#I only just barely was able to be nicer to myself about tossing food just before they started that tho | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sunmoonandeddie · 3 years ago

Text

and he kissed me right here

pairing: modern!bucky barnes x reader

word count: 6,100

summary: I've always been sure that all I ever wanted was a glamorous life.

warnings: Cuss words, mentions of the Afghanistan war (Bucky is a veteran), angst, happy ending, cheesy romantic confessions, age gap

a/n: This is based on the song 'Stars and the Moon' from Songs for a New World! It's the first one shot in my musical series! This is written in first perspective, but there is no physical description or use of a name in this!

Twenty-Two

I sighed as I tossed a few more dirty plates into the dish window, wiping my brow. After a shitty dinner rush and an even shittier rush around two in the morning consisting only of drunk ass college kids looking for some sort of carb to suck up all the alcohol in their systems, I was ready to go the fuck home.

“Sweetheart, you head on home now,” the head chef insisted as he watched my head nod slightly as I tried my best to fight off sleep. “Ain’t nobody comin’ in before Melissa gets here. No point in you staying on your feet any longer.”

Louis was a godsend. At sixty-seven years old, you’d think he would rather be anywhere but a diner at almost four in the morning.

“Nah,” he had said when I’d asked him a few months after I’d first started. “My Ginny died a few years back, and since she’s been gone, I don’t really have the stomach to sit around that house all alone.” He had laughed, but there’d been a deep sorrow that had come over his deep brown eyes. “Kids are worried, but… Sleeping the day away is better than laying up at night staring at her side of the bed…”

“You sure, Lou?” I asked even as I headed for the back room where all the employees clocked in and kept their possessions in their own little cubbies. I did my checkout in view of the security camera, just like always. I didn’t want anyone to be able to say I stole anything.

Everyone who knew me knew that I wouldn’t, but I’d worked at two many places where the girls tried backstabbing each other and sabotaging everyone else to get them fired.

Though people were a lot nicer in Louisiana than any of the other places I’d lived.

Louis chuckled as he set a to-go box in the window, nodding towards it. “Mmhm. Long as Buck is getting you home safe.”

I gave him a joking eye roll as I took the to-go box gratefully, grinning at my name written in all caps with green Sharpie on top. “You know you don’t have to make me dinner every night.”

“Yes, I do,” he said, shooting me a look. “How else do I know you’re getting enough food in you, huh?” He pointed his rag at me. “Now you go ask him to get you home. Tell him I said he can clock out, and that he’s supposed to text me when he sees you safe inside. You better not say you’re gonna ask him again just to walk yourself home.” The old man shook his head as I headed for the back door, muttering to himself, “Damn girl thinks I’m gonna believe she’s feeding herself good enough when she’s risking her damn ass walking home alone.”

Despite the fact that I’d put off asking for Bucky Barnes’s service, I really did appreciate how fiercely Louis cared about me.

It had been a real long time since anyone had cared so much.

I hesitated at the back door of the diner, my hand resting against the cool metal.

What if he said no?

Granted, he most likely wouldn’t. But what if he said yes, and he secretly thought me some dumb little girl that couldn’t take care of herself?

What did I care if he thought that?

“I don’t care what he thinks of me,” I huffed as I straightened my shoulders, holding my chin a little higher.

“Stop talking to yourself and get going!”

I jumped in surprise, before shooting a glare in the direction of the kitchen. “Stop listening in on my private conversations!” I demanded before storming outside with new found vigor.

Only to freeze when Bucky looked up from where he was sitting on the curb, smoking a cigarette.

God, he was handsome.

“You okay, doll face?” He asked, his New York accent a sharp contrast to the southern drawls you were used to.

“Um… Y-Yeah,” I said faintly, glancing back at the door that I’d come in from. “Um… L-Louis wants me to ask you… Can you walk me home? Or give me a ride? I don’t… I don’t know if you drive…”

“I do drive.”

“O-Oh. Okay. Great.”

“But I don’t have my car on me.”

I peered at him curiously. “Oh. Um… I can just walk by myself. I don’t wanna… I don’t wanna be a nuisance…”

He stood up, tossing his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out. “Don’t be ridiculous, darlin.’ Come on. I’ll walk you.” He shoved his hands in his pockets as he began to head for the street. “Besides… It’s a real nice night.”

“Oh…,” I said in surprise at how ready he was to be of service. “Okay. But only if you’re sure.”

A faint smile graced his lips as he glanced at the ground, letting out a faint chuckle that rumbled deep in his chest. “I’m sure, darlin.’ But you gotta lead the way.”

I was surprised by the rapid pitter patter of my heart beat as we walked side by side down the street, the chorus of ‘Yellow Brick Road’ getting stuck in my head on a loop.

Bucky was an enigma that I found myself wondering about more often than not, but I always ended up talking myself out of going there. After all, he was an older man. A much older man. At least fifteen years older than my own twenty-two years, or something along those lines, not that he looked it. The man looked like some kind of rugged Greek god. Like Hades if Hades was born in the eighties. His dog tags clinked together under his shirt as we walked, his metal prosthetic glinting in the moon.

“So how did you end up in NOLA?”

It took me a moment to even realize that he was talking to me, my heart skipping a beat and my face going hot in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked.

His bright blue eyes flickered over to look me over. “How’d you end up in New Orleans?”

“I actually don’t know,” I snorted, avoiding his eyes as I kicked at a few broken up pieces of asphalt. “I just… Picked a bus ticket and ended up in one of the Carolinas. Then I picked another bus ticket and ended up in Minnesota. And then I picked another, and another, and another, and then I actually just… ended up here.” The months I’d spent alone on those Greyhounds felt both so long ago and also like it was just yesterday. “The diner was the first place someone recommended for food that’s good but cheap, and as I was eating my mountain of cheese fries, I saw the flyer that said they were hiring. So here I am now…”

“Huh,” he said, his brows furrowed. “I didn’t take you for the type of person to run off on your own… riding buses all over the country…”

Head tilting to the side, I gave him a long look. “You didn’t? What kind of type did you peg me for?”

Bucky gave me a long look, a single brow raised as though silently telling me that I jumped to conclusions. “Just that jumping from place to place can take a lot outta someone,” he said slowly, his voice low and soothing. “Hell, if you were my girl—” He broke off as his cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink, his long hair falling in his face.

I swore my heart had stopped inside of my chest, and I swallowed thickly around the lump in my throat. “Oh?”

He rushed to try to correct his wording. “I-I just mean, a lady should be comfortable. And if I had a g-girl like you, well… You’d never want for anything,” he stammered, stumbling over his words like a flustered school boy. “Hell, I… I’d give you the stars and the moon…”

I was shocked into silence, staring up at him like he was the sun itself. “Bucky…”

“No, no, don’t say anything. I… I know that was a lot,” he insisted quietly, unable to meet your eyes as he stared up at the shitty apartment building you called home. “Hell, you probably don’t want a gross old man hitting on you.” His metal hand, glinting in the low light of the street lamp, reached up to brush against my cheek for just a moment before it quickly dropped. “Just let me walk you home each night so I can make sure you’re safe, yeah?”

“Yeah,” I breathed out, unable to take my eyes off of him as he took a few steps back.

There’s a somewhat playful smirk on his lips as he watched me stumble up the steps, continuously glancing back at him. “Goodnight, baby doll.”

“Goodnight,” I said, barely audible before I finally headed inside.

Bucky kept his word. He walked me home every night, and honestly, there wasn’t a moment that I wasn’t thinking about what he had said, about if I was his girl.

What if I was his girl?

But… with that meant I’d have to give up the life I’d dreamed for myself. I wanted luxury, to never worry about bills or where I was gonna get my next meal or if I could afford to buy the nice work shoes or if I could only get the cheap ones that would fall apart in three months and then I’d just be right back where I started.

I wanted the life that celebrities lived. Hell, I wanted to go to parties on the same yachts the Kardashian-Jenners did, even if I couldn’t fucking stand them.

And with Bucky… I wouldn’t have that.

“So why’d you go on the run anyway?” Bucky asked one night as we sat on the curb, eating ice cream in the Louisiana heat. “I know you told me how you got here, but you’ve never told me why.”

“You’ve never told me how you ended up here or why either,” I shot back, nudging his shoulder with my own.

Somehow the age difference seemed non-existent as we sat there. Honestly, I felt like we were just a bunch of dumb teenagers, shooting the shit and enjoying each other’s company.

Bucky took in a deep breath, his shoulders sinking in a way that made it look like he had all the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I was over in Afghanistan for a long time,” he admitted quietly. “When the war first started, I was 19. I had no idea where my life was going and I had no options except my dad’s mechanic shop. So I enlisted with my best friend, Steve. The one I told you about.”

It’s completely silent except for the sound of an occasional car horn off in the distance.

“Neither one of us knew what we were doing. We realized very quickly that we had no reason being over there, but… but there was nothing else,” he said, swallowing around the lump in his throat. The ice cream he was holding was melting in his trembling hands. “I didn’t know how to do anything else, so I stayed. Steve moved up in the ranks, but I stayed pretty low… I didn’t mind. Kinda liked being the older guy all those young kids could talk to, could rely on… Because they were just like me, getting into a fight that wasn’t theirs because they had nothing else.”

My heart was shattering inside my chest as I scooted a little closer, my knee knocking against his as I tried to give him some sort of silent comfort. He’d been through Hell and made it through.

Bucky let his head rest against mine, his eyes closing as he breathed in the scent of my perfume. “They eventually moved me to some kind of specialized team… Called us the Howling Commandos. I found out that Steve was heading it and he picked me to be part of it. That’s how I met Sam, because he was on some sort of similar team with the Air Force, except it was just him and his friend, Riley,” he continued, taking a bite of his chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. “I am proud to say that I didn’t kill a single person while I was over there. I just couldn’t. Hell, they’re people just like me, terrified and unsure of what’s going to happen.” His lips pressed against my forehead, letting it linger. “But then about five years ago, I was on a mission with the Commandos, Sam, and Riley, and… this bomb went off while we were playing a game of soccer. I wasn’t even in a fight. That thing took my arm and it took Riley.”

Tentatively, I let my fingers find his, holding his hand and squeezing reassuringly.

“Sam decided to come home with me.” There was a forlorn look in his eyes, as though he was right back at that game of pick-up soccer. “After losing Riley… he couldn’t find a reason to be over there. And then Steve decided to stay, and hell, he’s still over there, leading that fucking team…” Glassy baby blue eyes finally found mine, the both of us doing our best to not cry. “I couldn’t face my family for a long time, so Sam asked me to come stay in Louisiana with him and his family, and I haven’t left since.”

“Have you gone to see your family?” I asked slowly, almost like I was scared I’d frighten him if I spoke too loudly, like a wild animal. “Let them know where you are? That you’re safe?”

He turned to look at me, his baby blues shining. “You worried about me, baby doll?”

“I can’t help it,” I said honestly, unable to tear my eyes away. I hadn’t opened up to someone like that in so damn long. “I can’t help but worry about you.”

The way that I felt about Bucky absolutely terrified me, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. It snuck up on me, like a train coming around a bend.

I hated it.

“What do you want out of this life?” Bucky asked on one walk home, his arm linked in mine. He’d become so much more… tactile. If anyone took a moment to look at us, they’d think we were a couple on a romantic stroll.

Perhaps we were.

But I couldn’t help but grin as I looked up at the sky, taking in the warm air. “I wanna live like how the movie stars do… I want a big house on the beach and twenty cars and a yacht and… and…”

He looked at me long and hard. “And you never wanna have to worry about where your next meal is coming from, if you’re gonna have a place to sleep at night…”

For some reason, I’d felt a bolt of panic over whether or not he’d understand. Whether or not he’d think differently of me, but I should’ve known that he wouldn’t. Hell, he knew me better than anyone else.

“You understand,” I said quietly, my hand squeezing his bicep gratefully. “I want to live how the other half lives for once. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

A small smile graced his features as we shuffled along. “There isn’t. But… What about love?” He asked.

“Love?”

“Love.”

Love.

Could I even have love? Did I want it?

“I don’t know if there’s a lot of room for love in my plans,” I admitted after a long moment. “In my experience, love has always just been a lie. A word used to manipulate and eventually abuse.”

Letting out a snort, he let his fingers tickle down my tricep until his fingers intertwined with mine. “I’d show you it’s not… I’d show you what real love is,” he said. “I’d give you every part of me, give you all my strength to help you grow into who you wanna be, even if I don’t particularly care about being famous or rich…” He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I’ll give you a love story, a life, that’s a million times better than any recycled Hollywood plot… I’ll give you the stars and the moon, if you would just let me.”

I hated the way that he made my heart beat faster, the way my breath hitched. “Jamie,” I breathed out quietly, the two of us having stopped in our tracks to just… take each other in. Live in each other’s presence for a moment. “I…”

“You want a big life… one a lot bigger than little old me,” he said simply, shrugging. His blue eyes were so honest, so loving. So warm. A warmth I hadn’t ever experienced before. “I know. But that doesn’t change that I’m in love with you. And if you ever change your mind…” Bucky reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, pressing it into my free hand. “This is where you can find me. I figure it’s time for me to go home.”

We’d come to a stop in front of my building, and I was shocked at how tight my chest felt. My eyes watered as I stared at him long and hard. “Jamie, please… I⏤”

“Don’t say it. It’s okay,” he insisted as he cupped my cheek, letting his thumb run over my skin as though he was memorizing it. “I just want you to be happy, darling. You got that?” His lips pressed to my forehead, letting it linger. “Go get that life you’ve been dreaming of.”

Twenty-Three

I left New Orleans the next day, grabbing a bus ticket after throwing all of my belongings into my old duffel bag. It was time to move on.

But God, did it hurt.

I didn’t stop crying for weeks, fighting the urge to go right back to Louisiana and tell Bucky to take it back, to get him to beg me to stay with him.

But what kind of life would that leave me with? Working in the diner day after day? Never getting anywhere?

But you’d have James, a voice inside my head reminded me snarkily.

Then again, he most likely wasn’t even in New Orleans anymore, if what he said was true when he gave me the business card of his father’s mechanic shop. Was he really planning on going home to New York City?

A few months later, and I’d worked my way all through the southwest to Santa Fe, where I met Pietro.

My heart was pounding as I pressed in the familiar numbers, having memorized them from the business card now soft and faded from how often I held it in my hands like a lifeline. “Come on… Pick up… Pick up…”

“Barnes Tires and Motors, this is George,” a man said in a gruff voice when he finally picked up. “How can I help you?”

“H-Hi, is James there? James Barnes? Bucky?” I stammered out, hands trembling so bad that the old payphone was almost rattling.

There was a pause, and then muffled talking away from the phone.

And then I heard it being picked up. “This is Bucky,” he said.

It felt like the wind had been knocked right out of my lungs. How had I gone so long without hearing his voice?

Breathing in sharply, I tried to figure out the words to say. But my throat was dry and it was like I’d suddenly forgotten the entire English language.

That was all that it took for Bucky to realize it was me. “Baby doll? Baby doll, is that you?” He asked quietly. “I…” He took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. “You don’t gotta say a thing, sweetheart… But just know that if you’re in trouble or you need help or… or anything at all, you better call me…” His voice wavered, as though he was fighting tears just like I was. “God, I miss you so much, baby doll. I love you.”

I love you, too.

I hung up before I could actually say the words. “God, I’m so fucking stupid,” I whispered as I leaned back against the wall of the gas station I’d found myself at, rubbing the heels of my hands into my eyes.

My dumb ass had decided to wander from the bus station, and I’d walked over a mile away. Unless I was staying in Santa Fe for a bit, I’d need to start making my way back.

“You okay?”

In my distress, I hadn’t even heard the rumbling of the motorcycle or noticed the handsome man making his way to me. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine,” I said even as I wiped my nose with a pathetic sniffle.

He eyed me for a long moment, his eyes roaming over my figure. “You hungry? I know a great little place nearby. My treat.”

And well, I was never one to turn down free food.

Even if that ‘little place’ ended up being a food truck.

“You know, when you said it was a little place, I didn’t picture it having wheels,” I said teasingly, licking salsa off of my lower lip. “Though, it is the best food I’ve ever gotten from a food truck before.”

“Oh, come on. This is the best food of all time!” He laughed, shaking his head.

“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” I snorted, finishing off my flautas.

Pietro looked at me long and hard. “So, are you gonna tell me what the hell was going on to have a pretty girl like you all teary eyed?” He asked, his head tilting to the side.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Was this your plan all along?” I asked. Wiping my hands off on a napkin, I did everything I could to avoid his eyes. “Get me all fed and then question me?” But at the same time, the thought of being able to finally talk to someone about it was so appealing… After a long moment of hesitation, I finally gave in. “I fell in love with a man, and he let me go because he knew that I want a life he can’t give me,” I said. “And I was a bitch who didn’t even tell him I love him back when he said it to me.”

Pietro took in a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “Damn. You really are a stone cold bitch, aren’t you?”

“Hey!” I indignantly threw a chunk of tomato at him, glaring. “I just opened up my heart, you dickwad.”

“Dickwad?!” He said, blinking at me in shock. “No one’s ever called me a dickwad before.”

I raised a single eyebrow at him. “Maybe not to your face, but they definitely have.” He gave off the vibe of a fuckboy, of a really, really bad fuckboy.

“Well, since you’re running away from your feelings, how about you spend a week or two with me on the road?” He asked with a grin.

I couldn’t help but blink at him in shock. “What?” I let out a laugh, pulling one of my legs up to my chest. “Do you throw that line out to every girl you meet? Or am I just special?”

Pietro threw a chip at me, and I barely managed to dodge it. “No, I don’t. But… You remind me of me. Needing adventure. A life bigger than four walls and a fence.”

Instinctively, I wanted to snap back that sometimes, four walls and a fence could be an adventure, could be the biggest life there was, as Bucky’s face flashed across my mind.

But I couldn’t do that. Not when I wasn’t ready to face the truth myself.

“Come on, sweet cheeks,” he teased as his foot hooked around mine. “Just think of it. The open highway, a rhythm beneath your feet… Nights full of passion and days of adventure…” Pietro’s voice was deep and husky, as though he was trying to lure me in. “No strings… just warm summer rain soaking us to the bone before we find some cheap motel to huddle down in…”

Plastering on a smile, I stood up and brushed myself on. “Thanks, but… I’d rather be drinking champagne, and the quicker I get to LA, the sooner I will be.”

He let me go with a kiss on the cheek and his cell number pressed into my hand, with a promise to come and pick me up the second I rang.

And despite how sweet he was, how wild and funny and charismatic, there was only one man I wanted to call.

Twenty-Four

I sipped at my martini as I sat at the rooftop bar, absentmindedly watching the television that was mounted on the wall as people droned around me. I’d been in Los Angeles for a year, and I’d spent my time finding the best places to find a husband who could give me the life I dreamed of.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it, it took connections to build a career, and the best way to get a foot in the door when nepotism was so rampant was by marrying someone in the industry.

My silk dress was the most expensive thing I owned, something I’d saved up for months for, had skipped meals for. And fuck, was it worth it. I could feel the stares, the lingering gazes on the little bit of thigh that was exposed by the slit in the dress.

I’d already turned away several men, able to tell just from their expensive watches and cheap suits and shoes.

It was amazing how all the up and coming finance bros thought they fit in with the truly big dogs.

“Well, hello, gorgeous.”

I turned to see who was speaking, my heart skipping a beat when I realized who I was speaking to.

The world famous (or infamous) director, Tony Stark.

“Hello, handsome,” I said smoothly, my lashes fluttering innocently as I took a sip of my horrible drink.

I fucking hated martinis. Always had.

But ordering a martini was more sophisticated than ordering a frozen strawberry margarita.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked as he motioned to the empty bar stool right next to me, even as he was already sitting down. “Let me buy your next round.”

“I can’t think of anything better,” I said, feeling as though my dream life was already in reach.

Twenty-Eight

“Tony, where are you taking me?” I laughed as I let my boyfriend lead me to the private dock at our Malibu mansion.

Well, his mansion. I just happened to also live there.

It had been a whirlwind of a year since I had met Tony, and he’d bought me that second round. He’d taken me all over the globe, anywhere my heart desired.

But I made sure to avoid New York City, though he never understood why. I would never tell him.

Not when I was so close to my dream. I could practically taste it.

“Come on, come on. I have a surprise for you,” he said, keeping his hands over my eyes. He was sure to keep me from tripping and busting my ass, thank god.

The ocean waves were so comforting as they hit the shore, a sound I’d gotten used to over the past year.

He finally brought me to a stop, quietly telling me to keep my eyes closed. “Okay,” he said finally. “Open them.”

My eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the bright light of the California sun. But I was more shocked by the sight of Tony on one knee in front of me, holding out a box with a sparkling diamond ring in it. “Tony?”

The ring was the size of a fucking meteor. It was easily the biggest ring I’d ever seen.

“You know, I never thought I’d meet someone like you,” he said quietly, his dark eyes shining. But his voice was steady. “Someone who understands me, who doesn’t expect me to change into someone I’m not. You accept me as I am, and that’s why I want to give you the world.” He couldn’t help but grin as he nodded to the right. “Starting with that yacht you’ve always dreamed of.”

I hadn’t even noticed that there were two yachts at his private docks instead of just the one. The new one had SS Princess emblazoned on the side, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh… Tony…”

“So, what do you say?” He asked, bringing my attention back to him. “Will you be my wife?”

“Yes.”

Thirty-Two

Swallowing nervously, I looked down at the business card in my hand for the millionth time, the stock paper soft from how often I’d looked at it in the past ten years.

Hell, just how often I’d looked at it in the past six should’ve made it fall apart by now. Not that I didn’t have it memorized.

I’d finally ended my marriage after being miserable for so long. I’d gotten my yacht, my fancy houses, my career, all the jewelry that I could dream of, and none of it made me happy. Tony and I… never grew. And I never dreamed. Every day was the same, and every day was torture as I realized that I didn’t have the one thing that actually mattered.

The garage in front of me was busy, music blasting and the sound of men shouting to each other as they worked.

Suddenly I felt absolutely ridiculous wearing a Chanel dress and Gucci heels, an Hermés bag on my arm.

BARNES TIRES AND MOTORS was lit up along the top of the shop in bright red letters, though the lights in the ‘r’ of ‘motors’ were out.

I felt like a fool. I had wanted the life I had so desperately that I gave up everything for it. I got the movie star life, my name on billboards and my face on magazines.

But it wasn’t ever enough.

My heels clicked against the blacktop as I slowly made my way towards the front area of the shop, bells clinging above my head to let them know someone was there.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” A man asked as he came around the corner.

He looked so much like Bucky, it punched the air straight from my lungs.

“H-Hi. I’m looking for James Barnes. Is he here?” I asked after a long moment of hesitation. There was no way that the man was Bucky, but I didn’t doubt he was related.

The man raised his brows, wiping his hands on a rag. “My son’s in the shop. I’ll take you to him.” His full head of hair was white, his thick facial hair matching. Even with all the wrinkles on his face, he was a handsome man. Holding open the door for me, he led me into the loud shop, some eighties rock song blasting over the speakers.

I couldn’t help but smile as ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’ by Scorpions came on. It was one of Bucky’s favorites back when we worked in the diner together.

“BUCK! YOU GOT A VISITOR!” The man shouted, causing several people to look our way.

My cheeks felt hot as I avoided their gaze, hoping they wouldn’t recognize me. I didn’t want to be a famous movie star anymore, a celebrity that had to beg for scraps of privacy.

My mind went numb, my heart stopping inside my chest as he stepped around a gray Ford Escape another man was working on.

He was even more handsome than he was the last time I saw him.

“Can I help y—” He broke off, his blue eyes going wide when he realized that it was me. “Hi.”

All of a sudden, everything I’d planned to say flew out of my head. All of the eloquent words I’d strung together were gone. And I just proceeded to word vomit.

“Did you know that, uh, when you marry someone you’re not in love with, you won’t… you won’t grow into it?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Um… I married a man who could give me a life I thought I always wanted, and he just… sucked.” Eyes stinging, I fought back against tears. “And I thought that all I ever wanted was the life I have now, was the life movie stars and the Kardashians lived. But… But I hate it. I hated every second I was away from you.” I let out a weak laugh, unable to stop the tears. “I wanted to turn around the second I got on the bus in New Orleans, but my stupid stubborn ass didn’t. I should have. I should’ve gotten off and just run right back to you because I… I love you, James. I always have.”

The garage had gone almost deadly quiet, and my heart sank when I realized Bucky looked almost frozen in shock.

“I know that I shouldn’t have showed up like this,” I scrambled to say. “But I… I’ve been trying to get my divorce finalized for two years and I finally did, and I kept telling myself that once it was done, I’d never hold myself back from what I really want ever again. From who I want. If… If you want me.” My face felt like it was on fire, my hands shaking. I shook my head as I took a step backwards. “What am I thinking? There’s no way you’re not married. I… I’m so so—”

Before I could finish the word ‘sorry,’ Bucky had closed the distance between us, his hands cradling my face so gently. He held me like I was made of fine crystal as he kissed me. He kissed me like his life depended on it, like I was the one source of oxygen.

And I kissed him back just as fiercely. “I love you. I love you so much,” I breathed out in between kisses, unwilling to let him go as my Hermés bag fell into the dust and oil on the concrete below.

Bucky smiled into the kiss, his arm wrapping around my waist to keep me pressed to his chest. “I love you so much, darlin.’ God, I’ve missed you…” His nose nudged against mine as we finally broke for air, both of us breathing heavily.

