#I wouldn’t even be around him for 3 weeks cause I couldn’t handle it | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

haespoir · 1 year ago

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dive into you: mkl.

cave me in, part two!

⨯ pairing: plug!mark x reader

⨯ word count: 1.7k

⨯ summary: mark makes it clear that he wants more than being just your plug. he won't stop until you're his.

⨯ warnings: mentions of drugs (weed), more suggestive content... uh that is it i believe

⨯ playlist: better, khalid / snooze, sza / mmmh, kai

⨯ extra content: part one

⨯ a/n: okay... i tried to work on my writing a bit here, but i'm not sure how i feel about it? i said i would work on describing the setting more but it slipped my mind... so next thing i post.. I SWEAR I WILL WORK ON IT!! anyways, ty @markonthemoon for dealing with my brainrot surrounding plug!mark :3 any feedback is very appreciated ♡

. . .

The next morning you wake up on a bare chest. For a moment, you feel the panic begin to bubble in your chest. Now, you weren’t a prude or anything, but one-night stands were just not something that you were into. Before you can fully panic, you feel the person below you stir awake.

“Good morning.” Mark’s raspy voice goes straight to your heart. It was something that you wouldn’t mind hearing every morning. It was so different from his regular speaking voice; you can feel yourself falling into him more and more. It doesn’t help that the morning sun is looking down on the two of you; it feels so intimate.

“Morning,” you mumble, opting to bury your face in his neck. You might just explode on the spot if you made eye contact with him. However, this causes Mark to let out a groan, and it’s one that you can feel in his chest. Unknown to you, the male had been awake far longer than you had. Now, Mark was no hopeless romantic, but he swore that night with you had changed him. Maybe it was just the weed in his system. He wasn’t sure.

It was like you were a sweet, comforting rain that he had accumulated over time. You drenched him wave after wave until he felt like he was drowning until he felt that he couldn’t handle it anymore. But oddly enough, he doesn’t fight it. He doesn’t want to fight it. Without hesitation, he willingly dives into you.

His peaceful morning was enough proof that it wasn’t just a one-time thing–– not to him. With you in his arms, all his worries felt far away. There was nothing that felt better than waking up like this. Though there was one thing that seemed to gnaw at his mind… Did you share this sentiment?

After weeks of knowing you, Mark realized that you weren’t much of a smoker at all. It was almost confusing. The small containers of weed on your desk were enough proof; they were all things you had bought from him, and while he found the way you wrote each strain and the date it was purchased endearing, he couldn’t understand why you hadn’t smoked it. You definitely smoked; the number of times he tasted you on the shared blunt the night before was proof of that. You would rather die than admit that many of the times you bought from Mark were purely due to attraction, not because you actually needed anything.

“I actually don’t smoke a lot,” you had said the night before. “I prefer edibles. I just keep that for special occasions with friends.” Is that what the hook-up was? A special occasion with a friend? That thought tormented Mark. There was no way that he was going to let you slip through his fingers now that he had you. You weren’t going to be able to escape him.

Even after the awkward breakfast the two of you shared in your quiet apartment, Mark wasn’t scared. In fact, he was more bold. There were so many nights where you found yourself sitting in his passenger seat, his hand on your thigh as he drove around aimlessly. So many nights where he just held you in the dark, the smell of weed permeating your clothes when he dropped you off in the morning.

It wasn’t just the weed that seemed to linger on your clothes either. Mark’s cologne was always stuck on you. So much so, that when Haechan had seen you one day for lunch, he had scrunched his nose at the sight of you.

“You smell like Mark,” he had said, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. “Making moves on the weed man, are you?”

You had pretended to be wounded at his words, a cheeky grin on your lips. “This is what you wanted, no?” As much as Haechan wanted to wipe that annoying grin off your face, he knew you were right. He couldn’t count how many times Mark had asked him about you. The poor man was obsessed with you, and Haechan just couldn’t stand the way you both seemed set on ignoring your feelings. So he made sure to plant small ideas in Mark’s mind.

“Didn’t they say they liked marshmallows?”

So that’s where those extra marshmallow treats came from.

“I hear they’re stressed, maybe you should go check on them.”

Mark was texting you instantly, asking if you wanted to try a new strain with him. It also seemed that someone was lowering the price of your edibles without you knowing.

Now, the gummy bear idea was one entirely of his own. And he felt proud of that. Though he would never admit to you that he also enjoyed the clear gummy bears. But he would never eat a clear gummy bear if it meant he could see that adorable smile on your face.

And it seemed Haechan’s hints and pushing seemed to work because almost a month later you show up to a party, Mark following closely behind. It was like a moth to a flame; wherever you went, Mark was not far behind. Haechan wasn’t prepared to see the way he hovered around you; it made him want to barf. A pair of lovesick fools, that’s what he had called the two of you.

He wasn’t wrong. While the two of you weren’t necessarily private with the relationship you had going on, it didn’t mean you were actively showing each other off. This is why it comes as a shock to many people to see Mark basically wrapped around your finger.

“Is this what you meant by hard launch?” His question has you rolling your eyes. The male had spent at least 30 minutes before you had walked into the house marking up your neck in his car. The way you had proudly displayed the love bites on your neck made him swell with pride. You were his, even without the labels.

“That’s for social media,” you say, a small laugh slipping past your lips when he pouts. “Should I post a picture of you sucking on my neck like a leech on Instagram? Since you want a hard launch?”

This only makes him pout even more, his arms wrapping around your waist. Without warning, he’s nipping at the previous marks he made on your throat. “If it means more PDA, I’m not complaining.”

“You’re a dork,” you say, pulling away to cup his cheeks. “There’s never been a limit on the PDA.” To prove your point, you press your lips to his, ignoring the way the few people around you cheer the two of you on. Almost instantly, Mark reacts to your kiss. He’s pulling you closer; it was like close wasn’t close enough for him. It never was, and you’d have to agree.

When you finally separate, it’s like he’s taken all the air out of your lungs. You’re trying to catch your breath when he presses his forehead against yours, his whisper ghosting over your lips. “God, I am so into you. It’s driving me crazy.”

“Sorry,” you mumble. But you weren’t sorry at all, you both knew this.

He chuckles at your words, stealing a quick kiss. “Can we get out of here? Please, puppy?”

You hated that the nickname had stuck; it was a nickname that sent butterflies straight to your stomach, especially when he looked as delicious as he did now. “We can do whatever you want, my love.”

Mark swears he’s dizzy with how much he wants you, and he’s someone who doesn’t need to be told anything twice. The two of you quickly disappear from the party, throwing half-hearted goodbyes at your friends before you guys slip away into the night.

You find yourself in the back of Mark’s car, smoke filling the spaces between the two of you. Even if the space was a bit cramped, nothing could stop Mark from pulling you into his lap. He loved holding you there. His fingers would drift, tickling your waist every now and then. He was such an affectionate person. If anything, you were the one going crazy.

But even with the affection, you found yourself scared. Riding the high, you decide there’s no better time to get answers out of Mark. Anything to settle your racing heart.

“Is there anyone else you’re with?” Your question is barely audible, the fear of his answer weighing heavily on you. It felt ridiculous to ask, knowing that there was realistically no time for Mark to be seeing anyone else. But you had to be sure, just to get rid of those small voices.

“I’m just with you right now,” he says, reassuringly squeezing your waist. “It’s always just been you.”

This makes your heart flutter, and you can feel the warmth decorating your cheeks. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Mark.

“God, you look so good right now,” he groans. “I could devour you.”

“Oh yeah?” You raise a brow at his statement, taking the chance to tease him. “I think I would look even better under you.”

Mark swears you can’t be real. There’s no way that you’re real. Surely you are just some figment of his imagination. No one was this perfect. But even Mark has to show a bit of self-restraint every now and then.

“Unfortunately, there’s no room for that back here,” he replies. And while you were teasing, you know that Mark is serious with the way he’s looking at you.

“We can always go back to my place.” You’re teasing him again. It’s going to be the end of him, especially with the way that you twirl his hair around your finger. And when you tug on his hair? Mark swears any rational thought he has is gone.

Removing you from his lap hurts, and the drive back to your place is even more painful. For once, your hand is on his thigh. You’re pinching and squeezing him; it’s nearly impossible for him to stay focused. When you guys get to your place, there are nearly no words spoken as you two blindly navigate your apartment. You were too caught up in each other; you could worry about the clothes you leave littering the floor later.

And when you wake up in the morning, your ear pressed against Mark’s bare chest once again, you swear there’s nothing better than this.

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lovelaurs · 5 months ago

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...any chance you could do mystreet travis x reader where they get overwhelmed and he helps them?? Just some fluff for the fluffy guy :3 ty

Remember. Your. Water.

TAKING YOUR TIME

pairing : mystreet travis x gn reader synopsis : it was long day filled with stress, and you come home absolutely riddled with anxiety. luckily, your boyfriend travis is there to comfort you through it as you're overwhelmed by life. tags : comfort, fluff, reassurance, slight romance, but more focused on support than anything word count : 0.9k a/n : i was so excited to write this one since mystreet travis (the one i have rotated so many times in my brain) was my favorite back in middle school! i took inspiration from how my life was in college and how my anxiety slowly got worse, so hopefully that works for realism! i love using my own pain in writing!! also, i made sure to make him really endearing, so i hope you enjoy!

MASTERLIST

It had been a long day.

As you closed the car door behind you, you could feel your arms ache, causing you to stretch them as you walked towards the front door.

You’d think after such a hard day that you’d come home to complete relaxation, letting your mind take a break as you slump on the couch.

But unfortunately, it seemed that wouldn’t be the case.

As you opened the door, you were greeted with the reminder that you still had several chores to do.

Since you lived alone, you set up your own reminder system to help you remember to do chores.

And unfortunately, this was one of those days.

It had been about a week since you vacuumed, and practically two weeks since you dusted, and that doesn’t even begin with your laundry as well!

You got this.

You groaned as you took off your shoes by the door, hanging your coat up on the rack next to you before moving to the kitchen to grab a snack before you started cleaning up.

That was when you noticed the sink.

Your dishwasher had broken about a week ago, letting countless dishes and utensils pile up within the basin.

Hiring a repairman? Washing the dishes? Just two more things to add to your already dreadful day. You didn’t have time for a snack just yet.

You could feel your head already begin to bubble up with thoughts, starting to overthink everything you had to do as you approached the storage closet.

Just breathe. You can do this.

You took a deep breath in, your shoulders rising and falling along with you.

As you grabbed the handle of your vacuum, ready to begin cleaning, your bad luck seemed to double.

The handle broke off. As soon as you grabbed it, the cheap piece of plastic simply popped off without hesitation.

That was it.

You couldn’t help what happened next.

Within seconds, you fell to the floor, curling up into a ball with your face in your hands, bawling.

Irene oh why did life have to test you so.

Your cries were muffled by your legs as you folded up, pulling at your hair. You couldn’t deal with all of this right now. First you were running around outside getting groceries and your medication from Walgreens, the next you came home to everything being out of order?

Everything was against you.

At some point, you couldn’t even tell just how long you were sitting on the ground until the doorbell rang.

Apparently, life decided to make things even worse by having someone wait at your door.

Great.

Just great.

Your legs shaked as you slowly stood up, wiping the tears from your cheeks, hoping whoever was there wouldn’t notice.

After making your way to the door, your shaking hands slowly opened it, revealing a smiley Travis with a plastic bag in his hands.

His grin was almost as blinding as the rays of sun behind him.

“Hey! I thought I’d stop by to see how my Lovely was doing-” He stopped mid-sentence as he processed your disheveled appearance, a frown quickly growing on his face. “What’s wrong?” You tried to keep yourself in check, holding back your tears, but the worried look on his face? Nothing could hold you back anymore.

You sniffled once before rushing in to hug him, tightly squeezing, surprising the man.

As you stuffed your face into his chest, hiding your face from him, he slowly led you inside your house, closing the door behind him before the two of you sat on your couch.

You groaned into his chest, just letting your tears fall freely as he held you close. He played with your hair, carefully moving it out of your face and tucking it behind your ear, before patting your head while softly shushing you.

The two of you just sat there for a while, allowing you to release all your anger and anxiety through your tears as he hugged you.

Your boyfriend always was the best at comforting you when you needed it most.

As it seemed your tears were stopping, and you were left hiccuping, you moved back to look up at Travis, apologizing rapidly.

“Hey, hey, there’s no need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He slowly rubbed your back as he softly spoke. “Do you think you can tell me what’s bothering you?” You slowly nodded as you began to tell him all about what happened today, and how your anxiety was through the roof with it all. You felt like you were losing your mind.

He hummed as you recounted the events prior to your crying.

“I can help you out with it all if you’d like, we can face it all together!” He smiled as pumped his fist into the air, before kissing you on the forehead. “You know you can always just reach out if you need help, alright? I’ll always be here.”

You nodded with a smile. He was right, you had someone in your life who cared about you, someone to rely on. You can’t forget that.

But you couldn’t help but slowly turn to the plastic bag sitting next to Travis' curiosity. What was in it?

He picked it up, opening it to show you the abundance of snacks he had brought along with him.

“A little bunch of presents I decided to get you during the day.” He chuckled, cupping your face in his palm, letting his thumb trace the tear stains on your cheeks.

“But before we get started on those chores, how about a snack, okay?”

@lovelaurs, 2024. do not repost this work in any way!

#lovelaurs fics #lovelaurs inbox #travis valkrum x reader #travis x reader #travis valkrum #aphmau travis #mystreet x reader #mystreet travis #aphmau mystreet #mystreet

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queenvidal · 1 year ago

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The Missing Piece

Chapter 2: Strange Feelings

Chapter Summary: Goodneighbor is facing quite some problems but Hancock needs a break. It's hard to concentrate with his mind spiraling back to the woman from the vault.

Wordcount: 2159

Chapter Index:

Ch. 1 / Ch. 2 / Ch. 3 / Ch. 4 / Ch. 5 / Ch. 6 / Ch. 7 / Ch. 8 / Ch. 9

Masterlist

The last week has been a mess.

The group of green skins that have attacked Nick and Blue settled down not far away from Goodneighbor. In fact, they came far too close for Hancock’s liking. He and Fahrenheit spend the last few days working hard on finding a solution. So hard even that John didn’t have time to take one of his little chem breaks every now and then to take off the edge.

His usually blurred mind sobered up over the time and got almost completely clear and sharp and it just wouldn’t shut up. Though being sober isn't something John is unfamiliar with, the sheer chaos in his head had kept him from concentrating.

Thoughts were racing through his head, bringing past demons back into focus. His mind zoned out constantly, brought him back to diamond city, to the things he did and didn’t do. But the worst part was the anxiety. Out of the blue he’d feel knots tightening in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He’d find himself clenching onto his sofas or desk, his chest heaving. At first he thought it might be some kind of bad tripping or a response to the never ending flood of pictures in his head. But he knows what that feels like and it doesn’t come close to whatever is going on with him now. It’s something he has no idea how to handle.

His nerve-racking arm was just the cherry on the top. Amari couldn’t find what was causing that unpleasant feeling and ended up just injecting Med-X. It did not help in the slightest, but Hancock didn’t bother to tell her. He thanked her for her help with Blue and his arm and quickly left.

“Hancock, what the fuck?” She asks, looking up from the map on the table. John’s face stays unreadable sternly, if she wouldn’t know him as well as she does, she’d find it quite intimidating. “That’s just bullshit! Are you even listening to what I’m saying? We are low on supplies as it is.” She points onto the map. “We can't go in with two teams, the two blocks are still raider territory, we'd have to -"

Needless to say that John’s mood soured quickly over the past few days and Fatenheit is getting sick of it.

“I’ve said two teams and two teams will get sent.” His voice is uncomfortably calm. The guards around the makeshift warrable share uneasy glances. Hancock has been really on edge like he is right now. To call the atmosphere in the room tense would be an understatement.

