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0nlythrowharrybeaux · 2 years ago

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Wonderful World - Part 5^

Hello friends! Here's part 5! This one's a little angsty, but I don't think it's anything to depressing.

Series Masterlist

Warnings: use of weed (sorry guys I'm from LA and forgot that this is not legal everywhere and that I should've included a warning for it LOL), talk about loss & unsupportive family

WC: 12.2k

Diana knew that the following morning Celeste wouldn’t be up for school so she did the kind thing and left a message to inform them she would be absent and also let Grace know she wouldn’t have to pick her up. Wednesday’s were one of Diana’s busiest teaching days. Her first class was at 10am and ended at noon, then she had a 1 to 3pm, office hours, and then her evening class. She felt like she needed to patch things up with Celeste though. So as she got ready for the day Diana decided that she would cancel her 10am class and got to emailing all of her students to inform them of the cancellation and allowed for an extension on the paper they needed to write until their class period was over. So once she handled that in her class’ platform she headed over to Celeste’s room and knocked on the door, it was about 7am, so she knew that she at least had to be up.

“What?” She heard through the door.

“Can I come in?” Diana asked.

“No.” She heard and Diana nodded.

“OK. I figured you might not be up for school today, I called and let them know you’re gonna be out.” She informed and got no response, she then sighed, “Sweetie, I’m really sorry about last night. I said a lot of things I didn’t mean. I was frustrated and was very reactive and I shouldn’t have taken it that far. You can’t shout at me so you’re still kind of grounded, just the having friends over thing though.” She said and still no response, “And i-if you want I can go find out who can fix your guitar today.” She added in.

“Sure, mom.” She heard after a long beat of silence.

“OK. Well, I canceled my morning class, so I don’t have to be there until my 1pm class, should we go get breakfast and get our nails done or something? I can drop you back off after or if you want to hang out on campus-”

“Yeah, fine.”

“To breakfast, nails, or both?” Diana asked with a hopeful smile.

“Both.” She groaned and Diana smiled.

“OK, well I’ll start getting ready.” Diana assured.

About twenty minutes later Celeste was in some ath-leisure wear and waiting for Diana by the door. Diana offered her a smile before they hopped into the car and after a few moments they took off and Diana turned down the volume dial for a bit and spoke up.

“Sweetheart, I know you’re mad at me about something, but I can’t read your mind. I need you to tell me so I know what I need to do or not do.” Diana reminded, “I didn’t mean to make everything worse at your school, but I had to tell someone. And well even Dr. Styles agreed with that, so shouldn’t you also be upset at him?” She asked and then frowned, “Unless you’re mad at me for something else entirely…if that’s it then I’m at a loss, Celeste. I have no idea what I’ve done wrong and it’s making me feel really awful.” Diana confessed and still no response from Celeste and as she stopped at a traffic light she turned to her and reached for her hand, “Celeste, can you just talk to me please?” Diana asked and Celeste removed her hand from Diana’s grip and up to her ear where she pulled out her AirPod.

“What is it? Were you talking to me?” Celeste asked cluelessly and Diana felt her eyes welling up with tears but she just plastered on a smile and shook her head.

“No, it’s fine. Never mind.” She assured and turned back to the road. Celeste had definitely been listening, her music was on at the lowest level and as she snuck a glance at Diana once more she saw her blinking away tears and it made her feel bad, but for the first time in a while it was about time that someone other than her felt bad.

Celeste barely spoke while they had breakfast and she put her headphones back on when they started on her pedicure and up until Diana was rolling the car to a slow stop in front of their house as Celeste unbuckled her seat belt.

“Hey, wait.” Diana grabbed her arm before she went off.

“What?” Celeste asked as she turned to her mom.

“Sweetie, can you please just…think about telling me why you’re upset. It can’t be nothing if you’re icing me out like this.” Diana said and Celeste rolled her eyes.

“Like you care.” She mumbled before getting out and closing the car door leaving Diana completely upset and so she just took off for work.

The afternoon dragged on for ages and by the time she had started lecturing for her evening class she wished she had, had the mind to cancel that as well. Everyone was particularly rowdy and it appeared that none of them had even done the assigned readings for their discussion and she just wanted to scream out of frustration. When class finally ended she rushed out of the building and beelined it towards the parking structure, she just wanted to get home. She had hoped to have some dinner with Celeste, but she got a notification before class that Celeste had ordered in from somewhere. She knew that teenagers could be assholes, but she had no idea what this situation with Celeste required of her. Maybe she was just a bad mom? She thought to herself as she pressed the floor her car was on and just as the doors started to close some’s arm shot out to hold the doors, startling her a bit. When she glanced up from staring at her shoes she was met with Harry.

“Oh hi.” He greeted her as he stepped in.

“Hi.” She smiled at him despite her mood, “What floor?”

“Oh,” he said and looked to the panel of buttons, “Same as you I guess.” He confirmed and she nodded as the heavy doors closed with a thump before they started ascending in silence, “How’d that thing with Celeste go in the end?” He brought up and she glanced over to him.

“She’s still angry with me, won’t even talk to me.” She said and Harry frowned.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” She exhaled sharply and blinked a few times to avoid crying. Soon the doors slid open and they both headed out. He didn’t say anything else as he walked adjacent to her that was until she unlocked her car.

“Mine’s right beside yours.” He said and she nodded as she started rounding into the driver’s side, “Hey, Diana-”

“What?” She asked through a tired sigh, turning to him and giving him her full attention.

“I just want to make sure you’re OK.” He pressed and she shook her head.

“I’m not. I don’t know what I did wrong, Harry! I have apologized, I have tried to spend time with her today, and I have been patient and I just feel like I’m somehow the worst parent on the fucking planet! And Celeste is milking it, I’ll tell you. I love her, but she can be a spiteful little shit.” She said in exasperation and Harry chuckled and Diana started to smile a bit, “Please don’t report me for that.” She said and he shook his head.

“Believe me, I’ve heard worse.” He assured and she sighed.

“I’m just at a loss. We have never been like this before and I don’t know what to even say to her. She’s just upset with me for something…yesterday she blamed it on me talking to her principal and making the bullying worse, but that’s not it. You told her she needed to tell and she’s not mad at you for it!”

“Maybe she will be next week.” He mused.

“God, I hope so.” She sighed and he scoffed, “I can’t be the sole target of her rage, Harry. It’s really bumming me out.” Diana explained and Harry reached out to her shoulders and just held them.

“Just, breathe.” He smiled, “You’ve been hyperventilating this whole fucking time.” He chuckled and she groaned before taking one deep breath and letting it out slowly, “There you go. Much better, yeah?” He asked and she smiled.

“No.” She responded stubbornly and he smiled until he heard her sniffle and when she looked back into his eyes there were tears running down her cheeks.

Harry couldn’t stop himself as he put his tote on the hood of his car and then wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight as she cried. She didn’t say anything else, she just let it out through her tears. She knew that Harry probably had solutions or suggestions for her, but he understood his boundaries well, he wasn’t her therapist. And right now she just needed someone to be there for her. She cried for about ten minutes before she reared back to be able to look at him.

“I’m sorry.” She sniffled, “I’m not usually a cry-baby—”

“Hey,” he interrupted her with a frown on his face, “don’t apologize for crying it out.” He said softly as he looked into her eyes and then smiled a bit, “Your glasses are fogging a little.” He informed her.

“Yeah, I can see that.” She said as he let her go so that she could take them off. He watched as she carefully cleaned them off before she put them back on and then took a deep breath which she let out swiftly as she relaxed her shoulders, “OK, it’s fine. I’m fine.” She said with more confidence and Harry smiled.

“Liar.” He called her out.

“Don’t shatter my illusion, Harry. I just need to get it together before I have to face my daughter. Who hates me, by the way…” she added in, “I can’t let her see how much it’s gotten to me. I’m literally crying because she refuses to talk to me! I can’t show up like this.”

“I think if anything, you should show up like that. Be vulnerable, trust her with your feelings. It’ll show her that you care enough that you’re upset over it and that she can also trust you with her feelings.” He explained and Diana sighed.

“I almost already cried in the car with her in the morning. I gave this whole apology speech and then she pulled out her headphones.” Diana explained and Harry winced.

“Ooh, ouch.”

“Yeah…” Diana reiterated with a small smile of defeat on her face, “I was hoping to briber her into a talk with her favorite food, but I saw that she had ordered in a bit ago.” She explained. “Figures, it’s a bit late.”

“Late? It’s only 9 o’clock.”

“On a Wednesday.” She added and he shrugged.

“Whatever, it’s a weekday. But I think you could really use a win today.” He said.

“Well yes, I agree wholeheartedly.” She said and he smiled.

“OK, so I do have a suggestion, but you better not judge me.” He said and she smiled.

“Never.”

“I don’t believe you now, but thanks for trying,” he said and she giggled, “Well, before coming to class tonight I made my monthly stop to the dispensary and I have a brand new container of edibles-”

“You’re fucking insane!” She whisper-shouted with a huge smile and he shook his head.

“I’m not! it’s perfectly normal.” He said and she giggled.

“Are you on drugs now?” She asked with a playful grin.

“No! I’m a professional.” He scoffed and she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Mmmm, I don’t know anymore. Let me see your eyes.” She joked and he leaned in closer to her.

“Go on then. Check.” He insisted widening his eyes and she giggled.

“You’re literally crazy.” She repeated.

“I’m not. I’m just so in my head about everything all the time and sometimes when it gets too intense in there that helps. Like…I’m not preparing for the worst, I’m not overthinking about the future, I’m just existing in the moment and feeling the effects and it’s a nice break.” He shrugged and she bit her lip pensively, “I can just give you one and just take it, you should start to feel it by the time you’re home.” He explained and she bit her lip.

“You make that all sound really nice, but ummm, I have a confession.” She said and he urged her to go on with a nod, “I’ve smoked weed twice and I coughed for like twenty minutes both times, I don’t think I got anything more than a headache out of those experiences…” she confessed with a slightly nervous smile.

“Twice?! Wow. I never would have pegged you for a wild child.” He joked with a smirk and she laughed.

“I know.” She said with a giggle, “I tried once in high school and then another time in college. And don’t worry, Celeste was a toddler by then, so I didn’t poison her via my breast milk.” She assured and he laughed.

“OK, I’m glad you addressed that. That was gonna be my follow-up question.” He joked and she rolled her eyes with a smile.

“Well, after those two awful, near-death experiences I just gave up on it.” She explained.

“Well, that’s why god, in all her wisdom and knowledge, gave someone the recipe for edibles.” He smiled.

“Such a smart-ass.” Diana mumbled.

“I know…” he chuckled, “But I mean, I like it better too because smoking anything cannot be good for you.” He said and she nodded along in agreement.

“True. I mean I want to, I’m just scared to do it alone my first time or well, third time.” She explained.

“Maybe we can hang out somewhere?” He suggested and then his eyes widened a bit, “Only I-if you want, you know? I know we just spoke about this and how we-”

“You know, maybe if we really got to know each other it would help extinguish the curiosity.” Diana suggested and he hummed.

“I mean…that’s not…a bad idea.” He agreed after giving it a thought for a moment. It was very likely that Harry felt attracted to her not just because she was beautiful, but because she was so mysterious to him. This was a dangerous game though, it could make them more curious and attracted or make them completely dislike each other - either way, they both got some clarity and that’s exactly what they needed, “Inversely it could also…you know?” He suggested timidly, “What happens then?” He asked and she shrugged.