My knees felt like Jell-O as I held onto him. His grip was the only reason I hadn’t fallen to the ground already.

“I’m sorry I was a dumb twenty-two year old,” I said, snorting as he stole another kiss.

“No… Don’t be sorry,” he insisted, his fingers massaging my scalp as our foreheads pressed together. It was like he was scared to stop touching me, like I would disappear at any second. “You were young… You had to go out and make your own mistakes… I’ve just been waiting for the day you were ready.”

All the years apart melted away and all that remained was the two of us, two souls so intertwined that there was no way to truly separate us.

Our lips were half molded together as I said, “I’m never leaving you again. I promise I swear on everything…”

My heart almost stopped inside my chest as I heard someone clearing their throat, looking to see Bucky’s father staring at us with his arms crossed over his chest. “M-Mr. Barnes, sir…”

He gave a crooked smile that was so reminiscent of Bucky that I couldn’t help but grin back. “The Mrs. will wanna know if you’re staying for dinner.”

“Yeah,” I said as I looked up at Bucky, toying with a strand of his hair. “That sounds perfect.”

Later that night, Bucky and I laid in his bed, a mess of bare limbs as his fingers ran up and down my back soothingly. “What do you want from this life, baby girl?” He asked absentmindedly.

Humming, I traced shapes on his bare chest, sometimes pressing a kiss to where his prosthetic met his shoulder, on the tender scar tissue. “You.”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, despite the already mischievous look on his face. “Really? Not even the stars and the moon?” He asked teasingly.

I knew he’d give it to me anyway, give me all that he could. But I was sure now that the only thing I wanted from this life was his love. “Not even the stars and the moon.”

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes reader insert

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pascalpanic · 4 years ago

Text

The Graveyard Shift (Frankie Morales x gn!reader)

Summary: Frankie works overnight shifts at the local mechanic. Tonight, both of you are awake at a late hour.

W/C: 2.3k

Warnings: language, food and eating, talk of not being able to sleep, otherwise fluff

A/N: this idea has been in my head all week I had to! Hope you like it :)

Frankie may be a real insomniac, but tonight you’re feeling like he might have rubbed off on you. Your bed is normally your favorite place, your haven and escape from life. It’s a place to rest and cuddle your teddy bear of a boyfriend, where you can close your eyes and let go of reality. Unfortunately, that glorious disconnect from reality isn’t finding you tonight. You toss and turn in your bed for what feels like hours. Who knows how long it really is?

You try laying on your side. On your back. On your stomach. Legs sprawled out, with no Frankie in the bed to occupy your space. Still, nothing is comfortable. You’re cold without the blankets and hot with them on. The pillows are flat or too squishy. Nothing works.

Frankie’s on the night shift tonight, leaving your bed empty enough for you to toss and turn. Your boyfriend works as a mechanic at a local 24-hour garage, and every week or so he takes the overnight shift. It’s just part of the job. Of course, you don’t mind; he does what he has to. The only downside is the chill in your bed where Frankie’s warm body usually lies.

You try to avoid your phone, checking your alarm clock for the time rather than looking at the blue light and messing up any more chances you have at sleep. But then an hour progresses, and another, and now it’s 1:20 in the morning and sleep is nowhere to be found. You give in and check your phone, sighing.

Frankie can’t possibly be busy. The shop rarely ever gets a car after the sun sets, but it’s worth it to be the only shop in the area open at night. It means more business when someone’s in desperate need. You know he’s awake, and the odds of a car being in the shop now are slim. Maybe talking with him will help you fall asleep.

Deciding to give it a shot, you call his phone. It rings for a few moments, then continues and finally you reach his voicemail, hearing his gentle voice announcing that he’ll call you right back. You frown and set it down only for the phone to ring again. It’s him.

“Hey, babe,” Frankie’s voice speaks through the phone. He sounds tired. Well, you suppose it’s natural. It’s late at night, even if Frankie is practically nocturnal. “Sorry. My hands were covered in grease so I had to wash them before I picked up. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s good,” you inform him, your voice groggy from the lack of sleep you’ve found despite hours of lying here. “Just can’t sleep. How’s work?”

You can hear a metallic clanking as he moves some tools around. “Fine. Just a usual night shift, working on this car that’s an absolute piece of shit. Got oil all over myself.”

The thought makes you smile; Frankie’s grumpy face when something goes wrong, the sigh of exasperation as those dark blue coveralls are stained dark with the car’s oil. “Good job, babe.”

Frankie is rolling his eyes on the other end. You can tell. “Really great job, yeah. How are things at home?”

“Same here. Nothing exciting. Just… can’t sleep and missing you.”

“Missing you too. God, it’s so boring here,” he groans. “I’ll finish this car pretty damn quick then have nothing to do all night. And I’m so goddamn hungry.”

Your eyes light up with an idea and you’re silent as you ponder the idea, long enough for Frankie to be concerned. “What is it?”

“Can I come visit you?” You ask him, a grin crossing your sleepy face. Your eyes are still shut from the weight they carry right now, but your face is clearly happy. “I’ll bring food.

There’s a frown on his face; that much you know for certain. “Babe, it’s late. You should sleep.”

“Francisco, for the love of God. I’m awake right now because I can’t fall asleep. Would you mind a visitor?”

He sighs but you know you’ve won. It makes you smile even wider as you clutch a pillow to your chest. He can barely get the words out before you interrupt. “Great! What are you hungry for?”

There’s another beat of quiet as he thinks. “Let’s order a pizza.”

Late night pizza: Frankie’s biggest weakness besides you. “Perfect. You put in the order and I’ll be there soon. I love you, baby.”

“Love you too. See you then.” Frankie hangs up.

No one else will be around. You know Frankie works these late shifts alone, so you don’t bother to put on anything nicer. Pushing back the covers and bracing for the chill, you stand and slide on a pair of shoes, allowing your pajamas to suffice.

The air is cold as you leave your shared home, and at the last second you grab one of Frankie’s flannels and wrap yourself in it. The night air is chilly around you, the dark sky contrasting the bright lights as you turn on your car. Teeth chattering from the cold, and turning down the air conditioning in your car, you set out on your route to Frankie’s workplace.

There’s no one else on the road besides a spare car or two flying past, neglecting to turn off their high beams for you. It doesn’t matter; if anything, it wakes you up more. When you finally park outside of the building, you rub your eyes desperately hard in hopes of waking yourself up more. It doesn’t really work, but you pretend it does as you pocket your keys and walk inside.

“Hi, I’m here for an oil change?” You call out teasingly into the large garage, entering through an open bay.

Frankie rolls out from beneath a car on a dolley, eyes lighting up at the sight of you. “Don’t even bring that up now.” He sits up, removes his earbuds, and unsnaps the top half of his coveralls, taking off the top half and tying it around his waist. He removes his gloves and meets you halfway into the garage, kissing you softly and laughing as the brim of his hat bumps against your forehead. “Hey, cutie.”

“Hi,” you beam, kissing him once more. “You look hot in this. Very Danny Zuko.”

“Mhm, and this piece of shit is Greased Lightning,” he laughs and pats the hood of the car he was previously beneath. It’s ugly, brown in color and rusted with a grungy looking interior. “I don’t know why they don’t just scrap this thing. It’s not worth the money.”

Your arms remain wrapped around Frankie’s middle, resting your head against his shoulder as you admire the crappy car. “Honestly, I gotta agree,” you laugh and nudge his side so the two of you can move closer to a workbench. “Here.” You offer him the crappy blanket you brought to sit on. “Tell me the best place to set up.”

“Right here, really,” Frankie shrugs and unfolds the blanket, laying it down over the oil-stained concrete. “You get comfortable. I’ll go put on a clean pair of coveralls.” He kisses your head as you sit cross-legged on the blanket, pulling his flannel tighter around yourself. “And stop stealing my clothes!” He calls over his shoulder before retreating into the back.

“You know you love it!” You shout back with a laugh, leaning against the side of the beat-up car.

Out of nowhere, the radio in the shop starts playing. It’s loud, making you jump at the sound of the KISS song that starts blasting. With that, Frankie returns from the back, wearing a clean pair of blue coveralls with that embroidered Catfish patch over his heart. His curls peek out from beneath his cap, and he scratches at the scruff of his beard. “Way to scare the shit out of me!”

“Sorry,” he laughs, adjusting the volume back down from the garage control before making his way over to you. “Just thought we could use some music.”

“I guess,” you grumble, though it’s clear there’s no ill will when he sits next to you and you nuzzle into his side, sighing as he drapes his arm across your shoulders. “Didn’t have to freak me out like that though.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he laughs and kisses your head, leaning back against the car too and letting his head fall back.

No sooner do the two of you get comfortable, nestled into each other’s arms and taking a breath of relaxation, is there a knock at the glass. It’s the pizza delivery, a guy who looks exhausted, just like most normal people would be at this hour. “Be right back.” Frankie kisses your nose and stands, groaning as his joints creak and his back pops.

“Grandpa.” You tease with a grin.

“Stuff it.”

He pays for the order, giving the delivery guy a generous tip for delivering food at this hour of night. Frankie returns with the box and you shimmy in happiness as he opens the box and the smell of the pizza wafts out of the cardboard.

Frankie pulls over a rolling dolley to set the food on, at least somewhat like a table. “Your fine dining experience, my love,” he chuckles as he sets down the box and a stack of napkins next to it. He sits across from you, once again groaning as he makes himself sit cross-legged to match you.

Taking a hold of the crust, you pull out a large slice, the cheese pulling from the center of the pizza. Sighing happily, you tear the cheese apart and pile it on top of the fully-topped pizza, complete with Frankie’s go-to order. Waiting for him and humming to the song, you finally take a bite when he does.

Both of you moan in happiness, laughing a little as each realizes that the other did the same. Once your mouthful of pizza has been swallowed, you grin at Frankie and he grins back. The shop is quiet, the dull rhythm of the oldies station playing in the background. There are no words, but there’s no need for them.

Frankie finishes his slice at about the same time as you, and your hands bump as you both reach for another piece, the one loaded with toppings. “Back off, Morales,” you laugh and swat his hand away, though your hand instantly moves for another piece.

“No, you can have it,” he says, brow furrowing as you leave the piece alone.

“It’s yours. You’re the one working; you deserve it.”

He knows you inside and out. He knows that there’s no arguing when you’ve made the decision, so he takes the piece with a loving “thank you”.

It takes hardly any time for either of you to finish the second piece. Leaning back against the car, your eyes finally shut and you sigh in relaxation. You have food, you have Frankie, and finally you’re starting to get tired. “What time is it now?”

“Late. You can sleep if you want.”

“I’m not tired,” you bluff, though your body slumps against the car, head falling to the side.

Frankie just shrugs and munches on another piece. He can’t help but smile at the sight: you’re in your pajamas and his flannel, falling asleep on the floor of the mechanic shop. He certainly never expected to see such a sight, but he grins at how cute you look like this.

By the time Frankie’s third slice is gone, you’re half-asleep, barely conscious, body holding what little tension and energy you have left. Frankie just leans back, watching you, still smiling at the sight.

He can see it happen when you finally do fall asleep. The tension in your back drifts away, your body slumping down against the car. Your face, which was scrunched in concentration of trying to stay awake, finally slips into the neutrally peaceful state of sleep.

Frankie closes the pizza box, standing and bringing it to the back. He can have some more later if he’s hungry; if not, he’ll send it home with you- later. For now, you need to rest.

His knees and back scream at him as he bends down, but Frankie squats in front of you and wakes you. “Hey, baby. You fell asleep. Come on, get on up and I’ll take you to the couch in the back.”

Your sleep-addled state doesn’t let you argue. You stand, still half-asleep, using Frankie’s hands to help you up. He wraps the clean side of the blanket around you, almost like a burrito, but leaves your legs enough room to walk. Holding onto your arm, so that you don’t trip thanks to your barely-opened eyes, he leads you to the break room in the back.

The old leather couch is beat up and worn, scratched and occasionally ripped from tools left in back pockets and too many years of careless plopping down after a long shift. Frankie makes sure your blanket is swaddled tightly around you and helps you lay down, chuckling at the burrito you make on the couch.

Frankie bends down and kisses your forehead. “I’ll be here if you need me. Just sleep now, babe.”

You murmur something in response, something that might’ve resembled words if you weren’t already fading out again.

Frankie doesn’t go too far, just across the room to the computer. He fires up the machine to check out the schedule for tomorrow, what the store needs to order more of, the usual. The thing that makes it better, maybe even enjoyable, are your soft snores from the couch behind him.

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radishaur · 5 years ago

Note

12+19 from 100 ways to say “i love you” with zuko :)

Absolutely! I love the prompts and I’d love to do more prompt requests! :) For those who haven’t seen the list, #12 is “Take my jacket, it’s cold outside“ and #19 is “Can I hold your hand?”.

- Zoe

•••

I’m Cold (Zuko x Reader)

Warnings: None

Genre: Fluff

Part: 1/1

Summary: The nights get cold on Ember Island. You shivered slightly as you looked up at the stars. You usually spent this day alone, but not tonight. Now you didn’t have to be.

•••

Ember Island was indeed beautiful. You had always wondered what the beach would look like if you ever got the chance to go. You didn’t expect to ever be able to, let alone with the present company you had.

Appa grunted slightly as he landed on the beach and laid down to let everyone get off. Aang jumped down first and immediately began playing with the sand. Sokka got down next and walked up to the house in search of food that wouldn’t be there. Katara scolded him before hoping off herself and helping Toph down. I was next and began taking in every detail. My breath hitched slightly when my eyes landed on Zuko.

Zuko got off next and stood awkwardly by my side. I smiled slightly before turning my head so he couldn’t see my slight blush.

“It looks exactly the same as I remember it,” he said as he looked up at the house.

“It’s beautiful. A little old looking, but beautiful,” I commented, taking in its appearance.

“We should probably get inside before Sokka tears the whole place apart,” Toph joked.

I laughed slightly before picking up my load of stuff from Appa’s back and lugging it into the house. I dropped it in the entry way before beginning to explore. The house was huge and before I knew it I found myself walking into a bedroom upstairs that caught my eye. It looked nicer than the others but more importantly, it looked lived in.

“That’s my room.”

I spun around in shock to see Zuko looking over my shoulder at his room. He had an expression of nostalgia mixed with melancholy.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” I apologized.

“No, it’s ok. You can have it if you want,” he said, looking down to meet my gaze.

“I’m ok. It wouldn’t feel right. I was just looking anyways,” I said with a shrug.

We both stood there silently and I didn’t know what else to do. My heart began racing when I realized just how close he was. I fidgeted with my nails as I waited for something to say to pop into my head.

“Alright Sifu Hotman! I’m ready to train,” Aang called as he walked over to Zuko.

“I told you not to call me that!” Zuko scolded with a frown and a slightly blush.

I laughed and watched as he walked away. He looked at me slightly over his shoulder and I waved as he disappeared. I spent the rest of the day mostly on my own as I was in my thoughts.

Today, unknown to the rest of the group, was the anniversary of my mom’s death. She had died a few years ago in a hunting accident. I still remember the groups faces when they returned to our small village.

I brightened up around dinner time when we all sat around the fire and told stories once more. It was around midnight before everybody got tired and went to sleep. I tossed and turned in my bed, waiting until I was sure that I was the only one awake before walking outside. I made my way down to the beach and sat down so that the water licked my bare feet.

I didn’t realize just how cold it was outside until I had already walked all the way down. I didn’t feel like going all the way back just to come down again so I simply rubbed my hands up and down my arms. I sat down and looked up at the stars, shivering slightly as a breeze blew around me.

“I miss you mom. I hope you’re proud of me,” I said quietly.

It wasn’t long until I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and to my surprise, Zuko was making his way down to where I sat.

“I see I’m not the only one awake,” he teased quietly before sitting down next to me.

“Apparently not,” I replied, a smile ghosting across my face.

I looked up at the stars and shivered once more. Who knew a Fire Nation island could be so cold at night.

“Here. Take my jacket, it’s cold outside,” Zuko insisted, already wrapping his jacket around my shoulders.

“Oh. Thank you,” I mumbled, a slight blush dusting across my face.

I was glad it was dark outside. Otherwise, he would have obviously seen it. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. The jacket smelled just like him. A mix of jasmine tea and firewood. I saw him looking at me out of the corner of my eye.

“I guess you’re probably wondering why I’m outside so late at night,” I asked, glancing at him before looking back up at the stars.

“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to pry,” he rush to say.

I giggled at his nervousness and it made me feel somewhat better about my own nerves. I kept the smile on my face as I watched the stars twinkle.

“4 years ago today was the day my mom died. I always come out at night to look up at the stars for her. She used to star gaze with me all the time when I was little,” I explained.

He stayed silent for a moment, trying to think of what to say. His brows were furrowed lightly and his forehead creased as he thought. It was endearing that he cared so much.

“My mom used to feed turtle ducks with me before she disappeared,” he finally spoke.

“That’s rough buddy,” I joked, giving him a knowing smile.

“Sokka’s the worst,” he groaned, letting himself fall into the sand.

I smiled down at him before scooting myself closer and laying down next to him. I felt a small amount of warmth radiating off of him that seemed to draw me in. I turned my attention back up to the stars.

“Do you see that cluster of stars up there?” I asked, pointing so that he would know where to look.

“The one that looks like a pot?” he asked, laughing slightly.

I couldn’t help but giggle in reply.

“Yes, the one that looks like a pot,” I answered before continuing, “It’s called the Big Dipper.”

“Do all the stars have names?” he asked curiously, his head turning to look at me.

I turned my head to look at him as well and was immediately awestruck by the sight of him. His amber eyes were absolutely radiant, especially up close. His hair blew in the breeze and the moon illuminated his scar. I had always thought he was good looking, but this only confirmed it.

“You have really pretty eyes,” I told him.

His face flushed almost immediately and he looked taken aback by the compliment. He looked up at the sky as the blush took over his face.

“Oh. Um.....thank you,” he mumbled, his hair falling lightly across his face.

I smiled and looked back up at the stars. I pointed out at few more constellations and told him their names. When I let my hand fall down to my side again, my pinky grazed his hand. I moved it just slightly so that I wasn’t on top of him, but I kept it against his skin.

“Can I uh.....Can I hold your hand?” he managed to ask.

My heart was pounding out of my chest and his words sent butterflies throughout my chest. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

“Yes, you can hold my hand,” I answered, giggling slightly.

His hand felt warm against my own. It was surprisingly soft as well. He was hesitant at first, but eventually our fingers intertwined. I blushed slightly before turning to look at him. He was staring at me with a blush of his own on his face.

“Thank you for staying out here with me,” I said quietly.

“Y-Yea. Of course,” he answered, just as quietly as I had.

I stated at him for a second longer before we both started moving closer. He kissed me softly and I let my free hand cup his face slightly. When I pulled away, he had a blush on his face before looking back up at the stars. I did the same and let a soft smile break out over my face.

Usually, I spent the night alone. It felt nice to have someone by my side this time.

#zuko imagine #zuko x reader #zuko #prince zuko fanfic #prince zuko fanfiction #prince zuko fic #prince zuko

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kindofcashton · 5 years ago

Text

𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕 • chapter 2 (Calum Hood AU)

THE REST OF dinner was much more enjoyable once Calum left. Luke, Michael, and Ashton had no problem making me feel at home, and soon I was laughing and free from the stress of the day.

From what I'd gathered, Luke and Michael about a year younger than Ashton. They'd all finished high school and decided against university, much to their parents' pleasure. Ashton however had landed a pretty lucrative gig at an advertising firm, even without a degree, and he said that it was the kind of job good enough to support him as long as he needed. Luke and Michael had odd jobs here and there, preferring the care-free bachelor life to a scheduled, overworked routine. I envied their easy-going attitudes; if only I could afford to live as freely as they did.

"We're not total bums though," Luke defended himself, blue eyes smiling. The five us were sipping beers around the table, lights dimmed since it was so late. "Mike is wicked good with video games and is helping this guy with his startup. And I work down at the music shop, but the manager says he's gonna try to hook me up with an internship at a record label."

Michael snorted. "I can not imagine you fetching people coffee. And they'd probably force you take out that lovely lip ring."

Luke rolled his eyes and took a swig of his beer. "You work for a guy with a purple tiger tattoo, of course you can keep your eyebrow piercing."

Ashton waved his hand dramatically, other arm slung over Hannah's shoulder. She'd moved her chair so close to his she was practically on his lap.

"Yeah yeah, you're little startup and you're little internship are cute, but I am working on the next campaign for Fido Feed."

Everyone burst out laughing, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "What's that?"

Hannah slid her hand down Ashton's cheek lovingly, and said, "It's a dog food brand, and he is single-handedly pioneering their success." Ashton grinned and gave her a kiss.

"Hey, Ash, what happened to the wheat crackers ad? I thought you were killing it with the cracker game." Michael bat his lashes innocently.

Ashton flipped him off and I took a sip of my beer, happy and buzzed. This was the most fun I'd had in a long time, and only hoped it would be like this every day. Leaving university had been a difficult but inevitable decision, and I'd feared I wouldn't be happy for a long time. Anxieties still plagued the back of my mind, but right now I found it easier than ever to ignore them.

"Alright, I don't know about you morons but I'm pretty tired." Michael stood up from the table and motioned to me. "How about I show you you're suite now, madam?"

I smiled and nodded, as Luke reached over to throw away my empty beer for me. His blue eyes were so warm and kind, and I think I was most grateful for his calming presence.

Michael led me up the stairs into a darkened hallway, and I noted four doors upstairs. One was partially open, revealing the bathroom. One at the end of the hall was shut tight, with quiet music reverberating softly from it. I guessed this was Calum's room, and as Michael led to me to his my stomach sank. I'd be right next to Calum, bumping into him as we went downstairs or tried to get to the bathroom.

Great, more opportunities for him to hate me.

The room was fairly small, but not cramped. The bed was big with dark blue sheets, and the gray walls were plastered with posters of all different types. A closet had been cleared out for me, as well as a set of drawers and desk in the corner. It was definitely a nicer place than I thought I'd be staying in.

"I don't know how to thank you," I admitted, still embarrassed at Michael's charity.

He crossed his arms, goofy smile on his face. "You'll figure something out. I like anything with cheese or frosting, so maybe start there?" I laughed, and he gave me an encouraging thumbs up before turning out of the room.

"Night, Scar!" he called, and I closed the door gently behind him.

My bags were all arranged in one corner, and I reminded myself to thank Luke later. Blowing out a sigh, I fell onto the bed. The events of the past couple months truly felt like bricks on my shoulders, and every day was a struggle to get by. The ache in my heart never seemed to subside, even during happy times like tonight. Pulling the blankets over my shivering body, I simply hoped for a good night's sleep to be able to tackle tomorrow.

Unfortunately, my prayers were not answered. I tossed and turned all night long, partly because of the unfamiliar atmosphere and partly because of my never ending anxieties. Pale dawn light was peeking through the curtains when I finally opened my eyes, and I frowned.

Quietly getting up, I checked my reflection in the mirror and yawned. My hair was tousled, the hoodie I wore nearly covering my shorts. I didn't look too great, but I decided it was better for people to see this me early on, seeing as she'd be around a fair amount.

Padding down the stairs, I didn't notice anyone awake. Ashton had stayed the night with Hannah, both of them down in the basement on the futon. Michael was passed out on the living room couch, red hair disheveled.

Suddenly a sound from the kitchen made nearly jump out of my skin. I whirled around to see Calum fishing through the cupboards, clad in only sweatpants. He must have heard my surprised gasp, because he turned to me with a scowl.

"Of course you'd be up this early." He faced away from me as I entered the kitchen, pausing as I gripped the back of a dining chair. His back muscles were taut and tan, his bare shoulders rimmed with shadow in the dim light. His hair was curly and messy, laying just over his eyes.

"You're up this early," I countered innocently, meaning it more as a joke. He gave me a distracted glance.

"Never really went to bed, I guess," he grumbled, moving to set up the coffee maker. His movements were clumsy and confused, and I could tell he had no idea what he was doing.

"Here, let me," I offered softly, striding over. His brown eyes tracked me as I dumped the ground coffee into machine, once again completely unreadable. I worked quietly, my movements automatic as I had done this a million times at college in order to survive late nights and early classes.

"Ashton usually does this," he mumbled, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. I shrugged, flipping the lid down and setting the timer. I turned so I was leaning against the counter, arms folded. Calum backed away from me, choosing now to busy himself in the fridge.

I sighed, but was thankfully saved by Michael waking up over on the couch.

"I really hope that racket was coffee being made," he said, voice thick with sleep.

"Shut up, we weren't that loud," Calum snapped, finding the milk and grabbing some frosted cereal. Soon Luke was awake and joined us in the kitchen, followed shortly by Ashton and Hannah from downstairs. She looked lazy and happy, glowing almost. Luke rolled his eyes and shot me a smile; we all knew why the two of them looked so content.

We all sat at the table, Calum included. He ate his cereal silently, and didn't look up when I poured him a cup of coffee. I took my mug and sat down, letting the warmth of the coffee seep into my cold hands.

"Cream and sugar?" Luke asked, but I shook my head.

"No, this is fine."

"You take it black? Damn, badass." He grinned, and I chuckled. Calum snorted, and everyone turned to look at him.

He reddened at our stares, and said curtly, "What, she's some brave hero for drinking black coffee? Please."

Luke didn't take his comment to heart, his expression amused. "Right, I forgot no one is cool in your eyes. You enjoy vodka straight out of the bottle." Calum met his eyes, and for the first time I saw a spark of humor in the brown orbs. Little flashes of the boys' friendship peeked through sometimes, and I knew despite his rough exterior the guys really loved Calum.