Fahrenheit doesn’t care about what he wants. “I won’t send our men on a suicide mission just because these mutants hurt the robots little girlfriend.”

John's knuckles are turning white from the tight grip on the table. “You do as I say.”

“Nope. Know what, I’m out.” Fahrenheit rounds the table to go for the door. She snips into the air, getting her men moving out of the room. “I am fucking tired of your irrational and stubborn orders. We'll adjourn this whole revenge trip of yours until you get your shit together. Go get your ass to The Third Rail and get wasted or something. It is absolutely impossible to work with you right now!" And with that the woman steps out of the office, leaving Hancock alone in the dim light of a few candles.

He's furious. How dare she talk to him like that? As much as he treasures their friendship, this woman is crossing lines. At the end of the day, he's the mayor and she's just his right hand. He's in charge and that's something she needs to keep in mind. it's one thing to yell at him when they are private and talking eye to eye, no problem with that. But she has to fucking stay in line when it is business related. Especially with their men around.

Her current disobedience is maddening. And the damn migraine isn't helping either. Or his shaking hands. Or the cold sweet. For fuck sake, withdrawals already? The absolute last thing he wants to do is admitting that Fahrenheit was right. Maybe he really should take a break and drown himself in cheap whisky that would make humans go blind. Maybe combined with jet, slowing his spinning mind that won't shut up about things he'd rather not think about.

Well, If they are still having jet and whisky, or alcohol in general that is. Their supply line is still cut. Another problem Hancock still has to solve. Maybe the mutants will kill the raiders or the other way around. That would be the easiest way but that again, nothing in the Commonwealth is easy.

Whatever. There is still an untouched 'survival kit' of all kinds of chems in the drawer of the mayor's desk. It definitely won't save his life when his town of criminals and junkies revolt against him for letting them dry down but at least he would be far away in mindless bliss when they paint his office with his guts.

Damn, since when did his thoughts go down such dark roads? John shakes his head, he really needs a break before his thoughts drive him crazy. With a sigh he takes his pack of smokes and leaves for The Third Rail.

When he passes Ham with a nod in greeting and enters the bar, he gets hit by the smell of cheap perfume, booze, smoke and vomit. Home.

The ghouls face cracks a smile when he sees his favorite detective sitting right at the bar, downing a longdrink, that smells exactly like coolant. Hancock takes the chair next to him. "Look who's here. Mind some company, Nicky?"

The synth huffs a laugh and takes a sip from his drink before he answers. "Not at all. And who am I to reject the mayor of Goodneighbor?"

Hancock orders two whiskeys and downs them both in one needy gulp. The liquid slowly burns its way down John's throat. Damn, he really needed that. While savoring the slow burn, he puts the glasses down with a loud clink.

Nick eyes Hancock with a questioning frown. "Ehm. A bit eager, are we?" Charlie refills the glasses without a comment and hovers away to the other guests.

John pulls out a pack of smokes from his pocket, taking one out and offers Nick one as well. The detective doesn't say no but the frown doesn't leave his face when he takes one.

"Long day in the office." John sighs as he lights up his cigarette before taking a long drag. "How are you doing, Nicky, everyone treating you alright?"

Nick simply nods before he takes another sip. "Yeah, yeah."

John notices the tiredness in the synth's voice. Something is the matter. "So." The ghoul starts. "And what is your excuse for being here? Despite the girls and drinks?" Hancock lets his gaze wander through the bar. All familiar faces are sitting on crates, listening to Magnolia, drinking, fainting. Nothing out of the ordinary. A black haired woman meets his eyes, she smiles at him from under her bangs. Hancock acknowledges her by tipping his hat down a bit before he returns his attention back to his friend who still didn't answer his question.

Nick's eyes are glued at the almost empty glass in his hand while he takes long drags of his cigarette. He looks lost in thought, like he is pouting for whatever reason. "C'mon Nicky, what's bothering you? Everything alright with your vaultie?"

The synth just shakes his head. Eventually he sighs, "No, not really." John feels his stomach drop at that. Were her injuries more severe than they thought, did she catch an infection? All kinds of scenarios are floating around in his head. Nick takes another drag, "But I guess the Doc already told you."

Actually she didn't. John hasn’t talked to her since Nick and Blue came into town. His arm did really go on his nerves, but he didn’t want to bother Amari with it again. He figured it might be part of his ghoulification. Losing some parts other than the nose and ears is normal, usually a toe or two. To lose whole limbs is possible but it's very, very rare. Definitely not something John would be looking forward to but in the end he knew what he got himself into when he made his decision to become one.

Also the last days were very stressful. He was so occupied with his arm and the super mutants, he simply forgot to ask the doc about the woman from a vault.

Which is a total lie.

John found his mind taking him back to the night where Nick and Blue stumbled through the gates ever so often. But lying to himself is easier than facing his worries for a person he barely met. Or the strange clenching of his guts whenever he memorized Blue’s wound and the sheer amount of blood all over her suit and Nick.

John tears his mind away from the memory, "Haven't spoken to her since you two came here. What's wrong?"

The vague answer only adds to the uneasy feeling in Hancock guts. "Care to be a bit more precise?"

Nick just sighs. “A lot.”

"She… well, let's say she's been through a lot and it shows - mentally."

Now that just piques John's curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"You know I don't talk about running investigations, Hancock."

So Blue is an actual client of his. Why the hell would somebody from a vault leave one of the safetes places in the Commonwealth behind to ask a synth detective for help? John hits the synth on his shoulder lightly. "Come on now, Nick. Don't leave me hanging here like that."

Nick puts out his cigarette in an ashtray before looking up to answer. "She's in the Rexford. Talk to her if you want to know more about her story, it's not my place to tell."

Hancock just rolls with his eyes. Of course he could just do that but if he’s honest to himself, her private matters are none of his business. Sure, he could defend himself by playing the 'I'm the mayor of the town and saved your life' card but that's not his style. And technically did Amari save her life - He just stabbed Finn out of the way.

John cringes internally at that. Damn, shes a fucking vaultie after all, her people are not used to the harsh reality outside their giant metal doors. Hell, she even most likely never saw a ghoul before. What must she be thinking of him-

"Good evening, mayor Hancock."

The soft voice behind the men makes them turn their heads towards the source of it. It’s the black haired girl from the table on the other side of the bar.

"Good evening yourself-" John knows her, he is certain of it but what's her name again? Mindy? Suzi? "Pretty." Or just go with harmless, flattering pet names. A method that proved to be very sufficient over the years. The woman gives him a bright smile in response. "What can I do for you?" John asks even though he already knows what she's up to.

She bites her lower lip playfully, all of the sudden acting shy. "Well, I wondered if you'd like to have some company later, you know?”

Yeah, just like John thought. Nick looks at him with a knowing smile on his face but doesn't say anything. The ghoul considers her invention for a moment. The main dilemma for the last few years, ever since he became mayor of Goodneighbor - Sex or drugs.

Both at the same time can be fun, too. But the possibility of passing out during a one night stand, being that vulnerable around a person who is just interested in his caps or chems, or just has a weird ghoul fetish, that's stuff nightmares are made of. At least his. So no, both are not an option.

"You can have him." Nick says nonchalantly as he stands up from his chair. "I've finished my drink anyway and I have a client to take care of."

Jealousy hits John like a bolt of lightning. A feeling he didn't have in a very long time. It's so sudden and without warning, it takes him off guard. He tries not to read too much into that and turns his attention back to Trudy. Or Ruby? The woman takes Nick's seat immediately even though John hasn't answered yet. With a sigh on the remaining of his lips he just gives in. No drugs tonight then. But before Nick is out of earshot, John calls after him. There is one burning question he needs an answer for. "Nick! Blue ain't her real name, is it?"

The synth waves at him as he makes his way to the exit. "It's not."

Chapter Index:

Ch. 1 / Ch. 2 / Ch. 3 / Ch. 4 / Ch. 5 / Ch. 6 / Ch. 7 / Ch. 8 / Ch. 9

Masterlist

Taglist: @loverofclones / @squeakythedragon / @martinys-world / @id-rather-be-in-middle-earth

#fallout #fallout 4 #john hancock #hancock #nick valentine #hancock x reader #hancock x sole survivor #john hancock x sole survivor #john hancock x reader #fo4 #fallout companions #fo4 cc #fanic #fanfiction #ao3 #wattpad #soulmates

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supernaturalscribe67 · 1 year ago

Text

Euphoric

Words: 3,587

POV: 3rd Person and brief 1st Person

Pairing: Gabriel x Trans!FTM!Winchester!Reader

Warning(s): Fluff, Language, Dysphoria, a single mention of Deadname (D/N), self-hate, mention of past self-harm, attempted self-harm, hurt/comfort

Summary: Dysphoria can hit at any moment, and when it hits, it hits hard. The reader is going through a tough time with the way he looks, doubting himself and the people around him. When he feels at his lowest, ready to seep back into his old ways, his boyfriend, Gabriel, is there to help him out.

Request:

Hi I've been binge-reading your stories recently and I was wondering if you could do this request. :)

So a Gabriel/FTM!Reader where the reader is dealing with really bad dysphoria (possibly mentioning past SH?) and a comforting Gabe? Possibly with an established relationship?

(Would be so fucking rad if he Sam and Dean's younger brother!!)

Tysm even if you don't do this, I love your work so much and it's helped so much recently

@genekies

A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long to get out, hun! A lot has been going on at work that has taken my focus away from writing. However, I finally found the inspiration to write this with the help of my Supernatural novels that I found hidden away in a box! I really hope you enjoy this story and that it brings you some type of comfort! Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Much love~

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Good morning, sugarplum!

Sorry, I couldn’t be there when you woke up this morning. Duty calls. I’ll be back later tonight! I hope you have a good day! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! <3

Your Casanova,

Gabriel

Why do some people wake up with an already negative attitude? A multitude of factors could be the cause; relationship issues, low self-esteem, stress, unhealthy thoughts, and lack of sleep are just a handful of possibilities. Some have their reasonings read out to them by a licensed professional they pay an arm and a leg to visit every couple of weeks, while others lack the funds and/or the proper motivation to cope, so they bottle it up inside, casting it away to the darkest depths of their mind for weeks, maybe months. They ignore the feelings they get, the troubles that stalk them, until the bottle inside of them fills to the brim. It shakes and stirs, begging for release. It spills out, slowly at first, but then the pressure becomes too much to handle, and it combusts.

And (Y/N) felt like he was about to explode.

Nothing looked right. His jawline wasn’t sharp enough, his curves were more pronounced than ever, his binder didn’t make him flat enough, he was too short, the hair on his face was barely considered peach fuzz at that point, and his eyes - yes, his eyes - screamed femininity. Screamed female. Screamed everything about you is wrong. Screamed;

You are not a man, and you never will be.

It wasn’t often that his gender dysphoria acted out as bad as it had that day. Sure, there were times when he woke up and the negative thoughts just never seemed to go away. The thoughts that made certain parts of him look wrong, misplaced. Rarely had his mind told him that everything about him was wrong. Rarely did his mind tell him he wasn’t the man he wanted to be. But, when those thoughts arose, they hit him hard, as if he got struck by a semi-truck going eighty on the interstate. It hollowed him out and made him a shell of his former self. A shell that was slowly wilting away.

His brothers were the first to notice his shift in demeanor. While he normally came into the kitchen every morning with a goofy grin on his face, a smile was nowhere to be seen. His head was cast down and he barely spoke a word to either Sam or Dean. Another thing they noticed was the lack of exposed skin he had. Usually, (Y/N) would walk out of his room clad in a t-shirt and shorts in the morning. That day, he wore a hoodie, sweatpants, and socks. The temperature in the bunker hadn’t changed, so it wouldn’t make sense that he was cold. If he had been, he would have complained about it for the rest of the day, yet he didn’t say a word. Instead, he silently got some coffee and sat down with his brothers at the table. He didn’t engage in conversation.

Later on, the three of them sat in the library, heads buried in books and computer screens. They would typically sit around, and talk about potential hunts or random information that they had found. (Y/N) acted the same way he did when he was in the kitchen, though. He was physically present, but nowhere near as mentally present. His head was down, the cord from his earbuds wrapped around his phone, which was sitting next to the book he had been reading. It didn’t even seem as if he was actively reading the text. It had been ten minutes since he turned the page.

Sam leaned closer to Dean, who sat next to him. “Does he seem off to you?” He asked in a low, quiet voice.

Dean looked up from his computer and glanced over at his youngest brother. He hesitated, studying him for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah, something’s wrong with him. Has he said anything?”

Sam shook his head. “No.”

“Do you think it has something to do with Gabriel?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?”

Dean pursed his lips for a moment before he turned back to (Y/N). He leaned over and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. (Y/N) lifted his head to look at his brother and, for the first time that whole morning, their eyes connected. Dean noticed something almost immediately. His eyes were empty, void of any emotion. (Y/N) took an earbud out.

“Yeah?” He asked, voice low and monotone.

“Hey, man, you doing okay?”

(Y/N) looked away for a moment. “Yeah?” He shook his head and shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just seem a bit off today.”

“I’m fine.”

“Did something happen with Gabriel?” Sam asked.

“No? I said I’m fine.”

“Ok, well, obviously you’re not,” Dean said. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing!” (Y/N) spoke in an exasperated tone.

“(Y/N),” Sam leaned forward, palms flat on the wooden surface. “If something’s wrong, you know you can tell us, right?”

“Nothing’s wrong! Will you two stop fucking bugging me!?” He exclaimed.

(Y/N) slammed his book shut and shoved it away from him. Quickly, he stood, stuffed his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, and stormed out of the library. Sam and Dean’s eyes were attached to him until he was out of sight. Dean and Sam shot a glance at one another, both of them opening their mouths as if to say something, but decided against it before they went back to their work.

(Y/N) was numb, aside from the small annoyance that had bubbled up inside of him from his brothers’ persistence. One common trait that was distributed through all the Winchester siblings was the lack of willingness to talk about their emotions. It was an ideology that was beaten into them when they were younger and first got into hunting. Bury your emotions deep within, don’t let them show, and don’t let your enemy know your weakness. Hell, don’t let your allies know your weaknesses, either. They’ll turn their back on you if they see you at your lowest. Stay strong, hide your feelings, and don’t let anyone in, even if it’s family.

When he made it back to his room, he walked over to the small dresser that was pressed along the far wall. Beside the dresser sat his tennis shoes. He grabbed them and put them on. He walked back over to the dresser, opened up the top drawer, and rummaged around in his undergarments for a moment before he fished out a pack of Marlboro Reds. The box was slightly creased, the plastic rustling in his grasp. It had been a while since he had a cigarette. He hadn’t felt the need for them, but he could feel the stress and anxiety grumble inside of him. He needed something to clear his mind. (Y/N) placed the carton into his hoodie pocket and left his room.

As he made his way past the library archway, he was stopped by his brother’s voice.

“Where’re you going?” Dean piped up.

(Y/N) stopped in his tracks and turned towards them. “Out.”

“Out where?” Sam asked.

“Look, I’m just going to take a walk around the bunker, that’s all. Going to clear my head.”

Dean and Sam shared a look. “You sure?” Dean asked.

“Yeah,” (Y/N) shrugged. “Just need a breather is all.”

“Alright, well…don’t go wandering too far.”

“I won’t.” (Y/N) shared a small smile.

Sam and Dean returned the smile as (Y/N) turned his back on his brothers and headed up the staircase toward the front door.

The afternoon sun slithered past the canopy of oak tree branches. Orange, red, and yellow leaves shined bright, painting the dirt floor like a kaleidoscope. About half a mile from the bunker, a dead tree had fallen during a heavy thunderstorm several years prior. The trunk has since been embedded in the ground, forming a natural bench in the middle of the forest. This was where (Y/N) had gone to clear his head.

