#I'm at 8k but i needed a break from the angst | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

daemour · 5 months

Text

Pairing: roommate! San x f! yn

Word Count: 10,664

Warnings: cursing, alcohol consumption, smut warnings under cut

Genre: Angst, fluff, smut, f2l au, college au, M for mature audiences

Summary: As the resident fuckboy San's best friend, you're legally obligated to be his hype man. It's only fitting as you're one of the few who can resist his boyish charms. But when he's set his sights on someone you cannot stand, perhaps you need to dig a bit deeper into your feelings after all.

Smut Warnings: masturbation (f), voyeurism, sexual fantasies, oral (f), missionary, protected sex, very slight breast play, overstimulation, cowgirl, some cumplay, dirty dirty talk, fingering, slight body worship ig?, praise, I literally have no idea I wrote it at a time when I should've been in bed so lmk if I missed anything

this is for the jackson wang party fic collab finished with @mingsolo (hella good) @flurrys-creativity (Pygalgia, Effervescent, and Abience) and @sanjoongie (trouble) <3 I still have one more to go but we'll ignore that LMAOOOOO I added too much plot :') flurry was a dear and helped me sort out my thoughts and I managed to write 8k of it in one day lol.

hope u all enjoy and sorry I'm a professional yapper there's no shutting me up

“Going out again?” you ask your best friend and flatmate, San, as he walks past where you’re seated at the kitchen counter, suffering through your essays.

“Yep,” San answers easily, popping the ‘p’ and leaning over to take a peek at your laptop screen. “You misspelt ‘dextrorotatory’, you wrote it as ‘dexrotatory’.”

As your eyes find the typo, you groan and plant your head on the table. “I give up,” you declare dramatically, “I’ll drop out and become a taxi driver.”

San laughs. “First of all, you can’t drive that well. Second of all, you’d make more money as a stripper.” He dodges your smack with ease. “Third, you’re smart and you’ll ace these like always. You’re just a little mentally constipated. Why don’t you join me tonight?”

You think about it for a minute. While you probably do need a break from staring at your laptop, you know how wild the parties San goes to can get from personal experience. And you don’t think it’s a good idea when it's the end of your semester and the final year of your master's program. You just can’t afford to do that. “I’ll pass this time,” you sigh. “Maybe after exam season.”

San hums. “All right. Make sure to take a break, though,” he reminds you, dropping a quick kiss on the top of your head. “See you later.”

He soon disappears out of the door and you turn your focus away from your best friend to your homework. You feel bad for whoever his new conquest will be at the party.

In your opinion, it’s best to keep San at arm’s length when it comes to a romantic relationship. Not that you like him, but you also don’t want to be another notch on his bedpost, and you most certainly do not want to ruin your eight-year-long friendship. It’s not hard to see that San isn’t interested in a long relationship, not right now at least.

You honestly find it amusing that so many girls and guys still throw themselves at him and then get upset when he doesn’t give them a second glance after the initial night. His reputation precedes him, especially in your small town, and yet there will always be a line out the door for him. You don’t even know how he knows so many people.

With a sigh, you clear out your thoughts and refocus on your organic chemistry work. You’re lucky your job offered to pay for your master's classes, but the workload is killing you inside. You’re incredibly happy you’re almost done, and with newfound motivation, you hunker down and start writing out your notes again.

It’s almost two in the morning when you finally yawn and start putting your books away, and it’s almost three when you hear the front door open and the sound of San stumbling into the shoe rack as he always does. “You’re home already, Sanah?”

“YN!” San stumbles his way into the bathroom where you’re combing your hair, wrapping his arms around you and tucking his flushed face into your neck. “You’re still up?”

You laugh, tapping him on the head with your brush. “Yes, but I’m about to go to bed. And you should too, you know.”

San groans, his hold on your waist tightening and his words slurring together. “I don’t wanna,” he whines, “the bed's too cold.”

You sigh fondly. This happens almost every time he drinks, and usually, that’s why he doesn’t drink too much when he’s by himself. He gets too cuddly with people and you’re usually the one to keep him from bedding everyone he sees. You suppose he somehow didn’t end up with anyone in bed and he’s disappointed now. “Do you think you’ll ever ask to sleep with me nicely, or will you just settle for wrestle-cuddling me into my own bed?” you ask, rolling your eyes as San does not answer, just pulling you towards your room. “There’s my answer.”

You’re too used to his drunk antics and just let him move you around. It’s comforting in a way, that he’s comfortable enough around you to do this with you, and it makes your heart warm whenever he throws his arm around you and presses his face in your neck.

You’d never admit it, but it’s nights like this when you sleep the best. With his warm breath tickling your neck, you let your body relax and your eyes flutter shut.

“God, I’ve got a raging headache,” San groans when he sees you enter the kitchen with a mess of bed hair. “I went so crazy with the soju last night, I think I’m going to die.”

You laugh, reaching for the pot to make some oatmeal for him. “Don’t be so dramatic. Why did you even drink so much anyway? No bitches?”

San snorts but immediately whines from the sharp pain that probably shot through his skull. “You’re so mean to me! No, I got no bitches, but that was from my own choice anyway. I don’t want to fuck around anymore.”

Both your eyebrows raise into your hairline. “No? What changed things, hm? Finally decided your one true love is Byeol?” As if on cue, your shared cat meows and curls around your ankles, and you bend down to scratch behind her ears.

“Never had to decide that, we all know she’s the real number one in my life. No, I think I’m interested in someone.” You stop your petting of Byeol, who meows in protest and runs off to pout somewhere. “Come on, don’t act like you just saw a ghost.”

“Who?” is the only question that comes out of your mouth. Of course, San has had a crush before, but he’s never stopped screwing around unless he was actively dating that person. He’s a fuckboy, but he’s not a piece of shit at least. This is new.

“Lee Yeseul. I met her yesterday at the party, and she’s so sweet. She was so out of place at the party, and not in a mean way. She just…has such an aura around her.” San’s voice is soft even just talking about her and you get the feeling he’s being serious. “We’re meeting up for coffee today.”

“That’s…amazing, Sanah. I really hope it goes well for you,” you smile at him, pushing a bowl of oatmeal over to him. “Don’t forget to let me make a speech at your wedding.”

San chuckles, rolling his eyes at your jokes. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t you have study group today? Go there and stop bothering me.”

You ruffle his messy hair before planting a kiss on it and pinching his cheek. He blindly reaches around to smack at you but you dodge him easily, laughing as you head out to grab your keys. “See you later, Sanah. Have a good da-ate.”

San grumbles at you but ultimately returns to his food. You think you can hear him muttering about you being a pain in the ass and you smile to yourself. You don’t have the heart to tell him you know Lee Yeseul…and she’s a major bitch. You sincerely hope she’s sweet to San at least—he deserves the best. But you find her absolutely draining, especially with how often she talks about herself and doesn’t pay attention to anyone else ever. If she cries in your class one more time you think you might smack her yourself.

You still remember the time you had gotten a call that your grandfather had died, and after overhearing your conversation, instead of comforting you, she started talking about how “so many of my family members died in the past ten years.” Sure, maybe she was trying, but you’ve known about her antics enough that it was clear she just wanted to make it about her.

But if San likes her, who are you to interfere? He has a pretty good eye for who has a good personality so maybe Yeseul has changed. You’re not one to stop him. Not that you ever could. When he first started going out to party, you would tag along to make sure he wouldn’t make any bad decisions, but your efforts seldom paid off. You’re pretty sure he must be blessed since he somehow hadn’t pissed off anyone majorly enough to have them call a hit on him.

Shaking your head, you rid yourself of these thoughts and go to the library. There’s no use dwelling on it, the more you think about it, the worse your feeling about his crush on Yeseul gets. He’s a grown man, he doesn’t need you to parent him.

“Woah, who pissed in your cereal?” You should’ve known you wouldn’t be able to hide your bad mood from your study buddy, Hongjoong. Although you only see him for studying, you’re confident enough to call him your closest friend other than San. “Are you okay?”

You sigh, dropping your books on the table. It earns you a harsh ‘shh’ from the librarian which you apologise half-heartedly for. “Do you remember Yeseul? Lee Yeseul?”

Hongjoong’s brows raise high into his hairline. “The professional bitcher? What did she do now?”

“San’s into her, and with her personality, she’s probably loving the attention from the professional heartbreaker.” You groan, glaring at the cover of your organic chemistry textbook. “It’s none of my business if he cares for her, but damn, I wish he could’ve picked anyone else.”

Hongjoong hums, leaning forward and poking at the top of your head. “Look, you’ve been his friend for years. I think you have a bit more of a reason to poke your nose into his business than most. Give it a few weeks, and if it truly bothers you, then you can bring it up to San.”

You sigh. “Maybe.” You say nothing else on the topic and Hongjoong knows not to broach it anymore. Sometimes you wish he wasn’t so smart.

“YN, I didn’t know you knew Yeseul!” is the first thing San says to you one week after he returns from one of his many dates with her. “When I mentioned you being my roommate she told me you were in the same class as her.”

You wince to yourself as you take a long swig of your coffee. “Mmh, I didn’t think it was that relevant,” you say. You can practically hear Hongjoong rolling his eyes at your excuse. You know you should tell him your qualms about Yeseul, especially since the gross feeling in your gut has only gotten stronger. But you’re not sure you want to tread those waters. San’s sweet, but he’s loyal to a fault and probably wouldn’t like you talking badly about Yeseul.

San narrows his eyes, clearly suspicious but not willing to pry. “Well, maybe if we ever find you a date, we can go on a double date.” He moves on pretty quickly, though, walking over to lean over your shoulder and look at your laptop. “Still going on that paper?”

You hum, cracking your knuckles. “Yeah, it’s due tomorrow so I need to pump it out today and then get Hongjoong to look it over.” You lean back, letting your head rest on San’s torso as you yawn. “I can’t wait for this to be over so that I can graduate already.”

San laughs, leaning down to rest his chin on your head. “You’re smart. You can do this. And when you’re done, I’ll take you to a party and we can celebrate.”

You groan, shifting forward and putting your hands back on the keyboard. “Well, in that case, I should get back to writing this.” As you start typing again, you hear the buzzer ring and the warmth of San’s body leaves you as he goes to check who it is.

“Oh, hey, Yeseul! Come on up!” Your eyebrows raise into your hairline and your head snaps up. Why would Yeseul go to all this trouble of coming here? Didn’t they just see each other?

You close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths before facing the dragon herself. You can hear the tell-tale sound of her voice pitched up to sound more sweet, although it’s grown to be grating on your ears. “Hi, Sannie,” she purrs and you have to refrain from retching. “I was on my way home but I realised it went right by your apartment so I figured I could come say hi. It doesn’t look like you’re too busy, right?”

“No, not at all,” San replies, and you hate how sweetly he talks to her. “YN is in too, she’s writing her final paper. Wanna say hi? She could probably use the distraction.”

No, I don’t need the distraction, is what you want to scream out, but your mother did not raise you like that although you wish she did. Instead, you just smile politely at the girl entering your kitchen. “Hello, Yeseul. Good to see you again.”

“Hey, YNie!” Her cheery nickname for you has your eye twitching. “How’s the paper going? I finished mine a few weeks ago so I’m home free. Just need to submit it.”

“That’s great, Yeseul,” you say, tone slightly more monotonous than you wanted it to be and San shoots you a look. “Hopefully you get a good grade on it.”

“Hey, would you want to join us for dinner?” San cuts in and you can already feel a headache starting to pulse behind your eyes. “I was going to order pizza since it’s my turn today and I’m not nearly as good of a cook as YN.”

“Oh, that would be lovely! I don’t mind whatever toppings,” Yeseul claps happily. The urge to punch her in the face increases bit by bit for you. San nods happily, stepping out into the living room to place the call. After a moment, Yeseul turns to you with puppy eyes and you brace yourself for whatever she has up her sleeve. “Could I trouble you for a glass of water, YNie?”

You try your best to keep your composure as you get up to fetch her a glass of water. She takes it without even a thank you and you decide you’d much rather die than deal with her any longer so you close your laptop with a sigh. “I’m actually meeting with a friend for dinner, but you definitely should stay and have fun,” you say, smiling as plausibly as you can. You do not have dinner plans but you’re sure you can figure it out.

When you go into your room, you’re drawing blanks. You’re still going out, but you’ll probably just end up calling a friend to complain. As you leave the room and grab your keys, San meets eyes with you and frowns. “Where are you going?”

“Ah, I promised to have dinner with a friend so I’m heading out. Enjoy your time with Yeseul, though.”

The furrow between San’s brows deepens. “But I already ordered the pizza.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “I can bring the leftovers tomorrow for lunch. Sorry, I just forgot to tell you, but I really have to go now. Bye!” Before he can say goodbye as well, you slip out the door. The suffocating feeling that is encompassing you lifts and you sigh in relief, but then you somehow feel worse at the idea of San and Yeseul having fun and giggling and cuddling.

You shake your head again, trying to clear your muddled thoughts before setting down to go find your dinner. Fast food was the easiest option, and you figured you could at least sit in your car and wallow in self-pity.

After you receive your order you park and pull out your phone, scrolling through your contacts. You don’t want to call your family because as much as you love them, they can be a bit over-protective and probably will offer to help you find a different apartment and that would be a bit dramatic. In the end, Hongjoong is probably the next best option.

He doesn't pick up immediately, and you’re just about to hang up when the phone crackles and Hongjoong’s voice comes through. “Why are you calling me?”

You can’t help but bark out a laugh at his disgruntled tone. “Hongjoong, it’s a perfectly reasonable hour to call, don’t blame me for your shit sleeping schedule. Are you actually free though?”

Hongjoong sighs and if you focus you can hear the sound of him rolling over in bed. “What’s up?”

“It’s about Yeseul again. She came around today, and it was just…so suffocating. Like, why did San have to pick her? There’s so many girls, and out of them all he picks her? The most bitchy one I know?”

Hongjoong hums. “Why does it annoy you so much?”

You groan, leaning your head back and taking a long sip of your drink. “She’s self-centred, bitchy, and she’s just so fake. I don’t think this relationship will end well, Joong. Clearly he’s just blinded and she’s so manipulative.”

“But why are you so bothered by this specifically? I mean, sure we’ve had bad interactions with Yeseul, but you’re pretty nonchalant about the shit San gets up to and you like to let him deal with the consequences himself.”

You frown glaring at the phone although you know he can’t see it and you pop a fry into your mouth. “I don’t know. It just feels different. I feel like I should interfere this time. I mean, he’s a lot more serious this go around.”

Hongjoong hums, rolling once again as he yawns. “YN, be totally honest with me. This is a shot in the dark, but I think this is pretty important.” You hold your breath in anticipation. “Do you like San?”

“Oh sure, he’s a good friend–”

“You and I both know that’s not what I meant.” You bite your lip, stiffening in your chair. “YN, you need to be honest with yourself. The way you talk about San, you interact with him, it’s not how just roommates, just friends interact. You kiss each other's heads, YN. And it can be platonic, but I’ve rarely seen San do that to his female friends, and I’ve never seen you do that, period. You don’t even kiss me.” His voice turns teasing on the last bit but you’re too shocked to register.

Do you like San? You love him like a friend, of course. But when you think about him being with anyone else, even if it wasn’t Yeseul, something in you aches. When you think about San’s smile being directed to anyone else, you can feel a burning in your gut. The answer is clear, whether you like it or not.

“I…yes. I do.” The confession comes out quietly. “But I don’t want to do anything about it. Like you said, it’s up to San whether he likes Yeseul enough. I can’t interfere.”

You can practically hear the look Hongjoong would be levelling at you. “Why not?”

You shrug. “When San likes someone, nothing can stop him from liking someone unless he wants to. I’ll just let it run its course and hopefully my own feelings will vanish in the process.”

“That doesn’t sound very healthy, YN.”

You let out a despondent laugh. “Sure, probably not. But who knows? Maybe I can find someone else in the process.” You let out a sigh before glancing at your now-cold sandwich. “I gotta head out, but thanks for talking, Joong. I’ll see you in class.”

Hongjoong can barely say goodbye before you hang up the phone and lean back. This is going to be difficult. The more you see Yeseul, the more you know you’ll accidentally slip up and something will tip her and San off. Your headache is pulsing behind your eyes and you take a small bite of your sandwich, your appetite diminishing. You miss being a child and your biggest worry is that San sneezed on your lollipop.

With another groan, you wrap up the sandwich and just go for a late-night drive instead to clear your head. It’s something that has never failed to calm you down and keep your mind level. San always berates you for driving alone at night, but you’d like to say you’re pretty safe. Plus, even he has agreed that it’s pretty calming when—you frown, forcing thoughts of San to leave your brain.

You don’t really know how long you’ve been out, but it’s surely long enough that Yeseul has left. As you carefully open the door, there’s a long silence, and you sigh, happy you made it home free. But as you’re about to call out for San, you hear a high-pitched moan come from his bedroom. And it certainly is not San.

You almost turn tail and head right back out of the apartment when you hear San’s reverberating moans fill the house. Against your better judgment, you take off your shoes and step closer towards his bedroom. His bedroom door is cracked open and curse him for putting his mirror right in view where you can see him leaning back on his bed, his lower half hidden off the edge of it and you can only see Yeseul’s knees.

And in your head, you know it’s wrong. But your heart is beating out of your chest and you can feel heat building in your core. And, well, you’ve always worn your heart on your sleeve. You keep yourself pressed against the wall, staring at the way the muscles in San’s neck strain and the way he moans with every snap of his hips. You’re sure your panties are soaked through by now, and your teeth sink into your lower lip to keep yourself quiet. The taste of copper enters your mouth but you couldn’t care less.

It’s only when San sits up, probably to fuck into Yeseul better and he disappears from the mirror that you rip yourself away and escape into your own room. Not another thought enters your brain as you strip your leggings and underwear off, flopping on your bed and closing your eyes as you let your hand trail down to press against your slick pussy. It doesn’t take long for you to sink your fingers into your sopping cunt, turning your head to bury your face into your pillow.

The guilt in the back of your mind is quickly sent away as you imagine San’s hands fucking you instead. He’s always had well-worn hands, and your brain fogs up as you imagine him leaning forward to mouth at your neck as he fucks you.

Your brain flips back and forth between the idea of him eating you out so well and fucking so many loads into you with his thick cock that your stomach swells and you whimper into your pillow as your core tightens and you come onto your fingers. You feel tears prick your eyes as you get up to wipe your hands of the cream coating your fingers and toss the tissue in the trash. You’re not sure how you’ll be able to face San or Yeseul again after that.

You can feel the shame burning inside of you and you close your eyes and cry yourself to sleep silently.

Waking up is disorienting, your eyes red-rimmed and your bottom lip raw and blood dried on it. You feel like death and you’re pretty sure you can’t attend class like this. You lean over and grab your phone, yawning as you send your professor a text with a weak excuse. You don’t really care how plausible it is, Professor Jeong usually is quite understanding so you don’t worry about that for too long. San had texted you an hour ago, asking if you had come home, and you choose not to answer it.

You can hear mumbling in the other room, probably Yeseul and San sharing goodbyes, when you hear the door shut behind her. Unlike you, she’s probably happy to go to class and tell all her friends about her night with the campus fuckboy.

It takes another thirty minutes for you to finally roll out of bed and put some lotion on your face, hoping for the traces of the questionable night you had to erase from your face. Once you’re satisfied with your appearance, you venture out into your living room where San is standing by the door. “When did you get back?” he asks without even turning around. “I texted you like, an hour ago.”

You shrug, avoiding his eyes as you move into the kitchen to find breakfast. “I only just woke up, San.”

Your roommate gives a short huff, following close behind you. “Don’t you have class? Yeseul just left so you could walk with her.”

You try not to roll your eyes at the idea of that. “I’m not feeling well so I don’t think I’ll go.” “You’re not feeling well?” San’s voice deepens in concern and as you grab a yoghurt, he places his hand atop your forehead. “You are feeling pretty warm.”

At his touch, too many memories of last night flood through your brain and you shake away his hand. “Yeah. I’ll just go lie down for a little. Have a good day.”

Before he can say anything else, or realise your suspicious behaviour, you dodge past him and head off back into your room to hide. “I left your pizza in the fridge,” he calls after you and you just grunt in thanks before barricading yourself in your room.

You lean against the door for a minute before you realise you didn’t even grab a spoon. Unwilling to go back out there, you’ve resigned yourself to licking it out of the container like a cat when you hear a gentle knock at the door.

“I got you a spoon,” San’s unsure voice filters through the wooden door, and you squeeze your eyes shut.

“Thanks, San,” you murmur, turning to open the door a crack and take the proffered utensil. “Sorry for being short with you.”

His lips quirk into a half-smile, a silent acceptance of your apology. “I get it. Just get some rest, YN.”

You close the door again, this time a warm heart in your chest mixing with the guilt you still feel in your gut. You’re not sure how on earth you’re going to get over your feelings for San.

Avoiding San goes well for the most part. You are in your finals week anyway, and you’re spending most of your time at the library or in class. Your college’s library stays open for 24 hours during the last week of school anyways so some nights you’ve just been staying there until morning. Hongjoong disapproves heavily but doesn’t say much about it and you appreciate his support either way.

Avoiding Yeseul proves much harder. She seems to always find her way to wherever you happen to be, interrupting you and Hongjoong’s study sessions with a perfect smile and narrowed eyes. You don’t know what she wants from you, and you aren’t pleased with her presence.

But one evening, you’re about to leave the library to have some dinner when she corners you. “YN, let’s talk,” she says in that sickeningly saccharine voice of hers, looping her arm into yours and pulling you down the street. “I have some things to ask you.”

Unwilling, you try to tug your arm out of her grasp, but the girl is stronger than you expected. She pulls you all the way to her dorm on campus, sitting you down on her leather couch. “What is your relationship with Choi San?”

Her question comes so suddenly you need a minute to register. To her credit, Yeseul waits patiently for you to gather your thoughts. “He’s my friend and roommate?” you say as truthfully as you can muster, although you know it’s an absolute lie, and judging from her expression, Yeseul doesn’t believe you either.

“Don’t take me as a fool, YN. The way he talks about you is undeniable.”

“That seems like something you should be talking to him about,” you say, attempting to get up from the couch but Yeseul just pushes you back down.

“I’ve tried. He just tells me there’s nothing to worry about and I don’t believe that,” Yeseul grits through her teeth.

And you have to give it to her. She did try to come to San about her worries. But the way she refuses to trust him grates on your nerves. He stopped his fuckboy activities to be with her, and yet she’s worried about you, one of the few girls who isn’t all over him at any moment. You arch a brow. “Do you not trust him?”

Yseul scoffs. “Of course not. He’s a fuckboy. But I like the status I get with him. I just don’t want to end up embarrassed.”

Well, that will be inevitable, you can’t help but think to yourself. No matter how much your relationship with San is strained, you’re not about to let Yeseul talk shit about him like he isn’t genuinely trying for her.

“That’s where you come into play,” Yeseul’s smirk turns sharp. “I’m going to call San. Ask him to choose between us. If he chooses you, then I want you to stay far, far away from him.”

You shrug. No matter the outcome, it’s not like you’re not already keeping your distance from San. In the end, you’ll just tell him to break up with her and let him deal with the chaos himself. “Go ahead,” bitch.

San picks up on the first ring. “Yeseul?” He’s cheery and your heart aches at the thought of Yeseul breaking his so easily. “What’s the occasion?”

“Hey, babe, I just have a quick question, and I need you to answer truthfully for me, okay?” At his pause, she takes that as a go-ahead. “Who would you pick? Me or YN.”

There’s a long silence on the phone. “Yeseul, we need to break up.”

Only one thing unites you and Yeseul in this moment, and it’s your shared confusion for San’s reaction. “What do you mean?” her voice turns panicked. “Isn’t that a little far?”

“You’ve been stuck on this, and I don’t know how much I have to reassure you, Yeseul. I haven’t even seen YN for the past two weeks. And she’s my closest friend. I’m not dropping her for a two-week relationship. I hope you have a good time, Yeseul.”

Before you can react at all, Yeseul screeches and points an accusing finger at you. “This is all your fault, YN!”

Your jaw drops at her absolute audacity. “My fault? What are you on? I was just trying to live peacefully when you dragged me into this plot ignoring my advice. I told you to talk to him, to just fucking trust him. God, you’re an idiot. And I’m going home.”

Without another word, you leave, still fuming over that interaction. Couldn’t she just have made the call without you? You’re happy you don’t have to do all the convincing for San to leave her, but that just complicates things for you. Would he really so easily drop Yeseul just for you? From what you’ve heard, he was practically head over heels for her.

With another sigh, you head back to the library. You need to finish that exam.

“Pens down, and turn in your exams,” you hear the professor call, and you don’t think you’ve ever gotten up so fast. You’re so, so fucking happy that you’ve finished your last year and now you’re free.

As soon as your professor accepts your paper you race out of the lecture hall, only stopped by the cafeteria when you hear someone call your name. Lee Juyeon, someone you’ve started growing closer to, waves you down. “Hey, YN, congrats on finishing!” he smiles at you and you can’t help but smile back, the giddiness contagious.

“Thanks! You too,” you say, pulling him into a hug. “It’s so nice to be done.” Practically nothing could dampen your mood, especially seeing Juyeon. He’s sweet, and you have an inkling he likes you. And you’re not opposed to it.

“It really is,” Juyeon agreed cheerfully. “Look, I have to go celebrate with my family, I just wanted to say hi. But hey…there’s this end of the year party on Saturday, and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me.”

And your suspicions were right. You think about it for a moment. You’re not the biggest party person, anyone knows that, but Juyeon is sweet and just what you need, so you accept eagerly. It doesn’t take long for the two of you to exchange numbers and for him to promise to send you more details before he runs off. And through your excitement, you know you still have to go meet with San who’s probably waiting for you just outside. He wanted to see you as soon as you finish your exams, and you didn’t have the heart to decline.

“Congratulations on finishing your last exam, YN!” San cheers as soon as you exit the college building. “I’m so proud of you!”

You’re too tired to complain when San sweeps you up into a hug, just letting yourself relax in his firm arms. After all this work, you think you’ll let yourself indulge in his affection. “Thanks, Sanah. I appreciate it.” You let your chin rest on his broad shoulder, closing your eyes and letting the exhaustion take over you. “Can I go to bed now?”

You hear him chuckle, the vibrations from his chest comforting you. “Yeah, yeah. We can celebrate later. Come on.”

He tugs you all the way to your apartment, dropping you on the couch and quickly curling right up next to you. You can’t bring yourself to care. “I’m proud of you,” he repeats into your hair as he tucks your head into his neck. Your eyes flutter shut.

When you reopen them, it’s bordering on evening. San is no longer wrapped around you, and you can hear him moving about in the kitchen. “San,” you call out, voice raspy from having just woken up. “What are you doing?”

“Ah, I’m making dinner,” he responds, his voice too warm for your liking, your heart beating just a little faster. “Come and eat.”

With a bit of difficulty, you rise from the couch and move to the kitchen, taking a seat at the counter. “Japchae? When did you learn how to cook this?”

San chuckles. “Wooyoung taught me the other day because he was bored. I figured it’d be a nice surprise for you after all your hard work.”

Your lips twitch, unsure if you should smile or pout. “That’s sweet. Thank you again, San.”

As you start eating the noodles (there’s a little too much sesame but you don’t have the heart to tell San that), San clears his throat. “So…I promised to take you to a party.”

You vaguely remember this conversation. “Ah, yeah. What did you have in mind?”

“There’s this end of the year party, it’s supposed to be the biggest one, hosted by Jackson Wang.”

“Ah–” you shake your head, eyes apologetic. “I promised someone else I’d go with them. I didn’t know that was the party you wanted to take me to. Maybe we can do something else on a different day?”

San’s lips turn downward the slightest bit. “That’s okay. There are other parties. Who invited you, by the way?” His tone is casual, and yet you still feel like you’re walking into the lion’s den.

“Ah, Lee Juyeon from college. I think he’s in Hongjoong’s philosophy department, but he’s a year behind. He’s cute so I figured I’d give it a try.”

“It’s a date?” Your brows furrow at the heaviness in San’s voice but you pay it no mind and nod. “I see. Well, have fun.”

The rest of the dinner is filled with silence, San picking at his food and you in no mood to try and dissect his mood. He takes your empty bowl and starts doing the dishes, and you mumble out a thank you before running back to your room. He’s clearly not willing to talk more and it’s best to give him space.

As you lay in bed, you can’t help but worry about what is so grating on his mind after you mentioned your date. You can’t think of anything that would cause him to be angry—as far as you’re aware he has no grudges against Lee Juyeon, much less met him. Shaking your head, you try and fall asleep. It’s best not to dwell on it, you can just ask him tomorrow.

It’s Saturday, and you’re in a foul mood. San hasn’t spoken to you in the four days leading up to the party, avoiding you like there’s no tomorrow. The only saving grace comes in the form of Juyeon’s excited texts, telling you all about his outfit for the party, and you respond with matching enthusiasm. When you meet with Juyeon in front of the large house where the party is held, the thought of San isn’t even on your mind. Instead, you just take Juyeon’s offered hand and follow him into the party.

You weave through the bodies, reaching the counter where shots are being passed around. “Want vodka or tequila?” Juyeon asks, his voice pitching higher to be heard over the bass. Without answering him, you just reach for the bottle of tequila, pouring the two of you shots. “Good choice,” Juyeon laughs, throwing his head back as he downs the alcohol, you following suit shortly.

“You know, I never pegged you for a college party fan,” you lean in, laughing. “Maybe I should hang out with you more.”

Juyeon chuckles, wrapping an arm around your waist. “Maybe you should. I know great party-throwers. Although I’ve heard you’ve been to your fair share, what being San’s friend and all.”

You shake your head, a smile on your face. “Maybe at first, but you know, organic chemistry isn’t an easy major to balance with a party life.”

Juyeon laughs loudly, bumping you with his hip. “I understand the pain. Philosophy falls into that category of majors too. Another shot?”

You take the second shot happily, letting the alcohol burn through your veins as you stumble alongside Juyeon’s wandering through the crowd. Whatever you’re doing is a blur, all you can focus on is Juyeon’s smile and his warm hand holding yours.

It feels like barely a moment has passed when Juyeon pulls you into a nearly empty room of couches, only a few other couples lingering in the corners. “I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself,” Juyeon starts, his eyes sparkling as he takes in your appearance. “It’s been fun hanging out.”

“I did too,” you agree with a small smile, looking up at him through your lashes.

He leans in, and you lean in, and your lips brush. It’s a sweet kiss, one that you lean into as Juyeon wraps his arms around your waist. It’s warm and you smile into it. And then a familiar face pops into your head. You wonder to yourself how San would kiss you, if he would do it as sweetly as Juyeon or if he would devour your lips like it was his last meal.

When Juyeon pulls away for air, you feel guilt burning in your stomach again. Why would you think of other men when Juyeon’s right here in front of you? As Juyeon leans in to kiss you again, you almost move back before a hand grips your shoulder and pulls you into a broad chest.

“Hey, man, I’m going to have to talk to YN if you don’t mind.” You’d recognise your best friend’s voice anywhere, and it only serves to fill you with annoyance. Sure, you weren’t as into Juyeon’s kisses as you expected, but it doesn’t mean you’re thrilled to be interrupted by the man who’s been ignoring you.

Juyeon takes one look at San, and something changes in his eyes. A mix of reluctance and acceptance, and with a short nod and smile towards you, he slips away from you. You turn to San, frowning at the sharpness in his narrowed eyes, not one you’re used to seeing or enjoy seeing. “Why would you kiss him?” he spits, and your annoyance grows with confusion being added to the mix.

“What do you mean, ‘why kiss him’? I told you, San, I was on a date. Why the fuck did you interrupt us?”

“I like you.” Those three words would be a dream for you to hear from his mouth…if you weren’t so pissed.

“No, fuck that. I do not need to hear that from you right now. Not when I was enjoying my night with Juyeon. What was confessing supposed to do for you, San? It’s too late now. I wanted to enjoy this party, and now I have to go apologise to Juyeon for you.” San opens his mouth to speak, but you shake your head, pushing him away from you.

You leave San standing by himself as you search for Juyeon, your mood immediately souring. Why would he fucking do this to you? You can feel tears burning your eyelids and you abandon your search for Juyeon, searching instead for some liquor to take away your embarrassment.

As you pour yourself another shot of tequila, you notice a familiar face, Hongjoong talking to a girl you recognise as someone he hangs out with sometimes. They look like they’re getting it on and you feel a little bad, but you need his advice. “Hey, Kim Hongjoong!” you call out to him, waving him over. Hongjoong’s eyes brighten and he makes his way over, leaving the girl staring after him longingly, but her attention is soon taken away by two other guys. You recognise one of them from the cafeteria but you don’t remember his name.

“Hey, YN, what’s up? I didn’t expect to see you here, did San take you?” Your face falls and Hongjoong realises he stepped into dangerous territory. “Okay, what happened?”

“I can’t believe San is mad at me for kissing someone at the party,” you groan after explaining to Hongjoong the events leading up to now. “Sure, maybe it wasn’t the best move on my part but he’s had like, twenty million one-night stands, and yet I can’t kiss someone else? He hasn’t even talked to me after I mentioned going on a date. And yet he looked positively murderous after he saw me kissing that other guy.”

Hongjoong tilts his head, confused. “Isn’t that what you wanted, though? You like him.”

“I did! I do! But I’m so sick of waiting around for him, and I could’ve had a chance at liking someone else. He’s all over the place, and I don’t know if that’s what I want in a man.” You’re lying to both Hongjoong and yourself, and Hongjoong knows it, raising an eyebrow.

“Honestly, YN, it just sounds like you need to talk to him.” Hongjoong crosses his arms, tapping his foot and eager to back to the girl was with, but also not wanting to ditch you in your time of need. You feel a little bad for pulling him away, but your mind is swirling with so many thoughts, you don’t know if you can sort them out by yourself and drinking to erase those thoughts is not something you like to do. You’re not San.

And speak of the devil, you smell his familiar cologne before his hand lands on your shoulder and pulls you into his chest. You whirl around out of his grip and glare at him. “Get off me,” you snap. “I’m in the middle of a conversation right now, Choi San.”

With one glance at Hongjoong, he raises his hands and winks at you. “Have that talk, YN. It’ll do you more good than harm.”

Oh, you’re going to kill that traitor after the party. You turn your attention back to San, your mouth twisted into a frown. “You make this quick or else.”

San has the decency to look a little ashamed as his eyes shake. “Can we talk on the patio? It’s too loud in here.”

With a dramatic sigh, you grab his wrist and pull him through the crowd to the back door, practically slamming it behind you. You can see the eyes of people interested in the drama through the windows but you pay it no mind. “Speak. You get five minutes before I go back in and you don’t talk to me again for the rest of the night.”

San’s face falls and his lips pull into a pout. But no matter how subconsciously adorable he is, you refuse to fall for his charms this time. The heat of anger is still curling in your gut when you think about the argument from earlier. “YN, come on, I had a good reason.”

You shake your head, ignoring the strands of hair that fall into your eyes. “No, San. Confessing to me is not a good reason to fuck up my night. You didn’t even apologise. You’ve been ignoring me for days after I mentioned my date, and the moment I kiss Juyeon you get all angry and jealous? Be for real.” You pause for breath, glaring daggers into his eyes. “You are not owed my time, especially after that shit you pulled. Yeseul’s jealousy is why you broke up with her, so why are you like this to me?”

San’s gaze intensifies and you can see him actively trying to reign in his temper. Although he does his best to remain calm, if tempers are rising, he can be intense. “YN, what was I supposed to do? Watch you go out with him? Watch you slip from my fingers just like that?”

“Yes!” you all but scream at him. “If I could sit by and let Yeseul take each little bit of your heart, you could’ve done the same! I was going to be happy, San! I wouldn’t have to sit behind and watch you from the sidelines with my heart slowly cracking. But I don’t get that same courtesy.”

You step forward, poking his chest with a finger as you let loose your storm of thoughts. In your anger, you don’t even notice San’s arm moving until it wraps around your waist and pulls you into him. The action shocks you enough that you stop mid-sentence, your finger still pressing into San’s flesh. “You love me?” San leans in, his nose brushing against yours.

You can feel heat flare up in your face as you stare wide-eyed at him. It takes you a moment to register your compromising position and you stumble back, pushing at his chest. “Don’t do that,” you hiss, turning your eyes away. “I don’t like you, San. Not anymore.”

“You’re lying.” San’s voice is firm. “Look at me in the eyes and tell me you don’t like me anymore.”

You don’t know where you got it from. You’ve never been good at lying, not to San. Maybe it was the alcohol burning through your system, mixing with the shame and anger you feel. But this time, you stare him directly in the eye and say the four words that might’ve been the biggest lie in your life. “I don’t like you.” San’s brows furrow and he shakes his head.

“No–”

“Yes, San. You cannot just waltz around and expect me to keep the patience I had for you. I’m sick of being pulled around like a puppet. Maybe at first you didn’t know. But refusing to give me space when I asked for it?” You shake your head, glancing back at the party. “I’m going back in. We can talk about the apartment lease later.”

Without glancing back, you re-enter the house. And maybe it hurts a little that he doesn’t go after you, but at this point, you’re too numb and all you want to do is go home and cry. But home is not an option, not when it would probably be the first place he would look for you. Fighting back the tears threatening to fall from your eyes, you slide into your car, staring blankly at the wheel for a long moment until you feel composed and sober enough to drive.

And drive you certainly do. You’re not quite sure where you’re going, and you’re plenty aware that this is a bad idea, but you just let yourself go around and calm yourself down first. The crisp breeze paired with the warm spring air does wonders to clear your head and paired with the late times, there are not too many cars out. It’s peaceful.

You’re not too sure how long you were out, but it’s long enough for the blurry memory of the argument to clear and you groan, pulling over to park by the side of the road and let your head hit the steering wheel. You went too far. San had always been the more emotional of you two, always wearing his heart on his sleeve. He must’ve had a hard time with Yeseul, and although it doesn’t excuse him, you never gave him a chance to properly apologise.

With a sigh, you check your phone to see five missed calls and twenty texts from San asking where you are. He somehow even got your neighbours (a sweet couple in their twenties who babysit Byeol sometimes) to ask you if you’re okay. As your finger hovers over the call button, debating whether to call him back, bright headlights shine behind your car and you stiffen. Your hand hovers over the pepper spray you keep in the dash as you press the call button in a panic. No matter what the disagreement was about, you know San would still come to your aid if you needed it.

“YN, open the door. I’ve been worried sick!” San’s voice crackles through the receiver and you spin around in your seat, squinting at the figure standing behind your car and your shoulders sag in relief.

“God, San, you scared the shit out of me!” you scold, leaning over to unlock the passenger seat and push the door open while hanging up the call. “Get in here.”

A haggard-looking San slides in, his eyes red-rimmed and mouth pressed into a thin line. The car that drove him turns and you look back in confusion before San starts explaining. “I wanted to give you space so I stayed at the party,” he starts explaining after a moment. “But I got worried and went to the apartment to find you. But you weren’t there, and I asked all your friends. I’m lucky you left your location on, and my friend gave me a ride.”