“I would say that we leave it alone and not entertain it. Just try and get over it.” Diana said simply with a shrug.

“Really? Just like that?” Harry asked.

“Yeah, Celeste really clicks with you and I don’t want to take that away from her. Your commitment is to her wellbeing before anything-”

“Yeah, I agree.” He cut in.

“Great, we agree. So there’s no problem then.” She said and he shook his head.

“I guess not.” He smiled and she did as well. They just stood there looking at each other for a moment and Harry decided to break the silence, “So, do you wanna get high with me?” he asked with a grin.

“I do want to… Celeste is home alone though. I don’t know if you’re fine if we go to my place?” She asked nervously.

“Only if it’s alright with you. Also, we don’t have to do this tonight, it can be whenever or never even.” He assured and she smiled.

“No, I definitely want to try and it’d be nice to not be freaking out about stuff for a bit.” She explained and he nodded.

“Yeah. Well I can follow you.” He said and she nodded, “OK, well you should take it now, you’ll feel it in twenty minutes or so.”

“That fast?”

“Your stomach has growled a bunch of times, I take it you skipped lunch?”

“Ummm…how-”

“You mentioned that sometimes you forget to eat when you’re really busy. You said that the first time we ran into each other at the cafe.” He smiled.

“Oh, right. I did.” She smiled and nodded in confirmation.

“I remember because I am still shocked by that.” He smiled and she rolled her eyes.

“OK, give me a sec.” He said as he unlocked his car and grabbed his bag before opening up the passenger side and putting it on the seat. “Do you have food at home?”

“Not made. Was gonna pick something up.” She explained as he then opened the center console storage and pulled out a small, black plastic bag and reached inside to pull out a small plastic jar, presumably with the candies inside.

“Well maybe we should go to a drive-thru before we get to yours.” He grinned and she nodded.

“Yeah, OK.” She agreed as he came back out.

“OK I have pineapple and strawberry lemonade.” He said reading over the labels, “They had this other brand that had peach rings but those were $35! But I must admit I was tempted to try.” He shared as she looked over the jars.

“Which one do you like best?” She asked as she looked up to him.

“I’m partial to the pineapple ones. The strawberry lemonade ones are a new flavor for me, but since it’s the same brand as these I just assume they’ll also be good.” He explained and she nodded.

“OK, well I’ll try that one then, the lemonade one.” She said and he nodded and opened up the little jar and handed her one of them. It was a small, little gummy, it looked very harmless. Suddenly her stomach growled loudly again and they both laughed quietly.

“Maybe take it when you get to the drive-thru.” Harry grinned and she nodded.

After that he followed her to the nearest fast-food spot which just happened to be a Jack-in-the-Box and she ordered herself a large order of the curly fries and she ate her gummy as she waited for him to get his own order before she guided them to her house. As they drove through the streets Harry couldn’t help but noticed how close they lived to each other, he was literally about 5 minutes away, basically a neighborhood away since he would need to cross the next main street to get into his own neighborhood. When she signaled to get up into her driveway Harry followed her in as she stuck her hand out and waved for him to follow her in. He did and after he parked beside her the gate started to close behind her slowly. Her home was two floors and very nice. The architecture was that Spanish-modern style, similar to his. Well, most of the homes in this area had been remodeled to that same look. He grabbed the milk-shake he ordered and got down from his car and shut the door quietly before he walked up to Diana.

“Do you need help with anything?”

“No, it’s alright.” She assured as she stretched her arm to grab her tote from the passenger side. He took the liberty to snatch away her bag from the restaurant to allow her to fully lean in and grab her bag. After another effort she was retreating from the car with it and she slung it onto her shoulder. “Thank you.” She smiled and he nodded. They quietly made their way into the fully dark house and she keyed her way in quietly before switching on her flashlight once inside. “I’m just gonna let Celeste know I made it home.” She explained and he nodded, “You can follow me up, we’re gonna go to my balcony if that’s alright?” She asked and he nodded, “Great, is there anything we should grab?”

“Water, for sure.” He said.

“OK, c’mon.” She said guiding him through the space and into the kitchen. It wasn’t too large, but as she flicked the lights on he took in the beautiful color and design of it.

“This is very nice.” He complimented quietly and she smiled.

“Thank you. You just got a milk-shake?” She asked.

“Yeah, I’m not hungry but I tend to crave sweets when I’m high and I guess this mint-chocolate chip one is new and I just had to indulge.” Harry explained with a smile. They were both acting as normal as possible about him being in her home. So he proceeded to look around as she served them both big glasses of water before guiding him up the stairs quietly.

“Mine is that door over there.” She said softly as she pointed to the door behind them and he nodded as he glanced back to it and followed her around the stairwell to get into the bedroom. He opened the door for her as she was holding their glasses of water and immediately he was hit with a deliciously warm and sweet scent that made him feel like he was being wrapped up in a warm and cozy hug. It almost made him melt internally as he watched as she put the glasses in her hands down and she switched on the little lamp on her bedside table. He smiled when he saw her room, it was beautiful and colorful. He thought it was so cool as he quickly glanced around while she was distracted with putting her bag down on the bench before her bed, “The bathroom is right in there,” She pointed to her left when she turned towards him and he nodded, “and we’ll be out here.” She said as she turned around and guided him through the dimly lit room and as she slid her curtains aside a glass sliding door was exposed and she unlocked it and stepped out and he followed. She switched on another string of lights that gave the balcony a very nice and warm glow, “You can get on the palette couch or sit on the little pouf, wherever you want.” She smiled and he nodded. She went inside to grab their waters as he just looked around and over the balcony into the backyard. This was really nice.

“I like this a lot.” He complimented when she came back out.

“Oh, thank you so much.” She smiled as she looked around, “Grace was all into the DIY furnitures over COVID and she made that. Obviously with a bit of help-”

“From you?”

“Yeah.” She smiled and he nodded.

“That’s cool.”

“Thank you. Ummm, settle in, I’m gonna check on Celeste real quick, let he know I’m home.”

“Yeah, take your time.” He assured as he sat and she went off.

Diana knocked first, as she always did and after no response she slowly opened the door and peeked in to see Celeste dead asleep. She stepped inside and placed a kiss on her forehead, which made her stir a bit and she stepped back and quietly left the dark room and shut her door softly before heading back to her own bedroom. She headed to her dresser and grabbed a university crewneck and slipped out of her blouse to get the sweater on instead and then she headed back out where Harry was just sitting on one side of the little couch with a book in his hands and she smiled, she had been reading that and misplaced it.

“Oh, there it is.” Diana said and he glanced up with a smile.

“Yeah, I happened to sit on it.” He chuckled.

“Sorry.” She giggled as he shut it and extended it out to her as she flipped through the pages.

“Is it any good?”

“Not really.” She said, “A colleague mentioned it in a committee I was sitting on, highly recommended it. Just not my genre.” She explained as she set it down on the pouf beside her on the ground, “May I?” She asked pointing to the spot beside his.

“Of course.” He said immediately and straightened out so that she was able to get on beside him and soon she settled against the array of pillows lining the DIY couch, “Are you feeling anything yet?” He asked and she shook her head and then blinked a few times.

“Oh, never mind.” She said with a giggle and he laughed softly, “It was so subtle I didn’t realize.” She explained.

“Yeah it’ll be more apparent in a bit.” He said and she nodded.

“Are you feeling it?”

“Not yet. It’ll probably take a little longer for me.” He said and she hummed in understanding.

“Are you cold or anything?” She asked and he shook his head, “OK.” She said as she sank further against the pillows and let out a slow exhale as she let her eyes close.

“You alright there?” Harry asked with a grin and she nodded.

“My eyes are feeling a little heavy.” She giggled and he laughed.

“Open up, let me see.” He urged softly and when she opened her eyes he was just inches from her face and it made her chest tighten up, even more so when he smiled at her. The whites of her eyes were tinged pink and her pupils blown up a bit wider than normal. “Well, you’re definitely high. Congrats!” He chuckled.

“Thank you.” She sniggered, “This is…delightful. I see why people do this now.” She said and he smiled.

“Good, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” He hummed as he settled back against the pillows and let out a content sigh.

Diana was truly enjoying this hazy feeling. Her brain would go all fuzzy when she tried to think too hard, which was nice because it was a break from her overthinking about this entire day. It felt like her soul was being hugged, which she definitely needed after the last two days she’d had and the feeling only started to get more and more intense the more they just sat in silence beside each other, or maybe she just imagined it was getting more intense. Harry’s own high was starting to kick in now. Any time he was under the influence of anything he got really affectionate and as his eyes wandered around and landed on Diana’s hands, so delicately resting over her tummy with her fingers interlaced, he wanted to reach out for them so badly. He felt his heart start to beat a bit faster when her eyes blinked open and landed on his. There was this knot in his throat that he couldn’t get rid of as they just looked at each other. With all inhibitions thrown to the wind in their condition there was no hiding the way in which they were looking at each other. There was curiosity and longing and desire.

Diana felt like her entire body was tingling, she was so sensitive, even the light breeze making a strand of hair tickle her cheek seemed like a lot. She felt like she and Harry were magnetic, her skin was begging her to get closer to him. She was holding back with every bit of restraint she had. She could see it in his eyes that he was struggling too and she needed to lighten the mood before she lost control of herself. When she smiled he mirrored her smile and she turned on her side to face him, like he was facing her, and she got a bit more comfortable before speaking.

“Let’s play a game.”

“OK, what’s the game.”

“We have to try and think of the same thing.” She said and he smiled.

“Yeah, OK.”

“OK, first category…colors.” She said and they were quiet for a moment, “Got yours?”

“Yeah.”

“OK, let’s say it at the same time.” She said and he nodded, “3, 2, 1. Yellow.”

“Yellow.” They said at the same time and laughed, “We’re good at this.” He grinned.

“It was a coincidence. We got lucky.” She said and he shrugged.

“Maybe so. Let’s do something harder then.” He suggested and she nodded in acceptance of his challenge, “Mmm…office supplies.” He smiled and she giggled, “Ready?” He asked after a few seconds and she nodded, “3, 2, 1, stapler.”

“Stapler!” They exclaimed together and then laughed, “OK, maybe we are good at this.” She accepted and he grinned.

“Told you.” He added in and she shook her head as she looked down between them as she bit on her plump bottom lip to stop her smile from widening even more. It made him absolutely crazy and he licked over his lips as he fought the urge to just lean in and kiss her. They were already being a bit reckless, but that didn’t mean he could just throw all caution to the wind. When her eyes flickered back up to his she was smiling again. “What’re you smiling at?” He asked softly.

“I don’t know.” She giggled and he did as well, “What’s your astrological sign?” She asked and he lit up a bit.

“Aquarius. We’ve covered this remember?” He said and she hummed.

“Did we? When was your birthday?” She asked and he chuckled.

“Yes, at the bar. And it was last month, the first.” He said and she smiled.

“Awww, happy belated birthday.” She congratulated him and he chuckled.

“Thank you. What about you?”

“I’m a libra, through and through.” She said with a nod, “My birthday’s on October 9th.” She shared.

“I’ll remember that.” He assured and she smiled.

“You don’t have to.” She said and he chuckled.