"What are we doing today?" Michael asked, stuffing some toast into his mouth.

"Some of us have serious jobs to go to," Ashton joked, and Hannah giggled as she ran a hand through his curls. I was jealous of how close they were, wishing I had someone like Ashton to support me. He would walk through fire for Hannah, and she for him. Their bond was unlike anything I'd ever seen let alone experienced, and I wondered if I'd ever be lucky enough to discover that feeling.

"Ha-ha," Michael said dryly. "Reggie doesn't need me today since we're waiting for a streaming service to get back to us, so I'm free."

Luke nodded. "Same here, the Jared doesn't need me since he's training a new guy. Looks like we'll all have the day together, eh?" He shot me a wink, and I smiled. I'd hoped to be introduced to the area, and what better way to do it then with all of them? It would give me even more time to get to know the guys.

"Why don't we give Scarlett here a tour? She's gotta know about all the good spots," Hannah proposed, and was met with sounds of approval. The only one who didn't reply was Calum, who's eyebrows hung low over his eyes as he ate his breakfast.

"Count me out, I've got some shit to do." No one questioned his vague answer, and I guessed this was routine around here. Calum did what he pleased and no one pushed him. To me it was peculiar, because I'd always been the kind of person to appreciate communication. Clearly I had a lot to learn if I was going to stick around here.

They parted ways to get ready, but I stayed behind to clean up the dishes. Small things like this made me feel better about staying at the house. Calum was last to leave the table, and was watching me with steely eyes as I rinsed out the mugs. Wordlessly, he stood up and stalked over to the sink, halting. I stopped what I was doing and glanced up at him, intimidated when I met his gaze. A beat went by, and then he set his bowl down and promptly left.

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

Soon after I'd changed and put on a bit of makeup, glad that my appearance looked slightly more acceptable. I was nervous and excited for the day ahead; seeing a new city was always fun, especially one I'd be living in for a while.

Between the guys they had three cars, the nicest belonging to Ashton which he'd bought after his first promotion. Luke and Michael shared an old station wagon since their jobs were fairly close together, and Calum drove a vintage mustang. I whistled under my breath, wondering how he afforded such a nice car. He climbed in and sped off within seconds, and I watched him disappear from view.

The rest of us piled into the station wagon with Michael behind the wheel and Luke riding shotgun.

"Alright, where to first ladies and gentleman?"

"We gotta show her the music shop," Hannah proposed.

"Oh yeah, it's a real exciting place," Luke joked. "Dusty, too."

We drove off, and Michael lowered the windows. The sky was sunny and blotted with clouds, a small breeze cooling down the warm air. I rested my arm on the window, and leaned out to look at the trees blurring by. Michael drove fast but controlled, and I could feel my heart flutter as we flew down the street.

The music shop was actually pretty cool, and Luke even took us to the back to show us where they stored the vintage and expensive stuff. Guitars, basses, even a dismantled drum kit were hiding in the back room. Michael and Luke were like little boys around all the stuff, itching to play and show us their chops.

"For a while we wanted to start a band," Luke explained, strumming a simple tune on an acoustic guitar. "But life got in the way, I guess. Besides, our parents basically told us we'd amount to nothing, so here we are."

I frowned. "You shouldn't let someone else tell you what you should do." He looked up, smiling sadly.

"Yeah, but when that someone pays for your entire life, it's pretty hard to say no." I nodded, understanding what he meant. Money was the ultimate decider in life, as I knew all too well.

After the music shop we drove by Michael's start-up, which he claimed was the "most legit garage in the whole city." It was quite literally a garage attached to some guy's house, but Michael insisted all the geniuses started out small.

As we continued driving around, I briefly thought about Calum and where he could possibly be, and I even kept an eye out for his mustang. But he was nowhere to be seen, and by lunch the thought of him had completely evaporated from my mind.

Lunch was at Michael's favorite place, which served the best cheese fries I'd ever tasted in my whole life. As I was eating a thought occurred to me.

"Hey, do you guys know any places hiring? I've gotta get a job now that I'm not spending all my time on school." Back at university, I'd thrown all of my energy into schoolwork since my scholarships depended on it. Now though, a job was a necessity.

They were quiet for a minute, thinking. Then Hannah said, "Oh, I think the cafe on fourth street is looking for someone. You have any experience?"

"I worked retail when I was seventeen back home, so I guess not. But I think I'm a quick learner."

"Wanna swing by right now?"

"Nah, I'll go tomorrow. Today's been too fun, I want to keep it going."

We finished lunch, and perused around town for an hour or so more, showing me various shops and places I'd want to know about. When we finally got back home, the driveway was still empty.

"Think you're in the mood for a beat down in Smash, Lukey boy?" Michael goaded, and Luke shoved him good-naturedly.

"Nobody's getting beat down here except you, my friend."

Hannah and I rolled our eyes, but followed them into the living room nonetheless. We wasted the afternoon watching them play video games and arguing over it, until Hannah got so sick of it she begged me to do something else with her.

"How about we organize your closet? I want to go out later, so we've gotta find outfits."

I readily agreed, excited at the prospect of going clubbing. Hannah had been my partner in crime and always made sure to drag me out of my dorm so I had some fun instead of always staying in and studying.

We began to sift through my bags, and after emptying all of them I realized how little I actually owned. Hannah didn't comment; she knew the reality of the situation, and gave me an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry, we'll go shopping once you get that job and fill this closet right up." I knew I wouldn't be wasting my paycheck on party clothes, but I appreciated her idea nonetheless.

"Where are we going tonight?" I asked.

"Where we always go, it's a place Ashton discovered. It's big, so it never feels cramped. They have a killer DJ, which is rare in this town." She pulled out a black skirt and long sleeved black crop top with a lace up back.

I raised my eyebrows in slight surprise. "Kinda dark, no?"

Hannah rolled her eyes. "Trust me, black is the way to go. You look sultry and dark, and with the lights in the club it looks great."

I laughed but accepted the outfit. "Who am I trying to look sultry for?"

Hannah put her hands on her hips. "Scarlett, you're hot, you're single, and you've got nothing better to do. Get yourself some."

I flushed, embarrassed at her confidence in me. I'd never been the outgoing type of girl to go after guys I liked. I'd been pursued only a few times, mostly by guys I found repulsive. I'd had two boyfriends my whole life, one in high school who had no idea how to kiss with tongue, and one in the beginning of college who left me alone at a party where I knew no one and got thrown up on by a drunk guy. Needless to say, I wasn't crazy about either of them.

Hannah left to get changed herself, and I sighed as I looked at the outfit on the bed. You might as well let loose, I told myself. Hannah was right; you have nothing better to do.

I pulled the skirt on and tied up the crop top flipping my hair over my shoulder as I combed through the reddish brown locks with my fingers. Frowning in the mirror, I swiped some eyeliner on and curled my lashes, sticking out my bottom lip in a pout. Hannah was right; I looked dark, but sultry was still up in the air.

Realizing I had no idea what shoes to wear, I went downstairs and saw Michael and Luke waiting to leave in the living room. They both had dark jeans and leather jackets on, looking like hot bikers. Luke whistled as I walked by, blue eyes tracking me.

"Looking good, Scarlett."

I blushed and thanked him before running into Hannah, who actually had boots in her hand. They were the black knee high kind, and I snorted at her insistence of keeping to a black theme.

"Wear these, I'm going with heels tonight." She looked hot herself; her black skirt was leather, and her shirt was off the shoulder and very low cut. A wave of appreciation for her washed over me; I could always count on Hannah to make me feel good about myself.

We were all ready, and the sky was dark with only a few stars dotting the black canvas. Michael had ordered a cab, and it was waiting for us as we descended the driveway.

As Hannah and I slid across the back seat, the driver glanced in the rear-view mirror.

"And how are you ladies doing tonight?" he asked suggestively, making my face redden.

"Seriously, dude?" Luke said, glaring at the guy from the passenger seat. "Just drive the car and don't say anything, please. Or do you not want to get paid?"

He met my eyes in the mirror, and I hoped my expression showed my gratitude. I knew I could rely on Luke to defend me if I needed it, and that was a comforting thought.

"Ashton and Calum are already there," Hannah told us, and I was slightly surprised to hear that Calum was coming. He'd blown off the day with us, but I guess he couldn't turn down a night out.

When we arrived, I saw how big the club is and my jaw dropped. I could hear the hammering music from outside, and watched as bodies waded in and out of the door. Hannah stuck close by my side, with Michael and Luke leading the way. I smiled nervously at the bouncer, who met my eyes with a blank expression.

Bright lights danced across bodies glowing with sweat, and a crowded dance floor pulsed with the heartbeats of dozens of people. Girls hung onto guys, guys held onto girls. Tables were piled high with empty glasses and bottles, and everyone's eyes were dull with a buzz.

I couldn't help but smile, and Hannah grabbed my hand as she led us through the throng of people. My body itched to join them and dance, the music almost as intoxicating as the alcohol at the bar.

We found our way to the back, where Ashton and Calum were at the bar drinking. Ashton spotted Hannah and grabbed her for a big kiss, whispering something in her ear that made her giggle and grip his bicep. Calum emptied his glass and turned to greet Michael and Luke. His dark eyes raked down my body, face barely illuminated by the roving lights. He looked good; black jeans and boots, his staple apparently. But today he had a leather jacket hugging his broad shoulders, and the glint of rings showed on his fingers. He looked like a shadow ready to melt into the background.

"How was your tour?" he asked, leaning back on his forearms against the tabletop. I couldn't tell if his question was genuine or mocking, so I decided to answer honestly.

"It was great, I think I'm really gonna like it here."

He didn't react to my response, instead motioned to the bartender to get him another drink.

"You good here?" Hannah yelled over the music. "I'm gonna go off with Ashton for a bit, but I'll be back to dance with you later, okay?" I nodded, and the two of them soon dissolved in the crowd. Michael and Luke recognized someone, and went over to talk. I was fine with being alone, and took a seat at the bar.

The bartender had a kind smile and bright eyes. "What can I get you?"

I drummed my fingers on the table, thinking. I don't know, what's good?"

Someone scoffed next to me, and I glanced over at Calum. I hadn't realized he was still here, and suddenly regretted my juvenile question.

"Get her a juice box or something, Joe," he said, knocking back his second glass of dark liquid. He was probably already drunk, but I knew he'd be mean even if he was sober.

Feeling like I had to prove something, I straightened up and said firmly, "I'll take a tequila."

Calum didn't react, much to my disappointment. I wasn't a crazy drinker, but I could handle my alcohol. I actually quite liked getting drunk; the buzz made me happy and loopy, and everything was funny when I was drunk.

Joe poured me the drink, and I inhaled deeply before taking a sip. It burned as it slid down my throat, but I didn't wince. Calum's empty glass was refilled, and he lifted it in mock cheers.

"Where were you today?" I asked, voice getting slightly drowned out by the music. Calum scowled at my question.

"Why?"

Shrugging, I replied, "I don't know, you missed a fun day."

He took a big gulp of his drink. "Why do you care?"

I blinked, deciding to be candid. "I don't, I was just trying to be nice." My answer must have surprised him, because he actually shifted to face me.

"What makes you think I want you to be nice to me?" His freezing stare sent chills down my spine, and I took another swig for some liquid courage.

"Generally speaking people are supposed to be nice to one another, but I can see how you wouldn't understand that concept." With that, I finished my drink and flipped my hair behind my shoulders.

"See you later, Calum," I said before striding off onto the dance floor to find Scarlett. I spotted her dancing with Ashton, and she gave me a big drunken hug before jumping around with delight.

As my hips began to sway and I danced along to the music, I could feel the heat of someone's stare on me, but it only made me dance harder.

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uhgoodmoni · 4 years ago

Text

Nothing That Lasts Forever

A BTS fanfiction

Trailer - ch1 - ch2 - ch3 - ch4- ch5 - ch6 - ch7 - ch8 - ch9

Ao3 link - Wattpad link - Soundtrack

Warnings: Major Character Death, Blood, Demons, Fighting, Verbal and Physical Abuse, Mention of marijuana, Death, Cursing, Fire, Unintentional Self-harm, Gore. Yoongi’s injury

Chapter One: Otsukare

Yoongi’s POV

I glance down at my phone, a new text from Hoba. ‘5 mins away :p’. I don’t bother responding but instead, give Jungkook a slight shove. His shoulder is digging into mine, dozing off on the couch. Drool comes from his lips to the cushion, luckily not my shirt sleeve. He barely lifts his head as I stand up, heading to the table where our things are packed. I roll my eyes looking over him slumped on the couch. I get it, I’m tired too, but he can rest in the car.

“Hoseok will be here soon, you better not forget anything,” I lecture, and he nods his head. He isn’t listening and I know it. I shake my head, double-checking my bag for my charger. I don’t want to forget it, even if I won’t be on my phone that often. Hobi’s charger has been lost and there wasn’t time to get a new one so he’ll want to borrow one of ours on the trip. I glance at my phone, at full charge and it will probably stay that way.

“No no, I won’t,” he mumbles, groggy still. It is gonna be a long drive, so we had woken early, he’ll likely claim the back seat to crash in. I pout, knowing I won’t be able to rest my eyes. It’s better to drive with an extra pair of eyes on the road. I’m glad that Hoseok volunteered to drive in the first place. Jungkook had agreed to drive on the way home so maybe I can nap in the backseat then.

“Your charger?” I ask, grabbing the bag of food and placing it on the counter. Chips, bread, some soda, mostly sweets but Hobi is bringing the cooler with our sandwich makings.

“Yeah it’s in there,” he mostly whispers. I shrug, won’t be my problem if he hasn’t packed it. He just won’t have a phone, no biggie since we are meant to be on holiday. Slinging the bag over my shoulder I take up my suitcase, heading to the door.

“Come on, why don’t you help me bring some stuff outside so we can just stick it in the trunk and go.” He gives a short hum as I head out. Whatever, I’ll just make him unpack everything when we get to the cabin. The door slams behind me as I walk down to the elevator. It takes me slowly to the lobby, but I head out the back where I know Hobi would be parking. The air is chill against my cheeks as I push myself out the door. The summer is just at its tail end, making the mornings and evenings quite chilly. Looking around for his car I hug my bag tighter. Hopefully, the weather will warm up for our trip.

His car pulls in, stopping in the spot ahead of me. As he exits the vehicle, the trunk opens up. Stuffed inside is the cooler and his suitcase.

“Hi hi hiii,” He cheers, a huge grin spread across his face. He jogs over to me, taking the bag of food from my hands. “It’s a good day aye?” He hums, walking me back over to the car.

“Yeah,” I grin, pulling up the suitcase into the trunk beside his, giving it a push to leave room for Jungkook’s. “Hoping for nicer weather.” I nod up to the cloudy sky, a blinding white, but the sun is still hiding.

“When we get there it’ll get warmer,” He assures, dropping the bag in, and pulling me in for a hug. “Where’s Jungkook?” He says, releasing me and shutting the trunk.

“He probably fell back asleep upstairs,” I sigh as Hoseok leads the way back inside shrugging.

With a cheeky smirk, he hops inside the elevator, “Can’t lie I almost fell asleep on the road.” And with my silence, he gives a chuckle.

My elbow finds his side, “Hey drink some coffee next time.” I sigh, “Oh, and don’t text and drive either.” I scold, crossing my arms. He makes a pop with his mouth ignoring what I said. “I’m being serious you could get killed,” I mutter as we walk into the hall back towards the room.

“You’re right, I won't anymore.” He smiles, opening the door for me. I take a step in, Jungkook looming right over me. I bump into his bag just as he is coming out the door.

“Ohp sorry Yoongi hyungie.” He laughs, eyes slightly swollen, but awake nevertheless, hair draped over his cheeks.

“You left nothing behind right?”

“Nope,” He shakes his head, “stop worrying so we can have fun,” He huffs. He’s lucky I know he’s teasing.

“So we are ready to get on the road?” Hobi asks, leading the way back to the elevator. “Good Morning Jungkookie.” they squish right into a hug. “Are you excited?” Jungkook hums an answer, stepping in after him.

“Where is it exactly that we are going anyway?” He questions, and I’m wondering the same thing.

“Gangwon Province, a little cabin that I rented for us in the woods,” He informs us. “I don't know, I just thought it would be nice for us three to get away for a little.” I nod, it is a good opportunity for us, this weekend we have no upcoming filmings or recordings to do. Namjoon is helping Jimin on his own solo album and Taehyung is going to be with his family. Not sure what Jin hyung’s reason for not attending is.

“Yes yes, I’m glad that collab got pushed back till next week because I really wanted to join you guys,” Jungkook says, taking the first step out of the elevator as it reaches the lobby.

I bud in, “I think it will make us think back to when we did In the Soop, don’t ya think?”

“Agreed,” Hobi starts, “I brought some canvas…”

“Hey hey!” Jin calls out, running over from the stairs. He’s still in his RJ pajamas, hair strewn and eyes half-closed. I grin watching him hobble over to us.

“Jinnie hyung?” Jungkook smiles, turning back to greet him. He must have come to say goodbye and send us off. Jin squeezes Jungkook tight, muttering goodbyes.

“You drive safe now.” He tells Hoseok after releasing him from an embrace. “I hope you all have fun together.” I smile, hugging him tightly as well. “Go fishing for me,” He beams at me, grabbing my ears.

“There aren't any fishing spots.” Hobi frowns.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I say, patting his back.

“That's the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” He scoffs. “Who goes camping and doesn’t fish?” His lip curls up. “Well I only came down here this early to tell you to catch me a fish but I guess I did it for nothing.”

“Pshhh,” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “Yeah right, you love us and came down to give us all kisses goodbye.”

“Okay now seriously,” he points at each of us, “be safe, I’m tired and going back to sleep, text us when you get there.”

“Yes, yes, hyung. Don’t worry, got a full tank this morning,” Hobi smiles, giving Jin’s hand a squeeze before he walks away, sending a wave as he heads to the elevator.

“Too bad he has a meeting on Saturday,” Hobi pouts, as we head out the back door once more. Jungkook squints his eyes as the cool breeze hits him. All of us rushed to get in the car and turn the heat on. I’m not so sure Hoseok is right about it warming up later.

“Don’t worry,” he says, buckling his seatbelt, me next to him in the passenger like I had figured would happen. “There is full heating and air conditioning at the cabin, so if it stays cold we can just cuddle up indoors.” He turns, facing Jungkook, backing up, and exits the lot.

“That sounds really nice,” Jungkook mutters, leaning his head now covered in his hoodie against the window. I nod with a smile, turning up Hobi’s heat in the car.

“No matter what I think this will be a healing weekend for us,” I assure, after all, we have been busy filming concepts and the new music video all week. We hadn’t gotten much time to relax but the three of us would at least be able to get some R&R together. Hobi has been especially stressed, he had a pain in his ankle and was trying to not get injured while we learned the new dance. Of course, he was still overexerting himself, but now I’m glad he’ll be able to rest.

He got on the highway, it will be about an hour drive which isn’t that bad. Maybe another thirty minutes after, to get to our campsite. If it ends up being a bust I suppose we can just go home.

Hobi had turned on the radio, humming along to what had come on. He’s been looking forward to this since he rented the cabin months ago. If I can help it this will be the best weekend ever.

It’s been a quiet drive, Jungkook slept the entire ride, but he probably needs the rest. Hobi plays Otsukare as we get off the main road. Playing it from youtube it sounds awful, but I can’t stop myself from laughing.

“Don’t, don’t.” I plead, shaking my head.

“It’s sope!” He calls, looking to me for a response. I laugh, tossing my eyes to the window. It’s too early for this. I glance at the clock, 9:15 and we haven't eaten breakfast. “We’re sope!” He continues singing.

“Okayyy, let’s go!” I mumble, crossing my arms as Hoseok breaks out into laughter. He continues singing as I hum along, embarrassed. It has been years since I heard this last. It would be fun to perform again with him. Maybe I’ll ask management.

Hoseok makes another turn, the trees taking over both sides of the road. There aren’t any other cars that turned along with us. It isn't a holiday weekend so we’ll likely be the only ones on vacation at this time. Not to mention the weather, it is the same as when we had left earlier. A white cloudy blanket over the whole sky, blocking out the sun but leaving the daylight to light the road. If you look deep into the trees though, there it would be dark. Hopefully, the cabin will be in a clearing so it will be lit up, then there would also be fewer bugs. I smirk, thinking about how Hobi will likely panic once we arrive, upon the amount of bugs. Hopefully, he brought bug spray. I made sure to have mosquito nets so there is that.

“Pay attention,” He starts again! Hopping up in his chair, still keeping his eyes on the road. I don’t respond so he continues, “Okay, let's smile. It's human relations. There are mountains too” He raises eyebrows to me, turning a dial for the volume.

“There are valleys too,” I sing quietly, licking my lips and reaching for my water.

“Well, that's just what life is” He grabs my hand, stopping me from reaching for the bottle. “But the earth rotates” He holds my hand back up to my face, making me roll my eyes.

“Your dream will surely come true.”

“You too,” Getting louder.

“Me too,” And louder, producing smiles.

“Let's do our best, thank you!” We sing together, Hobi turning off onto a dirt road, making the whole car shutter.

“Ayooo, why are you sooo loud,” Jungkook moans, pressing his hands into his eyes. “It’s so early…”

“Mhmh, not really anymore.” I turn back, patting his leg. “I’m sure we are almost there anyway. Right Hoba?” I flip back up to the front, where he is turning down the volume. Eyes confused, staring off, and slowing the car down to a crawl.

“Right,” He whispers, looking into his mirrors.

“What's wrong?” Jungkook sits up, looking outside the windows. It’s getting dark under the trees, just the light coming from in between the road shining down on us. It’s deep emerald green, glowing at the treetops from the light attempting to penetrate. At the base of the tall trees though it is hard to see through, getting darker and darker the further you try to look. There aren't any paths on either side and no turn-offs. Is Hoseok lost? I look over to him, but he just stops the car completely.

“Uh, I thought the turn was around here.” He pouts, pulling up his phone which has the GPS turned on. He sighs, “yeah see.” Flicking the phone in between Jungkook and I. There it is, the turn right in front of us. But there is no road and no sign that there ever has been.

“The internet connection must be bad out here.” Jungkook bites his inner cheek, sliding down in his seat. “What’s the road called? Or like the company for renting?”

Hoseok sets his phone in the cup holder, slowly releasing the brake and letting the car continue slowly forward. “It's just like a number marker and then we drive down further to reach a small clearing and hillside where the cabin will be.”

“What number?” I ask, sitting up in my chair.

“Mhm, 189.” He mutters, mouth screwing up. We sit in silence for a while as he drives down the road. Looking at the clock it is 9:25.

“It’s been ten minutes,” I announce, and Hobi only shakes his head. He’s getting annoyed. “Maybe we missed it?”

“We are going five miles an hour,” He huffs, squeezing the steering wheel. “Oh well, we could turn back around.” He shrugs, letting out a sigh, but I can tell he is still bothered. Must be stress weighing him down.

“Oh look!” Jungkook’s finger comes in between us, pointing forward to the right. Both our heads turn to look, but I can’t see a damn thing.

“What where?”

He scoots closer to the center seat. “There there, low to the ground!” He hops up and down, and there it is. A few inches from the ground a small yellow reflective sign marked ‘189’.

“Oh thank goodness.” Hoseok speeds up, reaching the turn-off in no time.

“Why is there just some random cabin marked ‘189’,” Jungkook complains, sorting through his things. “Where is 1-188” He huffs, making Hobi smile.

“Yeah it is kind of weird,” He responds, taking the turn. It’s a tight road, trees looming overhead and thus enclosing us in the dark. So much so that the car's headlights turn on automatically, the day becoming the evening. Here the road is even bumpier, grass grown in on the path. We all go silent, eyes training over the forest as if there is something in it. But it’s just trees.

“Hobi where the hell have you booked us?” Jungkook laughs, peering out his window with a huge grin. These kinds of things excite him, exploring and whatnot.

“You know, this is not what I was expecting. Even I have goosebumps.” Hoseok shivers. His face looks slightly disappointed. He isn’t a fan of spooky things so hopefully, the cabin is much more welcoming than the road to it.

“It’s okay, you’ve seen the pictures of the cabin and it looked nice you said.” He nods to me, trying to pick up the pace of the car. Another ten minutes later and we are still driving straight down the road. The end not in sight, nor the exit behind us either. Hobi runs a hand through his hair, his whole face dropping into a frown in that familiar disgusted look. The road is so narrow that he won’t be able to turn around, so none of us say anything and he just keeps going.

“This is really getting weird,” Hobi says, his voice shaky. “I can just back us out if you want.”

“No, no, no.” I say, “this has to be the right spot.”

“I’m sure we are almost there,” Koo adds. So he does, a sigh of relief from us all as the road begins to widen and trees begin to clear. There is a little picket sign ahead marking that there is a cabin on the left.

“Finally,” Hobi smiles, pulling around a wide circular clearing, a path to the right, and a short path leading to a small wooden cabin. He pulls around, parking the car in front of where we would be staying. Jungkook is getting giddy in the backseat, opening the door as soon as Hoseok puts us in park. I smile at Hobi who is already seeming a little more relaxed to be at our destination.

We join Jungkook outside, the air still a bit nipply. Hopefully, neither of them has forgotten to pack warmer clothing. All of us are in hoodies and sweatpants as of right now. Jungkook left his things hopping around the clearing, which at the center is a fire pit and some chairs. The fire will warm us up if we want and would shoo away the bugs. Past that is the path, looking like it would lead up to another clearing and the hills Hobi had mentioned. All around us on the other sides are just trees. Without the clearing, it would be just as dark as the road in. Later tonight we’ll probably be too nervous to go outside to even light the fire.