You wince. You forgot about turning off your location, although you’re glad you didn’t as it would’ve been more dangerous otherwise. “I’m sorry,” you mumble, turning your eyes to look out the windshield. “I just needed to clear my head so I went for a drive.”

There’s a long period of suffocating silence between the two of you when San finally speaks, his voice quiet. “I’m sorry,” he starts and your head snaps towards him, eyes wide. Of all the things you expected to fall from his lips, an apology is not one of those things. Not tonight, at least. “I was too pushy. I shouldn’t have ignored you, or interrupted your time with Juyeon. I should’ve talked to you like an adult.”

You laugh, resting your head on the steering wheel. “What an astute observation, San. However did you come to that conclusion?” Your exasperation is evident in your tone and San sucks in a breath at how done you seem. “Look, San. I’m sure you didn’t mean it to be that bad. But I’m just…tired. I’m tired of always wondering what is running through your mind, where I am in your list of importance. You date Yeseul, but break up with her over me. You give me the cold shoulder when I go on a date, but suddenly me being on a date is unacceptable. I just don’t know how to take anything.”

Against your will, tears start to drop onto your thighs, streaking down the skin and you sniff. “Shit,” San panics beside you. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He hands you a tissue and you take it with shaking hands, pressing your face into it as San tugs you closer, guiding you to lean against him.

He repeats soft little ‘sorry’s and leans his head atop yours, his tears falling onto your hair. The two of you stay in this position for a long while, no words are needed to understand the emotional moment.

“Let’s go home, YN,” San mumbles, his voice vibrating deep in your heart. “Let’s go home and we can talk tomorrow.”

You sniff again, tears run dry as you sit up and wipe your eyes. “Okay,” you whisper out. “Let’s go home.”

San stays attached to you throughout the drive home, his hand gripping onto your own hand whenever he can, and quickly wrapping you into a back hug as you walk up to the apartment. “I…cuddle with me tonight?” you ask, eyes flitting away from his face, missing the brilliant smile that spreads across it.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he hums, walking with you to his room, and he lets you slide in first, the smell of his detergent filling your mind and your eyelids flutter shut already. San crawls in next to you, pulling you close.

“Good night, YN,” San mumbles as your breathing evens out. As you drift off into sleep, you swear you feel his soft lips on your forehead but you dismiss it as wishful thinking.

When you reawaken, San’s still curled up, your body covered by his, his breathing slow and gentle. You can’t help but blink a couple of times to make sure it isn’t a dream when his arms tighten around your waist and he shifts. “YN?” His morning voice is as rough as always, rumbling low in his chest.

“Hey, Sanah,” you greet him quietly, leaning up to meet his eyes blinking slowly at you like a cat’s. “Good morning.”

“Hi.” He dips his head to nuzzle into your neck, breathing in your scent. “I should probably explain myself.” His voice vibrates against your neck and you giggle softly at the ticklish feeling.

“That would be nice.”

San huffs, but he can’t complain about your snark. “I like you, YN. I don’t know when I started to, and I definitely didn’t realise I did until I started dating Yeseul. I did like her, but not as deeply as I thought I did. It was so easy to break up with her as soon as she made me pick between you and her. The answer came to me without a doubt in my mind as soon as the question left her lips, and yet I still didn’t realise my true feelings.” He laughs self-deprecatingly, and you stroke his hair comfortingly. “I didn’t realise why I was so pissed about you going out with Juyeon, and that’s why I was avoiding you. It’s a stupid reason, I know. But I just didn’t know why, not until I saw you at the party kissing him. I just wanted to be there instead of you. And I’m sorry, and I understand if you don’t like me anymore, but–”

“I love you.”

His head snaps up to stare at you after your sudden declaration, and after he registers your words a smile spreads across his face. He puffs out a breathy chuckle and you know his answer before he even says it. “I love you too.”

His eyes shine like you’ve hung the stars in the skies, and when they flit down to your lips, you know an unspoken question when you see it. You lean forward slowly, letting your eyes close once more when your lips meet his.

And damn, you were right about how San kisses. In a second, he deepens the kiss, bringing his hands up to cup your face while his tongue swipes at your lips. Shyly, you part your lips and he dives right in, licking into your mouth and biting at your lips.

“Sanah,” you gasp into his mouth, the sound swallowed by his plush lips. “Sanah–”

You repeat his name like a prayer as his lips travel down to your neck, littering wet kisses and bite marks all over your sensitive skin. “Fuck, baby, you’re so sweet to me,” San moans against your body. “Please, please, let me treat you right, make it up to you. Let me worship you.”

You whine as he laves his tongue over your breasts spilling out of the crop top you had worn last night. Any other time you would’ve stressed at how gross the clothes were but right now you could hardly even think about it. “Fuck, yes, please,” you beg when San nips at your cleavage, leaving a mark.

“Ah, already begging for me,” San groans, his hips pressing into your legs. “You’re so perfect.” His voice grows whiney as his sucks on your nipples, making your back arch.

His kisses move down your body until his breath is ghosting over your stomach and his hands are pawing at your pants, shoving them down as quickly as he can. He doesn’t have the same amount of minimal patience for your panties, and before you can react, he’s ripped them off your legs. “Choi San!” you scold, shifting to try and sit up but his grip on your hips stops you from moving too far.

“I’ll buy you a new pair,” San promises before diving right in and sucking at your clit without another moment’s hesitation. Your hips jerk and your core tightens at the sudden feeling as you throw your head back and moan so loudly it’s bordering on a scream

His ministrations on your dripping cunt have you wordless. His fingers are pressing into your hip bones, the sensation making you squirm. As soon as his tongue breaches your clenching hole your hands fly down to grasp at his hair. “Fuck–” you squeal, your legs attempting to close but San just pushes them apart again, busying himself in your folds.

“Fuck, you taste so good,” San groans, the vibrations sending shivers up your spine as he lets his teeth scrape against your clit. You can hardly focus on anything at the barrage of sensations filling you up, San fucking his tongue into you so well. Your thighs are shaking as you can feel yourself grow wetter and wetter against his face.

When you tilt your head down, he meets your eyes as he moves one of his hands to push a finger into your hole. “Shit–” your grip on his hair tightens impossibly. “Sanah–”

“Come for me, love,” San groans, and you let the dam break, screaming out his name until your voice is hoarse, and San licks up your release through it all.

When he finally pulls away from your twitching and sensitive core, his lips are covered in your glistening slick, thick globs of it sitting pretty on his chin. Without thinking, you pull him down and crash your lips against his, tasting yourself on his tongue. San groans as you lick his face clean, shoving your tongue deep into his mouth.

“Fuck, I need to fuck you right now or else I think I might go insane,” San growls, blindly fumbling in his nightstand to pull out a condom as he shoves down his sweats to reveal his hard, red cock. Without another thought, he opens the pack with his teeth, rolling the latex down his length with ease thanks to the precum dribbling down it.

He lines up, the tip of it kissing your hole, when you groan. You’re much too impatient for this, reaching down and holding him steady as you shift your body to sink onto his thick cock. “Shit, YN,” San grits out as you take him deeper and deeper until your cunt kisses his crotch. “You’re too much.”

You pant, shifting on his cock as you try to get used to the stretch. He’s not the longest you’ve had, but he’s thick and the stretch is almost too much. “You’re fucking talking, you fill me up so fucking well, Sanah.” You hiss as you throw your head back, the stinging melting into pleasure. “Fuck me already, San. Or should I go and find Juyeon to–”

You’re cut off by San thrusting into you so violently that you swear the bed shakes. “I don’t want to hear that fucking name out of your mouth anymore,” San commands, leaning forward until his body weight pins you down and your eyes roll back as he starts fucking into you with short, quick thrusts.

With every movement, you feel like you may break apart. You can hear every slick sound, the sound of it obscene, and yet all you want is more. Your previous release coats his cock so well, thick strings of it attaching to his hips.

His arms wrap around your waist, and before you can protest or do anything, he hoists you up until you’re sitting in his lap. You swear this angle makes him impale you even deeper, his cockhead kissing the perfect spot deep inside you. Your head drops to San’s shoulder, moaning against the fabric of his shirt. “Fuck, San, you’re so deep,” you moan high-pitched. “You’re so fucking good for me.”

San growls, pressing a kiss behind your ear. “You’re so tight for me, so much better than Yeseul. I saw you in the mirror, you know,” he whispers conspiratorially and you gasp and clench, snapping your head to look at him. “You’re not as sneaky as you thought, love. Did you touch yourself to the thought of me fucking you so well?”

You whine, words failing you, and San’s hips slow to a stop. You try your best to grind against him but his hands grip your waist, keeping you still. “Please–” you try to beg but San chuckles and nips at your earlobe.

“Answer me, YN.”

“Fuck– Yes!” you cry out, so eager for him to start moving again. “Wanted you to fill me with your cum so well until it was spilling out of me. Please, please, please, fuck me.”

“Hm.” And without any warning, San jerks his hips up into you, biting into your neck like a fucking vampire and you scream, hips stuttering as you come on his cock. You don’t think you’re making any coherent noises, just babbling into his neck as your bones become jelly from the overstimulation.

If you thought the sounds were obscene before, you swear they’ve become ten times worse as you lay limp against San’s body. He’s moving you up and down his cock like a doll and you pant, squeezing your eyes shut as you still feel aftershocks from your orgasm.

“Shit, you’re so warm around me, I’m gonna come,” San moans in your ear, his rhythm breaking as he drops your weight on his cock. You can feel him twitching inside you as his teeth sink into your neck once more. “God, I want to fill you up so badly, but that’s just going to have to wait, my love.”

After a long moment, he pulls out, groaning at your come coating the condom and his thighs. Without thinking, he dips his fingers in the mess and brings it to his mouth, licking it off like it’s the most delicious thing in the world to him. “Come here, baby,” he says in that beautifully raspy voice, and you lean forward, meeting his lips in another kiss.

This kiss is sweet and soft, but the lingering taste of your shared releases still permeates your taste buds. You sigh, leaning your head against his shoulder as he lays against the wall with you in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” he apologises again, pressing another kiss to the top of your head and it’s almost like he hadn’t fucked you like it was your last day on earth. “I won’t ever leave you again.”

You hum, turning your head to pepper kisses over his neck freckles. “I should be the one saying that. I love you, San. And I’ll always run to you with no hesitation.”

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loveisanimaginarydagger3000 · 1 year

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Who I write for: Wanda Maximoff, Natasha Romanoff, other Marvel Women

What I will write: Smut, fluff, angst, g!p, au

Wanda Maximoff

Oneshots (All 18+)

New Neighbours- After meeting a beautiful woman in a store, you soon discover that she's your neighbour and she's single.

Devil In Disguise- Wanda isn't as innocent as everyone thinks she is.

Break Me- Wanda needs you to be rough with her and give her exactly what she wants.

Detention- Your Professor keeps you behind after class as you were distracted.

Take Control Of Me- You ask Wanda to use you as she wishes.

Are You Interested? - "I'm very attracted to you, would you be interested in having an affair?"

Heatwave Fun- You and your girlfriend find a way to cool down during a heatwave.

Dirty Thoughts- While babysitting the twins, Wanda is left to listen to all the sinful thoughts of the older woman flickering through your mind.

Listen To Mommy- Your Mommy teaches you a lesson after being a brat.

Focus- Wanda tests how well you can concentrate while her hands roam your body.

Can't I?- "You can't control me the way you do them." "Can't I?"

Teach Me- After tutoring the twins, their mother decides to give you your own personal lesson.

Touch Me- You beg Wanda to give you what you desperately want.

Protective Girlfriend- Wanda gets worried when you hurt yourself in training. You find a way to convince her that you're perfectly fine.

Boyfriend- Inspired by the song by Dove Cameron

Please...- An affair that turns into more.

So Wrong- How can something so wrong feel so right?

We're Going To Get Along Just Fine- You go home with a mysterious woman from the bar.

Attention (G!P Reader) - You're girlfriend thinks you're spending too much time focussing on work so you give her the attention she wants.

A Workout To Remember (G!P Reader)- Your Gym crush makes a move on you.

Trick Or Treat (G!P Reader)- Loosely inspired by WV ep6 and the phrase trick or treat.

Lingerie (G!P Reader)- Wanda surprises you in a new lace set.

Series (All 18+)

The Babysitter (WIP- Currently 144k words)- In need of money and a way to escape the problems at home, you get a job babysitting two lovely boys named Billy and Tommy Maximoff. What happens when you start to feel things you shouldn't for their mother? Will it bloom into love or leave you heartbroken?

Secrets (Completed- 23k words)- DARK FIC- "Do you swear on your life?" She lets her fingers trail up your arm, moving to your drag along the side of your neck and your jaw before resting on your chin, holding your face to look at her.

"I swear on my life," you whisper, unable to look away from her.

"Would you be interested in having an affair?"

This fic also includes relationship with Natasha Romanoff in which the reader is not faithful in.

Enemies With Benefits (Completed- 16k Words)- You hated her. She hated you. It was just sex. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

Miss Maximoff (Completed- 8k) - After strange circumstances, you find yourself falling for the married woman next door.

I Don't Hate You- After going too far in training, Steve makes you check up on Wanda. Upon hearing a groan, panic fills you before you hear your name falling off her lips in a desperate moan. Oh.

Natasha Romanoff

One Shots

I Wanted You- "We tried so hard not to be torn apart. But at the end of it all, we both wanted something different...I wanted you. And you...you didn't want them to know."

Daddy Issues- TW for Abuse. Inspired by the song Daddy Issues by the Neighbourhood

Warm Us Up (18+)- After your reluctance to work together causes you to be stranded in a safehouse, You come up with an idea on how to stop the two of you freezing to death.

I Kissed The Scars On Her Skin- You comfort Natasha after she starts to feel insecure about her body.

Series (All 18+)

The Soldier Of Death (WIP- Currently 32k words) Warning of graphic depictions of violence. - Soldat Smerti. The Soldier of Death. You were the perfect weapon: loyal, obedient, and merciless, or so Hydra thought. What happens when these traits are put to the test? Your captivity in the Avenger's tower and the presence of a redhead makes you realise you didn't have to be a monster. The question was though; Did Hydra make you the monster or were you always one?

Secrets (Completed- 23k) Dark Fic- Same fic as the one mentioned in the Wanda Series section.

Love Is For Children (Completed 43k) - "You love her, don't you?" "Loved. I loved her."

Bad Idea (Completed 4.7k) - A friends with benefits story that turns into lovers.

You Need Me- Natasha should hate you. You're the enemy. But she can't lie and say you were wrong. She did need you.

Miss Romanoff- What happens when the mysterious woman you went home with turned out to be your new professor...

Wanda And Natasha X Reader

Should Have Knocked- You accidentally walk in on Wanda and Nat in a compromising position. What you didn't expect was for them to ask you to join them.

The Devil And An Angel- Your girlfriends tempt you to sin.

Alone In The Compound- Thinking you were alone, you and Wanda take advantage of the emptiness of the compound. What you didn't expect was for the Black Widow to walk in on you two.

Kinktober

Kinkmas

More posts with links to be added soon, all of posts are on my other accounts so check them out if you want to read them before I post them on here :)

#masterlist #wanda maximoff #mommy wanda #wanda x reader #wanda x you #wanda maximoff x female reader #natasha romanoff #natasha x reader #natasha x you #black widow #black widow x reader #marvel fanfiction #marvel fanfic writer #mcu fanfiction

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youvebeenlivingfictional · 8 months

Text

Bad Faith Part One

Masterlist | Part Two

Pairing: Harvey Specter x Reader

Rating: Mature (Part 2 will likely be explicit)

Notes: Not beta-read because when is it ever. Welcome to part one of two!

There will ONLY be two parts! If you ask me at the end of part two where part three is, I'm going to point you back to this notes section!

If you asked me where part three is and you've been linked here, hi!

Length: 8k

Warnings: Angst. Angst angst angst angst; reader is going through a divorce; Reader's married surname is Hayward; unhealthy coping mechanisms; lovers to enemies to allies to lovers....did I mention angst by any chance? Cause—

Summary: There were so many resources about Steven Hayward from the last decade—interviews, profiles, filings. In all of them, Steven came off as a self-assured, cocky, pompous asshat, but a decent strategist. Those same profiles had described Mrs. Hayward as the trophy wife, the little woman behind the man, tending to the arrangements for their multi-million, 3,000 square foot penthouse overlooking Central Park. For as much as Harvey had forced himself to forget about her, he couldn’t forget her spirit, her determination, her desire to build a life, not to be handed one. None of the credit was given to her. None of the glory, none of the acknowledgement of what Harvey was certain were her blood, sweat and tears in that man’s holdings.

The tears that she had seemed set to shed in his office were all the indication that Harvey needed.

It was a long, harrowing moment of silence as Jessica processed all that you’d told her. You fought not to sniffle into the quiet, but your eyes had steadily been leaking tears for the last twenty minutes. Jessica finally stood from her armchair, patting you on the knee and murmuring, “You need a drink.”

You spluttered a weak laugh, watching her stride over to her luxe kitchen.

“Gin and tonic?”

“I would drink the gin straight at that point," You failed to tease.

“Things aren’t all that desperate yet.”

Yet. How reassuring.

You looked down at the damp, crumpled tissues in your hand before you raised one, dabbing at the few remaining tears. It was another few moments before you heard the click of Jessica’s heels crossing back to you.

“...Thanks for holding back.”

She frowned as you looked up at her, taking hold of the glass that she proffered.

“Holding back?”

“The I told you so.”

Jessica’s lips pursed, her head tipping with what you could only assume was a blend of indignance and pity.

“I did, for the record.”

“I know.”

“I told you nothing good could come from tangling your entire life up with that man.”

“You know, I think those were the exact words that you closed your toast out with at the wedding.” You took a swig, wincing at the overwhelming tang of gin. “Christ, that’s strong.”

“Too much?”

“No. It’s perfect, actually.”

Jessica smiled, lowering herself to sit beside you.

“Do you have lawyers in mind?”

“For the divorce? No.”

“I’ll give you recommendations.”

“I appreciate that, but that’s not why I’m here.” You glanced doggedly toward Jessica. “I need your help…Untangling a few holdings. Things that I can live off of, or break apart and sell for scraps. I can’t even afford a divorce lawyer right now—let alone whoever you’d suggest.”

“What?”

“Steven locked all of my credit cards and froze our joint bank account. I tried reaching out to him, but he won't answer me, and the bank won’t unfreeze it. He seems to think that I’m going to drain the entire thing.”

“Why does he think that?”

“Probably because that’s what he would do.” You sniffled, looking down into your glass. “I have some money in savings, but not a lot. Not enough for me to live off of beyond a few months.”

“Holy hell,” Jessica sighed. You grunted, head hanging as you felt the weight of her judgement. “Do you have any idea which entities you want to go after?”

“Yeah.” You set your drink down, reaching out to where you’d set your bag down and drawing out a bland beige file. You’d spent the morning working up your courage to come over and tell Jessica the awful truth, and had also spent that time putting together the data to do it. You flipped the file open and passed it over.

“This is every single property and holding company that I have my name on. I circled the apartment buildings that I want to sell, and the companies that I think would be best suited to my purposes.”

“Is Steven on all of these?”

“Only the ones that I put an asterisk beside, but I wouldn't be surprised if he came after the others.”

Jessica hummed, nodding. “You knew exactly what I’d ask for.”

“Well, I know you.”

She smiled, closing your file and setting it on her lap.

“Then I’m sure you know what I’m going to say next.”

The implication made your stomach churn with discomfort. You took the glass up again, taking a deep pull from it.

“I do,” You admitted, nose wrinkling again from the sharp juniper taste, “And I know that you’re going to say that it’s the best course of action—”

“The only course of action.”

“That’s patently untrue. You have more than one lawyer at your firm.”

“Not one that could handle a case of this magnitude.”

“Not even Louis?”

“Louis is like a french bulldog. Harvey is a pitbull.”

“You know, that’s actually a really harmful stereotype.”

Jessica’s brows lowered in chastisement, and you looked back down into your drink for safety.

“Wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest?” You added.

“How could it be? You’ve barely spoken to or looked at the man in eleven years.”

Eleven years. Had it really been that long?

“I know that you and Harvey parted on bad terms,” Jessica offered softly, and continued over your disbelieving scoff, “But you need to come out of this with the funds and the strength for a good divorce lawyer. Harvey can give you that.”

“What if he doesn’t take the case?”

“He will.”

“But if he doesn’t?”

“He will.”

“Jessica.”

“He won't have a choice.”

“Oh, he’ll love that. There’s nothing Harvey likes more than being backed in a corner."

“That’s when he comes out swinging the hardest.” She plucked the emptied glass out of your hand, heading toward the kitchen again. “Would you like another one?”

You sighed, slouching heavily against the couch and scrubbing your tired eyes.

“I’d really just like that bottle of gin—and a straw.”

“Would you stop fussing? You look fine.”

“I don’t care how I look,” You grumbled, though that didn’t stop you from reaching down and adjusting the skirt of your dress. You didn’t want to admit that Jessica was right, though you both knew that she was. She always had you nailed dead to rights, and that morning was no different.

You had a slight headache from the drinks you’d had at her apartment the night before, but it was hardly the worst hangover that you’d ever had. You were already two coffees in and you were itching for a third, but you already felt like shit. A third one would just make your heart pound harder, your hands more sweaty, and probably send your anxiety through the roof. You were certain the conversation you were about to have would do all of that for you, so no additional coffee was needed.

You drew in a deep breath, standing and tugging your dress down again as you walked over to look through out over the city. You could hear the ringing of phones behind you, the clicking of heels, the chatter of conversation. You were just waiting for his voice, waiting for his bravado to enter before he did, to suck the air out of the room.

“...What’d he say when you told him?” You asked.

“I haven't yet. I thought it would be more effective if we told him together.”

“So not only is he being forced to take my case, but it’s an ambush.” You cast Jessica an unimpressed sidelong glance, brows quirked in disbelief. She simply gave a small shrug.

“I know my associates.”

“Mm, I bet.”

“I understand I was summoned? Have I been so terribly missed? Whaddaya say we play hooky, go to the batting cages?”

There he was—each question was just punch after punch after punch. Your mouth and throat went dry as your body seemed to divert all available liquid assets to the sweat beginning to wet your palms.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know we had company,” He added.

“It’s alright. Harvey, you know Mrs. Steven Hayward.”

Hayward. You had always hated the name. Hell, you couldn’t even believe you’d taken it, but you’d been so damn afraid of putting a foot wrong, wary of having someone change their mind again about marrying you.

You turned to face Harvey, leaning back against the window and folding your arms across your chest, pressing your slick palms to your sides. It shouldn't have been so vindicating to see Harvey looking so gobsmacked, to watch the color drain from his face as his eyes caught up with his mind—as he came to realize, yes, that Mrs. Steven Hayward.

“Mr. Specter,” You greeted flatly.

“I—What’s going on?”

It’s nice to see you, too. You bit the inside of your cheek to silence your snide remark.

“Mrs. Hayward needs to dissolve and sell a few of her holdings, and I told her that I had just the lawyer for the job,” Jessica announced.

“...Is that lawyer in the room with us?” Harvey shook his head a little.

“You are that lawyer. You’ll be taking the case pro-bono.”

“Pro—Jessica, those cases are reserved for people that actually need help, not for multi-millionaires.”

That stung in a way that it shouldn’t have—but he was right. There were surely cases that were more worthy of his attention. Still, you couldn't deny the fact that you needed his help, and that your pockets weren't nearly as deep as they used to be.

“My husband is the multi-millionaire, not me,” You argued.

“Bullshit.”

“You wanna see my bank statements? I have a little over three hundred in checking, a few thousand in savings.”

“Mrs. Hayward needs this resolved as quickly as possible, and without any of your usual pomp and circumstance,” Jessica cut in.

“Why don’t you do this through a divorce attorney?” Harvey pressed.

“Because right now, I can’t afford one.”

Harvey pursed his lips, looking between you and Jessica. You watched his jaw tick, saw the thick bob of his adam’s apple shift his collar a little.

“You have a list of holdings?” He asked, glancing toward you.

“Twenty,” You nodded.

“To be chopped up and sold for scraps?”

“Yes.”

“Seems a little ruthless for you.”

“It’s what needs to be done.”

“And you expect me to do it?”

“I expect you to do your job. If you can’t get over the fact that it’s for me, then you’re in the wrong business.”

Harvey’s gaze narrowed, his eyes darkening irritation. Oh, you knew that look—like it or not, you had a flash of it like it was yesterday.

“...Where’s the file.”

Jackpot.

“On the desk.”

You weren’t about to hand it to him. Hell—you weren’t about to hand anything to Harvey Specter on a silver fucking platter. He walked slowly to Jessica’s desk, eyes dropping to the file that had been thickened with information on each of the holdings. He opened it, gaze scanning your original sheet before flipping a couple of pages.

“I’ll need time to look this over,” He argued.

“Obviously.”

“I’ll call you.”

“Great.”

“Number still the same?”

Bastard.

“My new number is on the inside of the folder.”

“Great. Is there anything else that I should know?”

“Just that Steven and his cadre of sharks will likely stick their noses in the second they smell blood in the water.”

“We’ll be ready.”

“Good.”

Harvey gave you one last look, one long, sweeping, analyzing look before he turned away, striding out of Jessica’s office. You slowly released a long breath, shoulders untensing as he got further and further away. You lowered your hands, shaking them out and blowing cool air across your shaking, sweating palms.

“Are you sweating?” Jessica asked.

“Are you not? It’s boiling in here." You yanked your collar away from your neck, fanning over your heating skin.

“You can relax. He took the case.”

“Because he had to, not because he wanted to.”

“He’ll get over it, and he’ll do his job.”

“He’s such a grumpy asshole,” You sighed, walking over to the chair that you’d left your jacket and bag on. “But if you say you’re gonna keep him on the straight and narrow—”

“I will—”

“—Then I believe you. I’ve gotta go.”

“Where to?”

“I have to go look at an apartment.”

“Work never ends.”

“This is personal. I need to find a new place. I've been in a hotel for the last few nights, and I can't afford to keep that up."

“Don’t you own your place?”

You shook your head, averting your gaze as you pulled on your coat.

“The penthouse is in Steven’s name.”

You’d had a few hours to forget the weight of Jessica’s judgement, but you felt it again in full force as she shook her head.

“...I thought you were smarter than this,” She said after a moment.

You looked toward Jessica, giving her a small, weak smile. “I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Do you want me to call you a car? On the firm, of course.”

“No! No, but thanks. I should reacquaint myself with the subway. I’m going to be using it more often.”

You managed to hold it together until the real estate agent gave you a moment to ‘get a better sense of the space’. She clearly had no idea who you were, which was a boon, and hardly looked away from her phone as she waved with one hand and typed with the other thumb. You turned to look around, heard the snick of the door closing, and just…Lost it.

Your tears poured out like someone had reached into your head and turned on a faucet. You buried your face into your hands, uncaring of the fact that your makeup was going to run together. You’d given eleven years of your life to a man that was throwing you to the wolves, as if you’d never meant a thing to him at all—as if you hadn’t put your blood, sweat, and tears into building his empire—into what you had once thought was your empire, too.

And what the hell did you have to show for it? You stood in a $3,200 392 square foot studio apartment of a six-floor walk-up in the West Village, wearing a $4,900 dress, standing in $600 shoes, a your $1,200 purse shifting on your arm as your shoulders shook with sobs.

You sniffled roughly, chest hiccuping tightly as you finally began to calm. You reached into your purse, drawing out a compact and flipping it open. You swiped at your run makeup, taking up the pressed powder puff and dabbing beneath your eyes, and over the tear tracks in your foundation. God, just pull it together for the snot-nosed realtor outside. Tell her that you wanted to take it, get the keys, and start figuring out how you could get your things from Steven. You would need to make money in the meantime.

You looked down, shifting rocking back on your heels to get a better look at your shoes.

You never did love this outfit, and you couldn’t have worn it more than twice. Resale couldn’t be too far below purchase, could it? Come to think of it, you had closets full of hardly worn designer outfits at the penthouse. You looked around the studio. You could spring for a few wheeled clothing racks, find a few reputable resellers. You could get good money for your dresses, your shoes, probably even more for the jewelry that you almost certainly wouldn’t be keeping. Steven always had brought you home a trinket from the trips that he frequently took without you—beautiful gems that you knew now were trinkets for guilt, or something like it. You were almost certain Steven didn’t really feel guilt, but he could play-act at it well enough.

But you didn’t have to worry about that at that moment. And as soon as Steven did rear his ugly head, he would have Harvey to deal with. Considering your history, that shouldn't have been a very comfortable thought—but you had Harvey and Jessica in your corner.

You closed your eyes and drew in a deep breath, deeper than you were able to draw before. You held it for one...two...three...And pushed it out slowly as your heated face began to cool.

Deal with the realtor first. Sign the lease, get the keys, and start getting your life back together.

“This isn’t going to be an easy one," Harvey warned.

“Of course it isn’t. If it was, you wouldn’t have agreed to take the case.”

“I didn’t take it, it was given to me.”

“You poor thing.”

It left you without any sympathy, your gaze stone-heavy as you watched him. He narrowed his eyes, a smile set in place as he rocked back and forth in his chair. He tapped his pen on his lips for a moment before he rocked fully forward. You watched his gaze skate across the file in front of him.

“The way I see it, there are four easy wins here,” He turned the file toward you, and you scooted forward in your seat to get a better look at them. “The two apartment buildings on the upper East Side, the one in the Village, and the brownstone in Park Slope. We can hack away at the other sixteen down the road, but we should move on these.”

“Okay.”

“The easiest win is going to be in the Slope. The assessed value is…” His brows furrowed, and he leaned over the file and squinted, as if he wasn’t quite seeing the number correctly.

“Seven million?” You filled in. Harvey’s gaze darted to yours, brows raised.

“Nice chunk of change.”

“I want it listed for ten.”

“That may be a little unrealistic.”

“I’m looking for 8.5 in cash, if possible, so I’m expecting some haggling. I already told the broker as much.”

“Alright. Which of these buildings are you staying in?”

“I’m not staying in any of them.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not staying in any of them.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m pairing down, staying somewhere else.”

“You could stay in any of these rent-free.”

“The HOA and utilities are more than I can afford right now.”

“We could bake the HOA into the contract.”

“If Steven found out I was staying in any of them, he’d find a way to tank the deal from the outside.”

Harvey’s expression tightened a little before he nodded: “Fine. I’ll need your new address for the paperwork.”

“May I use your pen, please?”

Harvey pushed the file closer, passing the pen with it. You could feel him watching you as you jotted down your address, name, and number. Harvey draws the file back to himself, sweeping over the information.

“Keeping your married name?”

“I’ve put in the paperwork to change it, but that could take at least a couple of months.”

“I have a friend that clerks for the Supreme Court of New York, I could put in a word.”

“That’s a kind offer but don’t worry about it. Is there anything else that we need to discuss today?”

“No, that about covers it. I’ll call you if our real estate department or my associate comes across anything that could be beneficial to your situation.”

“I may have just uncovered something.”

You turned at the sound of a new voice, catching sight of a young man standing in the doorway.

“This is Mike Ross, my associate,” Harvey introduced, standing and holding a hand out toward Mike. “Mike Ross, this is Mrs. Steven Hayward.”

Your name left him with a vinegary annoyance that you’d been hoping would be absent from this meeting. You stood, holding out your hand and offering Mike your first name.

“Would you prefer to be, uh..." Mike’s gaze darted between you and Harvey.

“I’d prefer you not to use my married name, if possible.”

“Got it. So,” Mike stepped between you and Harvey, opening the file that he was holding. “I’ve found an additional six properties where your name is the only one on the lease.”

You frowned, brow furrowing as you stepped closer to get a look at the file. “That can’t be right.”

“If Mike found it, it’s right.” There was an irritated thread of steel in Harvey’s tone, and you shot him a scathing glance.

“The comment was one of surprise, not distrust.”

“Maybe next time you can keep your surprise to yourself and let my associate speak.”

“Just like you’re letting him speak right now?”

Harvey’s jaw went tight, and you raised your brows as a knowing smirk curled your lips before you turned back to Mike and nodded:

“You were saying?”

Mike’s expression was riddled with confusion, but he snapped back into action.

“Right—There are, uh…Three complexes in downtown Brooklyn,” He shifted through the stack of papers and drew out photos. “They were gutted for renovation, but work was stopped before any further changes could be made. They cited funding concerns.”

That really couldn’t be right. Steven was rolling in cash like a pig in shit. You took hold of the photos, frown deepening as you got a better look at them.

“What is it?” Harvey pressed.

“I don’t recognize any of these.” You flipped to the next one, then the next. The walls in all of them had been stripped; the floors were torn up; the wiring of the ceiling was exposed.

“What about the other three?” You pressed.

“Uh—One house in the Hamptons, one in Cape Cod, and one in Gstaad.”

“You’re kidding,” You said flatly, looking at MIke.

“I am not. I take it you don’t know about any of those, either?”

“Not a one.”

“Would you want any of them?”

“Maybe Cape Cod.”

“Not Gstaad?” Harvey asked.

“Mm, not worth it. I don’t know how to ski.”

“Still?”

You rolled your eyes pointedly before you nodded back to Mike’s file. “Do you have the paperwork for the properties?” “Yeah, it’s, uh…” He set the file down, sifting through for the paper clipped documents and lining them up on Harvey's desk. “These are…All of them…Separated out by property.”

You went down the line, flipping through each of the pages and growing more and more frantic as you did.

“None of these are my signature.”

“He would’ve closed through a title company, I can hunt that down,” Mike commented to Harvey.

“We can throw these on the list of what needs to be sold, or put them in a living trust,” Harvey offered.

“...I don't know,” You leaned away, shaking your head. You felt so unsettled; after the rapid upheaval of your life over the last week you weren’t sure how much more of this you could take. After this, you had to worry about the divorce, the tabloids, whatever the fuck else you were going to do with your life—You felt your throat going tight with tears, and you cleared your throat harshly, trying to dispel some of the feeling. “If they were good investments, Steven would’ve used his name on them.”

“All the more reason for you to ditch them.”

“I want them inspected first. I’m not throwing these on the market until I know what the hell I’m dealing with.”

“We can take care of that,” Mike promised. You nodded, glancing toward him and offering a tight, grateful smile.

“Not that you’re paying us to.”

Harvey’s snide reminder was like having a bucket of cold water poured over you. Your hands curled into fists where they rested on your hips. You were just on the edge of slapping the guy—

“You can deal with me directly,” You offered Mike. “My number’s in the file. Thank you, for—” You waved your hand toward the file. “Uncovering this. I appreciate it.” You took up your purse and threw your coat over your arm, trying to hold back your rapidly rising tears as your face flooded with heat.

“You’re just going to go?” Harvey asked.

“It’s always worked for you pretty well,” You snapped. “Figured I’d give it a try.” You stormed out without another word, keeping your gaze staunchly set on the floor that you desperately wanted to sink through.

“I have…So many questions right now,” Mike shook his head as he watched Mrs. Hayward stride toward the elevators.

“You know where to start. Get the inspections lined up, and then start prepping the filings for forgery—”

“Harvey,” Mike raised his hands, chuckling with shock. “What—Was that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please. The whole ‘if Mike found it it’s right’?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“That thing about her still not being able to ski? How do you know her?”

“We’ve met, that’s all.”

“It’s obviously more than that.” Mike searched Harvey’s gaze for a few moments. “C’mon, what’s your deal?”

Harvey considered for a moment, his jaw working before he nodded to the right. “Close the door.”

He lowered himself into his seat as Mike did as he asked, then turned back to him.

“Mrs. Hayward and I…” Harvey’s expression tightened as he struggled with it. “We were…Involved for a while.”

“While she was married?”

“Before.”

“How involved?”

“We were engaged.”

Mike’s eyes widened drastically, his brows making a jump toward his hairline. “En—What?” He laughed breathlessly. “The great Harvey Specter was almost nailed by that ice queen?”

“Watch it,” Harvey warned; he was stunned as he felt a flair of protectiveness bloom in his chest. “She wasn’t always like that.” He glanced toward the property statements at the front of his desk, and he thought of the dismayed twist of her features. When she’d met his gaze, her eyes had been bright with tears. Maybe that was his fault, at least a little. He should’ve watched his tone a little more. He had surely made her cry enough, years ago.

“What happened?” Mike pressed.

“I wasn’t ready.”

“You broke it off?”

“...Something like that.”

Harvey’s gaze flitted nervously toward Mike, and he could practically hear the wheels turning overtime in his head. It only took a moment before Mike’s eyes managed to widen further, his jaw dropping open in shock.

“Oh my—There is no way.”

“I’m not proud of it,” Harvey raised a hand to stop Mike’s incredulous questioning.

“Let me just make sure I’m on the same page here,” Mike shook his head. “You left her at the altar, she married this guy, and now you’re…Making jokes about the fact that she can’t ski or afford a lawyer?”

Harvey’s heart sank into his stomach as he cut an irritated gaze across the desk.

“I’m not proud of that, either.”

“Didn’t stop you, though, did it.”

“Are you finished with your lecture? Because you have a lot of work to do.”

“On it,” Mike nodded, hopping out of his seat and restacking the paperwork into the file.

“While you’re at it, keep your ear to the ground on that Park Slope property. The sooner the wheels are turning on that, the better. Use that number,” He tapped the file, “To call her, and send any documents to that address.”

“Understood.”

Harvey listened to Mike’s retreating footsteps as he twisted back and forth in his seat, restless in his discomfort. He pushed himself out of his seat in annoyance, unable to stand sitting anymore. Why had he shot his mouth off at her like that? He knew that she was going through it. He just figured when he’d first seen her in Jessica’s office that this situation wouldn’t be quite so hellish.

Steven Hayward was a billionaire, a former Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient. Harvey had done his digging when the engagement had first been announced—just a few months after Harvey had made the decision not to marry her. He’d assumed then that if she’d moved on so quickly, she couldn’t have loved him much in the first place, and the idea had solidified his decision not to go through with their wedding.

Harvey had done his best to put her out of his mind, and he’d succeeded for the most part. But when Jessica had thrown this case at him, he’d gone back, done some more digging. There were so many resources about Steven Hayward from the last decade—interviews, profiles, filings. In all of them, Steven came off as a self-assured, cocky, pompous asshat, but a decent strategist. Those same profiles had described Mrs. Hayward as the trophy wife, the little woman behind the man, tending to the arrangements for their multi-million, 3,000 square foot penthouse overlooking Central Park. For as much as Harvey had forced himself to forget about her, he couldn’t forget her spirit, her determination, her desire to build a life, not to be handed one. None of the credit was given to her. None of the glory, none of the acknowledgement of what Harvey was certain were her blood, sweat and tears in that man’s holdings.

The tears that she had seemed set to shed in his office were all the indication that Harvey needed. He scrubbed his hand across his face, trying to compose himself as he pushed the wounded memory of her away.

