That the Steve Rogers over there was, in fact, alive. That the Nick Fury behind her was alive. That hundreds, millions, billions of other people were alive.

Natasha turned around slowly like her limbs were stuck in the gallons of maple syrup Cooper put on his pancakes.

"Fury—" She choked, honestly too overwhelmed to say anything else coherent. The tears in her eyes stung as she didn't let them fall.

Nick's one eye narrowed, he was pissed. "Who the hell are you?" He questioned, voice threatening. "I know you ain't Natasha Romanoff 'cause she's dead. So who are you?"

She was sure she just stared at his face probably for a full minute but she didn't really care. It was really nice to see and hear another face and voice.

Nat took a much-needed breath. "I know your Natasha is gone, the giant baby-man cape dude said so. I'm not her. I'm from somewhere else. But I am Natasha Romanoff... and it is really good to see you, Nick..."

Ah, shit the tears fell.

But maybe it was worth it as his eye widened and some form of recognition or some sliver of understanding set in. It was honestly hard to tell through her blurry eyes.

"You're aware none of that makes any sense, right?" He asked, voice much gentler now. Fury looked over her outfit and very dirty/beat-up appearance. "And I take it wherever you're from didn't have showers either? Because I can smell you from here." His nose wrinkled as he smirked.

She knew he was trying not to gag.

Natasha choked out a wet laugh. "Not for like a year, they kinda got all nuked from a psychopathic robot."

She was pretty sure that was the first time she'd ever seen Nick Fury actually shocked.

Okay, yeah so basically something like that.

And the reason I kept saying over a year is because Clint lost an arm and was honestly ready to die. He did die. After a year of being almost the only person on an entire planet and losing Laura and the kids, he hit his breaking point. In the five years of the blip he definitely became close to his breaking point, probably was about to hit it before Nat showed up, and that was with half the universe gone and he was alone without Nat. It could honestly be longer than a year, it probably was much longer, but then I started thinking about food and how much food would actually be safe to eat— or actually there. It was a matter of time really until both starved to death honestly.

And the shower thing, it's honestly impressive anyone could stand near here and not pass out. Like seriously if everyone is dead, I doubt any showers still worked— let alone be standing.

Anyways, I do have a couple problems with this episode despite how much I loved it.

Going back to the "EVERYONE ON HER PLANET WAS FUCKING NUKED TO DEATH?! Did everyone seem to forget about this?" part I mentioned earlier.

It seems no one outside of Nat actually seemed to acknowledge that everyone was dead. That Natasha, previous to their arrival, was the only living thing in that universe and that was it. You would think even Peggy would show some care or sympathy or some consoling words to her so-called BFF. If not that at least recognize the truly apocalyptic scene around her and look at it with disbelieving eyes. For someone who has so much compassion, she seems to have none in this case. Or at least she didn't outwardly show it. Which is completely fine. But it just bothered me no one seemed to really think about it all.

Another thing:

This isn't really towards the episode per-say but I'm just really fucking pissed about it.

It's great— no sorry— it's absolutely amazing that Apocalyptic Natasha is now in a universe that was thriving with life. It's awesome and she deserves it.

HOWEVER....

Are you fucking serious that out of all the universes that Natasha died in, you put her in a one that ALSO has a STILL DEAD Clint Barton???

SERIOUSLY?!??!?

I've said this what, three, four times now— Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton are more cursed than FitzSimmons. Because at least FitzSimmons always find their way back to each other in the end, Nat and Clint always just find the other fucking dead.

I swear, how the other doesn't have PTSD from heights now is a bloody miracle.

Anywho:

That's my entire rant on this week's episode. If you actually read this all, one, I'm so sorry for wasting your time, two, wow— congrats.

Also, I really need to see someone make a fic about Apocalyptic Nat seeing Laura and the kids for the first time again, and also for Coulson too.

[saharamae21]

Lilypad - Drew Starkey Imagine

Author: sguymon21

Summary: A request for Drew where the reader is pregnant and throughout their pregnancy he does bump updates and pregnancy updates for both you're families because they don't live in LA. Like her bump getting bigger, the weird cravings she's having, videos of the baby kicking, decorating the nursery, mood swings, parenting classes, and whatever else you can think of? REQUESTED

Word Count: 1.9K+

Warnings: None

__________________________________________________

When you found out you were pregnant, you were ecstatic. The only person who stood a chance of matching your excitement was Drew. You knew how much he wanted to start a family, so when the time finally came, he cried. He held you in his arms and placed his hands on your stomach. You knew he was going to be a fantastic father.

Month One

When Drew told you that he wanted to send your families monthly updates, you were completely on board. At one month, you lined up at the wall, chalkboard in hand, and had him take your side profile. You giggled as it felt like a mugshot. Nothing was noticeable yet in the photos, but you were definitely experiencing changes. The morning sickness was already to affect your everyday life and you became super sensitive to certain foods. Even the smell of coffee in the morning made you want to throw up, even though you normally needed a cup or two most days.

You sat on the couch and held your stomach. Even though your baby was only the size of a half grain of rice, they were fully controlling your every move. Drew sat down next to you and pulled you into his chest.

“Do you want a boy or a girl?” he muttered. You smiled, knowing what he wanted already. He wanted a little girl that he could spoil. You on the other hand wanted a boy. You wanted a mini Drew running around the place.

“Secret,” you mumbled. He chuckled at you as you closed your eyes. The fatigue set in, causing you to fall asleep in his arms. He watched the mother of his child with the most admiration possible and hoped that in a few months he would have a new girl to hold in his arms.

Month Two

The first month passed quickly and you found yourself in front of the wall again. You held up the blackboard that read two months and smiled for the camera. However, as soon as it was taken, your smile faded. You were exhausted and your hormones were going crazy. The doctors informed you that you had to severely limit your caffeine intake and withdrawal was setting in. Your head was constantly in agony and the nausea had somehow gotten worse throughout the past week.

Drew got home early from a shoot and looked around. Usually you were in the living room, but today the apartment was silent. He knew you didn’t have a doctors appointment and began to worry something was wrong. He opened the door to your guy’s bedroom and found you nestled in between the sheets. He smiled at your sleeping figure before crawling into bed.

You stirred awake and flickered your eyes open. Drew eyes met you and it filled your heart with warmth. All the sickness and fatigue was worth it when you saw the way he looked at you.

Month Three

The first sign of life appeared when you looked at the picture for month three. A small baby bump presented itself as you excitedly held up the blackboard. It wasn’t very big, but it was enough to make the both of you emotional. He held you from behind, his hands on your tummy. This was his new favorite position. He loved to have as much contact with your unborn baby as he could.

You laid on the floor of the apartment angry. Your emotions weren’t quite back in check and the crazings were starting to set in. All you wanted was peanut butter and tortilla shells, but you were out of peanut butter. You had asked Drew to grab some on the way home, but he was having a less than ideal day and said no. That put you in a mood and you haven't moved since. You wanted to have a stand off and wait until he caved and agreed to get it for you, but the baby was demanding food.

You forced yourself up to look in the cupboards, but nothing sounded good. Feeling emotional and defeated, you sat down on the kitchen floor and just began to cry. Minutes later, the door opened and Drew walked in. He heard you crying and knew that he should’ve had more patience with you. He walked in and crouched down in front of you, holding a new container of peanut butter out for you. You sniffled and looked up at him, knowing that if you two had a little girl, Drew would never be able to say no to her.

Month Four

You stood against the wall with a huge smile. Your stomach was continuing to grow every week and your excitement grew with it. You had begun to think of names for your child, but Drew and you had different tastes. Drew didn’t want to play into the whole celebrity child names, but you wanted something different. No child of yours would be named Jacob or Hannah.

You sat on the couch with the most energy you had in weeks. Drew slumped next to you, just in the mood to cuddle. You were in the mood for other things though. It was the first time in the past few months that your sex drive was back. You leaned over and pressed your lips to his neck, causing him to jump. He looked at you as your hand gripped his shirt. He looked at you wide eyed and told you politely that he didn’t want to. You stared at him, mouth agape.

“I-I just don’t wanna hurt the baby,” he said with the most innocent look on his face. You laughed at him and placed a soft kiss on his lips telling him that you loved him.

Month Five

You stood up as straight as you could, proud of the baby that was growing inside of you. You held up the sign and smiled as big as you could. Drew was running around the house for the past week, excitedly talking your ear off. You were supposed to find out the gender this week and he literally couldn’t wait. You two had finally settled on names and that made everything so real. If it was a girl, she would be Lilith. If it was a boy, he would be Jasper.

You sat in the doctor's office with Drew. His arm was slung over your shoulder as the doctor walked in. She smiled at you and told you that the baby was in wonderful condition. So far, there were no issues.

“So, would you like to know the sex?” she said.

We both said yes and you leaned your head on Drew’s shoulder. He had a hand placed on my baby bump and we waited as she looked at the file. She opened her mouth and Drew began to tear up. He kissed the top of my head as you wiped the tears away.

We were having a little girl.

Month Six

You stood against the wall and basically begged him to take the picture. Your legs were aching and you were gaining weight so quickly these days. You smiled as he took the picture, holding the sign like always. After it was done, you went and sat on the couch. Drew joined you shortly after, lifting your legs onto his lap to rub the cramps out of them. You closed your eyes and let him comfort you for the rest of the night.

You looked around the room and smiled. It was painted this muted yellow color and had accents of pink and white. A crib sat in the corner of the room and decorations were everywhere. It was really starting to come together. Drew pulled you in for a quick kiss as you stood in the center of the room. You felt the baby kick inside of you and smiled brightly. Drew had never been around when she was kicking. You grabbed his hand and placed it on your tummy. You watched his eyes go wide as he stared at you in awe.

“Our kid is pretty great, isn’t she?” he said. He loved her so much already.

Month Seven

You were getting pretty big by now. You stood by the wall and held the sign. Our families were getting so excited as we got closer and closer to the due date. They lived for your monthly updates. They also FaceTimed you guys weekly to make sure you felt perfect and so they could see what was changing. They loved being updated on my cravings and you health condition.

You laid on the couch, cuddled into Drew’s arms, as you talked to Jodi. You loved seeing how similar Drew and his mom were. She smiled and asked for a hint on the name we picked, but you had agreed not to tell anyone until after she was born. It was killing your parents.

When he finally hung up, you smiled at each other. The baby always kicked when we talked to our moms. Their voices triggered a happy reaction. He placed his hands there again and felt the movement. He placed a small little kiss on your belly.

“Hey, baby girl… It’s daddy,” he whispered. Then he said something that made you fall in love with him all over again. “I love you, my little lilypad.”

Month Eight

You took the picture for month eight and smiled. You were continuing to gain about a pound of weight a week. You knew we were on the home stretch and honestly, you just wanted my little girl to be here already. Drew took the picture and smiled at you. He was being especially sweet that past few days. He constantly praised you for carrying his child and it made your heart so happy.

We laid in bed together and you shifted in discomfort. The baby has been pressing up against your ribs lately and it was really uncomfortable. You felt Drew pull you into his arms and rubbed your back. You sniffled as your chest felt like it was tightening.

“Hey, shhhh…” he cooed in your ear. He placed small kisses all over your face. “I’m so proud of you. Just a little bit more and then we finally get to meet our little lilypad.”

He was right. One more month and Lilith would be right here in your arms.

Month Nine

We took the final pregnancy photo and jumped for joy. Our little princess would be with you guys in no time. He had gotten your hospital bag ready and the nursery was now finished. All of your friends and families were getting super excited to meet your little girl. Most days, you sat on the couch, on the phone with your moms. They both were planning their trips out here for after the baby was born.

It was about a week before our due date when my contractions began. You sat in bed and panicked as you tried to get a hold of Drew. Your eyes squinted as they became more frequent. Finally, he picked up and you told him you were going into labor. You stood up to grab the hospital bag as he told me he was leaving the gym, clearly in a state of shock. While you were hanging up, your water broke. That’s when it all became way too really.

About 7 hours later, you laid in the hospital bed with Drew. Your little girl was curled up in his arms and the way he stared at her made you melt. He teared up as she slept so peacefully in his arms.

“She’s so beautiful,” he said in a strained voice. He was holding in tears at the sight of our child. “Welcome home, lilypad. Mommy and daddy love you so much.”

______________________________________________

Tag List : @justcallmesams @jellyfishbeansontoast @prejudic3 @queenieloveswriting @jjtheangel @infinitydols @simpingforrudypankowonly @waywardbarbie @outerbankslut @outerbongs @ilovejjmaybank @beth-winchester21 @jiaraendgame @sunwardsss @talksopretty @bb-tings @teenwaywardasgardian @netflix-imagines @canibeoneofthepogues @raekenliar @judayyyw @jjpogueprincess @waywardbabie @casper17

Tagging a few more: @spilledtee @starlightstarkey @potterheadhollander @anonymous0writer @tomhardybby @diverdcwn

[wendimydarling]

Revenge

Title: Revenge

Summary: Walter gets revenge on his wife.

Pairing: Walter Marshall x First Person Reader 

Word Count: 1918 

Warnings: Nuthin’ but floof here! Oh, and some female nudity.

A/N: This story was inspired by drunk Tumblr! and the conversation between me, @hell1129-blog​, @yoursecretsmutblog​, and @ly--canthrope​ in the comments of this post here. Enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walter closed the door to the apartment, kicking off his shoes and tugging his sweater over his head. The day had been long and arduous, as most of his days were. He was looking forward to spending the evening with his girl. Who seemingly is nowhere to be found, he thought as he glanced around.

“Babe?”

“I’m in here!” he heard her reply. It sounded like it came from the bedroom. Walter traipsed down the hall and was met with the most beautiful sight he’d ever witnessed.

There she was, his siren wife, lying naked on their bed, her body on display for him. Her soft curves never ceased to arouse him; her beauty stealing his breath away, the matted shine of her olive skin hypnotizing him. But it wasn’t just her alluring glow that made him tremble. It was the fact that she had cuffed herself to the headboard and she was grinning at him profusely, already rubbing her legs against each other in anticipation.

“I found an extra set of your handcuffs when I threw a load in the wash,” she explained, biting her lip. “I hope you don’t mind.”