He sat at the edge of the log, back slouched, elbows resting against his knees, and hands hung limply between his legs. The smoke from his lit cig wafted upward towards the treetops. The end of the cigarette slowly withered away, a small amount of ash falling upon the autumn leaves. His eyes were cast down and glazed over, the thoughts in his mind running at a hundred miles an hour.

You’re delusional. A man? No one would ever consider you a man. You look nothing like a man. Nothing like what you want to, and you never will. You’ll always look like the girl you were born as. You’ll always be (D/N), and there is nothing you can do about it. Sam, Dean, Gabriel? They’re all lying to you. They’re feeding into your delusion because they feel bad for you. They don’t love you or support you. They’ll never see you as a man. Never have and never will.

(Y/N) lowered his head as he brought the cigarette up to his lips. He inhaled deeply, feeling the burn of the smoke filling his lungs, before he brought the cig away from his mouth. He tapped the end of the cig, the ash falling onto the ground. As he shifted, the sleeves of his hoodie lifted, the remnants of depressive episodes from his past peeking out through the cotton fabric. His eyes shifted to the discolored scars. He could remember how he felt when he first made the scars. The relaxation he felt afterward, the relief. It was a distraction from the pain he felt within. It was a distraction that he desperately craved.

For a moment, he looked at the end of the cigarette. It was slowly dwindling to half its original length. He shifted it in his fingers and brought it to his wrist, stopping right before the end of the butt touched his skin. He hesitated and contemplated. (Y/N) closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and moved the cig closer to his arm.

“Hey Sugarplum,” the voice came out of nowhere.

(Y/N) let out a startled shout, the cigarette fell to the ground as he turned toward the sound of the voice. Sitting beside him on the log was Gabriel, his signature smirk etched onto his lips. (Y/N) sighed and leaned down, grabbed the butt, brought it to his lips, and took a final drag. He then lifted his foot and put the cig out on the bottom of his shoe before he flicked the remnants onto the ground. He placed his hand on the log and exhaled, the smoke leaving his lungs and creating a halo around his head.

“A little birdie or two told me you went on a walk. The little birdie also told me you weren’t feeling the best.” Gabriel said as he reached an arm around (Y/N)’s shoulders.

(Y/N) could feel himself instantly relax at Gabriel’s touch, the tension leaving his shoulders. So much was going through his head. So many emotions beating at his heart, begging to be released, begging to be expressed. Yet something was stopping them.

“I’m fine,” (Y/N) said, his voice soft.

The smirk was gone from Gabriel’s face, his expression turned more serious. He inched closer to (Y/N) so that their sides were pressing against one another. He pulled him close.

“You know that’s not true,” Gabriel whispered. He pressed his nose against (Y/N)’s cheek. He ran his fingers through his hair softly and soothingly. “I can hear everything going on in your pretty little head, sugar, and I know that it’s not quiet.”

Gabriel’s closeness was comforting, something that he had been craving all day. The longer Gabriel sat next to him, the more relaxed he felt, yet the demons were still scratching at the inner crevices of his mind. With the mixed feelings he experienced, it was all so overwhelming. (Y/N) recognized the familiar prickle of tears appearing in the corner of his eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Gabriel breathed as he wrapped his arms around (Y/N)’s body, pulling him as close as he could, his head resting on Gabriel’s chest.

(Y/N) sniffled as he allowed the tears to fall, something that didn’t happen very often. Something he would, normally, not let himself do. Be vulnerable. Vulnerability is what gets you killed in the hunting career, and there was no time for that. Still, the warm feeling of Gabriel’s arms wrapped around him made him feel at home, made him feel safe, and told him that it was okay to let himself go.

Gabriel rubbed (Y/N)’s back. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?” He asked quietly.

(Y/N) hesitated for a moment as he clasped his hands together. He rubbed the back of his knuckles, a soothing gesture he learned from a young age. “I don’t…” he trailed and let out a sigh, shoulders slouched. “I don’t look like a man.”

“What?” Gabriel furrowed his brows.

“I don’t look like a man, okay!?” (Y/N) exclaimed and moved away from Gabriel, standing abruptly. “I mean, look at me! I’m so short and feminine! Look at my hips! Look at my face! Everything about me is wrong. Everything about me isn’t what it’s supposed to be and it’s killing me.” (Y/N)’s voice got louder, frustration evident in his tone.

The tears were freefalling, and (Y/N) did not attempt to wipe them away. Gabriel simply stared up at him, listening, a saddened expression making its way across his face.

“Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up and look at yourself in the mirror and see nothing but a body that you hate? A body that you don’t want to be in? That you feel like you don’t belong in? It feels like my life is a lie, that I’ve just been kidding myself when I said that I could finally be the man that I always wanted to be. Everything that you or Sam or Dean have said about me, validating my emotions, supporting me through everything, was just some pathetic pity party in an attempt to make me feel better about myself, even though, deep down, I know I’m not going to look anything like I want to. I’m not going to be the man that I’ve always dreamt I’d be because I’m stuck. I’m stuck in this worthless body that I was forced to have and I can’t do anything about it. I want…”

The tears were coming faster now, his words becoming shaky, almost unintelligible.

“I want to be happy…but I look at myself and I just can’t.”

Gabriel stood and walked over to him. “(Y/N), look at me,” he reached down and cupped (Y/N)’s wet cheeks, lifting his head so that he could gaze into his reddening eyes. He used his thumbs to wipe the tears away. “Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?” He had a smile on his face.

(Y/N) sniffled. “What?”

“I see a handsome, strong, brave man who risks his life daily for the people that he loves. I see a man with a heart of gold, who would do anything to make other people happy. I see the most handsome man on the face of this planet, the most wonderful man that my father had ever created. More importantly, I see your soul.”

“My soul?”

“Yes, your soul. I see how bright, beautiful, magnificent, and glorious it is. How perfect it is. The man you truly are.”

(Y/N) looked down at the ground. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s middle. Gabriel wrapped his arms around him, running his fingers through his hair.

“I know it’s hard some days. You look at yourself and don’t like what you see. You feel like there’s nothing you can do to change it. That people aren’t going to see you for who you are. I hate to break it to you, sugarplum, but that’s all I see.” He chuckled deeply. “All I can see is the man you are. The man you were meant to be. And some days are going to be harder than others, you're going to beat yourself up more than you should, and that’s okay. Because, in the end, you’ll get through this. You’ll gain your confidence back. You’ll see yourself and finally say ‘This is me’, and I am going to be with you every step of the way.”

Gabriel leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of (Y/N)’s forehead.

“Because I love you. Every part of you. The parts that you like and the parts that you don’t like. I love it even more when you’re happy with yourself. When you love yourself. And even if I pop in one day and you’re dressed as an Oompa Loompa with a five-foot-tall bright green and yellow mohawk and a beard the size of Gandolf’s, then I would still love you.”

(Y/N) snorted and let out a short laugh. “You’re ridiculous.” (Y/N) shook his head. “An Oompa Loompa?”

“Hey, it’s not my place to judge if or when you decide to dress up as an Oompa Loompa.”

(Y/N) rolled his eyes, a smile curled into the corner of his lips. Gabriel brushed his wet cheek with his thumb.

“Feeling better?” He asked softly.

“Yeah, a little.”

“Good, I’m glad. And I’m proud of you.”

(Y/N) furrowed his brows and glanced up at Gabriel. “For what?”

“For telling me how you feel. If I know anything about you Winchesters, I know that that wasn’t easy.”

“It wasn’t. But…it felt good.”

Gabriel nodded. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against (Y/N)’s lips. When he pulled back, he stared lovingly into his eyes.

“You’re my person, (Y/N). The person that I love and care for, and if you ever feel like this again, just give me a shout and I’ll be there faster than you can get my name out of your mouth. I never want you to be alone when you feel like this. You don’t deserve to be alone through this. Promise me that you’ll call me next time you feel like this?” Gabriel’s hands trailed down from his face to his arms and stopped to grab his wrists gently. He rubbed them softly through the sleeves.

(Y/N) opened his mouth and hesitated. “I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

“That’s all I needed to hear,” Gabriel smirked and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Now, do you want to go back to the bunker? We can cuddle on your bed, and watch some of those terrible reality TV shows. I think I have a bit of an addiction to 90-Day-Fiance.”

(Y/N) smiled. “Do you mind if we sit out here for a little bit? It’s a beautiful day out and…I’m not quite ready to go back inside yet.”

“Of course, anything for my sugarplum,” he leaned forward, his nose brushing gently against (Y/N)’s.

“Thank you,” (Y/N) whispered. “I love you. I don’t deserve you.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. You deserve the world and every beautiful thing in it.”

“I don’t want the world. All I want is you.”

“Then have me you shall. Forever and always.”

“Forever and always?” (Y/N) lifted a hand, his pinkie finger sticking out.

Gabriel smirked and chuckled. He lifted a hand, hooked his pinkie onto (Y/N)’s, and looked deeply into his eyes.

“Forever and always.”

My Dearest (Y/N),

I’m writing this, not as one of my regular notes, but as a reminder to you. I want you to pack this away somewhere safe where you can take it out and read it whenever you feel down about yourself in any way.

You are strong. You are brave. You are handsome. You are perfect. You are loved. You are you.

I know it’s hard to see yourself in a positive light at the moment, and everything may seem like it’s closing in as if nothing is going right and it will never get fixed, but, just know, you’ll make it through this. Just like you’ve done on multiple hunts, you will prevail. You will conquer the enemy, even if that enemy is yourself.

Remember, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. I’m here for you, and so is Sam and Dean. We all love you so much and we want you to be happy! We love seeing your smile when you walk into a room. You brighten our day just by being you, and nothing will ever change that.

If you need anything, anything at all, just think of me, and I will be there for you. We can watch your favorite movie and I’ll even bring you some of those little dessert cakes you like from the cafe I took you to on our first date. Even if you don’t want to talk to me about it, I want you to know that you don’t have to suffer in silence. Not while I’m around. I’ll always be by your side, no matter what you go through.

I love you,

Forever and always,

Your Casanova,

Gabriel

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waddlewaddlewaddlewaddle · 1 year ago

Text

Over my head (Miguel ‘o’ Hara x Reader)

Chapter 2

Pairing: Miguel x f reader!

Summary: y/n is a kind hearted nurse who’s life gets turned upside down as she get fired from one the most prestigious hospitals in NYC , desperate , she start filing job applications wherever. Coincidentally a stressed Miguel is looking for a nurse due to a big amount of spider people getting injured due to the surprisingly large amount of anomalies happening in the spider verse. What could go wrong is these two meet?

Themes:

Mutual pining

✎office romance (¿)

Hidden romance

✎Smut available as story progresses.

Dom Miguel x sub/bratty reader

✎Stubborn, Ill tempered Miguel.

✎ Angelic reader .

Medium slow burn.

✎I try to be as accurate as possible.

English is not my first language so bare with me.

✎badass stoic x sweet empath.

Wc:1.4k

Og spanish speaker so be prepared for steamy dialogue :3

(For the sake of storytelling spider society’s HQ is on earth 2099 :D)

See master list for previous or future chapters

°:. *₊ ° . ° .•

As Miguel scanned through the résumés that lyla picked out for him , all he could do is sigh and make uninterested faces at the computer. All the applicants seemed untrustworthy , not qualified enough , they lacked experience in Miguel’s eyes. He was worried there wouldn’t be a candidate who’ll keep their mouth shut about the spider society. He couldn’t handle the risk of a villain getting notice of their HQ.

Lyla watched as Miguel’s eyebrows turned into a worried knot as he watched the HQ’s camera as more injured Spider-Men barely hopped out of the portal only to plummet into the ground with their face beaten black and blue.

-“I know you need me to be obedient especially when you’re like this, but how about you check this application. It is a lady but”-Lylas sentence is cut short by Miguel’s interruption.

-“Looking at that application will only be a waste of time , I don’t want my men distracted with anything love like plus I need a nurse who can carry a 170 pound man in deadweight.”-Scolded Miguel as he looks at Lyla with a raised eyebrow.

-“Fine I’ll speak in your language then, the applicants a valedictorian, cum laude , graduated from Cornell university, certified critical care nurse , worked 3 years in presbyterian hospital and did plenty volunteering while finishing her med school and for the moment volunteers once a week. Such a goody too shoes , she seems kinda boring not gonna lie. But she will do.”-Lyla giggled as she sat on Miguel’s shoulder as she looked at his defeated face realizing you might just be the person he’s looking for.-“Plus I can ask for Spider-Man 199999 to make some robotic hospital beds!”

Miguel lifted the corner of his mouth in 1/8th of a smile, Lyla may be insufferable some times but the majority of time she was one of his best workers, if she recommended you it must be with a good reason

-“Call pavitr through the communicator and assign him to run a background check on y/n and have him follow her around for two days, if everything goes well assign an interview for Friday and have Jessica interview her.”- He said sternly even though in the bottom of his heart he felt some relief cause things were started to look better for him.

Just when he thought he could get himself a cup of coffee, his communicator started going off asking for backup in some random universe. He quickly sheathed his mask on and after receiving the coordinated portal hopped to help his co workers out.

°:. *₊ ° . ° .•

After receiving the good news of your interview yesterday you called Gigi with delight letting her know you got a job offer, a lot of the information is undisclosed but you’re happy you got the chance to work in what passionate about. All you hope is that you get some bonuses here and there and a decent pay.

You open your closet door after an intensive shower and grab a black turtle neck to hide your bruised neck after the accident, you pair it with a pair of white slacks and some black Mary Janes.

Lastly you do your makeup to your hearts desire and let your hair lay loose , you quickly lock up the door and run to the metro to head to the job interview.

At arrival your eyes take in a beautiful view, you gaze upon a Mediterranean cafe with gorgeous white detailing on the outside and through the window you saw some wooden tables surrounded by sky blue walls with woven straw lamps. As you entered the cafe there were few people in there , but the most distinguished was a woman with good looking Afro that decorated her head wonderfully, at closer inspection you also realized she was pregnant.

As she notices you staring at her she signaled you over to her table and invited you with her facial expressions to sit down.

-“Hello, you must be y/n. I know you didn’t upload a photo on your resume but something tells me it’s you.”- Said the mysterious women as if she hadn’t scanned and analyzed through 20 photos of you that Pavitr took of you while spying on you for the last 2 days.

-“Yes! I’m the one applying for the corporate nurse position , do you happen to be my possible employer?”- You asked with curious eyes.

The mysterious woman let out a big chuckle while resting her hands on her belly.

-“Me?! No god no”.- She said while shaking her head trying to die down her laughter- “You’re gonna wish I was though. Just kidding!”- after popping that joke she stood up straight getting meaning she was ready to talk business. -“Im Jessica Drew btw, so tell me y/n , what makes you stand out from other nurses and why should we hire you?”- Spiderwoman didn’t flinch while telling you her true identity, you seemed nice but most importantly you’re not from her earth so why should she care.

While you chatted with Jessica ;with each anecdote that came out of your mouth she was more sure that you were fit for the job , she knew you would take care of any spider person without any prejudice be it plushy Spider-Man or the ugliest of spider people. She really wanted to be confident in her decision because even tho it cost her to admit it , she cared deeply for her coworkers particularly a blond one. So after hearing about your time volunteering and a through personality analysis. You got the job.

After knowing her decision your eyes lit up and you could feel you spark return to your soul , the salary was beyond incredible ( mysteriously incredible) and you were to visit the company tomorrow to present yourself and to check out the infirmary so you can create a list of devices and supplies that you’ll need to have the place running in no time

°:. *₊ ° . ° .•

The next day news spread quickly of your arrival, many spider people were glad to have you in their HQ mainly because they didn’t have healthcare in their earth but partly also because a new face excited them , especially one without a spider mask.