Even footing. He needed to get the two of them on some kind of even footing. Every conversation couldn’t be a fight—it would just slow the both of them down. The sooner they sorted this out, the sooner they’d be out of one another’s hair.

“Donna!” He called out, turning toward the door. Donna popped her head in a moment later, brows raised expectantly. “I need you to look an address up for me.”

“It’s in the West Village.”

Harvey’s mouth worked wordlessly for a couple of seconds before he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing, “Mike?”

“You shouldn’t have hired a super genius if you didn’t want him using that big brain.”

“I was hoping he would use it for good, not evil.”

“Oh, trust me, he is. Anything else?”

“Lunch?”

“It’s on the way.”

Of course it was.

“This is everything?”

“Yes. I checked and double-checked the list that you gave me before I left.”

You nodded, planting your hands on your hips and looking over six industrial-sized trash bags that contained what you hoped were your tide-over funds.

“The jewelry’s in there, too?”

“Hey,” Aaron stepped closer to you, resting his hand on your shoulder. “When I say I got everything, I mean I got everything. I was this close to snagging a couple of light fixtures.”

You laughed a little, nodding and leaning into the touch a little. You’d worked with Aaron Delaney for over five years at Hayward Realty. You’d hoped that he wouldn’t be in Steven’s camp in the divorce, and when you’d reached out to find out when Steven would definitely be at the office, Aaron had quickly jumped on your bandwagon. It had taken nearly three weeks, but he had come through. Not only had he told you when Steven would be out, but he’d offered to go into the apartment and get things for you. You hadn’t heard a thing from Mike in a couple of weeks, so you could only hope that everything was going smoothly on his end, but these bags would go a long way to bolstering your bitten budget.

“You want my help cataloging it?” He offered. You shook your head a little.

“No, god, you've done enough—and helped me lug this up six flights. Besides, Steven will be suspicious if you’re out of the office for too long—you’re too good an employee to be out of pocket for more than a few minutes. But if you’d like to be enlisted in mole duty going forward, I’m gonna need you to have your ear to the ground over there.”

“You’ve got it.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss to your cheek. “Text me if you need anything.”

“Will do, yeah. And thanks again, Aaron. Seriously.”

“Keep your chin up, hon.”

“Yeah,” You mumbled, turning back to the trash bags as Aaron headed for the door. God, you didn’t even know what was where. It was probably best to just go bag by bag, and hope all of the suits were together. You could hang the outfits up, take a picture, post it on the app that you were using to resell your luxury clothing. You could—and probably would—keep at least a couple of things for yourself, but you couldn’t go crazy. You’d need suits for your divorce settlement, and possibly for court…And for whatever the hell you wound up doing once this was all over.

Because it would be over, eventually. There was a life for you on the other side of all of this, and you had to keep reminding yourself of that. Things would get easier, but right now, it all just…Fucking sucked. You had moved the few things that you had into the studio apartment, including your dresser, a bookshelf, a few books, and your favorite Eames lounge chair and reading lamp. You’d had to get a new bed—a full was all that you could use without overwhelming the space; you got a metal frame on Amazon that would get the job done, and you’d bought and built three racks for your clothing. You still hadn’t found an affordable couch, but you had found a nice oak grain bedside table on the sidewalk, with a handwritten looseleaf sign taped to it that read, FREE!!

You hadn’t had the chance to paint or put any personalizing touches on the space besides your furniture—no art, or knick knacks. The space was nearing functional, but you were certain that unpacking all of your clothing was going to make that a hell of a lot more difficult.

You crouched down in front of the first bag, untying it and opening it. You could see some Scanlan Theodore, some Tuckernuck, some Bergdorf Goodman. This bag was already pretty promising. You sighed, taking the first dress out and wafting the fabric out. It didn’t need to be ironed or steamed, which was a blessing. You were already dreading how long this was going to take, but hell, at least it would give you something to do that wasn’t staring down the barrel of your dead-end future—

Okay. Okay, so not helpful, so not the time. You reached into your pocket, pulling your phone out of your pocket to find a podcast to listen to. There had to be something that you could listen to that would distract you from the monotony of filing and sorting your clothing out. You settled on one of your favorites before you began sorting through the first bag. You were right—a couple of Scanlans, two Tuckernucks, three Bergdorf Goodman’s–

Your sorting was interrupted by a knock on your door. You frowned, pushing yourself up. What else could be left? It had to be good if Aaron had lugged something else up six floors. You pushed yourself off of the floor, brushing the dust off of your sweatpants.

“Alright, Delaney, what’d you forget?” You asked as you approached the door and tugged it open.

The sight of Harvey Specter standing on your doorstep made your stomach want to violently unseat your lunch. His gaze swept over you critically, taking sight of you in your comfy clothes. Between the ratty old shirt, the sweats, and your fluffy socks, you were a far, far cry from the way that he’d become accustomed to seeing you in his office.

“Can I, uh…” He peered over your shoulder, nodding inside. “Can I come in?”

“I thought I was going to be hearing from Mr. Ross.”

“Mike is busy, and we need to talk.”

You couldn’t imagine what the hell you and Harvey needed to talk about. You didn’t want to let him in; you knew that what Harvey was about to see wasn’t what he was surely expecting. Your grip tightened on the handle before you drew in a deep breath nodding, “Sure.”

It was worse than you imagined. Harvey hardly got two steps inside before he stopped fully. Well, to be fair, there wasn’t a ton of space for him to wander around and explore; between the bed, the armchair, and the trash bags, there wasn’t much room for him to move around. You shut the door and pointedly cleared your throat, trying to jog him from his shock. As he faced you again, you could see him trying to mask his surprise, his brows drawing down over his eyes as he turned to a file in his hand.

“You have an offer on the Park Slope house.”

“Why didn’t I get a call from my broker?”

“I asked to deliver the news myself.”

You frowned a little, taking hold of the file and flipping it open. Your eyes widened at the sight of a check paperclipped to the top of the files—for frighteningly beneath asking price.

“I said I wanted it in cash.”

“...I know that,” Harvey spoke slowly, as if he was dealing with a particularly difficult and over-caffeinated child. “That is a good faith deposit from the buyer.”

“They’ve signed?” Your hands tighten around the file as your stomach flipped with excitement. “I didn’t ask my broker for a good faith deposit.”

“No, I had it baked into the contract.”

Your gaze flitted to Harvey, annoyance and admiration growing in equal measure.

“I…Appreciate that,” You finally managed. “But in the future, please run any changes like that by me before you speak to my broker.”

Harvey nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Understood.”

“Thanks.” You closed to file, certain that if you didn’t, you’d just spend your time staring at the check—at your first lifeline in this whole mess. “Anything else?”

“We need to get on a more even footing.”

“...I don’t know what you mean.”

Harvey gave you a chastising frown, one that would’ve made you wilt long ago—but now, you simply shook your head and shrugged.

“I don’t,” You insisted. “Unless you mean that you’ll stop out your thinly veiled barbs about what you think you know about me.”

“I remember more than you think.”

“I’m not the woman that you left at the altar, Harvey.” Your admission and reminder left a bitter taste in your mouth. You had to force yourself to hold his gaze, even as his expression flooded with discomfort. You could see him desperately trying to push it away as his retort bubbled up:

“And I’m not the man that left you there!”

“No?” You laughed openly. “Because this all looks pretty fucking familiar. You’re a shark, Harvey, and you’re a dick. Lucky for the both of us, that’s exactly what I need you to be right now.”

Harvey’s jaw tightened, and you could see his hands curling into fists before he shoved them into his pockets.

“Let’s get one thing perfectly clear,” He seethed, taking a small step closer, “What I do for you over the course of this case is purely because of my reputation in this city. I’m going to do my damndest to get you the best out of all of these properties, but do not think for a moment that the job I do comes from any interest, any compassion, anything worth a damn.”

“What compassion? Anyone with compassion would’ve at least had the grace to do better than a goddamn post-it note in my bridal suite that just said ‘sorry’. It didn't even look like your handwriting!” You loosed a hysterical laugh that had been building in your throat as he spoke. “Or did you not even want that in there? Maybe one of my bridesmaids scrawled it to keep me from just throwing myself off the fucking roof!”

Harvey’s expression flickered again, and you saw some of the color drain from his annoyance-flushed cheeks. You turned away, stomach roiling with embarrassment and irritation.

“Thanks for the file,” You managed, forcing a steadiness into your tone. “Going forward, I really do think it’s for the best that you communicate with me through Mr. Ross.”

“Gladly. Have a nice day, Mrs. Hayward.”

Three long strides, the creak of the door opening, and then slamming shut. You flinched at the sound, fingers tightening around the file, trying to focus on the check.

One hundred thousand dollars was an amazing start. One hundred thousand dollars could go toward your rent, your expenses, buy you some time. Maybe you could get a nice bottle of gin—or a couple of the cheap bottles the size of your head, the stuff that tasted like paint thinner and knocked you flat on your ass until morning.

Maybe you could sell your clothing during the day and quietly slip into oblivion in the evening. You had nothing better to do with your nights. Almost none of your so-called friends had reached out after the news had broken—likely making the choice to side with Steven. He was the one that still had the money, of course, the position in society. His name was on the door, not yours.

Your name was on a 12 month lease, and on a check for one hundred thousand dollars.

sorry

Lowercase, hurriedly scrawled, ink smudged. You could still see the slightly crumpled post-it that had been sitting on your honeymoon suite vanity when you’d returned after waiting at the back of the venue for almost an hour.

Harvey hadn’t copped to writing it. Maybe he didn’t want to—or maybe he really didn’t write it. Maybe he wasn’t sorry. Maybe he saw the shitshow that your life had become and was glad that he’d gotten out early.

You glanced around the apartment, eyeing the row of trash bags, the rickety furniture. At this moment, you couldn’t blame him.

You tossed the file onto your bedside table before walking back to the trash bags. Bag by bag, then steam what needed to be steam, then sort by brand. Plan of attack. You could get that man out of your head.

That man—which one was worse to think about just now—Steven or Harvey?

You shook your head, forcing yourself to dismiss both of them for the morning. You didn’t have any more time for what could’ve been’s. You had here, you had now.

And you had shit to do.

“Okay, two things,” Mike announced as he rounded into Harvey’s office. “One, the purchase agreement for the brownstone is signed and the payment is on the way to her bank account. There’s also an offer for the apartment building in the upper East Side. Two—“

“What do you mean, two?” Harvey frowned. “That’s already two things.”

“Fine, three—“

“Super genius and he can’t even count—“

“I got six emails from Steven Hayward’s representation this morning, disputing ownership of all of the twenty original flagged properties.”

“Damnit,” Harvey hissed. “Even the houses she didn’t know about?”

“No, so far, they’ve been conspicuously left off of the list.”

“Where are we with those inspections?”

“In progress, should hear back by the end of the week.”

“Good.”

Mike nodded, and Harvey returned his attention to his laptop. At least, he did until he realized that Mike hadn’t left the room.

“Something else that you need to say?” Harvey prodded.

“Aren’t you going to ask how she is?”

“Why would I need to know that?”

“Come on, Harvey.”

“She’s a client, Mike.”

“A client that you were going to marry!”

“And I didn’t marry her. What do you think that says about my wealth of feeling for her?”

Mike sighed heavily through his nose, muttering, “Alright.” He began to turn away, heading for the door. “Well, if you had asked, I would’ve told you that she’s putting on a brave face, but she’s getting to the end of her rope.”

“Well I didn’t ask, but thank you for that poetic and poignant diagnosis.”

“You have to go.”

“Of all of my priorities right now, the gala is not one of them,” You insisted. “I’ve got about a hundred more urgent matters right now.”

“Make this one,” Jessica insisted, leaning back against her desk, her arms folding across her chest. “You know how badly you’ll be lampooned if you don't turn up.”

“And I’ll be lampooned if I do show up. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear.”

“Wear something you’ve worn before.”

“I don’t have most of those pieces anymore.”

“Then rent something.”

“You do remember that Steven is being honored this year?”

“All the more reason for you to show your face.”

“Jessica—“

“What’s your plan.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your plan—when this is all over? Are you going to go back into real estate?”

“…It’s crossed my mind.”

“You know that they will never let you back in if you slink out the back door and try to come in through the front again. They’ve rescinded your keys, honey. May as well stay in the house as long as you can.”

“This metaphor is beginning to exhaust me.”

Jessica grinned. “I better see your name on the RSVP list by the end of the day.”

“Since when do you have access to that information?”

“I have my sources.”

You heard two knocks, followed by the increasingly comforting sound of Mike’s voice: “Sorry to interrupt.”

“Not at all,” Jessica waved him inside. “I’m hoping for a fruitful update.”

“Well,” Mike gave a small, nervous smile as he joined the two of you. “The good news is that purchase for the brownstone is moving through the channels, and there are interested buyers for the upper East Side apartment building. Unfortunately —“ The word made your gut swoop. “—Your ex-husband has come out of the woodwork. He’s trying to stake a claim on the properties, and on a hold co. We’re monitoring the situation,” Mike added before either you or Jessica could speak, “But I wanted to make you aware of what you could be facing sometime soon.”

You nodded, wringing your hands where they were folded in your lap.

“I appreciate the update.”

“Of course.”

“Why isn’t Harvey relaying this to me himself?” Jessica frowned. You raised your brows, glancing toward Mike, and fighting back a wave of amusement at his blatant deer-in-headlines expression.

“He had a—meeting,” He flubbed before jerking his thumb over his shoulder. “I should, uh–”

Jessica’s brows raise skeptically, but she nods, and you bite back a laugh as Mike leaves the room with a measured hurry.

“...Why do I have the feeling that the two of you are keeping something from me?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” You shrugged, pushing yourself out of your seat. “Now if you excuse me, I have some clothes to package—”

“And a gala outfit to find. I understand.”

You turned from Jessica’s smug grin, rolling your eyes as she tacked on,

“And don’t forget to get your nails done!”

You rounded out of the office, pulling up short as you slammed into someone.

“Oh! Fuck, sorry!” You breathed as their hands landed on your hips to steady you.

“...Don’t worry about it.” Harvey’s flat tone turned your stomach. You cleared your throat, stepping back and out of his hands.

“I’ll watch where I’m going.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

You gave a firm nod as you skirted around him, face flooding with embarrassed heat as you strode toward the elevators.

The gala. You’d completely forgotten about the gala until Jessica had brought it up. Six months ago, planning the evening had been the center of your world. You’d put a deposit down for a custom dress, had it fitted. Steven had asked you to coordinate a cocktail party for the two hours beforehand—an intimate gathering for 150 of your closest friends and associates. You sighed, leaning back against the hard subway seat and gazing at your appearance in the window opposite you.

You could just see it now—the who’s who of New York’s real estate scene all swanning up to the penthouse, lounging fashionably, eating the hors d'oeuvres that you’d chosen and drinking the champagne that you’d ordered by the case…

…The champagne that you had ordered…

Come to think of it, those contracts all had your name on them, your contact information. Steven hadn’t been involved with a damn thing, save for the use of his credit card to put down deposits. He never did—he expected you to handle all of the coordination on the day as well; he would swan in an hour after the party started and do his scant duties as the host.

A devilish grin curled your lips. You were sure you still had all of the confirmations in your email. You could cancel all of it—the ice sculpture, the caterer, the champagne…Well, maybe you could divert one case to your new apartment, and cancel the rest.

Oh, you could really see it now—Steven seething as he frantically checked his emails for any hint of vendors, any phone number or email that he could call to find out what the hell happened to the party that was to-be. You were certain that the tailor still had your dress—and you had a check for a hundred thousand dollars that you could dip into for a manicure.

You stood as the train pulled into your station. You were suddenly looking forward to the gala.

Tag list: @missredherring ; @fantasticcopeaglepasta ; @massivecolorspygiant ; @blueeyesatnight ; @recklessworry ; @amneris21 ; @ew-erin ; @youngkenobilove ; @carbonated-beverage ; @lorecraft ; @moonlightburned ; @milf-trinity ; @millllenniawrites ; @chattychell ; @dihra-vesa ; @videogamesandpoorlifechoices ; @missswriter ; @thembosapphicclown ; @brandyllyn ; @wildmoonflower ; @buckybarneshairpullingkink ; @mad-girl-without-a-box ; @winchestershiresauce ; @gina239 ; @technicallykawaiisoul ; @coldheart-lonelysoul ; @kathrinemelissa ; @jacxx2 ; @pillowjj ; @chanaaaannel ; @avampirescholar ; @kmc1989

#Harvey Specter x Reader #Harvey Specter x You #Harvey Specter/Reader #Harvey Specter/You #Harvey Specter fic #Harvey Specter imagine #Bad Faith

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buddierecs · 2 months

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jealous!eddie diaz buddie fics

all of these are general audience, teen and up or not rated (no smut) make sure to kudos/comment on these amazing works :)

hold the line (to my heart) by: erotes "eddie diaz is not jealous. it is entirely normal to be annoyed that his best friend is busy flirting in the middle of a crisis. obviously." word count: 7k important tags: 911 lone star characters, oblivous!eddie diaz, getting together counting pulses by: tinyydancerr "eddie diaz’s life is going great. he’s in therapy, he’s got a great girlfriend, a great kid, his friend is getting married to the woman of his dreams, and his best friend just came out to him. now his best friend is dating their new friend. things are going great. he promises." word count: 63k important tags: buck/tommy, eddie diaz has ocd, catholic guilt, pining, buckley-diaz family, co-parenting, slow burn hey now, hey now by: fallingthorns "after returning to the 118, eddie becomes a full-time paramedic and ravi becomes buck's partner. eddie absolutely doesn't feel anything about that, not at all." word count: 10k important tags: 5+1 things, fluff, pining, humour, getting together, love confessions i used to call you my best friend (way back before you were my everything) by: snowyroads "in which eddie is so in love with his best friend but that’s totally normal. oh, and hen’s tired of his shit." word count: 5.3k important tags: sexuality crisis, pining, fluff, getting together, sexual tension my heart aches with love for you by: farfromthstars "eddie and marisol run into buck and tommy on a date. eddie is not jealous." word count: 1.7k important tags: feelings realisation, pre-relationship, pining advice wanted by: cairparavels "eddie diaz takes to reddit to figure out why he hates his best friend’s new boyfriend so much." word count: 8k important tags: social media, reddit, misunderstandings, tommy kinard bashing, idiots in love, fluff, angst, humour, mutual pining, getting together good luck, babe by: hattalove "sometimes, when you've had a bad week, all you want is a romantic evening out with your wife over terrible pizza, and what you get instead is some kind of intricate gay ritual happening two tables away from you." word count: 2.1k important tags: outsider pov, social media, twitter you're the one by: smilingbuckley "chimney pretends to be buck’s boyfriend to get a guy to back off. eddie doesn't like it." word count: 2.5k important tags: crack, fake dating, platonic kissing, pre-relationship, first kiss, love confessions, fluff, angst tryna find my way back to you (cause i'm needing a little bit of love) by: mumucow_xD "when buck joins the 126 team for a whole month and eddie didn't expect it to awake something in him" word count: 45k important tags: whump, minor angst, feelings realisation, drunken confessions pining from the passenger seat by: orphan_account "eddie pines from the passenger seat" word count: 5.4k important tags: pining, soft!buddie, getting together, first kiss baby i can ease the ache (let me give your heart a break) by: youdrewstarsaroundmyscars118 "buck wants to date natalia, eddie wants to die, chimney and maddie are very good at motivational speeches and buck is not as oblivious as people make him out to be." word count: 4.6k important tags: possessive!eddie diaz, first kiss, love confessions, getting together plus or minus by: elvensorceress "taylor is offered a job across the country and asks buck to go with her. buck has to figure out if he wants to start over or if he has a reason to stay right where he is." word count: 10k important tags: idiots in love, oblivious, getting together, soft!buddie, love confessions, mutual pining waiting on a distant feeling by: justhockey "five times eddie thought he was homophobic, and the one time he realised he was just jealous." word count: 5.9k important tags: 5+1 things, idiots in love, getting together, oblivious!eddie diaz, mutual pining, fluff, angst

#i cannot believe there is over 500 works of jealous eddie diaz #buddie fic #buck x eddie #buck x eddie fic #eddie diaz #evan buckley #911 show #buddie fics #buddie fic rec #911 fandom #911 abc #evan buck buckley #buddie fanfic #buddie fluff #buddie recommendations #buddie recs #911 fic rec #buck x eddie fanfics

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stylesispunk · 8 months

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"The not so invisible string" | part 3

not outbreak! Joel Miller x f! Reader

previous chapter | next chapter | series masterlist

summary: you and Joel were made right for each other in the wrong time. Now, thirteen years later your paths crossed when both of your daughters get in trouble at school. Would be the right time for you now?

word count:8k>

warnings: angst, mentions of cheating, fluff.

a/n: Hello! Well, it took me almost two weeks to write something, and it was hard because I had no inspiration, so this is probably my worst piece of writing. However, I hope you enjoy it, The next chapter will be better because I have inspo for that one. Reblogs and comments are always appreciated. Happy reading 💌 You can always send asks or talk to me whenever you want. Again, sorry for the chapter, i promise the next one will be better 😭

masterlist

dividers by @/saradika

When's the exact point in life when you stop feeling excitement for what's to come? Growing up becomes a deadly fear creeping within your bones because there's no more dreams left for you, but you face the cruel reality of life becoming a cycle, a boring idea of waking up to survive the day instead of living it, when you face that the ideas you grew up with died with the years passing by.

But now, as you approached Joel’s place of work, the familiar rush of butterflies and excitement began to creep back in. You felt like a teenager before a first date with the person you like. Just as you were breaking down, Joel came back, pulling you into perspective.

You had recalled the three happiest days of your life: the first time you held Tara in your arms, the first kiss with Joel, and the day you met Joel. Even though the last happened at such a young age, you should have forgotten about them by now.

The car pulled into the parking lot of Joel's workplace, and you took a deep breath to steady your nerves.

Finally, you arrived at Joel's office. The door stood ajar, and you hesitated for a moment before knocking. The sound reverberated in the room, and Joel looked up from his desk, a warm smile breaking across his face.

It has been days since the first time you saw him again, and your heart was getting used to the idea of him surrounding you again.

"Hey," he said, rising from his chair. "I'm glad you came."

You offered a polite smile in return. "Well, you promised me a job or something.”

Joel gestured for you to take a seat. "Absolutely, I'm excited to discuss it with you."

Once you took a seat, he was speechless for a moment once again, his gaze fixed on you, on your hair, on your eyes, on your lips, and all over your face when he used to kiss you all over every time he wanted to, but he dismissed those thoughts away before you could notice he was looking at you that way.

"I've been thinking," Joel began, breaking the momentary silence, "about how we can make this work, about the job, about us working together."

You nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“"I know it's not just a job," he admitted. "It's a sort of chance for the both of us to rekindle our friendship.”

Friendship—how bad he wanted to be the romance.

“So is this a trap?” you asked.

“A trap? No,” he answered. “You know, all this construction stuff is not your cup of tea, but I would really like for you to help me get things organized here.”

“Why?” Your eyebrows frowned.

Joel leaned back in his chair, a contemplative expression on his face. "Because it was you who used to organize my life before, and you’re the most organized person I know.”

Your eyebrows raised slightly at his unexpected compliment, and the nostalgia in his eyes was evident.

"Joel, we need to be clear about our boundaries here," you emphasized, steering the conversation back to the work matter before it led to other things. "I'm here for a job, not to rekindle old flames or revisit the past. We have responsibilities, and our daughters are involved. Let's keep it professional."

He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I agree. Professional, it is. We're both adults, and I’m your boss now,” he smirked at the last sentence.

You chuckled at Joel's playful remark. "Fair enough, boss. Let's get down to the details, then. What exactly would my role be, and what are the expectations?"

Joel leaned forward, outlining the scope of the position and the responsibilities that needed your attention.

As you settled into the chair, Joel began outlining the job details, providing a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities involved. Your focus remained on the professional aspects of the conversation, but every now and then, a shared glance or a subtle reference to the past hinted at the layers of history between you.

Midway through the discussion, the door creaked open, and you turned to see Tommy entering the room.

"Am I interrupting something?" Tommy asked, glancing between Joel and you. His eyes widened, and a smile broke across his face as he recognized you.

"I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. "Wow, I didn't expect to see you here. It's been so many years!"

Joel stood up, wearing a grin. "Tommy, I introduce you to our new assistant.”

You extended a hand, but Tommy went straight up for a hug. "I’m really happy to see you again.”

“I say the same,” you replied with a smile, feeling a warmth in reconnecting with Tommy.

Tommy's eyes sparkled with nostalgia. "Well, it's great to have you back in the picture. Joel rarely brings people here, so you know what that means?” He paused a moment to look at you again. "Wow, you look just as beautiful as I remember.”

You exchanged a curious glance with Joel, knowing the implication behind Tommy's words.

Joel rolled his eyes, a bashful grin on his face. "Tommy, stop making it sound like a big deal."

"Hey, I'm just stating the facts," Tommy replied, winking at you. "Anyway, I'll leave you two to your business. Nice to see you again."

As Tommy exited the room, you turned back to Joel, the air carrying a subtle shift in dynamics.

As the conversation progressed, you found yourself immersed in work-related discussions, temporarily setting aside your shared history. The task at hand became the priority, and you delved into the details of the job, determined to establish clear professional boundaries in this unexpected turn of events in your life.

As the weeks passed by, Joel and you got used to your new routine; seeing each other added some excitement back to your life again, and you couldn’t help but feel nostalgia for what you once had been together, bringing back the memories of the past, while the fresh cultivated growth between you added a new purpose to your days.

And as if the present would want to get the memories of your history together as two strings connecting your lives, you came back from a meeting with some suppliers with a scraped knee.

As you limped back into the office, Joel noticed your discomfort and immediately became concerned. "What happened?" he asked, his brows furrowed with worry.

"Just a little accident during the meeting," you replied, trying to play it off. But Joel could see through the facade, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.

He still knew you so well.

“They didn’t hit me, by the way; I fell. Just to clarify” you smiled, as Joel reached for the first aid kit, no long after, he was kneeling beside you, carefully cleaning and applying a band-aid to your scraped knee. The touch of his hands brought back a flood of memories—the innocence of childhood and the way he used to caressed your skin as you grew up.

As he secured the band-aid in place, Joel couldn't help but smile. "Do you remember the first time I did this?" he said, his tone nostalgic.

You chuckled, nodding. "How could I forget? It seems like a lifetime ago."

Joel's gaze held a warmth that transcended time, and in that moment, the lines between past and present blurred. He placed his hand over your knee, and his touch made your skin burn at the contact, but not in an uncomfortable way, but as a warm sensation that only he was able to give.

"Joel,” you whispered.

Joel's touch lingered for a moment longer, his eyes searching yours for a reaction. There was a silent understanding between you, a connection that surpassed words.

"Sorry," he said, withdrawing his hand, a subtle flush coloring his cheeks. "I just wanted to make sure it's secure."

You nodded, feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and familiarity. "Thanks, Joel. For taking care of me.”

A smile played on his lips, and he stood up, disposing of the used bandage. "Anytime, Doe.”

Your hearts kept beating at the same sound and at the same rhythm, desperately finding a way to belong to each other again.

Two days later, in the evening, as you were getting dinner ready for Dwight and Tara, Dwight suggested inviting Joel and Sarah over for dinner since it seemed like you and his daughter seemed to enjoy their presence so much.

“What? Why?” you asked, being caught off guard by the suggestion of having Joel share the same table with your husband.

“Well, it seems like Tara is a good friend with his daughter. Plus, it would be good to know this so famous Joel.”

You couldn't deny the truth in Dwight's words, but the idea of having Joel and Sarah over for dinner still stirred up complex emotions. Not for Sarah, of course. But Joel meeting the man you had settled with seemed so out of touch.

"Why not?" Tara chimed in, trying to reassure you. "It'll be nice having them over."

After a moment of contemplation, you sighed. "Alright, let's do it. But keep it simple, okay?” You turned to Dwight and said, “Please, behave.”

Dwight nodded, giving you a reassuring smile. "Simple it is. It's just a friendly dinner, no strings attached."

You took a deep breath, considering the implications. "Alright, I'll call Joel. But let's keep it casual.”

You dialed Joel's number, and after a few rings, he answered. "Hey, Doe, what's up?"

You smiled at the nickname this time. Since having him back, you were getting so used to his presence that you almost loved that word slipping from his lips.

"Joel, we were thinking of having you and Sarah over for dinner. Just something simple," you explained, trying to keep the tone casual.

There was a brief pause before Joel responded, "Dinner sounds great. We'd love to. What time?"

Joel agreed to the time you offered. You felt painful anticipation and nervousness after hanging up the phone.

As soon as you heard a car pulling over in front of your house, your heart rate increased at the nervousness you felt for what could be happening as soon as Joel entered that door. You feared Dwight the most. He wasn’t a bad man, but he clearly was someone different from the person you had married; his recent behavior had been puzzling, almost as if he wanted to drive you away. The thought of potential humiliation loomed, and you couldn't shake off the unease in your mind.

“I’ll welcome our guests,” he said, standing on the couch. You nodded, trying to mask the worry on your face.

As Dwight greeted Joel and Sarah at the door, you took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself in the kitchen. The sounds of casual conversation and laughter echoed from the living room.

You walked there, approaching Joel, who was wearing a really tight smile, trying not to make you uncomfortable.

“Hi!” you exclaimed, trying to erase the shakiness from your bones.

"Hey," Joel replied, his smile mirroring yours, but there was an unease in his eyes that didn't go unnoticed.

Dwight led everyone to the living room, and as they settled in, you couldn't shake off the tension in the air. Tara and Sarah, however, seemed eager to catch up, leaving you and Joel with a shared glance, reflecting the tiny smile at seeing both of your daughters spending time together.

“So, uhm, babe, why don’t you serve dinner? Our guests must be starving already!”

Dwight's casual comment lingered in the air, and you nodded, forcing a smile as you made your way to the kitchen. Joel followed suit, excusing himself from the conversation in the living room.

Once in the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted. You began to cut some vegetables for the salad, the clatter of utensils masking the quiet tension in the room.

Joel, sensing the unease, spoke up, "Do you need help?"

You glanced at him, grateful for the lifeline. "Sure, if you can handle chopping some vegetables."

As you worked side by side, the silence between you spoke louder than words. The weight of unspoken history loomed, and each passing moment felt like a delicate dance on a tightrope.

Joel broke the silence, his voice hushed. "Are you okay?"

You offered a tight smile, avoiding eye contact. "I'm fine. I'm just trying to get through the evening."

He nodded, respecting the boundaries between the two of you. Ever since you two had rekindled your relationship and friendship, you had become more open to him, yet being in your house as the wife of another man was completely different. He felt tense, yet he wanted to be fine for you.

With the vegetables chopped and the dinner done, Joel and you walked around the kitchen as if nothing had ever changed between the two of you. The warmth of shared memories collided with the reality of the present once more.

It was Friday night, and you and Joel stood side by side at the kitchen counter, chopping vegetables and exchanging stories from the day. Joel’s fingers brushed against yours as you reached for spice—a simple touch that sent a shiver down your spine.

As you prepared the ingredients, Joel leaned in, whispering the steps of the recipe in your ear. The warmth of his breath against your skin sent a rush of heat through you. Cooking had never been more enjoyable now than when you were living together, sharing stolen kisses in the middle of a kitchen transformed into a space where time seemed to stand still.

How bad you wanted time to stand still yet.

As the final touches were put on the dinner plates, Joel hesitated, his voice once again breaking the silence. "I never imagined us in a situation like this."

You paused, glancing at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, me being in the kitchen with you in the house you live in with your daughter and husband.”

The weight of his words echoed the sentiments you both shared but didn't dare voice. "Well, things change,” you replied, your tone carrying the weight of time passing by.

With the dinner ready, you both carried the plates to the dining table. Everyone sat down, Tara and Sarah sat side by side, and Dwight, seemingly at ease, directed the conversation toward casual topics, creating an illusion of normalcy.

Joel sat across from you, his eyes occasionally meeting yours, looking for an answer.

“So, Joel,” Dwight began, "what do you do for a living?”

“Building contractor,” he replied, a little bit tense.

“Building contractor” Dwight recalled, “We’re calling you when something gets broken.”

Joel chuckled, a nervous smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, something like that. Fixing things is what I do." He mocked.

Dwight nodded approvingly, steering the conversation away from the unspoken tension. "Well, it's good to have someone handy around. You never know when a pipe might burst or a door might get jammed."

“He is a contractor, not your personal Plummer,” you intervened, a little bit tense with Dwight's careless attitude.

Joel looked at you appreciatively, and you could sense his relief at your intervention. Dwight chuckled, a casual dismissal in his tone. "Well, fixing things is fixing things, right? It's all in the same realm."

You sighed inwardly, realizing that Dwight's nonchalant approach was his way of diffusing the tension, but it didn't alleviate the unease in the air. Joel shifted uncomfortably, sensing the delicate nature of the conversation.

“Maybe he could fix that attitude of yours,” Dwight said, swiping his wine as he pointed out your attitude.

You raised an eyebrow at Dwight's comment, with surprise and hurt crossing your face. The tension in the room seemed to thicken, and Joel let out a forced chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Come on, Dwight," Joel said with a half-smile, "we're all just figuring things out here. There is no need for any fixing, just understanding."

Dwight leaned back in his chair, a playful glint in his eye. "Fair enough, fair enough. I can take a joke. But seriously, Joel, you're welcome here. Just promise you won't go stealing my wife without a warning.”

Joel's forced chuckle faded into an uncomfortable silence as Dwight's comment took an unexpected turn. The atmosphere in the room became more palpably strained, and you exchanged a quick glance with Joel, recognizing the need to address the comment delicately.

“Tara, can you and Sarah go upstairs, please?” you pleaded. She immediately understood and took her friend with her upstairs.

Once they were out of sight, you turned to Dwight. “Stop behaving like an idiot in front of others,” you warned.

Dwight's playful demeanor shifted as he met your stern gaze. The air in the room carried the weight of your warning, and for a moment, the unspoken tension became more palpable.

"I was just trying to lighten the mood," Dwight responded, attempting to downplay the situation.

"Well, then lighten the mood without making inappropriate jokes," you countered, your voice firm.

Joel, who had been quietly observing the exchange, nodded in agreement. "She's right. Let's try to keep things civil and avoid unnecessary complications."

Dwight sighed, realizing he had crossed a line. "Fine, fine. I'll tone it down. No more jokes.” He paused for a moment, not looking at you. “But I would like to know why my wife hides that you are actually her boyfriend.”

The room fell into an uneasy silence as Dwight's question hung in the air. You felt the weight of his words, and Joel's eyes met yours.

“Actually, I think I better be going. It’s getting late,” Joel spoke, meeting your watered gaze.

“No, you’re not,” Dwight warned. His expression remained firm, and he spoke with an authoritative tone. "Joel, you're a guest here, and we should resolve this now. We're all adults, and we can handle an honest conversation."

Joel hesitated, caught between the desire to avoid further conflict and the weight of the unspoken truths that lingered in the room. He glanced at you, silently seeking guidance. You took a deep breath, recognizing the need to address the situation.

"Dwight, we need to handle this with care," you urged, your tone calm yet firm. "Joel has the right to leave if he feels uncomfortable. We can discuss things more openly when tensions have cooled down."

“I want to know why you lied to me about it,” Dwight said to you.

In your nervousness, Joel noticed you were uncomfortable. He reached for you to touch your shoulder in order to make you feel better, but before he could come closer, Dwight intervened.

“Don’t touch her,” Dwight warned.

Joel withdrew, a frown forming on his face, but he respected Dwight's demand. The room fell into an uneasy silence as the unspoken complexities of the situation continued to unfold. The need for a careful and honest conversation was evident, but the challenge was maintaining a level of respect and understanding in the face of rising tensions.

"We need to talk about this," you said, your voice steady. "But let's do it when we can all approach the conversation calmly and with an intention to understand, not to accuse."

Dwight nodded, his expression still stern. "Fine, but we will address this. No more hiding."

Later, as you and Dwight prepared for bed, the weight of the unspoken conversation loomed over you. Dwight, however, was not ready to let the matter rest.

"Before we go to sleep, can we talk about this?" he asked, his tone earnest.

You hesitated, fully aware that addressing the issue in your current emotional state would only escalate matters further. Instead of responding directly, you began gathering a few belongings, making your intention to spend the night in the guest room clear.

"I just need some space tonight," you explained, avoiding eye contact. "We can talk about everything in the morning when we've had time to think."

Dwight's expression shifted between frustration and concern. "I just want to understand, to know the truth."

"I know," you replied, your voice softening. "And we will talk. But not tonight."

“You’re married to me,” he called out before you stepped out of the room.

You turned to face him, your expression displaying frustration. “And?”

“You own me respect,” he stated.

“Respect must be earned, and right now you are acting like an idiot,” you acknowledged, your voice steady.

With that, you left the room, leaving Dwight to contemplate his behavior. Right now, you felt your marriage was dying little by little, and you wanted nothing more than just freedom.

+++

The next morning, there was a palpable sense of tension in the atmosphere. As you prepared for the day, the weight of the unresolved talk with Dwight hung heavy in your mind. He was nowhere to be found during the morning, so you get ready for the day.

After a restless night, you decided to head into work, hoping that a change of scenery and a return to routine might provide a necessary distraction. As you made your way to Joel’s office, you noticed Joel sitting with quiet contemplation in his eyes.

"Morning," you greeted, offering a tentative smile.

"Morning," Joel replied, his expression mirroring the unease in the room.

"Oh, I just wanted to say sorry for last night," you began, choosing your words carefully. " Dwight's attitude was completely

Joel shook his head, a small smile breaking through. "It's not your fault. Beside, I can handle a bit of tension."

You appreciated his understanding with a tiny smile.

“Did you sleep well, though? You seem restless,” he pointed out.

You sighed, acknowledging the toll the previous night had taken on your peace of mind. "Not really. The atmosphere was a bit... tense."

Joel's gaze softened, understanding the weight of the situation. “Well, I’m sorry for being back in your life,” he joked.

“Don’t say that,” you tilted your head. “You’re the best thing that happened to me this last time.”

Joel's smile widened at your words; the tension in the room was momentarily replaced with a warm exchange. "Well, if that's the case, I'm glad to be back." He paused and said, “Take your time. Relationships are like construction projects. They need a solid foundation and careful planning."

With a chuckle, you responded, "You would know, being a building contractor and all."

As the day unfolded, you found yourself grateful for Joel's presence and the brief moments of levity he brought. It was a reminder that, amidst the uncertainties, a supportive connection could make the uncharted territory feel a bit less daunting.

+++++

“By the way, Sarah called me; she and Tara are going to my house to finish this school project,” Joel told you.

A sense of relief washed over you as Joel shared the news about Sarah and Tara. It provided a welcomed diversion from the complex situation you had at home.

"Oh, that's great," you replied, a genuine smile forming. "At least they have each other's company. I hope the project is going well."

“It’s great how they became friends so easily. It reminds me of us,” he said, smiling.