“OK, I’m so bad at birthdays.” He confessed and she laughed.

“Oh great! So am I! Grace hates it because I always text her to ask when I’m suspicious it’s someone’s birthday.” She said with a small laugh.

“If Henry were any good with that I would probably do the same thing.” Harry assured, “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.”

“I was just wondering about you and just everything about how-”

“A goodie two-shoes like me ended up as a teen mom?” She asked with a smile and he chuckled.

“Yeah, basically.” He said and she sighed.

“Well, it was the summer after high school. So Wesley and I started dating in March of our senior year, so 2008? If I’m not mistaken.” She squinted as if trying to remember, “He had gotten into UCLA and I into Columbia so we were…making the most of our time together.” She said with a small smirk and he smiled at her self-censoring. It was cute how shy she was, “One of our classmates had some going away party as they were joining the military and I’m pretty sure that’s the night it happened…in the pool house bathroom, if I’m not mistaken.” She giggled as she shared a bit too much but she didn’t care right now, “It wasn’t anything special.” She said and he nodded, “Then two days later he was in an accident, a drunk driver hit him on his way home from another friend’s party. He died on impact.” She said as her smile faded, “I left for Columbia a few weeks later and my family was about to move back to Mexico at the end of the year. So when I missed my period I didn’t think much of it, I was depressed and stressed and new to college… I didn’t find out until October that I was pregnant. I told my brother and he helped me tell my parents who were…absolutely livid.” She sighed, “I came back for winter break and my mother had made an appointment to…” she stopped and sighed shakily.

“You can skip to the good part.” Harry said quietly and she nodded.

“Yeah, OK…so anyway, I never went back after winter break. I transferred to a local school and worked while I could. My brother bought me and helped me move into this house over spring break and then in May Celeste was born. I still took my finals the next week.” She grinned and Harry chuckled.

“Were you alone?” He asked and she nodded, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I did let Wesley’s parents know that I was pregnant, but they just weren’t really ready to know about that so quickly after he had passed. I was hoping that his mom would be there when Celeste was born, but yeah, she never really recovered from losing him. They moved to Germany, their older son is stationed there with his family so they left after they had a trial for the guy that killed him.” She explained and Harry nodded in understanding.

She had been through so much yet she was still so strong and put together, it was impressive and admirable.

“I feel like every new thing I learn about you makes you that much more impressive.” He decided to voice his inner thoughts and she blushed as she looked away.

“It’s whatever…” she shrugged, “Other people deal with far more.” She talked herself down just a bit.

“Fuck that! You’re amazing. You’re resilient and brave and selfless.” He said and she shook her head, it was hard for her to hear that.

“I did what I thought was best.” She shrugged as she looked back into his eyes.

“Well, it was no easy feat.” He said and she smiled as she nodded, that much was true, “Would you want to have more kids if you end up with anyone?” He asked and she shook her head.

“I don’t think so…or at least I haven’t really thought that far ahead. I mean, I’m in my thirty’s. By the time I meet someone I’ll be like 50…” she exaggerated and he laughed.

“How do you know? You could meet the love of your life tomorrow!” He said and she smiled.

“Who knows… what about you? Do you want kids?”

“No.” He said, “I’ve always been of the idea of adopting or fostering given the chance.” He said and she nodded with a smile.

“That’s nice.” She said and he nodded.

“Yeah, there’s plenty of children in the world who need love. I also got a vasectomy when I turned 30.” He said and then laughed, “That was very TMI, sorry.” He added with a slight grimace on his face and she laughed.

“It’s alright, it’s not like it was off-topic.” She assured with a giggle and he nodded all pink in the face.

“True.” He said, “But ummm, yeah I can’t really have kids at the moment.” He said and she nodded.

“What made you do that?” She asked and he smirked as he looked away.

“I was intent on sowing my wild oats after I finished my residency.” He explained and they both laughed, “I didn’t want any accidents happening. But that didn’t even happen as much as I thought…I met Rebecca shortly after I started my residency and we did hook up and whatnot, but she was basically the only consistent partner I had and then we ended up dating so ummm, my plans to be a ho just kind of fell apart.” He chuckled and she giggled. “Rebecca was more thank OK with it because even if she was on birth control, she only wanted to get pregnant between 32 and 33. Her career is her baby for now. So I just never reversed it.” He shrugged.

“Well you’re newly single, you can have your ho-phase now.” She suggested and he chuckled.

“Now I’m too busy for that.” He said and she rolled her eyes.

“Excuses…” she mumbled as she pushed herself to sit up, “It’s definitely time for French fries.” She said and he chuckled as he watched her take them out of the bag, thankfully they were still a bit warm. She settled back into the position she was in and set the little box between them, “Help yourself.” She said as she took one and he immediately went for a couple as she chewed the ones she had just grabbed.

“You said you hadn’t dated anyone in two years when we spoke. Is that the same for ummm… you know? Hooking up?” He asked and she giggled.

“No. I did cave last summer and hooked up with this guy on vacation…was not worth it.” She huffed and he shook his head.

“God…a year?”

“More than, but yeah.” She confirmed and he shook his head.

“Are you OK?” He asked suggestively and she sniggered.

“More than.” She assured and he chuckled.

“OK, glad to hear it.” He said and then sat up to grab his own milkshake. There was a little maraschino cherry resting at the top of the melted mountain of whipped creme.

“Ooh can I have your cherry?” She asked and he pouted.

“That’s the best part.” He said feeling awfully conflicted between keeping his treat for himself or making Diana happy.

“I know.” She giggled, “It’s OK. I just suddenly had a craving for it.” She explained and went back for another fry. He decided they could share it so he grabbed it by the stem and presented it to her.

“Half and half.” He said and she smiled.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, s’alright.” He assured and let go when she grabbed the whipped creme covered fruit and pulled off the stem and then carefully bit into it, exactly down the center.

“Thank you, here.” She said extending the other half to Harry. He really didn’t think about it as he opened up his mouth and she placed it in his mouth gently and then closed his lips around her fingers to suck the whipped creme off of the tips of her index finger and thumb. She froze for a moment and then bit her lip as these feelings of intense lust just overcame her entire brain. Then he let go and proceeded to chew the half of the cherry without even questioning his actions so she just went back to her fries and tried to ignore the memory of his warm mouth on her fingers. It made her mouth feel dry and for her heart to race in her chest as her skin tingled as goosebumps rose all over her. It had felt so nice and maybe the drug in her system made her feel far more sensitive, but she was still reeling from such a simple thing.

“Mmmm, do you want some shake?” He asked and she glanced up to him.

“I-I’m good, thanks.” She stammered, her breathing had picked up significantly.

“Are you alright?” He asked and she nodded before looking into his eyes and he didn’t seem to believe her.

“I really am. It’s just you ummm…you cleaned off my fingers while they were in your mouth and-”

“Oh, did you want to do that?” He asked and she sighed nervously.

“Kinda but I you’re kinda focusing on the wrong thing.” She explained in a small voice with a bashful smile on her lips. Suddenly his eyes went wide in realization.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, I swear I didn’t even think about it, obviously.” He rambled.

“It’s alright. I’m just processing it.” She said and then proceeded to bite her lip and his eyes zeroed in on her mouth.

“Don’t bite your lip.” He said softly and she released it as he looked back up into her eyes with so much longing before he looked back down at her lips briefly and swallowed thickly. It was driving her insane and she was holding back from acting on impulse.

“Did you always want to move here from England?” She asked, effectively changing the subject and he nodded.

“We visited once when I was about 15 or 16? I just liked it so much and ever since then I’ve wanted to come back.”

“That wasn’t hard for you?”

“Yeah, but mostly because of my family. I was really shy and studious growing up, so I didn’t have too many close relationships with others that were hard to let go of.” He explained and she nodded in understanding.

“Well, for what it’s worth I’m happy you’re here.” She said quietly and he smiled.

“I’m happy I’m here too.” Harry said quietly.

Diana was starting to get uneasy with everything that she was feeling, she was only getting more high and she just wanted to feel warm, his warmth specifically. He grabbed his milk shake and started to take a drink and she took this moment to take in all of the little details on his face. The delicate line of his nose, his lush eyelashes, and his sharp jaw and cheekbones, especially now that he was sucking on the straw to get to his milkshake. Harry could feel her eyes burning into him, it was making his stomach flutter with butterflies. He gulped down his milkshake and then looked up at her with a soft smile.

“What’re you looking at?” He asked playfully. “Is there something on my face?” He questioned as he sat up and placed his shake on the little table off to the side.

“No, not at all. Just…looking.” She said simply as he settled back in his original position. All of the euphoric feelings coursing through her made her feel less self-conscious about her admiring him so openly.

“Looking?” He asked and she giggled.

“Yeah, you’re…nice to look at.” She admitted and he smirked.

“I knew you thought I was attractive.” He flirted and she giggled bashfully and looked away, “No, no, no, don’t get all shy with me now, love.” He teased reaching for her face to turn it back up and as he guided her to look back up by the chin he couldn’t help himself as he ran his thumb across her bottom lip, “So fucking beautiful.” He whispered between them. Diana’s lungs weren’t working at the moment, her breath was caught in her throat and the butterflies swarming through her tummy and chest were completely overstimulating her. As her big, glassy eyes met his own he just about melted. The small pout and desertion in her eyes were mirroring his own feelings of conflict swirling around inside of him along with his need for her. He was mentally fighting off a boner, the last thing he needed to do was get hard and make her uncomfortable, but it was so hard to when everything about her screamed for his attention. When he realized that she was breathing really shallow Harry smiled at her, “Hey, breathe slowly.” He urged her gently and Diana inhaled sharply and nodded.

“Right.” She panted as the air finally made it all the way down to her lungs. He was about to let go of her when she spoke up, “Not yet.” She whispered, her lips brushed against the tip of his thumb and it made him want to dip it into her mouth.

“OK.” He whispered and slid his hand up the side of her face and tucked her hair behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed and she smiled as she leaned into his touch. Maybe she was a bit touch starved, but she was still picky. And she actually hadn’t been eager to feel another person’s skin against her own as badly as she wanted his. His hand was warm and soft for the most part, but even the tougher calloused parts of his hand felt good against her skin, “Can I move this?” He asked and she opened her eyes to see him signaling at her fries with his head and she nodded. He sat up and put them back in the paper bag before setting it down on the little table and turning back to her and getting closer. His own high was starting to peak and it was making him feel less concerned for whatever dual relationship existed between them now.

Diana scooted closer as soon as she was able to and he draped his arm over her waist. His hand was so big and warm, even through her sweater she could feel his warmth. She looked up at him and her stomach flipped when she saw his eyes were already on hers. She had no idea why she was so drawn to him, but she was. Her mouth was drying out and that was definitely the weed, but she was certain that her nerves also had plenty to do with it. She had never been this affected by someone in her entire life. She was dying to kiss him, especially in this state. She just knew that it would feel like heaven.

“What’re you thinking about?” He asked softly as he saw the slightly darker look in her eyes and she smiled bashfully as her cheeks went pink.

“You don’t want to know.” She responded and he smirked.

“I definitely do now.” He responded lowly and she giggled nervously, “C’mon, tell me.” He insisted, fighting the urge to reach lower and playfully pat her bum. She sighed and licked over her lip briefly.

