#I’m glad it came before my birthday this weekend not that I had plans to go anywhere but still

[chaos-mybeloved]

I never buy clothes but my birthday is coming up so I said fuck it and went all out and bought a bunch of little tops (because I just got new jeans)

Shopping as a plus sized girl is crazy and my package just came and I’m trying my stuff on and am being violently reminded why I hate buying clothes 😭

[storm-angel989]

Hello!! This is my first time requesting something so sorry if it doesn’t make sense.

Can you do Alastair having a child (about 4-5) that’s just like him, and the vee’s find out about her?

Hi friend,

First of all, I am so glad you sent me in a request! I love this idea, but think OTO Valentino’s daughter/wife. (I know they don’t have a kiddo yet in the story but I promise you they will). 

Enjoy!

<3 Mandy

The birthday party invitation came home in her backpack two weeks into preschool. 

Baby pink, pastel green forest scene and a light brown deer under the the announcement “Our Little Deer is turning FOUR!” with a date and two hour time block scrawled underneath in a neat cursive font. On the back was information to RSVP- a number to text yes or no, the requirement that a parent or guardian be present, and a request for the child's name. Pleased his daughter seemed to be making friends, Valentino thought nothing of it and handed it off to his assistant with instructions to RSVP yes and to choose a present age appropriate for a coming four year old girl. 

“Wrapped in pink and with a card,” he told his assistant firmly. “I want to make a good first impression.”

“First impressions for what?” Vox’s voice came from behind him. In one motion he snatched the invitation out of the assistant's hand and scanned it over. “The fuck is this?”

Valentino turned around and crossed his arms. “Our ninita got her first birthday invitation. She’s going.”

“Did you even look at the date?” Vox snapped as he handed the assistant back the card. “Who the fuck do you think is going to take her? It won’t be you, her mother or even Velvette for that matter. None of you will be here that weekend and I made plans for us already.”

Valentino rolled his eyes. “Squeeze this into your plans then. It’s important we make a good first impression, and I’m sure she’s excited to go.” 

Vox grunted and turned away, “fine. But only because she’s excited. I couldn’t give less of a fuck about any other kid in hell.” 

Valentino smirked, “I’m well aware V. Have fun.”

Vox rolled his eyes as he walked out the door. He could think of a thousand different things that would be more fun than being surrounded by screaming hell children- several of which he already had planned. But when the party was brought up at the dinner table and he saw just how excited his niece was, he relented. After all, she was the most important thing in his life. 

Saturday rolled around faster than anticipated, and all too soon Vox found himself tugging a bright pink princess dress over the top of his nieces head. 

“I’ve never been to a party before,” she told him excitedly as he lifted her up and carried her to the limo. 

“I know,” he replied as he set her down on her booster seat next to the oversized, glitter pink wrapped gift. With caution, so as to not ruffle the frills in her dress, he leaned over and belted her in. “Aunt Velvette read you the story about birthday parties last night, right?”

“Yeah! There’s going to be cake, and games and presents for the birthday girl!”

Vox let out a smile and kissed her on the top of her head before closing the door. Her enthusiasm for the event almost made what he was sure would be two hours of hell tolerable. 

Well, almost. 

“Don’t forget to bring in the present,” Vox told the limo driver as he pulled to a stop. Vox turned to open the door and paused. No. It couldn’t be. 

“This is the wrong address,” Vox said sharply.

 His niece scrambled to unbuckle herself and pressed her nose against the window. 

“No it isn’t! Look, there she is! She lives at the Hazbin Hotel, Uncle Vox!” 

Before Vox could move to stop her, she pressed open the door handle and took off towards the hotel. 

“Jesus fuck,” Vox snarled as he took off after her. “Reader, wait!” He took the steps two at a time, wrapped his arms around his niece and lifted her up, ignoring her protests. 

“Ah, welcome!” the familiar voice floated through the entryway. 

Shit. Vox looked up into Alastors eyes and gritted his teeth. Amusement danced across his smug face. Vox felt the electricity crackle and his niece yelped. Quickly, he set her down and watched her take off across the foyer. 

“Now now Vox, let the girls play nicely, hm? I’m sure we can do the same for a few hours,” Alastor said and he opened his arms. “I know when my daughter asked if your niece could come, I was hesitant, but it’s for the kids…right? War will resume promptly at four. Until then, come on in!” He turned and walked across the lobby.  

Vox gritted his teeth, but seeing no other choice, followed him inside. He looked around at the overtly decorated hotel lobby, the happy birthday banner followed by a plethora of pink and green balloons. If he didn’t know better, he would think it truly was a child’s birthday party. 

“Uncle Vox! Look! Party hats!” Reader yelled as she ran up to him. “Look, I got one for you!” 

“Oh, hey, great,” he said flatly as he took the hat from her hand. 

“Uncle Vox, you have to put it on your head. Everyone has one,” she told him, hands on her hips. 

Vox looked around. He recognized Charlie and Vaggie standing next to Angel Dust of all the fucking sinners, Husker behind what he assumed was a bar when it wasn’t being used as a snack station, and Alastor, blowing up balloons for a swarm of small childeren. All wearing party hats. 

“Fine,” he muttered as he snapped the elastic under his screen. “Go play, but stay where I can see you, got it?” 

“Okay Uncle Vox!” She said cheerfully. 

Vox crossed his arms and shifted his weight to the left as he surveyed the scene carefully. To their credit, no one approached him, save Charlie. Once. Several short answers later, she wandered back to the party. He watched protectively as they played games, opened presents, laughed and shouted. One cake lighting and round of happy birthday later, his niece was handed a small plastic goody bag and her hand was in his. 

“Com’ere,” Vox muttered to his niece as he lifted her up. “You have frosting on your face.”

“Uncle Vox,” she whined as he wiped at the smudge on her cheek. “I wanna play more!”

“No,” Vox said shortly as he carried her towards the door. “Party is over.”

“It seems our daughters don’t hold the same hatred we do,” Alastors voice came from behind. 

Vox paused and turned around, face to face with the demon he considered to be his archnemesis. “Your point being?”

“Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if we let them play together another time!” Alastor said cheerfully. 

“Yeah!” Reader cheered. 

“You, hush,” he said to reader firmly. “Alastor, that isn’t up to me. Get a hold of her father, see what he says.” With that he continued to walk out the door. 

“Will do, old chum,” Alastor said from behind. “Will do.”

“Uncle Vox, why are you so mean to Mr. Alastor?” Reader asked as Vox buckled her back into her seat. 

Vox sighed and smoothed back her hair. “It’s a long story honey. Too long for right now. But hey, why don’t we go home, get you changed and we can go see Vark?”

That seemed to cheer her up. As she opened her goody bag, Vox busied himself texting Valentino and Velvette. They needed a plan, and soon. Maybe a change of schools. But hell would freeze over before Vox allowed his niece anywhere near Alastor unsupervised.

[philaet0s]

Celebrity/Social Media AU - Part 7

Previous Part (Part 6)

Next Part (Part 8)

I wasn’t planning on posting the bits that weren’t on twitter/texting but I also didn’t expect anyone would actually read that AU here! So I *am* posting some of the POVs aha

Here’s one :) Just under the cut :)

Simon

“Your stupid social media addiction ruined my surprise,” Baz mumbles as I crush him into a hug.

“You came home for my birthday,” I murmur, more moved than I probably should be. I can feel tear burning in my eyes.

I’ve only seen him on Facetime for months. I’m allowed to be a little emotional.

“Of course I did. You really thought I wouldn’t?”

I shrug. “You’re so busy with your tour…”

“Not busy enough to miss your birthday, love.”

Gently, he strokes the side of my face with the back of his fingers.

I hold him a little tighter.

“I’m glad you came. I missed you so much. This is getting harder and harder.”

“Yes, I feel that way too… During the European leg of the tour, I could fly you out on the weekends if you like.”

I shake my head, then bury it against Baz’s shoulder. He smells like sweat. Maybe I could draw him a bath.

“Nah. I’d feel bad taking a plane every weekend. But I’ll come when you play in London. As always.”

…

He’s only here for two nights. His first night back home isn’t very thrilling.

I do draw him a bath, while he sits on the couch and relaxes. I turn on the hanging lights over the bathroom counter, which cast a warm, orange glow on the room rather than the harsh, white ceiling lamp. A bit of soft lighting will probably feel better on his eyes. I noticed that he kept his sunglasses inside. He never loved the aggressively bright and fast-changing lights required to offer his audience a good show at his concerts.

I even light a bunch of candles, the ones that smell like clean clothes –Baz’s favourite, for some reason.

I check the water temperature, which is too hot for me so perfect for Baz.

The room looks nice, smells nice, and the water should feel nice.

I head back to the living room. He still hasn’t taken his sunglasses off, and if I had to guess, I’d say he also closed his eyes, but he’s not asleep. He reaches out blindly, knowing I’ll take the hand he’s holding out for me. I kiss his knuckles.

“Your bath is ready, darling.”

His lips quirk up in a smile. “Hm, I love it when you call me darling.”

“I know.” I tug on his hand gently. “Come on, get up.”

“My body weighs a ton, give me a minute.”

“I can help you up if you like,” I say, as I move my hand to have a better grip on him.

I pull him towards me when he pushes himself up, but one of us uses too much strength and he ends up pressed against my chest. My arms automatically close around him.

“This is nice,” he murmurs.

“Very nice. But so will be your bath. At this rate, the water is going to be cold before you get there,” I say, amusement in my voice.

“The water’s probably scalding. It’ll be fine. Give me a hug.”

Well, I can’t say no to that, can I?”

The hug lasts much longer than it needs to. I have time to trace the familiar lines of his body with my hands, from the dip at his lower back to the curve of his shoulders; with my lips, from the crooked part of his nose to the angle of his jaw. His body weight rests almost entirely on me, it’s soothing. How good it feels to feel so much of him after only seeing him on a phone screen for weeks and weeks.

“Ok, bathtime now,” he whispers, while making no effort to move away from me.

Since I’m the brave one in this relationship, I step back and turn around. I take one of his hands in mine and lead him to the bathroom.

I help him out of his clothes, revelling in the sight of more and more brown skin. The last item I take off is his sunglasses. He has dark circles under his eyes, and his eyelids cover about half of his irises.

“You look tired.”

“Tour. Jet lag,” he answers, flatly.

I stroke his arms. “Love, you really shouldn’t have come if it’s too hard on you.”

“Like hell. I wasn’t going to miss your birthday. I’m glad I came. I just… I might not be a lot of fun tonight. We’re definitely not going out tonight,” he says, before he gets in the tub.

He lets out a long, pleased sigh when his body is fully submerged in the hot water. He closes his eyes and leans his head against the edge of the tub.

“I had no expectation of going out, don’t worry.”

“Are you going to stay with me while I take a bath?” he asks, half-teasingly, half-serious.

“No. But I was thinking I could wash your hair.”

“Hm, that’s a nice offer. You remember which bottle is shampoo and which bottle is conditioner?”

I don’t dignify those words with an answer.

I take both bottles from the cabinets where Baz’s things are stored away while he’s not home and bring them by the tub. I kneel behind the part of the tub where Baz’s head is, open the shampoo, and pour some on his hair. I massage his scalp, loving the little sounds he makes. Knowing I make him feel good, even in such a small way, fills my chest with warmth.

God, it’s been a while since I’ve properly had a chance to take care of him.

[maniacalgenius]

heyyyy everyone!!!

so!! i had my exam(s) yesterday. 64/75 on the solo one and 71/75 on the group one, which i’m happy with. of course i’ve already put the numbers into my spreadsheet, and i will only need 2/3 of the points on the last exam (which isn’t cumulative! whoop!) to keep my A.

since the pressure is so little for the third exam, i’m taking it as an opportunity to practice studying really well for exams, so i can feel confident about my ability to do so in the fall.

it’s been a pretty chill last day and a half; after my exam yesterday, i picked up food and went to study with my best friend at her house. (we planned this earlier because she was stressed. i forgot to ask the prof to send me the next lecture to study, so i mostly just yapped and drew flowers on my iPad.)

then my mom and i went to the bookstore to get a present for a friend. (of course, after i found said present, i also found something for another friend and stuff for school for myself.) then we went home, i took a shower, went to bed and i was asleep by like eleven. (ahh, the life.)

this morning i had a very nice surprise, which was that my organic chemistry professor from last fall/unofficial mentor was in her office! so i was able to bring her early birthday presents and had a nice little visit with her! and i got to say hi to the prof i had in the spring, who is also lovely :)

it’s a long story but basically she was the first prof to treat me like a person and not an aggregation of grades. going to her for help shut off my fight or flight response and allowed me to just try my best. since last fall, i go to her office all the time to study and chat. and i drive her son to and from places when she’s busy with class :) i’ve decided that i’m going to call her dr. sandwich here for anonymity.

anyways! after that i had some time before class and my prof had sent me the lecture so i went to the student center and took notes. class itself was really nice today; she did an extra credit activity, so i’m glad i was there for that.

after class i came home and worked on my little painting for my best friend’s birthday. i can’t wait until it’s done!! and until i get to give it to her next week!! then my mom and i had dinner and i studied some more. didn’t use the forest app because i was simultaneously watching Harry Potter and that felt like it would be cheating 😂

here are some pictures from the past few days:

1. my little brought me flowers when she came to visit and when the sunflower was finally on its last leg my mom decided to use it for one of her projects!

2. snowball!!!! in this house we are all about the Little Treats

3. baby blanket i made for my big sister to give to her friend :)

4. new (ish) lunar chronicles covers!!! i want this set so badly :] (i’m pretty sure this is the second time that i have taken a picture of these covers and added it to the “books i want” album in my phone 😂)

5. the flowers i drew on procreate while i yapped and my friend studied!! the blue one is my favorite, the other ones were more of a warm-up but i still love them <3

the plan for the rest of today is: read my Bible, get ready, go pick up my friend and go to our other friend’s birthday gathering, take friend home, go home and go to bed :))

here is my plan of attack for the next exam:

- notes on part 12, quizlet 12 (it’s amazing what you can get done with the help of Harry Potter)

- notes on part 13, quizlet 13

- notes on part 14, quizlet 14

- notes on part 15, quizlet 15

- read through all flashcards twice

- star most important terms

- memorize important terms

hopefully i will be able to keep myself motivated to keep up as we get through the different parts. only three left!! i’m going to try to get ahead this weekend since a friend is coming to stay at my house next week in between moving apartments; i’m also going to spend this weekend trying to make progress towards fixing my sleep schedule.

☙ song on loop: while doing notes today on campus i had “temporary bliss” by the cab playing.

☙ current book: last night i finished rereading the sorcerer’s stone!! i was definitely not half falling asleep. i don’t have the chamber of secrets on iBooks sadly and i don’t want to pull my physical copy off the shelf because i already have too many physical books that i’m trying to read floating around in my house, so i think my next comfort re-read will be another childhood favorite series, the sisters grimm.

☙ hours studied today: on my little app i have 40 minutes spent studying so far today. however! i also used it during class to keep myself from getting distracted because it blocks everything else on my phone, so i have another 1 hour and 9 minutes from that. hopefully this method will work in the fall when i have a bunch more hours to spend in class.

that’s all for now folks!!

xx

[swanimagines]

Hiii, can I request E12 with Alina Starkov please?

Prompt: E12. Sitting by the fire

A/N: I was supposed to publish something else entirely next for a character I last wrote a piece for 4 years ago, but it's Jessie's birthday so I'm publishing this Alina piece instead 🥳

Every year on Alina’s birthday, you went out to set up a camp in the forest over the weekend. It had become a habit since the Darkling died, you didn’t even really know where the idea came from. It just popped into your head one day, a day of relaxing together with your girlfriend. It didn’t have anything special arranged, just being and enjoying each other.

This night was colder than usual at this time of the year, so you set up a fireplace. The fire wouldn’t agree to light up at first, making you struggle, but finally you got it to work and soon, you were adding logs as the flame grew bigger. You sat back, staring into the flames for a moment and then turning your head to look at Alina.

She had wrapped herself up in a thick blanket, and the sight made you chuckle a little.

“I take it you’re cold?” you mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. 

She nodded. “My past Sun Summoner powers don’t really warm me up anymore, it feels like I’m much more easily cold now.”

You sighed, pulling her against you, rubbing her back and side. “Hopefully we’ll be able to sleep at night. Maybe we should have pushed this back.”

She glanced up at you. “No, it's fine. With you here, I think I can manage.”

You grinned and kissed her forehead, pulling her head to rest against your chest. She closed her eyes and you sat in silence for a moment.

“I’m glad we do this, every year,” she mumbled against your shirt. “Coming here, spending the night here. Just simply being, relaxing. Knowing we can have moments like this, me, you, and the silence.”

“Me too. I always look forward to your birthday because of this.” You laughed a little. “I don’t know if that’s silly.”

Alina shook her head, shifting slightly so she could look up at you. “No, not really. We both need this day.”

You hummed, glancing at the sunset that had already started to disappear under the dark blue sky. “It’s later than we planned. We should probably retreat to the tent soon.”

“Not yet,” Alina mumbled. “Just a moment more. Let’s wait until the fire dies down.”

You sighed, but complied. “All right. But only because you’re the birthday girl.”

She let out a soft laugh, more like a snort, before she fell quiet again. The fire still crackled in front of you, illuminating Alina’s face as her breathing slowed down, and you barely kept in a laugh yourself. Getting her up to get to the tent would be its own challenge, one you weren’t particularly eager to conquer. She was a major sleepyhead with you. But to be honest, you weren’t minding it, not really. You could pretend you were, but having her there, against you, feeling her breathing… it reminded you how lucky you were. To get to be with her after all those battles, neither of you had died. Even when you’d grow old and fragile while she remained young for centuries, these moments would be cherished til the end of times.

The fire was slowly dying down, its warmth waning. Alina was already asleep against you, and you knew that you should wake her up in a moment. But, just a moment longer, you chose to sit there and let her rest.

You cupped the back of her head as you brought your lips against his hair. A moment longer, you promised yourself. The temperature was quickly going down, and your skin was already getting goosebumps. It was uncomfortable in a way, but at the same time having Alina next to you like this was addicting, and you wanted to prolong it for as long as possible.

But eventually, the embers were dimming down, and the cold started to be unbearable. You stroked her hair. “Alina,” you whispered against her hair. “Alina, it’s time to go to the tent.”

She stirred, whining slightly, but you shook her, first gently, then with slightly more force. She sighed and opened her eyes, looking around. “Sorry.”

You chuckled and shook your head. “Let’s go before I freeze.”

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you like that,” she mumbled, letting you help her stand up.

“It’s your birthday, you can sleep against me all you want. But let’s just do it inside the tent, where I won’t freeze.”

She hummed, a tired smile spreading on her face. You crouched down to gather the few things you had with you by the campfire — your shared flask, her gloves and the book she had been reading while you struggled with lighting up the fire. You stomped on the embers a few times, hearing the lingering fire hiss, before you turned and took Alina’s hand.

The tent you had wasn’t anything fancy, nothing you could see a literal Saint to sleep in. Alina still didn’t think of herself as a Saint, but that’s what she was in the eyes of the world, and it was a running joke in between you, even when it annoyed Alina sometimes. A few blankets, pillows, thin mattresses. Just a regular tent.