You couldn't help but smile at Joel's observation. "Yeah, it does, doesn't it?”

Joel nodded in agreement, a nostalgic glint in his eyes. “Okay, so you’re free to go; I can drive Tara home once they’re done with the project.”

You nodded appreciatively at Joel's offer. "That would be great, thanks. And thanks for being here, Joel," you said, expressing gratitude for the fresh air he had offered you since he became part of your life again "It means a lot."

Joel nodded, a reassuring presence. "Take your time, and remember, I'm just a call away if you need anything. We'll get through this."

“See you later, then?”

“See you later, Doe”

+++++

Once you arrived back home, Dwight was there. The tension already felt like a string around your neck, suffocating you all over.

As you stepped back into the house, the familiar surroundings felt charged with tension. You both exchanged a cautious glance, each aware of the elephant in the room. Dwight, however, seemed to be avoiding the topic, engaging in mundane conversations through his phone with someone else.

After some time, when you could no longer bear the unspoken tension, you decided to address the elephant in the room. "Dwight, we need to talk about last night. We can't just ignore it."

He sighed, a subtle avoidance in his eyes. "Can't it wait? I've got a work trip coming up, and I need to get everything sorted."

You raised an eyebrow, a mix of frustration and disbelief in your expression. "A work trip? You're leaving for the whole weekend?"

Dwight nodded, his gaze drifting away. "Yeah, well, I’ll come back next Friday. It's a last-minute thing. I need to handle some important projects. It came up unexpectedly."

The timing felt convenient yet suspicious. The air thickened with unspoken questions, but Dwight continued to divert the conversation away from the pressing issues.

"Dwight, we can't keep avoiding this," you insisted, your voice firm. "We need to address what happened."

"I know, I know," he replied, a hint of impatience in his tone. "But I've got to leave now, and I need to get some rest. Can we talk when I get back?"

The evasion felt deliberate, leaving you frustrated and with a sense of urgency to address the unresolved matters. However, faced with the impending work trip, Dwight's departure seemed inevitable.

"Fine," you reluctantly agreed, though the unease lingered. "But when you get back, we're talking about this. No more avoiding."

Dwight nodded, though his expression remained distant, but still he pecked your lips.

“Take care, and take care of Tara,” he said before stepping out of the house.

You were left there in the middle of a living room that felt colder as the days passed by. You have never felt so small in your life as you were feeling now, living under the same moon as Dwight, and that thought alone made you sick.

Every time sadness overcomes you and salty tears stream out of your eyes, you take out your memory box and look at the pictures of your older self, the one who thought she knew everything, the one who thought she knew herself without her half. Every single time you came across those memories, it was Joel, the one beside you, looking at you as if you were hanging the moon in the sky, and you smiled.

When you looked at the pictures of him, you were relieved by the words and the kisses, and suddenly all the space surrounding you was full of him. You had come to terms with the fact that you weren’t complete without him; he lived inside you because he made you feel complete; he taught you how to love and be loved and how to know you were worth the world; and after him, you accepted that you were never going to be that foolish girl again.

But now, you were in front of his door, hesitating and gathering the courage to knock on the door and face the what if, and when Joel opened the door with surprise on his face, you were him, and he was you.

"Oh. You’re not a pizza guy,” he said, with evident surprise in his voice.

You managed a small smile at Joel's observation, appreciating the brief moment of levity. "No, not the pizza guy. But I was alone at my house, and I thought I could stop by and take Tara home.”

“Actually, I promised the girls a pizza; we were just about to.“

"Oh, okay, I can come later,” you interrupted, feeling ashamed of the sudden feeling you have to be closer to him again.

“What are you talking about? Of course, no, come here,” he said, moving from the door entrance to allow you to step into his house.

This was the first time you were here, and you couldn’t help but recall all the features of Joel that made him him. How those tiny objects and decorations around his house told the story of him, and how would it be if you didn’t leave that night?

“Such a cozy home.” You emphasize the word home since this one felt like one.

Joel smiled warmly at your compliment. "Thanks. I try to make it feel like home. Come on in; make yourself comfortable."

Suddenly, his hand traveled to your waist, guiding you through his house, and the air was cut from your lungs. Your eyes met for a second, and his hand left his spot; however, his handprint still burned.

However, Joel guided you toward the living room, where Tara and Sarah were eagerly setting up the table for their promised dinner. The girls looked up, their faces lighting up with surprise and excitement.

"Hey, look who's here!" Joel announced, his tone cheerful as he entered the living room with Sarah and Tara. The girls greeted you warmly, their excitement contagious.

“Mom? What are you doing here?” Tara asked, walking towards you to envelope you in a tight embrace.

You hug Tara and say, "I thought I'd drop by and join you guys for pizza." You lied.

I felt alone; you thought for yourself only.

Sarah chimed in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you staying for the movie night too?"

You looked at Joel curious; he still had Friday's movie night. “I supposed,” you answered, still looking at Joel. “Can I?

"Absolutely,” Joel said, not taking his gaze away from yours.

“What about my dad?” Tara asked, “Is he okay with this?”

“Well, he left for a business trip, so we are alone for the weekend,” you replied.

And before more questions could be asked, the doorbell rang.

“The pizza, I’ll go for it,” Joel announced, disappearing from your view.

“Mom, are you okay?” Tara asked, concerned.

You gave Tara a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, sweetheart. I just wanted to spend some time with you and have a fun movie night."

Tara nodded, still showing a hint of concern. "If you ever need to talk or anything..."

"Thank you, Tara. I appreciate that," you replied, grateful for her caring nature.

As Joel returned with the pizza, the evening continued with shared laughter, conversation, and the simple joy of spending time together. The movie Night became a bridge connecting the past and the present, offering a glimpse into the potential for renewed connections.

The living room, adorned with warmth and laughter, and everything between you and Joel felt so natural as if time didn’t pass by.

You didn’t notice, but Tara paid attention to the both of you with a smile on her face. This exact moment was the picture she had always imagined of a happy family. A happy mother, a father who didn’t need to utter words to show the love he felt for the woman beside him, because she saw in Joel’s eyes the way he looked at you as if you were the brightest star in the sky, that man loved you, and she felt at ease.

“You know, you can stay the night." Joel offered you, once Sarah and Tara fell asleep in Sarah’s room, “You can take my bed and I can take the couch.”

You hesitated for a moment, weighing the implications of Joel's suggestion. It was completely fine for a pair of friends, but you weren’t just that, and you both know that behind all the reconnection, there was addiction to something you couldn’t possess.

"I appreciate the offer, Joel," you replied, a soft smile playing on your lips. "But I should head to my house.”

“But you don’t deserve to go to a lonely house,” he said, trying to plead with you about the idea of spending a night with you under the same roof. He started to feel a joy inside his gut, all his feelings hidden there.

You could sense concern in Joel’s voice and see the pleading dancing in his eyes, but saying yes to him felt like steeping into fire. You still saw in Joel all the habits he picked up from you, being the pleading eyes one of the things you remembered the most, and now you could understand the implications of what your departure did to him.

His heart broke in two, just like yours.

"I appreciate the concern, Joel, but I don’t think it is fair to you," you said, your voice gentle.

“Please?” He pleaded again, his eyes sparkling so much that you could follow the light on them.

“Okay, I’ll stay.” You gave up; you couldn’t say “no” to him so many times.

You saw his dark brown eyes twinkling as he nodded, smiling at your answer.

"Thank you," Joel whispered, breaking into a small, relieved smile.

You followed him into the familiar surroundings of his home; every step felt like discovering a new way back home. A sense of warmth enveloped you, making you feel protected and comfortable in Joel´s presence.

Once you stepped into his bedroom, you took a seat on his bed, and a wave of nostalgia washed over you. The familiar scent of Joel was all over the space that you could navigate inside this wall blindfolded, and the comforting presence of him felt like a step back in time.

Joel, sensing something dancing in your eyes, opened his closet and pulled out a set of comfortable clothes. "Here, you can wear these for the night. They should be comfortable enough."

“Oh my god!” you said, looking at the shirt Joel had lent you. “You still have this?” you asked him, in awe.

Joel chuckled, the warmth of shared memories evident in his eyes. "Yeah, I kept it. It's been tucked away in the back, but I figured it might come in handy tonight."

Your fingers traced the fabric of the shirt. "I can't believe you still have it. It feels like a lifetime ago."

He smiled, a nostalgic twinkle in his eyes. "Some things are hard to let go."

For a moment, time between you stopped, and for a moment, you were still able to see the sunlight through his hair in the morning and how he sounded when he laughed. And you hoped you didn’t damage his heart that much.

"Thanks, Joel. It's been a while since I wore something from your closet." The soft fabric of the shirt still carried a subtle scent of Joel that brought back a flood of memories.

He chuckled a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Yeah, it has. Well, I'll let you get some rest. Goodnight, Doe."

Doe

You allowed him to call him Doe this time, pretending he was still yours and you were his.

"Goodnight, Joel," you replied, changing into the borrowed clothes. The fabric held a hint of his familiar scent, adding an extra layer of comfort as you settled beneath the covers. The bedroom door closed, leaving you in the soft embrace of memories as sleep gradually claimed you.

However, the soft glow of the moonlight spilled through the windows as you lay in bed and witnessed your sleeping trouble as you tried to find solace in the familiar surroundings of Joel’s room.

It was different. Sleeping in a bed with the scent of the man whose presence allowed you to sleep wasn’t the same when he wasn’t next to you, letting you rest your head on his chest.

So, as sleep proved elusive, and after tossing and turning for what felt like hours, you decided to go downstairs, hoping Joel was awake.

As you descended the stairs, the hushed sounds of the night filled the house. The soft creaking of the floor under your weight was the only disruption to the silence. When you reached the living room, you saw Joel sitting on the couch, his gaze fixed on an old photo album.

He seemed lost in a sea of memories, unaware of your presence. You stood there for a moment, observing the emotions playing across his face as he traced the images with his fingers, as if he were savoring the past with his fingertips, trying to bring it back.

When he finally noticed you, a small smile curled his lips. "Couldn't you sleep either?

You shook your head, joining him on the couch. "Too many thoughts."

He nodded in understanding, closing the photo album. "I get it."

Back in time, Joel had the advantage of taking your heart when it was still a blank canvas expecting to be painted on. He took it so delicately and caressed it with such care in order to never hurt you. He made you love him so much that once he wasn’t in your life anymore, you didn’t know where to put his love anymore.

It never left.

Joel's gaze remained fixed on the closed photo album in his hands. "Sometimes, I wish we could go back," he admitted, his voice a soft whisper.

You sighed, the ache of longing settling in your chest. “Back when?”

"When we were young and foolish, everything felt so alive."

As you looked at Joel, his eyes held a warmth that transcended the years. "We can't change the past, Joel," you said, your voice gentle. “The past made us what we are now.”

“Yet it cost me to lose you,” he said.

You took a seat beside him on the couch; the distance between you measured not in physical space but in the vast expanse of years and the unspoken words that lingered in the air.

"I lost you too," you replied, your voice a whisper. The weight of the shared regret hung between you, a palpable reminder of the choices that had shaped your lives. "But maybe, in losing each other, we found different paths, different versions of ourselves."

Joel's gaze remained on the photo album, his fingers tracing patterns on the closed cover. "Do you ever wonder about what we could have been?”

"Always," you confessed. "But you don’t lose me at all; I’m here again.”

A small smile played on Joel's lips. His fingers gently cupped your face, his touch a tender exploration of the years that had etched themselves on your skin. His thumb traced the contours of your cheekbones, a soft caress that spoke longing and love.

Leaning in, Joel brought his forehead to rest against yours, the closeness of your proximity stirring memories of when you belonged together. The air between you crackled with unspoken emotions, and inside your chest, you felt your broken heart patching together, with such a burning desire to close the distance between the two of you.

His lips hovered close to yours, a breath away, the pull of history and the magnetic force of shared affection urging him forward. The world outside the quiet living room ceased to exist, and you found yourself caught in the gravitational pull of an unfinished story.

But even when the kiss could rewrite the story, you weren’t a cheater. You heart raced, but your mind stopped doing something stupid and naïve.

Before you could make up your mind completely, Joel pulled back, his eyes searching yours. The unspoken words lingered in the air.

"Does he treat you right?" Joel's words hung in the air, a mix of genuine concern and a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

You took a moment, your gaze meeting his, and there was a silent conversation between you two.

"In some ways, he's everything I need. In others, he's a puzzle I'm still figuring out." You answered.

Joel nodded, avoiding your gaze as he felt his heart break all over again for you.

“When I found out I was pregnant,” you began, “Dwight and I were dating. It had been only three months, and couples aren’t parents in such a short time.” You paused for a moment, hoping for Joel to look at you again, and when he did, you continued, “I was scared, but he was so nice to me at that moment, and by the end we were over the moon. At least I was happy I was going to have a baby girl. When Tara was born, we moved in together, and long story short, we got married because it seemed correct at the time.

“And?” Joel asked, trying to figure out when your life becomes different, but he still knew by the way your eyes looked that not everything was as fine as it seemed.

“He was an amazing husband and friend; it almost made me forget about the broken heart I had because of you. But these last four years with him had been complicated,” you continued, a touch of vulnerability in your voice.

“How?”

"Just because he is different from me. It’s like he is plotting for an ending and Tara is noticing, and it felt so humiliating to have your own daughter notice her father doesn’t love her mother.”

Joel's gaze softened for a moment, and before asking a question, he was scared to ask, “And do you love him?”

Your eyes widened at the sudden question, and a moment of hesitation hung in the air. You took a deep breath before answering.

"It's not that simple," you admitted, your voice carrying uncertainty and honesty. "I care about him, but..."

“But what?”

“You know what.” You said it in three simple words, and he understood.

It cost so much to keep love from going wrong, but between you and Joel, there wasn’t a particular ending. The lovers between you both never went wrong; neither expired because you were still hungry for each other's devotion. But now that it seemed like time had become your enemy, you weren’t young enough to break free and run as you could have done it before.

“I love you,” he said. “Never stop doing it.” His voice resonated as someone who spent years and years yearning for the touch of their lover.

“I’m sorry,” you confessed, not avoiding saying the three words back to him; he didn’t need to hear them. He already knew you loved him back as much as he loved you. “For the way I left you,”

Joel's gaze held relief and understanding. He knew somehow you had healed from those wounds. "I don't blame you, Doe. We were young, and life threw challenges at us. I've had my share of regrets too.” He reached out, his hand finding yours, and they still fit together as one. “Now, can we please be friends again?” he pleaded.

You nodded, a faint smile playing on your lips. “Now that you’re back, I couldn’t let you go.”

Joel's eyes sparkled with a newfound light, and he suggested, "How about we watch a movie until you fall asleep?"

You agreed, and together you settled on the couch. The living room was bathed in the soft glow of the TV screen, casting a warm ambiance that seemed to cocoon the two of you in a world of shared moments.

As the movie played, the silence between you held a comfort that transcended words. Joel shifted, creating a makeshift pillow with his arm, and you found a natural spot on his chest. The rise and fall of his breath became a soothing rhythm, lulling you into a sense of peace you hadn't felt in a long time without pills.

Joel looks down at your sleeping figure on his chest, with your hand grasping the gem of his shirt. He was starved by your touch, wanting nothing but to trace patterns on your face as he used to. Your soft expression lines told the story of how the past and present went from here. That there’s no one he could call home, and you could never leave home completely, and how easy it would be to be young again.

And he looked at the ring on your finger, a reminder that you weren’t his anymore, and how easy it was for someone to feel hungry by something that was forbidden. Yet he thought about the ring he still had with him, still waiting to find its way to your finger.

You were the kind of love he couldn't find on someone else's body. Your touch, your lips, and every single inch of your skin were the starvation Joel was deprived of, and now you were his forbidden fruit.

Nevertheless, under the dim light of the TV screen, your face was glowing in a soft golden tone that sent Joel to sleep, but he was holding his dream in his arms for the first time after so long.

When the morning sun gradually painted Sarah’s room with the soft hues of the warm sun, Sarah and Tara descended the stairs, their steps cautious not to disturb the tranquil air that enveloped the living room.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase, their eyes fell upon you and Joel, still intertwined on the couch, lost in peaceful sleep. Tara's eyes sparkled with genuine happiness at the sight of her mother and Joel holding each other like that.

Sarah couldn't help but notice Tara's radiant smile. "Why are you smiling so big?" she whispered to her.

Tara motioned toward you and Joel, the affectionate way in which you two held each other not escaping her keen gaze. "Look at them,” she said, still smiling.

Sarah raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin forming on her lips.

Tara nodded, her smile unwavering. "This is the first time I have seen my mom at peace.”

Tara’s gaze was still fixed on the pair on the couch. "Maybe Joel can bring that peace back to my mom’s."

Sarah chuckled, giving her friend a playful nudge. "Are you saying we should ship your mom and my dad?"

Tara rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. "I'm just saying if they make each other happy, why not?"

Weekend passed by and Tara asked no questions about why did you fell asleep on Joel’s chest, she clearly knew the answer to that question yet she didn't judge you, since she was a little girl, she noticed each sacrifice you had made for her and how you had distributed all the love you had inside your heart to her.

How bad she wanted for you to be brave enough and get divorced from her father.

So, when Monday arrived, the weight of the tension between you and Joel seemed to shift. The echoes of the weekend lingered in the air. This time, you both look happier, acting as friends, laughing together and sharing time as you kept your role of assistant.

So, before lunch and after you finished with the work Joel had left for you while he was out, you decided to go and buy lunch for him and you to share, after all you would arrive to an empty house since Tara would be still at school and Dwight was in a business trip, you didn't want be left alone with your thoughts in an empty house that seemed to become colder as the day passed by.

You buy a bottle of lemonade, and two burgers with French fries, hoping for Joel to still being number one of them. You weren’t used to come to this part of the city, but this time you stopped in order to bring the burgers and fries you wanted to share with Joel.

However, once you paid, the corner of your eye caught a person you didn't expected to see. There was Dwight, who was supposedly in New York until next weekend, buying food here. You turned away for him not to notice you, then you decided to follow him to see find out what was happening.

So, when you followed him, you stopped a little away and saw him happily taking a little girl around four years old in his arms as he kissed her temple with so much love you never saw him share with Tara, and what was next was a woman around the same age as you joining them with a smile on her face and you heart stopped.

She kissed Dwight on his lips, as both of them looked at the little girl smiling happily in the arms of your husband.

A surge of emotions tightened in your chest as you witnessed the scene unfold before your eyes. The knot of anxiety and confusion grew with each passing moment. The woman with Dwight, the affectionate exchange, and the child—all pieces of a puzzle that didn't fit into the life you thought you knew.

As the trio walked away to the car, laughter and joy enveloping them, you were left standing there, alone with the weight of a shattered reality

You felt humiliated. There were your answers. The four years of odd behavior, the four years of plotting against you, his sudden trips, his careless attitude towards you.

all the way, Dwight had made you and Tara move to Austin just for him to be closer to his other family, the secret one.

tags 💌: @joeldjarin @missladym1981 @yomiyasxx @aliengirl99

@lola8888673 @nottodaysattan @picketniffler @violinchick

@sadgirlcheesecake @caitlynsixxx

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menlove · 2 months

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any introductory beatles (just mclennon tbh) fics? 🤲

LORD OKAYYYYY i'll try not to go too crazy and just stick to my alltime faves.....

first of all anything @forthlin (milaway on ao3) has written literally ever. i am going to eat them one day. they are the yin to my yang and also the best writer this fandom has ever seeeeen. um. anyway! like i said, all their fics. but i'd Particularly rec your lucky break which is an au where john is a 30 something rockstar and paul is an up and coming musician in the 70s. and well! what can i say about this fic except it's sooo in character, hot, and also the reason i started talking to the best person on this earth so whatever

also completelyyyyy selfish but hey i only wrote half so i'm counting it but we also have an ongoing series: i want you, i need you, i love you where they're writing john's povs and i'm writing paul's! it's just basically our take on their timeline & relationship, but the third installment's going to be a fix-it

now onto me not being gay or selfish here's some of my favorites that i think are Must Reads.

Boy, You've Been A Naughty Girl

explicit. 49k. John makes Paul a bet. Paul takes him up on it. Crossdressing shenanigans and angst ensue, and ~feelings come out in the wash. 1961. rec notes: okay look. this one is just a classic. it's great. esp love it bc it's right up my alley with its "paul isn't an oblivious moron" takes. also.... hot.

I Still Miss Someone/I Know That I Miss You but I Don't Know Where I Stand

explicit. 64k. It's 1976 and Paul keeps showing up on John's doorstep with a guitar. Eventually John turns him away and Paul goes off to sulk in his hotel room the night before his flight from New York. Based on real events. rec notes: aaaaugh this one haunts me there's one scene i think of literally every time "i still miss someone" by johnny cash comes on, which is one of my fave songs. it's not a fix-it, but it's so so so good for the Vibes of their 70s relationship :(

Like Love, The Archers Are Blind

explicit. 22k. He wants to push Stuart out of the way, not even with a violent yank of his collar like he sometimes imagines. Just to melt into his place like butter sliding in a pan. Have it be an effortless breath of fresh air when John looks up at him and sees it all reflected back in his eyes. It’s you. rec notes: this one is just... soft. and so good for a snapshot of the hamburg vibe.

i was a younger man then (now) (post hoc)

mature. 27k. John’s twelve when a bloke appears from a flaming pie and says, “From this day forward you are Beatles with an ‘a.’” The bloke is Paul. Or: paul and john meet at all ages and eras and john is the time-traveler’s wife the way only john lennon can be rec notes: literally my favorite mclennon fic everrrrrr ever ever. other than your lucky break. this is everything. this is it. like it nails their dynamic even though it's a magical au. it explores their relationship sooooo fucking well. i think about it like weekly.

John My Beloved

explicit. 33k. They've always loved each other, in their own way… rec notes: OTHER FAVORITE EVER it broke my heart it changed my fucking lifeeeee it changed my world. major character death warning but fuck man. i think about this literally constantly. this fic haunts me. i think it changed me. i had to stare at a wall for like 30 minutes after finishing it. i got choked up.

two of us (burning matches)

explicit. 6k. It won't stop raining. Paul doesn't know what his feelings are doing. John's practising his right swing. Somewhere along the way, they fuse together. rec notes: this one is just cuuuute and perfect for the Early Days Vibes.

Grow Old With Me

explicit. 8k. fix-it. Paul breaks his arm, and John panics. rec notes: SOOOO FUCKING SWEET. this is what they deserved and i like to live here in my mind when the reality of what actually happened gets to be too much.

1967

mature. 11k. canon-divergent au. In 1961, John Lennon and Paul McCartney left abruptly on a trip to Spain, via France. In 1967, they finally come home to face the consequences. rec notes: the style of this one is INSANE. it's so unique and i love it sososososo much. also the plot? is super unique???? basically it's an au where they never came home from paris and it's.... so fucking good. i love the way it looks at their dynamic like fuck. it's just perfect.

Way Up Top

explicit. 12k. Falling out of the sky, together. | Snapshots of the Beatles in Greece, July 1967 rec notes: LOVE this one for its portrayal of all non-mclennon parties. it fleshes everyone out, especially jane and cyn, in ways a lot of fics just skip. just sooo well written and melancholic in a great way i think.

When You Are Young They Assume You Know Nothing

mature. 26k. But Paul knows John. There’s something about Paris, though... rec notes: THE paris fic to me. this is soooo good and so fucking soft and it just. augh. it killed me.

a brief interruption, a slight malfunction

explicit. 12k. During the rooftop concert, John remembers why he used to find Paul so irresistible after a show. One more time won't hurt, right? rec notes: perfect breakup era fic. my rec notes on ao3 were "this was devastating :)" so. god. this fucked me up.

aaand honorary mentions to the two non-mclennon fics i've read but !

Knocking at Your Door

george/paul. explicit. 6k. It's easy enough, this time, to lean in and touch their lips together. A firm press of his mouth to Paul's; first at the corner, then right on the centre of his yielding, expressive lower lip. Paul and George: a few meetings over thirty-six years. rec notes: the opening sentence to this made me sick to my stomach and then the rest of the fic destroyed me permanently

Where The Sailors Go

ringo/paul. explicit. 5k. A drunken German mistakes Paul, alone in Hamburg's red light district, for a rentboy. Ringo, the Hurricanes' terrifyingly adult drummer, intervenes. Things happen, but Paul can't stop thinking about John. rec notes: PRINGOOOOO. with background mclennon. this was so real to me. also in the same universe as this fic is (It's Just) Another Day which is a transfem paul mclennon fic that rooocked my world. it's still a wip but holy fuck. made me rearrange the way i see paul tbh.

#mclennon #theres probably moooore but these are from my bookmarks so !

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allwaswell16 · 1 year

Text

One Direction fics where a character unexpectedly gets a call from the hospital or must rush to the hospital for another character and end up realizing their feelings as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other fic recs here. Happy reading!

—Louis/Harry—

❤️‍🩹 Own the Scars by @crinkle-eyed-boo

(E, 144k, rehab) Louis has never felt like he was good enough: for his stepdad, for his life-long best friend, for the life he's supposed to want.

❤️‍🩹 Consequences by @allwaswell16

(E, 78k, amnesia au) Two years ago Harry let his powerful family come between him and the love of his life, something he deeply regrets. Louis has tried to move on from their devastating break up.

❤️‍🩹 Feels Like Coming Home by @phdmama

(E, 60k, angst) The last thing Harry Styles expects when he's hanging out at the Someday Cafe in Somerville one rainy October day is for his ex, Louis Tomlinson to walk through the door, but that's exactly what happens.

❤️‍🩹 where the lights are beautiful by twoshipsdrifting / @polkadotlou

(M, 31k, omega Louis) the accidental bonding a/b/o fic

❤️‍🩹 devil's waltz by nebuloussubject

(M, 23k, canon) a sickfic with a slow burn

❤️‍🩹 Hypotheticals (series) by tomlinsunshine

(T, 15k, friends to lovers) This whole "running away" thing really isn't going as planned.

❤️‍🩹 Stay by rabbithole28

(M, 12k, exes to lovers) Louis was taken to hospital after a car accident. They called Harry letting him know that his fiance was unconscious and in a serious condition. The only problem was, Harry hadn't seen Louis since he walked out of their flat three years earlier.

❤️‍🩹 Wanna Do Nothing With You by whoknows

(E, 9k, canon) The accident happens in the stupidest way possible. One minute Louis is demonstrating a skateboard trick he’d just learned for Lottie, the next he’s waking up in a hospital.

❤️‍🩹 tides thrash inside by ifthat / @lovehl

(E, 8k, a/b/o) "How could I call you when I needed you as far as possible to sever our spatial bond?”

❤️‍🩹 Tight Grip on Reality by roseslotuslouis / @fandomaws

(G, 8k, angels) Louis is called as Harry’s emergency contact after he gets into an accident and they are thrust back into each others lives

❤️‍🩹 Together We're the Greatest by @hellolovers13

(E, 4k, exes) It's not the first time Louis has to stitch Harry back together, but Louis will make sure it is the last.

❤️‍🩹 Twenty Stitches In A Hospital Room by betty_and_i

(NR, 3k, paramedic Harry) H is a paramedic and him and L broke up a few months ago over something stupid which caused them to not talk again. Fastforward L is in a situation that causes someone needing to call the paramedics for him and H is the one to be there at the scene

—Rare Pairs—

❤️‍🩹 We Used To Wait by sunsetmog / @magicalrocketships

(E, 56k, Louis/Nick Grimshaw) Louis has an accident, but nobody even knows he and Nick are going out.

❤️‍🩹 some velvet morning, years too late by tintedglasses

(T, 35k, Louis/Nick Grimshaw) Louis wakes up in the hospital with unfinished business at his bedside. Turns out Nick has some unfinished business, too.

❤️‍🩹 I got myself in a mess (and without you I'm in more) by we_are_the_same / @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed

(M, 9k, Zayn/Liam) He’d laughed a bit, at first, when Louis had given it to him, when he’d explained all about the app that it was connected to, the emergency contacts that would be notified and sent his exact location “if you just double tap the back of the charm, see” because Louis was that friend, the mom friend

#ficrec #1dficvillage #trackinghappily #trackinghome #tracksintheam #1dsource #hltracks #ficsfor4am

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dollyyun · 6 months

Text

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 | chap 15

SYPNOSIS: wherein Hwang Stella's life is tangled in a predicament involving her clandestine identity as a racer, her seemingly daily life as the official heir to the Hwang Empire, and seven guys with whom she has a complex history with.

PAIRING: enhypen members x fem oc.

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), reverse harem, chaebols, semi-college & racing, eventual adulthood, non-idol au, eventual enha being f1 drivers, multiple pov (this fic is written in first pov).

WARNINGS: angst, heartbreaks, smut.

WORD COUNT: 8k+

TAGLIST: @aishigrey @kgneptun

🍒 MASTERLIST 🍒

When Stella disappeared without leaving any single traces of her behind, we were devastated, heartbroken to the point where we needed to isolate ourselves from the world, and reeled in despair. I didn't take her departure well in the beginning, and as a result, I became wrathful, lashing at anyone, including Charlotte.

I remembered when I raised my voice at her with such rage that it had her breaking into tears and running away from me. That was the first time I ever shouted at her. My parents berated me about how Stella's departure was rendering me demented, and from there, I burst out in sheer anger despite shedding tears.

To this day, I still resent my parents, which was the reason why I decided to travel abroad with Heeseung, who wanted to pursue a career he had always dreamed of. Due to his influence, I finally knew what I truly wanted. Hence, we are on the same team with the same goal.

Team Ferrari has always prevailed over its competitors. I admit that the training was tough, and there were times where my mental health was flailing, but in the end, I triumphed, including winning previous competitions.

As I exit my vehicle, I remove my helmet and immediately look at where Heeseung is. When our eyes meet, a familiar sentiment flickers in his gaze before he gives me a firm nod with a faint smirk. The tension in my muscles relaxes in response, while my heart warms at the recognition that he approves of my performance in the trial.

Over time, I developed a crave for validation, but only with Heeseung. I didn't know why or how it happened, but I just knew that I wanted his approval and validation. Maybe it's because he's like an older brother to me or because we've gone through similar tribulations.

"You never fail to amaze me, Jake." Heeseung grins, his hand meets mine before he pulls me in to bump his shoulder against mine in a familiar gesture that we always do whenever we win something. "That drift, though. You ought to teach me that move."

I roll my eyes at him, knowing that he is either jesting or simply being humble, as he always is. "Don't make me laugh. You know that you're an exceptional driver as well. Heck, you might be even better than me!"

"Nah." Heeseung chuckles breathily, running his fingers through his hair. "I still need to sharpen my skills. Even Matteo rebuked me for fucking up a little on yesterday's trial."

I press my lips thinly at the mention of our team principal. I know he means well, but the man is a fucking perfectionist, and even the slightest mistake greatly displeases him. "It doesn't matter what he said. I know for a fact that you aced your trial, and you even gained applause and praise from the other teams."

A sigh leaves his lips as he leans away from the wall. "Yeah, well, I still have to prove to Matteo that I'm able to meet his standards, still."

Frustration bubbles within me as I sigh as well. "Heeseung─"

"Heeseung."

Both of us go flinching at the sound of her voice, which is tainted with professionalism. I turn to look at her, whose eyes are on Heeseung. She appears to be holding a clipboard and a pen. Her face is void of emotion. "The team managers requested to have a brief meeting with you. There's an important matter we need to discuss."

I can see the way her eyes look at me fleetingly, almost wavering, before she masks the peculiar sentiment in her gaze when she looks back at Heeseung. She's hard to read now. I ignore the ache in my heart as I look at Heeseung, noticing his soft gaze on her face despite how formal and stoic she is.

"Sure," He says softly. "Lead the way."

Stella nods her head in return and gestures for him to follow her, but not before her eyes fleetingly glance at me once more. This time, I am able to decipher the sentiment in her gaze, and it reflects the same as mine. Longing.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Instead of heading back to my shared apartment with Heeseung, where we temporarily reside, I decided to linger around the main entrance of the headquarters. Dusk has long since painted the sky, denoting that office hours are close to ending with the employees exiting the building.

Speaking of Heeseung, he had left earlier after the meeting ended. But before he left, he did inform me that Stella might be ending slightly late. I don't know why he informed me, but it was as if he knew that I actually wanted to meet her.

My bottom lip is tucked between my teeth, and I can feel lines creasing on my forehead. The look in her eyes earlier—I can't seem to erase it. The chances of her ignoring me and admonishing me are high, but I have to try to crack down on the walls that she built to protect her heart. I have to try and get her to love me back before the Grand Prix season is over, or else I'll regret never trying.

I lean my back against my car, which I have pulled up at the pick-up point, with my arms crossed over my chest and my eyes set straight on the main entrance. Technically, this is just a temporary car to accommodate my accessibility around NYC. Ferrari 296 GTB, one of my dream cars.

Not too long later, I spot Stella making her way out of the main entrance, seeming to be occupied as she is on a phone call. She doesn't seem to notice me yet as she descends the stairs. My heartbeat quickens the longer my eyes linger on her face.

Stella's beauty was what mesmerised me at first sight, but as we grew closer, her disposition made me fall for her hard. She had shown me sides of her that no one could possibly comprehend since she used to be known as someone who was heartless and callous.

I lean away from my car and take a few steps towards her, just as she ends the call. "Stella."

Stella lifts her head instantly. Her eyes meet mine while her lips go slightly parted, appearing to be genuinely shocked to see me in the flesh. "Jaeyun." The way she utters my name takes me by surprise, because there are no traces of detachment like I expected.

My lips form a small smile. "Do you need a ride?" I politely ask.

Though she doesn't seem to have her guard up, hesitation resides in her gaze. She bites her bottom lip while my eyes fall to her movement. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll take the subway."

"I insist." Luckily for her, I'm stubborn as a mule. "Besides, I've been meaning to ask you out for dinner." I tell her, rubbing my nape sheepishly. I don't miss the way her eyes soften.

"Okay." Stella acquiesces, offering me a small smile that has a huge impact on my beating heart.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

We didn't talk much during dinner, which we had at a Japanese restaurant. But the silence was not as awkward as I thought it would be. Maybe because I was too nervous to strike up a conversation with her. How could I not be nervous? She's Hwang Stella. My first love and the only woman I intend to marry.

"Thanks for the dinner. I really appreciate it." Stella breaks the protracted silence as soon as I pull up in the parking lot of her apartment building. My eyes shift to her, watching as she unbuckles her seatbelt. All the while, my heart is screaming at me to do something to make her stay a little longer.

"You're welcome." My smile feels tight on my lips. Our eyes meet, and this time, I can decipher the emotion in her eyes. Disappointment. As if she wants me to say something other than that, or maybe I'm just deluding myself.

"See you around, then." She mumbles before looking away from me and proceeding to exit my car. I watch her as she walks away, but her steps seem deliberately slow.

I swear, I can feel blood on my bottom lip with how hard I'm biting it. I mutter a cuss and quickly unbuckle my seatbelt before exiting my car in haste. I jog after her. "Stella! Wait!"

Stella halts her step just as I stop a few feet from her. She slowly turns around, her eyes searching for mine. This time, I can read her as clearly as the day.

"Are you still mad at me? Or are we fine now?" I start off, my breaths come out harsh. "I'm confused. Last week, you declared that you no longer wanted to be in our lives. You even said that─"

"I know what I said, Jaeyun." She cuts me off, her tone sounds firm yet has a tinge of softness. Even by the way she looks at me, it reminds me of the Stella I once knew. Conflict flickers in her gaze, as does irresolution and guilt. "And I never said that I hated you."

"But you said you don't love us anymore."

There it is, the walls she built have come to crumble into pieces. Shaky breaths leave her pink lips while her eyes appear glistening under the lights. "Don't we all say things we don't mean them if it means to protect them?" She chuckles sadly.

I take a step forward, feeling confused. Just two more steps, and I'll have her in my arms. "Protect? Why would you ever want to protect us?"

She looks away from my gaze briefly. "I can't tell you."

"Then tell me this." One step closer to her. "Do you still love me?"

She deflates as though someone hit her. Without thinking twice, I grab her hand, holding it tenderly. "Please, love." I plead. "Tell me the truth."

Stella finally looks at me, but this time, tears brim in her eyes. "Truth is, I tried hating you even before the incident happened four years ago when I found out you were involved in your parents' schemes."

"I know, and I'm terribly sorry for that." I tell her softly, the guilt I bear gnaws at me in my tummy. "I was a fool. I shouldn't have done what I did."

"But even then, I couldn't." Her voice cracks in between. "You were my first love and my first in everything. No matter how much I tried to erase my memories with you and even hate you, my love for you will always prevail."

"I'm so sorry, love."

"I know." She sniffles. "Just know that I've forgiven all of you. What's done is done, and what's in the past stays in the past."

I pull her towards me, startling her. My hand ascends to cradle the cusp of her jaw, tilting her head to meet my eyes. "Can you tell me one more thing?"

"What is it?" She asks in a whisper.

My heart beats with a familiar cadence. "That you love me." I murmur. "Please. I need to hear them."

A teardrop slides down her cheek as she looks at me as though I'm her whole world. "I love you." She reaffirms, but her voice breaks again. She puts her hand on top of mine, adjusting it so my palm is now cupping her cheek. She leans into my touch, making my heart swell with adoration.

"Say it again, love." I whisper, my lips unfurling a soft smile as I lean closer to her face, our noses nuzzling against each other.

A chuckle leaves her lips amidst the tears she shed. "I love you." Her hands curl into fists as they rest on my chest. "I still love you, Sim Jaeyun. Always have."

That is all I need to hear before sealing her in a long-awaited kiss. My lips on hers fit like a complete puzzle, just as she feels right in my arms.

"I'm telling you, Oppa, Stella might need some time." Aera has been trying to dissuade me from making an obvious move. I can imagine the frown on my sister's face just by the tone of her voice. "If you still love her, you'll have to give her some space. Rushing things will only aggravate the situation, especially after you told me what happened last week."

I drape my arm over my forehead as I lay on the couch. A sigh leaves my lips as I press speaker mode instead. "But I have to try something. I don't want her to stray from me any longer. This distance is killing me."

"You're being dramatic." Aera deadpans. "If you can survive four years without seeing her, then I'm sure you can handle this distance for a little longer."

A muscle ticks in my jaw. "I didn't ask for that to happen, Aera." My tongue tastes bitter, as I recall. "You have no idea what I've been through. Four long years, and you didn't even tell me that you've been by her side throughout those years."

Truth be told, Aera and I have never cut contact. Sure, I was saddened by her decision to move abroad, but I knew that she needed to start afresh somewhere. Thankfully, she kept her promise to keep in touch with me, calling me or texting me despite our time differences.

Then, after I touched down in New York, Aera wanted to meet me, as she had something important to tell me. I dismissed how she sounded nervous and guilty over the phone. So we met, and from there, she revealed the truth.