It was Walter’s turn to smile. How on earth had he gotten so lucky? He stripped off his remaining shirt and straddled his tiny wife.

~~~~~~~~

I’ve had such a bad day. I can’t wait to get home to you.

The text message had seared my heart. I swore to myself I’d make his day better somehow, so when I found his handcuffs while going through the laundry, an idea immediately came to mind. I hurried quickly through the chore and headed to the bedroom to get ready. Walter would be home soon.

Once I was satisfied with my hair and touched up my makeup, I made my way to the bed, hurriedly slipping out of my work clothes. I laid down and hooked one wrist with the cuffs, relishing the way the cold metal felt against my flushed skin. We’d used them before, and I would never tire of the solid, relaxing sensation that flooded my body the moment I was restrained. My lady bits were already dripping, and Walter wasn’t even home yet.

Or maybe he was. I heard his boots thud outside the front door so I hastily put my arms above my head and connected the other wrist in the cuffs, trapping myself. I didn’t have a key; the only way out now was Walter. I slunk down a little so that I was nice and stretched, feeling grounded and excited for what was in store.

“Babe?”

“I’m in here!” I called out to him, unable to keep myself from grinning as I pictured his reaction. I wasn’t disappointed; the look on his face as his jaw dropped three inches was worth everything. My pussy throbbed at how dark his eyes grew, and I pressed my legs together, fending her off.

“I found an extra set of your handcuffs when I threw a load in the wash,” I teased, biting my lip as I watched my husband swallow thickly. ‘I hope you don’t mind.”

Walter smiled slowly and I shivered as he took off his shirt, allowing me to see every muscle in that thick chest of his as he came over to the bed and climbed on top of my small frame. He grabbed a pillow and tucked it under my back before pressing his weight on my thighs and I was at once unable to move, my entire upper body deliciously arched and at his mercy. 

He leaned onto his elbows, his face hovering over me as his fingers brushed over my breasts. I squirmed a little, the light touch tickling softly. His smirk had taken on an evil hue and I gulped, suddenly uncertain about my life choices this evening.

“Do you remember,” He started, tracing circles around my nipples, “The surprise party you threw me for my birthday?”

Oh shit.

I tugged on the handcuffs at once, but I couldn’t move an inch. I looked into my husband’s eyes, pleading with him.

“Walter no, no no no this is not what I had in mind, don’t do this!”

“Do you remember the slideshow?” he asked, his fingers traveling up to my armpits, hovering over the exposed skin. 

“Walter pleeeease!”

“Do you remember how I said you’d pay for it?”

All I could do was whimper, squirming ineffectively underneath his large frame. 

“Welcome to my revenge, Sweetheart… thank you so much for offering it to me.”

“No Walter--fuck!!!” I squealed as his fingers started to dance over my sensitive hollows. He knows that it’s my worst place and Detective Marshall is a methodical man; he took care to tickle every exposed nerve beneath my arms. I laughed loudly, my inability to protect myself only further heightening the sensation as he tortured me freely.

I watched him through my laughter; his face was covered in joy, and I realized he was truly enjoying this. Whatever bad things had happened today, my suffering was erasing them from his mind. I figured I could take being tickled for a while, if only to see that happiness never leave my husband. 

Then again, maybe not. He switched from spidering to poking and I screamed, arching my back even further into the tickles. That seemed like the opposite of how I should have been responding, but my body was reacting of its own accord at this point.

“WALTER PLEASE!!! No mooohohore!!!”

He just shook his head, chuckling at my feeble attempt to beg. 

“You really think, after you embarrassed me with all those childhood photos, that I’m going to let you go after only five minutes? No my love, get comfortable. I’m going to tickle you all night.”

“NOOOOOO!” I wailed, the fingers switching tactics again. This time he was digging, and I was barely able to catch a breath before another long batch of laughter ripped through me. Walter sat up, and I knew what was coming next. I squirmed helplessly as the rest of my naked torso was exposed to his nimble fingers.

“Don’t you dare,” I warned futilely. 

“You’re not really in a position to be making demands,” he quipped, running those stupidly talented fingers up and down my sides. I kicked my legs futilely, or at least I tried to. I was unable to protect a single inch of my sensitive skin as ticklish sensations swarmed my body. Walter was laughing with me, egged on by my cries for him to stop. 

He finally settled on my ribs and my laughter hit a new peak as he began to vibrate his fingertips against each one. Digging in with fervor, my husband set out to discover every new place within my bones that would cause the loudest response. 

Just when I thought I couldn’t take another second Walter paused, spreading his large hands across my entire abdomen. I gasped for air, staring at his stupid grin as I pleaded with him for mercy.

“No more Walter, please… I can’t take it, I’m gonna die!”

“It’s just a little tickling,” he chided, grazing his fingertips over my belly to keep me tense. “So long as I let you breathe you won’t die. You’ll just wish you had.”

“Walteeeeeheher…” My moan turned into a chuckle as his fingers started to pick up the pace, spidering softly all over the sensitive flesh of my torso. I clacked the cuffs hard against the headboard, the only movement I was capable of to express my frustration. Walter just laughed and attacked my sides once more, causing me to scream anew. 

“Shhhh,” he warned me, “You’re going to make the neighbors think I’m murdering you.” 

“YOU ARE!!!!” I shot back, twisting the little I could to evade his attack. I lost that battle in less than a second, and my screams grew louder as he dipped a finger into my belly button. He clapped a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet. I saw an idea spring to life on his face as I laughed into his hand, and I watched in horror as he slowly lowered his head. 

I tried to bite him, tried to shake him off, but nothing I did could stop his descent toward my torso. Walter’s lips hovered an inch from my navel and he looked up at me as I glared at him, those icy blue eyes boring wickedly into my soul as he dramatically took a deep breath. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the hell that was about to ensue. 

Walter blew a raspberry straight into my core and suddenly the world ceased to exist. The only thing that existed was tickles. He blew raspberry after raspberry all over my sensitive belly, scrubbing his beard against my skin each time he took a breath. His hands returned to scrabbling rapidly over my armpits and I absolutely howled, tears rolling down my face as I could to do nothing but lay there and take it. 

“I’M SORRY!!!! I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY!!!” I screamed, face flushed red and desperate. Walter stopped tickling again and returned to his position of lying on top of me, his fingertips walking slowly up and down my armpits. It kept me giggling, but it was bearable.

“Sorry for what?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“For embarrassing you at the pa-HAR-ty,” I exclaimed.

“Good. Now admit you like this.”

“What the fuck, no I don’t!”

Walter just smiled knowingly.

“I could smell it halfway through, love… you’re soaked. Admit it, you got turned on by a little tickling.”

I shook my head. He wasn’t wrong, but I’d be damned if I gave him an excuse to do this again. Walter sighed.

“Alright, well I guess I’ll just have to keep tickling until you see reason.”

He started wiggling his fingers again and I gave in at once.

“NO NO NO OKAY! I’ll admit it I--” I swallowed thickly, sighing in defeat. “--I liked being tickled.”

“Well if you like it, I guess that’s no reason for me to stop,” Walter mused, reinstating his assault under my arms. I squealed.

“Oh god, Walter PLEASE STOP!” I begged, my lungs burning with the effort to breathe. He ran his hands up my arms, squeezing them gently as he kissed me. I moaned into his mouth, all at once ravenous to be taken. His lips found their way to my neck and I gasped, desire searing its way into my loins. I pulled at the cuffs, wanting to touch my husband and frustrated beyond words that I couldn’t. It seemed so unfair, seeing as though his hands were roaming my body freely. 

“Walter,” I groaned, writhing underneath his touch. “Please uncuff me.”

“No,” he mumbled against my collarbone, slipping his fingers into the slick between my legs.

“I intend to fuck you, just like this. And when I’m done,” Walter looked into my eyes with the most serious expression I’d ever seen, except for a tiny glint of humor in his eyes. The slightest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, one that made me shiver, and not in a good way. I knew that look. He leaned over and whispered in my ear the worst words I had ever heard in my life.

“When I’m done, I’m going to tickle you. All. Over. Again.”

I vowed then and there to hide any and all handcuffs that ever made their way into our apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fan Club: @littlefreya​ @sciapod​ @thiccgeralt​ @fucking-hell-cavill​ @brexrif​ @peakygroupie​ @viking-raider​ @constip8merm8​ @daniig95​ @elinalfrida​ @hell1129-blog​ @oddsnendsfanfics​ @agniavateira​ @dearlybelovedluke​ @sofiebstar​ @wanderinglunarnights​ @mary-ann84​ @nuns-and-roses​ @luclittlepond​ @thekingstachemademedoit​ @iloveyouyen​ @lestersglitterglue​ @funnygirlthatgab​ @wondersofdreaming​ @yoursecretsmutblog​ @valkavill​ @kevia1000 @trippedmetaldetector​ @lifeofrileyp​ @captaingothgirl1996​ @sasusakubae​ @princess-of-riviaa​ @vivodinson​ @paradisecitychild​ @stuckupstucky​ @speakerforthedead0-blog​

[mephiles-the-jester]

Thought of Dream being Ranboo's parent and humming Fallen Down when he was little, decided to write it.

.

.

"Hums of an Old Home" “Ranboo dreams of a past memory.”

1232 words - Posting it under cut as well Link to fic on ao3

Ranboo woke up to something new. He felt heavy, different. There was a weight, he couldn't tell what, but something made him feel like he was dizzy. Last thing he remembered was falling asleep with Steve. He was freaking out badly, he couldn't remember why. Philza helped him calm down though, taking him to Techno's house and letting Steve comfort him. Phil brought a blanket and lit the fireplace, and Ranboo fell asleep.

This was a dream, he knew it now. But he was oddly grounded here. It didn't feel fake or just a random nightmare. Ranboo finally noticed that this was a table he was sleeping at. His head was on a pillow, a very soft blanket on his back. Like he fell asleep here and someone just decided to make his sleep better instead of moving him. The blanket felt way too familiar, too detailed to be a simple product of his dream.

The wool of it smelled of cinnamon, a cozy air filled the whole room actually. It was soft, definitely hand-made. The patterns looked familiar, too. This was a memory, Ranboo was remembering something here. But he didn't know what. He knew it was a memory, but this was so disjointed from the rest of what he remembered, it was odd.

Ranboo sat up, grabbing the blanket and looking around. He set it on his shoulders and grabbed the pillow off the table, holding it to his chest and resting his head on it. This felt like home, even if he didn't recognize it. He saw a couch in the living room in front of him, it was made like a classic home for a family staying there with no plans to leave. There was a door on the right with a coat rack, on it was a dark green cloak and a smaller dark purple one next to it. Ranboo saw armour on a stand, moving his head, he saw a smaller set next to it, like it belonged to a little kid. No normal boots though, just enderman accessories.

The left there were stairs, beside that a door with a lock. Ranboo couldn't see the top of the stairs, though there was what looked to be a family photo on the place where it turned around to go on top of this floor's ceiling. He still couldn't tell much from it, all he saw was the hint that someone was holding a small enderman kid. He saw the tail, looking at his own.

That looked like his tail. This was his home. He started to see stuffed dolls in some places, even on the table he was at. This is when he was a kid, but he didn't know when. He didn't remember much as a child, he barely even remembered his parents. All he could gather was a somewhat motherly feeling. Someone walking him around dangerous places with the assurance that they would protect him no matter what, that they would never put him in danger and would always love him

Ranboo suddenly heard someone humming behind him. He looked back to see the kitchen, someone was there, singing a soft theme. Ranboo recognized it. It sounded so much more calming when he was hearing it now. It wasn't some weird and eerie tune here, it was just a song sung by a parent. Ranboo felt tired again, but not in the same way. He felt relaxed, he felt like he was actually home after a long day of playing outside.

The person, who seemed like his parent, was an enderman like him. They were an albino one though, a white and smaller version of what he would grow up to be as a regular enderman. Though they were already grown up, standing at 8ft tall with a few bands on their horns. The one of full lives on the ends of both and a fighting band with extra horns on both, the extra horns were netherite rather than diamond, upgraded to be stronger. Ranboo couldn't see if there was a marriage band, or if it said if they were still married or widowed.

They wore mainly black, a light green jacket tied around their waist and a white baking apron. Ranboo would sometimes see their hand, they had fingerless gloves on, a way too familiar drawn-on smile on the back. Ranboo felt his heart sink a bit as he started to put stuff together. But he didn't wake back up, he was stuck there noticing the mask strap under his hair and listening to the voice that was singing the soft tune.

This had to be a nightmare, some memory turned into a bad dream from his previously panicked state. That was it. Ranboo buried his face into the pillow, hoping that he would just wake up in Techno's place next to Steve the polar bear. Dream in prison and the idea that he was his child far away. The humming drifted off, Ranboo then heard Dream walk closer to him.

Then he felt a few taps on his head. He felt different. The weight was lifted and he was smaller. The size of a little enderman kid, face buried into the pillow and a large blanket covering him, just a small creature. Ranboo wanted to say he felt like he wasn't in control, but when he just pressed his face further into the pillow at the annoying yet playful taps at his head, he really did feel it was him.

"I know you're awake, Boo. Get up, I'm making your favourite tonight food, and I'll even let you help!" Dream said. His voice was soft, it was almost unnerving if Ranboo didn't feel so calmed by it. Dream called him a nickname, it was cute. Ranboo didn't move, a smile on his face, he was having fun apparently. Dream just sighed dramatically at his refusal to answer, "Guess you won't get pie tonight, maybe next month."

Ranboo then looked at Dream, a small screech coming out in protest. Dream just laughed, not an evil one like Ranboo had heard before, it was full of joy. There was even a wheeze in there, Ranboo did that, too. Ranboo then got to focus on what Dream looked like. He looked like an enderman, Ranboo looked like Dream actually. There were tear burns on Dream's face, they were faint though, like he hadn't actually cried in years. Ranboo wondered how old he was in this memory, if it said anything about Dream's burns. Ranboo wondered if they ever came back. His eyes as well, they weren't sharp like he thought they would be, they were soft, almost sad, but he looked like he got sleep at least.

"How was your nap, dear? Did you have any nightmares?" Dream asked. Hearing him be like this was strange. It was weird to hear that at one point, Dream sounded like this. Ranboo felt so happy in this memory, Dream was actually taking good care of him. What happened? "They've been happening less and less as you've told me, any last minute results with this month?"

Then Ranboo's own words surprised himself. Enough to take him out of the memory and give him an almost painful confusion when he wakes up.

"No nightmares, mom!" Little Ranboo said with a bright smile. Which was a nightmare itself to Ranboo now.

[airi-p4]

The brightest

Inspired by @ladyfreya123 ‘s lovely art: ‘Decoration’

AO3

_________________________

Decorating the house as Christmas Holidays approached had always been a need for Marinette. Like every year, the fashion designer would offer to help the Couffaines to decorate the Liberty, knowing Anarka’s decorations were kind of- eccentric. Skulls, ships in bottles, rusty pirate swords… and even Halloween pumpkins that still remained from said event. Marinette going to help her boyfriend’s family was almost as traditional as Christmas celebration itself.

While Juleka and Rose were busy decorating the deck, Luka helped Marinette find the ornaments boxes. Next to the still undecorated Christmas tree, Marinette opened the box her boyfriend just brought from belowdecks, and sat down in front of it to examine its insides. Her eyes lit up in excitement: lights, garlands, Christmas balls… everything they needed to decorate the ship. Luka sat in front of her, ready to obey any indication she may expect him to perfectly accomplish.

Marinette looked at Luka and the decorations, back and forth, and giggled, even if it seemed more like she actually wanted to hold her laugh. The action repeated a few times, and Luka tilted his head to look into the box, curious. ‘Is there something funny inside? ’ he wondered, but his attention soon returned to his girlfriend and the smile she couldn’t keep from widening. Pleased by the music of her giggling voice and her happy expression, Luka couldn’t help but smile fondly at his beloved girlfriend.

Memories of past Christmas, a few years ago, came to Luka’s mind. It was around Christmas too when they started dating. After sweet hot chocolate and cookies and a stupid excuse she found to kiss him - not that she really needed it - when he would have kissed her anytime she had asked. The kiss became kisses, and their friendship became growing love. A love that continued stronger than ever after 5 years together.

“Luka” Marinette called, calling for the attention of her distracted boyfriend.

“Yes-?” He snapped out of his happy memories.

Suddenly, taking him by surprise, Marinette approached and quickly passed one garland behind his neck. “Here!” she exclaimed, giggling again at his puzzled reaction. Luka blinked, confused. 'What's so funny? ' He wondered. “I’m going to give you some decorations… I’m going to decorate you!” she grinned, laughing at her own ideas.

Luka could only smile at her happy face as he wrapped her with the other end of the garland, mimicking her actions. She seemed to be enjoying herself, and that was more than enough for Luka to be happy. Listening to her laugh, and seeing her relaxed and entertained, happily giggling and hanging one Christmas ball in his ear could only spark joy in him. Luka didn’t mind it at all when she wrapped him in Christmas lights next, being part of her joy was enough for him, but he hung one of the ornaments on her ear- maybe looking for an excuse to keep her closer.

Looking at him one more time, Marinette exclaimed “Done!” the moment she turned the lights ornaments on, and the laugh she had been holding finally burst out. “Luka! You look so funny!” she said, catching her air in between her laugh. “Look!” she flipped her phone to show him a selfie of both of them she just took. "That’s our Christmas card for this year! You look perfect” she snorted, bursting out laughing again.

And Luka just smiled fondly, romantically- in love. He stared and listened. Because that was more than enough for him. That was everything he had ever wished for. Moments in which he could make Marinette smile, laugh, or just happy, in general. She was everything he had ever wanted. Days like that made his life full.

When she calmed down, she tugged the garland surrounding his neck in a playful manner, tickling his jawline. Her giggles never stopped, but he knew she felt slightly bad for laughing at him. Not that Luka minded- she probably knew that too.

“You’re so bright and shiny now! So cute! The brightest!” she grinned proudly.

Luka’s smile never disappeared when he let out a sigh- not that he was tired, but he was melting at her cuteness. Grabbing the other side of the garland, Luka momentarily distracted her, giving him enough time to lean in to kiss her lips, teasingly and playing along.

“Hey!” she complained, her smile intact on her face “that’s cheating!”.

The next thing Luka knew he was on the floor with Marinette on him playfully pinching his cheeks and sticking her tongue out between more silly giggles. And it was Luka’s turn to laugh along after stretching his arms to embrace her body closer and roll a bit on the floor so he was on her. Marinette blushed at his action, but she didn’t move away: she smiled- foolishly in love- and waited for Luka to kiss her again with her eyes closed, relaxed under his protective body.

But the kiss she awaited didn’t come, and she decided to take a peek, opening her eyes slowly... Only to find Luka smiling with his smartphone in his hand, showing her a photo he just took: a photo of her surrounded by the lights that were on him a moment ago.

“Hey!” she protested, sitting up again. “Erase this!”

“Don’t you want to be the brightest too, Marinette?” he asked, with a smirk- the smirk that never failed to make her blush.

“You’re already the brightest. I can’t compete with that!” she ruffled his hair, playfully.

“Don’t you want to be brightest? You are already the brightest for me, but it could be much more if you would-”

Marinette gasped at the sight in front of her: a little box with a ribbon and with a ring on it. She didn’t notice the lack of air in her lungs out of the surprise, eyes glowing in anticipation, hope and the purest love.

“I should have asked this years ago… I guess I didn’t want to scare you up when we were so young… but now? I don’t care about that anymore. I want you in my life for the rest of my days. Days like today, filled with little happiness and the beautiful songs that come with your voice every time you laugh. Days I just can’t put into words how grateful I am to have you by my side. Every day is perfect with you. Every day you make my day- my life- worth living. You’re the reason I wake up every day. For days like these- like today. Would you marry me and spend the rest of your days with me, Marinette?”

If anyone had entered the room at that moment, nobody would have believed Marinette had been stupidly laughing at him just five minutes ago when her face was now a crying mess. She fought hard to keep her snot from coming out her nose and making it even worse, and again, Luka was smiling. Because that was also part of the days she wanted to spend with Marinette forever.

“I- *sob* Yes *sob* I want to- *sob* I also want to spend the rest of my days with you, Luka!” She cried, jumping to his arms. “I thought you would make me ask you! *sob* I’ve been waiting for ages…”

And now her tears and snot were ruining his dark green shirt. But once again, he couldn't care less about it. He was grinning like an idiot, happily looking forward to the days to come with his future wife.

When she finally calmed down, Luka slid the ring onto her finger and gave her his most heartfelt kiss. A kiss they kept romantic because of the audience that formed around them, alerted by Marinette’s cry.

“Congrats!” “It was about time!” “Finally!”, Rose, Juleka, and Anarka congratulated them.

“See? Now you’re the brightest!” Luka winked, with a stupidly in love grin that refused to go from his face.

“You silly…!” she exclaimed, more teasingly than actually angry, before tackling him.

Luka laughed even louder holding her with everything he had to offer- a love vast as the sea. And that was too much. Marinette had fallen under his hypnotizing silly laugh and his blue eyes full of love. Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, she couldn’t resist the urge to kiss his future husband. “I love you” she whispered in his breath while she pulled him again and again until he was breathless.