In the meanwhile Spider byte and peni Parker started to work on a database like program that would be ready at your arrival , in this program all the spider people put in their medical history like allergies ,any prior diseases or special conditions.

As to your surprise the company you will soon be working in is located in the ugly part of town, you had to take a couple buses to get there but a long commute never bothered you, soon you arrived at spid-so.co which was oddly a… warehouse? Negative thoughts started to plague your mind about your job, maybe this job offer is too good to be true . But all those negative thoughts had to be blown away ;you couldn’t fuck up your only job offer.

So as you rang the doorbell you pulled out a pocket knife , hoping you wouldn’t need to use it , but as you hear heavy foot approach the opposite side of the door you decide squeeze your eyes shut and whip out the pocket knife in front of you to protect yourself from your possible kidnappers.

The next thing you feel is a strong hand wrap around both of your wrist; with enough pressure to keep still but gentle enough so it didn’t hurt. As you fluttered your eyes open your gaze stumbled upon a lamp post of a man, he was tan ; probably Hispanic. He had a strong face structure and a gaze that’ll send you running away but hair so fluffy that it cancels all the intimidating features out. This strange fellow looked so masculine to you even though he was just wearing some sweat pants and a compression shirt, a compression shirt that defined and highlighted his hunky shoulders and broad back that was miraculously help up by some shredded obliques and a tiny waist.

You looked at him with a wide stare wondering what the hell was going on, he was clearly not your average office worker.

Seeing your confused expression the figure in front of you decided to take the pocket knife from your hands diligently and open his mouth to let out a deep but stern voice.

-“Now who let you think you knew how to handle this?”-

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writersblockisdead · 2 years ago

Text

Lightyear* ˚ 💕

Steven Universe x PTSD! Gem! Reader

Commission: Steven x PTSD Reader? I’m a sucker for hurt/comfort fics, so maybe a story about Steven comforting the reader through a nightmare, panic attack, or trigger in the field? I feel like his own trauma would be perfect for comforting/understanding what another persons trauma feels like. :3

@kitxel-draws

Steven was your friend, someone you hung out with quite a lot, the gems at first didn’t take a liking to you, at first because you were one of the gems found in the kindergarten poofed. But with Steven’s enthusiasm in allowing you to be reformatted the gems allowed you to join them.

It was hard at first trying to fit in an otherwise strange world with new faces and new gems. Before you were poofed you had been with another gem named Hassonite she was a gem that was one of your “owners” basically an aristocrat that was given to her. Hassie was everything to you, she even on numerous occasions allowed you to come with her to earth.

Unfortunately for you, the gem war was far from over when you both arrived there. She immediately got shattered and left you alone. As you weren’t a high ranking or any other gem you couldn’t fight back and instead was poofed yourself. This left you with trauma, as your only friend was brutally murdered, you were spared, but that didn’t excuse the lifelong trauma you were facing.

Back to the present you woke up screaming, normally gems don’t need to sleep, but you found yourself becoming more and more human, adapting to Steven’s weird human lifestyle, you find it amazing and interesting. But besides that… Screaming all night and day became a part of your life. It has been a hard few weeks adjusting to life with the gems and Steven and often awoken to Hassie being hurt and all you could do is watch.

The screaming was alerted by a tired Steven who heard it, you slept on the couch at the beach house, it wasn’t an issue, but Steven offered to sleep on the couch while they worked on a place for you in the Beach House but you rejected not wanting to intrude on Steven. He wandered to the couch only to see you shaking and mumbling Hassie’s name over and over.

Trauma.

Steven knew that. He understood that. He had mother issues as people will label it, but his issues were far beyond that. He suffered from a lot of things, he could almost never really get help for, he always believed that other people needed help, and he was just being a burden.

Trauma.

He’s seen it in a lot of gems. Lapis’ abuse, Amethyst's Defectiveness, Pearl’s Longing for his mother, and of course, Spinel’s Abandonment, out of all the gems, Spinel had the worst so far. Pearl is alongside her, but he could’ve seen himself in Spinel. His mom up and abandoned him instead of sticking by, because he knew it was possible for her to stay. But instead he had to clean up every single issue that his mom left behind in her wake. The pain and suffering of many gems that was caused because of a conflict she could handle. Steven was annoyed he never got a childhood. But he forgotten he was excited to join the gems on battling. As he was the one with the Rose Quartz gem, if only he knew it was a lie…

What was Steven thinking about again?

Oh right, (G/n). He cautiously walked down his loft and into the living room with concern written on his face. He never heard you act like this. He needed to approach you with caution, dealing with Spinel taught him he needed to approach delicately in situations and make sure the person wouldn’t lash out. Steven made his way up to you and sat down next to you. You yelped and smacked Steven by accident.

“It’s just me, (G/n) no need to worry.” He said.

“Steven?” You question.

“Yup, that’s me.” He noticed your shaking stopped slightly and you seemed to calm around him. He began to take that as a sign.

“So…” Steven began, “What got you yelling like that?” He asked. Your face paled.

“You… Heard that?” You asked.

“Yes.” He said.

“...Well, I don’t know… It’s just… Well. I am scared.” You admitted.

“Of what?” Steven asked.

You took a deep breath.

“That wasn’t the same (G/n) you heard before, I-” You began, your voice beginning to get shaky. Steven grabbed both your hands in his and looked at your eyes.

“Slow down and tell me slowly.” He said.

You nodded and continued. “What you heard was one of my many PTSD Nightmares. I… I was known as (G/n)-1A3L. I was given to a Hassonite lovingly referred to as Hassie…” You looked longingly at whatever you were trying to look at.

“But then she died. She was shattered in front of me when we arrived on Earth for a mission by Yellow Diamond. I was spared, I don’t know why they didn’t kill me right there and now, I lost my purpose the day Hassie died.” You said, your lip trembled.

“Ah, so you have survivors guilt. I know that feeling… I one time shattered Jasper by accident, and I tried to fix her. I was scared I killed her, but I managed to save her. There’s many other gems that weren’t lucky and I couldn’t save them. I can understand how you feel. But you know the best part?” He asked.

“What?” You asked.

“It happened, and it’s over, you may have lost someone close to you. But just because they died doesn’t mean it’s over for you. As long as you fight for them and show them in the gem afterlife that you are happy. You can do anything. But we all got to understand most of it isn’t our fault, and we cannot help them. They wouldn’t want us to suffer. They would be happy to see us move on…” Steven said.

You sniffled. “Is that the case, how would you know what’s best for me?” You asked.

“I don’t. It’s up to you, I just give advice. I normally don’t look after myself until I corrupt myself or have the gems worry.” Steven said, you sighed.

“Why would you have others worry for you like that?” You asked.

“It’s something I don’t understand myself either, I was overwhelmed by the amount of things said by my mother at first, it was all positive and I wanted to be her, so I genuinely began to help others and then… Years passed and I found out all that was said was a lie sort of, and I began to frantically help people and involuntarily corrupt myself. Which I didn’t even know was possible.” Steven admits.

“Sounds like you and I have different trauma but similar issues. We push ourselves and beat ourselves up. Sometimes we think that it’s not enough and that we need to do more, but… Sometimes what we’re looking for after all comes years later.” you said, looking at Steven.

“What are you saying, (G/n)?” Steven asked.

“I’m saying, the thing I was looking for was you. After Hassie’s death, I looked for something to try and fix me. Something I wanted to help with. Then… I became friends with you. I realized what you were… I was looking for my miracle my angel, Hassie sent me you.” You said, Steven smiled and hugged you as the two of you cuddled. The next morning Pearl found the two of you cuddled on the couch and she covered the both of you with a blanket.

#steven universe #commission #writing commission #steven universe x reader #steven universe x gem! reader #hurt and comfort #fanfiction #writeblr

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eva-terra-marie · 2 years ago

Text

I want her~Kirishima x fem!Reader x Bakugou Part 4

(Final)

Warnings: angst but ends with fluff (could be some grammar mistakes..)

A/N: Finally! This one took me a while cause I’ve been busy and haven’t got any time to write and also very difficult for me to write and sorry if this took so long to post! ~(>_<~)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

“Katsuki, please listen for once!” Kirishima slightly yells but Bakugou doesn’t answer.

Kirishima sighs then slowly places his rough hand on the door handle and mumbles ‘coming in’.

By the time he opens the door, he sees his ash blonde boyfriend laying down on his bed only showing his back. Kirishima closes the door behind him before walking towards him, “Katsuki?..” he softly calls his name

Bakugou stays silent and still. “Katsuki?” Kirishima spoke again then hesitantly taps his shoulder

But then again, Bakugou says nothing.

Kirishima groans in frustration before he speaks again, “Babe, listen to me while I’m talking to you!”

Bakugou growls then finally gets up and turns around facing Kirishima with a angry expression on his face, “The hell you want shitty hair?”

“I-I want to talk to you, about Y/n?..”

Bakugou scoffs, “Tch! What about her?”

“W-well…” Kirishima paused not knowing what to say next

“Well? What about her?!” Bakugou slightly yells at him which Kirishima slightly flinches.

Kirishima sighs once again, he tries to make a compromise for both of them to be with you, but Bakugou doesn’t listen.

Of course he wouldn’t listen.

After a couple weeks of dating, Bakugou actually never realized how much he fell for you, and he even started to pay more attention to you than Kirishima. He was madly in love with you. On the other hand, Kirishima was also in love with you too, but he doesn’t want to lose Bakugou.

Kirishima tries to talk it out but Bakugou comes unresponsive, Kirishima couldn’t put up with this anymore. He got up from Bakugou’s bed and starts yelling at him, loud enough for the U.A students in the dormitories to hear.

Bakugou and Kirishima continue to argue with each other until they hear the door open, both boys turn their heads and see Aizawa Sensei, Denki, Sero, Mina, even Izuku, Todoroki, and you.

“What’s all the ruckus about?” Aizawa asked firmly

Kirishima glared at Bakugou, “Nothing Sensei.”

Aizawa crossed his arms, “Doesn’t seem like nothing, now what’s going on?” Bakugou and Kirishima glared at each other before turning back to Aizawa.

You look at them worriedly before Mina pulled your arm gently taking you back to your dorm room, as she pulls you, you look back at Kirishima and Bakugou who are both staring at you feeling guilty as you leave with Mina.

“Are you ok, N/N?” Mina asks you with worried eyes

“I’m ok Mina.” You gave her a small smile

“Is it about Kirishima and Bakugou?”

You paused for a second before saying something, “I need to tell you something.”

You lead Mina into your dorm room and explain everything to her.

“…And that’s that..”

Mina looks at you like she’s seen a ghost, “So they are dating this whole time but they like you?”

You nodded slowly.

“Do you like them back?” She tilts her head

You felt your face heat up, “M-mhm..”

“I knew it!” Mina throws her arms in the air

“W-what?!”

The pink haired alien girl smirks at you “I’ve seen the way you look at them.”

You rub the back of your head shyly and giggle softly, “of course you would know”

~3:00 AM~

A soft knock wakes you up from your sleep, you groan until you hear a familiar voice, “Y/n, you awake?”

You immediately get up from your bed and walk towards the door, once you open the door you were greeted with a tight hug from Bakugou. You hesitantly hug him back, you place your eyes into Kirishima’s who is smiling at you softly then joins the hug.

“I’m sorry, Y/n” Bakugou mumbles into your neck

You hug him tighter, “I forgive you Bakugou.”

“Call me Katsuki” He kisses the mark on your neck and he made.

Kirishima smiles at the both of you, then kisses your forehead, “Y/n, will you be our girlfriend?”

“Of course.” You smile feeling a bit of tears in your eyes but you quickly wiped them away.

“But everything alright with-“

“We got it all covered, thanks to Aizawa Sensei” Kirishima smiles at Bakugou who is smirking.

The both of them lifted you up and kissed both sides of your cheek, you blush madly

“Guysss you’re making me flustered” both of them smirk at you and whisper sweet nothings in your ear

You couldn’t take it anymore, you faint in their arms with your face all flustered. The ash blonde and the redhead chuckle at your reaction, Bakugou walks towards your bed and lays down while Kirishima carries you bridal style and lays you down between Him and Bakugou. Both boys kiss you on the cheek before falling into deep slumber.

They were happy to have you in their life.

(I’m sorry if this sucks and Merry Christmas for those who celebrate! I hope you guys have a great day!)

♡︎

#bakugou x y/n #kiribaku #kirishima x y/n #kiribaku x y/n #anime #mha #bnha #female reader #angst with a happy ending #mha fluff #crush #final part #don’t mind my bad writing #sorry this took long!

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hockeyboysimagines · 1 year ago

Text

The girl with the broken smile

Chapter 3

Warnings: angst, some language

Final Chapter, and the next part would be when Sawyer arrives in Philly in Chapter 1 of Say it to me softly. I’ve been wanting to get this out of the drafts for a bit here so I can focus on some other things. Enjoy! Keep an eye out for updates to Carter this weekend🤍

Nash woke with a start and turned to check the clock. It was 2:36 AM and she sighed and laid back down. It was raining, buckets pouring out of the sky and staining her windows. She sat up, and padded across her bedroom and out into the hall.

She sleepily wondered if Travis was awake but as she turned the corner she realized that she wasn’t at his apartment.

She was in hers.

It had been only a week since she’d moved abruptly out of Travis’s apartment and into her own in a different building. Moving boxes were still stacked here and there and she felt a little bit worse each time the silence set in.

She missed seeing him every day. Missed his dumb jokes, big smile and overall warmth she’d become accustomed to. She felt isolated again, like she’d backpedaled on all her progress she’d made since she moved out of her home and into Travis’s. She felt like a failure to herself and him.

She poured a glass of water and sat on her couch staring out the window. At first she’d loved living here, mostly because she now had the privacy to cry in peace without burdening Travis with her breakdowns. But she hated it now. Moving out had been a mistake. She missed him.

She hadn’t seen him, and he’d been “busy” when she asked if he wanted to come see her new place leaving her with only Carter and Kevin that afternoon.

“Is he okay?” She asked as she glancing up from where she was folding laundry.

Kevin glanced up from his place in the kitchen where he was unpacking silverware “Not at all. What gave it away?”

“Seriously? All of a sudden he’s busy? For the last few weeks I couldn’t even be home alone and now he magically has plans.”

“ I think he’s just a little sad that’s all.”

“About what?”

“About this.” He said gesturing around the room “He wanted you to stay.”

Nash felt guilty. She knew he didn’t want her to leave, but she was a little afraid of what might happen if she didn’t.

She was almost positive that Travis was intending to kiss her when that horn beeped, and the only reason he didn’t was because of it. And that was her worst fear.

To think that he was going to kiss her for whatever reason, most likely pity because she was such a train wreck, would break her heart, and she wouldn’t do anything that might cause her friendship with him to die. She just couldn’t take the risk. He was too important to her now more than ever.

She looked at Carter “Am I wrong for leaving?”

He pursed his lips “Uhm…no I don’t think so. But is there a reason you were so quick about it?”

She looked between them. They were both staring at her like they knew something but she wouldn’t tell them.

“No. Just wanted to give him his space. I mean who wants to live with a girl when it comes time to bring girls home?” She chuckled.

“Travis isn’t bringing any girls home.”

“So I’ve noticed.” She mumbled.

“Pat isn’t bringing any girls home either. So what does that tell you?” Kevin said bluntly still staring at her as he stuffed things in drawers.

“What do you mean?”

“Neither of them have any interest in fucking around with anyone, and Pat is in love with his best friend. So I’ll ask you again. What does that tell you?” Kevin was getting a little huffy with her, which was something she wasn’t used to. For the most part, everyone has been especially gentle with Nash the last few weeks. The only true reality heck she’d gotten about the way things had come wrong in her life, was the random run in with Justin, and Libby consistently reinforcing the fact that she could never have anything to do with him again. Other than that, she’d been handled with care.