I can't precisely recall how I took the shocking revelation, but I can certainly remember how betrayed I felt. I didn't even lash out at Aera, and instead, I walked out of the cafe in silence. I didn't answer Aera's messages or calls for a few days, needing some time to collect my thoughts and not wanting to make any rash decisions, because as much as I was furious at Aera, I didn't want to lose her again either.

Then we met again at her apartment. She apologised profusely, but I insisted that I didn't blame her and understood why she hid the truth from me. She knew that if she told me that she had been by Stella's side all this time, I would fly to New York without a second thought. Aera was a loyal friend to a fault, her devotion to Stella made me respect her even more.

Aera heaves a soft sigh. "I'm sorry, Oppa." My heart warms at the fact that she decided to call me 'Oppa' a year ago. "But I'm right, aren't I? What if Stella hates you more if you choose to force a connection with her again?"

I rub my tired face. "You're right. I just─" I pause, biting my bottom lip harshly as I falter. "I just miss her a lot. I really love her, Aera."

"I know." I can sense her smiling. "You know what? Just do what you think is best and right. Follow your heart. I'd love to chat with you a little longer, but my break's over. I need to head back to the office."

After I bid her goodbye, she hung up the phone, leaving me with my jumbled thoughts. I hear Jake's footsteps coming from the hallway, prompting me to sit up and stare at him with a puzzled face.

"Since when did you come back?" I ask, bewildered. Since we're the only ones living in the same temporary apartment, Jake often walks around without a top. He drapes his towel over his shoulder after using it to dry his damp hair.

"Since last night." Jake looks oddly content. "I reached about one-ish?" He tells me as he makes his way to the kitchen, but halts his steps before he turns around to look at me again. This time, there is a roguish smile formulating on his lips. "By the way, since you miss Stella so much, you should visit her."

My frown deepens, still confused. "What? Why would you suggest something like that?"

"Why else?" He shrugs his shoulders, and a smirk touches his lips. "Besides, where do you think I was last night?"

Suddenly, it clicks. "You were at Stella's place?" I can't help but be envious, despite the confusion. "Why and how?"

Jake scratches his head. "Well─"

"Never mind." I don't know how, but my body moves faster than I can comprehend as I grab my car keys on the coffee table and my bomber jacket, which is draped over the couch's armrest, and walk towards the main door quickly. "Text me her address!" I tell him without looking back.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I'm running, even as I'm nearing her apartment door, as if there is a time limit for seeing her, as if she would disappear again before I could even see her. I press on the doorbell thrice. I don't give a fuck if I'm being impatient, or rather, desperate. I've been apart from her long enough.

The door slowly opens, revealing the only woman who can make my heart race. Her raven hair is pulled back into a low bun, with a few strands of hair decorating her face frame. Obviously, she does not expect anyone to visit her, judging by the way she is dressed. An oversized white shirt that reaches her thigh area, almost obscuring her black shorts.

Even so, she still manages to look beautiful, rendering me breathless by her beauty.

"Heeseung." Her mouth parts opened in shock before recovering. Her lips press thinly as realisation flickers in her gaze. "Jaeyun must've told you where I lived."

"He did." I swallow harshly, hating how she sounds disappointed. "Can I come in?"

Without much thought, Stella opens the door wide for me to enter. I take brief glances at the interior of her apartment before turning around to face her, who makes her way to the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink?" She asks, opening her fridge.

I enter the kitchen as well, stopping just a few metres from her. "No," I answer as she closes the fridge. "What I want is you."

Stella stares at me with something I can't decipher, but oddly, there are no traces of hostility on her countenance, unlike last week. She bites her bottom lip, sighing as she looks away from me. "To tell you the truth, I'm not ready to see you."

"Why? Do you really hate me that much, sweetheart?" I ask as my heart aches. I ignore the way my voice cracks just slightly. "I know that I shouldn't have done what I did four years ago, and for that, I'm truly sorry. But my feelings for you have always been genuine."

What she does next catches me off guard. She steps closer to me and cradles the cusps of my jaw, her eyes seem apologetic while a saddened smile touches her lips. "I know, Hee." My heart skips a beat. "I've already forgiven you. It's just that,"

Upon her abrupt silence, I hold her wrist and search for her eyes. "Just what, sweetheart?"

"I'm sorry." She breaks down, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hangs her head low. "I'm so, so sorry."

"Shhh, what's wrong? Why are you apologising?" I ask softly, unconsciously backing her up, and without thinking, I hoist her up as she sits on the countertop. Seeing her still weeping profusely with her face burying into her palms, I frown and grab her hands, gently yet firmly pulling away, allowing me to have a look at her beautiful face. "Hey, talk to me, sweetheart."

"I need to tell you something." She says, hiccuping in between. Amidst the guilt, I can see fear in her glistening eyes. "The reason why I disappeared without telling any of you or giving closure is because I was afraid. But above all, I wanted to protect all of you."

"Protect us from what?"

Her lips quiver, and the look on her face is something I've seen before. "From Hwang Minhyuk."

That fucker's name makes my jaw clench while anger simmers within me. I've always wanted to get a good piece of him, or even better, to render him immobilised.

"But he's in prison." I assure her. "He can't do shit, especially when you're out of his reach now. He can't hurt you anymore."

"That's what you don't get." Stella looks at me exasperatedly. "I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about the seven of you. Before I left for New York, we met for the last time, and he threatened to kill you guys because he knew that wherever I went, you guys would too." Tears return to her eyes. "Because he knew how much I loved you."

"He's not entirely wrong."

"Which was why I did what I did. He was capable of anything, Hee." She whispers brokenly, looking utterly devastated. "I didn't want to risk any chances, and so I left. If leaving meant I'd be protecting you from him, then so be it." A sharp sob leaves her lips. "I'd rather die than allow anything to happen to you guys for the second time."

"Oh, sweetheart." I sigh, pulling her into my embrace as she leans in. The whiff of her familiar scent makes my heart ache, as I've missed it so much. I bury my nose in her hair for a while before kissing her crown. "You didn't have to, because we're capable of protecting ourselves."

"But Hwang Minhyuk is different." She counters weakly, resting her head in the nook of my neck. I place my hand at the side of her bare thigh, rubbing it up and down in an attempt to soothe her. "He's a monster."

I hum in agreement. "That he is. But you could've told us about it," I murmur. "We're not defenceless."

"I'm sorry, but at the same time, I'm not." She pulls away from my neck and looks at me in the eyes. "I'd do anything to protect all of you, even if it meant I would never see you again." Her eyes flicker on my lips briefly. "Because I love you."

My heart swells with a familiar sentiment. "You love me." I say, as though I'm reaffirming her love declaration to myself.

She smiles, her tears are drying on her cheeks. "I do." She grabs my hand and places it on her cheek. She flutters her eyes closed as she leans into my touch. "I really love you, Lee Heeseung."

I blink my eyes, which I haven't realised are watery. Four long years of despair, confusion, anger, and longing are suddenly worth it.

"I really love you too, Hwang Stella." I whisper affectionately to her, leaning down before connecting our lips and kissing her slowly as I wish to relish this moment a little longer.

It's hard to describe my relationship with my older brother. We used to be close until he went off to college. There were also times where I felt envious of him for the fact that he had meticulously planned for his future and remained resilient, which is why he is now a high-paying doctor. Although my parents love all of their children the same, I know that my older brother is their favourite. Despite my envy, I respect and look up to him.

But sometimes he does do unexpected shit discreetly, not telling any of us until the time's right, in his case at least. And so, my jaw goes unhinging while I feel lines creasing on my forehead upon the shocking revelation.

"What do you mean you have a fiancée and you're getting married?" I am finally able to find my voice after a long period of silence, as I tried processing his words into my mind, which already bears jumbled thoughts.

My brother, Park Haneul, is seated across from me with a stupid grin on his face. Presently, we are at a restaurant, and being the youngest sibling, I have the privilege of not needing to pay for the bills, especially when he's the one who wanted to meet me.

Haneul has been living in New York ever since he graduated from college and pursued his endeavours here. Since he was often busy with his own lives, we rarely called or texted unless it was important. So when I finally met him after so long, it was awkward for me, but Haneul didn't seem to think so, as he treated me like he used to when we were young. Eventually, I warmed up to him.

"It means I'm getting married." Haneul chuckles, finding amusement in my reaction. "Why? Are you not happy that your older brother finally wants to settle down?"

"It's not that." I recover, my hand brushing through my hair. This is all happening too fast and sudden, and I don't know what to feel. A sigh leaves my lips. "I'm really happy that you found someone you want to be with for a lifetime, but since when?" I ask with a frown. "Does the rest of our family know about this?"

"Oh, yeah. They knew about it months ago when I flew over to Seoul with my bride-to-be to meet them." Haneul says. "I was surprised when Mom and Dad told me that they lived abroad in the UK for months, then they told me about you." He smiles, and the familiarity of pride in his gaze warms my heart. "You wanted to pursue a career in racing, so imagine my surprise that you've become an esteemed F1 driver."

A smile threatens to form on my lips, but I clear my throat. "I have had to go through such tribulations to get to where I am."

"And I'm proud of you, really." Sincerity gleams in Haneul's eyes. "My little bro, now all grown up." He wipes away a nonexistent tear from his eye.

I roll my eyes at his theatrical action, but chuckles leave my lips. "So, when's the wedding?"

"Next week, Saturday." He informs. "Initially, she wanted to join so she could properly introduce herself to you, but her manager rescheduled an important event for today."

I nod my head in understanding. "Can I bring my best friends along? You remember them, right?" I ask. Haneul met them when he surprised me with his unexpected visit during my second year of university.

Recognition flickers in his gaze. "Ah, they're F1 drivers as well, right?" He smiles. "I'm a big fan of theirs."

I raise my eyebrow. "Oh? And what about me?"

"I'll think about it."

I shoot him a playful scowl, knowing that he is merely jesting. "Ass."

"Anyway, enough of me." Haneul leans his body forward, interest sparks in his eyes. "When are you going to settle down?"

My lips press thinly, not liking where this is going. "I don't plan on settling down. Besides," A muscle pulses in my jaw as I look away from him. "Love is a waste of time."

"You're wrong." His eyes soften, as though he knows that he has touched on a bitter topic. "Love can be amazing, and love is much more than just an intense feeling of attraction."

"For you, maybe." My face is void of emotion. "Good for you, though. But for me? I'd rather stay away from love. Plus, Mom and Dad won't have to worry about not having grandchildren since they have you to give them."

Haneul scans my face, reading me like an open book, but thankfully, he decides to drop it and moves on to another topic. All the while, my mind is distraught by the one person that I once saw a future with.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Earlier, I sent a text in our new-form group chat, requesting for them to gather in my temporary apartment, which is in the same building as Ni-Ki, Jay, Sunoo, and Jungwon. When I found out about where they reside, with the exception of Ni-Ki, I was shocked because I hadn't expected it. As for Jungwon, he reached out to me first just a few days ago. I couldn't say that we hit off well, considering that we were kind of arguing, but eventually, I forgave him.

"So, what did you want to tell us?" Sunoo asks as soon as we settle in the living room, scattered around. Their expectant eyes are on my pacing figure, waiting for me to crack the news.

"You guys remember Haneul? My older brother, who is living here?" I start off. "He's getting married, and he was more than welcome to invite you guys."

"A wedding? Sweet!" Ni-Ki seems enthusiastic, throwing gum in the air before catching it in his mouth. His disposition draws our attention as we collectively look at him with eyebrows raised, to which he mirrors. "What? I've always wanted to attend a wedding. The last time I went to one was years ago. You know, free food and all."

"Make sense of why you're weirdly happy about it." Jake nods his head before looking back at me. "When's the wedding?"

"Next week, Saturday." I say. "So we have time to buy tuxedos or whatever is presentable for a wedding." The guys break into chatter amongst each other, asking for accompanies to buy their suits and all.

"Actually, there's another thing that I need to tell you guys." Heeseung speaks up, leading to the chatter diminishing. As I observe him, he looks slightly troubled. "It's about Stella."

I expect the rest to flinch visibly as I do, but they seem relaxed, which greatly confused me because why aren't they affected by the mention of her name? Just hearing her name is enough to make my heart ache.

Heeseung licks his bottom lip, looking away from us briefly. "She and I made up yesterday."

There is a silence while I process his words in my mind. I don't even know what to feel.

"We made up too." Jake informs, and like bullets, the rest reveal the same news, leaving me the only one left out yet again.

"But I thought she hated us." My cold voice is resonating while I attempt to hide the fact that I'm hurt. "You guys were obviously there at the communal party, and you heard her."

Jay steps forward, seeming to be attempting to soothe my anger. "Sunghoon─"

"She's right." A cold laugh escapes my lips. "We're better off without her. Even if you guys have already made up with her, who is to say that she won't abandon us for another time?"

"Just listen to what Heeseung still has to say, Hoon." Jake says sternly, but his eyes soften as he looks at me.

I bite my lips harshly and look away, but I remain standing as I reluctantly wait for Heeseung to speak. And so he does, not missing out on any details, while the rest of us listen attentively with visible shock, anger, and devastation on our faces, including mine. I don't know what to think or what to feel as I reel in my troubled thoughts in silence.

"If she could've told us, then she wouldn't have to bear the burden to herself." Sunoo murmurs sadly. Before anyone can say anything, the doorbell chimes throughout my apartment, bringing a confused frown to my face.

"Sorry, guys. I didn't expect any guests for tonight except you bunch." I attempt to make my way to the main door, but am stopped by Jake, who gives me a small smile.

"Actually, we did." Jake says before walking towards the main door and opening it, revealing the only woman who lives in my head rent-free 24/7. Her eyes have yet to meet mine as she greets the rest with a small smile that is enough to stab me in the heart.

"We'll give you two some privacy." Jay pats my shoulder while I remain unmoving. I watch as they leave, not before giving her hugs, cheeks, and forehead kisses. When they finally disappear from my sight, she slowly lifts her head and meets my eyes.

"Can I come in?" She asks rather meekly, but I am too dumbstruck to respond, prompting her to enter before closing the door. She doesn't take steps towards me, still examining me.

"You." I finally managed to find my voice. Recalling what happened at the communal party, my eyes hardened. "What are you doing here?"

Guilt and regret reside in her gaze as she ambles towards me, and with each step, my heart is telling me to get to her quickly and hold her. "You already know why."

"No, I don't." My voice is sharp, enough to make her flinch. "Get out. I need some time to collect my thoughts after what Heeseung told us."

A shaky breath leaves her lips. "Sunghoon─"

The anger, despair, heartbreak, and other emotions this woman does to me eventually implode. "Fuck, Stella! Why do you always have to be so difficult?!" I clench my jaw while my eyes are glaring into her watery eyes. "One moment, you acted like I was your enemy once again, and the next, you're telling me that the reason you did what you did was for our protection?!"

I see her faltering, and my heart wants to comfort her and apologise for my outburst, but my mind is in chaos, fucking me up. "You might've thought that what you did was honourable, but it doesn't change the fact that you still broke my heart!"

I feel dampness on my cheeks, but I dismiss it. "You know what's worst? I even thought of having a future with you before you decided to abandon me." I find myself taking a step forward, towering over her figure. "What you did and said was cruel."

Tears stream down her cheeks while her lips quiver. "I'm sorry."

"You broke my heart, and you were the reason why I didn't want to look for a lover in anybody else." The volume of my voice lowers as I stand in front of her, close enough to catch a whiff of her familiar perfume. "You crushed me, Stella."

"I'm so, so sorry." She covers her mouth with her hand, looking down. "I was selfish."

"Yeah, you were." My breath feels heavier while the air around me shifts. I can't resist myself from tucking her hair behind her ear, and when I do, she lifts her head to meet my eyes again.

"I made the decision that I thought was best for all of us." Her voice shakes, and the sadness in her eyes is as clear as the sky. "But I needed to do it because I didn't want to lose any of you." A soft sob escapes her lips. "Because I loved you."

"Did you?" I cradle the side of her face, boring my eyes into hers. "Did you love me, Hwang Stella? Your ex-nemesis?"

"I did, and I still do." Her voice drops to a whisper, and her eyes flicker to my lips. "Even after all this time, my love for you never fades."

"Prove to me." I say firmly, inching my face closer to hers. "You gotta prove to me that you still love me, Princess."

Stella's eyes flutter close as she presses her lips against mine, and that is all it takes for my heart to pound hard against my chest while my pulses drum loudly in my ears.

She pulls away just slightly before whispering, "I'm so sorry."

"Prove it then." My hands reach for her under-thighs, pulling her close to my body before I hoist her up with her legs locking around my waist. Amidst the sadness, there is a palpable tension that both of us can feel as our breaths become laboured.

The heart wants what it wants, and anyone would be an idiot to ignore it, and I'm one of those idiots. I neglected what my heart truly desires for too long. I've allowed my paranoia to get the best of me, resulting in me abandoning the loves of my life. My home.

Am I still afraid of the possibility that Hwang Minhyuk will end up finding us and hurting them? Yes. But I can't be apart from them any longer. Maybe I'm being selfish once more, but this time, it is a need. Like how I need air. Like how Sunghoon is kissing me as though he needs air as well.

With our clothes discarded and tossed elsewhere, he hovers on top of me, kissing me and having me moan airily into his mouth as his tongue invades the cavern of my mouth, exploring every inch.

"I'm still mad at you." He speaks harshly into my parted mouth as soon as he pulls away. Fervent lust clouds my mind like a haze, and my heart beats faster upon his fingers trailing down between the crevice of my breasts and down to my stomach until they finally reach my womanhood that is in need of him.

"Sunghoon!" I gasp, my body going into a complete shock, when he plunges his fingers into my cunt without any foreplay or warning, moving in and out at a rough pace. My hand latches on his moving wrist, but he doesn't relent.

"You're so fucking wet." He says gruffly, leaning down to nip at the skin on my breast before slotting his mouth over one nipple, adding pleasure to my body. He suckles it and bites it, though not enough to hurt me.

My hips move along his rapid movement, and a moan escapes from my lips when he draws circles on my aching clit. "H-Hoon!" I throw my head back on the pillow, my eyes closing shut at the ecstasy while my fingers are tangled in his hair. I feel him trailing his kisses upward until he stops at my neck.

"Yeah? You're close, princess?" He asks, smirking against my neck, his fingers are unrelenting while the sloshing sound echoes in the room.

"So close!" I attempt to rut against his fingers, but as soon as my climax reaches its peak, he removes his fingers from my hole. Tears prickle in my eyes, staring at him as he has a cruel grin on his face. "Why did you do that for?"

"A punishment." In a blink of an eye, he turns me over, my stomach lying flat on the mattress. I gasp at how he's manhandling me, pulling my legs towards him and spreading them. I don't even have the time to react or to adjust when he abruptly thrusts his cock into my hole. He grabs a fist of my hair before pulling it back, forcing me to arch my back.

A series of moans fly from my lips while tears stream down my cheeks. He is ruthlessly fucking me, as though he is fucking his pent-up emotions into me. I hear him breathing harshly amidst the grunts beside my ear.

"How are you so tight?" He asks with a grunt. "Don't tell me that you've never looked for anyone to fill this sweet hole of yours, even after you left me."

My body is shoved upward at the impact when he delivers a deliberate yet hard thrust. "I didn't." I whimper, loving the pain he is giving me.

He scoffs beside me, mocking me. "Really?"

"Yes." My hands claw on the bedsheets, and a high-pitched moan leaves my lips as soon as his tip hits the spot.

"Good." He presses a wet, open-mouthed kiss on my cheek before cooing. "Because you belong to me. Your body belongs to me." He thrusts, hitting the spot that has me curling my toes. "This sweet cunt belongs to me."

"Yes." I nod my head, lost in the ecstasy. I roll my eyes back as soon as I feel the climax approaching, but he abruptly pulls out, making me cry out. "No!"

"No?" He turns me around, my back on the mattress. A smirk touches his lips as he looks down at me, who is in a crying mess. "You'll take only what I give you." I flinch and moan out when the tip of his cock hits my clit, tapping it repeatedly and teasing me.

"Please." I whimper, moving my hips in an attempt to entice him into shoving his cock into my already gaping cunt with the pre-essence leaking.

"Please, what, my slutty princess?" He leans down with a simper smile, his hand brushing the hair from my face before he kisses me sweetly.

"Please fuck me." I whisper against his lips, but he teases me, sliding his cock in between my wet folds tantalisingly slowly. "Please, please, please."

"Yeah? You want to get fucked hard?" He speaks harshly into my parted lips before spitting in my mouth, one of his kinks. I swallow down with a moan.

"Yes." Just as I answer, he shoves his cock back into my awaited hole. This time, he sets the pace slow, taking his time to savour how tight my walls are engulfing him, but hard enough that it hurts so good.

"I'm never going to let you leave again." He grunts, now thrusting with a ferocious vigour that has me rolling my eyes to the back while my back curves into a deep arch. His lips are on my neck as I feel him breathing harshly. "I'm going to fill you up good."

I moan in response, my hands in his hair as I tug at the roots. "Sunghoon!" I scream as soon as I feel the familiar climax, and he doesn't relent, thrusting still until I finally come, my body convulsing.

But he doesn't stop, overstimulating me. "Sunghoon!" I whimper, feeling sensitive. My eyes roll to the back once more when his hand curls around my neck, tightening it firmly as he continues to drill into me with deliberate, precise thrust that has me seeing stars.

"I told you, princess." Thrust! "I'm gonna fill you up so good." Thrust! "So you won't be able to run away from me again."

And so, the room continues to be tainted with our sinful acts, round after round.

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#enhypen #enhypen fanfic #enhypen poly #enhypen reverse harem

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wangxianficfinder · 1 year

Text

Fic Finder

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1. Hi! I hope you can help me find this fic.

Wangxian is married here. Lan zhan was cursed to forget his love to wei ying and wei ying did everything (like studying the curse) to lift it out. I remember in the end, Lwj remember his love to wei ying and apologized to wwx for treating him bad. He felt guilty and resentful to himself but wwx assured him that its fine since he was cursed

NOT FOUND! stuck under the moon by perilously (E, 13k, WangXian, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Temporarily Unrequited Love, Angst with a Happy Ending, Cursed LWJ, Non-Penetrative Sex, Post-Canon)

FOUND! could be "an effect (without a cause)" by astrobandit, which is deleted from ao3. If this is the fic they are looking for, i have a copy.

NOT FOUND! Blue water by huxiyi (E, 24k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Temporary Amnesia, Case Fic, Curses, Cultivation Sect Politics, Established Relationship, Angst with a Happy Ending, References to Depression, Discussion of Grief, Discussion of bodies, Explicit Sexual Content, Dom/sub Undertones, Under-negotiated Kink, Additional Warnings In Author's Note)

NOT FOUND! Unavoidable by diamondbruise (T, 18k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Amnesia, Jealousy, Misunderstandings, Falling In Love, Again, Happy Ending)

NOT FOUND! tonight i can write the saddest lines by sarahyyy (G, 3k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Amnesia, Falling In Love, Domestic Fluff)

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2. Can anyone help me find a fic where part of it talks about how if he'd asked, JY would have done WWX's hair for him like she did JC's, but he never asked so he learnt on his own (possibly to avoid YZY's rage?)

FOUND? Always walked a very thin line by tucuxi (T, 22k, NHS & WWX, JYL & WWX, WangXian) It's a small bit that happens when NHS is brushing WWX's hair, and WWX thinks that nobody's done that for a long time

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3. Hello!! I'm looking for a jiang wanyin/lan xichen centric fic where jc is stuck in a time loop??

He repeats his lives 5-6 times and lan xichen remembers all the timelines where he actually already loved jc

But he married meng yao as a friendship marriage in one tl

In another tl jc murdered meng yao and lxc witnesses amd goes into seclusion because of it

combining the lxc/jc + the time loop tags yields only three fics so it should be easy to find the right one (i haven't read any of them so i wasn't sure), and looking for lxc/jc + searching the word 'groundhog' turns up one more fic but it doesn't seem relevant to the ask

NOT FOUND! Incrementally by xxdz (M, 15k, WIP, XiCheng, Time Loop, Horror, Murder Mystery, Inspired by Happy Death Day (Movies), Post-Canon, Blood and Injury, Hurt/Comfort, Temporary Character Death, Character Study)

NOT FOUND! there is no one beside me by h0ngcha (Not Rated, 16k, WIP, XiCheng, Time Loop, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD, Suicide, Mental Instability, Depression, Mild Gore, Canon Divergence, Suicidal Thoughts, JFM's A+ parenting, Bittersweet Ending)

NOT FOUND! silver bell by willowcatkin (G, 8k, XiCheng, Post-Canon, Time Loop, yunmeng bros reconciliation, Sort Of, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, JC-centric)

FOUND! Four Out of Five by castieldeansangel (T, 9k, XiCheng, WangXian, XiYao, One-sided ChengQing, Time Travel, 5 Times, Fix-It of Sorts, XiCheng endgame, Angst with a Happy Ending, JC-centric, Butterfly Effect, Dubious Morality, Canon Divergence)

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4. you guys are wonderful! thank you so much for all your help finding fics!!! i have a half itmf/half fic finder question --- any angsty dark lan clan fics that focus on wei ying, but especially one where they break his soul bond(?) with Lan Zhan --- i think i remember one where later on they need WY's help - any suggestions greatly appreciated! (also in an Itmf)

FOUND? Say my name and his in the same breath by ataratah (M, 38k, WIP, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Rejection, Mutual Pining, Found Family Feels, Temporary Character Death, magical baby aquisition, Angst with a Happy Ending, No Golden Core Transfer, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies)

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5. hello! theres this fic i know i read on ao3 but cant seem to find in my history or bookmarks. i hope it wasnt deleted. its post canon, lan zhan and wei ying go out on a mission but lan zhan gets infected or hit with a curse without them noticing, and starts gradually losing all his senses, starting with hearing, then i think sight, then so on until he cant move or do anything at all and he’s at risk of death. wei ying and lan xichen figure out together how it happened and they save him so lan zhan is completely healed by the end. i believe it was either M or E rated bc there were a couple sex scenes early on but i dont think they were very explicit. i hope you can find this fic, thank you so much!!

FOUND! shadows in the sun rise by Yuu_chi (E, 24k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Night hunts, Curses, Intimacy, Light Angst with a Happy Ending, They're married and they're in love)

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6. Hi! I read this incredible fic a while back and forgot to bookmark it - it's about WWX losing his memories when he comes back and getting to know LWJ as Mo Xuanyu while he tries to uncover his past?

FOUND? Love Song In Reverse by timetoboldlygo (T, 237k, WangXian, Amnesia, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Falling In Love, Slow Burn, agressively mixing and matching novel and cql canon, No Homophobia, Mentions of Starvation, Parental WWX)

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7. Hi! Can you help me find these 2 fics? I tried filtering out but can’t still find it.

A) Modern Au. Wwx left the jiang family and then met Lwj. I remember the two started living together but then as the time passed by, wwx notices that lwj isolating him to outside world. I also remember wwx broke up with lwj but lwj is stubborn keep coming to wwx school. He even threaten wwx about the jiang family so he’ll come back to him.

B) Modern au too I think? I only remember Lwj saw wwx burying a dead body (i think it was wen chao) and assist him on it.

Thank you so much!

7A)

FOUND! It had to be Fate by darkbrokenreaper (E, 4k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Emotional Manipulation, Gaslighting, Rape/Non-con Elements, Obsession, Possessive Behavior, dark!LWJ)

7B)

NOT FOUND! release me from the present by merlinnn (E, 34k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Explicit Sexual Content, Dark Academia, Also Light Academia, Studying,Lots of it, Implied/Referenced Sexual AssaultV, iolence, Murder, Dead Poets Society, brief homophobic language, body disposal, Mildly Dubious Consent)

FOUND? 🔒 The inherent romanticism of hiding a body together by Aki_no_hikari (T, 4k, WangXian, First Meetings, Love at First Sight, Modern, Corpse Desecration, Corpse Disposal, Pigs, dark Wangxian)

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8. Hello! The fic I am looking for is one where Jiang Cheng somehow erases Wei Wuxian from existence. Jiang Yanli lives as a consequence, but now everyone is subjugated by the Wen, as without WWX the Sunshot Campaign lost. I have only seen this fic in passing and really want to read it but now I can't find it lol. I remember that there was a tag for "Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji / Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian", so I assume at some point they get him back, but I cannot remember any more details other than this. Thank you so much for your help and I hope you have a wonderful day!!! @coffeeshopdragons

FOUND! The Way It Wasn't by KouriArashi (T, 72k, WangXian, XiYao, Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fix-It, (eventually haha), Slow Build, Family Feels, Moral Ambiguity, Eventual Happy Ending)

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9. hi ! me again 😅 i was wondering if any of you know the fic where lan wangji forgets about his love for wei wuxian (i think he got cursed?) and is very indifferent towards him. It starts with him forgetting to buy chili oil for wy to him not wanting to spend time together anymore. At one point he asks wwx “why did i marry you?”. I think lwj was conscious the entire time he was cursed and was heartbroken bc he could see how everything he said and did was hurting wy. I knew i read it recently but i cant find it in my history for some reason. thanks so much you guys are amazing <33 @makkachiin

FOUND! Does anyone even read work titles? idk what to call this by Nighttdust (M, 14k, WangXian, Curses, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, though not to much, Both get hurt both get comforted, Established Relationship, Post-Canon, Happy Ending, Protective WWX, Insecurity, a bit only)

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10. Hello! Currently looking for a fic in which LWJ and WWX spent a night together in a tent and there was misunderstanding when LWJ woke up thinking he forced WWX to have papapa-

JC ends up threatening LWJ if WWX ends up preggo then he will not be allowed to see them (I think Wuxian was a carrier??), because JYL then entered the tent right after LWJ left and saw WWX all bruised up (it was hickies) whilst passed out (sleeping only) and assumed LWJ SA her Xianxian. JGY and LXC are also there-

FOUND? The Teapot Plot by ToxicAngel13 (M, 51k, WangXian, Misunderstandings, protective Jiang siblings, Golden Core Reveal, Golden Core Transfer Fix-It, Idiots in Love, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Pre-Burial Mounds, Potential for M-Preg, Fix-It, Emotional Hurt/Comfort)

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11. Hi, I'm looking for a fic where wei ying starts out in the modern world as a doctor who has fallen on hard times and can't practice as one anymore because of previous mistakes. He dies in a lab explosion and gets sent to the canon-time cultivation world, where everyone believes he's an evil megalomaniac. Lan zhan realizes that wei ying isn't evil and takes him back to cloud recesses, where wei ying learns cultivation - there is some smutty dual cultivation involved, then comes happy every after. @annie-booksforfood

FOUND? Transverse by Kytrin, Mslead (E, 192k, WangXian, ChengSang, ZhuiLing, ZhenYi, Dimension Travel, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Enemies to Lovers, Transmigration, Past Lives, Canon-Typical Death, Don't worry - he gets better)

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12. Hiya! I saw on this post for Medium Blues over on WangxianFicRecs that there's a short sequel to the fic, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I looooove the fic so much and would really like to read the sequel, so I'm wondering if anyone happens to have more info or a copy? Thank you! @gentil-minou (the author may have deleted the sequel because medium blues had been deleted before - Mod C)

Oooh I do remember that a medium blues sequel was begun but I think only a chapter or so was posted?

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13. Hey, can you please help me find a series?

It's about a-Yuan, and he could see ghosts/spirits. He could see WWX, he drew Madam Lan, and he spoke about YZY to JC when he was in Lotus Pier and called her violet spider. @utxqia

FOUND! 🧡 Lan Sizhui Sees Dead People Series by darkbrokenreaper (T, 30k, WIP, WangXian, LWJ & LSZ, JC & LSZ, Canon Divergence, Fluff, Kid Fic, Hurt/Comfort, lsz sees dead people, Paranormal)

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14. Hello, this for the “Find a Specific Fic” tag. I’ve been looking for fic staring a older Lan Wangji who gets sent back to the cloud recess ark, and meets his younger self who becomes jealous. The younger Lan Wangji is jealous because Wei Ying is no longer pestering him anymore, opting to instead follow the older Lan Wangji who spoils him. Hopefully this helps, and thank you for your hard work. Sincerely, Bianca. @biancabaryonx

FOUND? vinegar jug by dandelion_san (G, 7k, WIP, WangXian, Time Travel, Humor, Awkward Crush, Jealousy)

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15. Hello, I'm trying to find a fic where both Mo Xuanyu and Wei Wuxian get cursed. All I can remember is that Lan Wangji ends up in the woods and WWX helps him getting out, but when he tries to thank him WWX disappears. LWJ then finds the Jiangs and inquires about him but they can't actually remember him: they only remember they had a brother once (I think?). Hope this makes enough sense and thanks in advance

NOT FOUND! Second Summer by Anonymous (M, 142k, WIP, WangXian, canon, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Mystery, Amnesia, Memory Loss, Curses, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, somebody lives/somebody else dies, Golden Core Reveal, canon-typical lack of lube)

FOUND? never been away so long by sundiscus (G, 905, WangXian, Modern AU, Pre-Relationship, First Meetings, Ambiguous/Open Ending, (but a happy ending in the endnotes!), Ghosts, crossposted from Twitter)

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16. needing y'all's help again i cant remember the fic where wwx agreed to transfer(??) or visit or help a school/workplace bc he gets to use a mass spectrometer. i can't remember the plot, just that tidbit T_T thank you so much

NOT FOUND! The Best Gift by Lan_Wangjoe (E, 45k, WangXian, Modern AU, Mistaken Identity,Miscommunication, Romantic Fluff, Family Fluff, Family Dynamics, Falling In Love, Idiots in Love, Nice LQR, Fake Science, Science Husbands, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Adopted Children, Marriage of Convenience, Secret Marriage, Didn't Know They Were Dating, Himbo LXC, Everyone Is Alive, Good Parents JFM and YZY, Genius WWX) it doesn’t have a spectrometer as such, but I think it might be this one?

FOUND! 🧡 CSI: Gusu Edition Series by Stratisphyre (M, 39k, WangXian, WWX & LQR, Modern with Magic AU, College AU, Golden Core Reveal, Single parent WWX, Good Uncle LQR, Hospitalization, Allusions to violence and murder) the first fic in csi gusu has the mass spectrometer :>

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17. I'm back, like any other wangxian addict, for more ficfinding expertise!

A) always a girl WY is emperor LXC's concubine, who he shares with LWJ. Of course the 2 are in love and when LXC starts to tire of her and politics get in the way, they stage a withdrawal/escape and live happily ever after far away from the emperor in the south?

B) CR study arc, where LQR gives WWX the same advanced tests he gives LWJ. After, NHS complains about how his cheatsheet tips didn't make sense and that's how WWX found out about the harder test. @mreisse

17A)

FOUND! Red Lotus Blooming at Sunset by janewritesstuff (Jane_de_Plaine) (E, 18k, WangXian, XiXian, Jadecest, Implied Others/LXC, Royalty, Historical, Female WWX, Concubine WWX, Harem, Threesome - F/M/M, Porn With Plot, Consensual Infidelity, Voyeurism, Angst with a Happy Ending, extended tags in author's note, Dark LXC)

17B)

FOUND! Just Say Yes series by edenwolfie (M, 338k, wangxian, canon divergence, matchmaking, pining, cloud recesses study arc, getting together, fluff, humor, hurt/comfort, everyone lives au)

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18. Hi hello, I'm struggling to find this wangxian ao3 I'm hoping that it was not deleted. I don't really remember much but wei ying didn't die but got save from falling of a the cliff and when he gain consciousness he can't remember his name that's why the one who saved him gave him another identity and his been living that identity for years. On wangji side, this is still part of the story he raises lan yuan by himself, actually no one died in this fic jiang yanli is still alive

FOUND? Until The End by abCEE (M, 365k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, war changes people, resulting to OOC, no pinning, Established Relationship, Mpreg, Good Uncle LQR, a little grey LWJ, a bit of JC bashing from LWJ, BAMF JYL, 16 years of yearning, mainly CQL verse but has scenes from the novel as well, LSZ is WangXian's Child, WWX Has a New Golden Core, Canon Rewrite, Happy Ending, Fix-It of Sorts) WWX awakens in chapter 16 and his new name is Gengxin.

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19. Hello! Good day! I hope you can help me find this fic. I don’t know if it is a time-travel fic or not. All I can remember is that Madam Yu got pregnant and the sect leader, jiang yanli, jiang cheng, and wwx were happy. But eventually they learned that madam yu cheated (i forgot if its a wen or not) so the baby is actually not sect leader jiang’s child. I think they learned this after the masscre of lotus pier when madam yu ranaway.

FOUND? 💖 A Chance by CorkaHadesa (M, 86k, WangXian, Time Travel Fix-It, Sunshot Campaign, Pre-Sunshot Campaign, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, Canon Divergence, Established WangXian, Married WangXian, Secret Marriage, OOC, Second Chances, YLLZ WWX, Homophobic Language, but only from YZY so it's not that important because she's a bad person, i don't agree with her words, Minor Character Death, Happy Ending, Mpreg, Not Everyone Dies AU, the dead ones are the bad ones)

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20. Hi. I'm looking for a fic that I was pretty sure was luckmoonly's and was in the many lan babies series but now I am worried about my brain because it's not there and the traces of it are gone, to the point I think I hallucinated that fic. But if I remember the title was "The fault in my core" and WWX was supposed to get his core removed but they found a core baby near it so they didn't continue the operation. Pls tell me I was just looking at the wrong place with my f-ed up memory 🥹 and the fic is somwhere out there and I was just too stupid to find it. Thank u in advance! ❤️

FOUND! The fic was deleted. All your informations (name, author etc.) were correct. I have a copy, if you want one. - @bluekittenfire

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#wangxian #mdzs #wangxian fic finder #wangxian fic search #the untamed #wangxianficfinder #long post

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bizaar · 1 year

Text

Cruel Summer - Part 11

First - Previous - Next

pairings: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

summary: After breaking up, you and Eddie do your best to soldier on with your lives, but you slowly begin to discover that there is a stronger line of connection keeping you together than just history…

word count: 8k

warnings: swearing, some angst (as always) discussions of closeted queer folk (just in case) probably a lot more - will go back in and edit as needed!

A.N.: I'm back, Chat! After a million years and some change, I really hope you like this chapter even though to me it feels a tad like filler, so sorry it took so long to get back into the swing of things!! - Also, my taglist is broken, so if you would like to be put on it for the chapters going forward, please let me know!

To call the last few days a blur would be an understatement, more so considering how everything that had happened over the course of the last few hours could have filled the duration of those days themselves.

And everything happened so fast, events falling into place one after the other in such quick succession that Dustin has barely had time to process all the steps he’d taken down the road since he and Max first left his house in search of Eddie – in search of you.

Presently, he’s stuck trying to rationalize just how he’d come to find himself sitting huddled on the Wheeler’s sofa, stuffed in between Max and Lucas under the tense scrutiny of the Hawkins PD and the worried coterie of their parents.

Though perhaps “how” is not the question, but why, considering he knows exactly how it happened: they found Eddie, then they lost him, and after a very tense few hours, subsequently found him again, camped out with you at Skull Rock, looking very much like you’d been to hell and back.