“Smores tomorrow?” Jungkook hums, coming back around to the trunk.

“Let’s get unpacked first and then decide what we are going to do,” I say, taking out my suitcase and the bag of food. Jungkook scoffs, taking his own suitcase along with the cooler.

“Yeah it’s too cold today, so tomorrow sounds good,” Hobi answers him. “And worst-case scenario we do it on the stove inside.”

“There’s a stove?” He asks backward, as we head over to the door.

Hobi gives a little laugh, “It’s a fully functional home. Despite what you would think driving up.” Making me smirk, “Even the door has a key code instead of physical keys.”

“Oh, so it's pretty new.” I nod, as he types in the code making it obvious for us both to see 456782. “Yeah definitely wouldn’t have guessed that.” I look back to the forest, closing in on us as we file in with our things.

“Wow!” Jungkook’s voice brings me back inside, the lights flickering on in the small living room.

“Oh yess.” I nod looking around. It’s well furnished, a couch and a tv, blankets, and pillows dotted all around the room. The kitchen to the left, all stainless steel appliances. There’s a hallway to the right, likely leading to the rooms. While it’s freezing, the thermostat is located next to us on the wall. Hobi immediately turns to it, flipping it up as much as he can shivering and exaggerating the cold.

“What a pad.” Jungkook grins, leading the way into the home. The hallway stops at a blank wall and then turns to the right and goes down, four doors, two on each side and a window at the end of the hall. “One floor?”

“One floor,” Hobi answers, turning into one of the rooms. “Oop,” He comes back out, “That's the bathroom,” he announces, heading to the next door across from him. I peer in, a double bed, looking cozy. Hobi turns back to us outside wagging his finger at us. “This one's mine!” Sticking his tongue out. We shrug, moving down to the next rooms. It isn’t fair really since Hobi had likely seen the images online.

Jungkook took the next room, it was also a double bed, and I curse myself for letting him have it. There is likely a single person bed in the last room and I just knew it. And I was right. I open the door and there it is wrapped in a pink duvet. At least it looked warm and comfy. My room looks the most updated, and their room’s looking dated.

“Aww shit.” I hear Hoseok cry, making me peek my head out into the hall. He doesn’t continue.

“Hoseok?” I call and it sounds like he had tossed something in the room.

“I forgot a mosquito net.” He sighs, peering out his own door to see me. I grin, coming well prepared for this. He isn’t even forgetful but it’s always good to have an extra on hand.

“I got one.” And so I got it for him. While the cabin warms itself we settle into our rooms, helping each other set up our nets. We pack up the fridge and make sure that everything is working properly. The tv doesn’t have any cable signal but there is a DVD player and some random DVD’s in the cabin. At least there will be plenty to do if we can't go outside.

“I’m so glad we didn’t pull up on some creepy run-down haunted-looking building.” Hobi giggles, taking a seat on the couch. “I got a little nervous there.” He smiles crossing his legs.

“A little? Pshh.” Jungkook teases, looking around, and finding his reflection in a beautiful gold framed mirror. I join Hobi, pulling out my phone.

“Aye, none of that.” he makes a click with his tongue, pushing my phone down to my lap. I shake my head, lifting it back up.

“We told Jin that we would text the chat when we got here.” he nods, as I pull up the chat. “Made it safely!” Immediately it returns a failed message. I frown, seeing that there is absolutely not a pinch of service.

“What’s the wifi?” I turn to Hobi who pulls out his phone as well.

“Glamping189 is the name, 456782 is the code.” He reads off of a screenshot. But it isn’t there. In fact, there isn’t anything listed under the available networks at all.

“Ah well, that’s shit.” I groan, turning to Jungkook who just shakes himself from staring at the mirror. Vain much? “Will you look around for a router?” He nods as I get up to help him search. There isn’t one, we search each and every corner but there isn’t one at all.

#bts #horror #bts fanfic #bts namjoon #btsedit #bts fic #bts au #bts hosoek #bts jeon jeongguk #bts jung hoseok

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gofordrakgo · 5 years ago

Text

Dwelling Chapter Ten

“She threw back the curtain once more, to ask Drew how he felt about the tank-top, somewhat bemused by the way his blush had gotten darker each time she’d asked for his opinion. ‘Joan Jett,’ he said, with a nod, before she spoke. ‘Very cool.’ ‘If you’re saying it’s cool I probably shouldn’t believe it,’ she mocked. Instead of getting flustered, his eyes went wide. ‘You… you don’t know who she is?’ ”

Dwelling Summary

Dwelling Chapter One

Dwelling Chapter Nine

Dwelling Chapter Eleven

Drew informed her, minutes after they put the groceries away and left the apartment yet again, that she had about twelve dollars to buy clothes with. At least she’d remembered to plunk a toothbrush and some other cheap toiletries into the cart before they left the store. She couldn’t do much more than give a nod in response as she tried to mull over how much that would actually be worth.

Ever since she and her brothers had become Team Go her clothes had been designed specifically for her. Even her t-shirts and jeans, which she’d rarely gotten to wear before running away, had been sewn to her exact measurements. Her parents had been adamant that heroes needed to look presentable at all times, which meant wearing her brother’s hand-me-downs was no longer acceptable. They’d been furious when she put up a fight against her uniform being a dress instead of a one-piece like her brothers - they only relented when she pointed out that accidentally flashing a crowd of onlookers would look bad for the team. Shea personally thought that putting her in a flowery green and white dress looked bad for the team on its own.

She had no idea how much her clothes were actually worth, but if she had to bet, the cuff of her sleeve probably cost more than what Drew was able to provide for an entirely new wardrobe. It wasn’t that she cared about getting the best clothes, but she did have to wonder if she’d be able to afford more than a t-shirt or two.

“Are you even listening to me?” Drew asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She’d been nodding along while he ranted and raved about… something.

She shrugged apologetically. “Not really.” She had stopped listening the moment he mentioned the money, too entangled in a vehement debate about how to politely ask how much twelve dollars would get her.

“Well, I was saying,” he snipped, “that we should wait until it starts getting cooler out to buy you a jacket. People donate nicer ones when they realize their children don’t fit into last years any more.”

“I’m not-”

“Teenagers still count as children of their parents, Shea.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets, his shoulders hunching as he added in a mutter, “That’s all I meant.”

“Fine, whatever,” she mumbled back, unsure of why she was getting more and more offended each time he called her a child. It hurt a little, in a way she couldn’t quite identify. Not that she assumed getting defensive and angry made her look particularly mature.

She forced herself not to scuff her shoe along the pavement as they walked. The silence between them felt like a pressure pushing on her from all angles, worse somehow, than the silence of the apartment without him. His incessant babbling after he’d gotten back had become some sort of a comfort, especially after having been alone for most of the day. The whole walk back to the apartment after they’d gotten groceries he’d rambled about some new show airing on the cooking channel later that night, practically begging her to watch it with him. Then, while they put the groceries away, she’d listened to him babble on and on about how a bar by his school was advertising a karaoke night on Friday. She’d barely been able to get a word in, but she had actually listened to him the whole time. Of course, he only noticed her the one time she distracted herself.

She lingered behind a step, watching the way he shuffled his feet while he walked, and the way he fidgeted with a penny he’d pulled from his pocket. He must have been annoyed with her, she figured, to have fallen silent for longer than it took to pull in a breath. Did that mean she should apologize? Or was it on him to just get over it? She loathed her parents with a white-hot fury just then… or, well, green-hot, really. If they hadn’t pulled her from school and every other social activity she’d been in as a child, maybe she would have known the answer to that. Maybe it wouldn’t have even been a question.

Even if she should apologize, she couldn’t force the words out without feeling insincere. She wasn’t all that sorry, truth be told, she just didn’t want him to be angry with her. Which was ridiculous. Normally she delighted in pissing people off - granted they were perverted creeps or weirdos who really thought the entire population of the city should bend to their will. Instead of speaking she slipped back into her place beside him and after a few more steps, snatched the penny from his hand.

“Hey!” Drew protested immediately, trying to grab it back.

Mockingly she asked, “Does the school normally give you your allowance in coins?”

“It’s not an allowance it’s - nngh! Give that back!”

Ignoring him, she tossed the coin into the air. He tried to catch it, managing only to swipe fruitlessly at empty air as the coin landed heads-up in her palm.

“Heads, you have to answer any question I ask,” she said, showing him the coin. He reached for it again, and she slipped it between her fingers as she pulled it away.

“No way!” He shook his head, his hair bouncing. “I’m not agreeing to that.”

“Aw come on, Drew.” She nudged his arm with hers’ gently. “Humor me.”

“Humor yourself,” he muttered. She stared, unblinking at him until he looked at her. “Nn - fine! Just… You have to agree to answer questions when it lands on tails, first.”

“Wanna play would-you-rather?” Shea offered, as she realized he’d probably utilize her saying yes to ask for her last name. Which, if he did, she’d have to hit him for. She didn’t love the idea of that - he’d probably start crying again or something, and she didn’t think she could deal with it.

“I don’t see why not,” he sighed.

Shea grinned at him, then looked around to find inspiration for her first question. “Would you rather,” she began slowly, as a small bakery caught her eye, “be an average, unknown scientist, or a world-renowned baker?”

Drew hummed in thought, running his hand through his hair. “As a scientist, I’d have no way of making myself known? I wouldn’t do anything significant?”

“You could help someone do something, but you couldn’t do it yourself. And you could never get recognized for your help.”

“Well, I’d like to be a scientist, but given the parameters… World-renowned baker.”

“So, what you’re saying is, you’re in it for the attention?” she teased, nudging his arm again.

“No! I just— I’d like to do something that’s worth it, you know? Something that will actually make a difference. And if I can’t do that as a scientist, at least I could as a baker.” Jokingly he added, “The attention is just a perk.”

“I don’t think I believe that.”

“Believe what you want.” Drew shrugged and pointed to a shop across the street. “That’s where we need to be.”

While they waited for the crosswalk signal to change, Shea flipped the coin again. “Heads. Would you rather… cook breakfast foods or dinner foods?” The question sounded stupid even in her head, but it was the best she could think up on the spot. It was her fault for asking him to play this game. She could have gotten away with pestering him about his past if she hadn’t been so scared of him trying to dig into hers.

Drew still mulled it over, as if it were worth the effort to think about. “Dinner, I suppose. Mostly because I have time to cook decent meals for dinner. I normally have to leave too early for a good breakfast. And besides, I can explore more options with dinner.”

“I need better questions,” she muttered while they crossed the street.

“Flip the coin again, maybe it’ll be my turn to ask.” Much to her disappointment, it landed on tails. While she was struggling to come up with anything worthy of asking, she worried more about what he might ask her. She expected something goading her into telling him her last name, or an equally unanswerable question. Instead, he asked, “Would you rather drink an entire gallon of iced tea, or eat an entire watermelon in one sitting?” The words left his mouth before she could properly manage to tell him the coin had landed on tails. Surprised by the question, she started to laugh.

“I’ll go with the watermelon, I guess.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “I’m just not a huge fan of iced tea. I like it and all, just not enough to drink an entire gallon.” There had only been one iced tea that she could have drank an entire gallon of, and ever since the comet struck her mother refused to make it. She’d tried to remember the exact mixture, but the times she managed to sneak the supplies into Go Tower, it had never turned out quite right.

“My father, when I was a child,” Drew said, as he held the door open for her, “used to bring home a watermelon on the last day of school every year. We’d eat the whole thing that night, as proof summer had begun.”

“I bet you were the kind of kid who got scared and cried about how a watermelon was going to grow in your stomach if you accidentally swallowed a seed.”

“I was not! I mean– nngh! I was four!”

“I knew it,” she laughed, slipping past him to step inside. Her eyes widened as she took in the interior of the building.

A bell above the door rang as Drew closed it. He chuckled quietly as he saw her expression, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Welcome,” he said imitating a game show host, “to the wonderful world of thrift stores.” Stuffed into one corner was a stack of movies that rivaled hers and Drew’s combined. Next to it was shelves full of books that made her want to sit down and read every single one, and made her all the more grateful for Drew’s library card. Knick knacks and toys lined the back wall. The rest of the building was filled up with rows and rows of donated clothes.

“That was terrible,” she said, turning to look at him. A billboard on the wall next to the door caught her eye.

“Thank you. Now, come on,” he urged, nudging her forward. “Your size is going to be over here.

“Wait!” Shea brushed Drew’s hand off her shoulder and pointed out, “Job advertisements. Maybe somebody needs a dog walker or babysitter or something.”

Drew glanced behind him, and when his gaze shot back to hers she thought he looked oddly panicked, the way he had during the movie before he freaked out. With unexpected speed and force his hand smacked back down on her shoulder. “Don't— Don't worry about that right now,” he said in a rush, jolting her back around and shoving her forward. “Next time, maybe. I um… I have to get back and do work, so let’s hurry it up.”

“Yeah, but—” She started to protest, but Drew interrupted her with an almost urgent, “Not now.”

She threw her hands up, stepping out of range of his insistent shoving. “Fine! Jeez. I was just hoping to pitch in, you know.”

Drew made a strangled sort of sound. “And I do appreciate the sentiment, but if we could get going!”

With a huff, Shea made her way over to the section he’d pointed her towards. “What’s got you so grumpy?” She muttered under her breath.

He either didn’t hear her or decided to ignore her. “Pick out anything you want. There are dressing rooms over there. Just be sure to check the price tag. I’d suggest avoiding anything that costs more than fifty cents, but sometimes you can convince them to bring the price down.”

“I’d like to see you trying to haggle,” Shea scoffed. In truth, she could picture it pretty easily. After all, it had only taken one flash of his dopey grin and she’d agreed to watch some lame cooking show with him.

He shrugged at her. “I got… um, something, from here for less than a dollar. It was worth eight. I’ve got my ways.” When he winked at her - more smooth than she ever would have expected from him - she felt her stomach twist in a strange way - a way she couldn’t decide if she liked or disliked.

She gave his arm a swift punch. She hadn’t meant for it to hurt, but he yelped, wincing, and she took that to mean she’d probably hit him harder than she meant to. She needed to watch her strength, she decided, before she hurt him too badly.

“Something?” She teased anyway, “Real specific, Drew. Not at all suspicious.” He grunted and shot a glare in her direction but otherwise didn’t respond.

She couldn’t tell if it was force of habit or the knowledge that it looked best on her, but she found herself gravitating towards anything green. She plucked shirt after shirt off the racks, examining them.

“Oh, that’s perfect for you,” Drew laughed, as she pulled out a t-shirt bedazzled with a large purple butterfly and tiny colorful little flowers.

Sticking her tongue out she faked like she was going to be sick and nearly threw the shirt back onto the rack. “Am I really that small that kids stuff is going to fit me?” She asked without meaning to.

“Drat!” He exclaimed. “I meant to make you eat some food before we came here.”

She’d all but forgotten about the hunger working a pit into her stomach and the temptation to hit him, for real, came on as strong as the hunger pangs did. “I’m not that little,” she decided, grumbling to herself.

Drew shook his head. “Yes, you are. You wouldn’t be if you’d eat food.”

“I eat!”

“Not enough, clearly! You look like nobody has fed you in years! You’re all bone!”

“I’m just not normally hungry!”

“You’re eating two servings of dinner tonight, at least, since I forgot to make you have a proper lunch.”

“Fine! As long as it’s good.”

“I’m making cantaloupe fruit salad,” he teased, then sighed as she glared at him. “Chicken fried rice sound better?”

“Much.”

“It’s not the most nutritious meal, but it’s cheap. And easy to make.”

With a snort, Shea started walking in the direction of the dressing rooms, figuring the stack of clothes split between her arms and Drews was more than enough. “I didn’t think you’d be into easy to make meals.”

“Oh, it isn’t easy to make because of me,” he said. Something about his tone made her pause, and she turned slowly to face him.

“I’m not helping,” she stated, shaking her head. “Nuh-uh, no way.”

“Come on, Shea! Everyone should know how to cook. I’ll teach you.”

“I don’t need to be taught how to burn down a building!”

“It’s easy and I’ll be right there the entire time in case something goes wrong!”

“Yeah, and you’ll be right there fighting over the toilet when we both end up with food poisoning. Not happening.”

“You know you already helped me with the first step.”

“What? No, I didn’t.”

Drew hummed affirmatively, “Did too. You helped buy the ingredients! So, now we both know none of it has gone bad yet, which means you can learn to cook.”

“I’m not doing it,” she insisted one final time, snatching the clothes from Drew’s arms and marching into the small closet-sized room to try them on before he could argue.

After half a dozen t-shirts were discarded on the floor with increasing amounts of annoyance, she heard a knock on the wall. “Having trouble choosing or did you get stuck?” Drew’s disembodied voice teased from behind the curtain.

“I’m too small to get stuck,” Shea grumbled, glaring at her body in the mirror. He was right. She’d never really noticed, with how much her parents shoved the idea of the perfect image in her face, but she really was just… far too skinny. Two pairs of jeans, the smallest ones she’d found, both dangled far too loosely around her hips, and the only other pair had slipped right off when she’d finished buttoning them. One t-shirt had been so baggy she looked like a child wearing their parents’ clothing, another had clung to her skin, showing off every rib and ridge of her spine. Something wasn’t right and she knew it, she just couldn’t explain why.

The pit in her stomach seemed to grow, for reasons far beyond hunger. Her parents had done something to her. They had to. Or maybe those creeps at the lab where she had woken up and lived for seven months of her life after becoming a glowing freak had done something.

She was tempted to put her own clothes back on, and tell Drew to keep his money but tears started welling up in her eyes at the thought, and she knew if she actually said it he’d know she was upset. She swiped at her eyes and chucked another shirt - this one with long sleeves that dangled down like loose skin on her boney arms - into the growing stack of discarded clothing.

Another knock on the wall and Drew asked, “Shea? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” she snapped, snatching up a black tank top from the few shirts left for her to try.

“What’s wrong? You sound upset.”

Shea dragged in a deep, breath, forcing herself to calm down before she snapped at him again and made things worse. At least the tank-top, while still awkwardly too big on her, didn’t actually look horrible. It just looked like it was a little too big. Drews’ clothes didn’t fit right either, some part of her brain reminded which was dumb but a little comforting. She sniffled a bit, and wiped at her eyes again, reaching for a green and black flannel.

“I’m fine,” she repeated. “Just a lot to try on.”. She thought maybe the bagginess of the flannel wasn’t so bad if she left it unbuttoned. It still looked like she was borrowing someone else’s clothes but… She smirked to herself, as she imagined how the flannel kind of looked like it could have been snagged from a boyfriend, rather than from her dad. That wasn’t so bad, she decided. Girls stole their boyfriends’ clothing all the time, didn’t they? Maybe people would assume she was one of those girls instead of a super- ex-superhero - wondering if her genetics had been tampered with to keep her nauseatingly skinny permanently.

“Found anything you like yet?” Drew called quietly, clearly trying not to upset her again.

“Yeah, I guess so.” She spun around trying to get a good look at herself in the mirror. With a sigh, she yanked the too-big jeans up with one hand and pushed the curtain to the side with the other. “How does this look?” she asked before she could convince herself not to.

Drew audibly gulped, as he looked her up and down. “Looks– looks good,” he stammered. She raised an eyebrow at him and he averted his gaze, the tips of his ears turning pink. “We can get you a belt so you don’t have to hold those up all the time. There’s a ton to choose from.”

“Okay,” she said, admittedly a bit confused by his weird reaction– was he just trying to get her to hurry up? She rolled her eyes at the weak smile he sent over his shoulder and shut the curtain again as he turned away, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

She found three more shirts that she liked, and another tank top with the words, “I love rock and roll” in messy graffiti-style print on the front. It wasn’t much but could get her through a week for now.

She threw back the curtain once more, to ask Drew how he felt about the tank-top, somewhat bemused by the way his blush had gotten darker each time she’d asked for his opinion.

“Joan Jett,” he said, with a nod, before she spoke. “Very cool.”

“If you’re saying it’s cool I probably shouldn’t believe it,” she mocked.

Instead of getting flustered, his eyes went wide. “You… you don’t know who she is?”

“Drew, my parents got mad at me for reading books. I wasn’t exactly allowed a radio.”

“But you were allowed a television? How does that make any sense?”

She glanced around and grabbed the front of his shirt. He yelped, stumbling as she pulled him into the small room with her. She shut the curtain behind him.

“What are you–”

“My parents gave me a television to watch horror movies on to train me not to let this,” she explained in an almost angry whisper as she lifted one glowing hand up to his face - he pressed himself flat against the back wall, wide-eyed, “flare-up every time I got scared.”

“Oh,” he squeaked out. “I– I’m… Sorry. I– We– I have some of her music on tape. We can…” His shocked expression faded into a small, nervous, smirk as her hand dropped back to her side. “We can listen while we cook dinner.” She realized then how close she had been standing to him. Unnecessarily close, even in the cramped space. She’d had another half foot to step back, and yet she’d decided to take up as much of his personal space as she could.

“You mean while you cook dinner,” she snipped and gave him a shove back out of the room.

“Not if you expect a meal I don’t,” she heard Drew mutter.

“Says the guy freaking out about the fact that I didn’t eat a big enough lunch.”

He didn’t respond until she walked out, back in her old clothes. “Got everything you need, chef?”

“Don’t start that,” she warned. “And no. Belt, remember?”

“Don’t start what?” he asked, feigning innocence as he grabbed her elbow to steer her in the right direction.

“You know what!”

“Well, why not? You are the one cooking tonight, after all.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Four brothers, Drew. I can do this a lot longer than you can. I am not.” Actually, she was usually the first to quit those kinds of nonsensical arguments, quick to turn the fight physical, but he didn’t need to know that. He fell silent again, and she could only hope that was the end of it.

Drew helped her sift through the belts, pulling ones at random to offer to her. Well, helped was generous. More than anything he picked up the gaudiest, awful belts he could find - a pink one with plastic rhinestones, a Mighty Martian belt, which she was surprised he cared that it was for kids enough to leave behind - she wasn’t even sure he was actually offering them to her, or just offering them up for her to laugh at. Which she found herself doing more earnestly with each terrible fashion choice he showed her, especially once he gave in and began laughing along with her.

“Look at this one,” he called. She peered around the rack as he flashed a faux-snakeskin belt at her. On its own, she could have seen the appeal, but the previous owner had apparently taken the liberty of tie-dying it with purples and yellows and reds that made her loath having eyes.

“That is…” The word ‘repulsive’ died on her tongue and she pushed him aside, a neon green belt catching her eye.

“Find something you like?” He chuckled, evidently not at all upset at being shoved. She nodded absently, pulling the belt down. Another came with it. When she made to pry them apart she realized they were meant to be a package deal. The green one that caught her eye was completed with a black buckle, and the slightly larger one attached was a perfect inverse.

She debated putting them back, but decided against it, wrapping the green one around her waist.

She glanced up at Drew. “Thoughts?”

“I think you like green.”

“Yeah, kinda got a flare for it,” she joked, immediately hating herself for it.

“That was terrible,” he said, though his laughter belied him. “But the belt works. You should get it.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, “but it’s three dollars cause it’s a package deal. See?” She showed him the other belt.

He shrugged. “So, I’ll get the price down. And take that belt. I could always use more.”

Something in her stomach flipped at the thought of wearing matching belts, but she found it wasn’t because the idea particularly bothered her. She shrugged back and tossed the belts into his arms.

“I guess we’re done then?” Shea asked. Drew nodded and she gave his shoulder a pat. “Let’s see you work that charm, bargain-boy.”

“No, no, no! Stop that. Don’t start calling me things like that.”

“Aw, but it’s so much fun. Is barter-boy better?”

“Nngh! Shea! Just–” Drew sputtered out a series of incoherent sounds at her, until a strangely calm look took over his face. “Would you rather… have to cook dinner with me tonight or stop calling me things like that?”

“You didn’t flip the coin, dork.”

“Just answer it!”

“Does calling you a dork count?”

He sighed, running a hand through his messy flop of hair. “I suppose not.”

“Then I’d rather stop calling you things like that. Cause I’m not cooking.”

Drew hummed innocently. “If you say so. Let’s go.”

Straightening his glasses, he took the bundle of clothes from her arms, placing them gently on the desk of the cashier, an older woman who glanced up at him through glasses almost as thick as his. Her wrinkled face shifted into a smile as she saw him.

“Drew,” the woman croaked happily. “How lovely to see you again, dearie!”

“It’s lovely to see you too, Lorraine,” Drew replied. “How have you been these last few weeks?”

“Busy, busy,” she laughed, glancing around the near-empty building. “Not that you would guess right now. I’ve missed the company of good boys like you. Where have you been?”

“Busy myself,” Drew said. “Summer courses have just ended, and now the fall semester has just begun.”

“Did you ever find yourself a roommate to split the cost of that apartment of yours?”

Drew pulled her by the shoulder to stand next to him, and she smiled awkwardly at the old woman. “This is Shea,” he introduced. “She’s taken the second room”

The woman, Lorraine, squinted at her, looking her up and down scrutinizingly. The woman hummed, seeming displeased.

“A girl, Drew? Are you sure that’s appropriate?”

“We share entirely separate rooms,” he assured her, adding with a shrug, “I’m sure you understand how I couldn’t possibly leave her on the streets.”

“You always are such a good boy, Drew,” Lorraine chortled. “Nice to meet you, darling.”