“I understand what your saying but what does Nolan and Sawyer have to do with me?”

“Nash don’t be fucking dense okay?” Kevin scoffed closing a drawer “If you can’t see what’s happening here then your either being purposely ignorant or your just not paying enough attention.”

Nash frowned “Kevin i-“

“Kev don’t.”

She turned to see Carter shaking his head “You should talk about this with Travis. It’s none of our business.”

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Travis likes you okay?” Kevin snapped.

Carter rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling “Way to be subtle Kev.”

“No.” She shook her head “He doesn’t.”

“Whatever.” Kevin dropped the rest of the stuff in his hands and grabbed his keys “I gotta go.” He left without another word and Nash turned to Carter, head down, lip trembling.

“Please don’t cry. If you start crying, I’m gonna start crying and if the guys can’t find out that I cry they’ll make fun of me for the rest of my life.” Carter stood and pulled her into a hug “It’s all going to be okay Nash. Travis will work out his issues, your going to get back on your feet, Sawyer will be here for Nolan in a few weeks, the seasons gonna start and everything will be peachy okay?”

“Promise?”

“Pinky promise.” He hooked his pinky in hers and shook it, before he reached over and handed her a tissue “Now stop crying. Let’s finish unpacking.”

**************

Travis was across town, blissfully unaware of the pinky promise Carter had just made about him working out his issues, because he was doing the exact opposite.

“Okay I think you’ve had enough.” Nolan said pulling the glass out of Travis’s hand and pushing it away from him. Travis scowled and reached for it.

“I’m not a baby Pat.”

“Then stop acting like one. What is going on with you? Is this about Nash moving out?”

“No. I don’t care about that. I don’t care about her.”

“That’s not true-“

“It is. She obviously doesn’t give a shit about me so why should I?”

“Don’t say things like that. Your mad she moved out, and I get it but that doesn’t give you a free pass to hate her for it.” Nolan was frowning at him, which wasn’t uncommon but this wasn’t the usual “Don’t act like a dumbass” frown. This was more of a “I’m disappointed in you dumbass” frown. He hated it.

“Whatever.” He turned and looked around, eyes landing on a brunette that had been trying to get his attention for the last hour.

“Travis.” Nolan warned in a low voice “That’s not a good idea.”

“Why? Worked for you didn’t it?”

Nolan’s face got red and he looked angry for a second “That was different.”

“Yeah okay. So you can fuck some girl to get over your ‘best friend’ and I can’t? What the hell is that about? You wanna keep lying and say you don’t like her fine you do that. But don’t be a hypocrite okay?”

“You know what? Fine. You do whatever you have to but I won’t be have any part of this.” Nolan stood and left without another word but Travis really didn’t care.

He couldn’t believe Nolan didn’t understand, or maybe didn’t want to, how he was feeling. He’d never outright admitted how he felt about Sawyer but of course Travis knew. Just a month or so prior Nolan could get drunk and take someone home and now he was advising against Travis doing the same thing. What a dick.

Travis turned back to glance at the brunette again and sighed.

He did not of course end up leaving with her, but rather left by himself and went home to his empty apartment.

He hated it.

It was too quiet, too empty. He hadn’t seen her since she left and he didn’t know if he could. He had promised her just a few days ago that he was back in her life for good, and now he was here too afraid to face her.

He huffed and sat down on his sofa. The room was spinning, his head hurt, and his heart was sad. He tipped over sideways and fell asleep on his sofa.

**************

“Hey.” Nolan said with a smile.

“Hi.” Sawyer was smiling at him on the other end of the screen, seated presumably on her bed at home. He could see rain hitting the window behind her.

“How are you?”

“I’m good. Getting excited. How about you?”

“Same. Are you all packed and ready?”

“Mostly. Just a few small things left to do. I can’t wait to see you.” She said smiling. She had her glasses on and he could faintly hear the tv in the background.

“Me too. it’ll be nice to see each other everyday again. Like old times.”

“Hopefully better than some of the old times. I’m really looking forward to meeting your teammates and watching you play.”

“Yeah they’re excited to meet you. Especially now that they know your actually real and not my imaginary friend.” Nolan smiled.

She laughed and shook her head “How do you know I’m not?”

“Shutup.” He leaned back on his bed and for a minute his mind drifted back to Travis.

“Are you okay?” He glanced at the phone. Sawyer was frowning a little bit, eyebrows knotted together “Seems like something is bothering you.”

“I’m alright. Travis is going through some things and I’m trying to help him but it seems like he doesn’t want it.”

She pursed her lips “I think he probably wants your help, but maybe doesn’t realize he needs it yet.”

Nolan nodded. He wasn’t about to tell her about the conversation with Travis at the bar. He’d sworn him to secrecy about it because he didn’t want Sawyer to know. He hoped Travis wasn’t out making the same mistake he had. Nolan had been keeping his secret for a long time, but he’d never had to compete with a boyfriend either. He was able to keep his composure where Travis couldn’t because Nolan never had to worry about another guy coming into Sawyers life. While it was selfish, he couldn’t just admit out loud that he’d been harboring elephant sized feelings for his best friend.

And when he’d taken that girl home, he regretted it so deeply it made him sick. To think he’d done that to try and put a bandaid on something so serious made him wanna punch himself in his own face. And that’s exactly why he didn’t deserve her.

He sighed and cleared his throat, averting the conversation to something else, still thinking vaguely about Travis.

**********

Travis stood and stretched, feeling a wave of nausea as he did and immediately sat back down.

He was thankful that he was in his own apartment and not someone else’s, and then panicked a minute hoping he hadn’t brought anyone home, but the silence told him that he was alone.

Thank god.

He blew out a breath and closed his eyes, rolling to his side to face the back of the couch. While the evening before was fuzzy, he had some recollection of what had happened.

He had to make an apology to Pat at some point, for bringing up something he promised he’d never talk about again, and for acting like a colossal dick when he was only trying to help. He knew what it was like to be Nolan, and he shouldn’t have mocked that. It was wrong.

Everything was wrong. It was his own fault really. He was just on such a high from finally having unlimited access to his best friend again he forgot how long they hadn’t been 100% in each others lives. He wasn’t sure why he expected her to just bounce back from everything that had happened to her, but it was wrong. It would take time, and he should have realized that she need more time. And that the last thing she was thinking about was jumping into anything with him when she’d just come out of hell. It hurt, but it was no one’s hurt but his own.

He felt a sharp pain in his chest and winced, wondering if he would feel this way forever about Nash leaving.

And then he realized that it wasn’t the pain of her leaving, but rather the pain of the vomit that was bubbling up his throat.

**********

“She really didn’t know?” Libby asked Carter as he sat on their sofa and told her and Joel all about the events of the afternoon previously.

“I don’t think she had any idea honestly. She seemed pretty clueless as to why Haysey yelled at her.”

Libby frowned so deep, her lips might fall off her face and her eyes narrowed, eyebrows coming together low over her eyes “He yelled at her?” She said slowly, leaning forward unblinking.

Carter coughed “Uh it wasn’t a yell I guess, more of a stern talking to-“ but Libby wasn’t buying it.

Joel rolled his eyes “You dumbass.”

“He better not be yelling at her in front of me. No one better yell at her after what she’s been through.”

“I agree. He didn’t really yell though, I think he’s just trying to back TK up is all.”

“I know and that’s great for Kevin, but he needs to remember what she’s been going through. Of course she’s not thinking about Travis liking her. I mean really. She only just finished antibiotics, the last thing she’s thinking about is anyone having any romantic feelings about her. So Kevin can shut up and stay out of it.” Libby crossed her arms. Joel put a hand on her knee and gave it a squeeze.

“It’s all going to be-“

But at that moment the door opened and Kevin himself walked in completely unannounced.

Libby jumped from her seat and crossed the room like lighting, cornering Kevin before Joel could say or do anything. Kevin backed up, bumping into the wall as he did. Carter remained seated, not wanting to be involved.

“I heard you yelled at Nash.” She said arms folded across her chest.

“I didn’t yell at her. But she-“

“I don’t wanna hear it. You have no idea what she’s going through and you don’t have any right to push her into anything.”

Libby was right. Kevin should have stayed out of it. He was really only coming at it out of his friendship for Travis but it was selfish of him to think that Nash would be ready for anything after what just happened to her.

“I know I just-I just feel like-“ he fumbled over his words, but Libby continued to frown.

“We’d all love to see Travis make her happy. But she’s not ready and he and everyone else needs to accept that and let her be.” Libby added the last part very sternly, looking at Carter who looked at his hands. The whole thing was such a mess, and he didn’t like thinking or talking about it.

In the back of her mind though she hoped Nash would be ready to soon, because she didn’t know how much more Travis’s heart would be able to take.

**********

Nash answered the knock on her door and was more than surprised to find Travis on the other side. He looked a little awkward but smiled when he saw her.

“Can we talk?”

Nash stepped aside and allowed him to pass her. She closed the door and turned to find him looking around.

“This place is really nice.” He said quietly, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Yeah it is. Starting to feel like home I guess.” She said with a shrug. She was so happy to see him, and a little relieved. After the second day of his absence she was starting to get worried she may never see him again.

He nodded “Yeah. That’s good.” She gestured for him to sit, and sat down tentatively next to him.

It was quiet for a few seconds before he cleared his throat “I know how hard this has been for you.” He said quietly, meeting her eye for the first time “Believe me I do. And I’ve tried to be there for you, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job? Which is why I’m confused about why you left. Was it me?” He turned to look at her, eyes clouded with hurt. It made her want to cry.

“Oh Travis.” She scooted closer and grabbed his hand “It wasn’t you. I loved living with you at the apartment. I did. But I needed to be able to stand on my own two feet. I spent the last year and a half relying on Justin for everything, including my happiness. And it wasn’t fair to myself or you to do that. It wasn’t you I promise.”

“You can always lean on me. I just wanna be there for you is all. And I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you this week, I was just confused and a little hurt by your sudden move to be honest.” He sighed and looked at his hands.

“I know. And I’m sorry it was so sudden. I knew that if I didn’t do it now I wouldn’t ever.”

“You could have stayed forever. I wouldn’t have minded.” He said softly.

Nash swallowed thickly and cleared her throat “I’m still here Trav. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You did though. I just want you to be happy. Are you? Happy?”

Nash bit her lip and shrugged, eyes moving to look out the window “I’m surviving, but I’m not happy.”

“What would make you happy Nash? Good friends? A great support system? Someone to lean on? Because I can be all those things for you. I want to be those things.” He was looking at her desperately, and it made her heart hurt so bad it felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“You have been. You are. You will always be”. Her voice cracked at the end “I just need to learn to stand on my own two feet for a change. I promise, I’m here to stay.” He was still looking at her sadly so she smiled at him.

For the first time in a while he saw a very faint glimmer of a real smile from her. It filled him with what could only be described as hope, that someday she might come back to him. He reached forward to grip her hand and gave it a squeeze “I’ll be here. However long it takes you. You know that right? No matter what?”

She squeezed his hand back “That’s good. Because I’m going to need you.”

He smiled and then leaned back on her couch “What I need is food. I’m starving can we please go eat I-“

She laughed and nodded “Okay Trav.”

It would take a while, and there would be tears and trouble and long days ahead of her. Her journey to recovery wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t always feel good to rediscover who she was without Justin. Some days would be high, others low but she was so thankful that she had him. She smiled a little as she watched him stand still jabbering about food.

Travis Konecny was a beautiful soul.

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queerlilchinchin · 10 months ago

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When Death Does Us Part, Part I

Part I: Endings Are Beginnings

Genre: Romance/superhero Wordcount: 906 Trope: [friends to] enemies to lovers

As a young child, it had always been my dream to be a hero, to be the savior of the planet, to be the one that saved those in need. I grew up in a subpar household. I wasn’t abused or neglected, it was just… boring. Everyone around me led such exciting lives, traveling around the world, living in huge mansions, and I?... well, I didn’t have any of that.

My family wasn’t poor, don’t get me wrong. We were just average, living in a rich town. My friends all went on these amazing, exotic adventures every year with their families while I was trapped at home, babysitting my little sister.

It was fine. Don’t get me wrong, it could have been so much worse. We had everything we’d ever need. We weren’t hurt or told we were a burden. Our parents loved us very much, and they made sure we knew it. It was just… when you live around people that get to do all of these amazing things, it tends to dull the color from your world. It tends to make you forget how fortunate you really are.

When I was 20, my father got diagnosed with Cancer. It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with, watching him wither away until there was nothing left… and then 3 months later, we lost him entirely. My best friend tried to be there for me, but I shut down completely, isolated myself away from the world. I didn’t want to be around all of these people with their perfect lives and perfect homes. It was too much. The color that had previously dulled from the excitement around it now was lost entirely. No longer was being the savior my priority. Now just surviving day to day was.

My mother and sister tried to reach out several times, but it took my mother passing before I finally came out of my cave. I completely broke that day. I couldn’t handle it anymore. The world was so cruel. While all of my old classmates were living it up in other countries and regions around the world, I was over here, trying to pick the remains of my life back up.

Again, my friend reached out and tried to get me out of the house, but I was swallowed up in my misery and could no longer fathom doing anything but crying. The idea of being happy was no longer a concept I understood. Smiling was no longer an expression I wore. I just frowned, curled up in my bed, and withered away into nothing myself.

–

I wake with a start, gasping for breath. Something feels different. I glance around me in a groggy fog.

Why do I feel so…

I stare down at my hands and feel a weird sensation of loss and regret unlike I had already been feeling. Something is different… something is different… something is-

A desperate knock startles me, making me jump. I go to the door and attempt to open it, but my hand goes through it. Blinking in confusion, I attempt again, but the same thing happens a second time.

A familiar distressed voice calls through the door, “You can’t keep me out forever! You’ve not come out of your apartment in weeks, your neighbors said so. You have to come out… please, your parents wouldn’t want this for you.” Her words hit hard, even though I know they come from a place of love and I call back, “Fuck you for bringing them into this!”

She pauses and knocks louder. “Come on, please!” Her tone changes to anguish. “I know you’re hurting… just let me be here for you.”

“Yeah, you really want to be here for me saying stuff like that!” I call back. She sniffs, making it more than clear that she’s crying on the other side of the door. Again, I try to open it, but I can’t touch it.

“What is happening to me?” I mutter, getting irritated with not only my friend, but with my body as well. She sniffs again, then I hear footsteps walk off into the distance. So much for wanting to-

BANG!

A loud thud startles me out of my thought and causes me to jump again.

“LET ME IN!” She screams desperately. “LET ME IN RIGHT NOW! I’m not losing you, and at this rate, I’m going to! Please!” BANG BANG BANG!

I think she’s slamming her body against-

Before I can finish the thought, she slams the door open and immediately gasps in shock. She’s looking right through me. Confused, I ask, “What?”

She ignores my question and slowly moves past me. She walks right through me and I gasp for breath has I feel her pass through me. She doesn’t even seem to notice me. I open my mouth to yell at her, but as I’m turning to follow her with my eyes, I’m silenced by my own shock.

I’m lying on the bed. My body has withered away. I look like death. She collapses to her knees and cries, burying her face into me and grasping my shirt in her hand.

“Why!? What have you done?” She cries against my chest, body rocking with every sob. I stay silent this time, watching as my best friend mourns my death.

How am I dead… how has this happened?

Numbed with shock and confusion, I continue to watch in complete silence.

#my writing #writers of tumblr #my wips #romance #enemies to lovers #writeblr #when death does us part

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y0ur--stalker · 5 months ago

Note

This is about to be long but I really just need to rant because I’m so lost. So I’m rlly sorry. If you don’t want to read it that’s okay. (I’m going to call my ex A.)