And Luka never complained despite his need for air. His hand found its comfort on the back of her neck, combing her hair in the process, and showed his infinite love for her in his tenderly starry eyes. “I love you too" he whispered, pulling her in a heartfelt hug. "For the rest of my days”

[itsyourimagines]

Faithless || knj

Namjoon’s night - 1K words

Exactly 8 minutes and 36 seconds after his last text, Namjoon is pulling up outside the club. It’s just after one am and the whole street is thriving; people lining in their hundreds for a chance of entry into the handful of high end clubs, and Namjoon can feel the bass in his chest already.

He hops from the car, a mask and low-pulled baseball cap covering most of his face, and fends off the valet with a quick ‘I’ll just be a minute’. There’s no chance to question what you’ll do when you see him or what you’ll say. All he knows is that you need him, and he’ll be damned if he lets you down again.

Namjoon strolls straight through the doors, his getup the only invitation the doorman needs. The club is busy, but less than he expected. Large masses of grinding bodies coat the dancefloor, but most of the patrons are tucked away in luxurious VIP booths. Pulling his cap lower, Namjoon fights through the dancers and over to the bar. Each velvet barstool holds a beautiful woman in designer wear, but he spots you immediately. At the very end, pressed into the corner, he recognises the slope of you shoulders. The curve of your back. The tilt to your chin.

“Y/N” his voice is so soft you could have missed it; the visible tension winding through your body shows him you didn’t. He reaches out but you’re turning, and his hand falls back to his side. Your eyes meet his and just... stare. Your face lacks any emotion and he doesn’t think you’re even breathing.

Despite the time you’ve spent together over the last week, it’s like he’s seeing you again for the first time. He can actually see you. You’re just as breathtaking as he remembers. You’ve changed your makeup style, westernised it slightly. Your hair, though still falling half way down your back, is considerably shorter than it had been three years ago. He loved your hair, which is probably why you cut it. Namjoon opens his mouth to say something - anything - but there’s too many words that need to be spoken. Where does he even begin?

The corners of your mouth are dropping now, and your eyes are suddenly blown wide. Seeing him right now, like this, while you’re drunk and vulnerable is more than your heart can bare. As you desperately force back the tears, the emotion is already taking over. Your body heaves as it sobs and the relentless tears come quickly after. There, in the middle of a crowded A-list club, you cry for the life you once had with the man before you. He lets you - then, when you’re choking on your sobs, finally pulls you close and holds you tight.

“Let’s get you home.”

With you still tucked into his chest, Namjoon heads for the door. The night chill makes you shiver and clutch him closer, desperate to absorb his warmth. A foot from the car door, a camera flash punctures your view. You tense, anticipating the slew of flashes that always follow. But none come. The doorman is there, pushing the rogue paparazzo back, and Namjoon is moving again.

He folds you into the passenger seat with the genteel touch you’d once craved. He’s respectful in where his hands wander and as he leans over to buckle you in, you’re enveloped in his scent. It’s the same as it was back then: the cologne you always bought him, and a hint of vanilla. You think of the nights you’d spent together. The nights you’d spent pining for him, then loving him, then hating him. The last three years had been spent building yourself again, after he tore you down with his own hands. You thought you’d done it, you’d fixed yourself. But the last week had shown that you were simply patched up, duct taped back together (and badly). You weren’t whole again, and you never would be.

Namjoon slides into the car and pulls away from the excited crowds and neon lights. He stays silent for the journey, he can hear your soft cries and each sob eats away at him a little more. The journey passes quickly, and by the time he parks outside your home your crying has slowed to heavy breaths.

It takes Namjoon a moment to realise you’ve fallen asleep, but that’s no problem. He’s carried your sleeping body countless times before. He can do it again. And as he fights his way through your door and ascends the staircase, he can’t help but marvel at the perfect fit you are in his arms.

As he’s lowering you down to your bed you let out a soft ‘Joon’. He stills at the nickname, he thought he’d never hear you use it again. When he gathers the courage to look at you, your eyes are half open and your lips parted.

“Yes, baby?”

“Joon.” You whine again, and then you’re leaning up to close the gap. Your lips just barely brush before he’s pulling away and easing you back down into the pillow.

“Oh no, my moonlight. Don’t do anything you’ll regret tomorrow.”

But you’re already asleep, all heavy breaths and fluttering lashes - a vision he’d only dreamed of seeing again. As he stands, he catches sight of a frame on the corner desk. It’s a photo he knows well; he took it. You stand at the edge of a wooden bridge, a small temple building behind you. The pond beneath the bridge is alive with pale pink lotus flowers, and they match your blouse perfectly. Your long hair is slightly blown by a breeze, and a handful of cherry blossoms are caught falling. You’re laughing at something he’d said, something stupid, and your eyes are bright with joy. It was a perfect day. He keeps his own framed copy in his bedside drawer.

“I’m sorry. Oh god, I’m so sorry.” These words are his undoing. Much like you had done earlier, Namjoon sheds his tears for the woman he’d broken. He places a soft, if slightly wet, kiss to your forehead and whispers his apologies into your soft hair.

Then he leaves, hoping that you’ll remember it all in the morning.

Part 14: out out

- Y/N left Korea and her idol life behind for a reason - a big one. Now, three years later, she’s living her best life in LA with her two closest friends and the best fans she could wish for. Until that reason comes crashing back into her life. Will she give in? Or has she truly moved on?

Previous - Masterlist - Next

AN: Its been 5 years and a day since I uploaded written content to this blog... and I’ve done a whole ass creative writing degree since then. So I hope my writing has actually improved 🥴 Also, Y/N where is your autocorrect?

Taglist: @bbyjoonies @agustdpeach @tiddieshakeshownu @ambersaesthetics @igotarmyofarohas

[normiewrites]

happy birthday katsuki! despite it being such a joyous occasion, i wrote something pretty down in the dumps. i dont wanna explain the plot and hope you all understand it, or not, doesnt matter as long as it made u feel something cause i felt nothing writing this. i tried making it more realistic than fiction and im pretty proud of it.

prompt was taken from @daily-prompts

thanks for beta reading @savnofilter @kingtamakimurder !

other tags: @mci-writing @lady-bakuhoe @mutantjournalist @assortedanime

warning(s): its kinda depressing, angst, smut, fwb, drugs (not too much)

‘when is it ok to steal something?’ - bakugo katsuki x (fem)reader

you didn’t know when you started noticing it all. but you did, whether you liked it or not. the way that the newspaper cut outs would hang lazily off his dull yellow walls, the gravity forcing them to bend over like worshipers. or the way that the green big grenades on his desk were more roughed up than you were with the drugs in your system. or the way that his left calloused hand was always so tightly held onto your waist, leaving bruises for the next day as memories, while his right robotic one barely ghosted your skin, as if he was trying not to accept the truth. 

but the biggest thing you noticed was how empty everything was inside of him. you believed that you didn’t have any choice but to notice these things, because you were constantly only being fucked doggy style, never to face him and only the blank sheets beneath you. or maybe because it was to distract you from the cold droplets of water that would rain onto your back in small amounts. he always cried and maybe that’s why he never wanted you to face him, to never see how his tears pulled out his broken soul for you to see.

it was always like this, and each time, you would never get closer. you’d meet him in the parking lot near your apartment. it was a big and lonely parking lot, the streetlamps barely working as they flicked on and off, like the universe was sending you a morse code. he would always be ten minutes late no matter what time you would reach. maybe it was because he wanted to guarantee your existence, to know that you’ll be there waiting for him, like he was scared that if he showed his eagerness, it would make you run away.

was he even eager to ever meet you? you wouldn’t really care, not because he was a good fuck and gave good prices for your drugs, but because you couldn’t. he was always a mirage, there for you to see but not touch and despite how hard he would rut his hips against your ass, he could never be close enough to capture.

there was never any time for ‘talking’. he always got straight to the point once he picked you up. smoking a few blunts in his living room before taking off both of your clothes and proceeding to his bedroom. neither of you would ever mutter a word yet you both knew what each other wanted. it was a ritual now. you always picked the easiest clothes to take off, not even bothering to wear a bra, and he liked it that way. most boys would, they’d find it hot and alluring, always aroused with how you planned to get down. but bakugo liked it because it meant he would spend less time close to you. it would mean he would have to use his prosthetic arm less.

you felt like you knew nothing about him. or maybe you knew too much to be true. the news paper cut outs would be all about the pro-heroes’ stories. deku, uravity, red riot, grand and many more. but most of them were about all-might. at first, you would’ve thought that he was just a fan boy and loved to keep track on the hero society. but the more times you came over and looked at them, the more you realised that they were pinned up so wrong. they were hung with sorrow and regret, pins in the wrong positions like he was playing darts while drunk. why did he do that? why did he pin them up with more pain than joy? was he actually drunk or was his past controlling his future?

it was amusing to you, the way he would make you feel so good and satisfied yet so lost and yearning. you weren’t even yearning something for yourself, rather for him. no matter how hard or how longed you yearned, you could never understand what it was for, and neither did he. of course, you never asked him about it, because the first few times you did, either you were told to leave or he would just straight up ignore you.

however, this night was different. you were going to hold your ground against him and find out the truth, because while it felt so good to be filled by his warm actions, it was all so empty and felt like there was no purpose as time went on. maybe this new found confidence was due to having the pro-hero deku walk by you on the street during patrol, or maybe because you wanted to desperately know what was on the photo frame that he always put down before giving into your urges.

“katsuki!” you moaned softly, moaning as he pressed a searing hot kiss against your neck, smoke gliding out of his mouth and tickling your chin as his hands massaged your ass.

you had gotten to the use of the cold metal of his prosthetic hand against your skin, in fact you found it slightly pleasing of the contrast in temperatures of both of his hands. maybe that’s why he kept you around; you were the only one who accepted him like that without questioning it. you couldn’t care to question it, you were a quirkless girl in a quirk filled world, nothing was shocking anymore. besides, you found it kind of cool. if only you knew how cursing it was.

the night was hot and urgent, the both of you were tearing each other’s clothes as you sat atop his lap on the sofa in the living room. the cheap material of the sofa dug into your knees as you grinded against his hard and restrained boner, moaning against his cheek, not caring for the sweat that accumulated on his forehead. you both had never kissed. it was one of the two rules that he had put from his side. no kissing, and no facing him. you had respected them as he respected yours, but the time you both spent together wanted you to be a rebel and break down those walls.

you giggled softly, the feeling of your high running through your body like silk on freshly shaven skin overriding your usual thoughts and stresses as you heard the familiar tear of your panties, a rough mark being left behind on your skin.

“you’re giving me the next 10 grams free, that was expensive, katsuki” you whispered, tugging on his hair as he growled softly at your name, leaving rough kisses against your collarbone and breasts.

katsuki liked having you around. you didn’t talk too much, didn’t question the mess of his room and silently adored his prosthetic arm, no matter how much he hated it. you were simple and not demanding yet you could pull out so many explicit moans from him. but the most important part is that you didn’t push about the tears that always seemed to find their way onto your bare back. you were comforting, almost too comforting that at times it alarmed the scared animal in his heart.

after sharing a few more rounds of blunts and hickeys, you felt the familiar nudge of his arms, his signal to tell you to go on all fours, never to face him for the rest of the night. but something inside of you stirred up, almost like you were being controlled from an outside force. you found your hands pinning his against the backrest of the sofa, a confused look shooting through his red eyes, his blonde eyebrows furrowing underneath his matching hair.

he moved to speak up but you cut him off, “please, just for tonight. i promise, i won’t judge, just please.”

you didn’t realise you were closing your eyes tight until you saw the sudden intrusion of red and blonde in your vision once his gruff answer snapped them open.

“why?”

least to say, bakugo was nervous. he had never felt this nervous since his surgery day. he couldn’t even believe you made him nervous, it was so stupid to him. his younger self wouldn’t be as nauseous as he is now, but then again, lots had changed and he wasn’t like him anymore.

“your face is just so pretty, i wonder how much prettier it gets with tears falling down” you muttered, holding his face in your palms as your thumbs brushed his cheekbones.

you were so close to him, much to close for his liking. well at first, it was too close, but he soon recognized the spike in his heart was the fact that he was exhilarated by your statement. he knew that you knew he cried, and he felt too ashamed to show you. but there was no hiding now, there was no point.

despite the soft blush that adorned his cheeks and the furrowing of his brows, he kept his face the same. it was like he had the inability to change his face, like he was wearing those clay face masks that would restrict movement. it was the expression of when you get laid-off from a job that you worked so hard for and was praised by your bosses for.

you nearly thought that you ruined the night as he backed his face out of your hands, his eyes looking elsewhere. now it was your turn to be nervous. the air was so still, unlike his red eyes as they tried to look for something to lock onto, to anchor him and help him make his decision.

“fine” was all you heard before you felt him lift you up slightly, aiding him and standing on your knees as he shifted his sweatpants and boxers down, his eyes still not on yours.

you couldn’t comprehend what happened, not only because of how surprising his reaction was, but because of how less time he gave you before slipping his cock into your wet hole. the action was so simple yet so satisfying, just like you.

“katsuki!” you moaned loudly, your fingers going over the small scars that littered around his undercut till they reached his blonde top, pulling on them.

it was hot and desperate, the way that he would quickly get to work on your nipples as he would thrust up into you and how you would roll against his hips, tugging on his hair and nipping on his ears. you fully understood how much you had been missing out on, how close it finally felt. the way that his arms would snake up against your back, pulling your chest closer to his face, even managing to angle his cock deeper. there was just one bridge left to cross and it was the man himself below you.

he was thankful for how loud your moans were to cover up his sniffles, and it was an odd feeling as his cold tears raced down your chest to your belly rather than on your back. and like before, you weren’t going to ignore this.

and like before, it didn’t feel like they were your actions as you had tugged his face up, connecting his lips to yours before he could say anything to stray you away. his lips were chapped and motionless against yours and you tasted the saltiness of his tears that had reached the cavern. it was so hot yet empty, just like him.

“what the fuck, y/n?” he asked, the nature of the words contrasting from how soft his voice was and how tired his eyes looked.

neither of you noticed how both of you stopped, the lust gone just like the rules that you had broken. if you could describe his face in terms of a colour, it would be grey. it was so sullen, tear marked and conflicting, just like thunderstorms.

“who are you, bakugo katsuki?” you asked, hands gracing his bare collarbones as you searched his face for answers. but it wasn’t like you were going to find any, because there weren’t any. hopefully one day though, you could make some for him, or at least he hoped that.

he completely ignored your question, sighing softly as he rested his forehead on your chest, not bothering to clear up his eyes.

“tell me, y/n, when is it okay to steal something?”

when was it okay to steal something? maybe it was okay when people got what they wanted through injustice manners. or maybe if it was something needed for an emergency, of course not that the cost of others. but then again what was stealing? poets would call it love, judges would call it a crime, thieves would call it a life.

you had so many answers that you didn’t want to say any, because what if the other was a better choice? so you stayed quiet, letting him fill the silence this time.

“tell me, y/n, when was it okay to steal my parents? when was it okay to steal my arm? when was it okay to steal my fucking life?”

the pain that rippled through your body was enough to ignore the snot and the buckets of tears that fell down your chest. in fact, it was too much, making your own eyes water, your hands instinctively rubbing his warm and firm back. who was he? the answer was too broad. too complicated. too scarring. it was all about him and nothing about him.

you didn’t mind the way that he gripped your arms, because the bruises would be nothing compared to what he went through. so, you pulled him close to you, letting him shake against you and cry against your neck.

bakugo didn’t know why he was opening up to someone like you. you both were just supposed to be fuck buddies, nothing else, and yet you had broken him down, and he fell voluntarily. maybe it was because of your quirklessness, or how observant and patient you were with him. but like many other unknown answers that night, it couldn’t matter to him, because you understood or at least wanted to. he needed you.

he needed a reason to live again.

[inctlife]

when wayv know they wanted to marry you

kun:

so,,, things had been kinda rough for kun :( like he was practising 24/7 and he was also on a pretty strict diet so he was just physically and mentally EXHAUSTED and like there’d just been a really tiring day at practise and all the boys started to go home, but kun was like ‘nah i’m gonna stay’

ANd tHen after like 4 hours (it was late at this point,, like almost midnight??) and he came home and there was just an overwhelming smell of delicious food and he could hear the boys laughing and talking lovingly and when he walked in he saw that you had made dinner for the members and now were talking about their day while you stroked xiaojun’s hair to help him sleep and kun almost started crying

like where tf else would he find someone that loves him AND cares for his members THIS MUCH dude

and that night you left after having lots of kisses from ur bf and kun brought it up to the boys and they were all cheering and were just so supportive :(

ten:

sO,, ten and winwin were doing this new extravagant dance like they do and they were adding So Many New Parts to Impress The Fans but !!! dundun!! while doing a funky jump turn thing ten fell and landed STRAIGHT on his injured knee

he was in AGONY,, like screaming and tears AGONY and winwin calls an ambulance and then calls you because he doesnt know what else to do lol and you’re like ‘wHAT’ because that’s ur baby and he’s in AGONY

so you get the hospital and you see ten waiting with winwin and he’s in a wheelchair bent over and clutching his knee and when he sees you he almost cries and is like ‘my love!!! help!!!’ and you just walk over and slap him round the head

winwin is shook tbh,, like proper :O,, but ten just starts laughing and his heart swells as you start pouring out complaints and nagging him about his safety bc he knew he’s been injured before!! what makes him think it wouldnt happen this time!! and he just smiles and thinks ‘i have to marry this person’

winwin:

so y’all were invited to kun’s wedding (ofc?) and you had been invited to be kun’s wife’s bridesmaid!!! you and ten’s and lucas’s girlfriends!! and so, you and winwin (after eating breakfast together) didnt see each other for the whole morning as you were rushed off to kun’s wife’s room to get ready and the boys stayed with kun

and you had your hair and makeup done and you got into your bridesmaids dress and you were a bit pouty because ??look how fucking beautiful the rest of these girls are???? and you wanted to get married and wear a vale!!!!

finaLLY it came time for kun’s wife to walk down the aisle, and you were walking with lucas’s girlfriend behind the bride and while kun had his moment,, so did winwin.

his jaw just dropped, but you didn’t even notice because you were giggling (and tearing up) at kun’s reaction to his wife but what you didnt even know!! ur fucking boyfriend was sat there wiping subtle tears away because he KNOWS now, he’s gonna marry you.

lucas:

sO. your boy. the visual KING that he is. was invited to another one of these foreign fashion events and he was like ‘alright ig🤪🤪’ and you went with him cause they were offering him a +1 and free holiday?? yes please???? but what you Did Not sign up for was being at lucas’s hip through all these events????????????

so NeWay, yeah you had to do that. and lucas was pretty nervous because he will just never get over the shock of being invited to something big like this, but this time he was just slightly less nervous because ur by his side🥺

but. in true xuxi/yukhei/lucas fashion. he does something a lil embarrassing :(,, and as he slowly starts to realise what’s just happened (you being on exactly the same wavelength) he gets a lil red in the face and you just thunk ‘fuck it’ and do the same thing so he is nOT ALONE. it’s US. in this shit for the RIDE OR DIE.

and lucas is shocked but as the two of you start giggling literally everyone else in the room disappears and he just thinks ‘i can’t wait to marry her’🥺

xiaojun:

sO,, you and dejun had been together for a WHILE, like i mean a full hot minute,, but he’d always been kinda secretive about his family?? like you’d met them several times but both they and dejun never told you anything much about them??? and you just kinda let it slide cause there was obviously smth that he didnt want you knowing and you werent about to poke

and THEN,, one day,, you’re in dejun’s hometown and he’s like ‘get dressed nice and pretty! going to a concert’ and you’re like ‘WOOO!! LETS GO’ and you get dressed up and you and xiaojun walk to this kinda small venue and get drinks and shit and xiaojun’s looking kinda nervous?? so ur like ‘babe its okay,, i’m sure i’ll enjoy it’

and then!! the person comes on stage and you realise it’s a drag act,, very entertaining!! and then, after looking closer,, you realised it was dejun’s dad, as in,, the one you’ve had dinner with MULTIPLE TIMES and you just turned to ur boyfriend and were like ‘your dad!!!!!!’ and he smiled because you looked so excited!!!!