From there their road circled back to Lover’s Lake, and now here they find themselves, in police custody with half of their party lost to the gate beneath the water.

It’s the closest thing Dustin can imagine to a worst-case scenario.

That’s not true, he tells himself, Eddie’s still in the clear, so it’s not all bad… not yet…

Still, it’s beyond bizarre to be sitting and getting lectured on the Wheeler’s sofa with Mike so far removed all the way in California.

Karen is nice, sure, and Ted is … well, Ted is Ted, hardly intimidating, but something about being under the direct scrutiny of the Wheelers and the Sinclairs and his mother and the Hawkins PD, all of whom he is actively lying to, has Dustin sinking further and further into the plush cushions in the hopes of somehow shrinking out of existence.

How badly he wishes he was anywhere but here.

It’s not that he’s intimidated or anything so foolish, particularly by the bespectacled likes of Officer Callahan, only that Dustin is painfully aware of how this looks, their merry band of misfits camped out at the water’s edge directly opposite an active crime scene with binoculars in hand. Worse still, he’s painfully aware of how it sounds.

“What were you kids doing out at the lake?” Callahan asks.

It’s as good a question as any, but it leaves the lot of them reeling with just exactly how to answer it.

What are they supposed to tell them, the truth? That they were busy sending half their party through an interdimensional gate at the bottom of the lake to the Upsidedown?

No.

Under absolutely no circumstances will he be telling them the truth, not unless he wants to see the inside of a padded cell.

He could have told Hopper the truth (or at least some summarized version of it), but Hopper isn’t here, so Dustin and his friends open their mouths and all begin to speak at once as they fumble for some sort of credible answer as to what they were doing out at the lake.

“Swimming—” Dustin says immediately.

Max shrugs her shoulders and offers what would have been the most practical answer…

“Nothing—”

… if not for what came tumbling out of Lucas’s mouth.

“Taking a long romantic walk under the moonlight?” He squeaks, voice lilting an octave higher as his sentence comes to a close, making the statement sound much more like a question than anything else.

The silence in the room is deafening, and Dustin suppresses a wince, fully aware of just how well and truly cooked their collective gooses are as he exchanges a horrified glance with you, sitting in a plush chair opposite the couch, wide-eyed and gaping at him from the other side of the room.

It’s a wonder you’re even here, considering Dustin had been sure that you’d go right along with the others, but in a stunning turn of events, you’d elected to stay behind.

It was because, as you said; “I’m the babysitter, it’s literally my job…” – Dustin had been decidedly pleased about that, in stark contrast to Eddie, who had just about capsized the boat right there on the shore trying to reach for your hand.

“Don’t be silly,” He’s insisted, despite how unbelievably practical you were being. “There’s plenty of room,” There was not, as had been evidenced by Dustin’s own rejected application to join the expedition. “– come on,”

But there was no arguing with you, as was always the case when your mind was made up. For as many reasons as Eddie could drum up for you to go, you had just as many reasons to stay, the least of those being that you were injured.

“I’ll only slow you down,” You’d assured him with a slow shake of your head, “It’s gonna be fine, we’ll be waiting right here when you get back.”

It’s yet another thing that is driving Dustin to the very edge of anxiety-induced nausea: they won’t be there waiting on the shore when the others get back … if they get back.

The adults are still gawping at their little group, eyes wide as dinner plates in patent disbelief of their swimming–nothing–romantic moonlit walk at the lake.

“It was kind of, sort of a … field trip scenario…” Dustin says, gesturing flippantly as he fumbles through the poor excuse for an explanation.

“To the lake…” Callahan deadpans.

“Yeah…”

“In the middle of the night…”

It’s less a question than an accusation.

Dustin resists the urge to correct the deputy, considering it’s hardly the middle of the night, and he nods, swallowing hard against the cotton blooming in his throat.

“...I mean, it’s Spring Break.” he croaks, “...No school…”

“Dusty…” His mother presses, “Somebody was just murdered there!”

It sets his teeth on edge.

“We didn’t know that at the time.” He insists, well aware of just how lame this all sounds.

Desperate to claw back some shred of credibility, he elbows Lucas in the ribs. It startles the boy to attention and his head snaps around to regard Dustin with an incredulous look, as if to ask what the hell am I supposed to say?

Max takes the hint for him.

“What’s the big deal?” She starts, “So, we were down at the lake — it’s called healing your inner child, look it up.”

On the other end of the couch, Dustin is vaguely aware of hearing you breathe out harshly, muttering something that sounds very much like “Oh, boy…”

Before he can stop this snowball from rolling, Lucas is nodding emphatically, suddenly very eager to add his two cents to the notion.

“Right, w-we were just trying to …” he trails off, swallowing hard as the rest of his sentence escapes him, and then, “… yeah, like Max said… do that.”

If Dustin thought the first silence was deep, this one is a yawning chasm of infinite depth. They’re great at this, actually, not at all amateurish.

“Right…” Powell says slowly, “...and this has absolutely nothing to do with Eddie Munson?”

Once again, they’re all speaking simultaneously, shaking their heads, gesticulating, and doing anything in their power to make themselves even remotely believable.

No really, they’re doing great.

“No, not at all.”

“Of course not.”

And then, because this is already going so well, Dustin opens his big mouth.

“That weirdo?” He scoffs, refusing to refer to Eddie by any harsher language, and cringing at the way his voice breaks on the word, “We don’t even know the guy.”

Erica Sinclair erupts into a bark of incredulous laughter from her position in the far corner of the room, and Dustin realizes his mistake the moment the words leave his mouth.

Erica… how could he have forgotten about Erica, who very recently had been caught up in the brief euphoria of reading from the Good Book of Eddie Munson.

Erica, who has just caught Dustin in what is perhaps the most blatant lie he has ever told and is trying her damnedest to strike him dead with the daggers she’s hurling in his direction from the other side of the room.

Oh, whoops… it’s the understatement of the century.

“You know they’re lying, right?” She snarls, “The whole couch is on fire.”

Her mother is quick to silence her with a harsh utterance of her name.

Dustin can’t help but feel a sharp stab of betrayal as he gawps at the younger Sinclair.

He’d thought, perhaps foolishly, that their triumphant victory against Vecna during the last Hellfire meeting would be some kind of a turning point for their friendship.

He kicks himself for being so naive and sinks a little further into the couch, pouting as she sneers back at him.

To make matters worse, the police are clearly not buying what they’re attempting to sell. Chief Powell and Officer Callahan exchange wary looks before, slowly, their gazes slide across the couch and over to you.

You begin to fidget under their collective scrutiny, doing your utmost to look anywhere in the room besides directly at the officers.

It’s only when Powell addresses you with the firm and formal usage of Miss followed by your last name that you finally look at him.

It takes him what feels like a very long time to speak.

“Care to chime in?” He finally asks, gesturing to the absolutely bafoonery of the couch.

You glance at Dustin, and he feels a stab of anxiety lance through his midsection as he fails to decipher the unreadable look splashed across your face.

Your attention snaps back over to the police when Powell repeats his overly formal addressing of you, the well of his patience growing ever shallower.

You pull an innocent face and gesture dumbly to yourself.

“Me?” You chirp, like you can’t imagine how they could possibly think you’re involved in this.

You? No, surely not you, who had pulled Dustin and the rest into a quick huddle and quietly instructed them on how best to lie to the cops when they’d found themselves ambushed at the lake.

Dustin had been caught somewhere halfway between impressed and appalled, but he’d stopped himself before the question could even take root in his mind: how do you know anything about lying to the cops?

Eddie. Naturally.

Officer Callahan doesn’t seem to have the same patience as his direct superior for your act. He heaves an overdramatic sigh and rolls his eyes behind his glasses.

“No,” he scoffs, “The other delinquent in the room.”

The mask of innocence slips immediately from your face as you level the man with a hateful look.

“Oh, sure.” You snap, “Because name-calling is the best way to ensure cooperation — real mature, Phil…”

“Wha— how did you—?” Callahan splutters indignantly before clamping his mouth shut and setting his jaw.

Strangely, Chief Powell coughs harshly into a closed fist, and Dustin only realizes that the man is masking a chuckle when his deputy levels him with a dour look.

After a moment to collect himself, Callahan returns to you and shrugs.

“Okay, fine – why don’t we put you in a pair of handcuffs and take you down to the station, see if that makes you feel any more cooperative.”

You blanch at the prospect and Dustin’s heart seizes in his chest in outrage. Before he can leap to your defense, however, the Sinclairs and Wheelers alike erupt into loud protests of the notion.

The collective vitriol of the adults is enough to cause Callahan to balk and suddenly he’s standing a little less tall.

“Oh, really, Officer!” Dustin’s mother tuts, “There’s no need for that — I’m sure whatever it was they were doing was completely innocent,”

He’s not entirely certain how sure she is of that, but evidently enough that she’s managed to overcome the horror she’d previously been experiencing at the thought of them going down to the lake where someone was just murdered.

Still, considering you’re more or less an honorary member of the Henderson household, she goes on to paint a shining picture of you, insisting that you are a good girl – responsible.

The others respond with varying degrees of enthusiastic agreement and Dustin’s chest swells with warm, golden pride.

Damn right.

While you were only ever officially his babysitter, it never stopped the Sinclairs from asking you to carpool Lucas and Erica to and from school twice a week, or Karen Wheeler from enlisting you to look after Holly when she had the odd errand to run – though perhaps more specifically, covering for her last summer and remaining the soul of discretion when a momentary slip in judgment regarding a certain public pool lifeguard had seen her very nearly destroying her marriage and perhaps by greater extension her family as a whole.

Karen Wheeler would have defended you like one of her own children if it came down to it, as is evidenced by the way she comes flying to your rescue.

“She’s their babysitter, for God’s sake.” She scoffs, gesturing toward you in a way that makes the chunky bracelets sitting on her slender wrists clack loudly together, “She takes the boys to the arcade and plays that …fantasy game with them – I mean, really… what kind of trouble could they possibly be getting into?”

Unfortunately, as Dustin realizes too late, the Hawkins PD happens to know exactly what kind of trouble you could be getting into, and they are all too happy to share.

“Listen, folks…” Chief Powell sighs, taking the floor and rubbing a tired hand over his face, “I’m sure you mean well, but I’m afraid that your word just isn’t enough – the fact of the matter is that your babysitter has been caught trespassing at two active crime scenes in about as many days.”

Callahan is quick to chime in.

“Not to mention she’s a known associate of Eddie Munson.”

Dustin bristles. He’d been waiting for that shoe to drop, and now that it has, he feels a thin sheet of ice beginning to form across his stomach lining.

A sticky silence falls heavily over the room as the adults all exchange bewildered looks. Not even Karen knows what to do with that reveal.

“What does that mean?” Charles Sinclair demands, brows furrowed tightly as he turns a hard eye on Lucas, as if his son somehow held the answer.

He freezes like a deer in headlights, but Erica is more than happy to explain, pushing forward to stand in front of her father and remind everyone that she is still there, hands propped up on her hips as she levels you with a particularly snotty look.

“It means he’s her boyfriend.” She drawls, peering back at the denizens of the couch and looking entirely too pleased with herself.

Dustin’s heart seizes with terror.

How the hell does she know that?

“Shut up, Erica!” Lucas hisses.

She reels on him.

“You shut up!” she snaps, and her mother quickly admonishes her for it.

“Erica!” She hisses.

“What? It’s true – I used to see them at the mall all the time, swapping spit, sticking their tongues down each other’s throats… you know, making out?” She makes a show of visibly shuddering before twisting to address you, sitting mortified with your hands fisted in your hair and your face flushed crimson, “You guys are super nasty, by the way…”

“Er-i-ca!” Her mother warns her sharply.

She puts up her hands defensively and retreats a step.

“It’s just the facts!”

Still, the sentiment causes a nervous murmur to pass through the adults… you and Eddie Munson?

Apparently, your dating habits had been as shrouded in mystery to them as it had been to Dustin, and unfortunately, they are less likely to be as forgiving about it.

His mother’s voice quavers as she turns to you and quietly says your name. He watches as, in spite of yourself, you shrink back a little further into the cushions as if you yourself had been hoping that information would not come to light.

“Is that true?” She squeaks.

You don’t answer right away, but to your credit, when you do you try to laugh it off.

“Which part?” You scoff, “The dating thing or that incredibly vivid description Erica just painted for us?”

The attempt at humor falls short on the adults, and in the silence that follows, Dustin can’t help but feel a little angry at how ridiculous this all is.

True, the descriptors were a bit much, Dustin doesn’t need to be picturing that any more than he already had been, but they’re all acting like she’d placed you at the scene as an accomplice to the murders, like you and Eddie are some kind of modern teenaged versions of Bonnie and Clyde, which is ridiculous – Eddie wouldn’t harm a fly, and if anything the truth bomb Erica just set off in the middle of the room means you’re the one who can personally vouch for that.

It would be a pointless endeavor, of course, they’re only going off of what they know of Eddie’s reputation, one that is currently telling them that he is a cold-blooded killer going on a rampage through the Hawkins High School student body…

Dustin feels himself begin to sweat.

Suddenly everyone is holding their breath to see how you will react, and how everyone else will if the truth comes out.

“...Technically we broke up…” you mumble sheepishly, tugging a the hem of your worn t-shirt.

The room erupts in a cacophony of noise.

All at once, the Wheelers and the Sinclairs find themselves split down the middle over whether they find that information credible, waffling between thrusting accusatory fingers at you, at the police, at the couch, and every direction in between.

Ted Wheeler and Charles Sinclair demand to know if they’re lying to the police and what kind of trouble you’re getting their kids involved in, and their wives insist on returning to the rescue of your character, assuring the men that this is all a huge misunderstanding and that you would never dream of putting their children in danger.

Boy, if they only knew the truth.

Dustin’s mother begins to weep, wailing about the state of her poor nerves, all the while you sink further and further into the cushions and do your best to become invisible.

It’s a madhouse.

Dustin wishes, not for the first time, that he was back on the shore of the lake, and silently hopes Eddie and the others are having a better time than they are.

Wherever they are, he hopes they are okay.

+++

Eddie is absolutely positively not okay. He can’t speak for the others, who all seem to be doing a much better job at handling the whole “crossing through a portal into another dimension” thing.

They’re calling it the Upsidedown like it’s the next town over, like they simply hopped in the car and drove down the interstate to arrive in this bizarro version of Hawkins with monsters and nasty shit.

They’ve apparently been through this before, so Nancy says, and Eddie can’t even begin to wrap his head around what that could possibly mean.

That they’ve swum to the bottom of the lake where someone has just been psychically murdered and passed through to another dimension only to narrowly avoid being eaten alive by a swarm of demonic bats? Somehow he highly doubts it’s that specific, though only because he’s having a very hard time coming to terms with the fact that basically, everything he thought he ever knew about Hawkins is complete and utter bullshit.

Eddie supposes he always knew Hawkins was one of those places, the cliche of the happy little midwestern town pretending everything is nice and shining and wholesome meanwhile grandma’s skeleton is rotting in the hall closet. He’d always assumed there was something going on just beneath the shining veneer, just not on the level of “a literal hell realm existing right beneath his feet”.

Nancy is maddeningly calm about all this as if she didn’t just go diving into the pitch black of the unknown to rescue Steve, or rip off the bottom panel of her blouse and tie a tourniquet around his midsection to keep his guts from spilling out.

Harrington himself is taking the whole “almost being eaten alive” thing in stride in a really frustrating way, already walking and talking like someone died and made him king of the goddamn Upsidedown.

In fact, the only one who seems even remotely in the realm of appropriately manic about this whole thing is Robin, talking a mile a minute about rabies and the logistics of bat bites in the Upsidedown, but as far as Eddie knows, Robin is just like that.

Naturally manic, naturally caffeinated, probably on some kind of prescription drug like Ritalin if he had to guess… not that he’d hold any of that against her, Robin’s cooler than most.

They’d had intermediate band together one semester before he realized he’d actually be expected to wear that stupid uniform and dropped out.

They’d even been somewhere halfway to friends during that brief period of time, though that “friendship” could be summed up to nothing more than the casual snide, sarcastic remarks during class, a joke here and there, and one instance of Robin getting way too high on half a joint they’d smoked under the bleachers.

It resulted in her becoming paranoid that Eddie was trying to get into her pants, which he most certainly was not, and inadvertently coming out to him in a moment of panic.

He swore to take her secret to his grave, quit showing up to class, and they didn’t speak again until she came riding in alongside everyone else on Dustin’s little rescue mission.

Eddie wonders if she remembers any of that…

He supposes it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, particularly since Eddie seems to be the only sane one among them, which is to say the only one teetering on the edge of losing his shit, and it’s really pissing him off because none of this is normal.

It’s a fucking nightmare.

Beyond the dark, however, the perpetual red lightning storm, the alien network of hive-minded vines, and literal goddamn monsters trying to kill them, Eddie is, foolishly, most concerned about you, as always.

He’s well aware of just how stupid that is, to worry about you up on the surface with all the subterranean dangers that pose a direct threat to his life and limb - he’s not even sure that’s the correct way to quantify it, but it sure as hell seemed like he’d swum through the bottom of the lake and crawled out on the other side of the world.

He wishes more than anything that you were here if only because then at least he’d have someone who he could turn to and know with confidence would agree, “Yes, Edward, this is in fact insane.”

Normally he rails against the utterance of his government name because the only people who call him that are typically authority figures preparing to dole out some sort of capital punishment, or his mother when she was royally pissed at him – “Edward Munson if you think I’m about to let that slide you have got another thing coming,”.

And you, of course, though you only ever do so with the utmost fondness… and very often in an affected English accent, which despite being one of the worst impressions he’s ever heard, Eddie actually likes very much.

What he wouldn’t give to have you right here, trying to liven the mood by doing that stupid accent. He can almost hear you chewing through it.

“We’re in a right mess, innit, Edward?” You’d say, “Pip-pip cheerio and the lot…” or whatever.

Still, a decent-sized part of Eddie’s brain is attempting to crawl out of his skull and abandon him to the madness of this place, and imagining all the ways you would try to make the situation seem less dire if you were there is doing nothing to help.

Because you’re not there.

Why in the hell hadn’t you come with them in the boat?

He knows why, of course, rationally so – there was no room, someone needed to stay with the kiddos, and most of all you’re hurt – but there are spiders in his skull, skittering around and irrationally whispering that the real reason you stayed behind was that after everything that happened, you couldn’t wait to get away from him.

A larger part of Eddie than he is ready to acknowledge is pissed about it because you’d only just finished agreeing not to split up anymore.

Together is better, you’d promised him that, but another part of him understands why you might be desperate to get away.

First Chrissy, then Patrick? He’s got to be cursed, why else would he be made to bear witness to those deaths?

Eddie is laden with the feeling, wrestling with the guilt and the misplaced anger and the confusion, and everything else his body is trying to feel all at once as he trudges through the nightmarish woods.

Step by aimless step he follows, careful to avoid the network of vines and the concerned gazes of unlikely companions, who all continue to treat this like it’s nothing more than a casual stroll through the woods, like this is just another Tuesday.

Is it Tuesday? He has no idea what day it is… and he can’t stop thinking about you, playing the moment on the shore over and over in his mind. Thinking about the way he’d reached for your hand, and how instead of taking it you’d carefully curled his fingers back in on themselves, shaking your head and insisting you’d only slow them down.

“Hey, you doing okay?”

The voice startles Eddie, wrenching him violently – thankfully – from the mire of his thoughts.

Steve is there, giving him a strangely concerned look, having fallen back into step with him at some point over the last few contemplative minutes.

Eddie blinks back at him, not entirely sure how to answer and wondering just how long he’s been there. He almost doesn’t realize he’d asked him a question until Steve’s brows jump up toward his hairline.

“Me?” Eddie scoffs, he briefly considers lying, but the truth is out before the notion can really take hold, “No, Man. I’m pretty goddamn far from okay.”

Harrington nods solemnly, in a way that seems, weirdly enough, almost remorseful, like it’s his fault they’re down here in this mess… which, it technically is, if they’re pointing fingers here.

True, Eddie didn’t have to follow them out of the boat, he could have sat there and waited for them to come back, but he knew they weren’t coming back, and he didn’t have to swim to the bottom of the lake, he could have just as easily swum to shore …

It hits him like a brick to the face.

Why the hell didn’t he swim to shore?

Steve casts his gaze down to his feet, exposing the dark, angry ligature marks ringing his throat and Eddie fails to suppress a shudder.

That’s why – because Steve was in trouble, and some repressed kernel of do-right in Eddie, the same one that drove him over the side of the boat and down into the depths to the bottom of the lake, wanted to help.

Or at least it didn’t want the shame of having to look Robin and Nancy in the eyes if he didn’t help and the bats went and pulled Steve’s head off anyway.

Ego is a funny thing, sanity even more so, because as crazy as it had seemed at the time to dive in after Robin, crazier still was the concept that had he not, it could have resulted in yet another death – or deaths, perhaps – that he would have been indirectly responsible for.

Still, his body is still thrumming with adrenaline from the fight, and not in the good, buzzy way either.

He’s been picking at the blackened, drying blood on his hands for the better part of an hour now, and part of him has started to wonder if it’s ever going to come off, if any of the blood on his hands is ever going to wash away.

Before he can get very far down the road with that line of thinking, Steve tries again.

“Thanks for this… by the way,” he says, plucking at the collar of Eddie’s battle vest sitting across his broad-shouldered form in a sorry state.

It’s filthy, splattered with ichor and viscera, and several patches have torn loose, much to Eddie’s dismay, but it’s the strangest combination of freezing cold and unbearably humid down there, wherever they are.

The way he figures, Steve needs it more than he does – that and it’s the only thing shielding their eyes from the knitted sweater he has got sprouting from his chest.

He basically had to hand it over, if for nothing more than modesty’s sake.

Still, the sentiment startles him– gratitude? Really?

Unaccustomed to basic human pleasantries from the likes of Steve Harrington, he finds himself at a loss and he suppresses the urge to twist around and make sure he’s actually talking to him.

For lack of anything else to do, he gives a lopsided shrug and gestures vaguely.

“Oh… yeah – no worries.” He stammers, “Least I could do.”

“...And thanks for... s-saving me… that was–” Steve clears his throat in an attempt to keep his voice steady – it’s awkward, “Yeah… anyway. Thanks for that.”

Eddie gestures vaguely, suddenly unsure of whether he wants the burden of Steve’s gratitude.

“Wheeler did all the work, I just tried to stay out of her way…” He mumbles, “She’s badass,”

Steve chuckles in a way that feels oddly secretive.

“You have no idea.” He says.

Of course, Eddie can’t possibly know what that means, but it’s compelling, nonetheless, and entirely true.

He makes a mental note of it in the Rolodex of his mind:

Wheeler, Nancy: Good grades, pastels, kinda prissy. Dated that douchebag, Steve Harrington – Badass.

A sticky silence bleeds between them after that, and Eddie passes the time stealing a handful of looks at Steve, casually walking alongside him, on purpose.

He can’t help be feel ever so slightly amazed.

If his shitty friends could see him now – only he’s fairly certain Steve isn’t friends with his shitty friends anymore, at least so he’d heard.

Normally it wouldn’t be enough to wash away the history of torment between them. Steve had, for a time, been the driving force behind a campaign to make Eddie’s life a living hell, but this situation is just too bizarre, too outlandish to discount – there might be some merit to Dustin’s hero worship of the guy after all.

Suddenly he can’t help himself.

“That was pretty metal what you did back there…” Eddie posits, and when Steve casts a curious look his way, he continues with tentative enthusiasm, “Biting that thing’s head off? Major Ozzy energy.”

Steve furrows his brow.

“…huh?”

Uh oh. In an instant, the feeling is gone, replaced by the much less desirable panic of an impending social failure.

Eddie scrambles to explain himself and bridge the valley between their interests.

“Ozzy Osbourne?” He tries to no avail, “Bit a bat’s head off on –?” Steve’s face remains unbearably blank, so Eddie abandons ship for his own sake, “Nevermind…” he hums, “It was – yeah, it was cool…”

Another one of those awkward silences falls heavily across their shoulders, and because he’s never learned to leave well enough alone, Eddie simply cannot leave it undisturbed.

Surely Steve has got to know what he’s talking about, even if only indirectly. It’s not like Ozzy is an obscure reference.

“You know Ozzy though, right?” He tries, “Black Sabbath?”

He pulls a face and shakes his head, much to Eddie’s chagrin.

Shit. Okay, lesson learned.

Harrington, Steve: Fucking jerk. Worshipped by Henderson. Doesn’t know who Ozzy Osbourne is.

He dismisses the notion too late.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Thankfully, they are not doomed to yet another unbearable silence as Steve quickly changes the subject, sweeping the interaction away with a wave of his hand.

“Hey, so… look, I’m sorry for what I did back there… starting that fight between you and...” He trails off when he realizes the reference has flown right over Eddie’s head, “Back in the boat house?”

Oh. He doesn't know how to respond to that. Eddie is not entirely sure anyone has ever apologized to him for anything... ever.

Still, it strikes him as an odd thing to say.

Almost everything Steve has ever said to him has been something worth apologizing over, but try as he might, Eddie can’t think of any particularly noteworthy zingers from the last few days.

And he does try, wracking his brain and coming up empty – but he doesn’t trust it, whatever this is, so Eddie levels Steve with an unimpressed look.

“So, this is the part where you get all mushy and remorseful because you almost died, right?” He starts slowly, “You’re gonna tell me you’re sorry for being such a fucking asshole back in the day and I'm just supposed to forgive you because you almost had your head pulled off?”

Strangely, it doesn’t elicit the expected response - no defensive comebacks, no biting retorts, just a weighted sigh that carries the heavy burden of guilt.

“Oh, shit… wait, seriously?”

Steve runs a hand through his hair, which is still somehow maddeningly perfectly coiffed – it makes Eddie feel frizzy and unkempt.

“Look, we’re not in high school anymore…” He starts, then stops like he’s only just remembered that isn’t expressly true, “– well, you know what I mean…”

“Careful.” Eddie warns.

Steve forces out a hard, frustrated breath and rolls his eyes – he’s barely even begun to make his point and he’s already fallen flat on his face.

“What I mean is that there are bigger things happening here,” He huffs, “It kind of puts things into perspective and makes all the stupid petty shit seem…” He trails off as he searches for the right word.

Eddie is more than happy to help.

“...Stupid and petty?” He offers.

“Exactly. I was an asshole – I’m still an asshole, and I’m working on it, but some old habits die harder than others–”

“Clearly,”

Steve clenches his teeth and flexes his jaw and apparently resists the urge to make some kind of snide remark, electing instead to swallow the blow and nod.

He's doing it on purpose, and Steve knows that as well as Eddie does, even if it's not an overt show of effort. Part of him figures if he can get under Steve's skin and rile him up, it will make him drop whatever bullshit act this is and they can go back to hating each other like normal. But try as he might he can't seem to break him.

This may, in fact, be a genuine show of remorse.

He can’t make heads or tails of it, except that Steve had very nearly died less than an hour ago, and nothing sets someone’s head on straight like facing the precipice.

Eddie can’t help but feel a little more than dumbfounded, because this has never happened even in his wildest flights of fancy. He almost can’t believe it, and what’s more, part of him knows he shouldn’t believe it.

He should know better, that at any moment the rug will be pulled from beneath his feet and he’ll find out it’s nothing more than a big elaborate joke, he’ll be doused in pig’s blood and find out he’s not actually the Prom Queen, and that will be that.

Still, he seems genuine, as if Eddie would know what genuine even looks like one Steve.

Maybe Robin’s right and those bats are affecting him in stranger ways than they realize.

“I guess what I’m trying to say,” Steve continues, “Is that I treated you like shit and you didn’t deserve it, and I’m sorry about that.” he averts his gaze then and gestures vaguely in Eddie’s directly, “I mean, Henderson says your decent, and he’s usually a pretty good judge of character...”

Eddie fails to repress a sardonic snort of laughter, though not at Steve so much as the concept of Dustin being a good judge of character when he's out here double teaming friendships with people who are meant to be enemies.

“Is he though?” He presses.

Steve fails to repress a smirk and shrugs broad shoulders beneath torn, dingy denim.

“Yeah– well. The kid’s biased, anyway, he’s pretty much obsessed with you." He mutters, "It’s annoying as hell.”

It strikes Eddie that this is the first real conversation he’s ever had with Steve that didn’t involve him antagonizing him one way or another.

Still, he can't help himself

“Don’t tell me Steve Harrington, arguable deposed King of Hawkins High, is jealous of the town freak?”

Steve pulls a face, brows pinched tight over his eyes and glares back at him.

“Don’t be a dick," He says, though his tone is oddly not malicious, "This is embarrassing for me, okay? I’m opening up here.”

Part of him wants to hold Steve on the hook for it, out of some long-buried yearning for payback for all the shit he has put him through over the years, but in spite of everything and against his better judgment, Eddie suddenly feels a bizarre, misplaced fondness for the guy.

You used to say that Steve was a mean girl with a God complex, but looking at him now, Eddie can see he's really never been much more than a big fish in a small pond.

Popular kids who don’t extend their shelf life by way of scholarships and collegiate glory tend to fizzle out and implode, and Eddie imagines that every day Steve spends in Hawkins, that little pond gets a little smaller, and he shines a little less brightly.

“So…" Eddie begins tentatively, crossing his arms over his chest and hugging his biceps, "You’ve been holding on to this for a long time, huh? The guilt?”

Steve mirrors his posture and casts his gaze down to his feet, shaking his head.

“You have no idea.” He chuckles.

Eddie scoffs.

“Don’t I?” He counters, “Guilt is my bread and butter, Man… I was raised on that shit.”

He doesn't seem to know what to do with that knowledge. The sheer valley between their upbringings is evidently too wide a gap to bridge, so Steve pivots and yet again changes the subject.

“So, are you and the Psycho getting back together or what?”

It only takes Eddie half a moment to realize Steve is talking about you.

He gives him a terse look of warning, but when Steve raises his hands in an show of no offense, Eddie shrugs.

Before he can think better about divulging the intricacies of his lingering heartbreak to the likes of Steve Harrington, the words come tumbling out.

“I don’t know…” Eddie hums, “Things are pretty much fucked in that department.”

“What’s the problem?”

He swings his foot to kick at a rock, send it skittering across the forest floor, but remembers where they are and thinks better of it at the last moment, electing instead to roll in under his shoe as he passes it over.

“It just feels different now. Kind of like we’re just pretending…”

Another one of those heavy pauses passes between them.

“Hey, listen, Man, I don’t wanna step on your toes or anything, but you guys broke up." Steve says, "Things are always gonna be different the second time around. That doesn’t make it any less real. Don’t be so goddamn cynical–”

It's hardly a blow, but in spite of himself, Eddie bristles. He levels Steve with a hard, armored look.

“Look, don’t patronize me, okay? I’ve got no delusions about what I did. I made my bed, now I’ve gotta be a big boy and burn it.”

“I don’t think that’s the saying.”

“You know what I mean.” He snaps.

He supposes Steve means well, but Eddie can’t help but get defensive. It's like he said ... old habits and the like.

Still, Steve meets his gaze stares back at him long enough to make him regret his tone. Long enough even to make Eddie uncomfortable with the proximity, and so he clears his throat, averting his gaze and staring down at his sneakers, tinged nearly black from the ichor of bat’s blood.

He realizes with a start that Steve is still barefoot and wonders how much further they've got to go before they're out of this mess.

“Did you cheat on her?” Steve asks suddenly.

It hits Eddie like a fist to the gut.

“No,” He says immediately, feeling ever so slightly winded.

Steve nods then, pursing his lips like he understands what happened.

“Got in a fight and called her a bitch or something?” He says, "That's what did Tommy and Carol in–"

The notion makes Eddie's heart seize in his chest because beyond the fact that it makes him sick to have his relationship (or lack-thereof) compared to the likes of Tommy Hagan and Carol Perkins, he would never stoop so low, no matter how angry he was, no matter what you did.

He may have been raised with a shocking lack of social skills, but Wayne had made damn sure that he knew better.

Of course, Steve could never know something like that, but he can’t help the way it leaves him bristling.

“No.”

Steve continues to nod slowly, then pauses a moment like he has to really process the information before he knows what to do with it.

“What was it then?" He asks, "What’d you do?”

“Nothing –” Eddie insists, feeling suddenly foolish for how defensive he sounds because it wasn’t nothing and Steve can see that as well as anyone, “I broke up with her – and I was kind of a major prick about it… I mean, not just kind of… I was mean about it.”

“Why?”

He’s loath to admit it, but now that the stopper is out, it’s hard to put it back in, and the truth comes spilling out.

“... I got scared…” Eddie mumbles, crossing his arms tighter over his chest and reaching up to tug at a snarled lock of his hair.

“Scared of what?”

Eddie exhales harshly under the duress of this bizarre interrogation, hating the way he can feel his guts seizing up. When he got in the boat that evening, he didn't expect he was going to have to relieve all the mistakes of his recent past.

“Jesus, what are you some kind of cop? You’re kind of intense, you know that?”

Steve rolls his eyes and makes a chattering little mouth of his hand to mimic Eddie’s whining.

“Quit deflecting and just answer the goddamn question, Munson – what scared you bad enough to end your annoyingly perfect relationship?”

He could almost laugh out loud at the concept of Steve not only referring to his relationship with you as perfect, but apparently to the point of being annoyed by it.

“Perfect relationship?” Eddie splutters, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Come on, Man – she and I used to run in the same circle, remember? I was there when you showed up. Don’t pretend you didn’t come in and sweep her off her feet like something out of a goddamn movie.”

It takes Eddie a moment longer than he'd like to admit to realize Steve is teasing him. Once again, he doesn't know what to do with that information.

Finally, Steve prods him sharply in the chest in a way that could almost be construed as good natured.

“What happened with you two?”

“Nothing happened…" Eddie insists, and wills himself to shut up about it after that, but now that he’s started he can’t stop, "That’s the problem." Goddammit. "It was the same as it always was and I started getting scared that it was getting too good to last … that she was gonna wake up one day and realize everybody’s right about me.”

The silence the follows is deafening with Eddie's confession hanging in the air between them. He braces himself for a tirade of teasing and razzing and all the other kinds of verbal abuse he can expect from anyone else in this town, but instead Steve just nods sagely.

“So you pushed her away – hurt her before she could hurt you and inadvertently proved that everybody is right about you? That sound about right?”

It's the kind of observation he might have expected Wayne to make, if he'd actually had to stones to open up to him about what happened with you like this, and it leaves Eddie reeling.

Well… what do you know, turns out Steve Harrington is actually pretty goddamn insightful.

For lack of anything better to do and more than just a little bit indignant at being so easily read, Eddie stuffs his hands into his pockets and pushes his shoulders up toward his ears.

“Pretty much.” He sniffs.

“You fucked up,” Steve says matter-of-factly.

“Sure did.”

“...And what about that makes it so unforgivable that things are never going to be okay again? How come she's never gonna forgive you?”

Eddie shrugs and wonders idly how getting trapped in another dimension had turned into receiving a lecture about love.

“Because I broke her heart.”

Steve scoffs.

“Nah, that’s bullshit.” He says, dismissing the notion with a flippant wave, “It’s a speed bump."

Eddie realizes too late he's staring at Steve when he quirks one of those thick eyebrows at him.

"What, you’ve never gone over a speed bump? No way, I've seen the way you drive." He says, and then all the teasing goes out of him and he becomes the one things Eddie never expected to see, sincere.

"Listen," Steve starts, "I know for whatever reason you can’t see it, but ask anyone here – she’s crazy about you, Man. Trust me. Apologize for whatever you said, or whatever you didn’t say – don’t roll your eyes, that goes a long way with girls – and let her know how you feel.”

Eddie shakes his head, more than a little frustrated that he could think it’s as simple as that, like he hasn’t tried apologizing again and again and blanketing you in his affection – smothering you, more like.

“I’ve told her, Man,” He sighs, "Over and over again..."

“So you tell her again. Keep trying until something sticks. It’s all you can do.”

He supposes if he really sat down to think about it, it's as good advice as any.

Still, he can’t wrap his head around the fact that he’s standing there getting unsolicited relationship advice from Steve Harrington, who’d once spectacularly thrown him into a dumpster behind the movie theatre.

He reaches out and claps him on the shoulder, and Eddie fails to suppress a flinch.

“You guys are gonna be fine – hey, who’s the expert here?”

“I’m sorry …Expert?” Eddie snorts.

Steve shrugs like it wasn’t the dorkiest thing anyone has ever said in the history of mankind.

“Yeah, they don’t call me the Love Doctor for nothing.”

Nevermind, that’s the dorkiest thing anyone has ever said or will ever say in the history of mankind and the world forever.

Harrington, Steve: Fucking jerk Not so bad, I guess. Worshipped by Henderson. Doesn’t know who Ozzy Osbourne is. Total fucking cheeseball.

Eddie cannot wait to tell you about this.

“Nobody calls you that.” He’s almost giddy as he says it.

Steve dismisses the notion with a flippant wave of his hand.

“That’s not the point, the point is trust me. I’ve been around the block — I know crazy when I see it, and that girl? Totally crazy about you, and I mean certifiably bat shit…”

Eddie shrugs.

“You aren’t wrong – she’s pretty much nuts.”

“Hey, crazy’s not always a bad thing…” Steve says, and Eddie follows his gaze up the path to where the girls walk far ahead of them, blazing the trail.

He can't help but notice the faintest hint of longing pass across Steve's face, and Eddie feels his face begin to split in a wry smile.

“You know, Nancy’s pretty fucking crazy, diving in after you like that?" Eddie starts, "I mean, you wanna talk about what’s real? That’s as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen.”

He forces himself to swallow the bitter lump swelling in his throat and along with it the silent wish that he could somehow be different, be better, be a version of himself worth going after that like that.

Eddie clears his throat to banish the notion.

"You sure this isn’t some elaborate scheme to win her back?”

“No.” Steve says firmly, “Absolutely not.”

Eddie is not convinced - he gives a lopsided shrug.

“Well, I sure hope it isn’t Buckley you’re trying to impress, because I think you’ll find you’re barking up the wrong tree with that one.”

Steve's head snaps around so quickly that he's half surprised it didn't twist all the way around to the other side.

“What?" He yelps, "No, I mean – no. Look, let’s get one thing straight, Robin and I are completely – we’re just friends and I would never… h-how do you know about–? I mean… what do you mean?”

Eddie can’t help but roll his eyes at Steve’s fumbling attempt to stop himself from what he can only assume is outing Robin.

It’s noble, to be sure, and he’s got to give him credit for that, but Eddie’s no fool. Even if she hadn’t outright told him, he’s lived long enough in Wayne’s company to recognize the signs of a closeted person living in a conservative midwestern town, faint as they may be.

"What do you mean?" Eddie counters.

The question seems enough to stagger Steve, though not for the obvious reasons, it would seem.

“Nothing." He says quickly.

"You sure about that?"