Alina plopped down on the mattress as you zipped the tent back up and by the time you turned, she was already snuggling beneath the sheets, in the progress of taking off her dress. 

You undressed as well and soon made your way beside her, shifting close to her once you both laid down. You tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear again, smiling. No words were needed at that moment, you both knew what the other would say if you spoke. And besides, you were both too tired to talk. She blinked at you slowly as she struggled to keep her eyes open, before shifting again, until she was pressed against you, her face in the crook of your neck. You put your arm around her waist, waiting for a moment again.

“Good night,” she mumbled finally against your skin, and you smiled, running your hand up and down his back once.

“Happy birthday, Alina.”

[shaww93]

I just want to write down real quick my first Mother’s Day. I guess this is my safe place to brag.

To be clear, I made it very clear to my husband that this is my first mother days day and I wanted it to be special. Anything after is eh. I also told him I only wanted cake.

Well, the night before he went and dropped off our daughter at his dad for the night. When he came back he had flowers, cake, and a bunch of cards. I was blown away. I also had a feeling he was planning something cause I saw a text but I wasn’t expecting flowers since I told him before I didn’t want to get flowers after the last time on my birthday (I love getting flowers, but I didn’t get to enjoy them since we went away for the weekend and they wilted 😭😭).

He then tells me he has the whole day planned out for us the next day. I felt very…. Grateful to have him in my life. I know when I get mad I hate him. I want nothing to do with him, I mean as with anyone, my brothers, my mom lol but I think this probably happened because we got in a fight last month where I told him I felt like I wasn’t being respected and I felt like I was shouldering a lot of the baby care and responsibilities around the house. I’m glad he listens.

Anyways. Back to yesterday. We went to a hot spring in the morning. It was pretty cool and relaxing. It was at an old Japanese base turned spa lol. We saw a huge ass bee and decided we were done. that’s how that ended.

For lunch we went to this… national park? It was a bunch of rocks that were shaped like stuff. The most famous one was the queen’s rock. It was pretty neat. We had lunch there and took some pictures.

Afterwards we went home and rested a bit before I went to my massage. It was pretty relaxing, though I could have asked the masseuse to be a little more gentle. It was good. I got home and he left for ball so I was home alone. I made dinner and then chilled in bed until he got home.

Yup.. that was my day. I forgot to mention that he said some very sweet things on Saturday that made me cry. Very touching.

Again, I don’t expect every year to be like this but this year’s Mother’s Day was amazing.

[luverofralts]

Arkhelios Adventures

Theo Bellamy sat on the stairs with his trusted familiar, Too by his side. Today was an important day. It certainly wasn’t everyday that you turned thirteen. He was officially a teenager now with all the rights and responsibilities that came with it. 

“How badly do you think they’re going to embarrass me, Too?” he asked his faithful companion. When Too responded with a quick mew, Theo sighed. “Yeah, that’s my guess. Whatever they’re planning, I just know that it’s going to be embarrassing. I’m so glad this party is family only; I’d die if the kids at school could see me. I’ll probably have to wear the dumb birthday hat and everything.  At least the cake looks good. God knows it was the only good thing from last year.”

Too mewed again sympathetically at the thought. Theo could never be certain if the cat truly understood what he was saying or if she had simply learned to meow when he paused speaking to look at her. Either way, it was nice to have her support.

He could tell that his parents were going out of their way to make things perfect for his special day which was even more unnerving. Things hadn’t been the same between them since “The Incident” they never spoke of or the conveniently timed birth of his little brother, Abe III. Words like “postpartum” and “mid life crisis” and “cheater” were usually shouted when they thought the children were asleep, but Theo and his sisters heard every word. It was enough to make Theo come home from school only two weekends a month, instead of every weekend like he used to. At school things were quiet and ordered and all of his friends lived there with him. Every day was like a sleepover that he didn’t have to worry about his parents ruining with either arguments or overly zealous good intentions.

“He’s going to be so excited. I can’t wait to see his reaction,” Roman said excitedly, staring at the expensive guitar they had purchased for their son. “We should film it. Do you think you can pull out your phone before he notices and starts giving us sass about ‘acceptable boundaries’?”

“He’s a teenager now, I’d be surprised if he didn’t give us sass,” Abe replied with a smile. “We’re the only thirty year olds at parent-teacher night though, we have that to our advantage. We’re still cool, unlike the other parents.”

Roman kissed his husband, catching Abe by surprise.

“Abe, we were never cool,” he laughed. “I was the poor transfer student who grew up in a “cult” and you were the nerdy kid who got knocked up at sixteen. We’re many things, but we’re not cool.”

“Theodosius, you put that hat back on your head right now!” The instant Abe laid eyes on his son, he could see that Theo was missing an important item for his party. “And don’t go on a little tirade about me using your name. It’s only your siblings and family here and we all already know what Theo is short for. I’m not getting told what to do in my own house by some school in Pleasantview. Don’t give me that look! Go help your father set up the snacks.”

Theo rolled his eyes but obeyed his father, mumbling something unkind under his breath. Abe didn’t like yelling at his son; it was something he’d always struggled with. With his own mother as an example, Abe knew first hand how strict parenting pushed him away from her. Having his son run away from home as a young child because of his strictness and inflexibility had been devastating to Abe, but at the same time, he had no idea of how to reach Theo. The boy was away at boarding school for most of the month, something that Abe hated, and when he was at home, it was nonstop sass and rudeness. Theo needed boundaries and Abe was trying his best, but he often worried if his best would be enough for his son. The twins at least had Adrian and Evren as additional parental role models and Saturnia was still young enough to think that her parents knew what they were doing. Maybe by the time Abe Jr was Theo’s age, his parents would finally understand how to successfully parent a teen.

The Bellamy household had never been bigger than it was now. Theo and the twins had their bedrooms when they weren’t at school or Adrian’s house and Saturnia was currently sharing the twins’ old room with her baby brother until the new addition could be added on to the house. Plus with Adrian’s three kids often staying over and all of the kids’ friends, a dog and the hyperactive cat, Too, the Bellamy house often felt like a circus.The only other household in Arkhelios that could compete was the Durant family, but it had been some time since either Abe or Roman had paid them a visit. Most days, they tried to ignore the Durants if they could. “The Incident” had severed those friendships pretty thoroughly.

The mixed Bellamy family was working though, despite their differences. Abe never thought that he’d see the day that he’d be okay with Adrian not only spending several hours with his children, but also helping to raise them. There were still moments when Adrian showed up with expensive gifts for the kids and a new expensive baking dish for Roman that made Abe fume, but they didn’t happen nearly as often as they did before.

it was rewarding to watch the girls grow into young ladies with goals and talents of their own. Adrienne was a better tarot card reader than her father and loved taking apart all the appliances in the house to figure out how they worked. She’d also insisted on being called Rien for short as her previous nickname, Addy, sounded too much like a “name for babies”.

Luciana was a bundle of energy who poured all of that energy into sports and fitness. She played in Osbert’s new soccer league in Arkhelios and a tee-ball and volleyball league in Twikkii Island.

Saturnia was shy and more reserved than her sisters. The twins sometimes excluded her from their activities because Saturnia was younger, but she always took it in stride and found her own entertainment. She was following in her father’s footsteps and helping him cook and bake. She used the toy stove they bought her to make muffins nearly every day for her family.

“There you go kiddo, just sit tight here and I’ll have your bottle ready in no time. I just have to check on the cake.”

Roman placed Abe Jr in his high chair and then turned to open the oven behind him. The cake was nearly done and the icing was ready for when it cooled. Things were going surprisingly smoothly for once.

“Etienne, Everard be careful.”  

“Oh hey, Evren,” Roman called out to the man attempting to wrangle two toddlers with limited success. “You’re early. The kids are still running around the house and the birthday boy is busy talking back to his father, so you can help me in the kitchen if you want. Where’s Adrian?”

“Busy. He's been looking over something Maura sent him on her efforts to protect the coral reefs near the property. He should be here in time for the party though. Oh, he signed the paperwork for your little collaboration this morning. The lawyer is sending you a copy.”

“That’s great. I’ll have to send a copy to Wanda’s office. She pushed through all the red tape just like she promised. We should be open by next week if it all goes smoothly. I guess it pays to have the president of Arkhelios as an aunt.”

Roman was too busy fussing with icing to see irritation flash across Evren’s face.

“She’s been president of Arkhelios for over a decade,” he said, shifting his wiggling son in his arms. “Plus she’s taken over the Arkhelios Coven’s leadership and spends a suspicious amount of time with...less reputable foreign witches. When you do send the documents, maybe you could suggest that she chooses a single project to focus on, or that she might want to step back from so much responsibility. She might listen to you.”

There wasn’t much that Evren could do about Wanda’s goals, as every time he tried to speak with her about his concerns, she ignored him completely. He wasn’t a very powerful warlock, and he didn’t have the brutal mindset to navigate witch politics. He’d tried to speak with Wanda two weeks ago and had only managed to be “volunteered” to help design Wanda’s expensive new home for his efforts.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell her,” Roman replied, his mind completely focused on his cake. “She was supposed to come to the party, but something came up. I’ll bring her some leftovers if there are any.”

Evren rolled his eyes. As usual, Roman couldn’t see past his own worries. If Evren wanted change among the witches, he would have to find another way to get through to Wanda.

[thesugarclubs-blog]

Call It What You Want - AU Eddie Munson x OC

warnings: mean girls, bullying, alcohol, vandalism, tension, fluff, friends to lovers

word count: 11.3k

WP: https://www.wattpad.com/1304402831-call-it-what-you-want-daphne

Masterlist

“I can’t believe you don’t want to go out.” Robin shook her head, dipping the folded potato chip she had searched the entire bowl for into ranch before stuffing it into her mouth. She had perched onto the counter about twenty minutes ago, watching as Daphne rearranged the snack table four times. 

Daphne shrugged, “I hate going out, Rob and you know I–” 

“Hate crowds,” Robin finished for her, “I know you do. It’s just a big birthday, a… landmark if you will.” 

Daphne laughed, “you mean a milestone?” 

Robin shook her head, hopping down off the counter, “no my dear, sweet friend. A landmark. It’s your twenty-first birthday! It’s a big deal and you shouldn’t be hiding at home with us.” 

The last thing she needed was to end up in some college bar, mothering over her friends who would get way too drunk and who Daphne would end up worrying about all night long. It was precisely why she wanted just a few of her friends, drinks she could control at home and snacks. That was it. 

She let out a sigh as Jason came out from one of the back rooms holding a stack of board games. 

“Did you know you have three versions of Battleship?” He asked with a grin on his face. Dirty blonde hair had fallen into his green eyes. She liked Jason. He was sweet, smart and never questioned her birthday plans. 

Daphne shrugged, “my parents forgot they got it for us for Christmas three years in a row.” 

“Are you sure you aren’t related to Steve?” Robin asked, grabbing another chip, “speaking of,” 

“No–” Daphne began shaking her head, “no, no, no” 

“I may have invited him,” her friend said with a soft wince. 

“Robin!” She whined, “why!” 

“Yeah okay I maybe should’ve asked you first but come on, he’s a really fun guy and like the god of home parties. I thought he could be a part of giving you the best birthday experience ever like you deserve…I’m sorry?” She gave her an apologetic smile and shrugged lightly. 

Daphne sighed and crossed her arms. “Exactly! Hence why! Remember what he did at Jason’s party last year?” She glanced over at him as he arranged the board games on the table, 

green eyes bouncing up when feeling the girls staring at him.

“Umm…you mean that time when he swung from the chandelier with Eddie hanging by his legs? In my mom’s full length fur coat?”

As soon as the memory slipped out Robin cleared her throat and he widened his eyes, clearly regretting his words from the death stare Daphne could sense without even looking. 

Robin groaned and turned to her again, grabbing her by the shoulders gently. “Look, I was clear that the invite didn’t include the plus one who always manages to convince Steve to jump onto the train of his crazy ideas. Besides, I felt bad for him. He’s all alone this weekend. His parents cancelled the family trip to their lake house last minute. They apparently found popping overpriced champagne with their fake rich friends more interesting than spending time with their son.” Her voice was low and tender, and compassion was set in her tone. 

“Don’t do that,” Daphne sighed. 

“Do what?” Robin offered oblivious innocence in a nervous smile. 

“Lay the shitty parents' card on the table,” she tilted her head sideways. “I just want to hang out with you guys tonight and if Steve comes…” 

“He promised me,” Robin assured. 

“Look I’m glad you found Steve, he probably benefited from you being around but he’s still…” Daphne bit her lip, not wanting to be mean. “Harrington. And that’s trouble.” 

“Yeah Robin, she wants to play battleship three times tonight,” Jason rolled his eyes at them. “Can we at least do it drunk?” He asked, nodding to her fathers stocked liquor cabinet. 

Daphne looked at Jason who was still pointing at the expensive liquor. Ignoring him, she turned to Robin again. 

“You just told him?”

“Just him, yeah.”

“And you mentioned not to tell anyone?”

Robin opened her mouth, hesitating. “I didn’t mention it, but-“

“Ugh, I can’t believe this.” Daphne groaned. “I just wanted to relax and have fun and now Harrington and his followers are coming over.” 

“It’s not gonna be that bad, I-“

But before Robin could say something else, the front door got smashed open by a blonde, muscular high school - now college - bully that Daphne only knew as Billy. 

“Let’s get this party started. Whoo!” He screamed. A beer in one hand, a loudspeaker in the other. Behind him were a couple of people that Daphne had never seen in her life, starting to fill the house. 

Daphne pursed her lips and let out a breath of air, as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Of course, this would happen. She knew that Robin had meant well when she had invited Steve, but at this moment, that thought did not make her feel better. It was her birthday and what she wanted was a nice game night with friends. Now she was going to have to watch a bunch of drunk idiots ruin her house. 

She spun around and narrowed her eyes at Steve quickly before turning to Robin and shaking her head. She pushed her way into the crowd and went to the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of the rum punch Jason had made and chugging it back. If Daphne was going to babysit her entire college class, she was at least going to be a little buzzed while doing it. It was her 21st birthday after all. 

“Woah easy there, Hayes” A sultry voice came from the doorway, “Getting the party started before everyone else? There better be booze in that” He chuckled. 

Sucking in a deep breath, she glanced over and rolled her eyes, “Where’s your boyfriend?” 

Steve laughed again, and looked around, “He’s around somewhere, why? Are you looking for him?” He winked. 

“No…” Daphne mumbled, placing her red solo cup between her lips and taking another sip of her drink. “Was just wondering if my chandelier was going to be used in a Miley Cyrus music video tonight” 

Eddie was a character she never understood. Whenever she talked to Steve alone, he actually seemed like a decent, level-headed guy, but when he and Munson got together it was as if all their senses went out the window. Daphne knew a little of their backstory, how the two boys had been close since high school when Eddie’s uncle took Steve in and helped him out. But it was like the two boys didn’t know how to grow up when they got around each other. 

Steve put his hands up in surrender and grinned, his amber eyes glinting under the kitchen light, “Best behaviour, I promise” 

“Mhm..” She sounded into her drink. “I’ll believe that when I see it.” 

And with that, Daphne made her way back out into the crowded living room. A chorus of happy birthdays rang through as more people piled into her house. At least people knew why they were there. Maybe it could be a fun night… 

“Oh my Gosh, Daphne!” A shrill high pitched voice screeched through the music and laughter around her. Daphne spun around, her drink sloshing against the red plastic as Caroline Ford and her band of followers marched their way through the front door. You have got to be kidding. She thought. The last thing she needed was these girls showing up. Caroline never had anything nice to say despite her sunshine exterior but underneath hid something venomous and Daphne had gotten tired of playing with grass hidden snakes in high school. 

“Happy Birthday Daph-Daph!” Another screech and before Daphne could stop it, Caroline’s arms were wrapped around her in the lightest, fake hug she’d ever gotten. 

“Thanks, Caroline,” Daphne bit out as the boxed blonde stepped back. It was like looking at mini stepford wives as the girls fanned out around her. All bleach blonde, except for Chrissie. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a soft ponytail, blush adorned her cheeks and her big doe eyes and bright smile were the realest thing out of the four of them. 

Caroline’s eyes trailed down her body, taking in the black lace top, ripped jeans and leather jacket that suddenly felt suffocating. “I love this look, it’s very…” 

I will not hit her, I will not hit her, I will not hit her.

“Emo chic!” She finished with a wave of her hand at the ensemble, “It suits you very well.” 

Daphne gritted her teeth together, forcing a smile as the solo cup in her hand crinkled under her grip, “thanks.” 

Caroline smiled, knowing that she had gotten under her skin, “well we’re going to get a drink, have fun!” With a snap of her fingers, the four of them paraded into the kitchen. 

Daphne’s confidence deflated as she kicked at the carpet beneath her feet and stared at her reflection in the windows that lined the living room beyond the front entrance. Bodies moved around her, not paying any attention to her as she fidgeted with the lace of her top. She was regretting wearing it suddenly when she had felt pretty just hours before. She turned to look at Caroline in the kitchen, her arm around Jason, lips close to his as she whispered something to him. 

He turned slightly smiling at her and answered her. Tipping her head back she leaned into his chest and laughed like he had said the funniest thing in the world. She brought her eyes back, tilting her down and he pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth. She just wanted to be alone, was that so hard to understand?

She downed the rest of her drink as the tears welled in her eyes, she needed to get the hell out of there. Where was Robin? She spun around slowly, searching the sea of bodies for her but came up empty.

As she turned around some more, still looking for Robin or even a single soul that she has talked to more than exchanging a few hellos, someone tripped and spilled his beverage all over her. 

“Sorry,” he lulled and walked away. 

Caroline stood at the other end of the room, suppressing a laugh as she looked at Daphne's wet clothes. Leaning over to one of her demons, she whispered something which made the others burst out into laughter. 

One tear escaped Daphne's eye. Mumbling a quiet “fuck it” to herself, she ran upstairs into her room. Without even thinking, she opened the closet door and stepped inside, closing the door behind her and sank to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest, letting the tears fall. 

She wasn’t crying because of Caroline, or the spilled drink that smelled hardly like whiskey. No. She was crying because once again, it all got too much. Not to mention that Robin was right. Somehow, she was just like Steve.

Pulling out her phone, she was still faced with her mum's text.

“Make sure you don’t forget to do the laundry, dear.” 

It was sent two days ago. Since then, not a text, not even a call. Not even on her birthday. 

The tears kept falling down her cheeks silently. Something she was already a pro in - silent crying. 

To Daphne, it felt like she had been sitting for hours when in reality it’d only been about 20 minutes. She could hear the party going on below her, the loud music and the laughter but she still didn’t care. Finally, she was getting exactly what she wanted. Sure, she was hiding in her closet but the quiet, to her, was as calming as anything. 

She sat up and looked in the mirror that hung on the back of her closet door, wiping her under eyes and fixing up her running mascara. Letting out a breathy laugh to herself, she couldn’t help but think of the irony of it all. Of course, she could end up hiding in her closet on her birthday. It was always something, and this was it this year. She sniffled and ran her hand through her short dark hair, leaning her back against the wall. 