So me and A had been together for 8 months. Now at the beginning of our relationship i discussed with him how I’ve never done anything before. (Virgin, haven’t even kissed anyone) and explained that I haven’t because in my previous relationship, he had tried to force me into doing more then what I was comfortable with very early into it. (Kissing and more..) I would avoid him kissing me but he tried touching me and you get the idea. And after he tried forcing me I kind of just wanted to make the choice when I wanted to do it first. (Like if I kissed him first when I was comfortable or if I did anything more, I would when I was ready). And A said that was totally fine that he wouldn’t push me. And for the first month or two it was fine. Until he started asking me to be more affectionate to him. He would say that it makes him feel like I don’t like him because I wasn’t affectionate enough. I felt bad so I started being more touchy. But it got to the point where I had to be touching him. Or he’d get mad. After this for a couple weeks/ month or two, he asked me if I could kiss him. And I explained how I did in the beginning. I want to kiss him with I’m ready and I would feel more comfortable actually having a choice to do it myself instead of being pushed and forced into it. And he got mad and said it was around our 2-3 months and he would make snarky remarks to my family trying to be funny that I don’t give him anything (referring to the obvious) and of course I’d get a bit upset). And if I wasn’t touching him or I had to do something and walked away from him, he’d get mad and ignore me. And when he got home he’d message me paragraphs about how he feels unloved like I didn’t care. And that I would ignore him. And just a whole bunch of BS. Now keep in mind when he would visit me. He would immediately sit in the floor and go on his phone and ignore me. And be pissy for no reason. Now when he would go home and try to argue with me about all the bs.. he would bring up the kissing among other things.. and he would tell me it had been so long that I should’ve done it by now. And I keep getting his hopes up that we would do more and it’s making him angry. And that it’s like I don’t love him and I am comparing him to my ex. I’d get upset and feel bad and immediately apologize and tell him I’d do better. But then he’d switch to ‘no I’m sorry it’s my fault i shouldn’t have brought it up I should’ve known it wasn’t going to happen’ etc. eventually he kept doing this which was pushing me away from doing it. He kept making remarks how it’s been x amount of months that we should’ve done it by down and I’m getting his hopes up and that stuff was how he showed his love to somebody. And later that night he made the comment about how somehow I always make our arguments his fault and I ignore him etc. But if I got too upset then he’d switch to being nice but still trying to push it if that makes sense. one night he was supposed to come over but I got sick and A tried to tell me that I should’ve told him sooner so he would’ve known because I got his hopes up and now we can’t hang out. And I told him I didn’t intend for me to get sick. And he got mad and started saying more bs. So I told him I couldn’t do it anymore. That he wasn’t respecting any boundaries I had. He wasn’t respecting anything he said he was going to and more importantly he just wasn’t respecting me in general. He got upset and immediately switched to it being his fault. And saying his normal that he had been for all these arguments and that he was sorry. But I think a lot of my anxiety was caused by him. Always being afraid of making him mad and I was always scared that he’d just start more arguments that I didn’t know if i could handle. After he realized that I wasn’t budging. after I explained to him i was more unhappy then happy because he didn’t respect me and everything else. he started saying that he gave me everything and there was ALOT more but I can’t explain fully. The text block is gettin me. But A is manipulative and I never want to see him again.

Did I read all that? Yeah I did.

And this "A" guy seems to be really pushy and manipulative. Since I don't know all the details and all that, I don't want to come off too strong or anything, but I think you made the right choice.

I mean, if he can bring up claiming you're comparing him to your ex then say he shouldn't have said it or shouldn't have done that and still does it? He's just trying to manipulate you to get things to go a different way. I'm glad that you stood your ground though dear. You shouldn't feel bad about it, and it wasn't a healthy relationship if you were scared of making him mad or upset to begin with, okay?

I think you did well, and I hope that vent helped clear it off your chest a bit.

#asks

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p3rry-pi3 · 2 years ago

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OKAY OKAY quick trigger warning for mentioning of addiction and drugs,,, I know lil’ strange but hear me out.

Oh and spoiler warning

y’all know how filbo was left mayor??? Yeah? Yeah?

I have an assumption.

What if filbo had ACTUAL potential and grumps CHOSE to drive him out.

Yeah. What if THE lizbert megafig thought about it and gave filbo the title.

if lizbert didn’t think filbo could handle the situation don’t you think she would’ve left EGGABELL in charge??????

As proven before by us and our arrival two major titles don’t change the roles of the game and only dives deeper into the characters themselves so the excuse that “eggabell was ONLY supposed to be the towns doctor.” Isn’t a justifiable reasoning.

Neither is, “oh it was a late notice.” Or “oh she wouldn’t have known she’d be queen.” She ADMITTED on more than one occasion that she knew their capabilities and knew beforehand what would happen. And even then she would’ve let eggabell handle true town as part time mayor WHILE SHE HUNTED FOR SNAX. But knowing ~presumably knowing~ eggabell wouldn’t have been able to take it,, she left FILBO, (a well trusted long term friend who she had been around SINCE HIS TEEN YEARS might I add and might’ve been there for longer than his parents have, and not ONLY THAT but he had been AND I QUOTE, “Been following Liz around for years.” Said by eggabell so Liz WOULD and COULD’VE fully known and have been aware filbo would be a good leader, let alone mayor.) in charge. So that’s not a good reasoning either.

It may be just my biased opinion or observation, but don’t you think if he had AT LEAST broken up fights the only other issues the townspeople had would be on themselves. They legitimately bully filbo because they all couldn’t be codependent on a person who could actually catch bugsnax anymore and was left with filbo. Someone who probably can’t even hold a tooth brush properly.

I feel like it was because they were so addicted to them the fade between them “needing” bugsnax and dissing filbo became normalized the more they were left under his watch.

“The plot wouldn’t have been the same since bugsnax go off of weaknesses that they exploit both unintentionally and unwillingly.”

That’s because they act like drugs. I firmly believe the bugsnax had the same effects as any other addicting consumables, have it what you will,, but I think the whole snapping on filbo was the same result as an addict getting angry cause they hadn’t have been as codependent on something that can exploit them no matter how many secrets kept hidden. Which is something I’m NOT clarifying cause I feel like it’s a really random topic and I haven’t really gathered much canonical info to back it up but so far I have this info between changes on mannerisms towards filbo and others. But since so much happened before we came and the timeline isn’t quite cleared up from since we came on snaktooth it’s all a blur and my thesis remains as just another hypothesis.

I think if others were lucid enough to reason with Liz, they would’ve been just as fine with filbo.

“Liz could’ve left anyone in charge.”

Then why wasn’t anyone else mayor? Why couldn’t filbo follow Liz on her snax huntings? Must be strange considering how they all complain about how busy they all are and the only other one who seems to mess up everything BESIDES also following Liz around.

Not only that but filbo has been proven to not by any means manage to keep a job for any longer than I think a week. So he would be the only other one who is:

1. Reliable

2. Honest

3. Thoughtful

4. Capable of communication

5. Charismatic

And 6. Able to hold conversation and seems to have experience with working with others considering how he handles the situations in game.

Not only that but if it weren’t for the role mayor he’d be the only one doing nothing all expedition long.

This is just my theory, I could be completely wrong and overthinking this so furthermore notice and questions in regarding my thoughts can and will be accepted criticism as long as it isn’t hate and actually thoughtful which can be an opinion formed over anything but considering this is a bug game with a moderately more understanding fandom I don’t think the dictation of whether or not the question/concern is thoughtful matters much!^^

You can have any opinion formed on the others or filbo I general,,, I can’t control that and I can’t control how you feel about this thought. Read it all the way through,,, or completely ignore it, whatever fits for you! 😎✨

I personally like filbo and couldn’t help but take upon notice how strange it is to me that they’d leave someone incapable of taking care of a town but was also a well trusted friend of an explorer who has been proven and seen to know more than the others in her industry or the expedition as a whole???

It didn’t piece well for me,, so a play through video later I did some overthinking and researching on him.

And yes I did just change the color of the texts so people who aren’t interested or disagree can read this text if they wish to do so and didn’t stick around long enough to patiently read through my ramblings to see the disclaimer. Hey, leave me alone. I just came back from watching a harsh commentary from a loud fandom I’m from :’)

But that’s my personal issues,,, ignore it do whatever,,, just pretend the disclaimer isn’t there if you find it odd it’s easier and less awkward for the both,,,, well for all of us actually.

#bugsnax #bugsnax ramblings #I forgot my theory tag already #AAAAA I forgot it #mind rambles #THERE WE GO JEEZ #should I tag filbo #should I?????#imma do it lol #filbo fiddlepie #bugsnax filbo #filbo bugsnax #there did it

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jade-escobar · 2 years ago

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Clearing the Air | Jadrigo

Featuring: @rodrigo-esc & Jade Clark with Julia Ivanov, Jewel & Jett Clark, and Leo Malinowski Castillo de Leon; mentions of Jeanette Shapiro Location: Saddle River Day School; San Francisco, CA Notes: 1 step backward, 3 steps forward. Enjoy!

RODRIGO

It had been a couple of days since Rodrigo had the intense talk with Jade's mother. He'd be lying if he said that it didn't leave him completely heartbroken and that he didn't want the already long weekend to last longer. The longer it lasted, the less he had to think about having to be in the same room as Jade again. He didn't know how to face her even if he did miss her like crazy. It was a lot of conflicting feelings and a week wasn't enough for him to begin to scratch the surface. Truth be told, he had never felt this way about anyone but it didn't matter anymore. Jade didn't feel the same. The day had finished and he was glad for the distraction. He knew that his classroom would be piled into soon for dress rehearsals but for the next few minutes, Rodrigo leaned against his desk and took a deep breath. Seeing Jade again would give him some relief. It's not like he didn't miss her but it would also bring all those feelings back and he wasn't sure he was prepared for any of it. Plugging his earphones into his ears, he went over the music for the show and got himself lost in that until he heard someone at the door. He got up and opened it, shocked and infuriated to see Julia there. "What...." He grabbed her arm and escorted her outside the classroom. "What the hell are you doing here? I already told you I don't want to see you again."

JADE

Jade had been a tightly wound bundle of emotions. The past week had her finally coming to grips with the fact that she had feelings for him. Strong, blooming feelings. Their time spent together, coupled with Rodrigo's unfailing kindness touched her heart and the moment she realized it, she couldn't get the truth out of her mind. Yet she wasn't sure if she could bring herself to tell him, or how. They primarily spent time together rehearsing with about 30 jr. high kids. And if she told him and he didn't feel the same way, she had no idea how she would handle the rejection, mostly because they still had a little more time working together before Hamilton opened. He was somewhat distant over the weekend, which only fed her belief that her newly realized feelings weren't even close to mutual. Stuffing it deep down, she privately told herself to just get through Hamilton and then maybe afterwards would be a good time to tell him. If he didn't feel the same--if he did reject her, then at least she wouldn't have to endure seeing him nearly every day for a few hours soon. Spring Break was coming up, and the musical would open soon after that. In the meantime though, she ended up letting the little flips of her heart from Rodrigo's smile bring a smile to her own face. The mental image was even causing her lips to curve. She thought about him ahead of reaching his classroom but stopped once she rounded the corner and found him talking to a woman she'd never seen before. With a silent gasp of surprise, she instinctively retreated back around the corner, having a strange feeling like she'd been unexpectedly intruding on something. But curiosity got the better of her and she peeked, wondering who the woman was.

RODRIGO

"Rodri, I saw what you did for that lead of yours..." Julia smiled, making sure he knew how unbothered she was by his reaction to her being there. She reached for the collar of his dress shirt, raising a brow slightly. "You never dressed up like this for me. You look nice, smell nice too...who are you doing this for?" She grinned, keeping her frame close to his, and Rodrigo pulled back, turning his face to avoid Julia getting any closer. He grabbed both her arms and let them drop to her side. "Listen to me...I'm working and I have a lot of work to do. None of that involves you. You and I were over a long time ago. Get out of here. I mean it." He didn't let her say anything more and Rodrigo went back into his classroom. Julia stood there shocked and annoyed at the rejection before she gripped her bag and made her way down the halls, practically walking into Jade. "Excuse you." She murmured and exited the school.

JADE

Jade hadn't heard what was being said but she was fairly fluent in body language. The woman's was the one she'd been zeroed in on and the way she slipped her fingers up Rodrigo's shirt and gripped his collar... it was an intimate gesture--commanding but intimate. And she'd only moved in closer to him. Jade was convinced that they were about to kiss and she couldn't bring herself to watch that. She turned away, back around the corner and started to walk away, only to abruptly stop. She couldn't leave. She was supposed to be helping with the rehearsal. But she couldn't think straight or focus on Hamilton or rehearsals. Her heart felt like it'd sunk down into her stomach like a piece of lead. Of course he was seeing someone. He was wonderful and it shouldn’t have jarred her to learn it. After drawing in a slightly ragged breath, Jade told herself to push through for the kids' sake. She wouldn't need to engage in or even attempt at some semblance of normalcy between Rodrigo. She'd gotten her answer--he wasn't interested in her, and with a woman like that, why would he be? Her focus could go entirely to finishing up her time with helping the kids. She turned to go back around the corner, only to bump right into the woman she'd spied on with Rodrigo. "Sorry," Jade whispered, still clustered but collecting herself enough to get through the next few hours. Jade reached for the handle to his classroom door, only to pause and knock. Strangely, it didn't feel right to automatically let herself into his space anymore.

RODRIGO

As if everything that was already buzzing around in his head wasn’t enough torture, Julia had to turn up again. He didn’t even make any sense of what she had come to say to him. In his mind, Julia was a lunatic and he wanted nothing to do with her. The interaction was enough to boil his blood that Rodrigo felt his mood shift completely. He didn’t want to be this upset in front of the kids or Jade. Not when they were so close to opening day. So he took another deep breath, fingers digging into the edge of his desk as he tried to gather his thoughts one more. There was a knock on his door again and it had happened so quickly after Julia left that he figured it was her again. Jade wouldn’t knock and his kids stormed in every time. Pinching the bridge of his nose he swallowed hard and let out a dry chuckle. What else could possibly go wrong? Rodrigo opened the door, murmuring, “ I told you to get out…” and he cut his words short almost immediately. Jade was at the door and after not seeing her for a full week, he came to understand the whole absence makes the heart grow fonder saying. He knew he was screwed in more ways than one and he had already forgotten about the visit he had just minutes ago. “Hi. Hey.” He pushed his hand through his hair and stepped to the side to let her in. “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else and I really didn’t want to see them…” but you? You I want to see always.

JADE

Jade was listening for approaching steps on the other side of the door despite the perpetual self-depricating internal dialogue. It was reminding her that she was no one special and shouldn't have let her budding feelings for Rodrigo go unchecked for so long--nevermind she'd only very recently came to realize them. She flinched at the way he initially answered the door but her face was already largely expressionless prior to his opening the classroom door. "Hi," Jade said just above a whisper, stepping over the threshold and past Rodrigo. She heard his apology but had already been too focused elsewhere to hear the rest of what he had said. Rather, Jade said nothing back and set her tote bag down on the piano bench, taking out the Hamilton piano book to prepare for the rehearsal.

RODRIGO

"Hi." He repeated again, slightly perplexed at Jade's behavior but not entirely. After what her mother had said about her lack of interest and feeling sorry for him, he wondered how much he really knew about her or rather, how much he had allowed himself to believe for the sake of hanging onto a crush. He felt slightly bitter but quickly righted himself realizing that perhaps things have always been like this. He was just being uncharacteristically naive. "Right. So, dress rehearsals this week, and I figured one last one this weekend. If you're busy, it's fine. Just thought we'd get you paired up with the orchestra before opening night so you can tell them of anything you think they'd need to know like um I don't know, any pauses or something." He cleared his throat and kept his distance, by the window, leaning there and wishing he'd understand where they went wrong. He wondered if he was just too much and now things were weird.