“I was just thinking that if you…tried to kiss me I would totally let you.” She said quietly and he swallowed thickly as the information settled.

“I want to. So fucking bad.” he admitted and she bit her lip as he said this, “But I wouldn’t kiss you for the first time while you’re high.” He explained and she smiled slightly, “I know you’re not like beyond the point of making your own decisions, but I would hate for you to not be happy about it tomorrow when you’re fully sober.” Harry said.

“Well thank you for keeping it together for the both of us.” She said softly and he chuckled.

“I’m barely keeping it together. I’m telling you, your perfume is like a fucking lure for me.” He said and she smiled.

“Can I touch you?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah, please.” Harry consented immediately and she brought one of her hands up and she ran over his perfectly sculpted cheek bone with the back of her index finger. Her touch was so delicate and intimate somehow, especially as she moved down his jawline. This was everything he had been craving for a while now, to just be

loved on and appreciated and Diana seemed to give him exactly that.

Diana was clinging to every shred of self-control she had. Harry’s lips were so pretty and pink, she wanted to taste them so badly that it hurt. She bit over her bottom lip again and he sighed as he focused on how her bottom slowly slipped out from under the grip of her teeth. She could sense his resolve slipping, hers was too. So she placed her thumb over his lips to at least help relieve the pressure of feeling another pair of lips pressed to his own. Harry didn’t hesitate as he slightly puckered his lips and kissed the pad of her thumb, looking into her eyes as they darkened even more. His eyes were likely as dark as her own. He kissed her there a few more times, the smacking sounds of his little kisses made her skin curl in the best way and for her tummy to tighten up with excitement. She was getting turned on so easily and she was sure it had everything to do with the high she was in the middle of, but she didn’t care, it just felt good to finally feel someone touching her in the way she had craved so much. She was more happy that the someone with her was Harry.

“Your turn.” She whispered and he let out a sigh mixed with a laugh as she let her hand move away from his lips and settled it against his chest.

“I will never recover.” He joked and she smiled.

“Well, I don’t want that.” She responded and he chuckled, he was all dimply and soft, she just wanted to get lost in his gorgeous eyes. She also didn’t want to push him, even if she was dying to kiss any part of him, so she just dropped it and relished in his fingers occasionally brushing her lower back. They were just longingly looking at each other and admiring each other from up close.

“You’ve got a cute little freckle right…there.” He said as he brought his finger up to the side of the bridge of her nose, on the left side and she smiled, “Did you know?”

“I did.” She replied softly and he hummed with a smile.

“It’s very cute.” He said again and she smiled.

“This one you’ve got here is cute.” She whispered as she thumbed over the little mole off the side of his mouth and he smiled bashfully before speaking again.

“If you still want to kiss me, you can kiss me there.” His voice was small as he made his invitation and she smiled wider.

“Really?” She asked excitedly and he nodded.

“Yeah.” He assured and she smiled as she pressed herself up a bit so their faces were level with each other. Diana was leaning in but Harry was kind of slipping down, so he boosted himself up a bit and then they both groaned as his chin collided with her forehead.

“Ow!” Sniggered as she plopped back into the pillows behind them with a hand over her forehead and he laughed along in embarrassment, face beet red. Harry quickly pushed himself up enough to lean over towards her.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” He rushed out quietly as he grabbed her face to look over her to ensure there was no bruising anywhere on her forehead. “Are you OK?” He asked as he leaned over her and she nodded. Her big, glassy eyes were peering into his and her smile was wide as she giggled quietly, “Positive?”

“I’m positive.” She assured with a grin and he smiled.

“OK.” He whispered and as they laid there with him nearly hovering over her body. Diana reached up and grabbed his chin and pulled him down a bit and Harry shifted and brought his face lower as she directed. Diana then pushed herself up with her other arm and before he knew it his eyes were fluttering shut as her lips gently made contact with the little patch of skin right off the side of his mouth, over the little spot there. His body was vibrating with elation at the warmth and soft texture of her lips against his skin. She lingered there for a moment after and he blinked his eyes open to pull back and get a good look at her and the tension between them was something that was almost a sentient being all on it’s own. The tips of their noses brushed and her eyes fluttered shut as the warmth of his breath hovered over her mouth.

“Fuck.” He muttered quietly, their lips nearly brushed as he cursed, “Sorry.”

“It’s OK.” She whispered as she settled back into the pillows and Harry followed, laying beside her and facing her in silence. Diana was peering back at him with heavy eyes that were blinking slowly as the lust she felt for him coursed through her veins heavily. Harry felt the exact same way and his breath hitched as he ran the tip of his nose down the bridge of hers and then he pressed a kiss to her cheek and she offered him the most gentle smile that he couldn’t really ever forget. “Thank you for all of this.” She said softly.

“Even banging you in the head?” He joked quietly with a grin and she smirked.

“Especially that.” She joked back and he smiled, “I don’t really have anyone to talk to about all this stuff except Grace and well she’s been rather occupied so I think I’ve been a little needier than usual and you always seem to be around when I really need someone and I hope you know that I’m not taking advantage because of your profession! Sometimes I just need to say things to someone else so that my thoughts and feelings actually process. So I don’t expect you to always have something to say-”

“Hey, chill out, love.” He smiled, “I know you’re not taking advantage and I don’t mind listening.” He assured her.

“You listen to people all day…” she chuckled and he shrugged.

“Yeah, but it’s different when you’re listening to just be there for someone instead of analyzing everything they’re saying.” He explained and she hummed.

“So you’re good at compartmentalizing that part of you.” She stated and he nodded.

“Quite good actually.” He smiled with confidence, “Also your voice is really nice, I like hearing you talk.” He confessed and she looked away bashfully as she mumbled out a little compliment with pink, smiling cheeks and he just wanted to kiss the embarrassment away from her face.

“I like hearing your voice too. It sounds like the feeling of a hug.” She said and then giggled with caused him to giggle as well.

“You’re so stoned.” He laughed quietly as she just continued laughing at nothing and he at her.

He didn’t leave until about 1am, when the peak of his high had faded away. Diana helped sneak him out and he assured her that he lived about 5 minutes away and they exchanged numbers so that he could let her know when he got home, which he did, just as he promised.

***********

The rest of the week had passed and Celeste was still giving Diana the cold shoulder. Mom’s need breaks too, so even if she had said that Celeste had been grounded earlier in the week, Diana dropped Celeste off at Geri’s for a sleep over on Saturday afternoon before speeding back home and getting ready for her second date with Gabe. Like every time that she and Harry had interactions outside of greeting each other at his practice, they were both basically acting as if nothing had ever happened. As if some lines hadn’t been seriously blurred. At least she was out and about and with someone else who could help her keep her mind free from that. From Harry.

“It’s a good thing I was able to reserve a spot up here.” Gabe said as he looked over the balcony to the people crowding down on the floor. They had grabbed dinner and were now at a little indie show to support some local and small-time bands that they both liked.

“Yeah, it’s getting really crowded.” She said with excitement before taking another sip of her cocktail.

“Hello sexy lady!” Diana heard a familiar voice and flipped around to see Grace smiling brightly at her.

“Oh my god, hi! I didn’t know you were coming to this!” Diana said loudly over the chatter in the venue as they hugged tight.

“That’s the man you’ve been dating?” Grace mumbled in Diana’s ear and she just giggled.

“Yeah, now don’t be embarrassing.” She said before they pulled away, “Gabe, this is my best friend, Grace.” She introduced them and Gabe smiled brightly as he put his drink down and went in for a hug, very Grace’s style as well.

“It’s so nice to meet you.” He said before they broke apart.

“You as well!” Grace assured.

“So how did you end up here?” Diana asked Grace.

“Well Henry, that’s my boyfriend,” she said to Gabe, “got a table over in VIP, just on the other side of the balcony.” She pointed back to the general direction with her thumb, “You guys should join us! We have room for 3 more people and we could really use a little mood booster. Henry’s best friend, Harry, is going through a break up.” Grace explained to both Gabe and Diana.

“Oh damn, that sucks.” Gabe cut in.

“Yeah, poor guy was getting cheated on for who knows how long.” Grace said with a frown, “Anyway, we have space and bottle service and there’s a private bar if you guys want to join.” She offered, “Of course, I don’t want to crash your date with our little pity party but we’re there if you want to join us.”

“Do you want to?” Gabe asked Diana who wanted to scream no. How was she supposed to show up to Harry’s pity party with a date after what happened with them only three days ago? She was relying on Gabe’s eagerness to date her to get them out of this.

“I’m fine wherever. It’s up to you.” Diana assured him and to her horror he nodded.

“I mean, we’d love to join if you don’t mind.” He said to Grace who smiled wide.

“Yeah, of course!”

“Maybe if there’s more of us we can distract you boyfriend’s friend a little more and ensure he has a good time.” Gabe said with a warm and friendly smile that Diana was not so fond of at the moment as her guts seemed to twist themselves into a knot.

“That’s sweet of you. And I feel like I’m making him sound more upset than he is, he’s not at all in a bad mood or anything, but I’m sure part of him is hurting. A relationships is a relationship, as shitty as it may have been.” Grace explained with a shrug.

“That’s very true.” Gabe agreed, “Well, lead the way!” He said and Grace nodded and grabbed Diana’s hand and tugged her along and she quickly reached for Gabe’s hand and they made a little chain to weave through the people on the balcony.

“He is sooo nice.” Grace said to Y/N, “And he’s very cute.” She complimented and Y/N nodded and smiled. Yes, Gabe was hot, but they didn’t have too much in common. They could talk about work and education for ages, but outside of those topics they were very much on the basic kindergarten-friends level of getting to know each other and so far there were more differences than commonalities between them, “Hi, these are our other two guests. Table 4.” Grace said to the security guard standing between them and the velvet rope used to separate the VIP tables from the rest if the balcony seating.

“Wristband?” The man said and Grace raised her right arm and showed him a neon green wrist band along with her 21+ orange one and he nodded. Soon Diana and Gabe were receiving an additional green wristband as well before they were let into the space.

Diana’s heart was beating so hard she swore it would break through her chest. She felt sick to her stomach with nerves and there was absolutely nothing she could do about this now as Gabe pulled her along.

“Hey guys, I found some friends on the way back from the bathroom!” Grace announced as they came up to their table and both Henry and Harry, who were previously engaged in some funny conversation, turned their heads to look at Grace.

“Oh, hey!” Henry smiled brightly with excitement when he recognized her and from her peripherals she could see Harry’s smile disappear from his face. Everyone greeted each other, including Harry and Diana who just side-hugged quickly.

Harry’s mouth went dry the moment he saw her standing by their table with another man beside her, the same man from the farmer’s market. He had been doing everything in his power to stay away from Diana, to not text her, to leave things alone until this added layer of attraction he now had for her faded a bit. But no, here was life, being a total fucking prick and rubbing it in his face that she was seeing someone else. Admittedly he was upset and envious of this guy. It would’ve been better for him if she had sat beside him, so he wouldn’t have to see this other guy, Gabe, flirt with her. But no, she was nestled comfortably between Grace and Gabe, and almost directly across from him where he could see everything. Apart from their greeting earlier, she was completely avoiding looking at him and it was souring his mood significantly.