“Here’s to 21…” She mumbled to herself. 

Suddenly the door to her closet swung open, and she jumped. Her eyes racked up the tattered and torn black jeans, the silver chain that hung from his handcuff belt to the black iron maiden shirt that clung to his body. The red marble guitar pick hung around a silver chain and his long curls were tucked into an elastic at the base of his neck, bringing her eyes around to his signature lopsided smile. 

“Woah, sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you” He put his hands up in surrender. “Are you okay?” Eddie tilted his head to the side and traced her features with his eyes. 

Daphne cleared her throat and wiped under her eyes again, “Ye- yeah... I’m fine. What are you doing up here?” 

Eddie chuckled and sat on the floor in front of her, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you” He stated plainly as he reached around and pulled something out of his back pocket, extending it out to her, “Happy birthday” 

Narrowing her eyes, she accepted the small box with a soft smile, “Thanks…” 

She pulled the red ribbon off and opened the box, revealing a sage green guitar pick, hung on a delicate gold chain. Daphne bit her bottom lip and flicked her eyes back up to Eddie, who was wringing his hands together. 

“It’s beautiful,” She breathed out a laugh, pulling the chain out of the box and slipping it over her head. “You know I don’t play though, right?” 

Eddie shrugged and laughed nervously, “Yeah I know but it… it matched your eyes” He mumbled quickly, before clearing his throat. “Anyway, what are you doing up here? You know there’s a party in your honor downstairs right?” He rambled, attempting to change the subject. 

A shallow laugh left her chest as she glanced down at the necklace he gave her. Something soft and warm bloomed in her as her eyes met his again, “yeah… it’s just bigger than I was expecting.” 

Eddie’s brows knit together for a moment, “You mean you weren’t expecting to have a kick-ass birthday bash?” 

Daphne shook her head, suddenly feeling ashamed and ungrateful for the urge to be alone. She slumped back against the wall again, her fingers mindlessly playing with the pick as she brought her knees to her chest. No one should want to be alone on their birthday, but for Daphne being alone meant less disappointment when the people who were supposed to show up for her, didn’t. 

“You ever stand in the middle of a crowded room and feel invisible?” She asked, her voice a soft almost whisper that combated the bumping music below them. 

Eddie studied her for a moment before dragging his tongue over his bottom lip, pulling the door behind him as he shifted to sit next to her. Their knee’s bumped into the others in the small closet. Even sitting he still towered over her. 

When he didn’t answer back, she let out a sigh. Of course, he didn’t feel that way. He was Eddie Munson. The life of the party, the idea-man for all shenanigans. He had made a name for himself and everyone knew who he was. 

“Forget I said anything…let's just go back downstairs,” she said softly, moving to get up until she felt a warm hand pull her back down. Daphne looked over her shoulder, his dark chocolate eyes glistening back at her even in the darkness of her closet. 

“Have you ever wondered why Steve and I are friends?” He asked her, his fingers tracing the bracelet around her wrist as she settled back down beside him. 

“Cause you’re both grown men with the combined brain function of a thirteen year old boy?” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes and Eddie’s expression told her that he knew it was fake. “Your uncle took him under his wing or whatever, end of story.”

“We weren’t always a team,” he laughed, swallowing thickly a real, bright smile spread on his face exposing the dimple that Daphne loved so much at the corner of his mouth. “It took us longer than I care to admit to realize that we’re alike.”

“Both dumbasses?” She asked, leaning her head back against the closet wall. 

Eddie kicked her shoe with his own and laughed, “No,” he shrugged lightly, “okay yes, I mean the guys you know, the mask we show people at school, at parties. That’s not us, it's a production.”

“Like a play?” Daphne questioned, her eyes trailing down to where he still traced her bracelet. 

His tracing paused when he noticed her staring and he tucked his hand away, patting it against his knee, “exactly. A way to entertain, it might blow your mind but I hate parties. We come because it’s easier than telling people we’d rather sit at home watching Back to the Future and writing songs.” 

He turned his body, sinking down onto his knees and facing her head on, “what did you want to do tonight? If Steve and I hadn’t so rudely told the freshman class your address.”

“That was pretty rude,” Daphne bit her lip, dropping her head. 

“Daphne,” a ringed finger hooked under her, lifting her head so she could see the look in his dark brown eyes. “Tell me, please,” he whispered over the sounds of the party downstairs. 

Her breath caught in her throat as she traced his chocolate eyes with her own. This was a soft side of Eddie that she’d never experienced before, and if the explosion of butterflies was anything to go by, Daphne knew she was going to be in trouble by the end of the night. 

Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, she glanced over at the door to her closet and then back to him. “I - it sounds lame,” she admitted, sighing and moving her head away from him to look down at her hands that were folded in her lap. 

“Try me,” He replied, nudging their shoulders together. 

“I - I wanted to spend my birthday alone like I do every year,” Daphne mumbled, shaking her head once and glancing up at her ceiling to avoid making eye contact with the boy sitting next to her. “I let Robin talk me into having a game night with a couple of people, and then she invited Steve, and then suddenly everyone was here… I feel selfish for being annoyed and hiding up here, but at the same time none of these people actually came here for me…” Her voice trailed off when Eddie softly placed his hand on her knee. “I’m just used to my birthday passing me by like it’s any other day, every year for as long as I can remember…”  

Eddie took in a deep breath, and reached over to tuck a dark wave behind her ear, bringing her attention back to him, “Well, I can say with absolute certainty, that at least one person came here for you…” He spoke quietly. “And, I am sorry Steve and I brought all these people to your house, in all honesty, we didn’t know it wasn’t this kind of party…”

“It’s okay, and I know Robin meant well, I just -” Daphne cleared her throat and looked over to meet his eyes again, “I’m used to disappointment” she shrugged. 

Daphne wasn’t sure if it was the liquid courage from the two drinks she’d chugged or the fact that her crush was sitting with her in her closet, but she definitely hadn’t meant to word vomit that out to him. It wasn’t something she was proud to openly admit and something she had never expressed to anyone, not even her best friend. 

“Plus, Caroline showing up was not what I needed,” she breathed out a chuckle and shook her head. “Drama I thought got left in high school has seemed to follow me here, and now I’m too scared to go into my own living room” Daphne rolled her eyes, and softly smiled at Eddie. “Told you it was lame…” 

Eddie shook his head, “that was the least lamest thing you could have said,” his voice had dropped to just above a whisper as he nudged her with his arm, "and don't worry about Caroline. She spends her time being mean and angry at the world because she has nothing better to do." 

Daphne chuckled, shaking her head before letting it rest against the wall and turning to him. It was the first real laugh she had let out all night and judging by the way he was now grinning at her, he knew it too. 

"Coming from someone who knows what it's like to have their birthday be just another day," he started as his index finger tapped against her knee in a soft rhythm, "you deserve to have the birthday you want, if not more." 

When her eyes met his, he was focused on his own hand. The drumming began to slow though her heart began to race and thump against her chest. She was beginning to believe that he wasn't the party boy everyone assumed he was. 

“So if your birthday is already ruined, why not keep the night on par with the theme?” Eddie chimed in. 

“Theme?” She asked. 

“Yeah, everything sucks and the world is horrible, happy twenty-first Daph!” He wiggled his fingers in the air and dragged a real laugh from her lips. “No,” he looked at her, “I mean like why don’t you do something that makes you uncomfortable?” 

“Do I strike you as that kind of person?” She asked. 

His eyes trailed down her neck, studying the curve of it as she spoke, “Tonight is full of surprises already,” his eyes flickered up to hers. “I have an idea,” he raised an eyebrow, pushing to his feet and extended his hand to her. 

She didn’t budge, just staring up at Eddie admiring the way the loose strands of hair fell against his jaw as his head tilted sideways. “Come on,” he urged, “let me make tonight magical, I did after all ruin it, to begin with.” 

“You didn’t mean to,” she sighed, taking his hand, warm and strong in hers and letting him pull her from the ground. 

His hand snaked around her waist, stabilizing her with his fingers digging into her lower back carefully, “I didn’t mean to,” he whispered, his lips hovering over hers as he watched her make a silent decision. 

Daphne’s eyes flickered between his and his lips. It wasn’t the worst idea in the world, and it did definitely sound like a much better idea than sitting in her closet all night. A smirk found its way onto her face as she gently placed her hand on his chest, and slowly pushed him backwards. 

“I have to change, I’m not going back out there covered in beer,” She sighed, keeping her eyes on him, and doing her best to ignore the fireworks that were igniting every nerve in her body. 

Eddie clutched his chest, and flopped down on her bed, “Fine, leave me out here… waiting” He groaned dramatically, pulling a giggle from Daphne’s lips. 

Closing the closet door, she leaned against it with a soft smile that she couldn’t seem to get rid of. Her fingers came up and brushed over the new guitar pick that hung from her neck and she sucked in a deep breath. After pulling on a simple black t-shirt, and her favourite blue cardigan with little butterflies on it, she finally walked back out into her room, and shrugged as Eddie stared at her. 

“Well, what’s the plan?” She asked. 

Eddie hummed and rolled himself back to his feet, standing tall in front of the brunette. He reached up and trailed his fingertips along the side of her neck where the gold chain was, pushing her hair behind her shoulder, before moving to intertwine his fingers with hers, all while keeping a playful smirk on his lips. 

“I have some ideas,” He finally shrugged, as he pulled her out of her room with soft giggles. 

The two of them made their way back down to the party quietly, doing their best to not draw attention to themselves. Grabbing their coats, Daphne tucked her way out the front door first, as Eddie took one last look around the room, catching Steve’s eye and throwing him a wink, before following her out the door. 

Daphne wrapped her jacket further around her body, keeping the January chill from seeping into her bones, "alright," she said glancing up at him, "what now?" 

The music inside grew louder behind them forcing her to glance back at the soft glow of the living room lights through the window. Worry started to form as the realization that she was leaving a hoard of random people in her house unattended started to set in. She bounced on the balls of her feet as Eddie turned to her. Seeming to sense her nervousness. 

He untangled their fingers and cupped her face, his thumb trailing along her jawline, "don't worry about them. Steve's got it under control--" he paused as her brow cocked, "Okay he's mostly got it and Robin will keep him under control." His hands felt warm against her cheeks and it wasn't helping the blush slowly creeping up her neck. 

"Can you do me a favor?" he asked, dipping his head to keep her gaze, "can you for just tonight, focus on you and when you can't do that, just focus on me." His voice trailed off and a smile grew on his lips. 

She let out a soft sigh, not realizing her fingers had tangled into the Iron Maiden t-shirt and chain of his necklace, "okay." 

“Okay,” he swallowed, “Daph?” he asked, looking down at her. 

“Yes, Eddie?” She took a shaky breath hoping he wouldn’t notice how scared she was about all of this. 

“You’re going to have to let go of me,” he whispered with a smile on his face, the wind blowing around any loose strands of his hair. His hand came up to wrap around hers, his thumb rubbing gently over the top. “I can’t drive with you attached to me,” he said, “as much fun as it would be to try.”

“I-” she untangled her hands from his chest, her fingers stretching beneath his but he didn’t let her go. He entangled his fingers into hers, squeezing tightly and leading her from the house. 

He fished his keys from his back pocket, “you wanna see the love of my life?” He turned to look back at her, his handsome features bathed in warm street light. 

The way he looked at her, with such intense clarity made her feel seen for the first time in a long time and it unlocked the cage of butterflies that resided in her chest. “Is that code for your car?” She felt his hand tighten around hers. 

“You wound me,” he gripped his chest with his other hand and let his head lull back. “She’s more than just a car, Steve and I rebuilt this baby from the ground up, we inhaled rust for months.” 

“That explains a lot,” Daphne giggled and he rolled his eyes at her. She danced on her toes, trying to retain any heat she could within them. “Show me then, it’s cold out.” 

Eddie let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, nodding his head down the street. She stayed tucked under his arm for the short walk to his car, the scent of tobacco and wooden embers swirling in her nose. How had she never noticed how warm and comforting his scent was? 

“Ta-da!” He jumped and presented the rusty, old black Camaro to Daphne. 

Daphne tucked her arms around herself, and giggled, raising an eyebrow at him, “Wow, it’s… a car” 

Gasping and clutching his chest, Eddie placed his hands on the car as if covering its ears, “Shh she didn’t mean that” He hushed with a playful smirk. 

For being something that he and Steve had fixed up themselves, it actually did look like a nice car, but there was just something about his dramatic nature that made teasing Eddie so fun. Besides, he did want her to have fun tonight and get out of her comfort zone.

“Hey!” He called with a smirk, bringing her back out of her thoughts, “catch!” 

With that, he tossed her the keys and pulled open the driver's door. 

“What’s this for?” She questioned. 

“You’re driving, let’s go!” 

“No way! I can’t drive standard!” 

“I’ll teach ya! Come on, scardy cat!” He pushed, taking a step forward so he was standing a mere inch away from Daphne. 

Her breath hitched as she looked up at him and met his chocolate brown eyes, as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Her eyes moved between him and the car as her thoughts and heart raced in her body. 

“Daphne…” He sang, dipping his head to catch her eyes. “Come on sweetheart, you know you want too…” He whispered. 

"There's a lot of things I want to do," she managed out breathlessly, "killing both of us is not one of them." She said, shaking her head as she tried to push the keys back to him. 

Eddie's hands wrapped around hers, holding them between their bodies. A smile formed across his lips before his bottom one found a home between his teeth. Not helping the fact that she was slowly falling further into the web that was Eddie Munson. 

"You trust me?" He asked softly. "I won't let anything happen to you." 

There were very few people that she trusted through and through, but the longer she stared up at him and the way his thumb caressed the back of her hand the answer to his question became clearer. 

"I trust you," Daphne whispered, forcing the smile spread across his face to grow wider. A true beam in the night. 

Eddie moved behind her, sliding his hands onto her waist and leaving the keys in hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck as he coaxed her towards the driver's side door, "good girl." 

He opened the door, leaning around her to grip the handle. His rings clinked against the metal as the door groaned open and he slipped around her into the driver's seat.

“You want me to,” she pointed toward his lap, the keys dangling in her hand. 

He slid the seat back, “we’re living outside the box tonight, remember?” he extended his hand, “and how else are you going to learn if I don’t show you first? My lady,” he cooed wiggling his fingers out for her to take them. 

She giggled nervously, wrapping her hand around his and letting him help her into the car. She settled awkwardly in his lap, her head nearly touching the ceiling as his hand slipped around her waist and rested on the side of her thigh. 

“Put the keys in the ignition,” he brushed her hair back off her face, resting his chin delicately in the crook of her shoulder. His cheek brushed up against hers as he spoke, peach fuzz tickling her skin. 

She collected her thoughts, rolling the metal through her fingers. Eddie reached out, taking her hand in his making her relax with a touch and guiding her hand to the ignition gently.  

“See that wasn’t so hard was it?” he laughed, his chest rising and falling against her back. 

She shook her head once and let out a breath that she wasn’t aware she was holding. “Ok, you got this! Everything will be fine…” Daphne mumbled to herself. 

Another chuckle was pulled from behind her, his breath hot and sweet against her face. “You do got this…” He teased, giving her left thigh a light squeeze. “This foot on the clutch pedal, and then your right foot, as normal is the brake and the gas pedals. So start by pushing in the clutch and the brake and turn the car on,” 

Sucking in a deep shaky, Daphne nodded once and followed his instructions, causing the car to roar to life, and she giggled, “I did it!”

“You’re doing great, princess,” He grinned against her cheek as he watched her. “Now’s the hard part, you’re going to slowly let out the clutch, and press the gas. Slowly, okay?” 

She nodded again and swallowed thickly as her left foot came off the clutch, and before she could press the gas, the car stalled and stopped, jerking them forward into each other. “Shit! Ugh, sorry!” 

Eddie chuckled and shook his head, moving his hands to give her shoulders a small squeeze, “It’s okay, try again! No one gets it on the first try! Once more, come on… You got this, remember?” 

“Okay, okay…” Daphne pushed the clutch and brakes back in and restarted the car. She took a deep breath and slowly took her left foot off the clutch, moving to press her right foot into the gas, making the car jolt forward once more. 

“You did it! Okay, right hand stays on the stick, take your foot off the gas, press the clutch in and we’re going to shift to second… Ready?”

Without thinking, Eddie took her hand and placed it on the stick shift, covering it with his own. “No gas, clutch in…” 

Daphne moved her feet, letting out the gas and pressing in the clutch once more, allowing Eddie to move her hand with the stick shift, moving them into second gear. 

“Oh god, it’s happening…” Daphne grinned, turning her head to slightly look at Eddie. “I’m doing it!” 

“Yeah you are, now look at the road, crazy girl! You’re driving!” He laughed, instinctively pressing a kiss to her cheek. 

Daphne sucked in a shaky breath feeling his lips against her skin. They were warm and soft and left her wanting to know what they'd feel like on her own. Her heart felt like it was trying to escape her chest but she tried not to let it show as his hand guided hers. 

"Alright," he whispered, "ready for more?" 

"More?" She asked, suddenly worried. 

Eddie chuckled, "take the next left and shift into first as you take the corner, we don't want to end up in a ditch." 

She nodded her head, narrowing her eyes in order to see the road a little bit better. Even with the scattered street lamps it was still extremely dark and the trees lining the road made it difficult to see anything beyond a few yards in front of them. 

"Do the same steps in reverse, push the clutch in and shift down," his voice was calm compared to the grip he had on her but she followed his steps, she could see a turn-off ahead of them and began the process. Daphne felt him smile against her cheek again, "good job, turn here." 

She did as she was told, taking the left and turning down the gravel drive, pulling over to a stop, "Now what?" 

Eddie let go of the hand that was covering the shifter and leaned over to open the glove box, grabbing something black and clothlike before closing it again. He held it up in front of her, a sly grin on his lips as she glanced back, realizing that he was holding his black bandana. 

"Trust me?" 

Daphne's eyes flickered back and forth between his own and the bandana. He wasn't serious...right? She slowly shook her head, "no, Eddie, no!" 

He laughed, "come on, we're secluded, the road is straight going forward from here, we'll be okay. I wouldn't suggest it if we weren't." 

Her worry started to slip in as she gnawed on her bottom lip. She could do this. She trusted him enough to sit on his lap and learn to drive a stick, she could do this. 

His finger slid under her, bringing her gaze to his, "remember, focus on me," Eddie's eyes flickered down to her lips and then back to hers so fast that if she wasn't caught up in them she would have missed it, "focus on the sound of my voice, and the way my hand moves over yours and you'll be golden."

“Eddie,” her voice was low and trembled as she twisted her hands over the leather wheel nervously. “I don’t think I can do this,” she whined. 

“You can do anything, beautiful.” He nuzzled his face against her shoulder and cheek. “Just don’t kill us,” he laughed but she couldn’t help but hear the words he didn’t say. I still have plans for us, yet. 

The ringed fingers of his left hand curled around her wrist carefully trailing down her forearm as she carefully kept her speed. “Eddie,” her voice searched for him in the darkness. 

“Do you feel it?” Eddie asked his hand over hers, steadying her with merely his touch. “Go faster,” he urged, “feel the road under you.” 