and dejun almost cried because you were so supportive and that was the one thing for him bc if you didnt support his dad’s career than this would not have worked and for him this was like something in his heart just going ‘she’s the one!!’

hendery:

so similar to xiaojun,, for hendery family was really important!! not that he was hiding anything about them? but you’d only met his family a couple of times and never all together, so when kunhang invited you to come to his mum’s birthday where EVERYONE was gonna be there,,, you were highkey nervous

but so was he lmao he aint gonna lie.. so!! you two flew out to macau a couple days before her birthday so you could settled and the first thing that happened was his sisters wanted to take you guys out for dinner!!! and you went to quite a posh restaurant,, cause that’s the kinda family they are😎 so you were kinda bricking it,, but at the same time the food was GOOD and kunhang’s hand stayed on your knee the WHOLE time

not that he needed that though because his sisters LOVED YOU like he literally got pushed to hang out with his sisters’ boyfriends bc you and his sisters were all gossiping so much and then when you finished your meal you went and had a little photoshoot under the moon and the pretty city lights and later that night as you were asleep next to him,, kunhang looked back over the photos and was just like “wow. my love”

and that was IT he decided RIGHT THERE to marry you.

yangyang:

so you and yangyang had recently moved in with each other,, him finally being the last one to move out the shitty dorm,, and so this was only around the 2nd week that he was coming home from practise to you and your dog and your two cats!!!

when he walked through the door, your dog, finneas, ran up to yangyang and was all happy like dogs are and yangyang was happy too!! and he could smell the dinner that was ready but you weren’t in the living room like you normally were and instead,, yangyang heard your proper, real, ugly laugh coming from the bedroom and he ran over and was like ‘i am home!!!’

and you were laying on the bed, practically in tears and he was like ‘what’s so funny😂😂’ cause he’s like that. and you were like ROLLING AROUND but when yangyang got over to you,, it was a tiktok of someone reacting to a comment that said ‘hi peepeehead’ but you know? he had to laugh because that shit was making you SCREAM and that alone was funny to him

and he just couldnt help but wonder how much more joy you’d bring him,, and he was not about to be left with any regrets😤,, took his boys and bought himself a ring the next week

[bandaigaeru]

19 - han jisung

synopsis: when you turn nineteen, the first words your soulmate says to you appear on your wrist. you all know that tiktok trend. word count: 6.8k

i.

You gawk at the blank canvas of your wrist. Soon, words would fill the skin and thus seal your fate.

It's common folklore that in the early ages, two Greek Gods by the names of Aphrodite and Ares were sent to Earth. They traveled the land until they came across two mortals. An old married couple living on a farm just outside of today's Patras. Aphrodite was known for enticing people into conversations with her beauty. Over time, the topic drifted to the pair's longlasting marriage as Aphrodite airily asked, "How did you know you were meant to be?"

The elderly duo shared a look attended by small smiles. The man spoke, "We don't truly know, but the feelings in our hearts lead us to believe we are."

Aphrodite was shocked. Something as pure and sacred as love was being tossed around by the mortal world. So, she looked at her husband and ordered him to contact his parents (who were widely seen as the monarchs of the Olympians). After a long argument, Ares managed to pull through. He had convinced his mother, Hera, to pull some strings. From that moment forward, mortals' wrists would be tainted with the first words that their loved ones say to them, but only after the mortal reaches the legal age.

However, this deal would only happen under one condition. Wars and violence would become common among the mortals to counteract the joy that comes with easily finding a lover. Ares took this feat with joy. He made his wife happy while simultaneously becoming the god of war.

Or at least that's what we think happened.

"Y/N? You in there?" the boy across the table waves a hand in front of your face.

Glancing up, you offer a meek smile. "Yeah. Sorry."

"Are you thinking about the words again?" he asks, leaning forward.

He rests his forearms against the cafe's table for a moment before reaching out for your hands. For a moment he just holds them. But then he brings them to his lips and kisses your knuckles. In a low voice, he states assertively, "We're in this for the long haul, babe. It's you and I 'til the end. Remember?"

You smile, butterflies clashing against the caves of your stomach. "Of course. Y/N and Hyunjin until the very end."

You retract your hands to bring the straw to your lips. The boy ahead of you simply watches your motions with heart eyes. When he had turned nineteen, he refused to look at the words. He wanted to wait for you. And now, a little less than two weeks separate you from the ultimate conclusion. Even though he was confident you were the one, thoughts at the back of your mind nag the dreaded possibility.

You look over to the road beside the cafe. Through the window, a teenage girl walks her small dog. Beyond that, a traffic jam sheathes the road with cars.

"Hey, um, Changbin and I were thinking about throwing a party for your birthday. Are you up for that?" Hyunjin slips his phone out of his pocket.

As he's unlocking it, you reply, "Yeah that sounds fun. Who all are you going to invite?"

"The boys and whichever friends you want me to," he pushes his phone towards you. It's displaying an empty note page. He continues, "Just put whoever you want."

You adjust the device in your palms before typing out the list of friends you wanted to celebrate with. Kijeong never fails to serve for a good party. Doyoung has connections to getting expensive alcohol. Momo always brings Japanese candies. And so on.

When you slide the phone across the matte tablecloth, Hyunjin marvels at the list. "How do you know this many people?"

"There's only like ten people," you giggle. Then, you tap your finger on your chin and ask, "Don't you know over a hundred?"

As if you had hit a soft spot, he winces back dramatically. "No! It's more like eighty-nine."

A giggle bubbles up from your core and you feel at peace. For once, you weren't stressing over those stupid words. Hyunjin has that effect on you. He could probably distract you from WWIII if it ever happened. And for that, he has to be your soulmate. He just has to.

ii.

Hyunjin had gone out of town on a school trip, leaving you in Seoul with nothing to do but sit around and read heartfelt testimonies of others' first words. One had mentioned that the couple had been dating for barely a week before the words appeared. And then, when they found out that they were dating their soulmate, they got married spontaneously in Las Vegas. Like from a rom-com.

You wanted to be the main character of a rom-com too.

A knock sounded from the other side of your door. Quickly closing the tab and opening your homework, you shout, "Come in!"

Your mother peaks her head in with a drastic bright smile. "Hey there, sweet thang."

"Hi, mom," you chuckle at her goofiness. She enters the room with your dog, Fluffy, trailing close behind.

"I just came in here to talk about the whole nineteen shebang," she sighs, folding her leg under her as she takes a seat at the foot of your bed.

You sit up, adjusting your pillow behind your back. Her smile fades as she begins, slightly hesitant, "Do you have a plan for if it's not Hyunjin?"

"What?" your eyebrows twist. You pick at the corner of your laptop with your nails.

"I'm not saying that he won't be, but have you considered all the outcomes?"

"No, but I don't have to. I know it's him," you shake your head. And suddenly, the doubts come flooding in again. A lot of the stories you've read show a common denominator. A couple that has been dating for a while becoming heartbroken when they've realized what they felt wasn't true love.

Your mother presses her lips into a fine line before glancing down at Fluffy for reassurance. He stares up at her with a smile, tongue hanging from his mouth carelessly. As she releases a heavy breath that seemed to weigh down the rest of the room, she announces, "Whatever happens, just know me and your dad will always be here for you. We love you, Y/N."

Tears begin to pool in your eyes. Stumbling over your words you manage to push out, "I-I love you too, Mom."

Patting the bed, she pushes herself up. "Then I'll leave you to it. Do you want me to take Fluffy?"

You shake your head, "No, leave him here."

She gently sets the Pomsky on your bed. You open your arms to the dog and he barrels towards you. Your mother closes the door on the way out, leaving you alone with the heartbreaking thoughts and a dog to cry into.

Fresh tears fall onto the dog's fur and he curiously looks up at you. He cocks his head to the side and whimpers. In an attempt to stop the mysterious liquid, he licks at your cheeks.

"Fluffy," you sob with an unstable voice as you hug him tightly. "what am I gonna do?"

Outside the door, your mother stands. A hand is covering her mouth to muffle the cries of her own. The buildup of your childhood is reaching a standstill in a week's time. You would be free to make your own decisions and what would your mother have left to do? It was time for you to leave her shelter.

Quivering, your mother lets her hand fall to her side. She has to be strong for you right now. One of your biggest moments is approaching. Sadness cannot deter her support. Although tears are still slipping from her eyes, she straightens her posture and advances down the hall.

iii.

Kijeong sits at your mirror with a glow in her eyes. It had been months since she had gone to a good, unforgettable party. The goosebumps trailing down her legs are a sign it's going to be good, she claims.

But you think it's because your dad cranked the AC up.

"Wear the skirt and the sweater," Kijeong advises. She brings her Starbucks to her mouth, contorting her lips in a funky way so that she doesn't ruin her red lipstick.

You glance down at the outfit she had chosen. It's a fuzzy lavender sweater and a high-waisted black skirt.

"It's cold outside," you protest, looking back at her.

She looks at you as if you've dethroned Beyonce and put Kanye in her place. "Is the party outside? No. Put the outfit on. We're gonna be late."

"Fine, dear party master," you mumble.

You retreat to the bathroom to change. As you're tugging the sweater over your body, you look in the mirror. Huffing, you stomp back to your room. "I look like a psycho Furby that just escaped the asylum."

Kijeong rolls her eyes as she stands from the comfort cave of your bed. She advances to you, tucking your sweater in. "Now you look like a Furby hooker who I'd gladly fuck given the chance."

"My legs feel naked," you cross your legs and ball your fists to hold the skirt down.

"Then put on some fishnets," Kijeong rummages through your closet. She huffs, blindly sweeping her hand on the overhead shelf. Humming in content, she tosses the leggings at you.

You can't win with the party girl.

Barely ten minutes later, you're stepping out of your house with your mother hanging in the door frame. "Be careful. Text me as soon as you find out!"

"Of course," you shout back at her reassuringly as you're climbing into the passenger seat of Kijeong's black Toyota Corolla.

Upon startup, the radio is blaring rap music in a language you're unfamiliar with. She bumps her head to the beat as she pulls onto the road. You stare down at the wallpaper of your phone. It's a photo of you and Hyunjin on your first date to the movie theaters. His head is on your shoulder and his hand is squeezing your cheeks. He looks up at you with those loving eyes and a simper.

Rolling down the volume, Kijeong glances over at you. She nibbles on the inside of her cheek before saying, "I know this is stressful for you, but just live through tonight as if we were partying under normal circumstances. It sounds like shitty advice, but trust me."

Though your shoulders are still weighed down with stress, you smile. "Thanks, Ki."

"I'll stick around you for the whole night if you need me to. And that's saying a lot. Doyoung's bringing wine from the Iberian peninsula and I want that shit," she lightens the mood.

You stifle a laugh. "I can handle it. You go drink that expensive shit."

Kijeong maintains the glimmer of a smile on her lips until she pulls up to Changbin's house. It wasn't necessarily a mansion, Changbin always claimed. In the flesh, however, the truth unveiled a different story.

"Holy shit," you marvel, looking up at the intricately carved pillars.

At the front door, Hyunjin is there to welcome you. He holds a red solo cup as he's welcoming you with a hug. When you finally pull away, he offers it to you.

"What is it?" you inquire.

"Some kind of fancy wine Doyoung brought," he informs, peeking into the cup as if to examine the dark liquid.

Kijeong snatches it from his hand. She downs it before either of you can react.

"That's good shit," she coughs,  "Where's Doyoung?" Her eyes are wide, like a crazed killer feeling the first euphoria of killing.

Still taken aback, Hyunjin slowly gestures over his shoulder. "He's in the ki-"

But it's too late. She's already on the hunt.

Shaking his head in utter awe, he refocuses back to you. "So, how does it feel?"

You coerce a somewhat genuine smile to rest on your lips as you say, "I'm not sure. I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic?"

Hyunjin nods along to your carefully chosen words. To make you feel better, he leans to your ear and whispers, "That's the thrill of becoming an adult, darling."

One of Hyunjin's friends (Seungmin, you think his name was) lunges into Hyunjin, knocking him back from you. "Bro, Jeongin's about to do a fucking keg stand. You've got to see this," he shouts, guiding Hyunjin to the backyard.

Over his shoulder, Hyunjin yells, "Duty calls."

You slowly walk around, taking in the monumental views of parties. People making out on the couch. A girl twerking on the wall. And even someone puking behind the couch.

The humidity of the living room suffocates you. And despite the sea of people wading in your personal space, you have never felt so lonely. The promise ring Hyunjin had bought you strangles your finger almost as much as it was mentally suffocating you.

Your breaths become ragged as people block your view on every side. Desperately, you push through. Beads of sweat congregate in the threads of your fishnets.

A flash of fresh air slaps you across the face as you finally break through. Ahead of you, the back door is ajar. You can spot Hyunjin cheering on a group of people playing cup pong. That Jeongin kid must've finished his keg stand. Or chickened out. He catches your stare. He sends a smile before leaning in to the game to say something. And then, he's walking towards you.

No. You can't face him right now.

Quickly, you fade into the hallway. Glancing into the cracks of each door, you eventually find solace in the bathroom. You lock the door behind you before rushing to the toilet. The anxiety caught up with you and your lunch is now sitting in the toilet. Splashes of yellow cling to the bowl as you flush.

Still shaking, you approach the sink. You rinse the suds off of your hands before splashing your face with the cool water. Rejuvenated, you dry off your hands. Droplets of water fall from your face. You pull your sweater up, using the hairy fabric to lessen the moisture.

Though fresh, you still can't build the courage to reemerge into the pool of bodies.

You glance down at your phone. 11:19. Only forty-one minutes separate you.

You could camp in the bathroom until then. It's a safe haven.

For the remaining time, you sit by the toilet just in case. When there's only one minute left, you roll up your sleeve and stare at the empty skin.

As the clock strikes midnight, your wrist aches. You wince, gazing down. Beneath your skin, what feels like fire ants work together to ink the words letter by letter.

Your heart hangs in your throat. The world stops spinning and you're just sitting there, staring at your arm. The door shakes as someone knocks from the other side.

"Y/N? You in there?" Hyunjin's voice sounds through, though muffled.

So this is what those testimonials meant when they said you undergo an out of body experience. It doesn't feel like you're in control when you slowly rise and go to the door. You open it, still gawking at the words.

"Happy birthday! What does it say?" Hyunjin reaches for your arm with a bright, hopeful smile.

It vanishes when he reads the words. His voice cracks as he reads them aloud, "Brighten the mood, sunshine?"

"I-I'm sorry," you sob, snagging your arm back to bury your face in your hands.

Through teary eyes of his own, Hyunjin shakes his head. "No. Y/N, we love each other." He reaches for your shoulders, but you step back, arms dropping to your sides.

"We're not each others' soulmates," you look up at him.

"They're wrong! They have to be!" he shouts.

You know what's going on in that head of his. There was no use arguing with him.

You slide the ring off of your finger. Slowly, you inch forward to him. You grab his hand, resting the ring in his palm. Then, you curl his fingers up, protecting the ring from the evils of the world.

"I'm sorry."

iv.

You tug your knees to your chest. The empty car isolates you from the flashing lights and booming music from inside the party. All you can seem to do is cry. When the tears let up, you glance down at your wrist and they appear again, stronger than before.

Something comforting rested in those words, though.

A hollow knock from your right trains your focus away. Outside the window, a few boys hover.

"We're Hyunjin's friends," the taller of the bunch shouts, though it reaches you muffled. Standing there is a boy you had crossed paths with a multitude of times before. Seungmin, his name was. From earlier.

You inch away from them quickly. You're practically sitting on the middle console.

"Wait, we're not gonna hurt you. We just want to talk. Jin's taking it pretty hard, and I was sure-" Seungmin reassures, though is interrupted by an elbow to the ribs.

"We were sure," a shorter boy corrects. His face looked familiar, though the strange depth of his voice proved otherwise.

"Right, we were sure you were feeling in the dumps too. Can you open the door so I don't have to keep yelling?" Seungmin offers a small smile as he mends to his ribs with rubbing circles.

Hesitantly, you unlock the door and weakly step out. Your knees almost buckle beneath your weight, but you lean against the car for support.

"So," a different boy speaks with a slight slur, "I'm Jeongin."

"Felix," the boy with the deep voice introduces with a small wave.

Seungmin leans against the car with you. The soles of his feet ache from standing around and rushing people to not disrobe in the living room. Glancing down at his shoes, Seungmin asks with a pitch in his voice, "So, uh, what does it say?"

"Brighten the mood, sunshine," you recite with clarity, though you're choking on tears at the back of your throat. Or puke. You're not quite sure.

"Y'know who would say that?" Jeongin drunkenly laughs, grabbing everyone's attention.

"Not the time-"

"Jisung would say that shit," he declares, despite Felix's warning glare.

Wrapping a protective arm around your shoulder, Seungmin whispers, "I'm sorry about him, this was his first party and he got a little carried away with the drinking."

You shake your head. Seungmin's cologne reminds you of Hyunjin's. Soft but masculine. Woodsy, almost. "It's fine."

"Happy birthday, by the way," he says.

You chuckle for a second. "Happy?"

"I'm not too good with this whole heartbreak thing, but I know this whole thing will blow over. It'll hurt, but in the terms of the universe, this heartbreak is setting you up for finding your soulmate," Felix says.

"The universe is bullshit," you scoff.

"Brighten the mood, sunshine," a boy calls out from the gate of the house. His arms are crossed against his chest and he's onlooking the scene with narrowed eyes.

Your heart is doing a frenzy within the cage of your chest. Playing it off as if you and the boys around you don't know what just happened, you warily shout back, "Suck my dick, mister sunshine."

He jumps back, his own heart caught in his throat. His arms fall to the side and he stares. Mouth fallen agape, he slowly lifts a finger and points at you.

He lets it drop, a smile filled with bewilderment filling his lips. "Hyunjin's gonna kill me."

v.

His name is Jisung and he had been indebted with running to Hyunjin's car to get something when he overheard your conversation. He knew you had no control over it, but he just wanted to be petty for the sake of sparking drama. It was a bad habit, he admitted later on in an apology email he had sent to your student account.

It's been a week since your birthday. Passing Hyunjin in the hallway never takes an off day to open the pit in your stomach. But the butterflies had disappeared the moment you met Jisung. And you fucking hated it. The memories with Hyunjin were too fond for you to succumb to falling in love with Jisung.

"Hey, Y/N," he skips next to you on your way to your final class of the day.

"What do you want?" you stop by your locker. You twist and turn until the lock unlatches.

As you're shoving your books in, he presses his shoulder to the locker beside you and leans close to you. "Am I not allowed to talk to my one and only?"

"Not here, okay?" you huff, slamming your locker shut. You poise your strut with confidence despite the jelly of your legs.

"Can I at least get your number?" he jogs to catch up with you.

"Only if you can convince Hyunjin to talk to me," you abruptly stop.

"What? Why?"

Above, the bell screeches its monotonous tune.

Nibbling on your lip nervously, you say, "Because I don't want him to hear about it around school or something."

"Why can't I just talk to him?" Jisung asks, eyebrows knitted in confusion.

Sighing, you mumble, "I don't wanna ruin your friendship with him."

Jisung's hearty laugh echoes in the empty hall. He grabs your hands, slightly swinging them as he declares, "We'll do it together."

"Go to class," an elderly teacher croaks from the doorway of her empty classroom.

"Meet me after school by the cafeteria," he nods before pressing a surprisingly warm kiss to your forehead.

You sit in eighth period with a permanent smile. Rather than participating in the sociology project, you stare at your palms. They still had his warmth.

Love had a peculiar way of operating. And maybe Jisung wasn't so bad.

"Good day?" Kijeong inquires, her gaze not slipping from her laptop.

You press your palms to the desk as if they held a secret only you could know. As your sight falls over to her, your face burns with heat.

She glances over. Seeing the lovestruck grin sitting confidently on your lips, she gasps. "You didn't-"

"I found him," you shrug casually as if fate had only given you $10 on a scratch-off ticket.

"When?" she grabs your shoulders, shaking you violently.

"Last week. At the party," you cup your head as you prop your arm on the desk.

"And you didn't tell me? Who is he?" her questions fly at you with high velocity and her volume grabs the attention of the people in front of you. They congratulate you with broad smiles before redirecting their focus.

You lean over to her, braving for her bullying spree as you whisper, "Han Jisung."

"The squirrel looking dude? Wait, isn't he friends with Hyunjin?"

Smile slipping from your features, you nod. "We're gonna talk to him today. I still feel so bad."

"Don't be. He's entitled to his feelings and you're entitled to yours. He can be hurt, but he'll have no right to hate you and Jisung for it. And if he does, it'll only be momentarily," Kijeong says, her voice trailing into one similar to her mother's. Wise and pristine.

The stability and confidence in her words spark those own feelings within you. You straighten your posture as you assert, "Yeah. You're right."

vi.

Waiting alone in the cafeteria serves for awkward conversations sparked by the lunch ladies and dirty glares from Hyunjin's fangirls. The whispers fail to bother you as Jisung approaches you with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. The butt of his baseball bat peeks out from the zipper.

"Ready?" he breathily says, securing the bag with a tight grip.