When the first band came on stage they all stood and clapped as they introduced themselves. This was certainly more of a relaxed set, the wavy sound of the synths and the main singer’s Morrissey-esque voice was making Diana sway from side to side as she listened along. She was occasionally bumping into Gabe’s side and he was just smiling down at her every now and again. They were a couple songs into the set when Gabe leaned down to say something to her and she nodded and shuffled her body in front of his and his hands rested on her shoulders as she crossed her arms over her chest and continued swaying to the music. It made sense for Gabe to do that, he was tall and was slightly obstructing her view, he was being nice to her, which was a good thing. But Harry couldn’t help how tight he clenched his jaw as the little band played one of their more popular songs and the two of them started to sing along and slightly dance together. Harry wanted that with her. He wanted to make her smile like that and to sing softly in her ear while they swayed to the dark-moody music around them. He wanted to feel everything around him fade into the background and just feel that addicting cocktail of bliss and fear overcome his body as a result of his crush on her, just like they had a few days ago. He reached for his drink and just swallowed it all down with a slight grimace at the strong taste of the liquor that had sunk to the bottom of the drink.

They were now nearing the end of the second band’s set and Diana was nursing her third cocktail. She had to pee and she didn’t want to miss any of the next band’s set, it was one she really liked. So she decided it would be prudent to go now, she could afford to miss the rest of this set and line up at the bathroom and be back before the band she was eager to see got on stage. Harry watched as she turned to Grace and said something to her and then she nodded and then she turned to Gabe and he leaned down so that she could get closer to his ear. Harry’s throat bobbed as he swallowed down the bitter taste of jealousy crawling up from deep in his guts as Gabe’s hand landed on her lower back and pressed her closer to him as he listened attentively to what she was saying. She reared back as he asked her something and shook her head before she slipped away. Harry’s eyes followed her as she slowly headed off to the entrance of the VIP section.

“Where’s she going?” Harry leaned over to ask Grace.

“The bathroom!” Grace called back.

“I have to go too. I’ll be back in a bit!” Harry announced.

“Can you wait for her? I asked if she wanted me to go along but she said no.” Gabe informed Harry with a chuckle and Harry just nodded.

“Yeah man, I’ll wait for her.” He assured and Gabe smiled and Harry rushed off to catch up with her.

He didn’t have to pee, he just needed a moment of her time. He was doing his best to catch up with her but she was small and a fast walker and had soon made it clear across the balcony into the dark hallway that led to the bathrooms. Harry followed a few people into the hallway and then made his way into the men’s bathroom where he just looked himself over and fixed up his hair a bit more before walking out and leaning against the wall opposite the women’s bathroom door, waiting for her to come out. He didn’t wait long at all before she was slipping out with mumbled “excuse me’s” at the women taking up most of the space as they queued up at the door. Before she had the chance to slip away he grabbed her arm and pulled her further down the hall near the emergency exit.

“Hey, what the- Harry?!” She asked completely puzzled when she realized it was him pulling her down the dark hallway and they stopped in front of the emergency exit. The intense red glow of the exit sign was washing over them in this spontaneous little meeting creating an intense atmosphere between them. Typically red was a warning color, wasn’t it? And they were both thinking the same thing as they looked at each other for a few seconds.

“Why are you ignoring me?” He asked and she sighed, feeling her stomach twist with that familiar nervous, unpleasant feeling all over again.

“Because. I don’t know how to act around you right now, Harry!” She confessed with frustration. “I don’t want Grace to start teasing me about being really friendly with you or start saying shit about how well we get along because then she’s gonna start insinuating things to me and then that’s just going to make me start to think of you in that way and I shouldn’t-”

“Who gives a fuck?” He asked, cutting in on her argument and she sighed in exasperation.

“I give a fuck! If she hypes me up and gets my hopes up about things that can’t happen it would fucking suck! And I don’t want to be heartbroken or sad over anyone right now. I can’t! I simply don’t have the time or even the emotional bandwidth right now!” She argued with frustration so clear in her voice and her features and he sighed with a small pout.

“I get it, Diana. This whole situation is fucking torture.” He sighed in defeat and she frowned.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to go over there. I let Gabe decide what to do and I thought he would want to take advantage of the time we had alone, but evidently he was in the mood to make friends…” she said and he sighed, “I’m so sorry. We can go i-if you prefer? This was supposed to be your night out and the band I’m really here for is playing next. So just say the word and I’ll say something to Gabe and let you get back to your night as planned.” She rushed out her words and Harry sighed. He didn’t want her to go, he just wanted to be near her. He stepped closer and she gasped as her back hit the wall. She felt these little pricks of excitement shooting up her arms as he grabbed her hands in his own.

“I don’t want you to leave. I’m happy that you’re here.” He assured, “I guess I just don’t know how to act around you either.” He confessed and she swallowed thickly as he stepped a bit closer. She could hardly take a proper breath as his left hand landed on her hip and his right hand came up and delicately grabbed her face before his fingers ran down the side of her neck and then wove into her hair. He lightly pulled back, just enough so that she was looking up at him now. Both of their chests were rising and falling intensely as they looked into each others’ eyes. Harry leaned down until they were forehead to forehead and he felt her hands bunch up the material of his shirt over his chest, taking her nerves out on the thinned out fabric. He nudged her nose gently, getting her to slightly angle her face in the opposite way of his.

“Harry.” She panted out a warning with a quiver in her voice as he started to press his body closer to hers.

“Do you want me to stop?” He whispered his question and she could feel his puffs of air against her mouth. If he got any closer their lips would brush if he spoke again.

“I don’t know.” She admitted through a whisper as her eyes squeezed shut tightly. As if this were a dream that she needed to wake up from. Harry felt his heart pounding anxiously as her eyes blinked open and searched his own. Diana’s inhales were shallow and her exhales shaky as they stood so close together. He tilted his head just a bit more and she sighed at how close his lips were.

“Do you want me to stop?” He asked once again, but this time his lips faintly brushed against her own. The feathery touches in the shape of his words were completely unraveling her and she subtly shook her head, the action causing their noses to bump. Harry swallowed thickly as he felt her lean into closer to him as her hands slid up his chest. He could feel her putting a bit of weight down onto him to really feel the contours of his body over the fabric of his clothes. As she slid up his pecs she slightly dug her nails in and Harry’s breath hitched as he felt his nipples get hard and his body start to get hot with arousal. They were now just breathing each other’s air, there was uncertainty and fear and so much overthinking coming from both of them, but greater than all of those things, there was longing. Such immeasurable quantities of it that it scared them both. He just needed to be brave. So he brought his left hand to her face and cradled it in his hands as he just closed the minuscule gap between them.

Their lips were puckered together quite stiffly, the nerves getting the best of them. But as Harry drew back a bit, more than ready to apologize for kissing her their eyes met again and they both immediately leaned back in. This kiss was a lot smoother. Their lips met gently with soft little smacks. He loved the feeling of her nails raking back down his chest and landing over his abs before she just wrapped her arms around his midsection, pulling his body closer to her own. This couldn’t even be reel. All he was aware of were their lips and the touches between them as they shared this very sweet and long-awaited kiss. After a several moments she pulled back panting and leaned her head back against the wall in silence before closing her eyes.

“Shit.” She whispered and he frowned.

“Hey, hey, hey, s’alright.” He assured pulling her body into his, “I kissed you.” He said and she swallowed thickly as she rested into the crook of his neck. His chin was resting on the top of her head as her held her closer.

“I kissed back.” She said and he nodded.

“You did.” He said and she bit her bottom lip before she just relaxed in his hold. After a minute of this she pulled away with a renewed resolve.

“This was the only time, OK?” She said and he bit his lip.

“Well if I’d known that before I would’ve kissed you a lot better than that.” He said and she smiled, he seemed to cope with his stress through making light of things, which she didn’t mind.

“I’m rather satisfied with that little string of mediocre ones. The sooner we get over it the better, I think.” She explained and he pouted.

“Mediocre?” He asked with offense, clearly he was exaggerating the level of offense he felt, but he was offended none the less.

“You just said you would’ve kissed me better.” She smiled teasingly and he smirked before he leaned in, effectively causing her breath to get caught in her throat.

“I’m claiming my redo now.” Harry hummed and her eyes fluttered closed as he carefully molded their lips together.

Diana’s plump bottom lip was encased between his two lips and suddenly his hands were gripping her waist as he pushed her harder into the wall, keeping her still and taking full advantage as her mouth parted in a gasp of surprise. He opened his eyes and grinned as her own eyes fluttered open to look at him and while they held eye contact he gently bit down on her plump bottom lip, how he’d always wanted to. Diana’s eyes fluttered shut as a soft moan slipped from her throat and he couldn’t help it as he eased his tongue against the seam of her lips. He was pleased that she opened a bit wider and let him get in a bit further. His thumbs were rubbing up and down along her her ribcage and she just wanted to feel his hands all over her. But just before they could get carried away the set of the current band ended and the house lights were raised a bit more to allow people to move around with more ease during the set change. They separated with a soft wet sound and just like that, the pink-colored filter hazing over their secret rendezvous was completely gone and they were just looking at each other with more nerves than relief because they had just awakened a beast that neither of them was prepared to handle.

“C’mon.” Harry said extending his hand to her and she just took it quietly and he guided them through the crowd and back to their section.

The uneasy feeling festering in Diana’s stomach came more from the fact that after having that steamy kiss with Harry she was standing beside someone else, trying to distract herself from Harry. She needed to have a conversation with Gabe because this wasn’t fair to him. Sure, he had said that he was taking things slow, but he was actually interested in her and she was still deciding. Well, actually she was quite certain now that her mind and her heart were elsewhere. She was so distracted for the set of the band she wanted to see that she completely missed it. Grace noticed how out of the loop she was and she pulled her along saying they would be going to the bar and as they stood in the line waiting she turned to Diana.

“Girl, what’s wrong? You’re acting really strange.” Grace got straight to the point and Diana sighed.

“It’s nothing bad, just Celeste and I are still on bad terms and well, Harry is her therapist and it’s kind of weird to see him and hang out with him.” She explained and Grace’s eyes went wide.

“Oh!”

“Yeah, that’s not really OK, you know? I know he’s Henry’s best friend and he’s bound to be around, but a warning would be nice in the future so that we don’t continue to just awkwardly run into each other.” Diana explained. She was a bit regretful of telling Grace this, but she would surely tell Henry, who would fully understand the potential issues with that and maybe that would limit her interactions with Harry to what was scheduled. This was the best thing to do. He was definitely right about her choosing herself more, in all reality she had so much fun with him, but like she had said to him, that wasn’t an option when it came to him and she was weak tonight and now not only was she hurting, she would be hurting Gabe, but also Harry with her decision to tell Grace about their preexisting relationship. She was making a big mess.

*********

Diana hadn’t had the guts to say anything to Gabe just yet, she was still mentally processing everything that had happened. Especially after she said goodbye to Harry, their hug was stiff and awkward and he didn’t even look into her eyes. She was laying in her bed, staring at the dark ceiling willing sleep to come. She heard her phone alert her of a text message and she quickly turned over to grab her phone and she saw it was Harry. When she opened his text and started reading she just felt this giant knot form in her throat, this was the absolute worst.

Harry Styles:

I’m so sorry for tonight. I shouldn’t have followed you, Diana. I was jealous from seeing you with Gabe and I threw all caution to the wind. I was impulsive and rash and I’m such a fucking dick for that. I’m in no place to be involved with anyone at the moment and I shouldn’t have dragged you into my shit. If there’s anything I can do to make up for this or to just make this right please tell me.