The car slowly veered to the right and gravel spun beneath the tires wildly as she hit the side of the highway. She squealed, unsure of herself and almost let go of the wheel in panic. Her heart pounded in her chest, her feet on the pedals, her skin so hot under Eddie’s touch. 

“Little to the left, angel,” he guided her by the wrist back onto the smooth road. “Perfect,” he hummed in her ear, “how do you feel?” He asked. 

She thought for a moment, the world around her speeding by when she couldn’t even see it. At any moment she could kill them, it was terrifying and exhilarating. She had never felt anything like it before, “alive,” she whispered, tipping her head back against him. Her nose brushed his jaw, “I feel alive.” 

“Atta girl,” He whispered, drifting his left hand down to give her thigh a gentle squeeze. 

Daphne could feel his smile against the side of her face, and for once she was unable to contain her own. Her heart was hammering inside her chest and she was so sure he could feel it. The thought dawned on her that there was no one else she would have trusted to do this with. No one else would have pulled her so far out of her comfort zone, yet still made her feel safe and insane at the same time. 

She wasn’t sure if it was the vibration of the road beneath them as the world sped by or the closeness of their bodies in this way, but something set off an explosion of butterflies deep in her belly. Eddie shifted his hips against her ass, and Daphne had to bite her lip to stifle a whine that threat to fall. Now was not the time to think about that, but it was as if her brain had let go of so many things, and was now just able to focus on this moment and this moment alone. 

“Something wrong, sweetheart?” He asked, against the shell of her ear. 

Daphne shook her head, as her breath caught in her throat, “Not at all…” She whispered back, her voice shaking just a little. “For the first time tonight, everything is… perfect,” 

Eddie rested his forehead against the side of her head, “That’s all I wanted for you… Oh shit!” His left arm wrapped instinctively around her waist, holding her against his body as his other hand moved to the steering wheel and cranked it to the left. The tires spun against the gravel of the shoulder, throwing them both against the door. 

“Brake, brake!” Eddie commanded from behind her, and as soon as she followed the instructions, the car came to a screaming halt, jolting them once more into each other. 

They sat there for a moment, Eddie’s arm still wrapped around her and his other hand gripping the steering wheel tightly on top of hers. Their breath mixed and she could feel his heart beating just as fast as hers. After what felt like hours, Eddie’s hand released hers and he slumped back against the driver seat, pulling Daphne with him and rumbling out a laugh. 

Daphne slowly pulled his bandana off her eyes, still in shock as she finally stared out at the reason for the sudden stop. A bright yellow “Dead end” sign sat mere inches from the hood, pulling a burst of soft laughter out of her as well. 

“Eddie…” Daphne breathed out. 

“I told you I got you,” He smirked. 

She breathed out a nervous chuckle, just the thought of how the night could’ve dramatically turned the other way around made her pulse roared in her ears. “Shit… are you okay?! The car?!” Whipping her head back, she frantically studied every little feature on his face.

Eddie leaned slightly forward, the leather seat squeaked under his weight and he hooked a finger under her chin. “Hey hey, don’t worry. It’s okay, we are okay.” A soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips, assuring her with a gentle squeeze around the waist. 

Daphne took a deep breath to contain her nerves. “Jesus, that was crazy. What happened?”

His smile grew wider, a glimmering look flashed by in his big, deep chocolate eyes. “I got a bit distracted, but as I said, I got you,” He winked.

Warmth crept up against her neck, reaching all the way to her ears. Her heartbeat suddenly raced for a whole nother reason. He leaned forward even further, lips hovering over hers as he brushed past her without breaking eye contact to reach the keys. His hand travelled down to land against her left thigh, motioning with a light tap to make her press down onto the clutch so he could ignite the engine.

A playful smirk lingered on his lips. “I would definitely call this one hell of a birthday, don’t you think?”

She bit down on her bottom lip and shook her with a light chuckle. “You’re crazy Munson. This was insane and crazy…I like it. Thank you, I needed this. Although it almost went downhill.” 

“There’s still time,” he smiled and shifted underneath her, settling back into his seat. 

She leaned in a little closer, so close she could taste the lingering smoke on his lips. Challenging him to close the gap while she rode the wave of adrenaline. Her fingers tangled in his necklaces, nails scraping softly at the skin beneath his collar. She felt him go still beneath her, his eyes flickering to her throat as if he could see how fast her heart was beating beneath her skin. 

“I’m going to need you to use the passenger seat,” he groaned. His lips brushed against hers but without giving her what she so desperately wanted, he pulled back, swallowing tightly. She wanted to scream at him, why won’t you kiss me?

Daphne’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion and disappointment. She looked over his features trying to figure out what she did wrong when she realized his face was scrunched up in discomfort, his big brown eyes pleading with her for secrecy and blushing like an idiot. 

“Oh god,” she looked down between them, “I’m so sorry Eddie.” She slapped her hand over her mouth to cover a smile, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. “I guess there is such a thing as too much fun?” 

“No,” he shook his and the bun at the back of his neck loosened, causing more pieces of hair to fall around his face. “Shit, no,” he mumbled and brushed a piece of her hair off her face. “I just don’t want the first time I kiss you to be like this.” 

She stifled the whimper threatening to expose her absolutely undying love for him at that moment and bit into her lip roughly. He helped her slide off him and over the console to the passenger seat. Adjusting himself before he turned the engine over and the car roared back to life. 

“Alright Angel, what other kind of trouble should we get into,” he tapped his watch, “it’s only eleven, plenty of time to do more illegal birthday activities.”

“Was that?” Daphne looked through the back windshield and then back to Eddie, “illegal,” she whispered. 

“Driving blindfolded in the lap of your—” he stopped himself short of the word. “Very,” he leaned over the console and pecked her on the cheek. “Tell me again why we hate Caroline?” He rolled the car down the highway back toward town. 

Daphne sunk back into her seat, somehow already missing how it felt to sit in his lap. She looked to her left, biting her lip in thought of the warmth of his breath against her lips. Eddie was focusing on the street, clearing his throat. 

“Earth to Daph.” he chuckled, which made Daphne's cheek blush a bright pink. 

“Sorry,” she chuckled, wiggling in her seat and looking at her lap. “I got a bit distracted…” 

He smiled at her using the same words he did. “No problem, sweets.” he turned his head to the right, meeting her eyes and winked at her. 

“You didn’t answer my question though. Why are we hating Caroline so much?”

She sighed, playing with her fingers, “I don’t hate Caroline. It’s just…she’s so…so,”

“A bitch?” Eddie asked, giving her a quick glance.

She gasped dramatically, “Eddie Munson. Watch your mouth!” she giggled which made him grin like an idiot. “But yeah, she’s a bitch.” 

“See? I know exactly what you’re thinking.” he laughed.

“Oh I don’t think you do,” she whispered more to herself, hoping he wouldn’t hear it. 

“What was that?” he asked.

“What was what?” she looked at him, acting like she didn’t know what he was talking about. 

“Oh, I thought you wanted to say something.” he smiled softly. 

“Maybe later,” she bit her bottom lip.

“Can’t wait,” he narrowed his eyes at her for a moment and drove them further into the direction of their college. 

“Where are we going?” she asked as they passed a few sorority houses.

“Getting in some trouble,” he smirked.

The car came to a stop just outside the very familiar looking three-levelled white house. A grand entrance with a set of small columns supporting a balcony, sandwiched within another set of even bigger columns supporting a pantheonic gable.

She didn’t know it was possible to roll her eyes so far back.

Daphne turned to face Eddie as he killed the engine. “Tell me why we’re outside of Caroline’s and her little string puppet's house on my birthday?”

Eddie’s grin only grew wider and wider, his eyes practically sparkled with excitement. “Trust me, this is going to be your best birthday ever.”

With that, he jumped out of the car and jogged over to the passenger door, opening it for her with a little bow and a twirl of his hand.

He reached it out and she grabbed it with a shake of her head and a chuckle. How was it possible to be this adorable and funny? 

“My lady, ” he whispered and dipped down to place a soft and lingering kiss on the back of her hand. “Let the real fun begin.” He smiled against her now flaming hand. 

With reddened cheeks and a heart that swelled in her chest from his sweet touch, he kept her hand in his as they walked up to the front door. She was just about to ask further what they were actually doing there when he reached forward to wiggle the handle.

She quickly placed her hands over his to stop him, panic gripped her heart that someone could’ve heard them. “What are you doing?!” She asked. 

“Relax, they’re all probably still at your place…” He pulled away to search for something in his pockets, “you don’t happen to have a hairpin on you?”

“Eddie… I wouldn’t call breaking and entering any type of fun. What if someone sees us?” She said with a stern look on her face.

He cupped her face. “You’re a girl, even if someone is in there they won’t know you don’t belong. Piece of a cake. Trust me you’re going to love this,” he winked. “So, hairpin?”

She bit through the whimper and her knees from giving in on her. Again, she couldn’t resist stepping back from the thrilling side ahead. “Yeah…” Her hands dove into her coat pockets, fishing up a hairpin she always carried around for emergencies, in a hair way at least. 

“That’s my girl.” He plucked it from her fingers, straightening it out and put it in the keyhole, fiddling and turning it around until it finally clicked. 

“Is it clear?” She asked carefully as he peaked his head inside. 

Eddie placed a hand on her lower back and ushered her inside, leaning against the doorway with crossed arms and ankles with a satisfied smile. “Totally clear for checking the fridge, can you do that?”

She scoffed. “What? You broke inside because you’re hungry?”

He chuckled. “Eggs sweetie, see if you can find any eggs. Then you’ll see.”

Daphne’s eyes darted between the hallway in front of her and Eddie. The idea hadn’t quite clicked but it was a night of doing things that made her question her morals. She sucked in a deep breath and whined for a moment like a child. 

“Fine,” She huffed, biting the inside of her cheek to stop her smile. There was no way she wanted to admit out loud just how much fun she was having. Not yet. 

Eddie flicked his hand and ushered her to keep going, unable to keep the playful smirk off his face. It was almost as if he could read her mind, knowing exactly what she needed at any given moment, even if she didn’t know it herself. He had always been that way; intuitive of other's needs. He had known that Steve needed help back in high school, he’d known that day when Daphne had failed her mid-term exam and was feeling down on herself, that she just needed a coffee and food to get her back on track. For some reason, it took breaking the law on her birthday with Eddie to make her realize how attentive he had really been to her and everyone in his life. 

Daphne tiptoed through the hallway, looking in doorways until she found the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she pulled out a carton of eggs, with a big grin on her face. 

“Perfect!” She whispered to herself, shutting the door and turning on her heel. 

“What’s perfect?” A voice slurred, as a blonde stumbled into the kitchen, clutching a bottle of vodka. 

Daphne’s eyes widened, as she halted, and paused, thinking for a second. “Uh, you! You’re… so pretty,” Her eyes darted behind the girl to Eddie who was standing with his mouth covered trying not to laugh. 

The girl slumped against the wall and with a lopsided grin, “I am so pretty…” She whispered, sliding down to sit on the ground. Her arms wrapped around the bottle, and she hugged it close as her eyes shut. 

Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, Daphne stood there for a moment, staring at the girl on the floor. She waved her hand in front of her face and when she got no response outside of a light snore, she crept around her and jogged lightly back to the door where Eddie was doubled over. 

“Never again!” Daphne handed the eggs to Eddie and rubbed her hand over her face trying to settle the thumping pace of her heart. “That was…” 

“Hilarious,” Eddie popped the top of the carton and nodded, mumbling to himself under his breath.

“I hope she doesn’t say anything to anyone,” she looked back toward the house, her dark hair bouncing around her face as Eddie dragged her to the front yard. 

“I don’t think she even remembers her own name Daph,” Eddie laughed and it filled the air and her chest with warm, unbridled happiness. “Chose your weapon,” he spun on the heel of his boot and extended the egg carton to her. 

Knowing exactly what he had planned now, she tugged up the sleeves of her cardigan and ran her finger over the top of the eggs, “this one.”

She giggled, snatching one of the larger brown eggs from the carton, “excellent choice,” Eddie hummed, grabbing an egg for himself. “Which bedroom do you think is Caroline’s?” He leaned over looking up at the giant house. 

Daphne pointed and Eddie’s chocolate-brown eyes followed her finger to a large bay window on the second floor. “There’s no way she wouldn’t have the biggest window,” she said and without questioning her decision, Eddie pulled his arm back and hurled the egg. 

She followed suit, letting all her pent-up frustration fly through the air, exploding against the window panes. Eddie handed her another, their fingers brushing together as she laughed and threw the next egg. Cracking against the side of the house a few of the downstairs lights popped on and the sound of college girls echoed from the house. 

“Oh shit!” Eddie grinned, as Daphne grabbed the final egg and hurled it through the air, smacking it right against the glass of Caroline’s window. He threw the carton into the bushes and grabbed her hand as the two of them started running down the street. 

Their laughter rang through the street as they ran, and it felt as if the whole world was clearer. Daphne stopped suddenly when they were far enough away, and caused Eddie to jolt backwards and spin around to face her. She stepped into him and grasped the collar of his jacket, breathing heavily as the tips of their noses brushed together. 

His hands landed on her hips, giving her a small squeeze as he traced her face with his dark eyes, “I knew there was a little rebel in there somewhere…” He spoke quietly, swiping his tongue along his bottom lip. 

“This has been one of the most incredible nights of my life,” Daphne panted out, keeping her eyes on him and playing with the fabric of his coat between her fingers. 

“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” He answered, nudging his nose back into hers. “We still have 20 minutes, what’s next my little delinquent?” 

A huge grin formed on Daphne’s lips, as she took a step backwards, looking up at the sky and throwing her arms out to the side, taking in a deep breath. Her gaze returned to Eddie and there was a hint of something in her eyes that had changed. “We need to go back to my house,” She stated plainly. 

“Are you sure?” He laughed, watching her bud with confidence. 

She nodded, feeling it course through her. It made her nerves buzz like they were made of pure electricity. It only fueled her excitement to see him watching her, head cocked sideways with eyes full of mischief as his hand came up and his fingers danced across his lips. 

“What?” She asked. 

“Nothing,” he hummed, his eyes trailing over her and landing on her smile as his own curled into a smirk. 

“Eddie Munson I know you well enough to know when you are thinking about something, and when you aren’t, out with it,” she ordered.

“You are magnificent, even more so when you smile.” He admitted.

“You make me wanna take the world head-on,” Daphne took a long deep breath in, turning her thoughts to the stars. “Now take me home Munson, before the clock strikes Midnight and you turn back into a pumpkin.”

“God, you’re so hot when you're mean and bossy,” he licked his lips and grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around in the dark. “Come on then, wild cat” he set her down slowly, only letting go of her hips when she was firmly on the ground again and linked his hand with hers. 

They made their way back to his Camaro. Eddie made her laugh and giggle the entire way as he swung their hands back and forth, skipped in front of her and sang whatever came to his mind. He swung the car door open, bowing and holding her hand as she climbed inside. 

Daphne went to pull her hand away but when he wouldn't let go, he smiled up at her before resting his lips on the back of her hand. Planting a firm but soft warm kiss on her skin. 

"Ready sugar?" He rasped, his thumb rubbing across her knuckles. 

Fire began to burn in her belly. Her bottom lip found a home between her teeth for what felt like the millionth time that night. He was igniting something in her that she had never felt before and it was becoming addicting. Twenty minutes was not enough time in the world for her to tell him-- show him how she felt. 

A mischievous grin spread across her face making him mirror her, "yeah, I'm ready." 

He closed the door and slid across the hood to the other side, making her tilt her head back against the headrest with a laugh. Eddie climbed inside laughing at himself as he glanced over at her, the two of them pausing and taking a breath. 

A faint smile spread over his lips again as she rolled her head to the side to look at him, "I love the sound of your laugh," he whispered, the corners of his mouth upturning a little further before dropping again. 

Her brows knit together at the vulnerability of his words, the small smile that crossed his lips and the way he lingered for a moment to watch her before putting the key into the ignition and bringing the engine to life. 

Eddie pulled out onto the road and headed back to her house without another word but something else had filled the air between them. It felt like tiny little firecrackers popping between them. 

As they pulled up to her house, he parked in front of the driveway as Daphne took a deep breath. It was now or never and it was time for those snakes to be revealed. She heard the leather seat next to her squeal under Eddie's weight as he turned to her. His hand finding hers. 

"You got this." He smiled, reading her mind for the umpteenth time that night. 

She forced a smile back, leaning into him and pressing a kiss on his cheek. Her lips lingered against his skin for a little bit too long. She pulled away, flashed him a smile and climbed out of the vehicle hearing him groan as he did the same. 

Daphne marched up the steps to her home, hearing Caroline's laugh screeching through the front door as she pushed it open. She needed to confront her once and for all. For too long Caroline had made her feel like shit. Made fun of her, made her think that they were somewhat friends and then rip the rug out from underneath her. Leaving Daphne feeling embarrassed and deserving of the loneliness that Eddie pulled her from tonight. 

"Can you believe this place?" Caroline laughed, taking a sip of whatever cheap liquor they had found, "it's like so 1940 and tacky." Her fingers flicked the edge of a table lamp. Her posse of demons giggled over their cups. 

Daphne could feel Eddie behind her, she didn't need to turn around to know he was there. His presence was loud and welcoming. 

Caroline's glossed over eyes found Daphne as she walked up to the group, "Ah! There she is!" Caroline hissed, "the birthday girl," her eyes flickered behind Daph, a devilish grin forming over her kool-aid stained lips, "wow, Daph-Daph, didn't think you had a thing for the abused and broken." 

The group of women went silent around Caroline. Rage began to brew in Daphne's chest as her hands fisted at her side. 

"Doesn't surprise me though..." Caroline shrugged, crossed her arms over her chest and sloshed her drink, "abused and broken seems to fit your personality." 

Before she knew what had happened, a shooting pain flew from her knuckles up her arm and Caroline landed on the ground, her shirt covered in whatever concoction she was drinking and blood pouring from her nose. The rest of the girls gasped taking a step back from their leader currently scrambling on the floor. 

"Holy shit," Eddie huffed behind her. 

Daphne shook out her hand, leaning over Caroline. "Get. Out. Of. My. House." she stood up straight, taking a breath and trying everything to ignore the pain surging in her hand. She glanced at all of the other girls, "word to the wise, find someone who isn't so bitter to follow around like a pack of puppies." 

The girls scrambled out of the house without looking back, Caroline still laying on the ground with her hand covering her face. She stumbled to her feet, swaying to the side as Daphne, flexed her fingers trying to work out the stinging feeling as she waited for Caroline’s next move. 

“You may feel good now but in the morning when you wake up alone and sad in this big empty house tomorrow, remember that feeling in your hand. Because that punch is the only thing you’ll ever have,” Caroline seethed, wiping blood from her nose. 

Daphne surged forward but a set of warm hands wrapped around her stomach and pulled her back, smoke and leather filling her nose she relaxed against Eddie’s chest. “Easy there, Rocky,” he whispered in her ear. “Her ego is bruised,” he said louder, so Caroline could hear. “And I think you broke her nose,” he laughed. 

“Honestly it looks better now,” Robin piped up from the archway behind them, her voice echoing in the silence. 