"This isn’t about Robin, okay? It’s about Nancy – I mean – no, it’s not! But even if it was… look, it doesn’t matter because she’s with Jonathan now, and they seem… fine…”

Eddie stops short and reels on Steve, causing him to stagger a step in an attempt to keep from crashing into him.

In the distance, Robin and Nancy continue on none the wiser.

Eddie drops his tone and leans in to invade Steve's personal space. Steve inches back ever so slightly, out of impulse, he imagines, and Eddie smirks.

“And yet, you will notice that Jonathan is conspicuously absent from this endeavor.” He says slowly, quiet enough that Steve is hanging on his every word.

He lets the notion hang between them, breathe a little, and waits to see if Steve will catch on.

He doesn’t, he just gives him another one of those quizzical looks as the yawning chasm of Jonathan Byers's absence grows louder and louder, and Nancy disappears further up the path.

Eddie tilts his head toward Steve and raises his brows, willing him to understand.

He only knows Jonathan in passing, and from one social pariah with a mean daddy to another, he typically commiserates with him to a degree. He might feel bad about failing to discourage such behavior, but some opportunities are not worth passing up.

If Jonathan is the type of guy to stay out in California and leave his girlfriend to spend spring break swimming in Steve Harrington-infested waters, that’s his poor decision to make.

If it were you, and you had some stupid new boyfriend off in another state, Eddie would not hesitate. He'd go and bang down your door.

Steve shakes his head, still failing to see what Eddie is practically spelling out for him, and he wonders with a brief astonishment whether he could really be that dense.

“What do you –” He starts, then stops as it dawns on him, and his eyes go wide, “Wait… did she say something?”

Eddie shrugs and stalks off.

“Not to me,” he calls over his shoulder, casually lengthening his stride in order to catch up to Nancy and Robin.

It leaves Steve standing dumbfounded at the revelation, and in an instant, he’s scrambling to catch up.

“Do you think Nance is into me?” He asks, and then when Eddie doesn’t respond, “Hey… Eddie–!”

Eddie laughs.

“You tell me. You’re the Love Doctor.”

#cruel summer fic #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson imagine #stranger things fic #eddie munson fanfic #i hope you all enjoy this even though it's a filler chapter #i kind of just really wanted to write that scene between steve and eddie

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readingreylo · 2 years

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Grab the tissues....

Who's ready for some Angsty fics?

But don't worry, I'm a big baby so all these have HEAs.

There's just something about the extreme lows that make the happy endings so much more sweeter.

I didn't add my 2 cents to each of these recs because I am pretty sure every comment would be "It hurts so good 😭😘👌"

Oh and whoops these are all AUs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

We will start things off with the fic that inspired this entire list...

(The rest are organized shortest to longest)

The Trail Bride by SecretReyloTrash | @lyresandlasers | Explict | 160k | Complete | Western AU | Oregon Trail | Strangers to lovers | Marriage of convenience | Secrets/lies | Outlaws | Angst | Action/violence/drama | Languid pace | Rey POV | Rey Niima's husband dies on the Oregon Trail. She settles on marrying the mysterious Ben Solo to continue the journey. They might have come togther by chance but their chemistry and devotion are undeniable. But of course Ben has a past - he is not a respectable banker, but the outlaw Kylo Ren and Rey has gotten caught up in one of his schemes. After seemingly freeing him from the First Order Rey must seek out her own happiness -- even if that mean leaving her husband behind.

Happy Reading!

#reylo fic recs #reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo fanfiction #reylo fandom #jess made something

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echoedcrosshairs · 1 year

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Those Who Fight Together - part 7

Summary: Undescribed Jedi female nicknamed Reaper in 3rd person is rescued from being Dooku’s apprentice and needs to blow some steam with an old love 🖤Smut with a Plot🖤

Warning: NSFW, Crude Language, Killing, PiV, Oral (both), alcohol, emotional turmoil

Word Count: 8k (I’m sorry 😣)

Part 6 Part 7.5 Part 8

Masterlist

If you want the angst of 6.5, let me know and I’ll finish writing it

The boys left early, something about needing to clean the shop leaving you alone with the two people who were closes to you. Although after one two many drinks, you could definitely see Wolffe's guard lower and his eyes stayed locked on you for the rest of the night. Even if your dress you still went toe to toe with the boys whether it was who could take the hardest punch or who could lift the heaviest thing. You felt free and content here with just being here with them, except when Wolffe tried to stand up that the night was over when he fell back into his seat laughing.

"I've missed this," you said putting one arm around him helping him up.

"I've missed you."

"I missed you too," a sad smile broke out, "and you," you said to Cody as he grabbed Wolffe's other side.

"You should be with us, fighting and having fun."

"You don't need me anymore, but I will never be far."

"General... he's looking a little Green," Cody said noticing the expression on Wolffe's face, "I'll be right back," he said carefully stepping away to get a bag.

"I'm fine, just realized what I said."

"Don't worry about it, doubt you'll remember it," you laughed try to defuse the tension.

"I love you," he said knowing this was probably one of the last chances he got to say it.

"I got him if you wanna go check on your men," Cody volunteered, pretending to not hear what what he just said.

"I'll see around Cody, haze him later for me," you jested pulling your arm away.

You said goodnight, leaving them to get back to the barracks. The alcohol rummaged around in your system, making you feel a little light headed. Maker, what is that stuff you groaned, never again. You found the boys sitting at the table, each of them silent but stern looking at each other.

"Can this wait til morning?," you said trying to put off whatever was coming.

"You should have stayed there with them," Crosshair said looking at you, his blood was ice, "You don't belong here," he said standing up, his legs wobbling a little bit but he put himself in front of you, "Tech doesn't want and neither do I. I will... never love you," he said bumping his shoulder into yours, hoping the comment was enough to keep Tech out of your wraith.

Tech fiddled with his googles, chest tightening but followed after his brother who barely made it out the door before slumping against the wall. Tech felt empty, noticing the double meaning of what his brother had said, the sacrifice he made for him, his chest tighten even further barely being able to breath.

"Anyone else?" Ask trying to keep the breaking out of your voice, no one spoke, "I'm going to sleep in a hotel tonight."

When you got to your room you grabbed the med patches and placed them on your neck. Fumbling out of your dress you opted for your robes, stashing your sabers and grabbing a handful of credits before stumbling your way out of the ship.

"I'll go with you," Hunter offered waiting by the door.

"I want to be alone."

He gave you a nod seeing the pain in your eyes, "be safe."

"Where's the fun in that" you answered sourly.

The walk to the nearest cheapest hotel was sobering. You wanted nothing more then to rip the skin off your spine and regretting. I am the Collector, good nor bad, my duty is protect knowledge. And that is it.

"What happens now?" Echo asked looking to Hunter.

"We'll wait for her to come home."

"She's not coming back," Hunter heard Crosshair said from the other room.

"She'll come back when she's ready," Hunter affirmed looking between Echo and Wrecker who stared at her empty room.

"Why did you have say that Crosshair, you know it's not true" Wrecker asked knowing his brother could hear them.

There was no reply just silence. Echo blamed himself he should have stayed with her or tried to talk Crosshair out of it. Why I didn't try to go after her? Echo loosened his jaw when his teeth began to hurt, he looked at Hunter who was also trying to hide what he felt but Wrecker didn't bother to try.

"I'm going to be in her room right," Echo let out heading towards the room, Hunter caught his wrist with an eyebrow raised, "I don't know how the rest of you feel, I love her and I don't know if she's coming back," he said staring at the floor but it was enough of an answer that Hunter let him go.

Hunter understood how he was feeling all to well. Hollow, wondering if they just ruined the best thing that had ever happened to them. Why didn't he tell her. Hunter left Wrecker standing there and headed towards his hammock to think. He noticed Crosshair laying in his staring at the ceiling emptied of any emotion and that Tech was gone.

"Don't know, don't care," Crosshair said before Hunter could ask, rolling over to face the wall.

Hunter felt a speeder move in the distance, he knew who it was. He turned and left, knowing his brother was probably going to something stupid to distract himself. Wrecker was still disoriented about what had happened and trying to make sense of it, he never got to say how to felt because out of all them he apparently seemed to be the gentlemen.

"I'll be back in a while, keep anyone else from leaving," He told Wrecker who was sitting by the ramp.

"Tech?"

"Yeah.."

It didn't take Hunter long to find him even on Coruscant with the thousands of machinery. Tech was still sitting on the bike overlooking a busy speed way race. Hunter noticed the emotions playing out on his face, he pulled up next to him and sat. An inner war sieged in Tech between his heart and his brain, he did the most logical thing to be able to protect his brothers but his heart called it a betrayal. He pressed his fingers to the bride of his nose and his leg bounced but he remained silent, waiting for the war to quiet.

"So, why couldn't you tell her yourself?" Hunter said disrupting his train of thought

"I didn't want to see the look on her face," Tech said bluntly, "Did I ruin it for everyone else?"

"I don't know where she is to ask her, so I can't tell you. I think it would have been better coming from you. Crosshair... crossed a line."

"Crosshair has always been-"

"That doesn't make it any better."

"What do you think I should do given the situation?"

"I'd start by finding her and telling her what's going on in your head so she at least knows why."

"And if I can't find her?"

"Hope your songs cross again," Hunter said starting his bike and headed back towards the ship, "Regrets are hard to live with, I hope she comes back so I can fix mine."

Tech followed him back to the ship and his equipment. He made a sludge worthy cup of caff, it was disgusting but he downed it. He could feel Hunters smile behind him when he walked passed. Tech sighed to himself with the amount of camera footage he would have to hack into and comb through but he did find her ... and he watched her leave the hotel and heads towards the ship yard knowing it was about to be to late.

The squad rushed getting out and arrived to where Tech had last traced her location. They look to found a ship lot. They found Wolffe and Cody already there. They walked towards them and then they heard it.

Echo looked up, to see a ship with a scythe crossed with a yellow saber spray painted on a ship entering the air, "Found her."

"Where's she goin?" Wrecker asked confused.

"Far away from us," Crosshair scowled.

"Do you know where?" Hunter asked looking at Cody and Wolffe.

"Right like I'd tell any of you," Wolffe said side eyeing them.

"She's going to meet with Count Dooku to see about bargaining to get her Master's saber back," Cody said, shock hitting them all at once.

"Like Sith's hell," Echo said turning and trying to go after her before Cody threw his arm around his neck to stop him.

"Should be really be going alone?" Wrecker asked.

"She wanted too. With how mad she is, I wouldn't worry," Cody said holding him a little tighter against his struggle, "Honestly, I really wouldn't want to be the next person who pisses her off."

"I agree that she shouldn't have gone alone but you shouldn't have told them. I was already wrong trusting them. I'll go after with her," Wolf said growling.

"We'll bring her home, Wolffe" Hunter said looking up watching the ship make the jump, "this is our fault, let us fix it."

"Why would I trust you because you lot are the reason she left alone?"

Hunter pulled out the one of her two sabers, she didn't take with her hoping it was answer enough.

"I love her," Echo deflated, Cody let go of him.

"Fine, but I'll bring her home." Wolffe gritted out, annoyed.

"How do you know where to find her? Given that ship was most likely recently acquired given the crudeness of the paint job, there most likely isn't a tracker on it due to it being recently acquired."

"Wouldn't you like to know," Wolffe glared at him.

"It's been well documented that both the Jedi and the Sith can create connections through the force, allowing two Force individuals to bridge their minds together allowing the transfer of memory, location, visual stimulation and emotions across the galaxy. Although I don't see how that is possible because you are neither and a clone," Tech stated, "So I am also curious about this."

Wolffe smiled remembering the fond memories of silent communication they had when fighting and the secret but obviously transmissions, "I think right now she rather have me tracking her down then either of you," he stared at Tech and Crosshair.

"She definitely loves you more then any of us," Crosshair scoffed.

Wolffe got in his face staring into his icy demeanor without fear, matching it with his own, "I thought she did too until last night and then I found out last night she was at some sleazy hotel alone. I hope she does love me more because at least I would have gone after her"

"Isn't that calling the quacta calling the stifling slimy, you just let her go too" Crosshair said taking the tooth pick out of his mouth with a smirk.

"It shouldn’t take her long. I was wrong to ever let her in the first place," Wolffe said pointedly and turning, "Plus would you know of love anyway?" he paused to give him a sideways glance, "the only thing you seem to be capable of feeling is rage and lust. She's the best woman I've ever had, down for anything and that wasn’t even enough for you" he added chuckling starting to walk away.

"We'll bring her home, Wolffe."

"You won't like it if I have too," Wolffe said with Cody tailing him, Hunter could hear them taking about a diplomatic search and rescue convoy.

"Hunter, mounting our own search would directly impede the speed of any future orders thus interfering with our task and our mental focus during said task?" Tech pondered out loud.

"We are loyal to each other, first, and she is one of us."

"You misunderstand, I'm an not implying that we don't go after her but I'm asking how do we get her back."

Crosshair shoved him, "We can't go after her, our loyalty is to each other and to the Republic not some rogue consorting with the enemy."

Tech looked at Echo seeing what he understood to be betrayal and confliction, Hunter's jaw was set tight noting the truth to the statement and Wrecker was sad and Crosshair was nothing but rage. All Tech felt was guilty, he knew letting Crosshair 'be the bad guy' was the wrong thing to do and he wished desperately that he could go back and change it but knew he couldn't. He blamed himself for letting it happen and then it getting so out of hand. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment letting his mind clear.

"I have to, this was my mistake."

Crosshair growled grabbing Tech by the armor, "Dank Farrik... I looked her in the eye told her how I felt while ripping her heart out not once but twice," Crosshair composed himself pulling away, "She's better off with the regs. We're bad luck."

Your dress robes trailed behind you, it made your skin prickle with unease, it wasn't very battle appropriate but you were here as delegation and had to work as such. It made your stomach twist being inside the walls of Castle Serenno, while good nor bad you didn't often deal with those who practice the darker arts. The droids open the door to a luxurious room with Count Dooku sitting at a short table plastered in food and finery, the service droid moved to pull out your chair so you could sit.

"How are you enjoying my hospitality?" Count Dooku asked breaking the silence first.

"It is an absolute marvel, Count."

"Rumors have spread saying that the Tome sent their best Collector for these negotiations," he said raising an eyebrow while he took a drink.

"A rank of formality-"

"A rank you yearned mercilessly cutting down those who stood in your way-"

"Only when diplomacy failed but an intelligent man such as yourself already has his eyes set on his feasible price or he wouldn't have agreed to this delegation so we don't have to worry about that."

"Indeed I do," Count Dooku said studying you, a slow cat like smile spread across his face, "You must be my apprentice for a time, that is all I ask for your masters saber in return but while in my employ you must use the saber's provided," he said flickering the droid over with the box, using the force to push it towards you.

The wooden box was lined with red satin, laid two near perfect replicas of your saber design except with a mild curve in the end like the Count's. They had an energy all their own, bold and daring. You picked them up, clicking them to ignite and one started as a faint red but faded to your usual yellow and the other was bright red, intellect and rage.

"Am I to assume you accept the proposal? And it will be Master, we can train a little later today."

"I do accept on the terms however I will not terminate someone I care for while in your services, if you find this acceptable, Master."

I am the Collector, Good nor Bad, you mentally repeated to yourself, This is a task I must preform to keep the secrets of the old ways out of the hands of anyone who would use them for harm. There was a different type of power in the red saber that was in your hand it was like nothing you've ever felt before, it was intriguing.

If you like chapter 6.5 about being Dooku's Apprentice, please leave a comment -> it will hurt

You stood besides Dooku talking plans about building a garrison of droids here as a strategic move because of the planet's location to everything. The door flung open and five men walked in, guns drawn. They started at the finery of Sith regalia you were dressed in, the red leather top and side slit red satin pants but with you regular belt accenting your curves and the two new ignited sabers in your hand in a defensive stance. Their faces riddled with disgust seeing you at Count Dooku's side, protecting him. You watched as Echo's jaw fell but closed it immediately. You turned them off and returned them to your hips, placing your hands behind your back.

"I can not harm them, but I can however keep them distracted while you leave, Master."

"The infamous Squad 99?" He asked

"Yes."

"The pleasure is mine" giving a small bow, "but I have other matters to attend too, keep them busy. The box with the saber will be on their ship. Until we meet again, Apprentice," he smiled followed by a small procession of droids leaving you the rest of the small convoy.

You could feel their eyes bore into you, "Either you turn those to stun if you aim at me or I will actually use force," you declared.

"Give the order, Hunter. She is the enemy," Crosshair said with his finger on the trigger waiting to blast, lowered by still aiming at your feet and you saw the blaster was in fact not on stun.

Your hand twitched for your saber, something was different about him, the bags under his eyes darker and he felt... colder. Hunter stared at you, how you stood a little more taller, stronger and bolder, wondering if Crosshair was right all along.

"Cody said to trust her," Wrecker said.

"General?" The droids asked turning to look at you.

"I trust her," Hunter confirmed, they all aimed at the droids instead besides Crosshair; his trigger finger twitching.

"You tin cans are so dead," you laughed at the droids, "good luck."

You turned to walk out and let the boys take care of the droids. As you did you heard blaster fire coming your way without thinking your hand slipped to the red saber and reflected it back. Your heart dropped when you saw Crosshair duck out of the way.

"He's mine to deal with," you shouted the orders at the droids.

"Roger Roger" they moved out the way, shooting at the rest of the squad instead.

He fired again, "So Crosshair not only did you rip out my heart, you've decided to go against your sergeant and against me," you hissed, more of 'her' Dooku made coming out, "You can kill me here or die. The choice is yours, put the blaster down and walk away or we fight and the force decides," your hand going to your other saber letting its yellow light illuminate the ground.

"I've never been one for following orders," he said rapidly shooting shooting.

Tech watched the exchange, watching you easily deflect the shots methodically stepping closer to him knowing what was about to happen if he didn’t intervene. He shot the closes droids out of his way, jump rolling towards Crosshair stunning him before it could go any further but not before one of his own blast was reflected and grazed him next to his neck.

"CROSSHAIR!" Hunter yelled ripping his Vibro Knife into the head of a droid.

Echo watched stunned as you stood over Crosshair, holding the red saber over his unconscious body, noticing the tiny tremble in your hand with a single tear escaping down your cheek. He watched your hand moved closer becoming just a couple inches away from his heart.

"Cover me!" Hunter yelled slinging his blaster back and barreling towards you.

Hunter's hand cover yours pleading, allowing Tech to slap a patch on the wound "You don't need to do this."

"It would be peaceful" your tone emotionless still staring down at him, your heart ripping again that one of the men you love just tried to kill you.

Hunter clicked the saber off carefully waiting to see if you'd strike. His heart was racing, he didn't know if this was his Reaper that stood infront of him or his enemy. He looked to see that all of the droids were dead before taking his helmet off.

"You left us," his voice showing his defeat.

"YOU never responded to my transmissions... you never came for me. Do you realize the things I've had to do to get this saber back? That YOU could have prevented" You exclaimed getting more and more angry.

"Sorry it took so long, I figured they would have gotten you by now," Wolffe glared at them walking in with Cody and what looked like a full battalion behind them battling the droid forces outside with both Master Plo and Obi on their heels.

"Good thing we brought some back up. Your doing?" Cody smiled, pointing towards outside.

“Perhaps the sharing of information could have been beneficial,” Tech said with Wolffe glaring.

“It’s not hard to figure out that her nick name is the frequency, quite the coincidence that their the same length,” Wolffe growled watching Tech blink and type in the numbers and stare at all of messages.

"Better late than never I suppose," you said removing your hand from Hunter's, "What's the situation?" You asked voidly.

"Them, General Plo and I will head to the front to assist while General Kenobi and Commander Cody escort you and the memory crystal, which we already retrieved, back to Zetabed."

"General Kenobi, do you think you could go in my stead? I wouldn't mind cleaning up some of my mess"

"Unfortunately due to how valuable the asset is I've been tasked with escorting it Zetabed and the incident on Mithril with the beheading of Master Zallo. However It would be a shame to let such an opportunity pass for you practice your combat skills."

"You did what you had too, in war there are sacrifices that have to be done for the greater good. I am glad you and the information is safe," Master Plo added.

The sound of blaster fire somehow relaxing you, it almost turned into music. Cody noticed the familiar demeanor and the glint of battle twinkling in your eyes. He gave Wolffe a knowing look which got an eye roll and a smirk. They pressed the seal on their helmets because they knew it was going to be a race to the front lines. You bowed to the Masters, running out the door with your boys and the squad behind you ready for a fight but that was stopped quick when you got outside to see one of the pack was standing there with a crate, you opened it to find your armor.

"Don't mind if I do," you smiled undressing, slipping into your blacks and equipping the armor.

"Warning, karking hell," Cody said staring upwards.

“Wooza,” you heard Wrecker say probably staring at the new tattoo that covered the sides of your thighs and trailed around your torso stopping under your breast.

"Oh come on, it's not like you haven't walked in on worse," your eyes were drawn to the saber you left in your room on the marauder at the bottom of the box, it felt like a distant memory in a life forgotten.

You held it pressing it against your forehead, greeting it like an old friend before returning it to the box and took the matching saber off your belt and also placed it in the box questionably opting for the new ones. It wasn't the time to feel the pain of last holding both of those. You slung your blaster holsters back on, kissing the beautiful matching blaster set before putting them in the holsters.

"To those who fought," you said.

"To those who won," Cody added.

"To those who lost," Wolf repeated.

"To those who became the spirit of battle; eternal glory-"

"May your name be forever sung-" Hunter cut in.

"In the eternal song of those of Mandalore," Tech finished fiddling with his goggles, realizing the deep sentiment of the children's war chant and wondered who she was mourning.

"To War?" She said smiling at Wolffe.

"With you? Always, these tinnies don’t stand a chance” Wolffe watched the newfound skills, graceful and disastrous. The yellow blade dancing tirelessly deflecting and red blade mowed down clankers with controlled arch's and simple wrist flips that caused the blade to completely spin. Wolffe and Cody quick to catch up.

"It seems she's picked them," Crosshair groaned finally sitting up.

"She's been with Count Dooku for almost two months, she’s probably trying feel something familiar again-" Echo tried to defend pulling Crosshair up.

"Given she is using the red saber, even though hers were available and with the regs, don't defend her. The person you loved is gone, move on," he said cracking his stiff neck and pulled off the red soaked patch. He grabbed his rifle, "Orders?" He asked Hunter.

"Commander Cody has ordered us to the front lines so let's go," he said charging after her, hoping Crosshair was wrong.

"Let’s shred them," you smiled knowing the metal carnage that was about to ensue.

"Alright boys, the General's sick of looking at all this metal. Let’s put on a show," he teased into his coms.

It took about three seconds before you heard the 'Woof' come from the pack, several troopers switching to tossing bombs letting metal pieces flying in the air. It made your blood and heart race. You danced a few steps with a twirl but not stopping your hands it was a perfect symphony of destruction.

"You know I've thought a lot settling down recently," you purred deflecting a shot aimed at Wolffe, "on a battlefield," you laughed, finding a small shred of normalcy.

"I think you should look up!" Wolffe laughed.

You looked up to see a seppie ship burning, "He should be just about done. Gregor, how is operation Present going?"

"You are free to hand over the Present!" He called over the com.

Wolffe tossed you a red little button from a pocket, "Happy Birthday."

"Oh my maker, I've always wanted one of these!" You said wiping a theatrical tear, "Best birthday present ever!" you said pushing the bottom. You watched the burning ship lit up explosions happening everywhere. The ship was eventually going to crash somewhere on the planet... but given how many bombs were going off there wasn't going to much left to worry about when it entered the atmosphere.

"She's perfect!" Wrecker hollered.

"To bad who you knew is gone," Crosshair said taking his anger out on the droids. She's not her anymore. She killed a Jedi. She's not Reaper anymore, "Agh" he slipped out rapidly firing at droids each hitting their mark.

Echo watched her, Cody and Wolffe, "There so... in sync," he mumbled.

"They fight like we do. Together," Tech observed.

"She's with who she belongs with. Let it go!" Crosshair called.

"Enough." Hunter ended.

"It's not like you loved her, either Hunter."

"Enough!"

Crosshair rolled his eyes, it tore him apart but the sooner she was gone the sooner they could move on. Echo watched in pain the distance that she put between them, wondering if she even cared that they were there. Hunter's throat went dry, he never voiced that he loves she didn't know she's uses the force so shouldn't she feel it? Wrecker was jealous, unabashedly jealous switching to taking droids out with his fist. Tech was happy that she was alive but it still didn't fix the hole in his chest because they found her on accident.

You stopped Cody and Wolffe, two bounty hunters appeared in front of you. You rested one hand on your hip letting it stick out a little with the yellow saber still ignited and the other pointed at the ground.

"Aren't you handsome," you said to the taller hunter, "and you.. well the things I would do to you," you said to the hunk of muscles that was obviously the main hunters partner, "so how much is the bounty? And who?"

"A couple thousand credits to bring you alive to your Masters old apprentice, now make it easy on us."

"Ventress," Wolffe sneered.

"Shame, I would have loved to take you boys home with me but I don't associate with people who take orders from her," You raised the hand with the red saber, the rage and anger boiling up as the power you wielded rose the two men into the air, a cynical smiling spreading while it suffocated them "Where ever are my manners," you said stepping forward to let your finger trail down their cheeks, "I am Death, and I will be the last person you see."

Their eyes were locked on you as their necks snapped and they went limp and you dropped them, "If she's going to send bounty hunters after me at least give me a challenge or come after me herself, how sloppy" you scoffed stepping over their bodies, finally on the front lines.

"I told you she's gone," Crosshair said still shooting.

"Reaper..." Cody said looking at the carnage and how easy it was

"What? It was quick."

"It was still harsh."

"War is ugly, get use to it," you said rushing forward, your sabers dragging behind as you pushed into the front lines.

You jumped your way through several groups of troopers using clankers as stepping stones towards the approaching modified destroyer droids you helped design with an amazing fatal flaw. Their heads.

"What the HELL, was that?" Echo yelled.

"I don't know," Hunter said looking down at the two dead bounty hunters.

"They were no longer useful?" Tech interjected with dry humor.

"She's became who Dooku wanted ," Wolffe said also looking down the two men.

"And I hope she's still in there.." Echo said looking back up.

You jumped down in herd of droids, spinning slicing through them like a small precise tornado. It was almost a single person dance.

"Looks like your having fun!" Cody said once he caught up.

"I'm finally starting to feel like some version of me."

"You are always you, but how in balance you want to be is up to you!" He said taking out the droid he noticed sneaking up.

You stared down at the red saber, it’s power "You're right," you clipped the red saber back on your belt, until you got your anger under control it was to much of a temptation.

"Welcome back" you heard the smile in Cody's voice.

"Thanks Commander!"

Knowing you were one saber short he backed your flank. Wolffe looked relieved when he caught up and saw the red gone. Thank the Maker he thought.

"We've been ordered to head back and let the boys and rest handle what little is left."

"Maybe she isn't as gone as you thought she was," Tech noticing the change in her fighting style and the bright red light was no where in sight as they made their way to them. He heard them say to join them "this is going to be fun," Tech muttered.

"So what trouble do you think you'll be in?" Cody asked once they got to where the ships were.

"None, any offense is pardoned already."

"Dutchess Death," you heard the transdoshan say coming out of the shadow with a grin.

"Finally a bounty hunter worth my time, how are you Slicer, you handsome lizard."

"Not here for-s a bounty, just here to say good-s luck but I will be seeing you soon and-s Count Dooku offers you one more present," he hissed, tossing a small bag at you before melting back into the shadows.

"Who the hell was that?" Wolffe asked lowering his blaster.

"Part of my mess," you opened the bag, inside was a small long range communicator with an ear piece and a data key and placed in your belt pocket.

Obi and Plo arrived with the squad behind them, "Impressive fighting," Obi said breaking the ice.

"Count Dooku may be a monster but he does know how to weld a blade, I do not like the man but I can appreciate talent when I see it," you peaked to see if the look on there faces changed but it didn't.

Wolffe tucked his helmet under his arm and so did Cody, “I think you should talk to Gregor when we get back," Wolffe said.

"At the end of the day, with whatever decisions you have to make you have to be able to live with them. Remember what I said earlier," Cody added.

"Thank you-"

"We are making a slight detour before heading back because I obviously forgot it was your birthday, perhaps a quick banquet?" Obi offered.

"Maybe just a stop at 79's for a shot? It’s already been an exciting day.”

"Very well then," Obi smiled, "We'll meet you there."

He took commander Cody and the rest of the his assault force in the ships and took off, you tried following Wolffe and Plo but got told to be with squad 99. They were still waiting you entered the ship without a word heading straight to your room, the masters saber and your other two were on the freshly made bed. The ship was eerily silent, there was an occasional footstep going past the door but no one entered. You sat on the floor and crossed your legs trying to mediate. Count Dooku taught you about using the strength of your rage and anger to fight but the other things you had to do haunted you. He was smart, wise and cunning but also one of the most cut throat and merciless person you've ever met and that’s what everyone saw you be. Duty comes first no matter what. You couldn't get yourself to focus and leaned your head against the mattress.

"Fark," you mumbled, your heading spinning.

A small quiet tap came from the other side of the door that you almost hit it besides the anxiety you could feel from the other side of the door.

"What is it?" You called your hands on your sabers quietly unclipping them.

"It's me," you heard Echo's voice, before he opened the door.

"Enter," you said flatly putting your saber back.

"Worried about Crosshair trying something?" He asked looking down the movement of my hands closing the door behind him.

"Any of you really," you admitted.

“Everyone is out there trying to figure out what to say-”

“If there wasn’t anything left to say when I left, there isn’t anything left to say now.”

“I still lo-“

“Don’t, I don’t need your pity. I just want to be alone,” harshness lathering across the words.

“Come home, please,” he felt like he was suffocating, “No matter what you did, your one of us. Remember that,” he left taking just a few steps away from the door before sliding down the wall sitting on the ground, he wasn’t an often an emotional man, but several cascaded out in silence. He knew everyone heard the exchange and no one had a word to say

“Where’s home?” Hunter heard you whisper.

Tech read each message, each one worse then the last. The plans for each attack that was carried out, ways to stop it and found the part where she left like she was no longer herself wondering if there was still a place for her in the galaxy and he stopped breathing. He didn’t realize the grip his hand on the datapad until it broke. He started breathing again, his leg shaking.

“You can stay here or have a drink. I don’t care,” you said as soon as you landed on Coruscant and the ramp was lowered.

“Apathy won’t help you heal-“

“It’s not apathy- it’s emptiness.”

“The generals got summoned for a briefing so your stuck with us until we leave,” Cody said once you arrived, getting you out of your head.

“I’ll drink ANYTHING except what ever we had last time,” Wolffe said remembering his own rules that he broke and the amount of sick he was after.

“I’ll take ten of whatever we had last time, I obviously didn’t have enough of it,” you laughed, it was short but not humorous and they noticed.

You sat at the bar for once, “strongest you got,” he started at you, usually the life of the party but saw the hollowed husky in your eyes.

“For you? A glass,” he said pouring the vile stuff into a medium glass.

“You can tell?” You asked.

“Everyone can.”

You looked at the liquid chugging half of it, making a gagging sound remembering how disgusting and how disgustingly strong it was. Cody started at you, worried, not a single joke or shamelessly flirting with some random brother or picking a fight.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, I made the same mistake of giving them the benefit of the doubt. I should have-“ Wolffe started.

“There’s a lot of things we should have done but now, it’s how we should move forward,” Cody the wise asked.

“I’m not sure there’s a forward for me,” you said taking another drink, “I wonder if it’s time to hang them up and retire somewhere.”

“Retire?” Wolffe asked.

“You should see my pardon list for this mission and then ask me that.”

“Reaper,” Wolffe said reaching out putting his hand on hour shoulder, “I did, I know you would never do such horrible things without cause, whatever was on that memory crystal was far to important.”

“Doesn’t make me feel better. Although that minor genocide charge was completely unfounded, that one plant ate children. If anything that was a public service,” the humor was dry but they still laughed which let you genuinely smile.

“I’m just glad your home.”

“What is up with everyone and that word home. No where is home,” you said starting to get mad finishing your drink, “I don’t need a home, I need three basic things, drinking, fighting and fucking.”

“Two out three isn’t bad,” Cody took a drink knowing where this was going, “Us clones don’t really have a home either, the closes thing we have is Kamino. We go ship to ship, place to place, battlefield to battlefield. Home is just as easily a feeling of being where you belong not just a place.”

“I definitely don’t have that either,” you said finishing the drink, “anymore,” your face puckered.

Cody got called over by a group a guys, he didn’t want to leave you alone but Wolffe gave him a little nod to go and figured this was about to be a personal moment with an idea about where it was going to go.

Wolffe scooted a little closer and put his hand on your leg, “You’ll always have a home with the 104th waiting and with me. I shouldn’t have let you go.”

“I learned a lot and I guess that’s what is eating at me.”

“It’s how you use what you learned that is important,” he said telling him no to another drink, “Well… you had two of the three things you need? I think we have time for the third.”

You stared at him the seriousness in the offer, “If I recall you didn’t want to cross that line again.”

“I shouldn’t have done a lot of things, but I can’t undo them but I can be at peace with them and try to fix what I did wrong,” he said staring at you waiting for a response.

“What did that datapad ever do to you?” Hunter laughed looking at it sputter on the floor, then the expression on Tech’s face, “You read the transmissions didn’t you?”

“Astute observation,” Tech gridded out with an eye roll picking up the datapad and putting in his bag grabbing another one switching over the luckily viable memory board.

“Tech-“

“Hunter, now is not the time. There is nothing I can do to fix what I did nor undo what happened because of it even though could have been prevented. Due to my clouded judgement, finding those should have been obvious. Crosshair might be right, maybe she should stay with them because I can’t focus on obvious.”

“You know why you can’t focus, the regret and guilt you try to hide. Do you really want to feel like this forever?” Hunter asked, hoping once again Tech would make the right decision.

You watch Wolffe whisper something in Cody’s ear receiving something between a scowl and a smirk, “Alright, alright. I’ll cover, go.”

It had been forever since Wolffe wrapped his fingers around yours, getting a couple howls from the boys watching. “Get it Commander,” both of you laughed, He smirked as you both walked he kept looking down your hand in his. That home is what home is, he wanted to say but not ruin it.

“What’s on your mind?” You asked feeling his busy thoughts.

“Trying to remember the last time,” he admitted.

“How about you focus on this time?” You winked pulling him into the hotel room you booked for the next two hours.

You kissed him, pulled back to look at him to see if their was any regret this time and there wasn’t. He pulled you back in, quickly peeling off your armor like a day hadn’t go by since he last did it and you took to undoing his. Your hands traced his blacks, feeling the crisp cut muscle underneath your heart pounding loud enough that your ears hurt.

“Are you sure?” You whispered barely able to hear yourself

“Yes.”

You stripped yourself of the blacks and he did the same, kissing you towards the bed. You tried push him down to be on top but he didn’t budge until you laid down. He kissed up your leg starting at the ankle stopping at the inner thigh and switched to the other one.

“Wolffe,” you let out as his mouth got closer to where you wanted it.

“Don’t rush me,” he mused, kissing up both of your hip bones, “or I’ll go slower,” he said kissing back down his mouth finding you.

“Oh… Maker” you moaned, his mouth remember the perfect spot.

A shiver shot down your body at being touched, you felt a drop of you suddenly leak out just for him to lap it up letting his tongue push against your entrance before going to stop. His tongue circling you with a slight pulse, your hands grabbed his hair no longer be to hear the moans over the sensation of him.

The pain in Wolffe’s cock was almost unbearable, it was trying to slowly pump itself into the bed to make the ache stop he locked himself tight to get it to stop. He’d almost forgotten what your arousal did to him, the taste of it causing a frenzy. He stroked the spot harder with his tongue watching your hips tremble as you about to come on his face. Wolffe didn’t miss a single drop that poured out the entrance he desperately wanted, letting his tongue explore the part it could reach enjoying your amazing taste. He pulled his tongue out and kissed your pretty pulsating clit. You looked down to see him grinning but you were barely conscious, the sensation had to be stronger then the ecstasy of spice.

“Aw, are you tapping out already,” he said moving up to see the pleasure across your face.

“Wolffe… put it in me right now, please,” you begged, head still reeling.

He couldn’t control himself anymore, every inch of his being screaming out to obey. He almost came right there in you, feeling your cushioned soaked walls grab ahold of him. “Maker you feel so good,” he moaned gently starting to stroke his cock with your pussy. You let your legs spread a little wider hoping he would get the idea and he did.

He rolled his hips faster into you. It felt like a fever dream that he was going to wake up from any second and you would be back with them, with him never getting a chance to say or show how he felt. He used that spite to go faster as he heard every plea escape your lips for him. Every stroke your walls tighten on him little by little trying to coax the orgasm out of him.

You moved your legs, locking his ankles down with yours, adjusting your hips so they would be more in line with him. He let out a groan so disgustingly hot that you knew it would be on your mind for the rest of the day. His strokes unintentionally matching the panting of your breaths for him. Every nerve in your body was on fire feeling the tip of his dick rub into the clot of nerves with his long but fast strokes. Your core tighten and your fingers dug into his muscular back, your heart physically feeling like it was shaking as your body wound tight getting ready to release. He growled as the tidal wave took you, causing you to clench around him and milked him into coming with with you.

“Crink,” his voice hoarse and the rest of his body still shuttering, he switched from being on his hands to his elbows resting his head on your chest trying to not squish you until the shaking stopped.

He pulled out of you careful, another moan escaping at the sensation and laid down gasping. Your hand down his held tight, your ears burning and grey spotting your visions. Wolffe was dizzy, his head reeling from the sensation but he managed to smile that the sensation hadn’t change meaning the connection between both of you was still there. He looked down to see a little cum coming out, “Still?” Before he could wipe it up your hand let go of his and swiped it up with your finger and stuck in your mouth, a moan escaping both of you.

“How about you put that cock in mouth so

I don’t miss a drop?”

“Maker,” he moaned putting his legs on side of you and pointy his still hard dick towards your mouth.

Your head still burned but you moved your head to where he could pump the load that was waiting to come out down your throat. It took a little coaxing to get him to start going but it didn’t take long to get the message. You wrapped your arm under his leg to play with his choobies to keep them from smack into your chin.

Wolffe’s knuckles were turning white from his tightly he was grabbing the head board as he used your mouth for his pleasure. He made the mistake of looking down, your lips wrapped down him, a little bit of saliva running out, and the desperation in your eyes for him to come. He exploded in the back of your throat mid thrust, your name spilling from his lips. You swallowed every dropped of the his warm creamy delicious cum. He stayed there until his felt cock finally start going soft before he rocked himself back on his heels feeling like his heart was going to give out. He notice arms still shaking clenching the head board, dropping them and they started tingling.

You both were gasping, but you removed your arm letting him collapse next to you. Even gasping both of your breaths falling into sync. It was silent but your mind was finally silent except for one gnawing thought. What or who were they doing in their free time tonight and for the last two months.

His hand once again slipped into yours, “Definitely a shower before we go,” he said kissing your neck deciding he still had a couple more left in him.