JADE

Jade took her time reaching back into her tote bag and taking out her notebook. She already knew the kids' cues and keys that they performed each song in but removed the notebook out of a need to try and occupy herself while trying to push her feelings far down. "Okay," Jade replied, looking outwardly expressionless while internally, she was adamant in trying to focus on anything but Rodrigo. Her heavy heart was aching from the attraction and feelings she'd developed, the pain of knowing he was already involved with someone else, and the embarassment and foolishness she'd felt for not realizing it before--for letting herself think for even a moment that the feelings she'd developed for him would matter, could matter. And it bothered her that her body in mind were reacting so immediately and so significantly, and she could barely do anything to keep any of it from surfacing.

RODRIGO

He watched her every move at the very beginning of their interaction but he quickly became mindful of how that may have made him look. Desperate and probably creepy in Jade's eyes. Even if she had the decency to not break his heart like Julia once did, he would have appreciated it if his friend came clean. The fact that she knew his secret, how he wanted to be with her, and felt nothing more than sorry for him cut deeper than he ever imagined. Still, he wanted nothing more than to be friends, to get over this little hump, and to clear the air. There was only one way for them to do that. They'd both have to come clean. Rodrigo focused on his script a bit longer, staring at the loud corrections, the red marks, the purple highlighted passages, and the little notes for himself and for Jade. It reminded him of times he'd write them in between rehearsals to show her and make her smile. He'd do almost anything to see that again. Now she just seemed miserable, robotic, unbothered. It wasn't her and he was partially to blame for it. he tapped his pencil against the paper a few times, letting a few minutes of silence fall between them. The kids would be arriving soon and this is not how he wanted things to be. "Look." He sighed and placed the script down. "I know I came on perhaps too strong and I can acknowledge how that probably was a huge turn-off for you along with I mean, anything else. I understand. I promise I can take that. I'd much rather we talk about it so we can push and work past it and finish the week off without any hiccups. Sorry if I made things weird between us, Jade but aside from me flirting and wanting to be close to you, I'd like to know if I did anything else wrong. I'd appreciate some honesty."

JADE

Jade was reading the notes she'd already had memorized when she heard Rodrigo address her and sigh. But hearing him say things like, "came on too strong" and then apologizing to her for flirting and wanting to be close to her made her freeze. Inside, her mind was going into panic mode, working even harder to keep his requested honesty shoved down. What good would it do when he had clearly been involved with someone now? Still trying to protect herself, Jade barely looked his direction when she replied, "I don’t know what you want me to say." She turned her body a little from him, similar to how he'd been teaching the kids to 'cheat out' on stage. Her eyes were back on the notebook page. "You didn't do anything wrong," she told him, her voice low but monotonous.

RODRIGO

It really felt like she wanted nothing to do with him and that just added to the hurt that had accumulated over the last couple of days. "do you not want to be friends, I don't understand..." His voice drifted but he shortened the distance between them, taking a few steps toward Jade. "You say that but your body language says differently. I think you've just been very nice to me because you're a nice person. You didn't want to hurt me which I can appreciate but this, I promise you, hurts more. Tell me I was a jerk. Tell me I was overbearing. I'd rather that, Jade than whatever this is. You tell me I didn't do anything wrong but all flags point to you hating me or something." He took a deep breath. "If that's the case. I get it." I think. He didn't get it. He didn't get a lot of things. Did he really play this sick game in his head with himself? Did he really allow himself to believe he'd have a chance with someone as good and pure and kind as Jade? "I know you're not interested in me and that's okay. I just want to know what did for you to no longer want to be friends. I won't make it weird. You're like one of the few people I have in my life I can talk to but I don't want to pressure you to be something or someone you're not and...God, this is very confusing." He's so used to the fight, so used to the argument, the disdain, the pressure, the loathing.

JADE

Jade's face was turning red and the rest of her body was feeling hot once Rodrigo moved closer to her. She closed her fingers around the edges of the notebook to keep from showing the nervous tremble of her fingers. Was she really that transparent? She used to be better at shutting herself off from others, used to be better at going unnoticed and hard to read. Yet Rodrigo was completely right. Each observation of her that he voiced was like taking a shovel to everything she was desperately trying to bury to protect her feelings. "I know you're not interested in me". It wasn't until he said that, that Jade's gaze snapped up at him, eyes wide with fear despite the wobbly defensive tone that left her voice. "How can you know if I'm interested in you or not? And what would it matter?" She stopped herself abruptly, knowing she was letting those feelings surface and she absolutely needed to keep on doing the opposite. Shaking her head a little, she stared determinedly at the notebook again. "It doesn't matter," she answered for the both of them.

RODRIGO

Before he could stop himself, Rodrigo was sitting beside her, facing the opposite direction on the piano bench. It'd be the closest he'd let himself be to her. If she allowed it. When she spoke, he looked up at her, brows furrowing from utter confusion. "Your mother." He said it so matter of factly, not wanting to keep anything from Jade. He was never the type. "She told me everything. You don't have to pretend. It's okay." But the other part of that question made him question just about everything. "What would what matter?" He leaned back slightly to try to gauge her expression without getting too close, without getting too personal, without getting in her space. These were all things he respected. He respected Jade, he cared for her, understood her complexities, took into consideration her nuances and her discomfort, and how far she was willing to go with anything let it be a favor or a task or a conversation. He wouldn't push but also, but he had no idea what was going on and that didn't seem fair or balanced for either of them. "I'm going to be completely honest with you, I'm getting mixed signals here and maybe it's my poor judgment which admittedly gets clouded when I'm around you but I believe it's been established how I feel here." "Everything about you matters. To me. That's all I can add to that I think."

JADE

Jade's fingers were bending and creasing the cardboard front and backing to her notebook as she stood by the piano. Her heart was pounding inside her chest, more so when Rodrigo sat near her on the bench. But it felt like her heart had momentarily stopped when he brought up her mother. Her gaze stilled on him for the rapid passing seconds it took for her to realize when and how he must have met her mother. Her earrings were on the table near the front door of her apartment. And while Jade had a conflicting relationship with pristine and perfect organization, she knew she never left her earrings by the front door. Rodrigo must have brought them by but she hadn't really thought much of it, and her mother never mentioned who dropped them off--not even a description of Rodrigo. Embarrassment flooded her like a bucket of cold water being dumped on her head. She had no idea what her mother had said but knew it couldn't have been anything good, or honest. Jeanette knew nothing about who Jade was interested in. But Jade knew what her mother was like--what she could be like. "My mom doesn't know anything about you," she told him before looking away. And she barely knows me she thought to herself. "She doesn't want me involved with anyone she hasn't hand-picked herself." The less she said about her mother though, the better, but she wanted Rodrigo to know that much. God, this was a mess. And while she was piecing together that Rodrigo was expressing feelings for her, she had no idea why. She knew he was involved with someone. She saw as much that very day, that very hour. Her head shook as she pushed the notebook back into her tote, not meeting his eyes. In 'fight or flight' the flight urge was overtaking her brain, fast. Reaching for the songbook, she shoved it into her tote, only to be caught off guard by Rodrigo once again. His words pierced her heart and prompted a flutter but she couldn't understand why. He kept bringing up friendship before. Maybe that was it. She mattered to him. Everything about her mattered to him. As a friend. That much made sense to her but she couldn't fully swallow that truth and also continue with the rehearsal unfazed. She couldn't push through right now, knowing that her feelings for him were more than friendship. "I have to go," she told him, her voice still shaky. She gripped the handles on her tote, not meeting his gaze as she added, "The kids can use the instrumental recordings today like they do when I'm not available." Jade turned for the door, clinging desperately to what of her resolve was still within her reach.

RODRIGO

And there he was, observing her every move, watching her body language, trying to decipher what exactly was happening here. He wanted to reach for her hand, get her to settle down. Something was bothering Jade and the more he thought he had it figured out, the more he ended up confused. When she said her mother didn't know anything about him, Rodrigo looked at her perplexed once more. "What do you mean? She told me she did. She said you weren't interested, that she knew you well, and that you were nice out of pity. You were a great actress. That's what she said to me." How could she not have known about them unless Rodrigo's smile from ear to ear, his eagerness to see her, and his kindness towards her mother were all indications of what was obvious at that moment? "How did she know? She knew how I felt. I believe you but she knew..." "Wait. Where are you going?" He managed to get up, placing his hand on the door, and hovering over Jade as she got to the exit. "You can sit out of rehearsals. That's more than fine. You can go home if you don't feel well, and you can ignore me another week or so, okay but please you need to hear me out! I like you. I have liked you for a while not and every time I felt like I had a chance, something happened, I felt shut down, felt like maybe you didn't feel the same. The first time it happened, I ignored it because like I told you when we met, I'm incorrigible. I go after what I want. Nothing stops me from doing that but with you, I've taken my time and I've gotten to know you because everything about you screams TLC and I'm okay with that because I want to be those things. I want to be tender and loving and caring and the other night when I almost kissed you? I swear I thought this was it until your mom shut it down. And who better to know you than your mother but you're sitting here telling me she doesn't know about me and I believe it so that's great, we've crossed that hurdle."

He took a deep breath, "Why are you fleeing now, Jade?" And before he can add anything else, he felt the door open against his hand. "Mr. Escobar! Is the door locked?!" His kids were coming in and they were ready to burst through the door as they usually do. "Just a minute, guys!" His gaze burned into Jade's. "Ms. Clark and I are having a talk."

JADE

"That's how she is," was all Jade could bring herself to say in the moment. A conversation about her mom would have to happen another time, if it was going to happen at all. "But it's not true." Of course she knew it shouldn't surprise her that her mom would say that about her, but the truth was that any sort of acting on Jade's part always came from the lifetime of conditioning from her mother. She was her mother's show pony who had succeeded in everything except the one thing her mom wanted her to achieve the most. And when Jade failed at that in her eyes, her mother's played a less hands-on role, but her pricks and critiques of Jade's life and decisions were as subtle as a breeze or as harsh as sea storm, depending on the older woman's mood and personal desires. "Home," she told him, her voice small as she sped to the door. She couldn't stay, couldn't make herself stay. Her mind was reeling from her mom's unexpected yet unsurprising interference. On top of that, she wa edging closer to admitting outright to Rodrigo how she felt about him, even though she knew there wasn't any point. Even though he was startlingly accurate on what he had come to know of her so far. Even though he just admitted that he had in fact almost kissed her. Her eyes stung as she looked down at the handle. Her voice was barely above a whisper, which was as loud as she could control it as she told him, "Because I can't handle this. It doesn't matter how I feel about you. Or how you say you feel about me. You're with someone. Someone I'm sure who's a lot more deserving of you and how great you are. That's not me and I-" Jade choked but forced herself to swallow thickly. "I can't--" Jade jumped, practically out of her skin when the kids try to barge into the room. Running the back of her hand across her lowered gaze she said, "Just let them in, and let me go," she quietly said, reaching for the handle. The last thing she wanted on top of everything else was to fall apart now.

RODRIGO

There were things that Jade said that kept his dimming hope from burning out completely. Maybe he was foolish to do that but Jade never seemed like the type to lie. Great actress, his ass. He should have known nothing from his interaction with her mom made much sense. Jade was always genuine. He couldn't believe there was a bad bone in her. It was why he was so drawn to her. He had never in his life met anyone like her. "You can't handle what?" His eyes searched for answers before she produced them, desperately hanging out to any shift in her expression, anything that gave him the green light to press on. He didn't want her to cry, didn't want her upset but he wanted to know. It wasn't until Jade told Rodrigo that he was with someone that he was completely thrown. He had lost control of the conversation for a moment as he was now surprised at this revelation. "I'm with someone? That's news to me.." He whispered, picking up her chin but the kids were calling both their names out and if he didn't open the door for them, they'd surely get Mrs. Dupont to come and check on them and that was the last thing they all needed. Especially after the education board meeting. "Fuck. I have to let them in. Jade, please don't leave. Okay?" He trusted she wouldn't but he knew how fast she was. At this moment, the kids had to come first. He reached for the handle, never letting his gaze falter, and cleared his throat, allowing Jade to move as well. "Hey! Impatient today, I see! Get to your places and into your costumes!" Rodrigo was high-fiving all of them and Jade was getting lost in the sea of children.

JADE

Now Jade's confusion was growing. She knew what she had seen just moments ago. There was nothing that was strictly friendly about the way that woman had her hands on Rodrigo, or their close proximity to each other. When he lifted her chin, she closed her eyes. She heard his quiet plea but the flight urge was overwhelming her, especially when the students were let in. She stepped aside and kept her gaze to the floor as the kids--most of whom were at or around her height--filtered into the room, chatting excitedly amongst themselves. Jade easily slipped between them and, having already been by the door, passed into the hallway. And ran. Her tote was pinned under her arm but it had taken slowed her in the least. Rodrigo told her he wasn't with anyone. Was that true? It had to have been. He hadn’t been dishonest with her before. In fact he was the very opposite, which was something she liked about him. His honesty coincided with his kindness towards her, which was deeply refreshing for her. Still, even I'd he was single, and was interested in her, what was it that made her deserving of his affections? That was something she couldn't fathom. Her mother's rearing, her father's decisions in how little he was involved in most of her life, and and the piss-poor excuse of the past couple of men she'd dated gave her no reason to believe that she was trult desirable or wanted. Jasper, the twins and the few friends she had were kind towards her, included her in their lives, and showed that they cared for and about her. But it wasn't the same and it wasn't the kind of relationship she was finding herself drawn towards when it came to Rodrigo. And she felt foolish for wanting it when she didn't deserve it. Didn't deserve him.

RODRIGO

He was losing this fight, he could tell but for the first time ever in their relationship, he was willing to keep pushing. It made no sense to do otherwise. Something was bothering Jade and he was on the brink of discovering what it was. If they talked it out, they'd manage. He just knew it to be true. When he turned to make sure she was still among the students, Rodrigo frowned when he didn't see Jade. "She keeps doing that." he whispered. "Doing what?" Leo looked up at Rodrigo, a confused but almost amused expression on his face. Rodrigo pointed at him and decided not to think too much. Jade was fast after all. "We're talking about that look you're giving me later but you're in charge for now. I'll be right back. Make sure everyone goes over the first number." And with that, Rodrigo ran out too, jogging down the hallway, down the stairs, and out of the building, his lungs unable to keep up with the stamina his adrenaline rush was producing. "Shit. Jade! Fuck, I'm quitting smoking today." He murmured as he looked around the campus front lawn for her. "Jade!" If he missed her, he'd run after her after the rehearsals but he really didn't want her to go. Something was telling him not to give up. And that's when he saw her, standing in the parking lot, gathering her things and he took the opportunity to run up to her. "You...okay...give me a sec." He took a few breaths and then exhaled. "You're really hard to catch up with." Rodrigo held up a finger, begging for a minute with his eyes. "Okay, okay. I have Leo in charge of kids twice his size so for his sake, I need you to listen. I'm not seeing anyone. I don't know where you got that idea. The thought isn't even an option because I can't imagine being with anyone that's not you and that's been a CONSTANT thought for days for me." He breathed again. "And if you think that I can just let you leave without me clearing that up, you're so wrong." Rodrigo breathlessly looked Jade in the eyes. 'Because you're all I think about, it drives me crazy."