“You should probably thank her,” Steve chuckled, his arm wrapped around Robin’s shoulders. 

“Go on Caroline,” Eddie smirked, “Thank Daphne for the wonderful party and for giving you the nose no surgeon ever could,” his tone dropped as his fingers tangled with hers around her middle. 

Daphne watched her pride deflate before her eyes, utterly alone and belittled in front of everyone. “Just get out,” she said, “this is embarrassing.” 

“You heard her,” Eddie released his grip around her stomach spinning around as he hopped up on the coffee table. “Everyone get the hell out,” he hollered through the house. 

“Eddie, I didn’t mean…” she whispered but was grateful. As her adrenaline faded the urge to cry rushed in and the pain in her hand grew with each passing second. 

“Hey, Caroline,” Robin called as she huddled herself out the door with some of the other bodies. The bleach blonde turned to look at Daphne’s best friend, blood staining her upper lip. 

“She’s not alone,” Steve whistled, a smirk plastered on his stupid face, “she never was.” 

Daphne watched as Steve huddled around Robin, leaning in to whisper something in her ear as the rest of the partygoers exited through the front door. “I’m going to drive Robin home,” he nodded, “you need a lift, Eddie?” 

She raised an eyebrow, turning to Eddie who stared down at her from his perch, his brown eyes glazing over her, and then to Steve. Eddie had driven himself to the party…

“No,” he smiled at them, “I think I’ll be okay.”

Steve nodded once and shot him a wink before moving with Robin to usher out the last of people, leaving Eddie and Daphne standing in her living room alone. They had been alone together all night, but for some reason, it felt different now. The tension hung in the room and Daphne wasn’t sure if the explosion of nerves was from punching the one person she’s hated her whole life square in the face, or from actually feeling ready to admit what she’d been feeling from the moment her eyes locked with Eddie’s across the quad for the first time. 

Once she was sure everyone was out of her house, she let out a deep breath and shook out her hand, “Ow fuck! Does punching people always hurt that much?” She groaned, tucking her hand into her chest and covering it with the opposite one. 

Eddie couldn’t help but let out a laugh, throwing his head backwards as he jumped off the table, and retrieved her hand, “Come on, tough guy,” he chuckled, placing a light kiss on her red knuckles, “Let’s get you fixed up.” 

Daphne laughed through the pain as she followed him back into her kitchen. He spun around, and grasped her waist, lifting her and placing her on the counter, “I’m sorry this wasn’t exactly the ending of the night I had planned,” he spoke, pulling an ice tray out of the freezer and emptying it into a dish towel. 

“Are you kidding me?” Daphne breathed out with a smile, “This was one of the most incredible birthdays I have ever had, and it’s literally all thanks to you.” 

Eddie shrugged, bringing over the handmade icepack, “One of the most incredible?” He questioned with a playful smirk as he fit himself between her legs that dangled off the counter and gently lifted her hand with his fingers to place the cold towel on her knuckles. 

With a soft gasp, her hand jerked backwards at the sensation quickly, before settling back into his touch. “Yeah well,” she cleared her throat, tilting her head and matching his smirk as her eyes locked with his, “You almost beat out my sixth birthday party when my parents actually showed up and took me out for pizza…” She spoke quietly. 

“Well, I guess I’ll have to go better next time,” he grinned at her, running his thumb gently on her wrist to help soothe the pain of her hand. 

Daphne’s tongue flicked across her bottom lip, her gaze moving behind Eddie to look at the clock on the stove. 

11:58 pm.  It’s now or never. 

“Eddie…” She sucked in a deep breath, catching his chocolate brown eyes once more. 

With a soft smile, Eddie tilted his head to the side, “Yeah?” 

“I have one last birthday wish…” Daphne whispered, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth and moving her free hand up to brush a curl away from his face as she thought about her next move. No, don’t think. That’s what he’s been teaching you all night. 

With one more deep breath, Daphne took her hand from his, and cupped his face, leaning forward and pressing her lips deeply against his. Their mouths fit together like two pieces of a perfect puzzle and the explosion of butterflies told her this was exactly what she needed. 

Eddie hummed into the kiss, dropping the icepack to the side and moving both his hands softly up her thighs, tucking under the hem of her shirt and gripping the bare skin of her waist, sending a shiver up her spine with the coolness of his rings against the fire in her body. He stepped forward and pressed his body into hers. 

Breaking the kiss and he pressed his forehead against hers, nudging their noses together. “It’s about damn time,” he whispered. 

“Shut up,” Daphne giggled, the two of them smiling into another kiss. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and she parted them to grant him access. Eddie’s arm wound around her body and held her close as their mouths moved in unison together. 

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, long talks and sweet kisses, as Eddie did his best to make all the boxer jokes he could think of, while Daphne continued to threaten that she was going to kick him out of her house. 

Steve was right. She was never alone. 

She never would be again. All the family Daphne ever needed was right before her eyes.

[feelingnom]

baked goods made last year that fill me with joy!!

the first cake was a dark chocolate cake where i was experimenting with frosting, which is such an incredible art form!! i have absolutely no grasp of how people can create such beautiful things, i had to keep it simple.

the second are german chocolate cookies with coconut flakes. i absolutely LOVE coconut in baked goods and i feel like it’s so often underused in western food!! literally such a shame! i made half with walnuts for my family, but obviously i had to make a batch without. I really wish i could know the joys of nuts , my housemates recently ranked their ten favorite nuts and i had never really thought about how different they all must be!

third are store bought blondie mix, i know!! terrible to advertise on my baking blog, but my friend really wanted to make them together <3 i personally thought they were too sweet but truly the excitement was in baking together, not the desert. they also, admittedly, look really pretty.

fourth, a slice of vegan lemon bread i left for my dear anya. this was such a frantic day because me and my two other friends had breakfast plans and we just kept getting far too delayed doing other things. a lot of doing something with others is about just spending the time, BUT i get hungry! and this lemon loaf was such an excellent snack before shakshuka (not pictured)

this might be my favorite! and i never shut up about this cake. this was one of two cakes i made for my birthday (yes i made my own birthday cakes, very normal!!) and it’s pear chai!! you heard that right! it was sooo unbelievably yummy and it brought to light the beauty of fruit cakes to me! flavor and joy and happiness are all apart of this cake to me and i got to make it with my friend rosa which made it all the more special.

5th is another dark chocolate cake, terribly frosted, but so so college baking. this was a cake i made for my friends engagement party! it was such a pain to transport from my house because i walked ahhhhh but i’m so glad i could make it and that people could enjoy. it’s so awesome to watch people enjoy something you made. baking for others is totally a form of gift giving which is so personal and kind, i think

lastly a loaf of bread i made when i went home for winter break. this was my first time using a dutch oven! and boy it kinda changed my life. i’ve been without it since using it over break, but my family is actually bringing it to me this weekend! i love to bake bread, it’s something i got into last year when the house i moved into came with a breadmaker. fresh bread is so unbeatable and warm. bread is truly forever.

[kilosch]

Journal Date: 09/22/2024

Morning Thoughts: I woke up today thinking about life. Reflecting on how the last few months went, I realized that today marks the beginning of my journaling habit. Nothing too dramatic has happened so far this year that I need to catch up on, so from now on, it's about recording everything fresh.

Yesterday's Highlights: Yesterday was my 26th birthday. It wasn’t a big deal to me; just another day, but the original plan was to camp somewhere alone for the weekend. Unfortunately, that got canceled because my grandma needed me to sign as a witness for her land notary documents back in the Philippines.

On the upside, I ended up spending time with my extended family. We went out to a Japanese restaurant in El Monte, and one of my closest friends, Robert, was nearby and able to stop by. He was in his LASD uniform, which made things a bit awkward because my family has mixed feelings about cops—even though I’m in the process of becoming one myself.

It was a special moment, though, seeing Robert, and I was glad he came. Besides that, I had a few video calls from friends across the globe, wishing me a happy birthday. Nate, my best friend, called, and we caught up, as usual. I always appreciate his wisdom and the fact that he knows what I’m going through with everything happening in his life.

Things I Realized: Talking to my parents back home in the Philippines reminded me that I need to visit sometime soon—preferably before I start the police academy with the State of California. It's been too long since I’ve seen them in person.

Current Thoughts & Goals:

I want to get back to journaling regularly and capture everything from now on so I can look back at these memories.

Visiting the Philippines is a priority before the academy.

Stay connected with Nate and Robert, who continue to be great friends.

[therealnotta]

Had a dream that there was a mountain and magic was real, but magic didn’t affect much in one’s day to day life.

The mountain itself was magic, however, drawing all manner of creatures to itself. This caused plenty of valuable resources to be left on its side, ripe for the picking—if you could survive. My fast food job wouldn’t give me more hours, and didn’t pay enough, so I’d spend my weekends on the mountain, digging through debris to find something worth selling, and made enough to get by.

Everyone loved our shift lead. He was from South Carolina and he had a memory like an elephant. Man could remember your face, name, and order after years of you not coming in. Some guy from his hometown came in, and was so impressed by this that he tipped an insane amount. Lead wouldn’t tell me how much, but he said he would use it to go to the mountain.

Here’s the other thing about this mountain. A lot of people treated it like a bucket list item. It was dangerous to go on, so they’d rent some big robot that would carry them around. Couldn’t get souvenirs, but you were guaranteed to come back in one piece.

I told him not to do it. We both had healing powers, and I regularly went around the bottom of the mountain, so we could handle ourselves. And maybe get some treasure out of it! He eventually agreed to it, and coincidentally, it was my birthday the next time we both had free, so I was hyped for our little adventure. Had to reassure our coworkers that I’d drag him back even if he got killed so we could find someone to revive him, a comment he didn’t appreciate.

We get to the mountain, he chickens out. Keeps getting up to the massive wall keeping the critters contained on the mountain, looking at how high it is, and turning around to go back to the car. I’m getting frustrated, because don’t they realize what this means for a kid like me? A chance to go further up the mountain! We could find things that would pay my rent for the next year!

So I go it alone. I don’t tell him, I just angrily storm off, climb the wall, get to the other side.

This is where the dream falls apart.

The mountain has been taken over by enemy forces. With tanks. I feel both glad that I went alone and a little silly, because what am I going to do now? One of the soldiers trains his gun on me, then looks to the person next to him. Person next to him looks exhausted, tells me to pick up the nearby gun and shoot him. I ask if that won’t kill him, and he shrugs and tells me to shoot him again. I do. He dies.

A woman immediately takes his place and asks me the same thing. I shoot her, too, but nothing happens. Turns out the gun shoots out a magnetic ray; if you’ve been marked with the other end of the magnetic, the ray connects and fires a projectile. Otherwise, it’s harmless.

So now I have to kill eight people who have been marked. Except the plan for marking them is so stupid. They tampered with certain food items that their targets usually get, and they were going to put those things in the store. Just loose. Hope that they get and eat the right one. I asked what would happen if someone else ate it, and they got real quiet before leaving to discuss it. I woke up just as the shift lead managed to break in to get me out.

Like man, how would we have gotten out?? They probably marked me when I wasn’t looking. And what’re we going to do, go back to a fast food joint? I was forced to be a hit man! How am I coming back from that? Smh logic needs a little work, but that’s how dreams are these days

[scarlettriot]

Along for the Ride PT 1

Pairing: KirishimaxF!Reader

Summary: A drunken mistake had you marking the little Plus One box to your snobby cousin's wedding. Kirishima told you not to worry, if you couldn't find a date, he'd go with you. When the wedding gets moved up, there's absolutely no time to find a date and you're now about to be traveling to America with Kirishima on a private jet no less, dreading having him meet your rude and impossibly arrogant family.

Contains: Kirishima and Reader both come from very well-off families. Plus-Sized Reader. Fluff. Hurt/Comfort.

Warnings: Kinda smutty for a minute. Minors DNI. Drunken Sex. TW: Manipulative Family Relationships. TW: Body Image Issues

A/N: This story has been rolling around in my head for a while now. I might rewrite this and repost. Or I might just post the whole thing soon. I dunno yet. It does get smuttier.

Word Count: 4,974

"What's up with Y/N?"

Eijiro stepped out of the locker room with a towel slung over his shoulder and made his way into the kitchenette where Mina was chugging a bottle of water before getting back to her patrol. His eyes were trained on their mutual friend out on the patio, pacing.

You had your phone pressed to your ear, the high neck of your hero costume unzipped to your collarbone and he noticed your gloves discarded on a chair.

"No clue." Mina shrugged. "She got back from patrol and she noticed a bunch of missed calls from her mom. She's been out there, flailing on the phone for the last fifteen minutes now."

The three of you had met in your second year at UA when you transferred into their class and were quickly accepted by their little squad of friends. You were a bit quiet at first but quickly found comfort in the group. Eijiro had grown especially close to you when you both interned with Fat Gum.

Late nights traveling on the train back to school, a few close calls while helping patrol, and days spent playing cards while you both healed up in the hospital left plenty of time for Eijiro to get to know you better than most. It was how he knew you had a pretty bad relationship with your family, why you hated returning home for the holidays almost as much as you hated any and all forms of tomatoes.

He considered going out there just to see if there was anything he could do but before he had the chance, you were sliding the glass door open. "Oh, good, you're back." He offered you a bottle of water for your throat that he assumed was sore after that argument. "I- um- can I borrow you for a second? Alone?"

Mina snorted a laugh. "If you guys wanna bang it out on the counter you can just say so. I gotta go to work anyways."

Eijiro threw the towel at her as she left the room leaving you two alone. "What's goin' on?"

You hoisted yourself up on the countertop while he leaned against the fridge. "You remember my cousin's wedding that's happening this winter?"

He nodded. He vividly remembered the both of you getting waste a few weeks ago when you were filling out the RSVP and accidentally marking 'plus one'. Then you ran around trying to find White Out but he'd told you if you didn't find a date or have a significant other by the time of the wedding, he'd just go with you.

You argued that your family was bat shit crazy, had more money than they could spend in their lifetime and because of that, they were among some of the rudest people you knew, and you didn't want Eijiro or anyone else around that.

The thing was, Eijiro already knew that and was still okay with going. He came from money too. A lot of it. His family was just more welcoming than yours, the wealth never really going to their heads. But, he reminded you that he'd ran into enough people like those in your family that he knew how to handle them. You finally agreed to let him accompany you, leaving the plus one box checked but the name line blank.

"Well, my cousin just found out that surprise, she's pregnant! And, obviously, she can't have a wedding while seven months along so they've decided to move the wedding up to this weekend."

He nearly choked on his own spit. "This weekend? As in four days from now?"

"Yup! Saturday at 4 in the evening. Oh! No one's supposed to know she's pregnant either. So, I'm just supposed to compliment her on how flattering her dress looks, how thin she is," Your hands strangled the water bottle between them, "And I have to find something flattering to my figure because my mother has seen me in my hero outfit and she's so glad I wear a mask because if anyone knew her daughter ran around looking like I do, well, it'd ruin her!"

You massaged your temples circling back to the actual point, "Anyways, I just wanted to bitch for a sec and let you know you're off the hook since four days is just a little short notice and I told her my plus one wouldn't be able to get the time off that fast."

He pushed off the fridge. "Well, wait, hang on! I'm not letting you go in alone to deal with them! Hell no! You need backup!" You looked almost taken aback by his abruptness, "Yeah. I can work this out. Is the wedding at the same place it was supposed to be or has it moved?"

"No, it's still that fancy lodge in California. I was planning on leaving Friday morning and then coming back either Sunday night or Monday morning since my mother insists I go to their brunch the following day. But, Eijiro, I already have this weekend off..."

"Denki owes me a favor or twelve. He's supposed to be off this weekend too, I'll just see if he can cover me."

"And if he can't?"

"Then..." He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead, "Y/N, am I feeling warm to you? I think I might be starting a fever!"

You folded your arms, shaking your head, "Thought you said lying isn't manly."

"Technically, correct. But, what would be real unmanly is for me to let you deal with your family's bullshit all alone." You watched him closely, "To be honest, I'm sure we could just explain you had a family thing come up and asked me to come along for moral support. I don't really think anyone would think twice about it. Hell, you took a few days off to console me when my turtle died suddenly!"

"Eiji, you refused to eat."

"And you brought me my favorite dumplings! Same thing!"

You might have shaken your head at him but your arms opened wide. The telltale sign you wanted affection. He walked forward, consuming you in a tight hug. Your arms latched around his neck, face buried in the hollow of his throat. "You're the best."

"I just do what I can."

>>><<<

You should have canceled. Instead of Eijiro faking sick to get out of work, you should have faked it with your mother so you didn't have to go in the first place. You crumpled to the floor of your bedroom in pure frustration amidst the twenty or so outfits and dozen pairs of shoes you'd thrown out of your closet trying to find something that your mother would deem appropriate.

It wasn't your fault you had a fuller figure. You worked out, ate right, not to mention your job kept you very active, and yet your, hips, ass, and breasts were by no means subtle.

Your mother had also insisted on the dress being floor-length and modern, "Do try not wearing all black. It's a wedding, not a funeral. And, get your hair looking natural, please." And, just like that, 70% of your wardrobe was out the window!

"It's open!" You called from the floor when the doorbell rang.

"You really should lock this." Mina tutted, walking through the door with a bag full of takeout.

"I do. At night."

"Honey, it's 9 PM."

"Night like bedtime."

Mina just rolled her eyes and walked into your tiny kitchen. "I see the dress hunt is going well."

"I actually figured it out!" You got off the floor, careful not to step on a heel as you made your way to the pink haired woman, "I'm just gonna go in my birthday suit. I figured, my mother made my body technically therefore she can't disapprove of it. Because, you know, she's never done anything wrong in her life!"

Your best friend snorted out a laugh and passed you the take-out container stuffed full of stir fry. "you're a wonderful person, you know that?" You loved the fact Mina didn't even have to ask what you wanted.

"If you'd just move closer to work then you could pick it up yourself and I wouldn't have to bring it to you."

"Too expensive." You declared after a mouthful. "You pay almost twice as much as I do per month and I just don't see the point. I have damn near the same amount of space you do for half the cost!"

You adored your small one-bedroom apartment. It was perfect. Right above a bakery that you visited each morning after your run and a little balcony that provided you with the most stunning view of the sunset.

"You and Kiri, I swear." Mina just shook her head and curled up with her food on the loveseat. "I thought he'd end up with the biggest house out of us all the moment we started making that real Pro money. You've seen his parent's house. It's massive! You could get lost in that place!"

Eijiro's place was barely bigger than your own. He lived in the same condo he had since you'd graduated UA, claiming it was perfect for him in each and every way. But, you knew that he donated a sizable amount of his paycheck every month to charities, the same as you. With savings to spare, neither of you saw the point in hoarding it and therefore the small condo was all he could afford with what he actually kept.

"Just don't understand how a guy that big can live in such a tiny little space. At least with you, it's you know, physically feasible."

Eijiro's bedroom was barely large enough to fit the king-sized bed the man needed to sleep comfortably and even then, his feet were dangerously close to dangling off the bed. And, as if the man's ears were burning, your cell phone went off under a pile of discarded shoes.

Shark-E: Figured out your dress situation? If not, I'm just gonna pack like ten different ties and hope for the best.

You: Yeah! I totally did! I'm just gonna wear this birthday suit I got and call it a night.