The woman didn’t offer her a hand to shake and Shea didn’t offer hers either. “Likewise,” she managed tersely. Drew squeezed her shoulder. She could only assume he intended to convey some sort of message, and she stared up at him, hoping for some help understanding it.

Lorraine looked back to Drew as Shea floundered to figure out what he wanted her to say or do. “I take it you found everything you needed, Drew?”

“We actually came to find clothes for her,” he explained. “I don’t think she’d be particularly fond of having to continue wearing my t-shirts.”

“Well, I should think not. She’s quite the little thing.” Being talked about like she wasn’t there shouldn’t have been comforting, but a sense of normalcy washed over her nonetheless.

“We tried to stay within a twelve dollar budget but… Well, I needed a new belt as well. We grabbed that joint pack, but even that puts us out of our price range…”

“Drew, I never mind giving you a deal, you know that. But most of this isn’t for you, it’s for her.�� Lorraine’s tone held none of the grandmotherly affection towards her as it did towards him, and she found herself simultaneously wanting to step away and stuck where she was.

She settled on looking down, muttering, “I can put things back.” She’d be content to put everything back if she’d stop watching her. She couldn’t decide if she was more freaked out by the idea that the woman would suddenly realize who she was, or by how much the way the woman eyed her reminded her of her mothers constant commentary on her every move, be it how she threw a punch in a fight or how she ran six miles instead of seven during morning warm-ups.

“How did you meet Drew?” Lorraine suddenly asked her.

Shea found herself stammering before answering as honestly as she thought worth it, “I met him at a bus stop.”

“Are you homeless?”

“If he decides to take away my key, then yes.”

“What are you going to do if he does?”

“I’m not going to,” Drew cut in, looking almost as flustered as she felt. She didn’t particularly appreciate being interrogated over bargain bin clothing.

“Do you contribute to the financial situation?”

“Well, I was going to look at the job advertisement when we came in,” she grumbled.

Drew squeezed her shoulder again, far more gently than the first time. “She helps with pretty much everything else, including my work, so yes, in a way she does.”

“That’s quite nice. But I am still curious as to what you would do if he did ask you to leave… Darling?”

Shea’s stomach twisted at the idea. She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Then I leave. If he really wanted me gone, then I’d leave.”

“Are you quite happy with having her live with you, Drew?”

His brow furrowed as he watched the woman, the familiarity and comfort gone from his expression. “I– yes?” His gaze darted to her, and she stared up at him, silently begging him to just forget the clothes so they could leave. “I wouldn’t have asked you to stay if I didn’t want you to.”

Shea couldn’t help but look away, stuffing her hands into her pockets as she felt her face heat up.

When she next spoke, Lorraine’s voice had gone back to the voice of a bubbly sweet old lady. “Very good, very good,” she crooned as if she’d just witnessed a spectacular show. “How much of this can you afford, dears?”

Drew blinked, clearly as stunned as she was at the sudden switch. “Twelve dollars worth,” he answered, almost robotically.

“How about this dear; you give me eight for all this and spend the leftover on ice cream cones for the two of you, while it’s still warm outside? My treat for such a sweet couple.”

Shea opened her mouth to point out that they weren’t a couple, but Drews nudge - because she couldn’t justify calling something so weak a kick - to her shin told her loud and clear to shut up.

“Are you sure, Lorraine?” Drew asked, pulling the bills from his wallet. “I couldn’t possibly ask you to drop the price so low.”

“Don’t you argue with me, Drew Lipsky,” Lorraine lectured, waggling a finger between them. “A sweet boy like you doesn’t often find a girl like her. You take care of her and don’t you ever let her go.”

Shea couldn’t believe the woman hadn’t noticed she was green, with how flushed her face felt. Drew, though she could see the tips of his ears turning pink through his hair, was playing it much cooler than she felt.

“If you insist,” he laughed, passing over the eight dollars. “We’ll even get double scoops, as an extra thank you to you.”

“That’s my good boy. Lovely to meet you, sweetie!” She waved at them as Drew pulled her out the door, shifting with her to block her view of the billboard on their way. He waved back at the old woman and Shea reluctantly did the same.

“Fifteen dollars worth of clothes,” Drew stated as he passed one bag over to her, “for eight. I told you I had my ways.”

“You have one way,” she protested, laughing, “and that’s being a suck-up.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

She rolled her eyes, nudging his shoulder with hers. “Thanks for the clothes. Although, a heads up about the questioning would have been nice.”

“I didn’t expect that either,” he told her. “I’ve never seen her like that.”

“Well, of course, you haven’t you’re such a sweet boy,” she teased.

He glared at her. “Yes, well. Oh,” he exclaimed suddenly, breaking into a grin, “guess what?”

“What?” She asked hesitantly.

“Are too,” he stated simply.

It took her a moment to realize that he was talking about her cooking dinner with him again - enough time that he’d slipped out of range for her to hit him. “I am not,” she protested yet again. “If I’m going to burn down your apartment I assure you it won’t be by accident.”

“You’re going to help if you want a double scoop!”

“Are you… are you really planning on using that money to get ice cream?”

“I promised I would,” he said, shrugging as he fell back in step with her.

“What a sweet boy,” Shea teased again.

“Be quiet before you get no ice cream at all.”

Stifling a laugh, she mimed zipping her lips shut.

He found her silence worse than her teasing. By the time they made it back to the apartment, he had practically begun to beg her to talk again.

She smiled at him but didn’t say anything until he said, halfway up the stairs, “Will you talk to me again if I say you don’t have to help cook?”

She didn’t pause to consider as she blurted out, “Sure.”

Drew barked out a laugh, “You spoke! And I didn’t actually promise anything yet! You still have to help.”

He sprinted through their door as she lunged at him, and didn’t stop until he reached the kitchen, clearly prepared to run no matter which direction she came at him from.

She almost gave in and chased him, but the thought of what she would do when she caught him - which she knew was absolutely nothing except tell him again that she would do anything but cook - gave her pause. Instead, she smiled with false calm and composure and sat down on the couch.

“Food poisoning will work well enough.”

“You’re not going to give me food poisoning!”

She turned her deliberately creepy smile back towards him. “Oh,” she chuckled darkly, “yes, I will.”

Drew paled but didn’t waver as he repeated once more that she was helping him cook and that was that. Damn him. She should have given in and chased him. At least cornering him would have given her something more satisfying. She forced herself to keep up the act, leaning back against the couch to shoot one final eerie smile in his direction.

#drakgo #drakken #drew lipsky #shego #shea go #fanfiction #drakgo fanfiction #shego x drakken #drakken x shego #Dwelling #chapter ten #gofordrakgo #22 pages #5870 words

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spaceskam · 6 years ago

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was it worth the fight? (2/2)

Summary: a talk with maria. (this could probably be read without the first part but just in case not: part 1)

ao3

“I had a date with Micahel last night.”

Alex decided not to beat around the bush or even acknowledge Maria’s reaction. He was here for closure and that’s what he was going to get. He’d tossed and turned the entire night, planning a way through this. He and Michael had worked through a ton of shit. He refused to let this be the end. He fully intended to call after he left his brunch with Maria and ask for a movie night. This was step one.

“Why are you telling me this?” Maria asked cautiously. She didn’t sound angry or annoyed or jealous, she sounded confused and scared to make a mistake. Alex understood that more than anyone knew.

“Because,” he sighed, his eyes searching for the waitress. Suddenly that mimosa she’d offered sounded much better than the water he’d ordered. “We kissed.”

Maria still looked confused, “Okay, I’m happy for y‒”

“All I could see was you kissing him, touching him, having sex with him, and I had to ask him to leave,” Alex admitted. Realization settled on her face in an instant and she leaned closer.

“Alex, I swear, I haven’t seen him in weeks, much less, well, any of that. I promise,” Maria gushed, sincerity coming off her in droves. Alex held up his hand, waving away her apologies.

“No, I know. I just… I need closure, I think,” Alex said, “I need to know why you did it.”

Alex had ideas on the answer she’d give. It had kept him awake the night he’d found out. It rudely brought him back to when he was 15 and first came out to his friends. Liz had immediately gotten excited that he could join in on the boy talk. Rosa had rolled her eyes and said she knew, that her gaydar was never wrong and it wasn’t about to start with him. Maria didn’t have much of a reaction other than ‘thank you for trusting me with that’ and you can tell me anything’. She had kept that sentiment for so long.

Maria was the first one he’d gone to when he had a crush on Riley Summers, a bulky football player who always told the other guys to leave him alone and required his help to pass science. Maria had gone on a date with him prior, though, which had quickly ended Alex’s desire to talk about him. He still stared, but that was it.

Part of him knew that the reason he kept Michael a secret was because he was scared for someone to crush his crush. Michael was sweet and boyishly handsome and even back then would look at him like he was the only one in the world. He wanted to live in that bubble where that was the case. When they finally kissed, he thought that was it. He’d never have to worry about needing to back off because his friends had dibs. Alex had won the world’s most convenient prize: a boy who liked boys. It doubled as the best prize when you factored in the part where he liked Alex.

Obviously, a few years passed and he learned sexuality was a bit more fluid, Michael’s included. But, still, he never thought he’d be in this position. Every time he was able to come home, he’d see Michael and every single time he’d look at him like he was the whole world. Eleven years and it still gave him butterflies. Only those butterflies were being unceremoniously by the jealousy monster and Alex wanted him slain.

Michael was his. His brain just needed to catch up.

“I-I don’t have a good answer for why, Alex. I just didn’t know what I was putting myself between,” Maria explained, smiling as the waitress put a glass of water on the table for her. Alex asked for that mimosa.

“Maybe not the details, but you knew there was still something between us,” Alex pointed out. She shook her head.

“Barely! I knew you had a thing in the past and I knew you were feeling hopeful but he kept telling me it was over,” she tried. Alex took a deep breath as he discounted her words. They didn’t mean anything. They were her trying to excuse herself. She wasn’t deliberately sounding like an ass.

“Maria, he’d just watched his mother die, found out his brother-in-law was a bad sci-fi villain, and dealt with his actual brother dying. Not to mention the mental torment that came with his hand being healed on the outside. You shouldn’t have taken his word.” He knew he sounded demeaning. He forgot to apologize.

“It’s not like he told me all of that when he came to me, Alex,” Maria sighed, her head falling in her palm.

“But you had to have seen that something was off.”

“He’s not exactly the poster child for happiness, I didn’t think it was anything worse than usual.”

Alex’s leg bounced beneath the table, suddenly deciding that Michael needed some extra loving and caring tonight. Maria had never been cold, but, God, she was coming off that way. He couldn’t imagine seeing Michael in a state and just accepting it. Even when he was pushing him away, he still was haunted by his broken face. Michael had walls, but at the end of the day, his heart was proudly worn on his sleeve. The idea of kissing him and starting a relationship with him while he was vulnerable made him queasy. That wasn’t like Maria.

“I just‒ “

“Why are you acting like this is all my fault?” she asked. Which was valid.

“It’s not, I’m sorry. I’ve just already heard his side of things. I’ve heard a little of yours, I just…” Alex pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to think of the least offensive way to continue the conversation.

“Here’s that mimosa. Can I get you guys anything to eat?” He’d never been so thankful to be interrupted.

“I don’t really want anything, do you?” Alex asked. Maria just shook her head, still staring pointedly at him. God, why did a fucking boy have to come between them? If only it was a less important boy. “We’re good, thanks.”

They were left in an awkward silence that lasted too long for a friendship that was over two decades old. Fuck, why were they in this mess?

“I just wanna know why you didn’t come to me first,” Alex added softly after downing half of the drink he’d just been given.

Maria avoided eye contact as she said, “I wanted to, I just wanted to make sure he was worth it. It just happened too fast. He came to me and I decided he was worth it right then.” Alex shut his eyes, desperately trying to block out that fucking pity party of a night.

“But you still never came to me. In fact, you avoided me. I had to find out by seeing you two making out against his truck a week later. You chose some crush over our friendship which is so fucked,” Alex pointed out. Maria folded her lips into her mouth, guilt skewing her features. Alex chugged the rest of the mimosa and flagged the waitress for another.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I made a mistake. He was the first decent guy to look my way in forever, so I went for it. I was hoping he could love me, or that I could love him. But, even if he could, it couldn’t hold a candle to what you two have. I’m not a threat, Alex,” she said. He licked his lips as he absorbed her words. He couldn’t blame her for feeling positive at the prospect of a relationship with him. He knew first hand how addicted Michael Guerin could be. He was hot and charming when he was drunk off his ass, but a sober Michael? That was more intoxicating than anything he’d ever had.

“I get it. He’s easy to love.”

“It’s not even just that. You were gone for almost ten years, Alex. So was Liz. I lost my three best friends in the same summer and I never really made anymore. He was the closest thing I had. He was there for me, he was a shoulder to cry on. Even when he’s being a dick, he’s nicer than half the people in this town. And he started to clean up his act last year, stopped fighting and started being there for me even more and I… I guess it’s my fault that I didn’t notice how him being better magically correlated with when you came home.”

Alex wasn’t entirely sure what closure was supposed to feel like, but he assumed it felt similar to hearing Maria say that. That made sense. That he hadn’t considered. It didn’t really make him feel better, but he was finally hearing something that made the pieces fit together. They were still in the wrong, but Micahel had a way of making him forget they spent so much time apart. He hadn’t even considered that he spent that time with Maria.

Finally, an explanation rather than an excuse.

“Thank you,” Alex said, letting out a slow breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding as he reached for the new drink he’d been brought. He still had shit to think through, but at least he got it. “I understand. He cleverly left out the decade of Michael and Maria time.”

Maria rolled her eyes, but she smiled. As angry as Alex had been, he still wanted her to be okay and happy. It’d been a while since she smiled.

“Please, please, please don’t let me be the reason you don’t work out. I mean, I’m still working on moving past him, trying to find someone new, but I’m not that much of a bitch. You guys are good for each other. You give him a reason to keep getting better and he makes you so happy. You deserve that happiness, Alex, you’ve gone too long without,” she promised. For the first time in a while, she sounded like his best friend again.

“You do too, Maria,” he said. He meant it.

Eventually, the conversation became lighter and they both actually got food. It hadn’t occurred to him that he hadn’t eaten since the night before with Michael. Spending time with Maria, though, was refreshing in a way he hadn’t expected. He missed having friends that weren’t wrapped up in bullshit. Well, Maria was wrapped up in bullshit, but not in alien bullshit or giant government conspiracy bullshit. In fact, it was the most normal bullshit he had going on and for that, he was almost thankful.

By the time he got home, Alex was feeling a whole lot better about things. He and Maria had talked about the whole Michael situation before, but nothing helped it make sense in his head like this time. All the puzzle pieces were in place and now all he had to do was accept it before he could put it away and not think about it anymore. There were no missing pieces to stress over. He felt a little lighter and a little more ready to try kissing his almost-maybe-boyfriend again.

“Hey,” Alex said, smiling effortlessly as he heard Michael’s heavy breathing on the other side of the phone, “You okay over there?”

“Uh, yeah, Liz’s fuckin’ car broke down a few blocks away from Sanders’. Just got done pushing it,” Michael said. Alex could picture him all sweaty with his chest rising and falling wildly. Yeah, definitely want to try again.

“Why didn’t you just move it with your mind?”

“Uh-huh because that wouldn’t be suspicious at all, would it?” Michael teased. Maybe Alex was a little tipsy. There was no other excuse as to why Michael’s heavy breathing had his mind wandering.

“Mmm, you got a point. Come over tonight?” Alex asked, making a mental note to try to take a nap beforehand so he could sober up. He wasn’t about to rub it in Michael’s face that he could drink.

“Oh yeah? You already found a way to fix the problem?” Michael said, a hopeful lilt in his tone that had Alex grinning like an idiot at the ceiling. Happy Michael was the best Michael.

“I talked to Maria today. She cleared some stuff up in my head. I don’t know if it’s all better yet, but… I wanna try if you want to,” Alex told him honestly. He left what exactly that entailed up in the air. He’d be happy with a night full of kissing, but a night of more didn’t sound bad. Sounded fucking fantastic, actually. It’d been so long since he slept with anyone. Embarrassingly, the last person he’d slept with happened to be Michael himself. God, that was forever ago.

“Uh, yeah, baby, of course, I do. What time?”

“Just whenever you’re done with work.”

“I’ll be there.”

This had to work.

#i don't like how this ends #but i didn't know how to end it #because it would've felt wonky if i ended it right after his talk with maria #but here we are #malex #malex fic #a follow up #michael guerin #alex manes #2k word

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unvillges · 6 years ago

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Fools | Chapter 16

Pairing: min yoongi x ofc

Summary: min yoongi is a world famous producer and needs an assistant to help him out, but what he got was much more

Word Count: 4,545

fools masterlist

Waking up the next morning wasn't like something that I had experience before. The very few times I had slept at Yoongi's, he was usually gone when I woke up, it was because of his busy mornings. It was usually waking me up by kissing me and then whispering what meeting he had to run to or what song came to him in a dream. But, he wasn't in a rush to go anywhere that morning, he kept his arms around me as he stayed asleep. His once put together now all ruffled from tossing and turning all night.

I could have just started to wake him up, but knowing the emotional state he was in the night before and how little he sleeps already it was best that I just let him stay asleep. He moved slightly, wanting to get more comfortable as he nuzzled his head more against mine, his hand moving to rest against my chest. It made me chuckle softly but all I could do was rub my fingers up and down the skin of his arm, wanting to keep him calm and comfortable as he slept.

I drifted in and out of sleep throughout that morning, noticing how the clock would change every time I opened my eyes until the next time I opened my eyes, I could see Yoongi staring down at me.

"Good morning, sleepy head." He said, his voice hoarse and barely audible as if I hadn't been so close to him than I probably wouldn't have been able to hear him. I can't help but smile at his words, finding myself blushing softly as I did so.

"Good morning? I was up before you, but I just didn't want to wake you up." He laughs at my words, if his head wasn't already pressed against a pillow he would have thrown it back like he always did when he laughed.

"Okay, okay, fine. I'll let you think you were awake before me." He says as he pushes a strand of hair out of my face. "What do you say I order us some food and then we can split up so we can get ready for our date tonight?"

"Our date, that sounds nice." I smile. "Also, do you not know how to cook? You seem to order in a lot."

"I know how to cook very minimal things, and maybe I'm a little nervous you'd think they were all shit." He explains.

"How about this?" I say, as I sit up, looking back to look down at him. "You stay here and rest, I'll go and cook us something, then we can chill for a little while longer and then you can kick me out to get ready, unless we get super lazy and decide to just stay home."

"That sounds good up until the last part, we're going out tonight, I want to take you on a real date instead of just sitting on the couch all the time or hanging out in the office." He smiles and I lean down to kiss him quickly. "Stop, stop, go before I regret offering up doing anything other than just sitting in bed."

I laugh and jump out of the bed, making my way to his kitchen to make some food for the both of us. I had only been to his apartment a few times and none of them had either of us cooking, so trying to find pans was definitely a challenge - I was just surprised to find he had any. It didn't take me long for me to cook us some breakfast, humming to myself as I danced around his kitchen. After I finished our plates I turned around to see Yoongi leaning forward against the counter as he looked at me, a smile on his features. I jumped, glad that I didn't drop the plates on the floor, and shook my head as he started to laugh.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, although my voice comes out frazzled from the fact that he had scared me.

"A few minutes, I walked in when you were singing Hotline Bling, took a Snapchat of when you started to do the dance, and then thoroughly enjoyed the humming of Thriller just now."

"I hate you." I chuckle as I set the dish in front of him, and place mine down right next to him. "I thought I was alone! You can't use that against me." I say as I grab some utensils, placing them down before joining the seat next to him. "Whatever, you got a free show. Next time I'm going to charge you for my talents."

He gives me a soft chuckle before we start eating, having small side conversations and just being in each other's company. It was cool to understand the evolution of our relationship and where it began to where it is now. I know he was still worried about Sofia, about how she could easily come in and out of his life as she pleases. I knew deep down that it would be easier to cut her off as time went on and as he continued to hold his ground against her, it wouldn't hurt as much and eventually he'd be able to let go of the idea of her and what their relationship once was.

"I'm going to head out." I say about an hour later, after we had finished eating and we had just put away the last pan from cleaning up. "What time tonight?"

"I'll pick you up at like 7?" He asks, wanting to make sure it was a good time for the both of us.

"Sounds good. Do I have to wear something like super fancy or is this more of casual date."

"I'd say it's a bit of both so try something more in the middle." He explains and I nod my head, leaning up to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later."

"See you later." I respond before heading out.

It didn't take me long to get back home considering I didn't live too far away from the city. My parents were out for the day, leaving me a note to take care of Lucy when I got a second and that they would see me later. Although I did miss seeing my parents more often, it was nice to be able to have some time to myself, so I plugged my phone into a charger and hooked it up to a speaker to play some music

I jumped into the shower, letting the hot water run down my skin for a while, letting myself just soak in the steam and sit alone in my thoughts for a while. Honestly? My mind was filled with thoughts about what Sofia had done to Yoongi, I couldn't even imagine hurting anyone the way she did with him. The way that she sat there and consciously made the decision to hurt him and manipulate him over and over again was suffocating. I inhaled deeply, letting the steam sit heavily on my chest for a moment before letting it all out, letting all the worries I had about Sofia and what was to come out and into the void. There was nothing to worry about and I realized that, I had found myself knowing deep down that whatever was going to come between us we were going to have to find a work through it and not let it sit for as long as it can.

Getting ready always took me a while when I needed to get really dressed up. Going to work always required some form of skinny jeans with any vintage band t-shirt. Yoongi never really cared about dress code situation and always made it seemed so causal, so I usually just threw some make up and an outfit and called it a day but this actually required some effort and time. I managed to pick an outfit that was just as he described nice but causal, nothing too fancy but definitely nicer than just my everyday look. I settle on a black dress that comes down to about right above my knees, it's plain as plain can get but still fancy enough for a night out. I compliment with a small heel to complete the look, sweeping my brown hair over my shoulder. It was something I knew it was a look he had never seen in before, I wanted tonight to be special and not just another night for us.

He wasn't kidding when he would be there at 7 on the dot, my phone vibrating with a text from him the second that the clock changed times. I texted back a quick 'I'll be down in a second' before getting some last minute stuff and walking downstairs. I was surprised when I opened the front door to my house to see him standing there with a smile on his face. He held a single flower in his hand and sighed contently when he saw me, as if every worry in his body had just completely melted away.

I take the moment to breathe him in, he had on a pair of black skinny jeans with a black dress shirt, the first few buttons undone. Everything matched his dark hair which was parted to one side instead of its usual fringe-y look that sat in front of his face.

"Hey!" He said, the flower that was in his hand twirling between his fingers. "Wow, you look incredible." But, I couldn't even take his compliment, I was completely and utterly taken back at how good looking he was as he stood in front of me. It's a look I didn't see often or ever, the way that his once tired eyes seemed so alert now, how his usually pale skin has a tint to it as if he was radiating. He was...breathtaking.

"Thank you, so do you. I mean, you look amazing." I say as I look up at him. Although I was wearing heels I was still just below eye level with him and I could see the blush that formed on his features.

"This is for you." He says, holding out the flower which I take and hold in my hand. "I wanted to get you a bouquet, but I didn't know if that was over the top."

It was a single white carnation, a flower that I had always admired one that's simple beauty always made me feel so at ease and peaceful. I had never told Yoongi about my infatuation with them, about the idea of purity that I had put around them but for some reason it was like he knew.

"It's perfect, Yoongi, thank you." I whisper before I lean in and press a quick kiss to his cheek. "Let me just go put this in some water and then I'll be ready." I say. It takes a few minutes for me to get the flower set up, placing it in the center of the kitchen table before writing my parents a quick note.

Hey Mom & Dad,

Lucy is all taken care of, don't know when I'll be back. Don't wait up! Love you both

- Lili

I found Yoongi standing in the hallway by my front door when I come back, watching as he stared at the pictures that lined the walls. He looked at one from when I was younger, it was one with me and my sister to be more specific and I couldn't help but smile at the look on his face, one of pure infatuation and content.

"Is that your sister?" He asks after a few moments. "You guys look alike."

"Yeah, I haven't seen her in a while, but we were close when we were younger. She's married with a kid now and doesn't really come home much." I explain and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me up against his side as he does so. "But it's okay, I've been too busy to really even notice. It was worse when I was home all the time and it was all my parents would complain about."

"I'm sorry to put a damper on the mood."

"You didn't, trust me." I chuckle and look up at him, which causes his attention to go from the picture, down to me. "Let's get going though, I'm anxious to know what you have planned."

"Oh no, now I'm worried." He laughs as he grabs my hand and pulls me outside. We quickly get into his car and settle in, the music playing softly in the background as we drove to our destination. "I want to make sure you like it because this is like ... our first official date, isn't it?"

"I guess it is, I didn't even think of it like that." I laugh as I look over at him. "But I'm sure whatever you have planned will be amazing." I laugh as he drives, we end up back in the city, watching as the lights and cars move past us. I spaced out for a few moments, my fingers nervously playing with each other as I looked out the window, not even realizing that we had pulled up to his apartment until he had shut the car off. "Interesting." I say as I look over at him, noticing the big smile that was on his features. "Were you lying about your ability to cook and are really surprising me with a homemade dinner?"

"Yes and no?" He says with a chuckle. "I really can't cook, but I don't need to cook to get you a homemade meal." He gets out of the car and jogs around, opening the door for me and helping me out before we head into his building. We get to the elevator and he presses the button for the top floor, and considering that's not the floor he lives on it immediately throws me for a loop. He steps off and grabs my hand pulling me with him until we get to a door and he turns back to look over at me. "Close your eyes." He says.