"Yeah," you nod, following him as he leads you through the hallways. The walls were painted by the first class. Murals, the principal had announced at freshman orientation. They tell stories, but they usually go overlooked.

As you emerge into the empty half of the parking lot, Jisung reaches back for your hand.

"Where are we going?" you ask to deter your focus from the comfort of his touch.

A glimmer of something that ignites butterflies in your stomach flashes in his eyes as he glances at you over his shoulder. "Going to meet Hyunjin."

Up ahead, you see Hyunjin sitting anticipatingly in his car. His elbow is propped on the door, holding his head as he stares down at his phone. You watch from a distance as he brings the pad of his thumb to rub bits of dry skin flaking from his lip.

You wiggle your hand out of his grip. He stops, turning around to look at you. "I don't wanna hurt him like that," you admit.

"Like what?"

"Like this," you say, motioning to the both of you.

"Oh. Right," Jisung smiles meekly, swiveling around to pursue the upcoming conflict.

You can do this, Y/N. You have to. 'Cos if you don't, it'll hurt him more.

"Hey, bro," Jisung claps against the top of the car.

Jumping, Hyunjin looks up. His eyes are puffy and the bags under his eyes are darker than usual. His hair is in disarray and tousled lazily.

"Oh," he glances between you two. He lets his arm fall to rest against the door. "Hi."

"Hi," you swallow your pride for a moment. Offering a smile, your posture straightens tensely.

"So," Jisung begins, resting a sneaky hand on the small of your back to push you.

Maybe that's why he was your soulmate. He encourages you to fight your own battles. At least, that's what he's doing now.

"Um, I found my soulmate," you nod along as you spoke shakily.

"Oh, really?" Hyunjin forces a smile. "That's good. Who is it?"

You stumble over your words, glancing at Jisung for guidance.

Catching the hint, Hyunjin chuckles. "Nuh-uh. You're lying."

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out by someone around the school. You know how rumors spread," you tell him abruptly. Your lips fall agape, exhaling heavy breaths that encourage your body to tremble nervously.

Taken aback, Hyunjin glances down at his lap. He gnaws on his lip. "I'm not gonna lie, it kinda hurts, but I'm happy for you two."

He pauses for a moment, looking back up between you two. The awkward silence is lifted as he laughs. Tutting, he adds, "You two do look good together. I only ask of one thing, though."

"What?" Jisung asks quickly as if he's been on the edge of his seat to talk. You glance at him. His fists are balled by his side and, he too, is shaking.

"I gotta be the best man," Hyunjin points at Jisung, eyes wide with seriousness. Not even a sprinkle of a chuckle clings to his words.

"As if you weren't going to be the best man anyway," Jisung scoffs.

"Wait, if you two are so close, why did you never talk about him?" you propose the question, looking amusingly at Hyunjin.

Jisung jumps back, overdramatically falling to the asphalt and clutching the heart of his tee.

"Look, Jisung's a ladies' man. Even if you can't quite tell right now," Hyunjin shouts over Jisung's fake cries of pain.

You look down at the boy screaming on the ground and shake your head. Yelling up to the clouds, you inquire, "Are you guys sure this is my soulmate?"

"I can't believe you even have to ask that," Jisung finally sits up, gazing up at you with puppy eyes.

"Don't you have baseball practice to get to?" Hyunjin points out, glancing at his radio clock. The time was ticking close to half an hour after three.

"Oh shit, yeah. Seungmin's gonna beat my ass," Jisung jumps to his feet. He nods to you before jogging to the field.

"I'll drive you home, Y/N," Hyunjin offers. Then, the doors of his sedan click.

Oh. That's weird.

"Text me when you get home," Jisung turns around to point at you.

"Don't break anything!" you call out to him.

"No promises," Jisung shouts back.

You dip yourself into the passenger seat of Hyunjin's car. The ride is eerily silent until you ask, "Are you sure you're not mad?"

"Why would I be? Fate brought us here and there's nothing we can do about it," he shrugs, eyes focused on the road. He doesn't glance at you like he normally does when he's driving you around.

Additionally, he says, "I just hope I find my soulmate soon."

"What're your words?"

"Word, actually. It's just 'hi.'"

"That's ambiguous," you state, looking out the window at the buildings whizzing by.

"I kinda like it though. It'll force me to treat every person like my soulmate," Hyunjin remarks, drumming against his steering wheel.

"You say that as if you aren't the nicest person to walk the face of the earth. D'you wanna know what my first words were to Jisung?" you look back to him. A smile is lingering on your lips.

It feels like old times. Before the whole romance thing, you and Hyunjin were actually good friends. Inseparable, even.

"I'm sure they were fine and dandy," Hyunjin mocks, sarcasm dripping from his tone. He offers a look in your direction as he's approaching a stop sign.

"I told him to suck my dick," you admit, fighting the cackle that tempted your throat and left its mark on your lips.

Hyunjin gasps sarcastically. He releases a hand from the wheel to shield his mouth in dramatic disbelief. "The nicest person I know would never say such a thing."

Memories of middle school Hyunjin press the tip of your tongue and you're prepared to tease him when he pulls up to your house.

"Thanks for the ride," you glance at Hyunjin as you're unbuckling your seatbelt.

"Anytime," he smiles. And for a moment, you can spot the genuineness.

Just as you're about the close the door, he says, "Don't break Jisung's heart, okay?"

Offering a meek smile, you reply, "It's not on my agenda."

vii.

The moon casts a soft glow on the rooftop. It encases you in an aura of safety.

Beside you, Jisung whispers, "I can't believe it's been six months."

You inhale the fresh air as your eyes fall. You whisper, as if this were a secret, "I love you."

"I love you too," he says, draping an arm around your shoulders.

"Do you think they know we're up here?" you open your eyes to count the stars.

"If they did, we wouldn't be up here," he points out.

You look over to him. Of all the stars, he shines the brightest. You shift your eyes down to his lips.

Catching your gaze, he mumbles, "You know you don't have to ask or wait for me to-"

With that little hint of permission, you press your lips against his. The world shifts to a halting stop as the breeze fades. Warmth engulfs your body and nerves trickle goosebumps down your spine.

He slips away for a moment too long. Craving the warmth of your lips again, he meets with them once more.

He knows he's going to marry you, but he wants to treasure moments like these. Without the burden of children. Just pure teen love.

Once more, he breaks apart. His ragged breaths are hot against your face as he asks, "Do you wanna go to a party with me tomorrow?"

You hesitate, acknowledging the bore of the party twenty feet below you. "Whose party is it?"

"Seungmin's. Don't worry, it's his little brother's party. No vodka. No Kijeong twerking on the wall. Just pizza and, if we're lucky, a game of Apples to Apples," Jisung describes. You can envision it now. Jisung messily slurping down pizza with grease splattered across his face and hands. And for some reason, you wouldn't miss that sight for the world.

"Count me in."

"Sweet. If the pizza gets snagged, we can go to Dominos or something. I think Jeongin's working tomorrow," he offers.

"We haven't had a pizza date in a while," you state, resting your head on his shoulder.

"Do you even remember what happened last time?" his infamous giggle fills the void of night.

"Yes, but tell me the story again," you hide the blush that paints your face by nuzzling into his boney shoulder.

"I'm not telling the world that awful story!" he exclaims, jokingly shoving you off of him.

"You mean the one where you called our waitress 'babe' because you didn't realize it wasn't me?"

His cheeks burn with embarrassment as he stammers, "I-In my defense, I was looking at my phone. And, and from the corner of my eye it looked like you!"

"Oh so you don't even know what your own soulmate looks like?" you tease.

"Shut up," he pouts, crossing his arms defensively against his chest.

You try to unlock his stiff arms so you can weasel your way in. But he remains strong, chanting that you apologize.

"Fine, I'm sorry," you manage through bursts of laughter.

As soon as the laugh fully slips from your parted lips, Jisung tackles you in a bear hug.

"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you," he repeats over and over. The words fill the air with such simplistic ease. As if they didn't weigh three hundred thousand tons.

The butterflies never grow tame, you realize. Of course, neither does the loud pounds of your heart when he's around. With Hyunjin, at least the butterflies would calm down on the occasion. And your heart wouldn't ache when he was gone for too long.

viii.

You enter the party with the comfort of Jisung's hand in yours. Ahead of you, a piñata swings from a branch and children are circling chairs as a polka blares from someone's phone.

"Ah, you came!" Seungmin grins, clapping Jisung's shoulder and offering you a welcoming smile. You hadn't talked much since the night of your nineteenth birthday.

"Here's his present," you pull a small, wrapped box from your purse.

"What is it?" he interrogates, a small purse to his lips as he examines the box.

"Baseball cards. One of them's signed," Jisung jumps in, draping a lazy arm around your shoulder.

"I might have to steal these," Seungmin eyes the light blue wrapping paper. Jokingly, he tries to sneak it into his pocket.

"Who all's here?" Jisung asks, settling the laughter that followed Seungmin's stunt.

"Hyunjin, Minho, and Chan are playing Just Dance with my dad in the living room. A few of Soobin's friends from school are here. They're the only ones who've shown so far."

"Do you wanna go talk with them? I need to talk with Seungmin about something," Jisung glances at you, slowly retracting his arm.

Bobbing your head, you say, "Yeah, of course."

Before entering the home through the open glass door, you glance back at Jisung and Seungmin. They're boisterously laughing, so the conversation must not be too serious.

You feel bad. For these past six months, Jisung spent every waking minute with you. Aside from his games and classes, that is. Today should be good for him, so he can get out and socialize.

As you poke your head into the living room, Hyunjin shouts as he drops the Wii remote, "Has he proposed yet?"

Stifling a laugh, you shake your head.

"Bro, you're ruining our score!" Chan reaches for the fallen controller. Seungmin's dad sits on the couch contently. He cheers on his teammate quietly.

"What the hell is he waiting for?" Hyunjin's eyes widen as he slowly approaches you with his arms crossing his chest.

You shrug. "I'm not sure, but I don't really care that much. Teen love is nice without the whole marriage question."

Seungmin's dad nods his head at that. Without breaking his gaze from the animated figures dancing, he announces, "Don't feel pressured. Seungmin's mother and I waited until she got pregnant with our eldest. Made the wedding photos a bit more special."

As you're about to open your mouth, a girl around your age with a lavender dress enters from the backyard. "Oh, uh, hi."

Your eyebrows jump as you stare down Hyunjin. He shakes his head before holding the girl's gaze. "Are you here for Soobin?"

Based on the stumbled attempts she made to speak, it was pretty clear what was going on.

"Hyunjin, I think you've just found your soulmate," Minho finally pauses the game, glancing back to send teasing heart eyes.

You slip past the scene, back into the noisy yard. Jisung waves you over with a grin. Seungmin stands close, showing him a random meme on his phone.

You quickly cross the yard, declaring with a broad smile, "Hyunjin just met his soulmate."

"What? Who?" Seungmin asks, radically shocked. He didn't expect Hyunjin to ever find his soulmate. Now he owes Jeongin twenty bucks.

"I don't know her name, but she's wearing a lavender dress and her hair is in a braid," you describe.

Seungmin peers behind you, gasping at the girl he sees. "You're actually joking."

"Who is she?"

"My fucking cousin. I don't wanna be related to Hyunjin!" Seungmin cries, stomping his foot and pushing out his lip like a child.

"Just get disowned. It's not that hard. You already dropped out of baseball," Jisung points out, mocking the way Seungmin had sobbed at their last high school game.

The glare Seungmin holds scares even you, though Jisung doesn't seem phased. You had always admired that confident perk of him. Though, one day, you knew it was going to get him killed.

ix.

With his arm wrapped protectively around your waist, Jisung sleeps. The TV hums at low volume. It's the home shopping network, advertising socks that are moisture resistant.

Your thoughts prevent you from slipping into the dream world, though your eyes were aching with tiredness. It's nearly been three years. Hyunjin and his wife have already wed. Even Jeongin married his soulmate. But Jisung still shows no sign of even proposing.

He couldn't be losing interest, could he? People have said that there are glitches in the system. Inaccurate soulmates exist.

The mere thought trembles your body as tears wet your cheeks. The salt stings your skin. It reminds you of the words inking themselves into your skin. Forever, they would taint your wrist. A constant reminder of the boy stirring beside you.

Huskily, Jisung mumbles, "Are you awake?"

"Yeah," you whisper, the tears creating a scratch in your throat. With the pads of your fingers, you quickly swipe at the culprits.

"Why are you shaking? Are you cold?"

You turn in his arms, sniffling. "D-Do you still love me?"

"Why would you even think that? Of course I do," he tightens his grip on you. As if you would turn to dust and slip away. He buries himself in your hair, basking in the sweet smell of your shampoo.

"Then why aren't we progressing? Why haven't you proposed?" your voice cracks as you break out of his hold. You sprout for air, strands of hair sticking to the dampness on your face.

Sighing, Jisung hesitates. "I guess I'm scared."

"Of commitment?"

"Kinda. I'm scared you'll get tired of me. Or annoyed. A lot of people already think that, but the thought of you thinking it is my breaking point," he releases you, sitting up in the bed. He grabs his pillow and hugs it close to him.

You sit up too. Reluctantly, you place your hand on his arm. Tears sting your eyes as you say, "I could never get tired of you. If anything, I'd die wishing I had more time with you."

Jisung drops the pillow, reaching out to hug you. He plays with the ends of your hair and fights tears of his own as he says, "I don't have a ring right now, but I do want to marry you. Beneath all that fear I truly do. Really bad. Will you do me the honors?"

"Ask it properly," you scold, hiding your laugh by burying your face in his neck.

Your breaths tickle his neck as he grins, "Will you marry me?"

"Of course, Mr. Sunshine. I will marry you."

"Sweet," he slips away from the hug, settling back down into the mattress. With his back facing you, he mumbles, "I'm really fucking tired and probably won't remember this in the morning. Remind me about this, will ya?"

You scoff, picking up your pillow and smacking him with it. His laugh fills the room, drowning out the TV and warding the bad thoughts away in a heartbeat. Jisung has that effect. It's like his superpower.

Spending the rest of your life with this...manchild is a blessing. Every conflict you would ever face would be fought with him by your side. A reassuring hand on your back or his arm draped around you to push you. It's weird. But you weren't quite sure if you would ever trade it for the world.

a/n: not my best, but I needed to write something so here it is.

[drakesroyalromance]

I’m the Bad Guy (duh)

Summary: Emma has an accident the morning after her engagement to Drake in the safehouse that turns everyone’s world upside down. Nothing will be the same, no matter how hard Drake tries.

Catch up here!

Pairing: Drake x MC (Emma Barnes), Liam x MC

Rating: PG 13.

Author’s note: This is the end of the journey! @mind-reader1 and I can’t thank you guys enough for making this ride so fun. I hope you guys have enjoyed reading this fic as much as we’ve enjoyed planning it, writing it and talking about it (to each other and to you.)

Tag list: This fic: @marshmallowsandfire @twinkle-320 @ravenpuff02 @ac27dj @silverofdreams @katedrakeohd @masterofbluff @texaskitten30 @kingliam2019 @kimmiedoo5 @tinkie1973 @pipsyliv @choiceskatie

Drake x MC: @aries-light @notoriouscs

Chapter 8, part 3: Strangers

Somewhere between Cordonia and New York

Bastien watched Drake closely. Since the event, Drake was usually either angry or despondent. Sure, he had been cynical and a bit grumpy before, but this was out of character even for him. If anyone thought he didn’t smile before, he never smiled now.

His fingers drummed nervously up and down on the armrest as he stared out the window. Bastien felt guilty for doing this, but he was sure that it would help the boy who was like a son to him. He hated seeing Drake in so much pain, trying to hide it from the world that had made him so jaded.

He was so happy when Emma came into his life, he knew from the moment he saw them together that they would be something special, and they were for a time. She got Drake to open up and experience life, see the beauty of court rather than the poison of it, she brought Drake to life in a way he hadn’t seen since he was a small boy that didn’t understand the politics of court. Bastien cried with pride and joy when he found out they’d gotten engaged, and he wanted to be there for him after the catastrophe too, but Drake shut everyone out, he shut down.

[[MORE]]

“New York is a big city. We won’t be here long.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry I had to drag you along, I know this isn’t easy.”

“It’s fine, Bastien. I’ll survive one night, I’m a big boy.”

Bastien opened his mouth to protest but decided not to, best not to push him even more. He was already on edge, if he was in a bad mood when they met Emma then it would all be for naught.

//

New York City

The plane touched down and Drake sucked in a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. He hadn’t been to New York since the night Emma told him that she had said no to Liam, that she had chosen him. It was one of the happiest moments of Drake's life. He had often thought about how different his life would’ve been if he had never walked into that bar, if he had picked any other dive bar in New York, but after experiencing her, he couldn’t imagine it any other way.

“Let’s get this over with.” He brushed past Bastien, ignoring the worried glances he’d been giving since they got on the plane. The faster they got the photos, the faster he could get absolutely hammered.

Bastien pulled up the address and drove them to a small studio in an area that felt so familiar but Drake couldn’t quite place it. Looking around, he didn’t see any significant landmarks. He chalked it up to nerves and walked inside.

While they waited for someone to appear, he began looking at the photos on the wall. They felt so intimate and familiar, he was drawn to them. With every picture he could feel a memory of Emma trying to push its way to the surface, like an itch you just can’t scratch, the less you try to think about it, the worse it gets.

Then he saw it, a beautiful woman with long curls and a man with brown hair, looking at each other like the only two people in the world. It was impossible for him to not see himself and Emma.

“Something’s wrong Bas, I need to go. I can’t be her -“ he stopped mid sentence. She was standing right there in front of him. He thought he may be imagining it but then she spoke, letting him know this wasn’t a hallucination.

“Drake? Bastien? What is this? What’s happening?”

Both of them looked at Bastien who had the right idea of staring at his feet.

He made his way to the exit but just before he left, he was stopped by her voice calling out to him. “Drake, I have something to say to you. Please just give me five minutes. You’re already here and you came all this way for some reason, all I’m asking for is five minutes. I know I don’t even deserve that, but I really need to say it and I think you need to hear it.”

He felt like he was going to be sick. He didn’t dare turn around to look at her. Black dots began to swim in his vision. He felt light headed, then he felt Bastien’s hand on his shoulder and felt a hot rage build up. This was a set up.

He threw Bastien’s arm off.

He needed fresh air, he needed a place to just clear his mind and calm down. He ran out, not making it very far before he was lost. He was away from the studio though, away from the memories, away from her, away from Bastien.

Did the photos of Bartie even exist? Why would Bastien set him up like this? He had so many questions, and even though he hated it, some small part of him wanted to know what Emma thinks she could possibly have to say to him. The things she did to him, the things she said, they didn’t just go away with one apology. He was so afraid that if he looked into her beautiful eyes though, that with one “I’m sorry,” a smile and a bat of her eyelashes he would forgive her and he deserved better than that.

He wasn’t really sure how long he sat there, but after a while, he felt her presence before she said a word.

“I have something I need to say and you need to hear. I’ll go after, you don’t have to say anything. All I ask is that you forgive Bastien. He told me he only did this because he thought it’s what would be best for you. Anyways,” he could hear her suck in a breath and exhale slowly, “I wanted to say that I can’t believe I was ever cold enough to say the things I did to you. I feel like sorry isn’t enough to express how much I regret that. I wish I could take it back, that I could change things and I can’t.”

There was a silence. Drake could see her in his mind's eye, cold and calculating eyes staring at him, willing him to be drawn back in like a hypnotic predator: you don’t realize you’re in trouble until it’s too late.

She cleared her throat, interrupting Drake’s thoughts. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, in fact I expect you’ll hate me for the rest of our lives no matter what I say and rightfully so. If you decide you want to talk though, I’ll be in my studio. Bastien isn’t going to trick you into seeing me again. I wrote the address down just in case.”

He heard her turn to walk away and then heard her footsteps stop.

“I hope you know how difficult this was for me. How difficult all of this has been for me.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“Difficult for you? Are you serious, Emma? You are fucking unbelievable! I can’t believe I even thought for a second that you were trying to apologize! Tell Bastien I’m going home tonight and I’ll figure it out myself.” He turned his back to her again, his chest heaving with anger.

“I’m sorry, Drake. I didn’t mean it like that!” She took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m just saying that I messed up and I regret it. I’m a proud woman, I swallowed my pride and shame to come apologize to you because it’s a chance I never thought I’d get. You deserve at least that from me. I’m sorry I upset you more. Goodbye, Drake.”

He refused to look at her, he didn’t want her to see that he was fighting back tears. Tears of frustration, of relief, of pain. He was overwhelmed by all the emotions he had bottled up for six months.

The words that came out of her mouth were the last that Drake ever expected to hear, but he felt the sincerity of them. He felt lost again.

Part of him desperately wanted to go back to her studio and get the answers he felt like he deserved, another part of him wanted to close this chapter of his life for good, and another part wanted to chase after her, sweep her into his arms and kiss her like some stupid rom-com that the old Emma would’ve loved and forced him to watch.

He sat for what felt like hours. No one bothered him, Bastien had probably gone to the hotel to check in. He couldn’t sit there all night, he knew he needed to make a decision.

The truth was he’d made his decision the moment she dropped that piece of paper.

The small bell signaled his return. Emma silently came out of the back room, keeping a respectful distance from Drake, like he was a client admiring her photos. Neither said a word as Drake moved along the wall, each photo conjuring a memory and feeling.