You chuckled at your own joke all over again. Watching the grey ellipses appear and then vanish, appear and vanish again. After a third time, you took pity on the man.

You: Joking, Ei. I still don't have it figured out but Mina's over so, hopefully, she can help.

Shark-E: Gonna give me a damn heart attack! Seriously, I wouldn't put it past you just to see the look on your mom's face. Tell Mina hi and good luck to you. I vote the dress from the Hero Gala two years ago.

You: Hi from Mina. Can't. Too much boobs.

Shark-E: You take that back right now! There is NEVER such a thing as too much boobs!

You chuckled to yourself, putting your phone down, and then finished off the last of your delicious dinner, thinking about the dress Eijiro mentioned.

You wondered if maybe there was a way you could make the thing work but it was so very low cut. So much tape had been used to make sure no slips happened but damn was it worth it! The beaded bodice with the sparkling long sleeves, gods, how you loved that dress.

"I'm inclined to agree with our shark boy. You're busty, who gives a damn. You looked hot as hell in that dress."

"My mother, that's who. As much as I'd like to not give a flying fuck what she thinks, for some dumb reason, I do. On top of her telling me that the amount of cleavage I would show would be vastly inappropriate for a wedding, she'd also say the way it hugs my hips makes them look too fat."

Mina rolled her eyes. "She's such a piece of work." Pushing herself up, she held her arms out to you, wiggling little pink fingers for you to take. "Come on then. Let's get you sorted."

"What about that one you wore to the charity art thingy with Kyoka last winter? The one with the silver top."

"Silver is too close to white." You called out from within your closet.

"What! Not true!"

"You know that. I know that. Every person with two brain cells knows that, which is why most of my family does not know that."

"Fine..." She whined and started sifting through the opposite end of your closet. "Oh, what about this?" Mina waved about the blue and green plaid skirt that made up your uniform from your middle school days when you lived in America. "Please try this on. I'm begging!"

You were pretty sure it wouldn't even go over your thighs anymore.

"It's got a better chance of fitting you!"

Mina threw it at you anyway. Slipping off the sweats you wore, somehow, someway, you were able to tug it on AND get it zipped, barely. It no longer covered your ass but you still enjoyed the way it swished around when you wiggled your hips.

"You could be fulfilling so many people's fantasies right now." Mina mused.

You pulled the skirt off and sweats back on, throwing the former back at her. "Yeah, you can take it and go fulfill Hanta's fantasies if you like. Not like I've got anyone to impress." You pulled down a dress you bought on sale a year ago but Mina was quick to dismiss it.

Too puffy, she said and then held up one that was from Momo. "I needed to get it shortened and I don't have time for that now."

"Wait..." She hummed and dropped the Momo dress. "I know what it should be!"

Mina hurried through the closet, grumbling about not finding it. "Just tell me which dress and I can tell you where it's at."

"It's that one you got for grad night and then you got sick and couldn't go!"

"Mina, Mina I can't wear that! That's actual vintage, not like, made-to-look-vintage!"

"But it's so elegant and has that off-the-shoulder sleeve thing. The wedding is at a damn sky lodge! It'll look so pretty in the snow! Ah! Found it!"

She yanked up the long, elegant gown from the garment bag you'd never removed it from. There wasn't a single wrinkle in the burgundy fabric. It looked just as beautiful as the day you found it in that second-hand store, on a mannequin with gaudy stage jewels that you just had to buy so the look was complete.

You ran the back of your hand over the velvety fabric, soft to the touch. "It'll be too tight now. If I was the same size I was at graduation-"

"Bullshit!" Mina cut you off with a dismissive hand, "You've got hips now. We aren't 18 anymore! It's not like it's some clubbing dress. And I bet no one would say a damn thing about your figure if they knew how easily you could crush them with those thighs!"

A smirk tugged at the corner of your lips. Without quirks, you gave every single one of your classmates a run for their money in hand to hand. Most were fairly easy to beat. You could usually take down Eijiro in about five or six minutes and Katsuki in half the time. Funny enough, it was Ochaco that gave you the hardest time.

"I'll consider it. But help me find something else just in case."

>>><<<

It was another two hours before you finally agreed on an a-line, empire waist green and gold number that had been the bridesmaid's dresses for Tetsutetsu's wedding. Mina thought they were a crime the first time they had to wear them, she had no idea what you were thinking.

That's why the moment you were preoccupied with trying to find yet another dress for the Sunday brunch, Mina pulled out her phone.

You: DO NOT, under any circumstances, allow Y/N to wear the green dress. She's bringing two because she can't decide. Red is the winner!

Jaws: Aw, come on. If she likes it, let her wear whatever she's comfortable in. She'll be under enough stress already.

You: Kirishima, it's the dress from Tetsu's wedding. The one that looks sparkly baby food.

It took him a second to respond.

Jaws: Alright. Understood. I thought you guys looked good but damn, she hated that dress.

You: We all did.

Mina looked at the message chain again and couldn't help but asked, "Are we just gonna ignore the fact that you and Eiji are flying all the way to America, last minute, to attend a wedding together, even though you're not together?"

"We've flown to the states before."

"For work!" She sat up eagerly. "This is different, Y/N! This is a date and not just a, like, casual date but a wedding date!"

You poked your head out of the closet. "No, it isn't. This is a friend helping another friend who stupidly mismarked an RSVP." You corrected very plainly but Mina wasn't one to give up so easily.

She whined, dragging out your name, "You guys have been doing this thing for ages. Why do you have to be so stubborn about it all!"

"What's that supposed to mean!"

Mina started ticking off points on her fingers. "He was the first person you opened up to at UA. You saved his life when he was busy saving Katsuki's life second year. You spent all that time interning together, became sidekicks together. Went to America together for three whole months, ALONE, and you honestly expect me to think there's nothing between the two of you!"

The truth of it all was simple really; 17 year old you had a massive crush on Eijiro Kirishima. He was sweet, always listening to you, providing comfort when you needed it, and always encouraging you to push your limits. He was bright and honest, a little slow in the head from time to time but that made him all the more endearing.

He was also head over heels in love with Katsuki Bakugo.

It was why you never made a move. Never spoke a word of the feelings you harbored. You didn't dare to cross that line with him because you couldn't ever hold a candle to the explosive man.

In the three years Eijiro and Katsuki spent together, your brain finally started registering Eijiro as just a friend, nothing more, and certainly nothing less. You thought your heart had followed suit but it was becoming more and more apparent that wasn't the case. Because the night he showed up at your door, tears in his ruby eyes, every lock you put on your heart broke open.

The same way you couldn't hold a candle to Katsuki, Eijiro couldn't hold one to Izuku. You knew exactly what he was feeling even if you never intended to tell him. Too overcome with fear. If Katsuki came back... that'd be it. Eijiro would go back and you wouldn't even blame him!

Still, the redhead consumed a decent chunk of your heart though, you couldn't deny that after the three months you spent together in America, gathering intel on a smuggling ring, living in the same apartment. The groggy, 'good mornings' when his voice was still scratchy with sleep, hair falling in his eyes. The late nights bandaging wounds and killing cheap bottles of wine while watching terrible American reality shows.

It was those bottles of wine that did you in on your second to last night in America. Supplying you with courage and draining your sense of reason, allowing you to crawl onto his lap, into his arms. You could still remember the pressure of his lips on yours, those sharp teeth gently dragging along your lower lip.

Scared hands tracing the curve of your ass before taking handfuls to squeeze. The laugh that came from you was unlike anything you heard before, something so genuine that you couldn't reproduce.

How it felt when he lifted you up and took you to his bed, laying you down taking his time removing your clothes, and watching with awe as you pulled away his own. The way he looked over top of you, his hair a curtain of red around you just before you closed your eyes, gasping while he filled you.

You also remembered the guilt that crept into your head during the wee hours of the morning, the doubt that was louder than the snores coming from behind you.

It made you slip from under his massive arm, gather up your clothes from his floor, you tucked the blanket around him, and pressed a kiss to his temple before padding out of the room.

You told yourself you'd talk to him about it if he brought it up, but he never did. Not the next morning, or night, not on the plane ride back home, nor anytime since. It was a memory you'd hold close to your heart, one you wouldn't let slip away or share.

"There's nothing there, Mina. We're just good friends is all." You lied with a smile on your face, something that had become surprisingly easy to do.

If only you knew that Mina saw right through it. That Mina already knew the truth of it all.

>>><<<

It was nearly one in the morning when your phone rang. The goofy picture of Eijiro with face half painted at a festival a few years back never failed to make you grin.

"It's a little late." You answered by way of greeting.

"Don't pretend like you were anywhere close to sleeping, you little night owl."

Chuckling at the nickname that had followed you since high school, "What's up, Eiji?"

"I was going over flights. You said in the office that you wanted to leave on Friday?"

"Yeah. I have patrol tomorrow and I didn't find any flights after 6 PM so, Friday is the earliest."

He was quiet on the other line for a moment. "Yeah, you don't have patrol tomorrow, or work at all for that matter."

You sat up a bit straighter in bed. "Um, yes I do."

"No, you don't. I called Mina, asked her if you'd mind taking that shift for you and, since she knows what's happening, she agreed the extra day for travel would do you some good. So, she's covering you tomorrow then you're off work until next Wednesday. As for me, thanks to all that overtime I put in when Denki, Kyoka, and Hitoshi got married, the three of them are splitting up my days so I have until Wednesday too."

Eijiro sounded impossibly proud on the other line, you could almost see the smirk on his face. "You've got this all planned out, don't you?"

"And a bag nearly packed. Just need you to tell me what ties to bring."

"Gold, burgundy, and black."

"Thought your mom said no black for you?"

"She said no black for the wedding. She said nothing about black at the brunch!"

You couldn't wait to put on the tea-length dress that had been a favorite for years. Satin with a lacy top and, best of all, pockets.

He let out a rumbling laugh that fell off into comfortable silence as you laid back in your bed, lights still on, the room still a mess. You tapped the speaker icon and laid the phone on the pillow right beside your head, listing to the various sounds of Eijiro moving around.

A door creaking open, a hanger clattering against another, and a zipper. "And just like that, I'm all set."

"Don't forget your passport or hero license."

"I have one in my wallet and the other in my backpack."

You swiped up on your iPad, off Netflix, and going to google, lazily searching through flights. "So, did you find any good flights since you've clearly been looking?"

Another chuckle, "Eijiro, why are you laughing?" More stifled giggles had you sitting up in bed again. "Just tell me a site you were on. They're just flights, what's so funny?"

"There isn't a site."

"You said you were checking flights."

"And I was... on my family's jet."

"Eiji! No! No, no, no! That is supposed to be for their business or hero things! My stupid cousin's wedding is neither of those things!"

"Relax, Y/N. My family has multiple and they don't have any business trips planned right now anyways. I already cleared it with my mom. Seriously, I just mention your name and she's likely to let me have it for a whole year at least. Plus Todoroki's is back up in working order so the agency is covered too."

Damn, why'd he have to be so good at planning from time to time! You'd completely forgotten about the second jet his family had. Always opting for the larger one since the few missions they needed it for required them to bring fifty or so heroes along.

"Besides, if we fly private, we can land at an airstrip closer to the venue and won't need to drive four hours on top of a ten-hour flight."

"Alright, okay, thank you but, let me take care of the rental car, please. It's the least you can let me do."

"Deal. I just have one more question for ya."

"What's that?"

"Wanna leave tonight?"

You nearly dropped your damn iPad in shock. "Eijiro! What the fuck has gotten into you! It's the middle of the night!"

"I'm excited!" He boomed, "I haven't had a vacation in months!"

"I hate to break this to you, buddy, but this isn't going to be a vacation. You really shouldn't get your hopes up. This isn't going to be a good time with laughs and fun memories... my family, they just, they aren't those kinds of people."

"But we are." He stated matter-of-factly. "If they want to have sticks up their asses then let them! We'll have a good time on our own, laugh and make fun memories! So, what do you say, Y/N? I can be at your place in fifteen. I just gotta put shoes on and grab my keys..."

"Wait, hang on. Are you forgetting that we need someone to, oh, I dunno, FLY THE PLANE! Actually, we need two someone's, can't forget about a co-pilot!"

He hummed happily and you rubbed your temples. "You, you have a pilot and a co, don't you, Eiji?"

"Mhm! There is a company we use. Two can be at the hanger in an hour and every hour after that. I just have to make the call and get the flight plan approved which will be done before I even get to your house."

There was literally no reason to say no. You had mostly everything packed, nothing you needed to get from the store, all you had to do was put on pants and pack up your hygiene bag and you were ready too. Maybe getting there quicker and getting the whole thing over with would be better than staying home dwelling on everything.

"Better put your shoes on."

The glee in his voice, that was enough to make this whole thing worth it, "I'll see you soon."

>>><<<

Eijiro reached into the backseat and plopped a bag down on your lap the very moment you were buckled in. "Had to make a pit stop." He explained.

"It's after two in the morning, where'd you have to..."

"Just open the bag and don't complain."

You found it filled to the brim with all your favorite snacks.

"I'm sure the plane will have a bunch of snacks we can raid but I know for a fact they don't have these." He held up a pack of cookies and creme flavored pocky that had been his favorite for as long as you'd known him, quickly followed by your favorite flavor too. You also found a massive bag of gummy worms and jolly ranchers.

"So, what you're telling me is our teeth are going to rot by the time we land? Not that I'm complaining."

You ripped open the bag of ranchers knowing that was what he'd go for first and sure enough his hand dove inside just as he pulled away from the curb. You could hear his dangerously sharp teeth biting through the rock candy like it was nothing while you still rolled one around your mouth.

Eijiro asked you about the resort you'd be going to, wondering if you'd been there before or what other stuff you guys could do when you weren't dealing with your family. "I figured we could fly back Monday night or Tuesday morning, you know, just play it by ear in case there was anything else we wanted to do."

More than anything, you wished you could just leech a little bit of that excitement from him. The glimpses of his smile you caught as you drove under the street lights made your heart ache.

"What?" He asked with that wide smile of his. You'd been caught staring, red-handed.

"I, uh, I just don't know what to tell you."

You could see the subtle change of his grin, watch as it softened and his hand came to rest on your thigh. "Hey, it's gonna be fine! And if we run into them while out doing stuff, you can just avoid them or hide behind me!" At least hiding behind Eijiro is an easy thing to do, damn mountain of a man.

His thumb slowly brushed back and forth. "'S gonna be okay. I'll beat 'em up if they're assholes!"

You snickered at his Katsuki impression and let the drone of the radio fill the air around you both. Enjoying the silence the rest of the way to the hanger with Eijiro's hand atop your leg.

[storiesbyjes2g]

Luca rattled off plans for tomorrow, and the smile slowly faded from Ali's face. Before he could tell the kids he was leaving in the morning, I made a mental executive decision and told Luca we'd love to do all the things he suggested. Ali's face wrinkled, and I knew he was about to spill the beans. I couldn't let that happen. Not when the kids were enjoying him so much. I was previously okay with him missing Alessia's birthday, but after seeing them together and witnessing the love in her eyes, I can't let Ali go home. He's already here. I already paid for everything, and I'm sure he can swing two more days of PTO.

"It's the weekend, Ali," I said with heavy emphasis on weekend, hoping he'd catch my meaning. "Surely there will be all kinds of events you don't want to miss."

"You're right," he said after a few moments of contemplation.

Though I expected him to comply, I was surprised he did so quickly and without contest.

The food came, and we enjoyed a nice, drama-free dinner. Afterward, the kids went to the bathroom, leaving me and Ali alone for the first time. At first, we smiled awkwardly, eyes bouncing all around to avoid contact. But then I thought of something rather important to say.

"You know... I wasn't sure how you being here was going to work. I originally told Luca no."

Ali chuckled. "He always gets to you."

I smiled bashfully. "You're not wrong. But now that you are here, I'm really glad you came."

He nodded. "Thanks for letting me tag along... And for taking care of everything. It...it really helped."

"Don't mention it. You should know I don't mind you being around. I just wasn't sure how you'd feel about being around me."

He nodded again.

"Luca is gonna live at home for a while, so I imagine Less will, too. If you ever want to come by and hang out with them, I'd welcome that."

He smiled. "That's good to know. Thank you."

I smiled back, and we sat in silence again for a beat.

"Listen," he said, "I want to apologize for how I acted at Alessia's last birthday. I've been thinking about it ever since and realized I was just jealous of your ability to give our kids things I couldn't. Who knows how long it would have taken me to save up for a trip like this. You've given them this experience and so many other things. I'm happy they've experienced life beyond their neighborhood. I just wish I could do more for them. But my ego shouldn't block their development. Thanks for taking extra care of our children."

I was blushing so hard. Deep down, I'd been wanting to hear him say something along those lines ever since he left me. Him taking the kids and saying he didn't trust me affected me much deeper than I've ever admitted. Even after he clarified his statement, saying he didn't think I was an unfit mother, I've been trying to prove that to him this whole time. When you admire someone, and they express a sentiment like that, it's damaging. He already had enough to side eye me for. I didn't need him also looking at me sideways because of my parenting. But he gets it now! I'm not someone who flashes my money in other sims' faces. That's nowhere near any part of my personality. Even spoiling the kids has never been my goal. I just want them to live life to the fullest, having everything they need and a few things they want.

"Ali... What you give them can't be measured in simoleons. And, I appreciate you saying that."

He winked. "Don't mention it."

[starryjeekies]

Can I request OT8 E’Last love languages (giving/receiving)? Ty 💕

A/N: OH MY GOD YES! this is going to take me a long while so I’m sorry if it is posted later than I intend to but I want it to be good! (post writing: thank you for waiting for this!! my work week has been so chaotic recently and I finally had some time to write)

Rano:

Giving: Acts of Service

I think Rano is a huge sweetheart. Like when he’s in love, he’s not afraid to tell the world how amazing you are. He seems like the boyfriend who when picking you up from work or school, he would definitely tell you about what he plans to do when you get back. “I already started prepping dinner for tonight and set up everything you need to take a relaxing bath afterwards and will put your favorite blanket in the dryer and-” and follows through on EVERYTHING. 

Receiving: Words of Affirmation

Rano is a HUGE SOFTIE he will blush or giggle or smile at almost everything. He’s a fun loving guy and gets super shy when you compliment him. I think when you praise him, he will just MELT. He cannot fall in love with you harder. Whether you tell him he’s great at dancing, he’s handsome, or even “I’m glad you’re in my life” he will start to bush hardcore and push his face into your neck to hide the embarrassment. Please compliment him a lot so we can see him smile more often its so pretty :(

Choi In:

Giving: Acts of Service

House Husband Choi In at your service! I don’t doubt he would dote on you so much when you have the weekend together. Unfortunately, as many adults know, the weekend isn’t for fun. The weekend is for us to catch up on the adult things we put off. So I don’t doubt he would come over before you woke up, coming in with the key you gave him, and make you breakfast while starting your laundry. He would kiss you awake and present to you lovely heart shaped pancakes before running off to wash your dishes.