I raise my eyebrow slightly at him and he just gives me a sweet smile so I follow his directions, closing my eyes tightly. I heard the door open and he started to lead me saying 'watch your step' as we climbed up stairs, his grip on me tight until we got to the top. Another door open and I could feel a breeze quickly before it died down.

"Okay, ready?" He asked as we took a step forward. "Open your eyes."

I took a deep breath and reopened my eyes, taking a moment to breathe in the sight that was in front of me. We were on the rooftop of his building, string lights hanging from poles that stood in the corners, with a table sitting in the middle of it.

"Yoongi..." I whispered as my and moved to my mouth, not even sure what to say about the sight that was in front of me. It seemed too amazing to be true, and with the sun setting behind the buildings in Manhattan it seemed like the ultimate romantic gesture. "What? When did you? What?" I say stunned as I look up at him who had nothing but a smile on his features.

"Do you like it?" He asked as I walked closer to everything, the wind picking up my hair in its path, sweeping it behind me in one fluid motion.

"You didn't have to do all of this, I mean...I love it, don't get me wrong. I think it's absolutely amazing but I just, wow. I don't know what to say. Since when were you such a romantic." I stop and turn to ask him, a smile on his features as he walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he does so.

"I'm offended, I've always been a romantic, just ... a really bad one." He laughs before he presses a kiss to my lips. "It's our first date, can I not make it special?" He asks which causes me to shake my head.

"Of course you can, but this is so much, you didn't have to go through all this trouble."

"I didn't, seriously. I wanted to do something cool and memorable. Come on let's sit." He says as he guides me to the table, sitting across from me with a smile on his face as he pour us both some champagne that had been sitting on an ice bucket next to us. It was over the top, it was completely unexpected from Yoongi who I had never even thought would be as romantic as he had been. It's not that he wasn't capable of it but he seemed like much more of a simple man to me, like someone who would prefer a movie and ordering in - which we had done so many times before, something that I would never exchange. It had to occur to me that it was possible that he thought this is what I wanted in a first date. I loved it, and as I sat across from him, clinking our glasses together before we took as sip, I realized that I really did love him too.

"You haven't even seen the best part yet." He says, letting out a loud cough which warranted the door to fling open. Of course, out walked Hoseok in what looked to be the world's most uncomfortable tuxedo ever, a fake smile plastered onto his features as he walked up to us.

"Welcome, lady and gentleman to the Casa de Min, the finest and cheapest restaurant in the Tri-State area." He said, causing both of us to chuckle. "We have an assortment of food coming out tonight courtesy of Chef Sam."

"Sam? Like my best friend Sam?" I ask, my jaw dropping as I laugh once more.

"Chef Sam is no one's best friend but the cuisines tonight." Hoseok offers before taking the champagne and filling up what we had already drank. "Let me know when you will need another bottle, I'll be back with your first course shortly."

"Thank you." We say in unison as he leaves. I look back at him and shake my head, realizing how over board he went for our first date.

"What? Do you not like it?"

"No! I didn't say that, I love it, you really just did a lot. I would have been happy with anything."

"I know, I know you would have but I just wanted to do something different. I promise the rest of our dates can be like that." He laughed and I shook my head at him with a smile. "How have you been in the past few hours since I saw you?"

"Good, good. I was thinking about last night a little bit and I just feel better about a lot." I confess as I take another sip of my champagne, leaning back in the chair. "Like, I feel like there's more solidity in this now, more things that I can keep an eye on and make sure that I'm helping with, more for us to figure out."

He nods his head and takes a long sip of his drink, I can tell it's not something he thought of discussing today, but when he started to speak it let me know that I didn't cross any boundaries.

"I agree, I feel better about talking about it. I think I was just afraid that telling you all this would warrant a 'this is too much for me to handle' kind of response, which I shouldn't have assumed, but I know that it's a lot, having a crazy ex girlfriend like that and all."

"I get it, and I understand your worries, but you don't have to worry about that from me." I say as I move to rest my hand on his, surprisingly at the same time as Hoseok seemed to walk out his eyes on our hands as he put down each plate in front of us.

"Disgusting." He whispered under his breath, talking about the fact that we were holding hands. "I mean!" His fake smile immediately coming back. "We have a delicious dish of ... something, I don't know I forgot what Sam said, just eat it and enjoy." He says before he walks back out, leaving Yoongi and I laughing.

It felt like this for the rest of the night, it felt easy and fun, like all the moments, all the stolen glances, all of the times where there was some tension between us led up to this, like we needed everything to get to this moment. And after thinking about it for a moment - maybe we did, maybe all the things that happened to us and between us, prepared us for this moment.

I couldn't help but take note of the fondness in his eyes, no matter what I said he would just look at me as if it was the most important thing that had ever been said. He was shy, much more shy than I remember him being, often finding himself getting red while also letting the biggest smile come over his features. This was not the Yoongi I remembered from my first meeting, but he was still in there. He still could be stoic and cold when it came to specific reasons. I remembered the chill in his voice when he saw me outside his studio that first morning, how sarcastic and distant his voice sounded to his true personality.

It wasn't a different Yoongi sitting in front of me, he didn't change from who i knew and who I fell in love with, he just happened to be more confident and more relaxed. It was easy to wrap this up and blame it on Sofia, and there are times where I wish I could but she was only just part of the problem, he had feelings for someone who he wasn't sure had them back, all while trying to please his company and get more time to figure out the perfect song because that's all he ever wanted was just perfection.

The dinner went by quickly, faster than I thought it would have been and we were already halfway through our second bottle of champagne when Hoseok came back over with our desserts. The conversations we had ranged from personal, about his life back home in Korea, and his family, to more light and fun, about shows that he enjoys and songs I listen to when I'm working. It was a range of emotion and an assortment of topics that we had never covered before, ones that we thought were important to know, ones that really let us see the other dimensions of one another.

"Did you have fun tonight?" He asks after we finish, putting his spoon down and taking a sip of his coffee.

"I did, did you?"

"I did, but it's not over yet." He says as he gets up and grabs his phone, typing something in before pressing the screen. A slow song came on, he placed it down on the table before extending his hand out. I took it and stood up, resting my other hand on his shoulder as we start to dance slowly to the music.

I couldn't help but look up at him, our eyes locking onto each other’s as we slowly moved back and forth to the music. It was intimate and sweet, this whole night was something I wasn't expecting at all from Yoongi, it was more than I could ever imagine was going to happen.

"Too corny?" He asks after a few minutes.

"Absolutely not, just perfect." I laugh before I move to rest my head on his shoulder as we danced together, my eyes softly closing as I stayed in the moment with him. I could feel the vibration of his neck as he hummed along to the song, a smile coming onto my features. The song felt too short, when the last note hit Yoongi leaned down and kissed the side of my face causing us both to sigh. It was so different to be in such a happy state with him, to not be so far away from each other and stealing looks only to look away immediately - it was so different.

"Ugh." An annoyed and very much disgusted noise came from behind us, causing me and Yoongi to turn around to see Hoseok and Sam standing there. Hoseok had his arms crossed over his chest with a smile on his face while Sam looked at us fondly, a look of admiration in her eyes.

“What Hoseok was tryingto say is we’re heading out for the night.” Sam says once she sees that they have our attention. “And we hope you guys had a good time, and continue to enjoy your night.” She says before grabbing Hoseok’s bicep, pulling him away as we laughed at the two of them.

“So, can I ask how you got them on board for this?” I ask after they leave, the door shutting behind them and now just leaving the two of us and the city below. “Hoseok didn’t seem too happy.”

“He has like a tiny crush on Sam so I got her on board first and then pretty much enticed him that way.”

“And he says that I don’t tell him anything? Since when does he have a crush on her?”

“Unimportant, it’s more of a ‘I think she’s cute’ kind of situation. It’s nothing too serious.” He says as he walks me over to side of the building. The walls of the roof came up to about right under my chest, allowing me to look down at the street below and see the city for miles. Yoongi’s arms wrapped around my waist as his chin rested against my shoulder, both of us just standing there and looking out at the view in front of us.

It was weird to think that the city that we met would be the city I would fall in love with him in, that the city where our two worlds collided was the same worlds it intertwined into one. We didn’t say a word for a few minutes, my hand rested over his as they sat on my stomach and I wish we could stay like that forever, like every single moment we spent could be as quiet and serene. But things with Yoongi and I always end up more complicated, we couldn’t just enjoy a moment, we now had time to catch up on things that we wanted to do, reasons to be with each other.

And before we even knew it city lights turned into dark rooms, roof tops turned into tangled bed sheets and silence that filled the air had dissipated into whimpers and less than appropriate words. And when it was all said and done, we found ourselves wrapped up, skin to skin, welcoming the sleep that took over us immediately after.

#yoongi fic #yoongi fanfic #yoongi ff #yoongi imagine #yoongi scenario #yoongi reaction #bts fic #bts ff #bts fanfic #bts fanfiction

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fictionalabyss · 7 years ago

Text

Pizza Delivery

Pairing : CrowleyxReader, DemonDean

Word count : 1,686 A/N : More Demon Dean time than Crowley. I love me some demon Dean. basically some set up.

Part 2 of Hell’s Queen.

Days were passing. Crowley treated you like a queen, but you were still kept off in a room most of the time. Not the same one you had woken up in though. You were moved to a much nicer room. Beautifully furnished, with plenty of books, and a window, though it wasn’t much of a view. Apparently, he knew you loved to read. Meals were often brought to you, and occasionally you were brought out to sit with him. But you were never allowed out of your room alone.

To be honest, you didn’t mind. You’d often see Dean around somewhere if you left the room, and the way he watched you left you uneasy. It made you glad for the constant guards. Always at least one or two, even just to stand outside your door while you sat in your room.

Dean wasn’t the only one whose gaze you hated having on you. You didn’t see many people, but the few you did see would give you a look you couldn’t quite figure out. Crowley kept his promise to protect you. It wasn’t just the guard duty. If he felt you getting uneasy about Dean, he got kicked out of the room. When he caught a look a demon gave you, he had him dragged away. Dean, later hinting in the hall that the demon was killed for daring to look at you.

As the days passed, you started being permitted to move around more. You were still confined to an area, but other rooms were opened to give you a small change of scenery. One such room was turned into a library. Crowley had smiled at how your face lit up. He was glad you were opening up to him.

Crowley had to go for urgent business. Dean was suppose to be off somewhere, so there was only one guard on your door. You had your back against the headboard as you read a book, still in your silk nightgown. It was early morning, the sun still rising but giving you enough light to read by, when you heard a noise outside your door. Furrowing your brow, you heard a scream, and saw a flash of light from under the door. When the door opened, you gasped seeing Dean. Bone knife in his hand before he tucked it back into the back of his jeans. “Just thought I’d come visit.” He smiled.

You had put the book down, and pulled your knees closer to you as he made his way across the room. You remembered what he had said your first day. ‘The second she’s away from you, she’s mine.’ “Wh-what do you want?”

He shrugged. “Your company? What do you think I want?” You chewed on your lip, looking up at him fearfully. “You’re adorable when you’re scared, you know that?” He chuckled softly and ran his finger over your cheek. You tried to jerk away but he grabbed and held your chin with his forefinger and thumb. “Relax. I won’t do anything you don’t want, sweetheart. I’m a demon, not a fucking animal. Rape isn’t my thing.”

He let go of you and started back towards the door. “C-can you blame me for being scared? A-after things you’ve said?”

He turned back to you and chuckled. “Crowley’s a douche. Making his life hell is sorta my thing.” He shrugged. “And since you’re his new fixation, you’re the biggest button to push. I’m going to push it. Hell, I’m going to spam that button.” He grinned. “I will have you.” He licked his lips. “But I won’t be a dick about it. We’re having dinner tonight, you and me.” He said making his way to the door again. “You like pizza right?” He turned when you didn’t answer. “Of course you do. Who doesn’t like fucking pizza.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.

You stared at the door confused. There was no way he’d come back. As soon as someone brought your breakfast and spotted the dead demon, a new one would be posted and Crowley would be informed. Right?

Sure enough, when breakfast came, there was a commotion outside as they hauled off the body and a new guard was placed at our door. But no one mentioned Crowley. About if he knew, or if he was coming back.

You had showered before dinner, and simply changed into a different silk nighty. You doubted you’d actually have company tonight. You heard grumbling about Dean Winchester from out in the hall, and about how they were thankful he had fucked off somewhere for the day, like he had been suppose to that morning.

You were deep in the book when your door opened. “Hey, sweetheart.” You looked up hearing his voice. “You put that on just for me? I like it.”

“Dean?” You looked confused. “Wha-”

“I said we were having dinner tonight. I promised pizza.” He moved in, kicking the door shut and put it on the table. “Like I’d forget you. Especially when I keep seeing you in nighties.” He grinned. “Come on, come eat.” He pulled out the chair facing the door for you, since it was closest to you. You started to get out of the other side of the bed to grab your robe when he shook his head. “No. I like the view in here.”

He had his bottom lip pulled between his teeth, and you knew if he got in again, the guard outside was dead, so you didn’t argue. You went and sat in the chair he had pulled out for you. He smiled and sat in the chair closest to it, turning so his back was to the door and he was facing you. He opened the box and motioned for you to grab a slice before pulling out cans of soft drinks from a brown paper bag.

“How did you-” You stared at the pizza, the smell making your mouth water. It was your favorite. Still warm and fresh. You doubted he had called for delivery, so he had gone out to get this. But why? Why do that for you.

“Crowley knows all your favorites, sweetheart. Like he said, he’s been watching you for a while. All I need to do, is listen.” He smiled. “Get a few drinks in him, not the good stuff he’s always drinking, but bar drinks, fruity shit with umbrellas, and he starts talking.” He motioned again towards it, and you took a slice.

“You going to eat too?” You asked him.

He shrugged. “I don’t need to. Being dead and all.” He smiled. “But if you want me to join you..”

“You did say dinner together…”

He smiled. “I did.” He grabbed a slice and took a bite. You watched his mouth as he chewed. God those lips. One look and you knew, if you had met him in a bar, or literally anywhere but here, he could have sweet talked you into anything. Shaking the thought from your head, you turned your attention back to the slice in your hand and took a bite. Dean smiled, knowing what that look had been, before taking another bite of his own.

“Demons don’t need to eat?”

He shook his head. “All smoke inside a meat suit. While a human body needs food to survive, a demon can keep a dead body moving. Soul of the host dies, but we can keep the body going for a long ass time.”

“So.. you’re not really..”

“Oh no sweetheart, this is all me. This was mine before I died. Crowley though.. that’s some guy he picked up along the way. His original self, Fergus, died over 300 years ago. Nothing but bone.” Your eyes went wide. “Oh yeah. Talk about age gap relationship.” He teased with a smile.

You turned back to your pizza. “I’m curious..” You said between bites a few minutes later. He raised his eyebrows, and motioned for you to continue as he chewed. You swallowed. “My first day here, you said you couldn’t die.. But you’ve also refereed to yourself as dead, and a demon..”

“All true.” He shrugged.

“But I know demons can die. I mean you’ve killed the one outside my room. Probably twice now, right?” He smiled and winked. “So you should be able to die.” He shook his head. “What makes you so different? Can Crowley not die too?”

“Oh Crowley can die. My previous attempts while human failed, so he likes to taunt me with that. But now, now I can kill him any time I want.” He smirked. “I can kill anything. Anything but myself.”

“Why?”

“There’s a reason I’m a demon, sweetheart. I should have stayed dead.” You watched him waiting for an explanation. He sighed, tossing the few bites of his slice back into the box before pulling out the bone knife from the back of his jeans and stabbed it into the table. “Because of this.” He said between clenched teeth. “And this.” He rolled up his sleeve to show you what looked like a scar on his arm. “When I died, this shit took over, brought me back as a demon. I can’t die as long as I have it.”

“And because of that,” you pointed to the mark, “you can kill anything?”

“No, I need both. Without the mark, the blade is just a blade.” he shrugged. “Like an obnoxious kitchen knife. With just the mark, I’m just an angry asshole who beats the shit out of people with my bare fists. With both, I get the itch.” You watched him, no longer eating. “Scared yet.”

“I’ve been scared since I met you Dean.” Your eyes locked with his.

He could see the fear in your eyes, but he also saw something else in there. “Interesting..” He mused to himself before grabbing a new slice of pizza. The one he had tossed back was just crust anyways. You tried not to blush and turned away from him.

“What the bloody hell is going on here!?” You looked up to find Crowley in the door way.

*If you like, please consider supporting my work.*

Tagging : Dean - @evyiione

Supernatural - @roxyspearing @tardis-full-of-fallen-angels @mrs-celestial-dragneel-redfox23 @internationalmusicteacher @extreme-supernatural-lover

All tags - @dustycelt @gloria1097 @pearky22 @trashforwinchesters @bohowitch @reigningqueenofwords @feelmyroarrrr @thenotsoinocentthing @27bmm @sleepylunarwolf @pureawesomeness001 @winchester-smut

#Q #reader insert #crowleyfics #crowley #crowleyxreader #crowley x reader #demon!dean #demon!deanfics #demon!deanxreader #demon!dean xreader #spnfics #spn #supernatural #supernaturalfis

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luci-in-trenchcoats · 8 years ago

Text

Bad Moon Rising (Part 3)

Summary: Jensen and the reader are doing some filming out in the Canadian wilderness when they decide to take a short hike during a break. The only problem is they don’t show up for their scene later that day…

Part 1 Part 2

Pairing: Jensen x reader

Word Count: 4,400ish

Warnings: language

A/N: Hope you enjoy this final part!...

He’d finished talking a few minutes ago. You hadn’t said much, simply interjected a few times along the way to clarify some things. He was patient when you did that, when you tried to rebuttal away whatever words he was saying. You really were an idiot. But you weren’t supposed to call yourself that anymore. He was going to help you be nicer to yourself along with making those fears of needing to stay on the fringes disappear.

“Do we pinky promise or what?” you finally asked, turning your body around. You felt him move behind you, his face soft, barely any worry there. “I want you to believe me too.”

The hand he had kept around yours the entire time, however long that was, gave your own a gentle squeeze.

“Now that everyone is understanding of this whole thing...” he said with a soft smile. “There is that other elephant in the room.”

“Elephant in the forest, you mean,” you said, smiling when he rolled his eyes. “Couldn’t help myself.”

“The elephant in the forest you little...let’s get out of here first and then we can figure out the if you want to try the dating thing,” he said. You shook your head and saw his face fall. “You don’t want to try dating?”

“I don’t want to wait to start doing it. No more pushing things down and not telling anyone, right?” you asked him. “Well, you know because of a certain loose lips Padalecki that I had some shoved down about you. You’ve been trying to coax it out of me the past week. You’re obliviously ready for it. What difference does it make?”

“I’m concerned it’s too much at once for you I guess,” he said. You laughed and raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously? I feel good, Jay. Forget the bumps and bruises and thirsty, hungry, lost as shit stuff. This cloud that’s always been hanging over my head is gone. I’m going to have to get the hang of this in terms of everyone else but as far as you go, it’s gone. Don’t make me wait any longer,” you said.

“Alright. You let me know though if things are too fast or you want to slow it down or whatever, promise?” he asked. You gave his hand a squeeze of your own and nodded. “I need to get more firewood.”

“Thanks for taking care of me,” you said, getting a ruffle on the top of your head as he stood.

“We’d still be freezing our asses off it weren’t for you. Partners right?” he asked.

“Partners.”

You were both hungry, grumbling stomachs filling the air. You hadn’t eaten in over a day at this point. The food thing you could handle. People could go awhile without food.

Water though, you really needed that. Neither one of you had tasted a sip of it since the night before. You knew you had more time before it became a really big problem but every swallow was a constant reminder that you were dehydrated and every moment you didn’t have it only made things worse.

“Can you climb a tree?” Jensen asked beside you. You looked him over as he stared at a tall pine not too far off. “You’re lighter than me. Less chance of branches breaking.”

“If you gave me a boost I could probably do it,” you said. How much different could it be than monkey bars on the playground? “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we need something to drink and soon. We got to find the river again,” he said. Oh. You were going to have to climb up high if you wanted a chance at looking over the tree line. Your concern must have been written all over your face because he was quickly shaking his head. “It’s too dangerous, forget about it.”

“I’ll do it,” you said, standing up. “If I fall, try to catch me?”

“Please don’t fall,” he said, getting to his feet reluctantly. You walked over to the base of the tree, Jensen shaking his head again. “I’ll do it. It’s-”

“You said it yourself. I’m lighter and smaller. I can get around better once I get to the top where it thins out,” you said. He was hesitant to help you up to where there were branches to get a hold of and you sighed. “I’m a badass remember?”

“Please don’t hurt yourself. Come down if you get scared or it’s too high,” he said.

“You got it boss. Come on,” you said. He stood with his back up against the tree, cupping his hands together in front of him. You had to do a scene once where your character had to climb up and over something with Dean’s help. Only you weren’t actually digging into Jensen’s shoulders with your feet when you had to do that.

You did your best not to hurt him as you got your second foot up on his shoulder, resting your hands against the bark of the tree. He didn’t speak as he put his hands under your heels and pushed upwards, giving you more height as he let out a huff.

“Shit you’re strong,” you said, reaching out for a branch when it came into grabbing distance. You could only get one hand on it though before you had to try and pull yourself up, Jensen moving away as you saw the ground already more than ten feet below.

You flew your other hand up and pulled, trying to get your body up and over. Your hands were sticky fast and pine needles scratched everything but somehow you pushed off the tree with your foot and swung a leg up and over. You twisted your body until it was on top of the branch, your back leaning up against the solid tree as you shook out your arms.

“I think you’re the strong one,” he said with a smile below. You got your breath back and looked up, trying to find the best path upwards. The branch you were on was sturdy and strong, one that could easily hold both you and Jensen together. Farther up you knew it’d get more treacherous. “If you can get your way over here I think you can zig zag up.”

You scooted over a few branches on your bottom until you were over him.

“Yeah,” you said looking up. “This looks better.”

“Be careful,” he said as you started to move. You never actually climbed a tree as a kid but you played on swing sets and most of it transferred over. Jensen kept telling you to take breaks so you didn’t tire yourself out. You listened for the most part until he told you to stop all together. “See anything yet?”

“A bunch of leaves,” you shouted back, moving to go higher.

“You’re already too high. Come back, we’ll figure out something else,” he said.

“There’s more branches, I’m going to keep going,” you said, pushing on as you heard him shout below. “Relax, I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

Actually, this was pretty stupid. You no longer felt safe and secure branches under you. Now it was constant shakes and creaks that made your heart race.

Finally when you were up so high you thought the top part of the tree would snap off, you could see over the tops of the ones below. At first all you saw was more trees which terrified you. You spun around carefully, checking out the other side when you saw a small break in them.

“That way!” you shouted down.

“Very helpful Columbus. Could you be more specific?” he yelled back.

“How’s this for specific?” you said, reaching into your pocket and pulling out a rock you’d shoved in there for this exact purpose and tossing it in the direction of the river. “Watch your head!”

“That way?” you heard him yell back a moment later.

“No, the other way Sherlock. Yes that way!” you yelled back, hearing a laugh reach it’s way up to you.

“Okay but get your butt back down here now. That tree is shaking way too much,” he said. You were already going down, trying to use the same foot and handholds as on the way up. Until you stepped on one and it snapped, sending you barreling down.

You tried to catch something on the way down, the hits only slowing your fall so much. Then there were no more branches to separate you from a twenty foot drop straight down to hard ground below. You tucked up into a ball, just in time to hit something soft with a lot of force.

You felt the groan escape him as you rolled off and onto the ground. Jensen was on his back, grimacing as you had a similar expression on your own face.

“You alright?” you asked him, knowing all that weight hitting him that fast had to hurt.

“You’re never climbing a tree ever again,” he said, forcing himself to sit upright. “I’m alright. You?”

“Yeah. Next time, you climb the tree,” you said, trying to wipe away the sap and needles stuck to you and in you on your jeans. You winced when they wouldn’t fall away. Jensen slid over to help pluck them off as you saw he only had one shoe on. “Thanks for catching me.”

“I marked which way to go,” he said, holding up your palm, noticing the little cuts in them. “You can’t stand splinters.”

“You remember that?” you asked.

“You got one on one of the early episodes. Bitched about it the whole damn time until you finally got the medic to pull it out for you. I got you a box of kitty band aids for the next time it happened,” he said, making you smile.

“I still have those,” you said, spotting the dark spots in your skin you wouldn’t be able to get out, not without something better than a pair of fingers. “It was worth it.”

“No more risky stuff, agreed?” he asked. You shrugged, hoping there wouldn’t have to be one. Once your hands were cleaned up as good as they were going to get, you walked around until you found his shoe. “What about the fire?”

“We’ll make another one if it comes to it,” you said.

You took off in the direction you thought was the river. But as you went longer and longer without spotting it, you wondered if you’d been horribly wrong somehow.

“It-it should be this way,” you said. You were panicking some, hoping using up valuable energy like that hadn’t been for nothing.

“Hey, calm down. I’m sure we’ll find it,” he said, putting a hand around your shoulders. You let him relax you as you walked. “Better now?”

“I know I saw a break in the trees,” you said.

“I believe you. We ran pretty far last night. It’ll take longer on foot,” he said. You nodded and kept going, watching the sky darken. He didn’t have a hood and you really hoped it wouldn’t pour down on him. “Trees are thinning out up there. Maybe that’s it.”