After looking at all the photos on the wall, he turned to her. “Why? Why now? Why apologize?”

“I didn’t think you’d read a letter or a message, I didn’t think you’d listen to a voicemail, assuming your number hasn’t changed. Honestly I didn’t think I would ever get the chance until Liam stumbled across my studio the other day and I got to apologize to him.”

Liam. So he was the person who was behind all this. Drake didn’t know how to feel about that. He didn’t say anything so she continued.

“After the accident, after I woke up, I was so focused on power, on status, I didn’t think about how close I was to dying, how close you were to dying. I took it all for granted. It was more than that though, I felt suffocated Drake. By you, Liam, all of our friends. By the version of Emma that was in your memories, that everyone wanted me to be. I’m not saying that to defend my behavior, it was inexcusable, all of it. I’m just trying to explain how I felt, why I acted the way I did.”

Drake felt his heart ache, he’d never meant for her to feel suffocated, he could see how she had though. He started to wonder if things would have worked out differently if he’d just backed off, but he stopped himself. He couldn’t go down the “what if” rabbithole.

“When I got to New York, it was like a slap to the face. It was a reality check I needed. I was still a duchess but no one cared. I was a nobody, no one special, just some girl who couldn’t get along with anybody. If you’re a nobody who’s an asshole, you’re not going to get anywhere. I knew I needed to change my attitude.”

Drake just nodded, taking everything in. There was so much to process that his head started spinning.

“I need a drink.”

“Oh thank god.” Emma sighed in relief as Drake finally turned to look at her. “I know a spot just down the block?”

Drake nodded and followed her after she locked up the studio.

As they walked, Emma kept stealing nervous glances at him. Part of him wanted to reach out to her, comfort her but he wasn’t there yet so instead he met her eyes and offered a small smile. Relief flashed on her face and she offered a small smile back. For the rest of the short distance, their fingers brushed against each other. He didn’t pull his hand away, and neither did she.

As soon as they reached their destination, he recognised it instantly and now he knew why the neighborhood had felt so familiar. The infamous bar where it all started. He started to wonder if she really had changed, or if this was some sick idea of a joke to her.

“Are you serious?”

“It’s familiar for both of us.”

He searched her face for any sign of malice but he saw nothing, a nervous twist of her hand, easy to miss. After everything she told him, everything she’s shared with him, how she’s been behaving..he decided to believe her. He nodded and followed her inside. They ordered their drinks and sat in an uncomfortable silence, the momentum interrupted.

The drinks arrived and Drake cleared his throat, drowning the glass in one go. Emma motioned for the bottle.

“Does this mean..I guess..hell, Barnes, I’m just gonna say it. Does this mean you’re you again? You know, the old you?”

Emma fought to suppress an eye roll and took a large drink before answering. She’d had to teach herself to think before reacting.

“I’m not the same person I was before, Drake. That Emma.. it’s like kindness came naturally to her. It was in her bones. But me, I’m just trying so fucking hard to make sure I’m not a terrible person.”

“I guess I just still struggle with understanding it sometimes.”

“Well it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park having two lives in my head.” She spat. “I’m sorry. That was rude. It’s just difficult to explain in terms people can understand and it becomes frustrating.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, breathing deeply.

“It’s okay. I think I can understand that.”

She nodded and they fell into another silence, this one more comfortable.

As the drinks continued to flow, they began to relax, the conversation becoming lighter and friendlier, like two old friends catching up. They sat for hours, talking and drinking, the familiar twinkle in Emma’s eyes that Drake loved so much, the one only he brought out in her, returned to her eyes as the bar began to empty.

“Can I ask you something?” She cast her glance down.

“What?”

“Do you remember that night at Applewood? What you said to me?”

“I said a lot of things.” The truth was Drake remembered every last word he said, that night had replayed over and over in his head thousands of times.

“You asked me if it had been anywhere else. If we had met anywhere else, any other bar, a club, an airport. If you hadn’t been standing next to Liam that night, if it had been anyone else. You asked if things would have been different.”

Drake fought to keep his breathing even, the conversation had gotten too serious too fast, his mind was struggling to keep his emotions in check after all the drinks.

“I know.”

“I said that things would be different. That you and I would be together.” She was staring at him, he could feel her eyes looking right through him.

“I know it’s the same bar, but it’s a different time. There’s no one sitting next to you, we’re different people. Could things be different, Drake? Can we start over? I know I did some terrible things and I’m trying to be a better person.”

“Barnes.. Emma.”

“It’s not the same feeling, but it is. What I mean is, I don’t like anyone except for you. I like you and I think that’s the closest I can come to loving someone right now. When I moved here, I started taking photos. When I looked closer, all I saw was you in the images. Memories of us, of our time together. I’m trying to say I like you, Drake, and I want to know if that can be enough?”

Drake didn’t know what to say, his mind was reeling. This felt like a dream but equal parts a nightmare.

“I don’t know,” he spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully, “what I do know is, that whatever this,” he motioned to himself and Emma, “is, it’s the start of something.”

“It was always about the moments in between.” She smiled. “So, to the moments in between?” She held up her glass.

Drake offered a small smile in return and clinked his glass with hers. “To the moments in between.”

THE END.

[thatanimenerd101]

Painful memories

Paring: Kirishima x female reader

Warnings: TW death of a family member, depression, flashbacks?, mental abuse, read at your own risk, fluff.

Word count: 2.6k the longest thing I’ve written before.

Time taken: Started 7-27-2020, finished 8-14-2020

This dives in quickly to some major mental health. So please be advised. Also, some of this story is based off of my own experiences with my depression. It comes and goes when it wants too with no warnings. Now, don’t go off and said I didn’t give you warnings because I did. Last change if any of the things listed above trigger you. Now, this is NOT fully based on me, just parts. That’s it.

Kirishima had you in his arms, you'd fallen asleep an hour ago in his arms. He smiled down at you, knowing that moments like this were rare. You’d both been in your second year at UA and you both had work studies and had to mainly focus on becoming a better hero. He knew he had two choices, wake you up or have a sleepover and cuddle the whole night. But here’s the thing, if you two got caught sleeping together. No one would hear the end of it. Some students would think you’d done the dirty deed, others would just say aww they look cute together. But here’s the thing, you two never did anything well besides a steamy make out once in a blue moon. He knew that most nights you couldn’t sleep so he decided to just let you sleep in his arms. Holding you closer, he slowly fell unconscious into dreamland.

The sunlight woke you up first, you looked down and Kirishima was sleeping on your chest holding onto you. His hair was down and a bit of a mess. He just looked so damn cute. He looked so peaceful and was quietly snoring. You looked over at his clock that was on the wall. 5:30 am. Breakfast should be ready at six and off to class by 7.

You ran your fingers through his messy hair trying to slowly get the red head to wake up. Leaning down, you kissed his temples.

“Sharkie, it’s morning. Time to get up.”

It took sometime but he finally got up and you went back to your dorm before anyone noticed. Looking at your nightstand you saw an old photo of someone you loved. Your grandmother had passed away when you were younger but the wounds were still fresh. Your parents didn’t believe that you needed to talk to someone and just acted like nothing happened.

You’d have flashbacks of seeing her in her final moments. It would start off as you going about your day but then a certain smell or sound would trigger it. Feeling as if you were time traveling back to that very moment. You never told anyone about it, well until Kirishima found you in your dorm curled up in a ball.

“Please don’t go! Mom doesn’t care about anyone but herself, you promised you’d be with me for me becoming a hero grandma!” You cried, holding her pale hand.

“Everything happens for a reason my dear. There is no need to cry. Besides, I don’t like seeing my only granddaughter cry. Just remember all the wonderful things we did together. Don’t ever be sad because of me.” The heart monitor was beeping less and less. Then a flatline, she was gone.

She was very sick and your mother didn’t care to help her. You had to walk to the hospital when you wanted to see her. You went everyday after school. But now, everything was blank. She was gone and the room felt like it was closing in on you.

When he found you, you were stuck. All you could see was the hospital room she was in and her body lying on the bed. You felt like you couldn’t breathe. He had to put his hands on yours to make you snap out of it.

“I’m here l/n, just focus on the sound of my voice. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”

You gently squeezed his hand. A single tear shed. “I-I-I can.”

“Are you okay?” He picked you up off the floor and set you down on your bed.

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” You mumbled, trying not to burst into tears. No one has asked you that question in years and actually meant it.

“Y/n, you're my friend and I want to help you. So please, tell me what is wrong. I care about you so much and you scared me when I found you on the floor.”

A few minutes was spent in Silence, debating on what you should do. One you made you choice there was no going back. His words repeating in your head as if it was an old song.

You nearly jumped onto him and gripped his shirt and let out everything. You cried so much that his shirt was damped. Confessing everything, how you watched your grandma passed away and how your parents treated you. They made you do things and miss out on life. The custody battle you’d gone through in order to get out of your parents house because of all the mental abuse. You couldn’t take bottling up all your emotions anymore and let them all out onto him. Your parents drilled into your head that you didn’t need love or attention. You were forced to cook and clean. Do whatever they say and trick you into doing whatever they wanted you to do. Giving up your freedoms and your childhood. Luckily, a cousin decided to turn your parents in and you started going to talk to someone. But since you started going to UA you stopped going because you didn’t have the time and thought that everything was okay. Then the flashbacks started again a few weeks after starting UA.

Every since that day, Kirishima decided that he would be full on by your side and learned to read all your emotions. Even if you tried to mask them. You two are just friends but he had feelings for you over the course of your first year at UA. He decided not to say anything because he knew you weren’t ready for a relationship. But there was something he did cherish. He did feel and about it but he couldn’t help. When you were starting to have a depression episode, he would cuddle you as a way to remind you that you were loved and appreciated. You didn’t mind it, it actually helped a bit. Along with long talks, laying in silence, crying, and joking a bit. His arms were a getaway from the world, just be in his arms and you could recharge emotionally. Remember that you do deserve friends and happiness. He had also gotten you many stuffed animals and a weighted blanket to help you. They came in handy a lot. Couldn’t sleep or was starting to feel stressed, wrapping that blanket around you was like a hug. Sleeping was a bit easier with the blanket and the stuffed animals. For some reason, they helped you when Kirishima couldn’t be by your side or when it was late into the night. No matter how many times you yelled, punched or kicked him. He was still always by your side. The red haired boy knew you didn’t mean anything you did or said when you were having a bad day. For a year and a half you were just friends and nothing else. Just best friends that happened to cuddle, a lot.

Until one day it hit you that you had feelings for him. You were scared of these emotions because you didn’t know how to deal with them or why you had them. Your face would get all pink and red every time you saw or thought about him. You didn’t talk much with the girls, due to you being so quiet in class but you decided to ask Mina for some advice. At this time, some of your classmates knew about your past because you had learned to trust people and open up. It took a long time but you slowly opened up about it and went back to talk to someone. But there were still some things that you only told him because he was one of the first people that had shown you kindness when you ran into him at the entrance exam. You tripped and he helped you back on your feet.

Once Mina told you, well more like was in pure joy that you told her your feelings toward him. She told you not to worry and that it was normal to have these emotions.

“I know some shit happened in your past, but enjoy being young. Take risks y/n, besides I’ve known Kirishima for a while and he’s a great guy. He will treat you as the queen you are. Now you wanna hug?” She smiled at you, you liked her hugs she gave.

You texted the redhead and told him that you wanted to talk with him after he had gotten back from his work study with Fat Gum. Over the few years you learned what triggered you and what to do if something did. Just try to breath and walk away.

When Kirishima looked at his phone, his heart dropped in his stomach. Did he do something wrong? Wear you mad at him? Did you find out that he had feelings for you that wouldn’t go away no matter how hard he tried?

“Are you alright Red Riot?” Fat Gum asked, concerned in his tone of voice.

“It’s y/n, she told me she wanted to talk to me when I got back to the dorms and I think I did something wrong?” He looked up at his mentor.

“Look, women are easy. If you did something wrong, just buy them chocolate or the snacks they like. Maybe some flowers if she likes them. From my experience, if a woman is mad just buy her food and tell her you care about her. I’m sure you didn’t do anything wrong but there’s a store down the street that you can stop by at.” Fat Gum smiled down at his sidekick.

“Thanks Fat! I’ll make sure to stop by. Also, we aren’t dating. As far as I know, I’m in the friend zone.” Kirishima said quietly and went to change out of his hero costume.

Looking in the small store for the snacks you liked. He couldn’t decide what to get you so he just bought everything. Along with some feminine products and pain medication. He didn’t know if it was that time of the month so he just bought everything he could find that you may need if it was that time of the month. Better to be safe than sorry. He also picked up a small cute little charm that had a (favorite animal) in it. The cashier looked up at him and smirked.

“In the doghouse bro?” He looked to be in college.

“I don’t think so, but on the safe side I’m just being a good friend and buying her some of her favorite snacks. It’s manly to help your friends in need.” He smiled.

“Well good luck man.” Kirishima payed and left and walked to the train station.

“Man I hope I didn’t do anything wrong.” He thought to himself on the train ride back to UA.

You were in your dorm room, it was late at night. Good thing tomorrow was Saturday. You looked down at yourself and remembered the hoodie you were wearing wasn’t yours. It was his, it was red and had a few holes in it but that explains why it smelled so good and had the faint cologne. You were scared and debating on if you should tell him. He meant so much to you. He reminded you everyday that you matter and that your parents had no control over you. He stood in front of your door when your parents somehow got permission to come on the school grounds. He refused to let them in your room or near you. That’s when the teachers found out. They were not pleased and were ashamed of allowing them to come into school grounds. You weren’t in your room at the time, you were in Sato’s room helping Deku with making candy apples for the class and Eri to enjoy later that evening. You enjoyed it when Eri would come over to the dorms. She was sorta like you, you both have a dark past. But she is growing up so fast and learning new things everyday.

A knock on your door pulled you out of thought, it was time.

“Come in Kiri.” You sat down on your bed and took a deep breath in. It was now or never, he was your best friend. The tears, wanting to come out due to being scared of him rejecting you.

The door slowly open and he had two large bags full of stuff.

“I didn’t know if I did something wrong so I went to the store and bought everything I thought you would like.” He started dumping all the snacks onto your bed. “I didn’t know if it was shark week for you so I picked up these too. I hope they are the right size. I didn’t know they had sizes so I just bought all of them. Pads, tampons and a cup that I found next to them. Along with some pain meds.”

Your heart immediately melted. “Eijiro, you didn’t have to do all of this.” You smiled at him, all your worries slowly washed away. Doubt was thrown out the window.

“Wait so I didn’t do anything wrong?” His eyes widened.

“No you silly shark, I’m not mad at you and you didn’t do anything wrong. Also, it’s not shark week yet, that’s next week. But thank you for all of this. It’s too much if I’m being honest.” There was a mountain of snacks on your bed now.

“Thank god, your message you sent earlier sounded like I did something wrong.”

“Oh no, I just wanted to talk to you about something.” You started to sound quiet.

“What’s up? You can tell me anything y/n.” He held onto your hand and the tears started to come back.

One fell down your cheek and Kirishima wiped it away.

“I-I-I-“

“Take your time, okay. We got all weekend, okay?” He squeezed your hand and smiled at you.

“I have these really weird feelings toward you Eijiro and I’ve never felt this about anybody before and I’m scared.” You cried out and he hugged you.

“We can both be scared together.” He flatly stated.

You looked up at him. “You feel that same way I do?” You rubbed your eyes. “More than best friends and something more?”

“For a while now, I didn’t say anything because I knew you weren’t ready for something like that.”

“Then we can both be scared together.” The two of you smiled.

“So uhh wanna watch a movie or something on your laptop?” You laughed.

“That sounds perfect.”

You did that Tik Tok challenge of where you close your eyes and scroll through the movies until someone says stop. It was a romance movie but hey, it worked.

After the movie you decided to ask him something.

“So what are we?”

“I was hoping you’d be my girlfriend since we both like each other. But it’s okay if you want to wait.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

You smiled at him. “Yeah.”

He kissed your forehead and you blushed.

“Since I’m a rock, you can be my little pebble.” You smiled and cuddled the rest of the night.

Some years later.

“So that’s how you and daddy met and fell in love?” Your daughter asked while holding a Red Riot teddy bear.

“I think it’s sappy and love is gross.” Your son argued with his younger sister.

You nodded and smiled. A click of the door opening and your children ran to the door.

“Daddy's home!” They cheered.

Your husband had a single rose in his hand. He kissed you and whispered in your ear.

“My little pebble.” He handed you the rose and you smiled. Your son thought it was gross so he gagged, your daughter thought it was the cutest thing.

You never saw yourself having children or getting married. But you knew that those painful memories wouldn’t hold you back because you were happy with your family that you loved.

Tag list: @tryna-imagine​ @zyrielwolf​ @tooloudarts​ @lemonlordleah-shinzawa-kitten​ the last person i tagged gave me the idea to write this so this is kinda for them. So if you find this, i just wanna say hi, i tried writing this with my own experiences with depression, also huge fan of the shinso one you wrote. I find myself re reading it when I am starting to go back into a dark place, it reminds me that I can feel anyway i want to feel.

[redfoxwritesstuff]

Coffee and a Wedding (Chapter 10 of 12)

Happy Tuesday! Please be aware- next week there will be NO UPDATE for Coffee. I’ll be flying to NYC Redeye and Landing early on the 3rd. 

On that note, Notice something different in the title? Yeah? Know what that means? That means I’m officially done drafting this story and we know for sure how many chapters we’ve got to look forward to. 

Rated M for eventual Smut. 

Chapter warnings: Matt is in this chapter? I feel like that’s a warning on its own- Warning- you have to deal with Matt!

Check out the Masterlist for prior chapters. I am always thankful for any Ko-fi donations because lets face it, I drink my weight in coffee and in return you get a shit ton of words.

Clint x OFC

Chapter 10

“Welcome back.” Clint called from where he sat at the small dining table, his own laptop lighting up his face.  

Just ‘welcome back’. That was it. No ‘babe’. No pet names. That hurt way more than I expected. He didn’t even look up at me. It hurt more than it should have. I could feel my eyes well up and willed the tears away. This makeup job was expensive. The artist assured me that the layers would hold up through anything. Rain, sweat, tears and even a dip in the ocean. I still didn't feel like testing it until after the pictures over and done with.

It was fine. This is what I wanted. This is how it should have always been. I sniffled. It was a loud and ugly sound, louder than I had expected. Flinching, I regretted it instantly. Way to draw attention to yourself.

His eyes flicked up to me and there was a moment where I could see his face shift through a range of emotions. There was confusion first. After was this weird slack jawed look that was quickly replaced by shock as he stood up too fast, sending the chair falling behind him.

“Holy shit.” I rolled my eyes at his words. Yeah, of course it would shock him that I’m tearing up over nothing. There were countless times I’d taken a verbal beating from an unhappy customer before he’d step in and throw them out without so much as a tear in my eye.  

“We’ve gotta go in like an hour or so.” I hated how watery my voice sounded.  

“Yeah.” Clint said. “Sorry- I was tits deep in taxes. I’ll get changed right away.” He stood rooted in place though.

“Taxes?” I was thankful for the somewhat random distraction. “It’s not the end of the year yet.”

“Do them quarterly- makes it hurt less- Can I just say you look fucking amazing, babe?”

“What?” I didn’t mean to say it but I’m pretty sure I said it.  

“I mean- Holy. Shit. Your hair!” He hurried across the room toward me. “Turn, turn- let me see their work.”

“Okay?” I turned and my mind swam. What the hell was happening? Had he been off all morning because of taxes? What did he think of me then?  Were we back to how we were before? “It looks okay? It’s hard to see when they hold that little mirror up...”

“Yeah, babe. Let me- Here, I’ll get a picture of it.” Clint was talking a mile a minute. That was probably a good thing since I was still reeling from the change in him. “I hope Matt’s throwing some big dollars at Sarah’s hair because they went top notch on you.”

Clint slipped his phone in front of me after taking a picture. Sure, the lighting wasn’t great and the focus was a little off but that did nothing to hide the way the strands were pulled back in a comfortable braid. Gems dotted the mass of braided waves.  

“Your dress is in the closet- I’ll grab it for you and put it in the bathroom while you grab the other… stuff? You need to change. I’ll change out here.”  