Tech listened to everything his eyes squeezed shut, he probably looked like a degenerate standing outside an occupied room but it felt like a stab in the heart it that froze him in place and almost made him bang on the door to get it to quit but noticed it finally went silent. He understood they left one of there own behind for two months and it was the deepest betrayal of everything they stood for but they never stopped looking or trying. Did it have to be with him? He quelled the anger rising, letting out one harsh breath. He was the most logical choice, it obviously had to be him. Admitting three little words when he saw her again could have prevented all of this because what he feared already happened anyway. He opened his eyes and left her to enjoy herself for the time being, she needed this and Wolffe probably as much as Tech probably needed her right now.

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buddierecs · 2 months

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jealous!eddie diaz buddie fics

all mature rating!!! make sure to kudos/comment on these amazing works :)

eddie diaz vs the pta agenda by: mmtion "really, eddie doesn’t care that the pta aren’t his biggest fan. he knows he misses too many meetings, and it’s not like he’s best friends with any of the other parents. it doesn’t affect christopher, so it doesn’t bother him. he’ll pay for the annual fundraising mugs and consider his duty done. but then buck picks christopher up from a class trip and it all goes to hell. like, of course buck is everyone’s dream guy. he’s responsible with kids, and kind, and funny and interesting and hot to touch. that’s obvious. but now eddie’s fighting to keep the pta moms, teachers, and dads, all off an unsuspecting and tempting buck. because eddie is a good friend. right?" word count: 19k important tags: idiots in love, oblivious!eddie diaz ripples all the way down by: iriswests "christopher partakes in some parent trapping" word count: 57k important tags: jealous!evan buckley, slow burn, miscommunication, happy ending a thousand ways to say i hate you by: morganofthefairies "five times eddie buys taylor fuck-you flowers, and one time he doesn't need to" word count: 8k important tags: 5+1 things, petty!eddie diaz, double dates, eddie/ana, buck/taylor, ana flores bashing, pining, ableism let me roll it to you by: woodchoc_magnum "in which eddie starts dating ana and buck starts dating around; eddie does not cope that well with change, buck is oblivious and everyone else thinks they're a pair of idiots." word count: 22k important tags: idiots in love, mutual pining, angst, humor, worried firefam i'm not the guy you're taking home by: woodchoc_magnum "in which buck discovers the wonders of bisexuality and eddie spends the entire fic pining for him in a big bad way." word count: 63k important tags: pining, oblivious!evan buckley, friends with benefits, team as family, coming out, angst, getting together did you know that my dreams, they're all the same by: sourwolfseblaine "tk visits los angeles to forget about his break up with carlos, buck needs to forget about his painful (what he thinks is unrequited) feelings for eddie. buck thought him and tk becoming rebound buddies would solve their problem, at least for one night, but it only makes it more complicated for him." word count: 7k important tags: 911 lone star, rebounds, pining, first kiss, love confessions, getting together, light angst this is josh, what's your emergency? by: eightpackdiaz "josh knew eddie was into buck way before eddie realised it himself" word count: 6.2k important tags: eddie & josh friendship, gay disaster!eddie diaz, getting together, feelings realisation, kissing eddie diaz vs garfield the cat by: sonayesul "buck brings home a cat one day and he and christopher love her. however, eddie doesn't and swears the cat is trying to steal buck from him." word count: 4k important tags: established relationship, crack, fluff, mild hurt/comfort, domestic fluff traded by: princessfbi "eddie wasn't trying to go viral. he just wanted to trade his jersey. but then something called booktok got involved." word count: 23k important tags: hocky au, bartender!eddie diaz, hockey player!evan buckley, social media, protective!eddie diaz, possessive!eddie diaz, mutual pining, getting together in my heart i wanted more by: woodchoc_magnum "set post-season 5, Episode 4 and 5 - in which buck and taylor's relationship is slowly crumbling, eddie has some big realisations about his sexuality, and true feelings are revealed." word count: 47k important tags: faling in love, getting together, team as family, mutual pining, protective!eddie diaz, panic attacks, first kiss let me fix it for you by: smilingbuckley "5 times eddie fixes or builds something for buck + 1 time buck thanks him for it (... sort of)" word count: 10k important tags: 5+1 things, getting together, eventual smut, mutual pining, fluff, idiots in love

#buck x eddie #buck x eddie fic #eddie diaz #evan buckley #buddie fic #911 abc #buddie fics #911 show #911 fandom #buddie fic rec #evan buck buckley #buddie fanfic #buddie fluff #buddie recommendations #buddie recs #911 fic rec #buck x eddie fanfics

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violetrainbow412-blog · 2 years

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A couple of curious cousins [E. M]

Eddie Munson x Tozier!reader

Warnings: Eddie has scars (and he's fucking sexy) ptsd basically on everyone's part, mention of death, a bit of angst, both sets of friends are so cute and I think that's all

word count: 8k

A/N: first, I need to apologize because I haven't touched tumblr in MONTHS. college and work were (one of them still) killing me, and for emotional reasons I just couldn't write. But during this period I watched both chapters of IT and thought, why not a crossover? There's a bit (just a pinch) of Blyer and Reddie in here, but I tried to keep it all focused on Ed. I hope you like this, it's obviously a crazy invention that I don't quite like but I'd rather it not end up in the trash Thanks for reading, tell me your opinion in a comment if you want<3

“Do you want to go to the movies next week? There's going to be a movie about robots and stuff coming out,” Lucas suggested, looking around at all of his friends.

A year had passed since the horrific events of the near destruction of Hawkins and the party were just adjusting to normal life again. Of all of them, perhaps the most affected (physically) was Max, since she still had a limp on one leg and needed glasses to see well, but with everyone's support, she had coped. The emotional aftermath, on the other hand, had hit everyone equally. Some still had nightmares and scars, but luckily no one had died. That was too much to say.

So now that they had finally gotten used to a slower pace of life and the emotional barriers between the group had broken down, they had all decided to go to the lake for a while to rest and celebrate the end of another school year. They were sitting on soft blankets, eating sandwiches Joyce had made for them and sent with her son.

"I can't, I'll have visitors," Mike snorted. Now that he and Eleven had decided to take a break from their relationship, his friendship with Will had grown stronger, even to the point of asking for an apology for all the times he had been a jerk to him. It really had been a year of ups and downs and many things had changed. They had done it themselves.

"What kind of visits?" Dustin asked, raising his eyebrows curiously.

"My cousins. They're from Maine and Mom invited them to spend a few weeks here, but I think they'll bring some friends and stuff. I don't know, I just know that there will be tremendously hateful people in my house and I'm already suffering because of that,” the black-haired man complained.

“Maybe it's not so bad,” Will said, shrugging, always trying to find the best part of everything.

"It will be, Richie is the worst you can imagine and surely his friends will be the same" he snorted, while the others laughed a little. Everyone knew that Mike was the biggest complainer in the group.

“And will you introduce them to us?” questioned Lucas, who was sitting next to Max and sharing a bag of chips with her “We'll be bored as hell this summer, even if they're obnoxious I want to meet them. Maybe there's even a pretty girl."

"That she probably won't listen to you," Max sneered, knowing that Lucas was only saying it to annoy her.

"Maybe we can make some new friends," Eleven murmured, as soft and kind as ever.

"That's a good idea, they might even like dungeons and dragons" added Will and followed by a general groan.

"If you want to talk for hours about nerdy things, you have Eddie," Dustin said with amusement.

"I'm kidding, calm down" clarified the young man. Will had also changed, in many ways, for now that the threats of the Upside down were gone (at least for a while) he was more relaxed and cheerful. Plus, he had finally grown his hair out and gotten a cut that Mike had suggested which definitely flattered him.

They continued to talk about more trivial matters, and the matter of the visit to the Wheeler house was almost forgotten. That was until a couple of days later Mike gave the fateful news that people were already installed in his house.

“The boy brought half of his classmates! I swear, they're like 6 and they're all chaotic” he complained to the Byers-Hopper siblings, who eventually told someone else until the whole world found out. Including the older ones in the group, who were already laughing about it.

"More kids to look after, huh, Harrington?" Eddie had said when he found out, while he was at it he had played Family video on his break at the auto shop to steal some of his friends' lunch.

"I truly believe that life is sending you those children you love so much through teenagers," Rob added, enjoying teasing his best friend who was stacking the movies.

The appearance of so many teenagers in the place hadn’t gone beyond jokes and teasing until Joyce and Hopper finally decided to organize a meeting in their cabin to which they clearly invited outsiders. After all, it was summer, what else were they going to do if not eat hamburgers and enjoy the outdoors?

"Do you bring the sodas?" Steve asked into the car; in the passenger seat was Dustin and in the back were Robin, Vickie, and Eddie respectively. Most people were already in the place and the sound of laughter and scandal reached where they were.

Between Eddie and Dustin, they loaded the bottles (because Steve didn't want to arrive empty-handed) but no one had time to say anything as a scream filled the air.

"Eddie!" they listened, which caused them to jump in place. It was a girl approaching them with a murderous look.

"Now what did you do?" Dustin said in a worried whisper.

"Nothing" answered the long-haired one almost immediately, but the way she was walking made him hesitate for a second. The five looked expectantly at the scene, imagining that the woman would slap the aforementioned or something like that, but when the time came, nothing like that happened. She only softened her features to look up and down at the man she had just noticed, incredibly attractive, by the way, while changing the angry scowl for an embarrassed smile.

"Huh, excuse me," you said politely, glancing quickly at the rest of the people who already had curious eyes on you. As soon as he moved out of the way and you took a couple of steps, you yelled again “Eddie! If you don't come right now, it's going to be very bad for you!”

"I'm here!" someone muttered out of who knows where. He was a skinny boy with black hair “My God, I just went for a walk. Just relax"

“It's not funny, Eddie. If you die on this trip, your mom will kill me” you exclaimed. They were still standing nearby, too curious to move, and saw a boy who looked like Mike Wheeler walk up to you.

"Stop being a neurotic bitch, he's fine"

“Call me a bitch again and I'm going to slam your myopic face into the ground,” you growled, pointing a finger at him. It was obvious that the discussion wasn't a matter that needed an audience, but for them it was very entertaining "Go back there, we must not be rude to our hosts" you scolded them, while you pushed them with both hands and the two teenagers walked awkwardly win.

Once you finished your look went over to the group of people who had been watching you and they were suddenly very embarrassed, as were you that they had seen your mommy act.

"We should go in," Vickie said quickly, always being the most cautious, but you came over a second later.

"I'm sorry you heard that, those children are sometimes a nightmare" you apologized "And it's hard to take care that they don't break something"

"We completely understand you" laughed one of them, whose name you didn't know, but he seemed very friendly "My name is Steve"

“I think I know you” you exclaimed with a smile, because after hearing the name you knew it was the boy who was once the Wheeler’s son-in-law “I'm, huh… Nancy's cousin. My name is Y/N”

"Nice to meet you. These are Rob, Vickie, Dustin, and…”

“Eddie” he was quick to say “I almost had a heart attack when you yelled my name” he laughed and you widened your eyes.

“God, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you” you replied embarrassed. You would be lying if you said that the boy wasn’t the most beautiful for you and that is why you wanted to make a good impression. Apparently, you've already failed at that.

You couldn't help but look at them all. Dress up Nancy's ex-boyfriend in a colorful print shirt, the red-haired woman wearing a nice dress and hat, the girl next to her wearing khaki overalls over a green shirt, and the little one wearing shorts with a shirt that surely also belonged to Steve. But obviously, the one you turned your attention to the most was the brunette dressed in a dark shirt from a group that was probably metal with scars scattered on the side of his neck, part of his cheek, and one of his arms, with beautiful brown eyes. Three seconds had passed and you already wanted to know everything about him.

"It was nothing," he exclaimed nonchalantly.

“Are you going to enter? Honestly I'm a little hungry” said the curly-haired man, and more than a claim, this was heard as a joke.

The six of you walked in silence to the door where you had entered earlier and suddenly noticed the chaos inside. The rumors were true and there were at least 6 extra people concerning the usual meetings. With a quick glance, they realized that there was now another redhead talking animatedly to Eleven, who if they hadn't known could have sworn she was Max's long-lost sister. There was a chubby and shy boy sitting near them who also joined in the talk from time to time, with whom they seemed very comfortable. Will was sitting next to the copy of Mike with a goofy smile at the apparent joke the young man with glasses was telling him and the one they knew was called Eddie was just rolling his eyes next to them, not very convinced that he was funny enough. Further on, a tall curly-haired young man, a straight-haired one, and Mike were talking, while Lucas and another boy just like him were sharing a friendly conversation. It was a most interesting sight, to tell the truth.

"Who brought the whole kindergarten?" Eddie asked without thinking and he froze when he heard you laugh next to him.

“The frog-face with glasses,” you said pointing to a young man “He is my brother and he insisted that it would be fun for his friends to know more than just our little town” you replied with a soft laugh “But the 17-hour road trip was anything but fun for me”

"Guys!" Nancy greeted everyone, followed by who you had learned was her current boyfriend; Jonathan “I see you already met Y/N”

"An embarrassing accident" you joked, making a funny face. Eddie paid you a little more attention and was able to notice the slight resemblance you had with Nancy and at the same time with the dark-haired man with glasses sitting on the couch. You were pretty, that's for sure.

"You want to eat? Hopper is preparing meat on the patio and Joyce is in the kitchen” she exclaimed cordially. As for the adults, there was only the two of them and the Wheelers and for some reason also Murray Bauman, but they were enough to prepare food that looked delicious.

Everyone parted ways with their own favorites and the wave of greetings and introductions began, so you decided to stay put to avoid trouble, but you weren't the only one with that idea.

"So... you drove 17 hours here?" the curly-haired one asked to break the ice. So far he hadn’t seen your parents and that assumption was the one that seemed most logical to him.

“Could you believe it? I learned to drive a few years ago and my dad decided it was a good idea to take advantage of it one more time” you snorted.

"Where are you from?"

“Derry, it's in Maine” you explained “It's like here, but with more paranormal shit”

Oh, if you knew everything that had happened, Eddie highly doubted you would really think Derry fit those bills.

"Like ghosts and stuff?"

“I would say monsters” you continued. Eddie thought you were joking and just laughed, not realizing that Derry had as interesting a story as Hawkins itself.

As if your minds were connected you looked at a vacant chair and with a silent agreement you walked over to sit down.

"They look a lot alike. Your brother and Wheeler, I mean," Eddie observed.

"Our moms were sisters, I think their genes predominated" you laughed. He couldn't help but notice that you said they were instead of they are.

"And she didn't come?"

“I don't think she can come anymore. She is dead”

"Oh," the boy sighed. He must have imagined it and felt bad for asking such a reckless question "I'm so sorry."

“It's fine, it was a year ago already. Dad's been kind of depressed ever since and we haven't had a great time either, so she sent us here for a few weeks. You know, to distract us” you explained to him. Apparently you were telling him too much about your life but it wasn't like that; you were skipping the part where your mother was killed by a monstrous clown-clad creature that had preyed on you and the children “And I think it will work, I've had a lot of fun so far and met a lot of people. The only thing I could complain about is that it's fucking hot here” you exclaimed to lighten the mood, separating the already sweat-stained fabric from your body.

Eddie's attention dropped to your chest and the ridiculously revealing shirt you wore, which revealed your bare shoulders and part of your torso. The shorts didn't help his prying eyes too much either.

"It's summer, you can't ask too much of us"

"Aren't you hot with that hair?" you asked, reaching out to playfully pick up a curl near his cheek. It was a vacation in a town where you didn't know anyone, and there was a handsome man in front of you, of course you were going to flirt without shame.

"I don’t know, am I?” he joked, making you smile “Sometimes. But it's part of a metalhead's commitment,”

"I guess your shirt belongs to some band"

"Don't you know Judas Priest?" he asked and you gently shook your head. "So what kind of music do you listen to?"

"I like Madonna and Elton John" you shrugged and he made a face "Is there a problem with that?"

“Not my favorites, more Buckley or Stevie style,” he muttered, nodding at the two friends of his. Your eyes couldn't help but look at the scars on the boy's face and neck, thinking about what would have been so bad to leave that mark. Unfortunately, he noticed "They are ugly, right?"

"No, not at all" you quickly explained, embarrassment painting your face "I was just curious, sorry if I made you uncomfortable"

"You didn't," he assured you. The truth was that he was still trying to deal with the matter of his self-esteem after his visit and near death in the Upside down, but it was always easier for someone who had never seen him before to get used to the marks "They were made by some bats from another dimension, could you believe it?” he confessed to you, but by the laugh you let out he knew that you hadn’t believed him. Maybe it was easier that way, being transparent with someone who didn't take him seriously.

"Y/N" someone near you exclaimed. It was Bill, trying not to stutter, “Can we go into the woods for a walk?”

“What do you ask him for? She's not your mom, let's just go!" Richie complained from afar, but the truth was that everyone present except him was waiting for your permission.

"You guys be careful, if something happens come back right away, okay?" you said and they nodded. You saw at least 10 teenagers leave the place laughing and murmuring and suddenly the place felt awfully empty, but luckily the spaces near you were filled by Nancy and her friends. Everyone was very nice and even the adults got in on the chat. It was clear that everyone there had a great unity and, although at first you felt out of place, seeing them talk to each other pleasantly warmed your chest. Most of the questions went to you, of course, for being the only one who didn't live in Hawkins. About where you and the kids studied, what the town was like, what each of your friends was like, childhood memories, and even Eddie asked if you had a boyfriend, with the most shameless smile of all, which only grew when you said no.

You learned a lot from them, about how the Byers and the Hoppers were now one family, about the kids' problems, their hobbies, personal information about everyone present your age, each other's jobs, and God only knows how many things.

You had never chatted so much in a single afternoon and even your aunt Karen let you share a few beers with your new friends, even though everyone there had consumed and drunk worse things, and you were so happy that when you least expected it all the children were already back. When they entered it seemed as if they had been a single group all their lives.

"Did you see how Stanley jumped when we found that bug?"

"You shut up Richie, you were scared by a frog"

"You're good at climbing trees, Lucas!"

"Oh, Will, I'm so tired."

“So you once got into a drain? That's fucking disgusting!"

Those were some of the phrases that you managed to register within the conversations, since everyone spoke at the same time and with a fairly high volume.

"Did you guys have fun?" Joyce asked with a smile, reaching out to hug her son from the side, who nodded from her place. Both she and her husband looked happy that the boy had a smile and after everything they had told you, you were also a little happy. They didn't tell you the full story, for obvious reasons, they just told you that Will had had a very bad few years due to multiple illnesses and family problems.

"I think we are abusing your hospitality Joyce, we have to go now" Karen murmured, as she noticed that the night had already fallen on the town. She worried you about how you would get home in a couple of cars, even though the people who were there were exactly the same as the ones who had arrived.

Both women exchanged a few words and hugged each other goodbye, while you took a look at your brother and his friends.

"Losers" you called them, more as a kind of endearment than really a tease "It's time to go"

You heard a collective groan and tried to suppress a smile as you turned the other way, but a second later you collided with a warm body that held you up to prevent you from falling.

"Careful," he laughed, looking down at you. His hands were on your elbows and felt callused against your skin. The contact didn't last more than a few seconds and then he looked at his younger friends "It's time to go too, Steve will take you first" he informed them. Most got up and walked towards the exit as they said their goodbyes.

You and Eddie stood facing each other in a moment of comfortable silence, and then you smiled at each other.

"I guess I'll see you around, huh?"

"I'm free the day you want"

"Are you this forward with all the girls?"

"I'm just being nice" he replied with a shrug "If you want to walk around town or have a good time, just look me up"

With such a cute face and such a charming attitude, of course you were going to do it.

Your days at Hawkins are over and as promised, you had hung out with Eddie Munson on more than one occasion.

It seemed as if he was stalking you, because when you went out somewhere he was magically walking around. Whether it was shopping, going to the park, or walking around the city; he was there. The truth seemed creepy to you at first, but he swore with his soul that it was all about coincidences, the same version that you ended up believing and accepting.

Your brother and the children were having a great time, as there was always something they could do. Even the ones you thought would have the most trouble fitting in, like Beverly, Ben, or Stanley, were quickly making friends.

One night someone called the Wheelers' house and you were surprised when they said it was a call for you. Who was going to call you? Your first thought landed on your father, but you were surprised to hear not his raspy voice but a softer one on the phone.

“I just wanted to know what you were doing. I was bored” Eddie had told you, in a lame excuse. You answered and from that, you had a conversation that took all afternoon. It had been something new for you, because most of the time talking on the phone was something that was very uncomfortable for you, and that was repeated more than once.

In the end, there were so many calls that Nancy was merciful to you and she gave you her old landline phone to put in the room you were staying in so you could talk to Eddie more freely. All the kids, including Mike, were staying in the basement, and once you caught them eavesdropping on your conversation, infinitely grateful that he hadn't thought to flirt in some way.

Because he was very flirtatious, too much for your taste, but it always seemed to come naturally. As if Eddie behaved like this with everyone or was a second language. You were comforted (and let's be honest, also disappointed) a little bit that the way he talked to you was the same as his friend Steve or his friend Robin or even Nancy and Jonathan. But there was something about the way he looked at you that was different. He made you feel nervous and even unprotected, always with those big bright brown eyes following your steps. But part of you liked the attention and having him hover around you waiting for you to say literally anything to smile at you.

The absence of your father and the fact that your little brother was busy almost all day made you feel confident to play along with the curly and unruly hair, something that you had not allowed yourself too much in recent years. You'd had a few boyfriends, but the Derry disappearances, the murders, and having to babysit a group of teenagers had robbed you of an enviable love life. So even though this wasn't someone you'd go so far as to marry, for example, this thing you had with Eddie was interesting. And with any luck, you might even get a kiss or two.

A blow in the distance made you jump and you suddenly became aware of where you were. A new bowling alley had opened and your aunt suggested you go check it out, so the whole gang had gotten together to go.

The weeks you had spent in Hawkins were enough for a friendship to form between both groups of teenagers and that was why they were having so much fun, but frankly you were starting to get bored.

“Hey, beauty,” said a voice next to you that made you jump. It was Eddie, of course, who looked freshly showered and smelled of intoxicating cologne that made you want to bury your head in his neck. You felt a little embarrassed about the clothes you were wearing, because it was literally the first thing you found thrown in your suitcase "How you doing?"

"Eddie" you pronounced softly, a smile automatically spreading across your face "what are you doing here?"

“Heard you were coming so I thought I'd stop by to say hi,” he mumbled, pretending it wasn't a big deal “Do you want to go out with me, or are you having too much fun to leave it?”

"I could die of joy" you replied sarcastically. The idea of being alone with him was great but you still didn't want to leave the kids alone. He felt wrong and if something happened to them you couldn't live with the guilt so you barely had time to think about it before he spoke again.

“In that case, there's a nice place on the shores to talk and stuff, so I thought maybe you'd like to go with me. We can buy things to eat and drink, but you don't have to go if you don't want to,” he said, speaking a little softer at the last part.

"But what about the children?"

"What is going on with them?"

"I don't want to leave them here"

"They'll be fine," he said, completely unconcerned "Let's talk to them, okay?" Eddie got up from his place and took your hand to get you up too, guiding you to where the others were. When Max noticed Eddie he smiled and she was the first one he approached "Hello, Red" he greeted her kindly. Nearby were Eleven and Beverly, who also leaned in to hear him "Listen, I want to take this lady for a walk with me, but for that, I need someone to watch the bunch of fools that are playing right there" He pointed at the men, with one of their ringed fingers, who were arguing heatedly over a point on the board. "Would you guys be so kind as to help us with that?" he asked and the three girls nodded. Eddie seemed to have an effect not only on you, but on your younger peers as well. Both he and Steve could ask them for any favor and they would be delighted to do so "You are angels, thank you"

"But can I hit them if they disobey me?" Max asked, causing Eddie to burst out laughing.

"Just a little, okay?"

"Boys!" you called them and all the mentioned ones looked in your direction "I have to go to a place; the girls stay in charge"

"What?! Why them?” Richie complained.

“Because I want you to make it to the end of the night alive” you replied without thinking and a shiver ran through you. Richie was a hateful thing most of the time, but you couldn't imagine your life if something happened to him. "You guys just be nice and call my Aunt Karen if you need anything, okay?" They all nodded and you'd swear you heard Richie blurt out an indecent comment, but you didn't pay attention to it. You looked for a pay phone and Eddie lent you a coin so you could call home. No one answered and even though you tried again, it stayed the same. They were probably out for dinner or just spending time away from their guests.

You got into Eddie's van in silence and he asked if you wanted to listen to anything in particular, but when he heard you say no, he decided to put on a rock cassette he had lying around.

"So…" he began, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, his gaze on the road and seeing him so focused made you feel strangely drawn, "Shall we stop at a grocery store?"

You didn't buy much, just a bag of chips and drinks for both of you: a beer and a strawberry soda.

“I like your chain” you murmured at some point during the trip. Whenever you were with him his neck was a point of attention and therefore anything that was in it, today was a silver chain.

“A present from my uncle, a long time ago.” He smiled. “We know a guy in Indiana who sells all kinds of silver stuff and I sometimes shop there. They are expensive, but at least they don't stain your skin and they are quite durable” he explained. The young man's ability to create a conversation from anything was surprising "The only disadvantage is that if one day I became a vampire, I would never be able to use them again"

"Oh yes, that's the most common" you replied sarcastically, followed by a laugh "Are you really worried about becoming a vampire?"

"You never know," he simply replied, shrugging. He stopped near a park that was nearly empty at this hour. The lighting was dim and the benches looked rusty, with grass growing sloppily under them. Eddie came downstairs without saying anything and at first you thought he was being rude, but then you saw him appear from your side to open the door and you smiled with pleasure.

As soon as you sat down on the bench, the intention that Eddie had when taking you there crossed your mind; a place almost in darkness, secluded, silent and wide… maybe it was just trying to get between your pants. And it wasn't like it bothered you, you just felt slightly disappointed that he was being so nice with that sole intention. But as you two talked, you discovered that maybe you were misunderstanding and what he wanted was just that: to talk and that's it.

"So you play the guitar?" you asked after he made the mention of his band. The fries were gone and you two were relaxing, and he nodded to your question "And you're good at it?"

"I can't judge myself, to say yes would be presumptuous and to say no would be foolish," he argued, with an amused grin.

"You have very pretty lips," you said without thinking. His eyes widened and when he looked at you, you noticed that his cheeks had flushed. Your comment had taken him off guard and even you felt embarrassed, which you tried to mask with a laugh.

"Regularly when someone is looking at my lips it's because they want to kiss me" you wanted to answer that it wasn't like that, but when he gently bit his lower lip your eyes went there and the words got stuck in your throat. Once your gaze met his, you caught a glimpse of a peculiar mischievous glow and swore he was going to kiss you right then. But it was you who walked away when your eyes caught the scarlet glow of a balloon floating behind Eddie.

You were paralyzed with fear at that simple appearance and the feeling only intensified when you noticed a red-haired figure who was dressed in white and was hiding in the bushes. It was grinning at you ghoulishly and you felt like you were going to throw up when he raised his gloved hand to show you something. It looked like a piece of cloth with black and white figures that were smeared with red all over. It took you barely a second to realize what it was; it was Richie's shirt.

“No…” you said, your voice breaking. Eddie was surprised by your change in attitude, especially when you got up from the bench and your face turned pale.

“Hey, what's up? Did I misunderstand something?” he asked with concern.

But you couldn't speak, you couldn't move: you were completely paralyzed with fear. So many memories had suddenly come to him that it was nauseating. You even swore to smell the iron in the blood, as if you were the one who was hurt.

“We have to…we have to go,” you stuttered, staring into the bushes expecting the bloody clown to jump at any second.

He tried to follow your gaze but at that very moment, the lights above your heads flickered in uneven patterns, which made Eddie tense. Many questions crossed his mind: Had you seen something that he didn't? Was Vecna haunting the town again? And you, seeing him so nervous, also wondered if he had finally noticed the horrible clown that was a few meters from you.

"Let's get out of here," he said, giving no room for complaint or question. Eddie took your hand while still looking in the direction of the lights and you let him drag you away while you stared into the bushes where there now seemed to be nothing.

You got into the van in record time and once inside you felt that the air was beginning to fail you. In your head there was only Richie's name repeating itself over and over again, filled with despair by the image you had witnessed. You were sure that this was his shirt, precisely the one he had put on that day.

Eddie, on the other hand, wasn't as upset as you were, but the flickering of the lamps had brought back unpleasant memories. And that signal made him think that you had seen something; how was he going to explain to you what it was about? Sometimes even he didn't understand.

The man drove a few meters to the road and when he took a look at you, he noticed that his hands were shaking. He expected you to ask questions or say anything, maybe a startled comment about how you just saw a six-foot monster rolling around, but when you finally looked at him you only sobbed a few words.

"I need to find my brother, please"

He asked you if you were okay and asked what had happened there, getting no response other than something along the lines of “take me to Richie” or “I need to see my brother”.

The road was faster than last time and you asked him to go directly to the Wheelers' house, since you had probably taken so long that they were already there. Or at least that's what you hoped.

You got out of the car as soon as he parked, stumbling a bit in your haste, and walked across the porch with Eddie following you by just a few steps. When you arrived, you knocked on the door insistently, feeling the adrenaline rushing through your body and the beating of your heart completely accelerated. It was Mike who opened the door for you, a confused expression on his face.

“Y/N?”

"And Richie?" you asked bluntly, but instead of waiting for an answer you pushed your cousin aside and walked down the hall. You could hear the laughter of the young people, probably from the room, and you expected to find him there. But upon arrival, a quick scan was enough to realize that he wasn’t there.

"Something happened?" murmured Ben, who was one of the most perceptive in the group, noticing your pale face.

"Where's Richie?" you exhaled, feeling suddenly dizzy and tears stinging your eyes. It wasn’t difficult to think why you had that question and this put everyone on alert, even those who did not know your situation. When Eddie reached your side, his gaze went directly to Jane.

“The lights… it happened again”

"Will," she said almost immediately, her eyes reflecting the same panic as you. Everyone almost jumped to their feet, each group understanding their own bizarre situation, and you started scouring the house looking for the two boys.

Your breathing began to be erratic and you had to hold on to the wall to keep from falling. Eddie, noticing this, walked over to you and grabbed you by the elbows.

"Are you okay? What's going on?" he said, genuinely worried about you. One of his hands went up to your face to force you to look at him and somehow seeing his big, brown, frightened eyes made you feel back in the real world.

You wanted to tell him everything. You wanted to tell him about your mother, about the clown, about the terrible disappearances, and about the panic that caused you to think that this thing had probably come back and taken your little brother. Even if he didn't understand a word, you just wanted to let it go.

"I found them!" someone yelled and your feet moved on their own in that direction. You were expecting the worst, but when you arrived you found your brother stuck in a kind of closet with a cigarette in his hand and Will Byers in front of him.

"What the hell, man?" Richie said, rather annoyed at the interruption. You pulled him by the arm to get him out of the closet and when you looked him up and down Richie thought you were going to give him the worst scolding of his life, but instead he felt you pull him towards you and hug him. Honestly, he preferred the scolding “What are you doing? Let me go!" he whimpered. You breathed properly for the first time and with your hands you looked for some kind of wound, but you found nothing. You took a moment to bask in relief that he was safe and sound, but as soon as this moment was over you pulled away and yanked hard on his ear, only making him complain more.

“Are you an idiot, are you? I thought something had happened to you! I… I… I thought you were dead” you exclaimed in a sob. You didn't mean to cry, but you were already doing it.

"Why should I be?" he said as a first reaction, not really understanding your point, it wasn't until you whispered a soft 'I saw it' that his face turned pale and his lips exhaled an expression of understanding.

"Wait a minute, are you smoking?" Mike said, glaring red-cheeked with anger at Will. That brought you back to reality and you observed the cigarette, as well as the smell that your brother emanated.

“Oh, you are so dead, Tozier” you exclaimed without thinking, but instantly you covered your mouth with a hand “No, no… I don't mean that. I'm so sorry. I love you” you completed immediately, with a sweeter voice, and then gave him another hug and a quick kiss on the forehead. But just as the sweetness came, that's how fast it left, because you pulled the dark-haired man by the arm and ripped the cigarette out of his hand to put it out on the floor "If I see you doing that shit again, it's going to be very bad for you, and I also don't want you to be perverting other people so that they accompany you in your idiocies”

"But we were just chatting!" he defended himself. He looked at his friend for a second and then he looked at Eddie (the young one, of course) who looked really upset, with the same look that Mike was giving your brother, while Will was just flushed with embarrassment. You didn't know what was going on between those four, but you were too busy lecturing the guy with glasses to really think about it.

At some point, the groups parted noticeably and when they approached to check on you, you spoke in whispers, explaining that the sight of Derry's favorite killer clown had probably just been your paranoia. Eddie, for his part, was talking the same way to the youngsters, muttering things about the state you'd put yourself in and how likely it was due to the sight of some creature from the upside down.

In the end, you sent all the children to sleep, and from that point on you didn't know what happened to them, because you just stood in the corridor with a pain well installed in the back of your neck and a sudden tiredness.

"You okay?" you heard behind you. You had forgotten about Eddie, about your date with him, and about how you almost kissed him, all because of the terror of imagining that Richie was dead.

“Oh, yeah,” you said turning around. He was watching you with tender, careful eyes and there was a silent question in the air. You decided to close the distance and let his arms wrap around you warmly "I'm… I’m sorry about all that"

"Don't apologize" he replied and although he didn't ask for an explanation, you decided to offer it.

“It's just… my mom died in a horrible way and we all witnessed it. Since then we have been very afraid that this will happen again and I think that… the fatigue and the heat and all the change of environment affected me and I thought I saw something that was not there. That's why I needed to get there so fast, I was afraid that… you know” you sighed, not daring to say it. There was silence for a moment and to try to eliminate the discomfort you spoke again "Sorry if I scared you"

"No, you didn't" he was quick to say "I was just thinking that something similar happened to me and my friends a long time ago and... well, sometimes we can see crazy things, right?" he tried to cheer you up. The truth is that it wasn't very good, but it was enough for you to feel that he wasn't judging you “What I'm trying to say is that I understand you in a way and it's okay what happened, we both care about our brothers. Well, your brother and my children” he laughed. The natural and paternal way in which he referred to the young people touched you.

You separated to look at him and one of your hands reached almost by itself to his cheek, the one where he had the scar. Your index finger trailed along the edge of it and there was something about that caress that felt too intimate for Eddie like you were two longtime lovers sharing a routine moment.

“Sorry for ruining our date”

"Was that a date?" he said, more meant to joke than to make fun of you. You felt silly for a second, until you heard him laugh "I didn't know you liked me so much"

"I thought that meant pulling me out of the bowling alley for snacks and taking me to a point in the middle of nowhere just to stare at my lips while I talked," you said, trying to sound as confident as possible so he wouldn't notice that you were a mess inside.

"Sorry? You were the one who said I had pretty lips. If anyone here was dying for a kiss, it was you” he smiled. Suddenly your face was hot and the air around you felt heavier, as if all the tension you had hours ago had returned in a heartbeat. You didn't realize it, but your lips parted to release a sigh and Eddie swallowed, completely nervous.

The next thing was the obvious: your lips and his coming together in long-awaited contact. It started slow and careful, but it didn't take long for the bites and tongues to kick in. You wish you were thinking a little more like an adult instead of making out passionately with a guy you barely knew in the middle of the hallway at your aunt and uncle's house, but the truth was that having someone like Eddie around you could barely form a coherent thought connection. His hand hovered carefully on the edge of your waist, almost reaching your breast but not really touching it, while your hand had already left his cheek and flown to his silky hair thanks to the styling cream he had put on before seeing you and, to be honest, you probably would have kept kissing him for quite a while if it hadn't been for the sound of the front door opening.

"My aunt,” you said, breathing hard and with a nervous smile "Come, hide" you exclaimed, taking his hand to drag him to the room you shared with Nancy. She was sleeping with Jonathan that day and you felt the situation couldn't be more perfect. It wasn't like you wanted to get into anything more with Eddie, you just… didn't want to stop having him around.

“I'll climb out the window,” he muttered, immediately grasping (from his logic) where this was going. More than once he'd had to sneak out of someone's house and right now it didn't seem to bother him.

“I was thinking maybe you could stay,” you said quickly, before you lost the courage to do so “It's late and… I just thought we could spend the night together. Like… maybe… just sleep,” you explained, hoping he didn't think you were suggesting something else. Your intentions were sincere, you just wanted to be with him a little longer.

"Will you bear my talking in the night?" he said playfully, giving an implied response to your invitation. You managed to get into your pajamas in record time and he only got rid of the most uncomfortable things from his outfit before falling into bed with you. Both of you were staring at the ceiling, giving you a sidelong glance. "Is this okay for you?"

“Uh-huh,” you nodded with a smile. He hardly dared to move or touch you, so you moved closer in the hope that he would give you some of his warmth. Still without looking at him, you rested your head on his shoulder and he did the same on yours. It was a comfortable, friendly, and calm position.

“I like you, Y/N” he blurted out “Just in case you haven't noticed” he added, making you smile. You kept silent to think that it was pertinent to answer.

"I like you too, Eddie" you finished saying. One of your hands shyly traveled to his and you started playing with your fingers for a while in which both of you were silent. "I'm glad I came to Hawkins this summer, you know?"

“I'm glad you're here” he imitated you, smirking even though you couldn't see him “I was thinking that when you leave maybe I should visit you one day”

"Will you travel 17 hours just to see me?" you asked with a sour laugh. You hadn't thought about the distance thing until now that he brought it up and you didn't want to dwell on it too much, dreading the idea that you were literally on different ends of the country.

"Perhaps. It will be fun. And I can take the children, so they know your place. Like a family trip,” he exclaimed. The light in the room was still on and you reached out a bit to turn it off and continue talking.

"You do not have siblings?" you asked curiously, because the family was a subject that you had only superficially approached during these weeks of knowing him.

“No, my mom died before I could have one. And then my dad ended up in jail so the chances were greatly reduced” he exclaimed casually. You had no idea that he had been through that and you felt bad in some way, but when you told him that you were sorry, he shook his head "It doesn't matter anymore, life has put good people in my way" he smiled. Hearing him say those things only showed that he was such a sensitive, kind and pure man that it was hard to believe “But I imagine he must be cute. You cared too much about Richie."

"He has his good times and his bad times," you said quietly. The darkness was making you drowsy, but you refused to let go of the moment. “Can you tell me a story?”

"Huh?"

“A story” you repeated. His skin was soft and warm against yours. “Something from when you were little or… something with your friends, I don't know. I just… want to hear your voice” you kindly asked. Eddie blushed at this and nodded, then started telling you about how he met most of his friends. He told you about his band, his school, his club, and a thousand other things that you listened to carefully until late at night, when both of you gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep peacefully, having the peace of mind that on waking the space next to the bed wouldn’t be empty.

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#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #stranger things 4 #joseph quinn #IT #losers club #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #mike wheeler #will byers #it x stranger things

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