You both picked up your pace some as you got closer. Until his arm around your shoulders jutted out in front of you, stopping you in place.

“Sh,” he said.

“Wha-” you got out before he threw his hand over your mouth. You tilted your head up to throw him a look but paused when you heard a pack of snarls again. He shook his head, the both of you backing out of there slowly and trying to walk farther down where the river should have been. Eventually the noises stopped and he pulled his hand away, keeping you close though.

You didn’t speak, only slightly nudging one another in the direction you wanted to go, over branches and then back towards the river. You saw the trees thin again as you approached, spotting fast moving rapids beyond it. Fresh water was right there but there was a big danger in leaning down to try and drink from it.

“One at a time,” he said, holding your hand tight. “If you slip I’ll get you.”

You leaned down, trying not to drown yourself as you pressed your lips to the cold water. Oh God that was amazing. You drank your fill before sitting back, letting him have a go.

He was on his way back up when you saw his boot slip in the mud along the river’s edge, sending his weight forward. You yanked back hard and dug your hand into the waist band of his jeans, pulling him so he fell back on you instead of forward.

“Heavy,” you breathed out, feeling a little crushed under his weight. He rolled off and pulled you back a few feet, giving you both some necessary space from the water.

“Thanks,” he said, a shake to his voice.

“What are friends for,” you said, twisting your arm around his, lacing your hands together. You sat for a while, knowing now you had a slightly safer source of water. There was still the issue of being on the wrong side of the river to deal with.

“You still want to come down to Austin this weekend?” he asked.

“Maybe we better make it next. Flights are probably all booked up ya know,” you said, offering a smile.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be making my 11 flight tonight,” he said. “We can hang out up here. Nice little relaxing weekend together.”

“Maybe go camping,” you joked.

“Build a fire,” he said, half-laughing along the way.

“Really rough it, ya know?” you said, looking down at yourselves. You weren’t sure there was a spot on you that wasn’t absolutely filthy.

“Austin next weekend for sure,” he said. You hummed and giggled to yourself. “What are you thinking giggly girl?”

“Were you trying to pull a Dean Winchester with inviting me to stay for the summer?” you asked. “You know, asking the girl you like to stay with you in the hope that you’ll get together?”

“I had no alternate motive when I asked you that. I asked you that before I found out you realize,” he said.

“And after you found out? You know, yesterday when you asked again?” you asked, catching him bite his bottom lip.

“Shut up,” he said, bumping his arm into yours.

“I’m sure it would have worked. You can be very convincing when you want to be,” you said.

“Hey, I got you, not exactly the way I planned to get us there but I think I made out okay,” he said. You bumped him back, earning a tickle on your ribs for just a second as he realized you were too close to the water for that.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked.

“That I’m starving and want to curl up in a blanket on something soft with you?” you asked.

“Yes that but...there might be a way across,” he said, holding out his free hand. “See that?”

“Hi, can I introduce you to Jensen from two hours ago who said we aren’t doing risky shit anymore?” you said, raising an eyebrow.

“The water is fast enough where the animals aren’t going to bother you. You can get it on your own if you’re careful. You can make a fire. You can stay on your own and I’ll go-”

“No way in Hell am I letting you go do that,” you said. “I’m not going to sit here and watch you drown.”

“If I can get across, I’ll find the service road we took in. It ran parallel to the river. I can find it and get you help,” he said. “Trust me, leaving you here alone is the last thing I want but-”

“We’ll both go. We’re sticking together,” you said. He really didn’t like that. You already could tell how bad he felt about the tree thing and the idea of leaving you by yourself wasn’t exactly his first choice. He wanted you to be safe which you completely understood. You fully expected to have to argue this.

“Fine,” he said, watching the shock spread across your face. “I don’t have a right to try and protect you and not expect you to try and do it back. Plus I’d never hear the end of it.”

“Smart boy,” you said. “I’m glad you’re not some overprotective boyfriend and are still my best friend.”

“I never stopped being that. Only difference is now I can show you how much I have the hots for you once I find my way to some mouth wash,” he said, pulling you to your feet.

“I so knew that comment about me in my underwear didn’t come out of nowhere,” you said, following him over to the spot you both didn’t want to have to go.

“Bet you look even better out of them,” he said with a wink.

“Behave. We’re about to probably die,” you said.

“Better do this then,” he said. You were already leaning up, feeling him press a quick kiss to your lips. “Now I can die happy.”

“You die I’m going to murder you,” you said, eyes scanning the boulders jutting out in the river before you.

“I’ll do my best not to then,” he said, the teasing falling away. “I’ll go first.”

He let go of your hand and took a step up onto a rock and then another, slowly making his way off the river edge and starting to cross it. He stepped up to a big one, crouching on top it.

“It’s going to be slippery so be careful,” he said. You nodded and started going up yourself, the rocks here not so scary seeming as the ones in the middle you were dreading. “Okay?”

“Yeah, keep going,” you said once you got right up behind him. He took a big breath just in case and had to make a small jump, landing on a boulder on it’s own. There was another one he had to jump for again, this one smaller. He waved you to keep following and you took a breath yourself, jumping and hitting the rock on it’s own hard. This one was a lot wetter and you were surrounded by water now.

Jensen made another jump, making room for you to get up to the next one. It went slow and hard, slamming into them as you made your way about two thirds across. He took another leap and watched as his boot slipped and he fell back into the water.

You hopped forward to the rock he’d just been on and leaned down, grabbing his arm and hanging on tight. He managed to pull himself up with your help, both barely fitting on the rock as you stood up.

“Anyone ever tell you how good at saving my ass you are?” he said, catching his breath back, harder now that he was wet and cold.

“Make me some of that Ackles family sweet potato pie and we’re even,” you said.

“Alright, I’m making some pies on Sunday then,” he said, turning his body around. He jumped again, making it this time. There was only one more close call before he was safely on land again. “One more Y/N.”

This was the hard one and you both knew it. It was far for him and worse for you. There was no room to get a running start so you went for it, managing to get on and slide right off. You felt your head go under and be ripped back up by something rough grabbing your jacket collar. You shot your hands up and wrapped them around an arm that pulled you out of the water and onto the bank.

“How about you help with the pies?” he asked as you coughed into his chest.

“S’good,” you got out, the chill of the water as freezing as ever.

“I gotcha ya. Let’s warm up,” he said, getting you to your feet. You started to jog up the small hill, this one not as steep as the one you fell down, Jensen right on your tail. When you got to the top you were still wet but you felt a tiny bit warmer.

“Road,” you said, standing in one of two dirt trails. That got both your interest back as you headed right, jogging down the trail for a half mile or so before your aching body told you to stop. You walked in silence, trying your best to wring the water from your clothes, trying not to get too excited. You were glad for that when you realized the sun was going down, that you’d be spending another night out here.

“Hey, little Miss Bear Grylls, want to try and make us a fire?” asked Jensen. You slowed your pace, hoping you’d be able to make it happen twice.

“Only if-” you started, about to make some crack about him finding a worm for dinner. But there was a lot of commotion, someone speaking from a loudspeaker.

You both looked at each other before jogging down the road again. The road went up to a hill before dropping out below. When you got to the top you saw...well you saw what looked like a shit ton of people.

“Pick it back up at eight in the morning alright everyone?” whoever was speaking said.

“Don’t think you’ll need to!” shouted Jensen, unable to help himself as every head snapped in your direction. The two of you jogged down the rest of the road, slowing when you finally got there, everyone looking like they’d just seen a ghost.

“Anyone have any water? Or food?” you asked, instantly causing everyone to snap out of their haze and start helping you over to the back of a car.

“Ahh,” you both said, the heat from the vents making you smile. A bottle of water was placed in your hand, something warm tossed over you, an uneaten sandwich being handed over by another.

“This is great but-” said Jensen.

“Get your seat belts on. We’re taking you two to the hospital,” said Jared as he slid into the front seat of the car.

“Jare Bear, have we got a surprise for you.”

The next morning they’d released you and thankfully gotten all your splinters out. You were told to rest and there was nothing more that you wanted than to pass out in bed all day, which you did.

Only it wasn’t your bed you passed out in. It was easier to keep an eye on both of you if you were in the same apartment and Jensen had a bigger bed so that’s how you ended up asleep in it for the rest of the day, waking up only to have one of your friends watching you make sure you ate and drank.

By Sunday morning though you were feeling better and your caretakers were wondering exactly what happened out there that got you together.

“Gen, you broke the first rule of girls nights,” you said, nodding to Jensen as she slid a plate of pancakes in front of you after checking up on the kids having nap time.

“I would never! I will take those things with me to the grave,” she said. Jared rolled his eyes as Jensen bit down a laugh.

“Maybe you wouldn’t but tipsy Gen told him things I wasn’t ready to tell him,” you said.

“We got to figure out what the hell happens during girls night is what I’m learning,” said Jared. You shook your head. “Hey, you guys are finally together so I guess I can’t be any happier than that.”

“Y/N can make a fire,” said Jensen, a proud smile on his face. “She’s more amazing than we realized.”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” you said, shifting your foot under the table to play with his beside you.

“I’m pretty much alive because of her,” said Jensen. You cocked your head and were about to protest when he leaned forward and kissed you.

“He did stuff too,” you said, a little breathless, a little hazy when he pulled away.

“We can tell,” said Gen and Jared in unison, setting the last of the plates down for themselves.

“I don’t understand,” you said, looking at Jensen. He smiled, seeing something you didn’t.

“You’re different. Good different. The old you would have ripped our heads off at trying to help you,” said Jared. “I think maybe you realize...”

“You dorks love me and I love you. Are we done with the sappy stuff now?” you asked.

“You still do smell a bit like a pine tree,” said Jensen, giving you a grin.

“Aw, she loves us,” said Jared.

“You guys can’t be this sappy or I won’t survive Austin for three months,” you said. You saw the surprised smiles on their faces and rolled your eyes. “Just give me a hug so I can eat my pancakes.”

“I call first dibs,” said Jensen, pulling you in tight, soon follower by two more paris of arms.

“Crushing me,” you squeaked out. They retreated back but you didn’t feel any less happy. “So, you said they re-wrote the scene we missed on the spot?”

“Yeah, we’re still on schedule somehow. You two have a kissing scene on Wednesday if I’m not mistaken,” said Jared.

“Only a few days to get in a whole lot of practice,” said Jensen, giving you a wink.

“It’s Sunday. You promised me a pie mister,” you said.

“Maybe one of our babysitters will go pick up the ingredients for us?” asked Jensen.

“He wants to make her a pie,” said Gen, before turning and smacking Jared on the arm. “Why don’t you offer to make pie?”

“I made you breakfast in bed last week! Go get lost in the woods and I’ll make you a pie too,” said Jared, relaxing when he saw her cracking up that he believed that. “You little...you owe me a pie now.”

“Why don’t we make it pie day?” you asked. “We can run down the hall and use my oven too.”

“Huh. Good thing Dean Winchester isn’t real or he’d steal her right out from under you bud,” said Jared.

“No, no. He wouldn’t stand a chance against me, not when it comes to Y/N,” said Jensen.

“None at all.”

@redeyedvixen @deansgirl215 @applepienjackdaniels @emilysimagenation@fandom-addict-aesthetics@iamabeautifulperson18 @lostsoldieronahill @charliebradbury1104@everyday-supernatural-af @squirels-angels-and-moose@youwerelikeadream @drugpug @darkx143@kristaparadowski@tom-is-in-my-tardis @tanithlowisabamf@smoothdogsgirl@dancingalone21 @ktrivia @demonic-meatball@feelmyroarrrr@cojootromuelle @gallifreyansass @fangirl1802@itstheprincess@casgetoutofmydiddlydarnass @mogaruke@secretlyfurrydragon@ria132love @heycassbutt-67@aingealcethlenn@docharleythegeekqueen

@missmotherhen@smacklesandstretch67 @tumblinwith-me@awkwardcupcake95 @heaven-is-aplaceonearthwithyou @hey-um-misha @imissyoualittlemoreeveryday @lovelife-tothefullest@under-general-asthetics @tardis-full-of-fallen-angels@missdestiel67@evyiione @jensenackesl @xxxdevine-demonsxxx@ayeeitsemry@mac5323 @bellastellaluna @atc74@captainemwinchester@lemonadegazeelle @nanie5 @idalinette@quiddy-writes @sassyspn67 @arryn-nyxx @pureawesomeness001 @poukothenerd @mickey-m399@perpetualabsurdity @af112992 @alexastacio

#supernatural #spn #supernatural fanfiction #spn fanfic #supernatural au #jensen #jensen x reader #jensen ackles #supernatural one shot #spn one shot #au #one shot #dean winchester

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taeminsphltrum · 8 years ago

Text

Act of Kindness | 01 |

02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07

Yoo Kihyun | Fake Relationship!AU | Fluff | Smut

Since day one, boundaries and personal space were never really part of the picture.

It’s too late to be roaming the streets, especially alone.

But this seems to be the only time you can take a peaceful walk. Crowded and loud streets during the day, as well as you working six to eight hour shifts most days. There’s no time during the day, but there’s time when you can’t sleep or just have a lot on your mind. Sitting in the house all night instead of sleeping makes you restless, so taking a stroll around two in the morning has become a regular thing.

Often times there are a few others outside. Some drunk and dragging their feet down the sidewalks trying to catch a taxi or walking to their destination, some seeming to be doing exactly what you’re doing. No one speaks, the only sounds coming from passing cars and whatever goes on in the household nearby that are still alive at this time of night.

Today is exceptionally cold and you bundled up in sweats, a thick sweatshirt, and a jean jacket. You can still feel the slight sting of the wind, but it’s better than tossing and turning in bed all night. You had insomnia in high school and this kind of feels the same, but then again it’s different. There’s a lot more on your mind now that your gap year is a little over half way over. You’ve already been accepted into your university of choice and got a few scholarships, and with the help of your mom you won’t be deep in college debt, but the excitement and doubt have set in early it seems. Still unsure of a major, worrying about if you’ll have enough money for books, food, and other expenses. Half of the time you know you’re just over thinking, but even telling yourself that multiple times doesn’t always work.

So breathing in the fresh air and feeling the wind seep through your clothing calms you. It relaxes your nerves and gets you tired by the time you’re back home.

A sniffle breaks you out of your daze. Just about every night you walk is uneventful so you’re a little curious. There’s another one closer this time, so you speed up your slow, slightly dragging footsteps. When you hear movement around the corner of the brick wall to your right you slow back down once you hit the edge of the wall, and find someone slouched against the brick. One knee up and propping his arm up, head down as more sniffles and quiet hiccups come from him.

You almost turn back around, but maybe he needs someone to talk to. Even though if you were in his position you know you wouldn’t want a stranger coming up to you asking if you’re okay when you’re obviously not, but hey, he could be different.

“Excuse me?” you whisper out, not wanting to scare him.

His body visibly stiffens, and then he’s wiping at his face before clearing his throat and looking up at you. You make sure not to loom over him, keeping a distance as you stand next to him.

“Um,” you start again, not sure of what to say next. You’ve never been in this position before and you feel like you’re wasting his time as you just look at him for a few seconds. “Are you okay? Well I mean, clearly you aren’t but I was wondering if you needed someone to talk to or something? If not I completely understand because I wouldn’t want a stranger butting into my business but I heard sometimes strangers are the best people to talk to because there are no biases,” you spill out, realizing how fast you’re speaking and that you’re rambling.

“Sorry, I’m rambling and not even giving you the opportunity to speak,” you laugh, embarrassed.

He just stares up at you. His eyes are still glossy and from the dim streetlight a block away you can see his red nose, a little wetness under the tip.

“Sure,” he rasps out, making your eyes widen a bit in surprise.

Would it be best for you to sit down next to him? You’re sure it would be awkward if you just stood over him. But then again you don’t want to cross any boundaries.

This is why you don’t comfort people. You really suck at it.

He watches your mental debate with a blank expression for a while before scooting to his right and patting the now empty spot.

Sitting down, your leg brushes up against his own, but he doesn’t move away.

So maybe he doesn’t care about boundaries and personal space.

“Do you actually want to talk or do you just need some company?”

The back of his head softly thuds against the wall and he sighs. “I’m not sure yet,” he says lowly, closing his eyes.

You nod to yourself and get comfortable, leaning back on the brick behind you and lifting your knees to your chest. “Take your time.”

It’s silent for a while, just the faint sound of his deep breaths. His sniffling stopped, and you can assume his tears have as well.

The time is unknown, as well is how long you’ve been sitting here with him and you’re starting to feel the drowsiness take over. You don’t want to leave him here after offering a shoulder to cry on, but the thought of just going to sleep sounds so good right now.

“I’m just really starting to wonder why I’ve made certain choices in my life,” he finally breaks the silence, making you jump. “Sometimes I just think I would be happier if I never would’ve taken a certain opportunity even though it’s kind of the best thing that has ever happened in my life.”

He’s being very vague, but you just nod along even though he can’t see it. You wouldn’t to spill every detail to a stranger either.

“It’s just that I’m barely getting any sleep these days, I’m stressed the fuck out, and I miss having a room to myself. I haven’t had a good moment alone in God knows how long and I’m just tired of it. I love what I do but…”

A heavy sigh comes from him before he’s shifting, stretching both legs out and finally opening his eyes and turning to look at you.

“Is popularity and good—great actually—income worth all of the unhappiness?”

You observe his face. Eyebrows scrunched, worry lines in his forehead, watery eyes, bottom lip caught in between his teeth. He looks so hopeless, so lost.

“Even if it isn’t,” he starts back up before you can even answer his question. “there’s so much on the line if I give up and quit. Lawsuits, so much money being taken away… disappointing people who mean so much to me…”

You can’t even try to wrap your head around what his occupation is and what could cause all of this distress.

“Did you sign a contract or something?” you ask, voice wavering due to the lack of use.

“Yeah,” he breathes out, running a hand through his pink hair, a color you hadn’t paid attention to at first. It’s a pretty color—probably even nicer in the sunlight or even just a brighter light than the yellow, dim glow coming from a distance—but it’s a little odd.

“Is it taking so much of a toll on you that you don’t think you’d be able to push through until the contract expires?”

From his eyes you can see his contemplation. He must really be in a rut when he gets a paycheck for doing what he loves, yet all of these cons come along with it. If he keeps this up he could possibly end up severely depressed, or things could get so much better and he’ll get to a point where he can have his alone time and get the sleep he needs so much.

“I don’t want to give up,” is his response.

“Then don’t,” you say with a small smile. “If you really love what you’re doing then all of these troubles should be worth it in the end. Nothing worth your time comes easily.”

His stare is blank once again as his eyes are on you. Maybe he’s observing like you were earlier. Maybe he’s taking in your words in. Maybe he’s wondering why the hell he’s opening up to a stranger he’ll never see again.

“You’re right,” he says lowly. His head starts nodding and his eyes widen a little as he repeats those two words with more confidence.

He stands up abruptly, extending his hand down to you to help you up.

“Thank you. You might not think you did much but I really needed this,” he smiles, looking much better than he did when you first stumbled upon him. His eyes are no longer filled with tears, those they’re still red, as well as his nose and that could just be because it’s cool outside. He only has a shirt and a thin looking cardigan on and he must be freezing, but he shows no signs of it.

“I’m glad I could help,” you smile back genuinely, gazing down at the way your hand his still holding his own before looking him back in his eyes. He’s very attractive, you note.

He hesitates a bit before stepping forward and wrapping hs arms around your shoulders. chin lightly digging into the crook of your neck.

Definitely doesn’t care about boundaries or personal space.

Stunned, eyes wide and body starting at the sudden contact, you laugh softly to yourself and bring your arms up to return his embrace.

“Sorry, I’m a hugger and I haven’t held a girl in a while,” he explains, showing no signs of letting go anytime soon. You don’t mind, especially when he smells so good.

Nodding, you just run your hands up and down his back in hopes of doing a good enough job in comforting him. “It’s fine, take your time,” you chuckle.

It feels like hours before he squeezes a little tighter and then slowly let’s go of you. He takes small sluggish steps backward. “Thanks again, beautiful,” the pink-haired boy says before biting on his bottom lip once again. Shy smile playing on your lips, you wave and back up in the opposite direction until you round the corner.

Once he’s out of sight you let out a breath you hadn’t even realized you were holding in.

Well tonight sure was eventful.

◅ ▻

You don’t have to work today, which means you can go back to sleep. The clock on your nightstand reads 9:12, meaning you only got around five hours of sleep anyway.

The second time you wake up it’s after 12:00 and the sun is blazing, rays seeping through your curtains and making you groan out in frustration, turning your back towards your window. Yawning and rubbing the crust out of your eye with one hand, you reach for your phone with the other. Squinted eyes roll once you see your best friend blew your phone up while you were asleep. Once it hit midnight your phone automatically goes on Do Not Disturb, so you didn’t feel the vibration of the notifications.

Not even bothering to check her messages or see why she called you over ten times, you put some music on and head to the bathroom. It’s your free day, so you go all out. Taking your time to wash your hair, brushing your teeth and using your toothbrush as a mic when you hit high notes, blow drying and straightening your hair all while dancing. Once you’re dressed in pajama shorts and an oversized sweatshirt that you don’t remember the original owner of, you slip on your slippers and grab your phone off of your bathroom counter heading to the kitchen to find something to make.

You settle for pancakes with fruit on top.

Finally opening your best friend’s messages, you scroll up to the first one she sent while shoving the pancakes into your mouth. The first message was at 8:34 am.

[8:34 am] wife: well I’m mad af that you didn’t tell me you were in a relationship now.

Your head cocks to the side. In a relationship? You haven’t been in a relationship in a year.

[8:34 am] wife: and I’m fucking pissed you didn’t tell me you were dating fuCKING KIHYUN.

Who the fuck is Kihyun?

[8:34 am] wife: I had to find out on fucking tumblr that my best friend is dating an idol when she should’ve been the one to tell me.

[8:35 am] wife: and I know you like your privacy, so why the fuck were you showcasing your relationship.

[8:35 am] wife: WHY THE FUCK ARENT YOU REPLYING.

[8:35 am] wife: oh its your day off youre probably still sleep.

[8:35 am] wife: but Ima need you to wake tf up because you have some explaining to do.

[8:36 am] wife: wtf is this??????

As you’re reading you’re just getting more and more confused, slowly chewing.

She sent a picture and you have to turn your brightness up and tap on it to get a good look.

The picture has you choking on a strawberry, thwacking at your chest in hopes of ending your coughing fit.

Just why the fuck is there a picture of you hugging that stranger last night (or this morning)? After struggling to drink some water your hacking stops and you can breathe again, but your eyes are still as wide as ever as you stare at the picture. From an outsider’s point of view, it does seem kind of intimate with how his chin was in your neck. But the fact that it was automatically assumed that the two of you are in a relationship is a little outrageous.

Exiting out of the picture, you scroll down more and see that Krystal sent more pictures of the hug at different angles.

There’s even a shot of when you hadn’t let go of his hand before the hug and you can totally see how someone might’ve gotten the wrong impression. With how late it was it seems like the two of you were sneaking around.

Scrolling back up, you search for the name she had said.

Kihyun.

Going straight to Google, you type his name in a not even a second after you tap search articles and pictures of the hug pop up. There are captions calling you his girlfriend, mystery lover (which makes you chuckle to yourself), and mystery girl. You go to images and there’s a flood of Kihyun. He has black hair in some, brown in others, blond and pink as well. Now the pink hair isn’t so odd now that you know he’s a damn idol.

All of the things he said while venting to you are coming back to you and everything makes so much sense. His schedule is probably always packed and as you scroll through pictures you can guess he’s in a group, and that’s why he doesn’t get his much needed alone time. This is why he was outside in the wee hours of the morning sitting on the sidewalk and bawling his eyes out. The people he doesn’t want to disappoint is most likely his fans and supporters, as well as the rest of his group.

With a sigh, you call Krystal. It doesn’t even ring twice before she’s yelling in your ear, asking where the hell you’ve been and what the fuck did you get yourself into.

“Okay firstly, ow,” you complain. “Secondly, I was not showcasing anything. This is all just a big mis—hold up, someone’s calling.”

Krystal threatens you, saying something along the lines of if you hang up the phone I swear—but you switched the line before she could finish.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this _____?” a deep voice asks.

You look at your phone, not recognizing the number.

“Um, yes, who is this?”

There’s a moment of silence on the other end before the male is clearing his throat. “Hey, it’s the guy you found on the sidewalk last night,” he says with an awkward laugh. “I don’t know if you’ve seen but—”

“Yes, I’ve seen that I’m your mystery lover now,” a chuckle dryly as you get up and start washing your dishes, phone caught in between your ear and shoulder.

“You… you don’t sound mad about this,” he observes, confusion clear in his house.

Your free shoulder shrugs. There’s no reason to be angry when it’s just an incorrect rumor that will get fixed soon. No point in getting heated about something no one will remember in like a week.

“I’m more concerned about how you got my number.”

Another awkward chuckle. “My manager did some digging… I’m not exactly sure what he did or where he got it but he told me we have to discuss this.“

Humming, you wipe your hands dry before holding the phone again and making your way back to your room to sit on your bed.

"What is there to discuss exactly?” you ask.

There’s no need for apologies when it wasn’t his fault. You’re the one that walked up to a random crying stranger as a rare act of kindness. You could have avoided this by ignoring him and just simply walking back home. It’ll all blow over soon anyway.

“Our relationship,” he says after a moment of hesitation.

Your eyes squint in confusion. Your relationship? There is no relationship so what is he talking about?

“You and I are strangers… and you just happen to be famous and I had no clue until fifteen minutes ago.”