***********

Harry felt his stomach twisting up with nerves as he saw that she had read his message. He started getting heart palpitations when he saw that she was starting to type out a response. It was about 3am and he had just been trying to get to sleep by watching films or reading, but his mind was far too wired up for that. And now, he was pacing back and forth in his bedroom with a mountain of uncertainty and regret weighing him down.

Diana Beltran:

It wasn’t just you, Harry. I also crossed the line this week and I’m truly so sorry for that. You don’t need to make up for anything, I promise. Tonight, I told Grace that you’re Celeste’s therapist and that it’s weird to see you and get to know about your personal life while you work with her. So I asked her to just warn me when you’ll be around so that I can decide whether to go or not. And well, between you and I, I won’t be joining when you’re around any more. I just wanted to tell you because you need to know that it’s not about you. You’re great and if things were different I can imagine that we’d definitely be great friends. But I fear we’ve opened up a pandora’s box and I don’t want to risk complicating things further or lure you to compromise your values as a professional. I should’ve been stronger and stopped it before we did anything, I’m sorry.

Harry wanted to throw up as he read Diana’s message. He didn’t want her to feel responsible when he was the one who made the move. But he knew better than to continue the conversation because who knows where that would lead them. So with every morsel of willpower he had left he just typed out a “Don’t just blame yourself, we both decided not to stop. But you did the right thing telling Grace. Good night.” And she just liked the message and he tossed his phone on his bed before he sat on the edge of it and groaned before falling back into his mattress. What the fuck was wrong with him?

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK!

So just to clarify, Celeste is upset at Diana because she's "dating" now and Celeste thinks that Diana will spend all of her free time with the person she dates and not have any time for her. Basically that she will be replaced.

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spaghettificationandpretzels · 2 years ago

Text

The Reaper and the Death Angel Part 52

Series Masterlist

Part 51

Contains: Angst, fluff, plans, plans and more plans, small time skips, more plans, consent and kink negotiation, smut (Dom Jax, sub Reader, orgasm denial, fingering, P in V, praise kink, aftercare.)

7K Words

Comment if you want to be tagged/removed or follow #the reaper and the death angel.

The end grows closer.

She smiled, "you're not going to like it, but I think it's going to end things."

You liked her idea, you just knew Sam wouldn't, but Ima wasn't interested in hearing what Sam wanted. You were smiling as you returned to the bedroom, "how did that go?"

You huffed, "I think the CIA is missing out, Ima's talents are being wasted."

Jax's eyebrows shot up, "wow, that's a compliment coming from you."

You nodded, "the lady's got some spine to her, she's going to be a great mum."

Jax pulled your back into his arms, "yeah, she is."

The morning rolled along much faster than you wanted it to, Jax didn't press for more when you told him Juice and Chibs would be over before he left for the hospital but he thought it was strange that you weren't going to be there, "it's Club business Jax, I don't want to meddle any more than I already have."

Jax nodded, "alright, just tell me how Abel is when you get there."

"Of course my love, has Gemma…"

Jax waved his hand, "Nero spent the night with her, he said she's taking it well."

You sighed, "at least she's not spiralling. I can't tell whether I feel bad about cutting her off or not."

Jax shrugged, "I don't, Nero assured me she's stopped smoking and drinking but I don't buy it."

You smiled sadly, "only time will tell."

Jax took a deep breath, "we have to tell her about Clay."

You shook your head, "not yet, give her time to get used to not having us before we drop that bomb."

Jax huffed, "yeah, you're right."

You pressed a kiss to his cheek, "I'm gonna head to the hospital, I expect you to be ok with what Juice is going to tell you or this is goodbye."

Jax's eyes went wide, "what?"

You turned on your heel, "I said what I said, you better be ok with what Juice tells you or I'll be cancelling a lot of shit."

Jax swallowed, "I understand this must be pretty serious."

You nodded, "yep, I love you very much and you're a good man so I know you'll do the right thing."

Jax waited patiently for Juice and Chibs, they arrived about an hour after you left and Jax noticed right away how worried Juice was. They sat down in the dining room, Juice's eye towards the ground the whole time. "What did you need to tell me?"

Juice swallowed, "there's a reason Roosevelt was on me so much after we got out."

Chibs gave a soft nod, "my dad, he's black. I think he was going to use that to get me to rat on the Club."

Jax suddenly knew why you felt so strongly about his reaction, you had said it before when the black thing came up, "there are things you need to change Jax, I don't want Abel to be raised around bigotry."

Jax smiled softly, "y/n lied for you?"

Juice nodded, "yeah, she already knew. She made it clear she wouldn't tell a soul."

Jax was resolved, "I think it's time we need to change some by-laws. Why are you telling me this now?"

"Clay knows, I don't know how he found out but in exchange for keeping my secret, he told me one of his own."

Jax gave a cynical huff, "he's behind the brake-ins?"

Juice nodded, "yeah, y/n said some of the guys already know?"

Jax rubbed his face, "we've been telling people when we have to, it's alright Juice, nothing's going to happen to you."

All the tension faded from the air, "what do you need me to do?"

"I think we better call my old lady, I'm about ready to hand her the gavel."

Chibs laughed, "please don't do that pres, she's real scary when she gets going."

Jax let out a single laugh, "I know."

He called you and got through on the first ring, "are we still getting married?"

Juice blinked away tears, "if you'll have me."

Jax could hear the smile in your voice, "of course I will. Abel's fine, he should be home tomorrow but I'm guessing that's not why you're calling?"

"No, Juice and Chibs are still here, where do we go from there?"

You thought for a minute, "we enact the last part of the plan, it's best I don't share with you simply for the drama but when you know, you'll know."

Jax nodded, "were you really going to up and leave if I didn't take it well."

Jax knew the answer, "without question and I would have taken Abel with me, he comes first now and hate ruins children. I also had a new identity for Juice ready to go. But I knew you'd do the right thing."

"Do I let Clay know that Jax knows?"

Juice sounded like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders, "you've been his babysitter for the last few months, it's your choice. But if you do, put it that you couldn't live with the secret any longer and never said a word about him and the Nomads. Sound good?"

Juice smiled, "yeah, that sounds good. Thank you y/n."

"It's alright, what are friends for if not to keep deep dark secrets."

Chibs chuckled, "I bet you got a lot of those."

You returned his laugh, "so many. Anyway, I need to get back to Abel. I hope you can all stop by sometime today." You hung up, leaving Jax to think over what just happened.

"She's a good woman."

Jax nodded, "yeah, she is."

****

On your way to get food from the cafe, you ran into Greg and Gogo, "how's Abel?"

You shrugged, "getting better, do you have any leads?"

The guilty look on their faces gave it all away, "nah, you'll be the first to know."

You smiled, "well thank you but I would have thought Jax would be."

Greg swallowed, "how's Sam?"

You huffed, "he got shot and almost died, how do you think he is?"

"You to seem pretty close."

You nodded, "yeah, I raised him. I know we're going to find the people responsible for shooting him and no one on this green hell is going to stop me from getting to them."

Greg tutted, "it's Club business, it's not your place to deal with them."

You crossed your arms over your chest, "you should ask Clay about that, I'm sure he can fill you in about my reach."

They looked at each other, "what do you mean?"

You smiled and nasty smile, "I know far more than you think I do, the fact that Clay let you patch into SAMCRO without opening your eyes is your problem."

Without another word, you walked away, leaving them there to look at each other like worried animals.

****

An hour later, Clay was showing up at Abel's hospital room door. "What the hell do you want?"

He smiled a false smile, "I just wanna talk."

You crossed your arms over your chest and stepped outside, "you have three minutes."

Clay looked like he had won the lottery, "I just wanted to tell you I was right."

You rolled your eyes, "about Jax being unable to keep Charming safe, I told you to be careful about that Mr Morrow because you're the only one who gains from that fact and I don't think you want me to start digging."

Clay huffed, "no matter what you find, the Irish won't work with Jax. As much as you want me gone, I'm here to stay."

You tilted your head, Clay unaware of the active voice recorder in your pocket, "why is that? We both know you don't give a shit about the cause."

Clay smirked, "but Galen thinks I do and that's all that matters."

You nodded, "so what, John was a true believer and if you'd had a conversation with Jax longer than a few minutes, you know he's for independence. Do you expect me to think you won't be dropped like a hot rock when they know the only thing you care about is money?"

The smirk widened, "please, O'Shay isn't smart enough to see past his hatred from Jax, he could blow up the Windsor castle himself and O'Shay would still hate him. I'm sure you know Catholics, they love they're old testament justice."

You smiled, "what are you really saying Clay, that this friendship with Galen is bullshit?"

His face became nasty, "he makes me money and we keep his child soldiers dying for his fancy suits, I'm as much of a supported of the cause as he is."

It was your turn to smile, "good to know Mr Morrow. You should go home now, lest I break my promise to Opie." You went back inside and sat by Abel, it took all your willpower not to call Jax and let him know what just happened but you wanted it to be a surprise.

****

"Why are you so happy?"

Jax leaned down and kissed your lips as he sat by you with Abel, "it's a secret, I'll let you know after I pop into work tomorrow."

Jax nodded, "oh, a secret. I can't wait." You bit your lip, "I can see how hard you're holding it in, come on little girl, just tell me."

You looked over at Abel, who was having one of his many naps, "I just recorded Clay saying the cause was bullshit and O'Shay was stupid. The last few weeks I've been working on a true history of Ireland exhibit with some other staff, guess who's getting the first walk through of its bare bones tomorrow?"

"O'Shay?"

You nodded, "yep, I think it might be time to share some things with him."

Jax smiled and kissed your cheek, "my evil genius."

****

"How are you doing?"

Ima shrugged, "I'm ready to get this over with, are you sure you'll be able to sway Galen enough to get him to drop Clay?"

By now, you had informed Jax of your plan and he had told everyone else who needed to know, "I'm sure."

She nodded, "alright, if all goes well with him I think we should do it a few days after. Make a big scene."

You swallowed, "sounds good, are you sure you'll be able to slip away? The only reason Sam's going to be ok with this is if you're out of the house when it happens?"

"Yeah, Aden's going to take me to the apartments above Anvil then come back and help you."

You relaxed, "ok."

Jax had been listening, he felt no need to chime in, "I fear for the world if that baby is a girl."

You chuckled, "why?"

Jax smiled, "because she's going to end up ruling the world."

Ima giggled, "and my boy won't?"

Jax shook his head, "nah, he'll be too busy being like his dad."

You smiled softly, "Abel would be happy with a girl."

Jax nodded, "hell yeah, he'll have so much fun."

"We're going to have to find some way to explain to him that the baby is his cousin and not his sibling."

Ima gave a soft shake of her head, "who cares, you're the one who told me this is how most of the world does it, it takes a village and all. He'll be fine."

Jax smiled, "wow, look at us. We're all so adult."

You cringed, "please don't remind me, with all this stress we're going to start finding grey hairs and then we'll have to start shaking our fists at teenagers."

"Sounds fun, I….."

Jax was cut off by the doctor knocking, "Abel's been cleared to go home, we just need you to sign some stuff."

You felt the tension of the last few days fade away, "thank you." The doctors handed you the paperwork as Abel roused from his sleep, "you ready to go home?"