Receiving: Quality Time

I think to recharge at the end of the day, Innie likes to spend time with you. He would like to sit on the couch with you, probably with his head in your lap as you tell each other about your day. Then he would most definitely want to cook with you if he wasn’t cooking alone with you watching on. Being around you makes him feel at home, hence why he is always late to work; he’s always begging for “5 more minutes” before he gets out of bed.

Seungyeop:

Giving: Words of Affirmation

I think Seungyeop gets a bad rep of being the most serious member. I think he’s more thoughtful with his words and has rbf so he comes off more serious and scary. When he does praise you, you know it’s genuine and true. Not to say he won’t praise you forever and whenever, but it always feels special. I think his favorite things to say to you would be “I’m so proud to call you mine” and “you never fail to make me feel needed” because HELLO BOTH ARE ADORABLE! Gives off the “that’s my wife and I love her” vibes.

Receiving: Acts of Service

If Innie is the house husband, then Seungyeop is traditional 1950s ‘goes to work and comes home to dote on wife and play with the kids’ type of guy. We know how hard they work, especially him during Tears of Chaos era. If he came back to you seeing that you prepped his lunch for the next few days, cleaned up the place, and are ready to provide him with attention, he would feel so grateful for you. He knows you want to make his life a lot easier and would greatly appreciate it.

Baekgyeul:

Giving: Gifts

I can believe that Baekgyeul’s favorite time to get you something if not an anniversary or birthday would be when he’s out doing shows. I feel like every time he’s out of the country, he would like to pick you up a little piece of jewelry (whichever you prefer) he think would look lovely on you. Whether its a simple ring, a necklace with your birthstone in it, or earrings that would match your favorite outfit, he wouldn’t care the price. Not only do you appreciate him getting it for you, he would also smile when he catches you wearing it.

Receiving: Quality Time

Baekgyeul, for sure, prefers to just hang out at home instead of going out. I think his favorite past time with you would be doing your own little thing but together. For example, he would be building a new star wars lego set while you would be reading a book. I also think he’s a super good listener and is very attentive to you so would give you the stage to talk all day. He doesn’t mind what you do because as long as he’s with you, he is content.

Romin:

Giving: Quality Time

I think Romin would love to take you out on dates, anywhere and everywhere. He likes to go to dinner with you, take you museums, go shopping, stargaze, he wants to show you off and how good you two look together. He wants to show you the things you never dreamed of doing. You are usually astounded with his dates, especially when they’re surprise dates. You are always on your toes with him.

Receiving: Gifts

I don’t think Romin is self centered and ever expects gifts from you, but is highly appreciative of the things you do gift him. That ring you got him after your first anniversary? If it’s not on his hand it is on his nightstand. The framed picture of you two on your first date? It’s above his bed. He will treasure and take care of everything that you give him and will remember exactly when and where you gave it to him at.

Wonhyuk:

Giving: Words of Affirmation

The best boyfriend ever. He would always make sure you are loved. He always wants you around so he can dote on you and tell you how much he adores you. I think the best thing he does is if you’re not paying attention to him, he will say “come here so I can appreciate you!” and proceed to bearhug you while telling you how attractive you are and how he is so lucky to call you his. Will definitely hype you up with all of your accomplishments! Will always tell you how hardworking you are and how proud he is of your achievements.

Receiving: Physical Touch

Its not hard to see that he loves attention. He’s a big baby and wants to be cuddled 24/7 if he could. He feels the most content when you’re lying on the couch with him in your arms and you’re playing with his hair. There’s nothing he doesn’t appreciate. When you’re out with him, he will always hold your hand or link arms. When he’s tired but has to be out at a schedule and you’re there, he will rest his head on your shoulder. At home, you best believe that he is a koala and won’t let you go until you ask.

Wonjun:

Giving: Physical Touch

I believe Wonjun gives the best hugs. I have no doubt he notices that you are more relaxed when his arms are around you so he tries to have him arm around you whenever, especially when you’re stressed. Tiny (not anymore but) but mighty. He started working out for his health but also so he can make you feel safe and secure. When you’re hanging out with the guys, his arms are always around your waist, holding you close.

Receiving: Acts of Service

Wonjun is ready to marry you on the spot whenever you do something for him. No matter how small it is such as you getting him bubble tea during practice or how big like when you surprised him after Boni Hani with flowers, dinner, and a comfy pillow fort, he would get down on one knee if he had a ring. He knows you love him and would do anything to make him relax, and would definitely prefer to do anything with you.

Yejun:

Giving: Quality Time

I don’t think Yejun is one for over the top romantic gestures, but would definitely find little romantic spots for the two of you. He would be the type to leave dance practice early to make sure he can take you to your special spot near the Han river for a little picnic. Or would definitely take you to a casual food shop so you two can talk about your day over shared tteokbokki and samgyeopsal (he only shares his food with you).

Receiving: Words of Affirmation

He has the biggest and brightest smile and it always comes out when you compliment him. He has the voice of an angel and would smile and shy away when you would praise him about it. When you first start complimenting him, I think it’ll take a while for him to accept what you say. Eventually, he will start to accept them, especially when you praise him for the hard work he’s put into being an idol.

[anonymousfiction211]

Happy birthday

Summary: Everyone has forgotten your birthday, expect your loving boyfriend Loki who has a special evening planned for you.

Word count: 2.588 words

Happy birthday When you woke up this morning you were so excited. But now, you couldn’t wait for this day to be over. The whole day went by and everyone had forgotten it was your birthday. There were no text messages from friends, no cards in the mail, not even your parents had bothered to call you. At work no colleague had congratulated you, there wasn’t even a cake – apparently the office tradition broke with you. And adding to your misery, Loki was still in Asgard and you had no idea when he would be back. For a moment you though about leaving a message for Heimdall, Loki had taught you how. But you didn’t feel like yelling to the sky, to a men you never met, only for him to tell your boyfriend that you were sad. And then what? You would only wonder the rest of the night if Loki had gotten your message or if he also didn’t care like everyone else.

Deciding against leaving a message you drove the rest of the way home in silence. By the time you arrived at your house you were actively holding back your tears. Somehow you had hoped that maybe it was all a trick and there would be a surprise party at your house. But there were no cars and you didn’t see the lights on in your house. You sat in your cars for a few minutes, taking a few deep breaths. You would just order a pizza, watch a movie, and go to bed. At least it was weekend now, and you could spend the weekend doing all the things you love like reading, baking, playing the piano and maybe buy a few more plants. You rumbled through your purse, looking for your keys. You got out of the car and opened your front door. You entered your hallway and the first thing you noticed was that there were lights on, and you could clearly hear someone walking around in the kitchen.

You briefly wondered how you didn’t see the lights from the outside of the house, you should have. But panic rises as you realized that someone was in your house. The problem was that your phone had died, so you needed the phone in your living room. But once you would call the person inside your house would hear, and that could lead to a very bad situation. You put your purse and keys down as quietly as you could. You grabbed an umbrella and slowly made your way to the kitchen. If you played this right you could knock the person out, tie them up and then call the police. With the umbrella in your hand, you slowly opened the kitchen door. There was a man in front of the furnace, standing with his back to you, but you recognized him immediately.

‘Loki?’ you asked.

He turned around and smiled brightly at you. ‘Happy birthday, love’ he said.

You immediately ran towards him and he opened his arms to catch you. It took a moment for the two of you to let go of each other. When you did he kissed you.

‘I missed you’ he said.

‘I missed you too. How are you even here? I thought you had to remain there until the end of the month?’ you asked him.

‘Darling, like I ever was going to miss your birthday’ he smirked.

Normally, you would laugh. But the remark hurt and you started to cry. Loki’s happy expression changed into a worried one. He pulled you closer and let you cry against his chest.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked when you stopped crying.

‘Nothing’ you mumbled, nuzzling closer to his chest. You didn’t want to admit it that everyone forgot your birthday.

Loki grabbed your shoulders, moved a bit away from you so he could look at your face. ‘Tell me’

You stared at the ground until a finger under your chin made you face Loki again. You sighed. ‘You’re the first person to remember today’ you said, your voice barely higher than a whisper.

You saw the hurt in Loki’s eyes before he pulled you into another tight hug. ‘That’s awful’ he whispered.

‘I’m really glad you’re here’ you said back.

‘Me too, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy tonight’ he said.

‘But why are you holding an umbrella? It isn’t raining?’ he asked.

You broke the hug and put the umbrella on the ground next to the door. ‘Ah, well. The lights were off, but when I entered I saw them on and heard you in here. I thought you were an intruder’ you explained a bit sheepishly.

‘And you were going to attack me with an umbrella?’ he cocked one of his eyebrows in amusement.

You shoved him ‘Shut up, that was the best plan I could think off’

He just laughed a little. ‘Sorry to startle you. The lights would be my doing. I really wanted tonight to be a surprise’ he explained.

How he did the trick with the lights you didn’t ask. You knew that once Loki started to talk about magic, he would be talking for hours on end. The kitchen timer went off and you noticed that Loki had something in the over. You were curious and tried to look passed him, but he blocked your view.

‘Go sit at the dining table. I have a few surprises for you tonight and you are far to curious, kitten’ he mused.

You wanted to protest, but the look of excitement on his face was way too adorable to ruin. So, you did as you were told. You walked to the dining room that was just across the hall. When you entered you froze. Not only had Loki already set the table, there also was a large bouquet of roses, candles were burning and your favourite wine was in a wine cooler. This was by far the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for you. You sat down in your chair when Loki walked in with two plates, covered by a lid.  

‘You like it?’ he asked

‘I love it’ you smiled at him.

He sat the plates down and instead of removing the lid, grabbed the bottle of wine. He poured you a glass, which was thoughtful, but you suspected that he liked to drag out his surprise meal a little longer. He poured another glass for himself and sat down. He sat very close next to you, adding to the intimate dinner. Finally, Loki removed the lid from the plate and you saw your meal. It was your favourite, steak with red wine sauce, oven baked potatoes covered in herbs and green beans. It tasted amazing and suddenly you realized that Loki didn’t cook.

‘How did you manage this? I thought you couldn’t cook?’ you asked.

‘I wanted to do something special so, I learned this dish’ he explained a bit flush.

‘Hmm, don’t you remember early in our relationship that you explicitly stated that Gods don’t cook?’ you teased him.

Loki grabbed your hand kissed the back of it. ‘He does for the one he loves’ he said, making you fluster and blush. He smirked at the effect his words had on you. The rest of dinner the two of you talked about what had happened in the three weeks he was away. Loki, of course, had many stories that involved tricking and annoying Thor. Once you finished your meal Loki grabbed the plates and told you he was right back. He came back with a large slice of cheesecake the two of you shared. He told you proudly that he also made the dessert himself. When the two of you were finished you started to clean up, but Loki stopped you. He conjured up a blindfold and you looked questioningly at him.

‘I don’t want you to see just yet’ he mused.

You rolled your eyes but let him put on the blindfold. He steered you through the house. When he told you to stand still you felt him move in front of you. He undid the blindfold and once it was off he moved to the side.

‘Surprise’ he mused.

You gasped when you saw. Loki had set up an enormous blanket fort in your living room. There were blankets, large pillows and he had al kind of snack set up on the table. There was a string of light that gave the whole room a romantic vibe. The fort was placed so you could still see the tv, there were multiple DVDs laying in front of it. Next to de DVDs there were several board games.

‘Remember our first movie marathon and we spontaneously build a blanket fort?’

‘Of course I do. That was the night you asked me on our first official date.’ you whispered a bit overwhelmed by his surprise.

‘A date that went so terrible you actually told me that the blanket fort was a much better date’ he mused.

‘Well yeah, you got us kicked out of the restaurant before our starters even came. It was pouring outside and you lost the car key’ you laughed. ‘But walking in the pouring rain with you turned out to be fun’ you added.

Loki grabbed your hand and guided you to the fort. He sat down and put you between his legs. The rest of the night the both of you cuddled, talked a lot, and played the games. A few hours later you decided to put on a movie.

‘Thanks for the amazing evening. This night was really the best gift you could have given me’ you said hallway through the movie.

‘Did you really think that this was your gift?’ he said.

You squirmed out of his grasp. Loki overdramatically sighed but laughed at your giddy attitude. He reluctantly let you go, so you could bounce up and down, excited to see what he was about the give you. He conjured up a small dark green box. When you reached for it he pulled it away.

‘I think I deserve a kiss first’ he smirked.

You rolled your eyes but started to kiss him. Knowing Loki, he would demand another kissed so, you made out with him for a while. The moment he lowered his hands around your waist you grabbed the box.

‘And they say I don’t play fair’ he teased.

You ignored his comment and opened the box. Inside the box was a beautiful golden necklace with a snake on it. The snake was in a s-form and there was a tiny green stone for the eyes.

‘It’s beautiful’ you said.

Before Loki could reply you grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for another kiss. He just laughed at your action and took the box from you, once you were done. He took out the necklace and you turned your back towards him. You removed your hair and he fastened the necklace around your neck. When it was in place you turned around and Loki pulled you flush against him.

‘Thank you, for everything’ you said.

‘I’m glad that you liked it all’ he said to you.

You kissed him again, more slowly this time. Loki moved his lips with yours and you felt his tongue asking for permission. You opened your mouth and he slid his tongue inside, exploring every inch. You moaned slightly in the kiss. Your hands were under his shirt and his were caressing your upper body. You stopped kissing him and pulled his shirt over his head. For a moment you stared at him, and you noticed Loki slightly blushing under your gaze.

‘Let’s make this more fair’ he whispered.

He removed your shirt and unclasped your bra in one smooth motion. He laid you down on your back and started to kiss your neck. He moved lower and swirled his tongue over every inch of your breasts. You were extremely aroused and your nipples were hard by the time he was done. You were breathing fast underneath him. He brought his head up to yours and kissed you deeply. He laid on his side next to you. His hand slowly trailed from your cheek down to your breasts. He pinched your nipple, earning him a gasp from you. He moved lower and undid the button of your pants. You eagerly kissed him back and stroked his naked chest. His fingers slipped between your folds. Once his fingers were wet with your arousal he circled your clit. He swallowed every moan and whimper that left your lips with his own mouth.

You felt the pleasure wash over you. Loki slowly circled your clit until your orgasm had subsided. He retracted his fingers and licked them clean.

‘You look very pretty when you come undone for me’ he whispered in your ear.

He pulled of your pants and underwear. Once you laid naked before him he removed his own. When his erect cock sprung free you licked your lips. You wanted to get up, to suck his cock, but Loki laid you back down.

‘Tonight, is about you’ he said.

He was on top of you and stroked his erect cock against your wet folds and your clit. In one smooth motion he pushed himself inside of you. Your legs automatically hooked around his waist and Loki started a slow pace. His eyes didn’t leave yours, unless he was kissing your mouth, neck or whispering in your ear. He whispered how beautiful you looked, how much he loved you and how incredible you felt around his cock. Because of the slow movements and your wetness, you could really feel every movement he made. Every movement was deliberate, it really felt like you were the only thing that existed for him right now.

To your surprise he stopped. Before you could ask, he rolled the two of you around. You were on top of him and due to gravity felt his cock slid deeper inside of you. Hitting just the right spot. You started to ride him in the same slow pace as him. It truly was a sight to have Loki lay underneath you, moaning and praising you. Once you felt your orgasm build up, you started to ride him faster. His hands went to your bouncing boobs and he started to play with them. This was definitely the most intense sex the two of you ever had, normally there were a lot of games and Loki was an enormous tease. Loki started to moan shamelessly underneath you, but you were doing the same at this point. When he started to circle your clit with his fingers you came undone immediately. You felt Loki’s cock twitch inside of you and his seed spill. After a few more thrusts you collapsed half on top of him. Once your and his breathing had gone back to normal you pulled him out of you. He immediately grabbed you back and laid you close to his chest.

He was stroking your arms. Goosebumps were forming and you started to shiver a little. Loki grabbed a blanket form nearby and pulled it over the two of you. He nuzzled his head in the crook of your neck and pulled you as close as he could.

‘This really is the best birthday I ever had’ you said.

‘It’s far from over yet, love’ Loki said while starting the kiss your neck and trailed his fingers to your clit.

Tags: @delightfulheartdream @the-best-phineas​​ @theaudacitytowrite

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

If I Fell For You (Part 10) - Take Care

Summary: The reader gets to meet Danneel’s parents in a somewhat unorthodox way but receives a warm welcome to her surprise. Meanwhile, a minor medical scare makes Jensen anxious that he takes too much and doesn’t give enough to the reader...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x nanny!reader

Square: Playing With Their Hair

Word Count: 4,800ish

Warnings: language, minor frightening situation, minor medical situation, anxiety

A/N: Please enjoy! Also written for @supernatural-jackles​​ Tell Me A Story Bingo...

________

One Week Later

“Y/N, can we get orange?” asked Arrow from where she sat in the shopping cart. She pointed at the tubes of frosting and you took one off, handing it to her as you went back to searching for a box of red velvet mix. 

“Come on,” you sighed, squatting down. You saw one shoved in the back and you bent down, reaching back to get it. You huffed when you pulled it back, the expiration date still plenty good. “Score. Okay Arrow what other color…”

She wasn’t in the cart anymore as you stood, her bright pink shirt and shorts nowhere in sight. 

“Arrow!” you shouted, people from the farther end of the aisle turning to look at you. You breathed hard and spun around, exiting the aisle and looking at the checkouts. “Arrow!”

“Mam,” said a man in a white dress shirt and slacks, walking over with a headset on.

“I had a little girl with me and she’s missing and she was in the cart and I would have heard her climb out,” you said, walking quickly, the man following with you as you checked down aisles. “Arrow!”

You heard the guy talk into his headset when you caught pink and a guy near the front of the store. She spun around and you ran over, the manager not too far behind you. You didn’t say a word when you kicked the back of the guys knee and grabbed Arrow, picking her up.

“What’d I do?” he said, Arrow turning away. He looked more angry than you were expecting and you swallowed, the manager urging you back. “She’s the one that took my granddaughter!”

“She’s not your fucking granddaughter, pervert. I’m her nanny and soon to be step-mom so you can back the fuck off.”

“Step fucking what?” he said, his face going blank. 

“Grandpa I told you Y/N’s my friend,” said Arrow. You blinked and stared at the man.

“Prove it,” you said. The man angrily pulled out his wallet and ripped out a picture, turning it around. It was a large group photo but you could clearly see Jensen and the kids in it along with… “You’re her father. Danneel.”

“Who the fuck are you,” he said. You took out your phone and went to your pictures, showing him one of your backyard bonfire from the weekend before. 

“Is there a problem?” asked the manager. You shook your head and he rolled his eyes and left.

“Sir, I’m so sorry,” you said. He nodded and glanced down. 

“Well, I can’t blame you. I understand the feeling,” he said. 

“Can we...talk?” you asked.

“I think that’d be best before somebody else gets their ass kicked.”

Fifteen minutes later you had your bag of baking supplies in your trunk, Arrow was playing on the jungle gym and you were sat at a picnic table with Danneel’s parents.

“You guys came down early for JJ’s birthday, huh,” you said.

“We had to come down this weekend instead. Something came up last minute next week,” said her mom. You nodded and took a deep breath. 

“I am so sorry. That is absolutely not how Jensen and I wanted to tell you both.”