Kihyun sighs, and you can already tell he’s about to say something you’re not going to like, so you beat him to it.

“All you have to do is tell them it was a false alarm and that I was just a fan that just so happened to stumble across you, no big deal.”

“I really wish it were that simple but it isn’t.”

There he goes saying something you don’t like.

How complicated can a small interaction be to explain to fans and the press? Of course you wouldn’t want the real scenario to get out to the public because you’re almost positive his fans will look at him differently.

“What do you mean?”

Suddenly there’s loud chatter in the background before someone is yelling, telling the people to calm down and shut up so Kihyun can talk.

“Do you think you could meet me somewhere tonight? I feel like this would be better to discuss in person.”

Last time you were with him you were deemed his lover, so how would meeting up again make things better? But you don’t want to make this phone call any longer than it needs to be, so you agree with a sigh. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I’ll text you the address. Would you need to get picked up?”

“Nah, I’ll drive there.”

“Alright, cool,” he breathes out. “I’ll see you later then.”

“See you then.” Just as you remove your phone from your ear you hear him yell wait! and you look at your phone in confusion before putting it back up to your ear. “Yes?”

He sighs out in what sounds like relief, glad you didn’t hang up.

“Please don’t speak about this to anyone until we talk later.”

You nod. “Gotcha.”

Switching back to the call with Krystal, she’s yelling in your ear again.

“You better have a good excuse as to why I’ve been on hold for almost five minutes.”

Rolling your eyes you open your mouth to tell her what happened, but then Kihyun’s words are ringing in your ears. Even though Krystal is your best friend and you tell her everything, you know you shouldn’t say anything. It would be nice to tell someone about the mess you got yourself into but it would best to wait until you have the full story.

He said it’s not as simple as telling the public that the whole interaction was a misunderstanding and you’re anxious to know what his manager or company has planned. You just really hope you’re right about this whole ordeal being forgotten within a week and that no further information is leaked.

The last thing you want is people knowing anything about you other than your face.

“I’ll talk to you later, Krys. I gotta run some errands,” you quickly makeup before making a kissy noise and hanging up.

You’ve barely done anything today and you’re already exhausted.

You throw yourself back onto your bed with a huff, eyes shutting. You already know you’re going to be checking your phone every five minutes.

#monsta x scenarios #monsta x smut #kihyun scenarios #kihyun scenario #kihyun smut #mx scenarios #mx scenario #mx smut

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nprplays · 8 years ago

Text

Nintendo Switch and Legend of Zelda Road Trip Impressions: Part 1

By Stephan Bisaha

Washington, D.C. 7:05 a.m. – Back in 2006, I was waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii. Actually, it was my third time doing so; the first two failed due to my not arriving early enough to receive any of the limited supply.

Over a decade later, I was waiting in line again for a Nintendo console. But instead of arriving hours before the store opened with more than a dozen people in front of me, there was only one other person an hour before the Walmart opened.

(Okay, I did wake up a 3:30 a.m., went outside, saw no one was waiting yet and then went back in. The perks of living above a Walmart.)

When the doors did open at 6 a.m., the six of us that were waiting went inside to purchase our Nintendo Switch’s with little fanfare. There were about ten left and I didn’t see anyone coming in on my way out.

This isn’t all that shocking. The Wii was a phenomenon that had my father – whose previous interest in games extended to how beautiful he thought the beaches of Super Mario Sunshine looked – flailing his arms to roll a virtual bowling ball. The Switch was never going to be that, at least not at launch. The system is essentially releasing in beta, lacking basic functionality like an internet browser or even a Netflix app.

But, just like in 2006, the main reason I woke up early to pick up a Nintendo console was for a new Zelda game, this one titled The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Of course, just as Zelda has grown up – and not in the moody, bleak Twilight Princess version of the term – over the past decade, so have I. In a couple of hours I was going to drive from D.C. to Birmingham, Alabama to report with WBHM for three months as part of my fellowship with NPR.

And while I may not have the same number of hours to toss at a new Nintendo console, the Switch has come at a perfect time. Nintendo touts the Switch as a portable console. It’s a tablet with two controllers stuck to its side and a dock to play on a TV screen. A two-day road trip to Alabama gives me an excellent opportunity to see how well the Switch functions on the go.

The plan is, after a few more hours of sleep, I’m going to start the drive down with my packed car. Every few hours, I’m going to find some place to rest, either to eat or as a simple break from the road, and start playing with the Switch.

How well does Nintendo’s new baby function away from its dock? Is Zelda really as good as the reviews are saying? Will I actually make it to Alabama on time or get stuck in Tennessee, unable to drag myself away from a new Zelda adventure? Let’s find out.

Troutville, Virginia 2:45 p.m. – The original plan was to stop and earlier in my travels to get some play time and rest in, but the wide-open blue sky and green hills covered in silhouetted cows motivated me to put in some extra hours before stopping at a rest area on 81 South. It’s certainly been a much nicer drive than I’m used to from my New Jersey upbringing.

After parking and stretching my legs, I slid beneath a tree and started to play, at least until I remembered it is still winter and the cold drove me back to my car and I continued there.

I did start up the Switch before I left D.C., which worked out as it allowed me to download two quick updates for the system and for Breath of the Wild. Everything was packed up already so I didn’t have a TV to dock the Switch to so I’ve only used it in handheld mode so far. The main menu really is bare bones, but it does have a simple elegancy to it. The menus are intuitive and easy to navigate and there’s little clutter.

When I returned to the Switch at the rest stop, I found it had already built up a fair amount of dust. While there were some small snow flurries at the beginning of my trip, the bright Virginia sun was causing significant glare. It sapped a lot of the weight out of BOTW’s ominous and mysterious opening. I twisted in my car to avoid direct sunlight on the screen.

To add to my awkward positioning, I’m having trouble getting comfortable holding the system. It’s light enough that my hands aren’t getting tired, but the Joy-Cons strapped to the device’s sides are taking some getting used to. The analog sticks feel a lot better than the 3DS’s circle pad, but a step below what we’re used to from modern consoles.

After playing BOTW for about 45 minutes, I’m ready to get back to the road. It’s been an enjoyable opening and it really does away with Nintendo’s handholding habit. I’ve died twice already, which is probably more than my last play through of Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker. I think I can drive for a few more hours before the next stop.

Christiansburg, Virginia 3:50 p.m. – Never mind. The next rest stop I saw I took, about 50 miles down the road. My first few bad guy encounters in Zelda had me itching for more combat.

When discussing handheld games, it’s often brought up that they should be structured for quick play sessions. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on the 3DS did this by, much to my dismay, breaking gameplay into individual missions. The idea is a gamer is more likely to have shorter burst of play than a when playing on a console.

The problem with that approach is missions are often set lengths – often getting longer as the game progresses – and it’s rare for a gamer’s limited handheld time to lineup perfectly with a mission.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild solves this by providing an open world full of quick challenges. Only have five minutes? That’s just enough time to take down this enemy camp. Have some more time? Here’s a small set of mysterious ruins to explore.

I was able to stop for about twenty minutes and have a satisfying time, as well as granted in game rewards for those tasks so I left with at least a small sense of accomplishment.

Atkins, Virginia 5:25 p.m. – I’ve stopped at a rest area just shy of Tennessee. The goal at this point is to make it to Knoxville and find a hotel there.

Now that the sun has dipped further down and not directly hitting my screen, the glare is no longer an issue. And wow, this is a gorgeous game on a gorgeous screen. Switching from watching a YouTube video on a smartphone to a game on the 3DS was always jarring because of how much worse the handheld’s screen is. But the Switch’s screen, while not 1080p, feels like a huge step up.

I’m getting more comfortable with the controller, but I am getting some pain in my right thumb when using the analog stick. Supporting the system while my thumb stretches down over a decent amount of time is difficult.

Oh, and as for the battery, I’ve been cheating and using a USB-C car charger so there’s been no real risk there.

Back to Zelda, I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying exploring this world. I had no interest in playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim because of how much Fallout 3 failed to grasp my attention.

I tend to prefer more linear games. But I think the major difference for Zelda is the level of care and density. When I played Grand Theft Auto IV, I remember wondering what it would be like for every building to have an interior to explore. So much of the city was just skyscraper-shaped boxes with no way inside.

Zelda has the advantage of not needing to replicate New York City, but I’m never walking for more than a few seconds in any direction without stumbling upon a new danger or discovery. Despite the size of the opening area, every square foot feels like it was given careful consideration. I’ve logged about two hours of game time and I just stopped playing having finally bothered to address the game’s first objective.

But that will have to wait until Tennessee. I don’t want to miss the sunset my westbound trip is preparing for me.

Wooddale, Tennessee 10:15 p.m. – I’ve decided to stop just outside of Knoxville. The jump between staring at a screen and the road – even if both have been beautiful in their own distinct ways – has my eyes weary. I pull into a Holiday Inn Express and drag my bags to my room. After a quick food trip, I connect the Switch’s dock to my hotel’s TV and set the tablet inside.

I thought Zelda looked amazing before – playing it on a TV makes the graphics really sing. It’s hard to take in all the detail on Switch’s native screen, which is to be expected given its size. But seeing it expanded on the screen provides a much better opportunity to soak in the graphics.

I connected the Joy-Cons to the grip that came with the system. A normal console controller is still preferable, but this is more comfortable than having the Joy-Cons attached to the system. I’ll try playing with the Joy-Cons unattached from the grips tomorrow to see how that compares.

I have another day of traveling tomorrow, but so far I’ve been impressed with the Switch. As unnecessary as a portable console may sound, it motivated me to get to each new rest area and to get back to the game. And to have that seamlessly transfer to a TV is an experience still unique, and greatly appreciated, in gaming today.

#Nintendo #nintendo switch #gaming #video games

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supernatural--fanfics-blog · 8 years ago

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Stay, Say With Me (Sam)

I had brought it up several times, the fact I wanted to hunt on my own. Go different places, see different things. Maybe take a break here and there and just be my own person for a while, not worrying about whether or not the world was ending or saving someone’s life. They both just laughed and told me I wasn’t going anywhere until the day after we had killed a nest of vamps in Tennessee, they walked into my room as I was packing and Sam scrunched his eyebrows as he looked down at Dean. Who was shaking his head. “Where are you going?” Dean asked and I sighed, zipping the bag as I shoved my feet into my boots. “You were serious about leaving?” Sam asked and it almost seemed sad, honestly I had had the biggest crush on him for years but it didn’t seem he wanted me in that way too, and maybe that was the reason I was leaving really. I didn’t honestly know but I just wanted to be alone, if he didn’t love me the way I loved him then I couldn’t stand to be around him all the time. I had made it perfectly clear, so clear even Dean knew. I had made him swear not to say a word though, made him promise on his mom’s grave. “Yeah, it’s time.” I said and he left the room, Dean rolled his eyes and hugged me tightly. “I’m gonna miss you kid! You know you’re always welcome if you want. Love ya kid!” He said and hugged me again, I sighed and hugged him back. “Dean?” “Yeah?” “Can’t breath.” He unwrapped his arms from around me and I laughed softly as I fixed my shirt. I walked out of the room and Sam was standing there at the door, his head turned the other way so I couldn’t see his face. “You’re really leaving?” He asked and I sighed, touching his shoulder as I stepped closer to him. He hugged me for a long time before I pulled away and he turned so his back was to me, something in his voice was different. Something I hadn’t heard except when he talked about Jessica’s death. “I’ll miss you Sammy.” I whispered softly and went to step away, he cleared his throat and sighed loudly. “Please, don’t go.” “Sam I told you, I—” “Yeah I know, you have to get away. But I’m begging, don’t go. We need you–I need you.” He said and looked up at the sky, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Look at me,” He didn’t turn so I grabbed his arm and tugged at him, “Sam, look at me.” He took a deep breath and slowly turned, his cheeks were wet with tears as he looked away and toward the streetlight that was casting light onto us. “Sammy, listen to me. You will be fine, I swear to you you guys will be fine without me for a while. It’s not forever Sam, I promise I’ll see you guys again someday. For some reason.” He opened his mouth and then closed it again, he couldn’t speak so I reached up and whiped the tears from his cheeks. “Goodbye Sammy.” He looked down at me as another tear met my thumb, I stood onto my tip toes and kissed his cheek before grabbing my bag from the floor and tossing it into the backseat of my car. I got in and cranked it up before waving to them, Dean smacked him on the back of the head and told him something before I drive away. Dean and Sam waving in my back glass, fading into nothing as I drive and drove. Three years later and all fifty states had become my backyard, I heard from Dean and Bobby every now and again but never Sam. He never called or even shot me an e-mail, not once in three years. I was back hunting again, going wherever I was needed until I got the phone call that ruined my life. Bobby was dead and Dean thought it would be better for me to be there when they burried him. I drove and drove but they were halfway across the country and I didn’t make it until the day after they gave him his hunter’s burial. I pulled up outside the motel they were staying at and knocked on the door, Sam pulled it open a moment later and I smiled as he saw me. “Heyya Sammy.” I said and he smiled back but something was off about him, he didn’t hug me or even touch me and the smile he sent me was half-assed. I stepped into the room and dean hugged me just as tightly as he had when I left so long ago. “Hey kiddo!” He said and ruffled my hair, same old Dean. “I’m gonna go get some food, be back in a bit.” Sam said and left the room, not a word to me. “What’s up with him?” Dean only shrugged his response. “Taking Bobby’s death pretty hard.” He said and I nodded, understandably so too we all were. I spent a good three months with them before I decided it was time to go again. “You’re gonna leave again? You just got here!” Sam said as I told him away from his brother, he had been distant the whole while toward me and it pissed me off honestly. “What do you care Sam? You’ve barely said three words to me since I got here! I thought maybe it was just Bobby’s death but,” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “but that was months ago and you’re still being a dick.” He sighed, that must have hit home because he backed away from me slightly. “Go, I don’t care. You’re going to leave whether I beg you not to or not so just go, but this time. Don’t bother coming back, you’ll just leave me again.” He said and I scrunched my eyebrows but threw my hands up and shook my head. “Whatever Sam, just–whatever!” I said and was walking away when Dean stepped in front of me. “Sam, come here.” He said and I sighed loudly, he walked over to stand next to me and I looked up at him as Dean spoke. “Tell her,” Sam looked up at him angrily before looking away again, “tell her or I will. So help me God, I will break my promise and I will tell her.” He threatened and Sam nodded. “Fine I’ll do it just go, go away.” He said and Dean squeezed my shoulder and left, closing the door to my room behind him. “What is he talking about?” I asked, still kind of pissed but happy he was talking to me. Like actually talking in actual sentences with more than three words. “There’s something I gotta tell you, it’s why I haven’t been talking to you much. I’ve been trying to distance myself because I knew you’d leave again.” He paused and I opened my mouth to say something before he held his hand up to stop me, “please let me finish first.” I nodded and he took a deep breath before looking away from me again, his long hair falling around his face. “Go on Sammy, just spit it out.” I said and he looked down as I leaned against the hood of my Mustang. “I’m, it’s just that–I don’t want it to ruin anything between us.” “Sam, spit it out.” “Fine, I love you.” I was silent for a moment or two, he was lying to me. Dean had told him and he was playing a cruel joke on me so I’d leave again. “Very funny Sam, how funny is that of you? How could you do this to me? After all that we’ve been through?! You would do this to me?! How could you be so heartless, how could you–” “Woah, I’m lost. I just told you I loved you and you’re gonna call me heartless?! Who’s the heartless one, a simple I’m sorry but I don’t love you Sammy would have been a lot nicer.” “You’re lying! You don’t love me! You–” He captured my lips with his and I stood there like a kid, like I didn’t know what I was doing. “How’s that for not loving you?” He asked and I scrunched my eyebrows at him, I was confused. He loved me? “Wh–I don’t under–you– I don’t quite–how could you–why didn’t you tell me?!” I stumbled over my words as I thought, my mouth finally catching up to my brain. “Because you don’t love me back, why would you? I mean look at me! I’m the picture boy for messed up lives for Christ’s sake!” He said and I slapped him across the face, he went silent and looked down at me. “What the actual hell?!” He asked and I rolled my eyes. “Don’t ever put yourself down like that again, I won’t have it!” I said and he sighed, looking at his feet as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He went to speak again before I grabbed his shirt and snatched him down to my level, kissing him like I would never see him again. He was hesitant but he stepped closer and placed a hand on my cheek, cupping my face as I kissed him with all of me. He pulled away from me an inch or so, looking down into my eyes with knitted eyebrows. “Does this mean you love me too?” He whispered and I rolled my eyes, nodding. “I love you, ya dork!” I whispered back and he smirked widely, kissing me again until I was out of breath and then kissing me more. I heard the room door open and Dean chuckled happily, we pulled away and realized we’d gotten quite the gathering with all the shouting. They all smiled at us before going back to their rooms, he smiled back down at me before kissing me one last time. Then he was pulling away as his face went all serious again. “Stay, stay with me.” He whispered and I nodded, smiling as I let my lips move across his again. “You’re never gonna be able to get rid of me again, Winchester. Don’t you worry about that.” He laughed softly and held me to his chest, this–this right here. This is what I was searching for, I didn’t need to travel the world because I had already found the most wonderful sight in the world. Sam’s loving smile as he looked down into my eyes. Complete perfection. –THE END–

#Sammy #sam winchester #sam #Winchester #fanfic #fan fiction #sam fanfic #sam fan fiction #sam winchester fanfic #sam x reader #sam winchester x reader

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twocoursemeal-blog · 8 years ago

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TCM Eats: Border Cafe

Border Cafe (Harvard Square)

Border Cafe is a staple of the Harvard Square food scene, and a favorite of ours for years (as a matter of fact, Border Cafe is one of those Boston-area institutions that’s older than we are). Despite its age, it still draws in a hefty crowd even on traditionally off-hours, and especially on weekends. With a broad menu and consistently low prices, it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down.

We ate:

Cajun Popcorn (shrimp)

Steak Fajitas

Chicken Enchiladas

We drank:

Margarita Grande

Angela’s Thoughts

Border Cafe has a special place in my heart. I’ve spent quite a few birthday dinners and gatherings with friends at one of their huge tables, sipping a margarita. One of the reasons that it’s such a popular gathering place is because it’s such a huge restaurant. The Cafe has lots of tables packed in, plenty of stuff up on the walls, and a weird, dim, pinky-red lighting (apologies for our pictures in advance). We went for an early lunch on Saturday, at Matt’s suggestion, and I can never turn down Border Cafe.

Border Cafe starts you off with a basket of warm chips and salsa, that you munch on while perusing their rather large menu. That’s not the only constant in my Border Cafe visiting ritual, though; practically every time I go to Border Cafe, I have to order a margarita, mostly because they’re insanely cheap (All are <$10, if I recall correctly). I ordered a Margarita Grande with salt, on the rocks (they also offer all of their margaritas blended and frozen too, if you’d like, but I’m not about that life).

The margarita itself is good -- it’s a generous portion for the cost, and you can taste the tequila clearly, while the drink is well-balanced. Border Cafe offers more expensive margaritas made with nicer tequilas at slightly higher price points, and, honestly, I can clearly taste the difference between the cheapest margarita and some of the more expensive ones -- that improvement in taste is clearly due to the better-quality tequila. My advice: if you’re a fan of tequilas in general, or looking forward to having a margarita that tastes better than your average, toss in another dollar or two for a pricier drink! Either way, since all of them are less than ten bucks, you won’t break the bank.

Matt suggested that we order the Cajun Popcorn shrimp appetizer! In all my time eating at Border Cafe, I’d never ordered any of their appetizers before, so I jumped on the chance to split it with him. The cajun popcorn were heavily battered, and served with a lemon wedge and a ramekin of Border Cafe’s “Bayou sauce.” The batter on the shrimp was nice and crunchy, and both the shrimp and the batter were nicely seasoned, giving the shrimp alone a lightly spicy zest. The bayou sauce, to my surprise, was fantastic. It tasted like a spicy honey mustard, thin, slightly sweet, and really flavorful. This is an appetizer that I’d absolutely order again.

On this visit, like many other past visits, I ordered my go-to at Border Cafe, the chicken enchiladas, with a side of black beans and rice. The enchiladas come as a huge portion, smothered in beans and cheese, with a tangy salsa verde. There’s also a tiny bit of lettuce and pico de gallo on the side. Both sour cream and guacamole are an extra charge, but the entree is less than $8, so that never bothers me. On my entree, there were, oddly enough, two slices of stray green pepper nestled into the bed of melted cheese, likely stowaways from someone else’s plate. This could be a big deal for those who are concerned about cross-contamination of any sort with their food (I didn’t really care, though; I just picked them off).

The enchiladas are generally a bit heavy, but I quite like them. The amount of cheese that they put on the enchilada is overwhelming to me, so I pick some of it off before eating. After removing the cheese, the slightly vinegary, barely spicy flavor of the enchiladas themselves begins to shine through. The chicken that they use in the enchiladas is shredded, and marinated. The portion is always large enough for me to have lunch the next day, too, which never hurts! The black beans and the rice on the side were also really flavorful, and not just a bland addition; the beans were well-seasoned, and the rice had a small dicing of peppers and other seasonings added that gave it a savory boost.

Border Cafe is everything that I want in a kitschy tex-mex restaurant: friendly service, busy decorations, cheap tasty food, and even cheaper drinks. Most of their beers are four dollars (yes, $4, all the time). Their house “Margarita Grande” is $6.50, and I don’t think that they have a margarita that costs double digits (in dollars) on the menu. When I go in, it’s difficult to remember that it’s 2017, given how cheap the prices are. I’ve never really ventured over to the cajun side of the menu; I primarily order enchiladas or fajitas. Despite that, everything I’ve eaten there has been pretty good, and when you factor in the price, it’s pretty much unbelievable.

Matt’s Thoughts

I’ve never really thought about the Border Cafe as a place where you go for a variety of food, but rather a place that is incredibly consistent and giving you the one or two things you love, and getting them just right, every time. I’ve had a few things on the menu over the years, but I’ll be damned if I can ever go to the Border Cafe and not crave their steak fajita.

If you’ve never been to the Border Cafe, I think it’s truly worth a visit. You go in, and it’s like the extensive wood interior has been seasoned for hundreds of years with hundreds of thousands of sizzling fajita smoke. This is not a bad thing. I repeat: this is not a bad thing.

When you sit down at your table, one of the first things they bring you at the Border Cafe are their house made tortilla chips, often still hot and glistening with oil, accompanied by a side of tasty yet simple salsa. They’re fantastic, and almost always seasoned by the greatest sauce out there (hunger). Often, you may find yourself halfway through a basket before you realize you need to order. There’s just something about a fresh, hot tortilla chip that scratches an itch we Northerners don’t often get scratched.

On this particular visit, dear readers, I’m ashamed to say I waffled. For a time, I even considered getting… a burger. Now, that’s not to say their burgers are *bad*, but let’s be real - you don’t go to the Border Cafe to get a burger (even though they’re like, <$10??). A brief sanity check later and I was back on track for the food I desired in my heart of hearts: the steak fajita. And order it I did.

Buuuuuut not before a hungrier, more foolish, more impulsive version of myself convinced Angela that it was worthwhile to invest in an appetizer. After a bit of discussion we chose the Cajun Popcorn, which came out very quickly.

This was a plate full of small, beautifully golden curls of shrimp nestled next to a glass dish of sauce. I risked the safety of my mouth to try a bite, and successfully managed to avoid burning myself! These were well cooked, and while the batter was nicely seasoned, I was disappointed at how bland the shrimp were. Then, everything changed when I tried them with the sauce. This slightly spicy, reasonably sweet, sharp honey-mustard(?) did a wonderful job of accenting the shrimp, and Angela and I began the important work of blissing out over them. At $7, this is something I see myself having a hard time not ordering during future visits, and if you like shrimp, I’d definitely recommend it.

As we ate the shrimp (and let’s be honest, continued to snack on the chips and salsa), I heard a sound. THE sound. The fajita sound. It’s unmistakable (especially when you’re hungry), and it was soon followed by the fajita steam/smoke smell that dramatically amplifies any vestiges of hunger left in your body.

The Border Cafe’s fajitas come with 4 steamed flour tortillas, beans & rice or jambalaya, cheese, sour cream, and pico de gallo. The fajita itself is simple, with just pieces of flank steak and rings of onions. For me, I appreciate the simplicity as much as I appreciate being able to scrape the crust off the bottom of the blistering hot cast iron skillet and use it as a topping on my fajitas. For me, this is simple heaven. The steak is perfectly cooked - juicy, and chewy without being so tough you can’t bite through it, while the onions still have a reasonable amount of bite without being too soft or too raw. If Border Cafe has got its fajitas down to a science, P is definitely <0.05. I always end up eating more than my fill, and I can’t say I’m ever really too sad about it, since I also end up with at *least* 1 meal of leftovers, if not more. One minor gripe - this time, my tortillas came out a little bit hard on one side. Not a huge problem or something that stopped me from eating them, but definitely a bit unexpected.

I really do like the Border Cafe a lot, and if you haven’t been, I recommend you pick a cold-ish weekday night and go - you’ll get warmed right up.

Overall:

We don’t think we’ve ever been sad to go to the Border Cafe, and have certainly dragged friends there if they’ve never been before. It works well for groups, or just a quick meal for two.

With affordable, remarkably consistent food, a pleasant atmosphere, plenty of space, and free homemade chips, Border Cafe can really hit the spot.

We give Border Cafe 4 fresh tortilla chips out of 5

#Boston #Cambridge #Harvard Square #Mexican Food #Tex-Mex Food #Cajun Food #4 stars

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