~~~~~<3

“Clint?” I called through the door. When I tried on the dress there was a shop associate to help me into it. I didn’t think about trying to reach the zipper or laces on my own. And now I’ve been trying to get it on for the last thirty minutes. We were running out of time.  

“Yeah?”

“I need help.”  

That’s how I ended up standing with my back to Clint, arms crossed over my chest and holding the dress up and over my otherwise bare chest. I tried to ignore the fact that I was wearing a lace pair of panties that were probably clearly visible above where the zipper started.  

Clint thankfully made no comment about my panties or lack of a bra. While the air around us was so much more like what it had been, I could still feel an underlying current of something hanging around us. It was like the river thawed but the ice was still there on the surface. His fingers were cold as he curled them around the tab of the zipper.

With a tug at the base of the zipper’s path and in one smooth motion he was able to pull it up the small of my back. As it moved higher he had to stop, pulling the fabric together with one hand and inching the zipper up the rest of the way. Once the zipper was taken care of, he set to work lacing up the back.

“Time to go.” I said, looking at my phone before slipping it in the clutch style purse.

~~~~~<3

Clint was sitting on a folding chair with a water bottle in hand. Matt had offered him a beer but he had turned it down. Matt’s father also offered him a beer and likewise, he turned it down. I guess drinking before two in the afternoon wasn’t really Clint's thing?

I posed with Sarah for pictures while she was in her robe. The photographer was sweet and kind though their flash was blinding. Every time I caught sight of Clint he looked right at home, lounging in a folding chair or wherever he could find to sit as we were ushered through the spaces.

Finally, we were sent out for the real prep to get underway. We made our way to the  beach where somehow we were roped into set up. While we placed chairs and carpets settled into place, Clint resumed the soft touches I had grown so used to since the charade started. It made it even harder to focus on the task at hand- one we never agreed to in the first place- without ruining my dress. Also not helping was the suit Clint wore, tailored and hugging his form, necktie and shit matching the blues of my dress.  

By a quarter after three, guests started to arrive. Sarah had said it was going to be a fairly small gathering but as we had been setting out chair after chair earlier, I realized that wasn’t going to be the case. Still, setting out three million chairs did nothing to prepare me for the influx of what seemed to be three million people.

“Our job's done for now. Let’s get a seat before all the good ones are gone.” Clint whispered.  

He leaned down and planted a sweet kiss to the top of my head as he wrapped an arm around my side. Leaning into him, I let him lead me to one of the front rows as we settled into the seats. Around us, people I recognized from my teen years mingled with people I recognized from high roller magazines. Sometimes, men wearing expensive suits would come up to Clint and I, recognizing him from some Stark party or another.  

Every single time he introduced me as his girlfriend, my heart jumped into my throat. I saw the looks some of them gave us. Some thought I was too young for him. Some thought I was with him for his money. Some thought the only thing I could offer him was sex. The whispers were just loud enough for me to hear. Or maybe that was my own paranoia and self doubt.  

Regardless, it was time for everyone to take their seats and for Sarah to say her ‘I do’s. I wished that I could have shown her the pictures Clint had taken before now. I wished I could have gotten her to listen to me. I wished none of this was happening.

It was bitter sweet when the music started and the whole crowd stood to take a look at Sarah as she walked down the path. There was a light blue satin fabric that covered the smoothed sand. Each step left what looked a lot like waves behind her, smoothed out somewhat by the weight of her dress and the short train as she walked.

And she did make a beautiful bride. While the dress she wore was delicate and light and her hair had a perfect wave to it. The sun was reflecting off glittery gems placed in her hair. The same gems were placed in the bundle of flowers in her hand. None of it was as beautiful as the smile on her face.

And it all made my stomach turn. Clint squeezed my hand as the couple at the alter smiled lovingly at each other. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to vomit.  

“Breath.” Clint whispered in my ear. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. A tear slipped out of my eye and I harshly wiped it away.  

“You can object.” He pointed out as I let out a shaking breath.

“No.” I whispered back. “She didn’t believe me, she won’t now.”

“I’m sorry, babe.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side as a few more tears slipped down my cheeks.  

I sought comfort in Clint’s embrace as Matt and Sarah said their vows, then their ‘I Do’s and the crowd cheered. We stood and clapped and I did my best to pretend to be happy for them. With a deep breath, I prepared myself for a few more photos before it was time for the reception.  