He gave you a big smile, "yay, can I see grandma?"

You looked at Jax, Ima face was a mask of barely concealed rage, "grandma's a little sick right now and she needs some space but in a little bit."

Abel nodded sadly, he was learning about what needing space meant but right now that only meant a few hours, you had no plans to leet Gemma anywhere near him for a long time, "ok mummy, can I have ice cream at home."

Jax smirked, "sure little man, with chocolate chips?"

Abel smiled, "yes please."

Ima shook her head with a laugh, "he gets his charm from his father."

You rolled your eyes, "yeah Jax, you're teaching our son bad habits."

Jax gasped in fake offence, "how dare you, you love my charm."

"Not in a million years Teller. I'm immune."

****

Jax plopped Abel on the couch, "we're home."

You smiled as Sam emerged from the other room, "thank God, I'll put Abel to bed, you guys relax."

Jax smiled, "you sure?"

Sam nodded, "yeah, I missed tucking the little guy in." Sam picked Abel up with ease, carrying him to his room, fast asleep in his arms.

Jax sat down next to you and dropped his head on your shoulder, "I hope things go well with Galen tomorrow."

You sighed, "if they do, I have another plan."

Jax raised his eyebrows "oh really, what is that?"

You raised a hand and ran it over his face, "one of the main backers for the exhibit is a hardcore Irish republican, he's even worked with the IRA before. There's a gala next week, the day before Galen leaves and while I wasn't planning on going because of everything going on; I think it would be a good idea for us to go and invite Galen."

Jax lifted his head, "why is that?"

You smiled, "because it's at Anvil event hall, it's home ground and we can spend the whole night not only getting my exhibit funded but getting in good with Galen because we're all for the cause."

Jax nodded, "does that mean you'll be giving a speech?"

You huffed, "of course it does, you're insufferable."

Jax chuckled, "I just love how smart you are."

You shook your head, "yeah, we'll see if you think that while you sweat in a suit surrounded by rich assholes and Galen."

****

"O'Shay's at the door for you."

You stood up and straightened your lab coat, "I'll be right out, thank you Travis."

You walked out to greet Galen, he was in his normal business dress, his face smug as usually. "I'm so glad you could come." You stretched out your hand which he accepted, "this way Mr O'Shay."

You lead him to the almost empty exhibit, "you said we had things to discuss?"

You nodded, the recorder in your pocket, "you ask me for more reasons why you shouldn't trust Clay and I have them. I thought we could do this somewhere more private so we're going to wonder around this new exhibit I'm helping curate." You swiped your key card and opened the door, "we're calling to the true history of Ireland. I'm working on how Indigenous Celtic & Gaelic weapons affect bone."

Some of the artifacts were already set up, "when does it open?"

"A few weeks, you should be here to see it at least once since it will be up and running for three months. Now, onto what I brought you here for. I have proof that Clay is responsible for the home invasions currently taking place, as well as my brother getting shot and my child getting hurt. I also have a recording of him that I think you need to hear."

Galen's eyes were wide despite his best efforts, "how do you know all of this."

You put a finger up and pulled out the voice recorder, pressing play. Galen listened to Clay's broadside, his jaw getting tighter and tighter as it went on, "why are you telling me all this?"

You smiled, "because Clay got my brother shot and put my child in the hospital. Just under three years ago, he had Tig kill Opie's wife, Donna behind the Club's back and he's the reason I was shot, he's got to die for all of that and you're the only obstacle. Since I can't kill you, I thought it best to turn you into an ally."

Galen huffed, "at least I'm being honest Mr O'Shay, I could have lied about my intentions but that wouldn't help anyone. There's a gala being held by one of the exhibit backers. I'm inviting you, it's happening the day before you leave. You'll need to wear a nice suit."

Galen was speechless, "with Jackson be there."

You nodded, "of course, if you'd taken the time to talk to him for more than two minutes, you'd know he's quite intelligent."

"I'm sure you'll meet many like minded folks, and you'd do well to have people who like you here, considering how law enforcement sees you."

You walked through the sparse rooms, "you are an impressive young woman."

You smiled, "thank you Mr O'Shay."

He met your eyes as you exited the floor, "it's in your best interest to not let Clay know any of this, do you understand me?"

He nodded, "after what I heard, he's isn't my problem anymore, I'll see you at the gala Dr y/n."

"Great, I'll make sure you get your invite."

****

"How did that go?"

Raymond Holt's calming voice was always a nice change from the beeping of lab equipment, "it went great, I'm going to try and get started on a post before I head home."

Holt shook his head, "I told you to take some time off."

You shrugged, "I've already had so much time off, I miss my job."

He nodded, "I can understand that, but I expect you to go home at four, no more working overtime until your home life calms down."

"Thanks Ray, say hello to Kevin for me."

****

"Ok, it's all set. Now all we need to do is pull the trigger."

Ima nodded, "we need to stop Clay from thinking we know first. He's been trying to get me to turn against Jax, saying he got my husband shot, maybe I can do it."

You thought for a moment, "good idea, as long as he thinks we have no idea he's the one running things, we'll be fine."

She tapped her fingers in thought, "yeah, I'll just tell him that you think it's someone else and you're planning on telling Jax which will start a war."

"Who?"

She shrugged, "I'm not planning on naming them, I'll say it's an up and coming gang from somewhere else and that you want clear proof before you take it to the Club."

You nodded, "great idea, he'll tell the Nomads and they'll act, then we have time to sort out the Irish before we off Clay."

You rubbed your face, "tonight?"

She nodded, "please take a gun, Sam won't survive if anything happens to you."

****

Dinner was a tense affair, you and Ima went over the plan with Sam and Jax. It had a lot of moving parts but you have faith it would work, they were too stupid to see it taking place. "I really don't want you doing this."

Ima huffed, "tough shit babe, you don't get a say."

Jax shook his head, "he's not wrong darlin, Clay's a dangerous man."

Ima crossed her arms over her chest, "I work in porn, I've dealt with plenty."

The table went silent, "don't listen to them Ima, they're being male. You should take some leftovers, make him think you're the dutiful housewife."

"Good idea."

****

Knock Knock

Clay opened the door to a surprise, "hello Ima, what are you doing here?"

She held up the plastic container with the leftover dinner, "I really think we need to talk, I brought a peace offering."

He waved his hand, "come in. What did you want to talk about?"

Ima did her best to look sad, "the state of the Club, y/n has some very scary ideas and I think they're going to get people killed."

Clay directed her to sit down, taking the food from her hands, "tell me what she's been saying."

Ima did her best not to smile, "she thinks the Nomads are the ones behind everything and she think it's a rival gang out of Southern Cali giving the orders, if she tells Jax and she's wrong, she's going to ruin everything."

Clay smiled, "and Jax is too blinded to see it?"

Ima nodded, "we both know how he feels about her, she could suggest anything and he'd take it."

She blinked away her fake tears and put a hand on her belly, time to see what he was really made of, "I can't lose Sam, not with…… Clay, Jax can't lead this Club and I can't bring my baby into a world that's not safe." Clay put a hand on her shoulder and Ima wanted to jump out of her skin, her only solace she had was that you were listening at home on the bug.

"When is she going to tell him?"

Ima faked a soft sob, "three days, she's waiting on phone records. I think she thinks they're going to lead back to the person pulling the string. I don't want anyone else to get hurt and that's all she seems to do."

Clay was beyond happy, "don't you worry about any of that, I take care of it all. Do you want coffee?"

She shook her head, "I can't, I better get home anyway."

Clay nodded, "get home safe, and I mean it, I'll take care of everything."

"Don't you worry about any of that, I take care of it all. Do you want coffee?"

She shook her head, "I can't, I better get home anyway."

Clay nodded, "get home safe, and I mean it, I'll take care of everything."

****

"Fucking shit sis, that was good. I can't believe you told him about the baby?"

She smiled and accepted your hug, "you've said before that you have to know the measure of a man, if he goes through this knowing I'm pregnant, then you really know he's evil."

Sam rubbed his face, "fuck, I'm surrounded by scary women."

Jax chuckled, "and you want a daughter? Dude, can you imagine three of them?"

Sam threw his arms up, "well Jax, if that's the case, our lives will be over."

Ima sat by the table, leaving everyone crowded about the listening device, Ima smiled as it crackled, Clay was calling someone, "get over here now, we have shit to talk about."

"Good job Ima."

She nodded, "we're not done yet."

The Nomads were at Clay's house within ten minutes, you could hear them pilling into the little dining room, "she knows."

Franky's voice was loud, "what does she know?"

Clay snarled, "that you're the ones doing it and it's only a matter of time before she knows I the one behind it."

Gogo was next, "what do you want us to do?"

"Get rid of her."

Jax's jaw was so tight it could cut glass, "how, her house is locked up tight."

You and Ima had planned for that too, "my old lady got a spare key cut, she kept it when that bitch made her give the first one back, I'll get it from her. As for the alarm code, that dumb blonde will give it to me."

Greg didn't seem to like that, "don't talk about her like that."

Clay huffed, "she's pregnant you stupid fuck and she ain't exactly going to jump into your arms when she finds out you're the one who wanted her new husband dead."

You blinked and turned to Sam, "well then that answers that." You had never seen Sam look as angry.

"She'll have all your phone records soon, we need to do it in the next two days before she gets them."

There was a commotion, "fine, just make sure Teller and her brother are out of the house, and I ain't hurting Ima."

Clay huffed, "that's fine, just make sure that bitch is dead and make is nasty, Jax need to learn a lesson."

They left soon after, you could see the rage on Jax's face, "we're almost done my love. Tomorrow Ima and I are going to make sure they get the alarm code and go from there, it's all going to work out."

****

Jax was holding you in his arms, the moon far up in the sky, the whole house in bed and the blankets around your bodies. "I'm sorry this is happening darlin."

You pressed a kiss to his bare chest, "it's alright dear, we always make it through."

He shook his head, "you should be busy planning our wedding, not planning how to take down Clay."

You smiled, "I can do both Jackson. Honestly, I can't really focus on out wedding with Clay up and breathing."

He ran his hand up and down your back, "I get that. What are you going to do to the Nomads?"

You smiled, "nothing without a vote but I'm working on getting some things in place."

Jax shifted even closer to you, "what things."

You placed your hand over his heart, "something called rendition. If it goes through, I can do anything to them within a certain area and no one can do anything."

Jax tilted his head, "how does that work?"

"The CIA basically make said area a different country for a period of time, I'm hoping for a handful of places but the worse the human rights laws, the harder it is to get to permission."

Jax buried his face in your hair, "I guess that makes sense."

You went to reply but were cut off by a yawn, Jax chuckling, "it's late darlin, I think it's time for bed."

You nodded sleepily, "goodnight beloved."

"Goodnight darlin, I love you."

****

"Ready?"

You took a deep breath, "ready."

You walked into the Clubhouse and made a beeline for Jax, after last night the plan was clear and the morning Jax and Sam did their best to act like everything was business as usual. You pressed a firm kiss to his lips, his hand moving to your lower back, "how was your day darlin?"

You smiled "good, I got so much done. How was yours?"

Jax smirked down at you, "I got so much done too, turns out I'm not half bad a fixing cars."

You squeezed his shoulder, "I told you how smart you are, now do you believe me?"

Jax nodded, "yeah, I do."