JADE

At first Jade wasn't sure where she was running to, but logic started to kick in and she'd started towards the staff and visitor parking lot. She'd been delayed by the search for her keys when she heard Rodrigo gaining on her. Some irrational side told her to bolt but log won out and she stayed put, catching her own breath while her fingers finally brushed the metal of her keychain. Her chest heaving was nothing compared to how harsh Rodrigo had been breathing once he'd caught up to her. She started to ask if he was okay but pursed her lips obediently when he held up a finger. Her shoulders fell and she frowned. But she listened to him while her breathing continued to level out. "I saw you with another woman, when I got here today. She looked like-... she's not your girlfriend?" Jade asked, taken aback. It was a bit if an irrelevant explanation at this point though because everything Rodrigo said after that made her hear feel like it was being clutched. Her eyes became glossy and her chest felt tight like she might faint or burst out in sobs. But she smiled. Tears did well up and trickle down her face but smiled sadly at Rodrigo. "Rodrigo, I don't..." Jade lowered her gaze. "No one's ever said anything like that to me before." She drew in a shaky breath and then admitted, "I like you. I always look forward to the time we spend together, and when we're not here, I'm thinking about you. A lot." Cheeks burning, she glanced up at him, wiping her eyes again. "I don't know why you like me. Or want to be with me though. I don't..." Her windpipe suddenly felt very narrow and she turned away, leaning on the side of her car while trying to force herself to breath deeply. "I'm no one special and I haven't done anything to deserve you."

RODRIGO

Catching up to Jade was embarrassingly enough no easy feat. Hopefully, they'd laugh about this moment later. For now, Rodrigo was wondering how much a gym membership would cost and if he could really quit cigarettes because this was not it. When Jade finally spoke, he listened intently, lips frowning as he realized what had gotten her so upset. "Julia? The blonde? Oh, Jade, that's my ex. You know, the one I told you about? She wants nothing to do with me, trust me. She just thought she'd get her kicks because nothing is going her way now or something." He laughed, finally catching his breath. "She is not my girlfriend nor will she ever be my girlfriend. Never again, I promise." When she continued to talk, he listened, his eyes zeroing in on Jade's tears. "Hey..." He walked up to her, this time slowly so that she'd have enough reaction time to smack him or turn him away. Rodrigo cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs. "Is this okay?" He whispered and then listened some more. "You don't know why I like you? I can give you a whole list. Two if you give me time." Rodrigo's gaze met hers, keeping her face in his hands but she turned away to lean on her car. He missed it immediately and so he gently pulled her away from the vehicle and practically into his arms, wrapping them around her frame. "You're the most special person I've ever met and it's me that doesn't deserve you. I'll make sure you're reminded of that. How can I not like someone so kind and loyal and funny and smart and talented and giving and beautiful? Tell me how?" He withdrew his embrace to cup her face once more, leaning in as much as possible and lowering his head so that he could kiss her forehead. "Please...can I kiss you?"

JADE

Jade's lips parted but no sound came out when Rodrigo explained that the woman she'd seen him with was his ex. Her mind recalled some of what Rodrigo had previously told her about the woman, Julia. And then she brought her watery eyes back up to his as he neared her even more. His cooler hands further highlight just how much she'd been blushing but she welcomed his touch, closing her eyes as he wiped away the thin streams of tears. She nodded at his first question and then shook her head at his second. Because she honestly did not know. She wasn't special--her Mom had more than humbled her on that. And in a way, so had her dad. And she hadn’t thrown herself at Rodrigo or done anything extraordinary to make herself seem worth his interest. At least that's what she believed. The discomfort from the foreignness of being shown tenderness, kindness and intimacy from someone who wasn't a sibling, wasn't a friend and wasn't a part of her staff, was a feeling she fought hard to push through. She wanted to embrace it, much like how Rodrigo currently had her tiny body enveloped in his arms. Jade slowly straightened her arm, letting her tote bag slide from the bend of her elbow and hit the ground with a solid 'thud'. And then she returned Rodrigo's hold, hugging her arms around the middle if his back his back. She shook her head at him, knowing that the two of them could argue which of them was the least deserving of the other. And then she lightly smiled at him, eyes still a bit watery, "I can't tell you... I just... I have a lot of baggage, Rodrigo. You should know that now." Her eyes closed again, the moment his lips made contact with her forehead. Without even being aware of it, his closeness, embrace and the kiss to her forehead had calmed her significantly. And when he asked to kiss her, she very nearly could have cried again from the amount of love he was making her feel, just by sharing his feelings for her with her. He was special to her, so special.

When asked if he could kiss her, Jade opened her eyes again and met his gaze. "Yes," she told him, lifting her chin and raising on her toes. It wasn't much to help with their 9-inch height difference but she tried.

RODRIGO

Feeling Jade's arms around his middle made him return her smile. Rodrigo would do anything to stop her crying. He had decided he hated seeing her so sad and never wanted to be the reason she looked like that. "Who doesn't have baggage? You don't have to tell me. You don't have to tell me now. I want to learn about it, want to know everything about you. The good and the bad and we'll figure things out together. If you let me. I also have baggage. Here, my father? He's in prison because he's a deadbeat. Well, that's not the only reason but you get my drift. I'm nowhere near perfect and neither are you and that's all more than okay. I just want you. When Jade gave him the green light, he didn't hesitate, lowering his head to capture her lips, closing his eyes as his thumbs caressed her cheeks. It had been all he had wanted to do for weeks now and everything he had built himself up for just a week ago. The kiss was worth the wait, worth the insecurities, worth all the terrifying moments they had both endured to finally get here. He'd forgotten where they were momentarily and Rodrigo took his time exploring the lips he had been thinking about for far too long.

JADE

"I know, but I have a lot of baggage. You should know that now," Jade feebly argued. She wasn't expecting Rodrigo to share something about himself in that moment and she'd been understandably surprised that what he'd had to tell her was that his father was in prison. Up until then, she couldn't recall a time where Rodrigo had ever mentioned his father. But he'd moved on from talking about it and told her that he wanted her. She wouldn't be able to focus on much else if he kept talking to her in that moment. Her thoughts were swimming, up until he brought his lips to hers and she kissed him back. At that point, Jade felt like some of her fears were melting away--enough of them for her to shut her eyes and enjoy the feel of Rodrigo's lips on hers. Her fingers gripped the back of his shirt a little firmer, and she'd leaned a little into him while on her toes, relishing every millisecond of the moment passing between them. She'd parted her lips a little to grant him entry while angling her head a little to deepen this kiss.

RODRIGO

"That's okay", Rodrigo whispered, his knuckles gently caressing Jade's cheek. He just didn't care about the baggage. Nothing would turn Rodrigo away unless Jade was another Julia and she was definitely not that. His mind had been made up over who he wanted to be with and it seemed like she felt the same way. The English teacher smiled against her lips right before hers were parted. Grateful for the new angle, Rodrigo's tongue found its way to gently massage against Jade's, a soft moan escaping his mouth. He didn't want to stop and if not for a handful of tweens sitting in a classroom waiting on them, he probably wouldn't but alas, they had work to do. He pulled away only slightly, enough for him to drag his thumb against her bottom lip, eager gaze fixated on her mouth. "We could um...continue that later. After class. I promise I'll continue that later..." He chuckled softly bending his head to kiss her once more. "It'll be a distracting hour but I think I can manage..." Who was he kidding? Rodrigo was good as gone. He kept his face close to hers and he left a soft peck against the side of her neck before his lips spoke slightly below her ear. "How does this work? Let me take you on a proper date." He smiled, pulling away once more to capture her features. "And another, and many after that. Am I like...your boyfriend now?" His grin grew from his teasing. He dropped his hands so that one could take one of Jade's, interlacing their fingers together but his eyes never left from admiring her face.

JADE

His comforting touch to her face made a melting feeling run down her from the inside, slow and soothing. And when he kissed her, she found herself quickly deciding that she liked the way he kissed her. And she wouldn't admit it aloud but his gentle moan and his expertise in exploring her mouth made a throbbing start between her legs. It ended up being a small blessing that he'd ended the kiss when he had. He was right though that there were rehearsals to get to and a classroom full of kids waiting on his return. Her fingers curled further into his shirt when he spoke against her neck, light stubble tickling her pale brown skin. "Okay," she said and when he added more dates after she agreed to the first, she smiled at him and chuckled a little. "I guess you are. I'd like you to be. But let's sort out that first date, first. And this rehearsal." Removing her arms from around him, Jade spread her fingers a bit and bent them to his, and then bent to pick up her tote. "The kids re probably wondering what's going on..." she trailed off looking back towards the school, her eyes zeroing in on the windows to the music room, only to see some heads quickly bob out of sigh from the open blinds. Face quickly turning red, she looked back up to Rodrigo. "....Or not."

RODRIGO

Rodrigo chuckled at her words, agreeing to sort out what they'd be after a first date and if they could get through the rehearsal. He moved to take her tote from her with his free hand, flashing her a smile when he did so. Her hand felt nice in hers, perfect even and he silently wondered if she thought so too. "Yeah, they probably think you run track too.." His words trailed off when he followed her gaze with his own. "Oh, great." How would he explain it? Well, he didn't have to. He was the teacher after all. He could act as if everything was fine and not make a mention of anything at all. "Was that Michael Sin holding up Leo?" He shook his head and looked over to Jade, chuckling softly before pressing a kiss against her cheek. "We've got this." He gave her hand a squeeze to reassure her and shouldered the tote on his other arm. He'll let go of her at the very last moment they get, right before they walk into the school. "You look very pretty today, Ms. Clark. I've been wanting to tell you since you walked in but what else is new?" He was glad there were very few staff members left in the building. "How about a burger after?"

JADE

"I did, in high school," Jade admitted. Now she just ran for the exercise and because it sometimes helped with her anxiety. But she was sure the kids would only bring up her running as an afterthought, had they even noticed that she'd literally run off. Her gaze was still at the window though when Rodrigo asked about Leo being held up by Michael. "I think you're right. We'd better get back before he drops him and we're out of a king." The additional kiss from Rodrigo made her smile a bit. Jade was sure that later on, she'd end up thinking more about everything that had transpired between them, but for now, she was allowing herself to live in the present and bask in the good feelings that came with it. Keeping her hand in his felt right--more so than she expected it would. She walked beside him back into the school, and then reached for her tote from him. "Thank you. And please call me Jade," she insisted. While they walked back to the music room, she considered his offer and realized she didn't have much of an appetite right now, likely because her stomach felt full of butterflies. She also hadn't really worked herself up to eating more than half a granola bar or a few bites of fruit in front of Rodrigo but she was doing her best not to overthink. Instead, she told him, "Sure, we could go get something after rehearsals. I wouldn't mind finding a place that has vanilla milkshakes."

RODRIGO

"We need a king and we definitely need a Leo." He laughed and then nodded at her asking him to call her Jade. "I was only teasing." It would be nice to have a proper meal with Jade. He hadn't forgotten her dizzy spell in Mexico or the fact that she once admitted she barely gets the chance to eat when she's constantly running around. He'd take care of her. "Oh, no you're talking. I'm a strawberry milkshake man myself but we can get both. Be all cute, get two straws." His smile grew even more at the very cheesy but very adorable image. He was never the type or at least he didn't think so. That's all changed since meeting Jade. Their entire situation had made him giddy, all smiles, and probably completely impossible to deal with. Fletcher was going to make sure he knew about himself. Leaning against the door, he wanted to look at Jade one last time before going in. It's not that she'd disappear or something, (at least he hoped not), it's just that Rodrigo didn't want to forget anything about this day. "Ready?"

JADE

Jade smiled, "Yes, we do," agreeing to both. Leo was one of the few kids she was especially fond of, not just because of the young boy's charisma, talent and maturity but because he was considered one of the twins' best friends. Talking about a dinner date and hearing Rodrigo share that he liked strawberry milkshakes the best was something that she would keep in mind in the future. Everything about the relationship they'd entered was new now. She'd found herself walking a little ahead of Rodrigo but paused and looked back to him just as he asked her if she was ready. "Yes. Just a few more rehearsals to go, and then, it's you and the kids from there." It was a bit of a bittersweet thought; the rehearsal times would be over soon for her, but it also meant she would get to sit in the audience and watch the production in full, along with Jasper and all the parents and other families.

RODRIGO

"I can't believe it. I'm going to miss having you around. We'll have to make up for that somehow." He smiled and looked down just thinking about it. "The kids will miss you too. But anyway, we should go in there before they really lose their mind." Rodrigo opened the door, hearing the sounds of chairs being peeled away from the door and he couldn't help but laugh at the innocence. "Okay okay, how did we survive?" He leaned against the opened door, smiling as Jade walked in and ignoring the giggles from the kids. "Suprise, Ms. Jade!" Leila appeared with a cake in hand and some flowers. "We all asked Mr. Escobar if we can get you something as a thank you." Leo popped up and nodded. "Yeah! He helped us get everything together." They all looked at their teacher and he shook his head, holding up one hand in surrender. It was their moment. "The kids really wanted to say thank you for all your hard work. It's our last week together. So, you know...can't say no to those faces." And right on cue, they all pouted, puppy dog eyes in full view and Rodrigo joined before clapping his hands. "Jewel, Jett, get the plates and utensils, Michael, get the napkins. Cake and then one full rehearsal before your parents get here." He looked up at Jade and winked quickly before moving to help set up the tables.

JADE

Jade gave Rodrigo a knowing smile while thinking better of voicing any sort of retort that she could think of. She didn't know what the etiquette was like at the school but figured to err on the side of caution in case someone in passing overheard and took issue with hers and Rodrigo's brand new relationship. "Good idea, we don't want to prolong their rehearsal any longer." She passed by Rodrigo through the threshold and took in the kids' rushed attempts at looking like they had been doing absolutely nothing other than sitting and angelically waiting for their teacher/director's return. Jade smiled to them and shook her head, "Nice try. We saw you guys." But her smile fell as her face morphed into one of pure surprise at the flowers and cake. And it as even more clear that Rodrigo knew her well since he had responses ready before she could protest the generosity. She looked to him and while the kids grabbed items to get the cake dished out, Jade was significantly more relieved that the cake would be largely portioned out to the kids. And during the kids giving bursts of excitement over the cake, Jade placed the flowers with her tote near the piano, and then offered to cut the cake slices for each of the kids who wanted some. She'd cut even slices for the kids and a slightly bigger piece for Rodrigo. Her own slice was smaller and she'd set it aside at the piano with her other belongings, deciding to take out her water bottle from her tote for a few gulps. "Thank you all for your kindness. The flowers are beautiful. Be sure to get something to drink so your mouths and throats are cleared to sing," she advised to the kids who could hear her.

RODRIGO

"Yes, Ms. Jade." The student's voices echoed throughout the room and Rodrigo chuckled before taking a forkful of his piece of cake and then leaving it to the side. It would be hard not to steal glances today but he'd make it work. All he knew was that he had a date tonight with the girl he couldn't stop thinking about for days now. Life couldn't get better than that. "Alright, two more minutes and we need to get you in your places. Leo, my man, come here let me fix that wig of yours. Its givinggggg nightmare on Elm Street not royalty." The kids laughed including Leo and he marched over to his teacher to get the wig in place. "Don't worry, we'll have hair and makeup on our last dress rehearsal so you'll get an idea of what to expect with your wigs and mics. One minute, guys." He warned the kids who stuffed their mouths and took sips of their drinks before marching up to the faux stage. "We'll have the theater the rest of the week to rehearse. Start from the top. Ms. Jade?" He looked over to his almost girlfriend and smiled. "Care to do the honors?"

JADE

Jade felt light in her happiness, being in the music room again and helping out Rodrigo and the kids as she'd been for weeks now. She chuckled at Rodrigo and Leo, and then offered to help Jewel pull her curls back into a low ponytail for the beginning of the production, much like Lin-Manuel Miranda had done in the original performances. She knew the style would excite Jewel even more. And after giving a quick adjusting tug to he tan jacket Jewel started out wearing, she whispered, "Break a leg," to her half-sister and then turned to the piano. After throwing a small, quick smile to Rodrigo and then looking to the kids to make sure that they were ready, Jade placed her fingers on the piano keys and got the kids going on their dress rehearsal. It had been a true pleasure to see how much all of the kids had progressed over the weeks, but periodically throughout the rehearsal, Jade's mind would wander back to the plans she and Rodrigo made afterwards today. And she couldn't wait for their first date.

#Clearing the Air para #Rodrigo

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