“I’m old but I’m tough. I’ll survive,” said her father. You looked over to where Arrow was playing, gnawing on your bottom lip. “You said you were the nanny and soon to be step mom. Mind unraveling that for us?”

“I uh, I started working for Jensen in January as a nanny to help with the kids. The relationship part came a few weeks later. We’ve been engaged very briefly. Don’t even have a ring or anything yet,” you said, shaking your head. “Please don’t be mad at him. It’s taken him so long to stop feeling guilty for having feelings for me. Please don’t be upset with him. I don’t...I’m not trying to replace anyone or anything. I didn’t want to like him. But I did and I love him and he deserves to be happy again.”

They looked at one another and back at you.

“Good,” they both said. 

“Excuse me?”

“We think he deserves to be happy too. He was in such a bad place after the accident,” she said. “He’s sounded like himself again recently.”

“Plus if you’re willing to kick my ass for thinking I took Arrow, that gets you some brownie points,” he said with a smile. You nodded and looked down at the table, swallowing. “Not what you were expecting?”

“Your daughter’s husband is engaged to a younger woman. I wouldn’t blame you at all for whatever you might think,” you said.

“He’s got a lot of time left,” he said. “He doesn’t have to be miserable for it. We don’t want that for him. It’s not what she’d want. He’s doing exactly what she’d want from him and that’s all we can ask of him. Well and maybe stick around the country for a bit so we can see the kids some more.”

“Yeah, no plans to be anywhere but home right now,” you said. You looked over at Arrow and watched her jump off a high platform. She fell down to her knees but got up and brushed them off before she was running again.

“She’d like you,” you heard, your attention going back to the two of them. She was staring at you and you smiled.

“You don’t know a thing about me mam.”

“I think we know the important parts,” she said. You nodded and glanced down. “What do Jensen’s parents think of all this?”

“They know he’s dating but that’s it. I’m supposed to meet them next week,” you said.

“We’ll keep our lips sealed for the time being then,” she said. “What about your folks? What do they think of Jensen and the kids?”

“The kids probably haven’t met either parent yet, right?” he said. 

“It’s kinda complicated...I was adopted. My mom died a long time ago. I don’t have a dad or family really,” you said. You pursed your lips and picked at the corner of the table with your fingernail, the air heavy. 

“Well we approve of him,” he said. “He’s a good kid.”

“I know. He’s very special,” you said. “I just wish something so horrible didn’t have to happen to him and your daughter in order to meet him.”

“We can’t change that fact,” she said. “She’d want you to take care of him, keep an eye on him. Oh and remind him to take a break and slow down every once in a while. He always gets so caught up in work and being on the go. She had to calm him down sometimes.”

“I have noticed that trend,” you said. “I hope you don’t feel like he’s going to forget-”

“No we don’t worry about that. If we learned anything from this it’s just that you have to live while you have the chance,” he said as Arrow ran over.

“Y/N, I’m hungry,” she said. 

“Alright, munchkin. Why don’t we head home and maybe your grandma and grandpa will have lunch with us?” you asked.

“We’d love to,” they said. “We’ll meet you two there.”

“That went shockingly well,” said Jensen late that night when you were having an extra slice of JJ’s early birthday cake. “Those guys loved you.”

“I think we both got a little too worried over the parents situation. Dee’s parents were great, especially considering I nearly broke his knee. I’m really excited to meet yours next weekend.”

“It’s not too long of a drive up there. I haven’t been home in a long time. I’m looking forward to it too,” he said, a big smile on his face. “I’m really glad they liked you.”

“What’s not to love?” you said, Jensen smirking around his piece of cake. “You’re so hard on yourself. I’m really happy they like me too but even if they didn’t, there’s no problem there. You’re allowed to live your life. Dee wants you to keep living it.”

“I still wonder if she was just like ‘this boy is driving me nuts again, he needs a girl,’ and somehow shoved you into my life,” he said.

“Maybe. I mean, it was good timing that I was looking for a new job the same time you were looking for a nanny.”

“Did you ever report that last guy as an inappropriate employer?” he asked.

“I tell the agency but nothing criminal no. I mostly feel sorry for the families. Nannies are stability in the kids lives and leaving them isn’t easy. Unless they’re little shitheads but even then I don’t blame them, it’s the parents that turned them into it,” you said. 

“What’d you think of those three, when you met ‘em I mean,” he said.

“They’re all a little shy like you but they open up if they like you. They’re pretty damn funny. They got wit and sarcasm, even if they don’t know it yet. They’re kind and intelligent and they look to you in how to act like most kids. I knew they were good kids from the start.”

“You’re gonna be a great mom,” he said. You smiled and watched him eat a piece of cake, Jensen tilting his head. “You know they have called you mom before. All three of them. Accidentally but still.”

“Being a nanny has some of the roles of a parent but there’s still a difference,” you said.

“Yeah but you’ve never just been the nanny,” he said, scraping up some frosting with his fork. “Speaking of your sudden thrust into motherhood, the whole kids thing...how many of your own were you thinking of?”

“I don’t know. I don’t need to make a baby to love it. I was adopted and my mom loved me so much. I mean there’s already three of ‘em to chase after.”

“I’d like to have a baby with you. Someday,” he said. You dabbed your finger across some frosting on the plate and sucked on it, staring at him. “I know you do. Y/N there’s no more secrets. There’s never gonna be a secret between us ever again. Sometimes you get nervous but we have to talk about these things and everything. The big choices and the little ones we make together.”

“Honestly? I don’t want you to think I’ll love them less than a kid I make. I won’t. I will treat them all the same but I don’t know how to prove that to you.”

“You told me the day I hired you that I needed to hire someone I could trust, that trust was going to be so important. Y/N, I’ve never doubted your feelings for them. Shit, I’m pretty damn sure you were in love with them before me. And I get it because they aren’t scary. They can’t hurt you like the adults can. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if I had a shred of doubt.”

“I gotta think about kids more I guess. How many, when. I don’t know that right now.”

“We’ll figure out all that when we’re ready. Just let me know and we’ll come back to this conversation,” he said, wrapping an arm around your waist. “You know...hearing about what you did at the store...that’s kinda super attractive you know.”

“Uh what?” you said, Jensen pulling you into his lap.

“You, going protective badass...that’s very, very hot you see,” he said. 

“You’re such a guy,” you said while he picked up the last piece of cake on his fork. 

“Well we-” he said as you leaned forward and wrapped your lips around the dessert, pulling back with a smile. “Oh you shouldn’t have done that.”

“What are you gonna do about it?” you smirked. He narrowed his eyes and set his fork down before he was standing and flipped you over his shoulder. “Jensen! Put me down!”

“Do the crime, do the time!” he said, walking over to the stairs. “Hm...what to do with you...ah I know…”

“You know…” you said before he flipped you down onto the couch and plopped down on top of you, catching most of his weight on his hands on either side of you. “Troublemaker.”

“You love it,” he said. He leaned down and kissed you, your hands wandering to his hair, holding him close. You grinned and wrapped your legs around his waist, Jensen kissing you sloppy and cheeky and like a teenage boy making out for the first time. 

“Dad,” said JJ, rushing down the stairs. He dropped this forehead to yours and sighed.

“What is it?” he asked. He sat up and you both looked at her, spotting the pale tint of her skin. “Feel okay?”

“Jensen call an ambulance, now,” you said, pushing him off and going over to her. He sat up and you kneeled down next to her, her lips slightly blue. You put a hand on her chest and felt the labored breathing. “Did you eat something new tonight? Or did a bug bite you?”

“I stepped on a prickly in the bathroom a minute ago,” she said.

“Jesus,” said Jensen as he rushed into the kitchen. “She got stung by a scorpion.”

He grabbed a bottle from the cabinet and started unscrewing it.

“Jensen go see what the scorpion is and get rid of it before the twins find it,” you said. He left the bottle with you and shoved the phone against your ear. “Hi, sorry how much of the anti-venom do I give her?”

“There should be a child dosage on the bottle, half the cap,” the person on the other end said. You unscrewed the lid and poured some out, having her swallow it down. She whined and you didn’t blame her based on the smell. “An ambulance will be there shortly.”

“Thank you,” you said, spotting Jensen at the top of the stairs. He was holding his wrist and had a slightly smushed object in one of the clear plastic cups from the kids bathroom. “We have the scorpion.”

“EMT’s should be able to identify it,” she said, Jensen walking down slowly. He took a seat on the bottom step and shook his head. 

“Jensen?” you said, his hand reaching for the bottle. You moved his hand from his wrist and saw two dots there. “Shit. My fiance was stung too.”

“There’s a nest in the bathroom vanity,” he said, pouring himself a dose and knocking it back. “I blocked off the door but get the twins out of there, please.”

“JJ,” you said as you saw her color get better while Jensen was getting paler. You took your phone out of your pocket and dialed, handing it to her. “Tell Uncle Jared to come over right now.”

Five minutes later Jared was there, JJ and Jensen sat in the back of an ambulance, Jensen getting a shot of something in the leg.

“We’re taking them to West County,” said a paramedic.

“I’ll see you guys soon,” you said, JJ staring worriedly at Jensen who has holding his wrist again. Jared looked around as they took off and you sighed. “Hey.”

“JJ said she and Jay got stung by a scorpion?” he asked.

“She got one as far as they can tell. Jensen got three. There’s a nest in the bathroom cupboard,” you said.

“Idiot,” mumbled Jared. You raised and eyebrow and he shook his head. “He forgot to get the pest spray done this year I bet. Dee always handled that kind of stuff. They’ve had a scorpion problem before when they first moved in.”

“Oh.”

“I’m gonna take the twins and stay the night. I’ll call and get the spray guys in first thing in the morning. You go take care of those two,” he said. You nodded and he grabbed your arm when you headed for your car. “Wait five minutes to calm down.”

“Jared I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You just don’t know it. Go inside, get your purse, Jensen’s wallet, take a beat, okay?”

“Okay,” you said. “Make sure-”

“I got it. Go on,” he said. “Make sure he’s not freaking out. Last time he was at a hospital it wasn’t good.”

“Right. Okay. Call me if you need something. And stay away from the kids bathroom.”

“Y/N. I know. It’ll be alright, I promise.”

One Hour Later

“Is dad okay?” asked JJ from where she sat in your lap. Jensen peeled an eye open and smiled. 

“I’m okay. Sleepy is all. We’ll be home in a few hours,” he said. His wrist was bandaged and he had an IV in his arm but he’d taken the anti-venom soon enough that they had enough time to get the proper medication in both him and JJ. She was already discharged but you didn’t want to leave Jensen by himself.

“Mr. Ackles,” said a doctor when she walked in the room. “Your bloodwork came back and everything looks good.”

“Awesome,” he said, sitting up in bed. “Can I get out of here?”

“You got about fifteen minutes left on that IV drip but I’ll let the nurse know to start the paperwork. I want you to take it easy tomorrow. Nothing strenuous.”

“I got it,” he said with a nod. “Nothing strenuous.”

“Jensen,” you said around noon the next day, catching him unloading some wood from the back of his truck. “What are you doing?”

“I was gonna work on those shelves for the kid’s playroom,” he said. You crossed your arms and he threw his head back. “I feel fine. The nest got cleared out and the house got sprayed. I wanna work on this.”

“You have all the time in the world to do it. Work on it tomorrow,” you said, picking up the wood plank. He tried to take it out of your hands and you growled. 

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Please do what the doctor said and rest today,” you said. He bit his lip and you moved the pieces of wood into the garage, Jensen leaning back against the side of the truck when you shut the trunk. “You’re scared, aren’t you.”

He nodded and glanced at his wrapped up wrist, then down to the ground.

“Hospitals freak me out now,” he said. “I don’t like bugs. My body hurt and knowing I forgot to do something so simple put them in danger sucks. Knowing if she hadn’t come downstairs it might have been real bad sucks. If you hadn’t noticed I don’t know if I would have and it scares me not knowing.”

“Close your eyes for me,” you said. He shut them and took a deep breath, letting you take his hand and walk around to the back of the house. You spun him around a few times stopping him so he was facing the pool about twenty feet away. “Know where you are?”

“Somewhere in the middle of the backyard,” he said. “What are you doing?”

“You said not knowing scared you. Lots of times you don’t know. It’s kinda just how life works,” you said, dropping his hand and moving a few feet away. “Take a big step forward.”

“Y/N, I don’t like this,” he said, fidgeting his hand along the bottom of his shirt. 

“I know you don’t. But would I hurt you?”

“No,” he said. 

“So listen to me. Big step forward.” He took a step and you looked around. “Jump backwards.”

“What?”

“Jump backwards.” He frowned and took a small bunny hop back. “Again.”

“I feel ridiculous.”

“Says the guy who plays pretend for a professional career. Now hop back and then step to the right,” you said. He groaned and did as asked. “Jog forward until I say stop.”

“Are you trying to kill me out here cause I feel like I’m about to break my neck slipping in the pool.”

“I’m trying to get your anxiety out in a non-life threatening way, okay?”

“By having me jump around the backyard like an idiot.”

“By having you get comfortable with the fact that most of life is spent not knowing and you can’t change that fact. You can’t see it all coming.”

He threw his head back but kept his eyes shut. He stared to run towards you and you wrapped your arms around him when he got there, Jensen peeling them open slowly.

“See? I wasn’t gonna let anything bad happen,” you said. He nodded and rested his forehead on your shoulder, pulling you into a squeezing hug. “You okay?”

“I’m sorry for being short and not doing what the doctor asked,” he said.

“Hey, it’s alright. I got scared too last night. Everything is fixed now so no need to worry over it. Why don’t you take a nap and maybe we have a real quiet lazy day while Dee’s parents got the kids for the day,” you said. “Sound fun?”

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll take quiet today.”

Three hours later Jensen was curled up with a blanket, his head resting in your lap as you watched a movie together. You played with his hair, Jensen turning into the touch every so often. 

“I know you’re worried about me,” he said. He turned and faced up at you, your fingers swirling in his strands. “I know I’m kinda clingy today which I’m normally not.”

“You can cling all you want, honey,” you said, stroking his cheek with your thumb. “I wish life would give you a break for a second. No work, no badness. Just some peace and quiet for you.”

“My parents lived here after the accident. For a few months. They were here, Jared and Gen were over every day, my siblings would stop down every week. The first few months I understood. I had an injury I had to recover from. But I felt like a child those few months once I recovered. Everyone taking care of the kids, of me. I was barely a father to them. Playtime. A story at bed. Someone else made most of their meals, did everything for them.”

“You’re a father but you’re still someone’s child,” you said. He blinked and you shrugged. “You were hurt, possibly the worst out of anyone. I know taking care of everyone else is your default but people get to take care of you too. I get to take care of you.”

“I feel like all I do is get taken care of by you,” he said. “I never give it back.”

“You’ve given me a family again. You take care of me every single day.”

“I never see you getting upset. It’s always me. I’m always the fuck up,” he said. You slumped down and took a deep breath. 

“I get upset Jensen. I got upset that very first time we fought, that night with the ice cream. I got upset when you got jealous of that nanny in Canada and we saw my father the first time. I got upset telling you the truth of it all because you of all people don’t need problems like that dumped at your feet. I got upset when we saw him again because I was scared and I was scared he might hurt you too. I got upset when we fought when you got home and I got upset when you proposed because you were so scared and I get upset Jensen. I get upset when you’re hurt. I get upset when I hurt. But I don’t have all those safety nets under me that you do, remember? I just got a couple right now and you’re my last resort. I’ve been my own support system for so long that I can’t undo that all overnight. I know it’s been months but the fact I even let you see me cry, the fact I can even talk about this stuff with you and know all you’re thinking about is how to make me feel better...I still need to heal too. You’ve done so much already. I’m gonna have my moments where this is switched, believe me. But today’s not my turn for that, it’s yours.”

“I love you,” he said, staring up with the softest green eyes you’d ever seen on him yet. “Even more than five minutes ago if that’s possible.”

“I love you,” you said, bending down and kissing him. “You’re the expert on the falling in love stuff though so I’ll leave that up to you.”

“It’s very...it’s what you think it is and it’s not at all what you think. There’s falling and nerves and then calm and then falling and calm and you spend the rest of your life doing that. It’s not magic and it takes work to keep it alive sometimes but all you gotta do is talk. Just talk and it always seems to work out for me,” he said.

“Can I tell you a secret?” you asked. He nodded and smiled as you went back to playing with his hair.

“You know I really like when you do that,” he said.

“I know you do. It relaxes you,” you said.

“Makes me feel safe too,” he said. “But what’s your secret cause eventually I’m gonna want to know them all.”

“I was very attracted to you when we met. But that kinda freaked me out a bit. I found myself liking you a lot that first day I was here. You got me a birthday cake. I realized how kind you are that night. It wasn’t for anyone’s benefit other than my own. I had a crush on you, even though I knew it wouldn’t go anywhere.”

“I had a crush on you from when you made me a cup of coffee. You’re so good and kind yourself,” he said. He reached up and cupped your cheek. “I’m really happy you had your mom eventually. I would have liked to have met her.”

“Maybe she and Dee are hanging out wherever they are.”

“I hope so. She won’t mind sharing me with you,” he said.

“You honestly think so?” 

“You gonna mind sharing me with her?” he asked.

“I’ve always shared you. Just hope that wouldn’t bother her.”

“I used to think maybe it would but no, she wants me to be happy and that’s you so you got all eternity to get to know each other eventually if you think about it.”

“Well when you put it that way we got nothing to worry about,” you said.

“Oh don’t worry about that. I think your mom was right. I get to have two people is all, kinda like she did,” he said. 

“She would have liked you. Would have said you’re a little old for me but she would have liked you.”

“Wasn’t she older than Ray?” he asked.

“Yeah. She was. She was only fifty,” you said.

“You grew up too fast,” he said quietly.

“Maybe. But it got me here and I don’t think I would have done anything different. I wouldn’t want to screw that up. Well I’d do one thing different.”

“What?”

“Drop by this house, have a conversation with a certain someone.”

“Say hypothetically you had that ability, you’d really do that knowing what you’re giving up?”

“I’d give her back to you right this second if I could.”

“I appreciate that, really,” he said. He let his hand fall down and reach around your back, curling around your waist. “But she’s not more important than you are. I miss her. Everyday. But I lose one of you either way in that scenario. And I can’t choose. I’ll never be able to. If she were here and you weren’t, I’d still be just like this. It’d still hurt.”

“Make me a promise. I keel over early, you try again. Try for both of us.”

“I will if you will,” he said. He held up his pinky finger and you grabbed it with yours. “But he can’t be hotter than me.”

“Equally as hot?”

“Slightly less hot but that’s my final offer,” he said. 

“Eh, fine,” you said. “You’ve worn me down.”

“Always words I want to hear,” he chuckled. You slid further down the couch until you were practically laying back, your arms wrapping around him. He got up and lay down with you on the wrap around side of the couch, pulling you into his chest. “Can I take you to dinner tonight? Just us.”

“Yeah. I’d like that.”

“Okay, honey,” he said, kissing your forehead. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just thanks. For what you said. What you did earlier, just being with me,” he said.

“Lucky for you I like being with you a whole lot,” you said.

“Very lucky for me,” he said. “Very lucky indeed.”

______

A/N: Read Part 11 here!