~~~~~<3

With Clint at my side, we made a direct path to the bar the moment we had gotten inside the doors. The music was soft and classy for now and there were trays of cocktails set out on tables and on the corners of the bar. Waiters walked with trays full of drinks.

I didn’t take my time with the first drink. Pictures had been a nightmare. I plastered on a wide smile and tried to look happy in the family pictures. I did my best but I’m not sure I ever could have really looked happy.  

The dinner was nice and expensive. The toasts sweet and I about cried with joy once it was time to dance. At least then I could pretend Sarah hadn’t just tied her life to a man I had grown to hate over the last few days. I wasn’t one that really threw the word ‘hate’ around carelessly. But I did hate him. God, I hated him so much.  

Still, when it was time to gather around and try to catch the bouquet, I gathered with the rest. Clint smiled on and cheered and I rolled my eyes at him. Women pushed and pulled on each other as Sarah took her far too pretty bouquet and turned her back on us.  

“One,” She said. “Two, three!” And the flowers sailed through the air.  

I was pushed and pulled until I was off to the side of the group. It happened so fast and I hadn’t really cared about catching the overpriced flowers. The bounced once, then twice on grabbing hands only to fall neatly in my half assed reach.  

What the ever loving fuck?  

There was a showering of congratulations. People who were jealous of me put on bright smiles and made teasing jokes. Everyone kept asking when Clint and I would be planning our wedding. Matt’s father clapped Clint on the shoulder and asked when he would be proposing.

We spent much of the night dancing and drinking. The cake was amazing and the party was amazing. I had almost put the thoughts of the horrible match out of my mind for most of the night. There was a live band and as the sun set, twinkling reflected off glassware and gems decorating the area. In the distance, the moon and stars quickly joined the party, making for the most romantic setting I’d ever seen.  

The party went on and I was wrapped up in being with Clint. I indulged in affection, both giving and receiving. It was selfish but I excused it. I couldn’t have anyone else questioning if I was holding back. And I didn’t want to hold back. It was a wedding, love was all around us.  

And I was in love with him. I think I was always aware of it, in a sense. But now I felt it in an earth shattering way. Yet it was a soft feeling. A warm feeling. I don’t think I could ever go back to before. Could I survive without the way he ran his hand along the small of my back and he walked by? Could I survive without hearing him call be ‘babe’ anymore?

Before my mind could wade through the buzz of the alcohol to dwell on that, I noticed a gaggle of suits gathered in a circle. Matt was standing among them and they were sharing laughs.  

“Most of them were at the party.” Clint offered as he spun me around only to pull me back into his arms. I didn’t think anything of it when Sarah made her way to them.  

“What’s this?” Her voice rang out loud enough for us to hear over the music. If we were father from the group, it would have been impossible to hear it at all though. We danced a little closer. “Who are they? When was-”

The rest of what she said was lost to me. At another table some bridesmaids downed shots to the cheering applause of spectators. I watched as Sarah broke from the group, clearly upset and made her way over to us. What happened? What did she see?

“Lexie” She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me from Clint's arms. Behind her, a distressed Matt approached. “I’m sorry. I saw the pictures. I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

“What are you sorry for?” Matt demanded, downing his glass of whiskey and setting it on a nearby table.  

“She tried to tell me, Matt. And I didn’t listen to her.” Sarah’s voice was getting louder. People around us were beginning to stop dancing. “I told her to stop imagining things.”

“I can explain, Sarah.” Matt pleaded, reaching out for the bride who only stepped away. “Sarah, calm down. You’re causing a scene. Let me explain.”

Sarah held her arms out and span around in a slow circle, swaying a bit on her feet. She was clearly drunk at least. “Then explain it to us.”

“Clint.” Matt said.

“Me?”

“Clint?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah.” Matt nodded, gaining traction. Clint grabbed a drink off a tray as the attendant passed and took a long drink as Matt opened his mouth to start again. “We had the games set, the drinks, Mozart on the sound system. Real classy.” Clint snorted into his drink, earning himself a jab from my elbow. “Clint called the strippers. Called it ‘a gift’ and that my planned party wasn’t the way ‘real men’ do it.”

“He what?” Sarah gasped and I think I pulled a muscle rolling my eyes.

“How can you believe that?” I challenged.  

“I don’t know Clint.” Sarah retorted. “I know Matt.”

“Do you?” Clint asked.

“I know him better than I know you.” Sarah jabbed her finger into Clint’s chest before turning on me. “If you wouldn’t have kept him hidden, maybe I would know him.”

“I didn’t keep him hidden.” I fumbled.  

“Oh?” Matt said. “So what, Clint didn’t want you to tell anyone about him? Was he that against being tied to you?”

“Excuse me?” Clint’s voice was getting that hard edge to it, the one I only rarely heard.  

“I bet he doesn’t even take you on dates.” Matt said.

“He does.” I was freaking out. This wasn’t something we talked about. I didn’t have a plan for this. We didn’t have a story for this.  

“Where?” Matt asked. “When last?”

“You always said you didn’t have time to breath, let alone date.” Sarah offered.  

“So what, you date in?” Matt asked.  

“What’s wrong with staying in?” I asked. This was getting out of control.

“Stay at home dates are just a cover for sex.” Matt answered. “He’s just after you for sex. All he cares about is sex. So he hired what he called ‘strippers’. I’m pretty sure they were just hookers.”

“Clint’s a good man. He treats me right.”  

“So what? You’re after him for his money? Lord knows he keeps saying he has it. Is he giving you all his money? Is that why he has an old watch?”

“Matt- She’s my sister.” Sarah was faltering. I couldn’t imagine what she saw in him but at least she wasn’t against me. Not totally.  

“Enough.” Clint said. His voice was low and firm.  

“You brought strippers- Hookers- to my- to Matt’s party and want to say what’s enough?”  

“Even if I did hire the strippers- and I did not, I did not make Matt try to swallow one’s face. I didn’t make Matt touch them. I didn’t make Matt struggle to carry one to the broom closet where I’m sure they had sex.”

“How dare you- I did not have sex with one of them!” Matt’s face was red.  

“But you kissed one?” Sarah challenged, turning on her husband as Clint down the rest of his drink and set it on a passing tray, switching it for a fresh one. “You did, I- that was one of the pictures.”  

“But- I- I- I���m not the one who called them.” Sarah slapped him and marched away.

“Look, how am I the bad guy just because Alexis can’t fuck Clint well enough and he needs to watch stripper’s-”  

It happened so fast. One second Matt was talking and the next, a crack echoed through the silent air and Matt was crashing to the ground. There were gasps and whispers. Sarah had stopped in her tracks and turned to look, eyes wide.  

Reaching out, I wrapped my arms around Clint’s arm. I guess I thought I was going to try to hold him back. It didn’t matter though because he made no move to advance on the man on the ground.  

“Stay down.” Clint’s voice was cold as ice and carried through the room as he looked around. His shoulders were squared and his head was held high. He rubbed his knuckles.  

“Clint?” I whispered.  

“I want to make something vary clear, to everyone in this room.” Clint’s voice carried through the room, projected and full of steel. “You can insult me all day. You can question my means and my finances. You can judge my watch for being a few years old. You can judge me for my age. You can judge me for my business. But I will not stand for anyone talking about the woman I love like that.”  

~~~~~<3

With Coffee coming to a close, those of you who are only being tagged in Coffee- let me know if you want to migrate over to any other tag lists. 

Tag List: @theheartofpenelope, @winterisakiller, @tnystrk-exe, @bradfordbantams, @ruebx, @hufflepuff25, @0-0-0-0-0-0-0-7, @theoneanna, @alexakeyloveloki, @toozmanykids, @j-u-s-t-4, @missaphrodite23, @bambamwolf87, @nonsensicalobsessions, @tinchentitri, @xoxabs88xox, @queenoftheunderdark, @wegingerangelica, @myoxisbroken, @coyotesongwriting

[foggedgrief]

okay, hello, this is going to be a part one to a series of introductions ! i have already hit my five character cap because i’m a menace but that means you get more content and honestly that feels like a fair trade off. without my rambling, i give you nicky ( click here to find some quick facts about my boy ) and emi ( click here to find some quick facts about my girl ) ! wanted connections can be found here.

be warned ! before you click that handy dandy little read more, the following triggers will be discussed : death ( multiple deaths due to the fog, not explicit : both nicky and emi ), grief ( parent losing a child : emi ), religion ( turning away from : emi ) !

losing  friends  and  family  to  the  fog  and  blaming  yourself  for  not  being  more  vigilant,  taking  guardianship  of  your  little  sister  and  getting  a  second  job  to  make  sure  ends  meet,  trying  your  hardest  and  kicking  yourself  for  not  doing  better,  bloodied  knuckles  aggravated  by  vodka  to  clean  them  and  wrapped  so  tightly  you  fear  your  fingers  might  turn  blue,  anger  replaced  by  grief  replaced  by  the  understanding  she  needs  you  and  you  will  tear  down  the  rest  of  the  world  to  keep  her  safe.

nicholas adam locklear was born in inverness, scotland, and still has a scottish accent even though he’s been in the country for twenty years. 

nicky and his family moved to maine a few months before his seventh birthday. they moved to maine because his mother, a once american ex pat, had a father who wanted his kids to be closer because they all seemed to have scattered to the wind. he walked into the fog a week after the locklears had unpacked their home. 

the fog has always been a thing of morbid fascination from nicky and after grandpa took his walk into the woods, nicky was kept particularly far away from the forest line, fog warnings or not. on all saint’s day, the day after he turned eight, nicky found himself in the fog. and then he found himself in his bed with no explanation for either event. 

he started drawing that day, intricate sigils that gave themselves meaning but no voice, so he spoke them into existence: protection from sorcery, protection from evil, wards off negative energies, heal the body and the spirit. four symbols that he couldn’t stop drawing on everything he owned. homework, notebooks, on the walls of his home in crayon ( if you look in those spots today, in the locklear family home, they’re painted now. a whole interior room covered in the sigils intended to look like an artsy photo collage wall. ).

some in town say that the locklears are cursed, that their family bears bad blood, that they owed some kind of karmic debt too large for one life. whatever the rumor, they all boil down to one thing: too many locklears have gone missing in the fog. nicky’s paid little mind to them, though there’s a voice too strange to be his but too familiar to dismiss that encourages him to go in ( to go back ). 

nicky’s life revolves around his little sister, belle, who was born when he was twenty. a few months later, their mother went into the fog and their father went about an hour later to try and look for her. neither came home. though the courts tried to pass belle off to the next living relative, nicky petitioned for rights to guardianship because he lived in the home and could find a way to make ends meet for him to be belle’s caretaker. enter the diner and blue valley.

nicky’s always been a hard worker, never one to take a short cut and never one to take the easy way out. his focus has always been to take care of belle above board, so no one could have a reason to take away the last of his family. that little babe was his world and is nicky’s driving force in most things. he started working at the bar first and took on a job at the diner when he realized that tips got slow after a certain hour and what better way than to make more money by helping to sober up the people you just got drunk ?

when customers offer to buy nicky drinks, he usually puts together a couple of complimentary mixers ( cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice ) and pours in water from an old tito’s bottle to make it look like he’s adding tequila. he’ll pocket the cost of a drink as an extra tip. he never drinks on the job. 

his jobs aren’t glamorous but they keep the roof over his head and belle’s. he works 14 hour days ( 9 pm to 11 am ; 9 pm - 3 am at blue valley and 3:10 to 11 am at the diner ), 6 days a week ( sundays off ), 84 hours a week and he’s damn good at what he does, and seldom calls out for anything. nicky’s the kind of guy to pound three monsters and call it a day just to keep himself going. he’s used to running on little sleep because of his paternal role with belle and wanting to keep as engaged with her as possible. he usually leaves her with the finnegans so he doesn’t have to pay any babysitting money.

the one time nicky tried, dottie looked at the bills in his hand and just hugged him tightly and said, “no child of mine is going to pay me to watch theirs.” nicky cried that day and spent ten minutes crying into her shoulder and then slept on her couch for a few hours while belle played with the finnegan twins. 

nicky is a good person and he’s a really good dad. at 22 he became licensed in the state of maine to be able to foster and has fostered ten kids in the last five years. right now it’s just him and belle in the house that his parents bought that he keeps up as best as he can. the guest bathroom needed a remodel three years ago and the kitchen appliances only work when you knock on them the right way and if the wind’s blowing in the right direction, but some things are just the way that it is. 

other important things that i couldn’t work in above but you should know: 

nicky gives like ,,, just really comforting hugs that suggest a level of emotional intimacy that is likely to catch you pleasantly off guard. 

will help you buy your groceries because he has a better chance of making fifty dollars tonight than you do. 

usually sleeps on disney princess sheets because belle insisted they would look best in his room ( she was right ). his other sheets are bubblegum pink and he bought them for himself because that’s the vibe he was feeling and sometimes you just have to do what will put a smile on your face. 

his little sister is seven but nicky is the only parent she’s ever known and she usually calls him dad over nicky even though she knows the difference. 

nicky calls her his kid a lot. everyone in town pretty much knows the story. 

steady  hands  and  steady  heart  are  starting  to  shake,  pleading  with  officers  don’t  let  me  bury  an  empty  casket,  the  table  set  for  three  but  you  can’t  bring  yourself  to  put  the  plate  away,  pale  yellow  front  door  once  made  your  laugh  now  just  makes  you  sad  because  your  daughter’s  sunshine  still  lingers,  and  there’s  no  place  to  put  your  faith,  nothing  so  powerful  would  take  away  a  little  girl.

emi is considerably less fleshed out than nicky but we’re still going to do our best to give her a fair shake at an intro, so here goes ! 

noemi was born noemi sofia ibarra in pine haven, maine. though she’s always considered pine haven her home, she’s always desired that her upbringing was somewhere warmer. 

she’s a third generation doctor at the clinic, following in the footsteps of her grandfather and mother and knew from a young age that she wanted to help people. she bounced from pine haven for a while ( from ages 18 to 28 ) and followed her dreams to go somewhere warmer and graduated from emory university’s medical school in atlanta. 

she pushed through medical school immediately after graduating with her undergrad and returned to pine haven as a permanent resident when she was 29. having been home, officially, for ten years, she has found herself in the center of the community. more often than not, residents of town know they can call emi and come sit on her kitchen table if they need urgent care. 

life outside of pine haven’t wasn’t all medical school, though, because she also met her the father of her daughters. at 23 emi gave birth to her elder daughter, evangeline. that sweet little girl meant the world to her and emi spent double the amount of time awake those first semesters trying to get used to having a baby and school to balance. she was the center of emi’s universe, this baby and her father. 

emi’s second daughter, catalina, was born about eight years ago and is as much emi’s pride and joy as her older sister. the pair never fail to blow emi away in their creativity, kindness, and love, and she has made that known to them from the time they could open their eyes. though these times were sweet it’s time to fast forward to the current day because this is where emi shifts for the worse for as much as she doesn’t want to. 

two weeks ago, during the fog warning, evangeline wasn’t home with the family. emi was at work, locked down with a few patients, and when she didn’t get a phone call from her daughter, like she asks of all her family, she started to worry. panic didn’t settle in until after the fog warning and no one had heard from evangeline. frantic, begging, trying to stave off the final moments before the inevitable declaration, emi found herself begging the officers at the station: find me something to bury before absolutely crumbling against the weight of her own fears.

prior to her daughter’s disappearance, emi had put at least some stock into god but spite consumes her whenever she thinks about him. something all loving doesn’t steal child from the arms of their mother’s and something all powerful doesn’t let whatever lives in the forest to exist after taking the first soul. this town suffers because of that fog and venom pools in her mouth waiting to spit at the first person who proclaims that god will watch over her daughter. some people turn to faith for stability. emi has turned away.