Jax let you go and you turned your head towards Ima, she was sitting with the Nomads shamelessly flirting with Greg. She beckoned you over with a sickly sweet smile and you added just a hint of superiority in your voice when you spoke to her, "yes Ima, what do you need?"

She batted her eyelashes, "I forgot the alarm code again, can you write it down for me?"

You shook your head, "Ima, this is the third time you've done this."

Her face fell, "I'm sorry, you know I forget things sometimes."

She was good at playing the dumb blonde, "fine, but don't leave the paper anywhere, you know what could happen if someone gets their hands on it."

She smiled as you wrote it down and handed it to her, "this is the last time Ima, after this you can wait until someone opens the door for you." You walked back towards Jax, doing your best not to smile at the excellent performance you both just put on.

Jax was standing by the bar and you walked back into his arms, "you ready to head home?"

You nodded, "yeah, I miss Abel." Your eyes drifted to Opie who was watching Ima and the Nomads carefully, you leaned in, making it look like you were saying goodbye.

"Ima just threw the code in the bin, someone will text you if they take it."

You smiled, "thanks Ope."

Opie texted a an hour later to say that Juice saw Franky reaching into the bin and retrieve the bit of paper with the code written on it and now the whole household was currently around the transmitter again waiting for Clay to give the Nomads the orders, "it has to be tomorrow night, I'll make sure Sam and Jax aren't there."

"How do we know she won't be ready for us?"

Clay huffed, "you have the code and a key, she'll think it's Jax coming home."

You smiled, this was all coming together very nicely, "what do we do if he does come home."

You already knew Clay's response, "shoot him too."

You looked at Jax, steadfast and ready to them on. "We've got this, treat tomorrow as just another day. Just like the last time, someone will come and pick everyone up without letting Clay know and we'll go from there. Abel can stay at Anvil with Ima and Derek. It's all going to be ok."

Jax nodded, "what are we going to about Clay?"

You tilted your head, "someone will need to keep him busy, I figure we Hale to act like he's coming to him hat in hand about the state of Charming."

"Good idea, and when do we bring Clay to the Club?"

You took a deep breath, "after the gala, once Galen is nailed down and likes you we have no reason to worry. Right now he's fine with Clay dying but that doesn't work if you two aren't getting along."

Jax smiled, "tying up the loose ends before they even happen?"

You nodded, "yep."

You rubbed your head, "there's no point going over it anymore, we should all head off to bed, it's going to be a long day tomorrow." You said your goodnights to Sam and Ima and left for your bedroom, Jax following close behind. He placed a hand on your lower back as you opened the door, pressing his back up against your body as he leaned in and pressed his lips to your neck.

"One last roll in the hay before all the shit goes down?"

You smiled, "hell fucking yeah." You spun around and shut the door, pressing a firm kiss to his lips. "I think you're going to like my gala dress, it's very form fitting."

Jax smiled against your skin, "I can't wait." You were wearing one of his old shirts, Jax's hand coming up to take it off your body, "it doesn't matter, it's going to be on the floor by the end of the night."

You smiled, "is that a bet?"

"What do you think?"

You nipped his skin, "alright then, if you manage to behave yourself the whole night, I'm yours when we get home for whatever your heart wishes."

Jax's fingers were drifting over the hem of your panties, "and if I don't behave?"

You reached down and untied his grey sweatpants, "I'm going to take off my dress and the costly french lace lingerie that I may to fit myself, have a shower then go to bed."

Jax walked you back to the bed, his lips never leaving yours, "you're being a brat but I accept your terms." He pushed you onto the bed, "now, are you going to be a good girl or am I going to have to punish you?"

You smirked, "the latter my love."

Jax clenched his jaw, "alright, if that's what you want I can give you that." Jax stood up and walked towards the closet, going into the bondage chest and returning with thick rolls of silk rope.

"Arms out." You left them by your side on the bed, "please put your arms out or I will make you."

You smiled, "isn't that the plan?" Jax's jaw ticked then he was grabbing you with force, flipping you over and tying your hands behind your back with enough slack to pull them over your head and tie them to the headboard.

"Are you comfortable?"

You pulled on the binds, barely able to move, "yes, I am, nothing's too tight."

He ran his hands over your forearms lovingly, "tell me if that changes."

There were another two lengths of rope by your feet but Jax was focused on rubbing his hands all over your body, "are you going to do something with that rope?"

Jax glared at you, "are you attached to those underpants?"

You shook your head, "not really." Jax smirked down at you, picking up the rope then tying your legs to the bed posts. He then walked over to his bedside table, picking up the K-Bar that normally lived on his hip before slipping it under the leg of your underpants and cutting then off in two quick sweeps.

"You and my underpants, how many pairs have you ruined now?"

Jax put the knife down and ran his hand from your knee to your face, "lost count, I'll buy you more."

You shook your head, "you'll just ruin those too."

Jax nodded, "yep but the look in your eyes everytime I do makes it worth it."

You huffed, "are you going to do something or are you just going to talk my ear off."

Jax ran his fingertip over your nipple, smiling as you pushed your chest towards his finger. "Oh, I'm going to do something about it but you might not like it."

You chuckled, "oh, I'm so scared." Jax's hand moved to your stomach, his thumb stroking your skin before it moved downwards to your centre. Your spread legs gave you no protection when his hand reached its goal, his fingers moving through your damping slit.

"Ya know darlin, I don't know why you misbehave when I treat you well when you're my good girl."

You smiled, "because you're very attractive when you're pissed off and you're far too easy to wind up."

You gasped as his fingers found your clit, "you're asking for it." He was hovering over you, his hand your only contact his hand on your body.

"Begging, in fact."

Jax leaned down and kissed you, "you're not allowed to cum unless I tell you."

"Is this something I meant to try and win or am I going to fail no matter what?"

Jax brushed his lips over your ear, "that's for me to know and for you to find out."

You nodded, "oh really, then get to it Teller." Jax removed his hand and lost his clothes, then climbed into bed next to you, making sure to press his skin to yours before returning his hand to your core.

He started slow, making sure the build up was just enough to make your whole body feel warm without giving you too much "you're going to need to try harder than that Jackson."

He sucked on your neck, his beard scratching your skin, two of his fingers circling your entrance before sliding inside. He regarded you with love, his eyes locked on your parted lips as you gasped when he pressed his fingertips to your G-spot. "How's that for trying?"

You smiled, "I think you know."

Jax shook his head as he continued to work you up, "nah, I'd like you to tell me."

His free hand came to grab your breast, squeezing it gently while his fingers tweaked your nipple, "make me."

Jax smirked, "I knew you'd say that." The thumb on your clit shifted to just the right position that had you bucking towards his hands, the bindings on your wrists and ankles pulling as you jolted. "You better tell me if this feels good or I'm not going to go easy on you."

You lifted your head towards his, brushing his lips with yours, "do you worst."

"Fine, but if you cum in the next ten minutes, you're going to have to wait until the gala to do it again."

You smiled, craning your hand so it looked like you were trying to shake his, "you're on Teller." Jax smirked and leaned down, taking your fingers in his and kissing each on. You took a deep breath and he started, moving his fingers with the pure intent of throwing you off the edge. You stared at the bed canopy, the plush carpet mocking you as Jax's lips fluttered over your skin.

A particular brush had you gasping, Jax smiling, "you're going to lose."

You shook your head, "nope, you'd be surprised how distracting counting is, I've got just over eight minutes and thirty seconds left."

Jax tilted his head, "you are so brave, my good girl." Jax's heart felt warm at the smile you gave him, his hand coming to stroke your cheek, "I want to go easy on you but I know you won't learn you lesson if I do." Jax had kept the same pace and you realised he was giving you a chance to win.

A shiver from you cut off his next thought, "are you cold darlin?"

You blinked, trying to make sense of all the sensation happening in your body, "a little but it's not bothering me."

Jax detached from you briefly, grabbed the sheet at the bottom of the bed, pulled it over you, then got under it himself and draped himself partly over you, "better?"

You nodded, "much thank you." He ran his hand up your thigh then went right back to what he was doing, "you had seven minutes left the last time I checked."

You nodded, "I did."

"See, you're being good now. You could have lied."

You took another deep breath in hopes of holding back the waves of pleasure, "you would have started again if I did that."

You swore he hadn't stopped smiling at you, "my smart girl, you're right as always." It was getting harder to hold back and Jax knew it, you met eyes with him, Jax catching the challenge, "be good and I promise you won't be able to walk in the morning."

You wrinkled your eyebrows, "that would put a damper on things."

"Right again smart girl. I guess I'll have to save that for the night of the gala then." Jax pulled his hand away and you lifted your head up to see what he was doing,

Jax stopping you with a kiss "what?" Jax's lips were soft on your skin as he stopped kissing you to talk, "you won, you made it to ten minutes."

You nodded, "time flies when you're having fun." Jax climbed on top of you with a kiss on your neck.

"You want more?"

Jax untied on of your hands and you stretched it to the back of his head, bringing him in for a kiss, "yes please."

Jax grabbed his cock and ran it up and down your slit before notching it in your entrance and sliding in, his hand slapped the headboard as you swallowed him, "fuck, you're tight."

You were too busy feeling overwhelmed to respond, "Jax, please."

Jax kissed you, "oh, I'm sorry darlin, I forgot I hadn't let you cum yet." You wanted to give him lip but his thumb had made its way to your clit and you found yourself incapable.

It took two sharp circles for you to plummet over the edge, Jax's head falling to your shoulder in an effort to keep himself contained. Your brain was elsewhere, stuck on the way his skin smelt and how warm he felt inside you. You were aware he was whispering praise in your ear but his voice felt like honey as it entered your brain and you couldn't focus on the words he was saying. The backs of his fingers stroking your cheek brough you somewhat back to him, "can you give me another one?"

You smiled through half closed eyes, "whatever you want my love."

Jax rubbed your nose with his, "another one it is then." His hand went back to your clit as his hips sped up, your hand that he had freed digging into his back, "come on, be a good girl and come for me." You gasped, unable to resist his praise, this one was slower and so deep it felt like it was in your spine. Jax pressed his lips to your ear, his voice floating through the mush in your brain, "good girl." His tone was rough and he was almost speaking through his teeth.

With one last hard thrust, he was painting your walls with his seeds, his body dropping onto yours. Jax untied you as fast as he could, rubbing the smarting out of your legs before pulling you into his arms, bringing your wrists to his chest and rubbing them gently. He spoke softly, telling you about his day and how much he enjoyed the last hour, it didn't make much sense at first, all you could comprehend was his gravel voice and the feel of his hands on your body.

When you came back to awareness, Jax was smiling at you and pressing kisses to your fingertips, "you back with me?"

You nodded slowly, "I think so."

Jax looked over your face, ending at your eyes, "it's good to see you pretty girl, you're pupils are still huge."

You giggle, "yeah, I feel like my brain is swimming in maple syrup. Just give me a bit longer."

Jax smiled softly, "of course, we can be here for as long as you need."

It took a while for you to return to earth, Jax talking to you softly until you could form clear thoughts before getting up and getting a warm, damp cloth to clean you up, "I need to get up and pee."

Jax chuckled, "I'm not stopping you, I don't want you to get a UTI anymore than you do."

You made a face as you got up, "oh look at you, Mr smarty pants."

Jax chuckled and reached out, pulling you back to the bed, "yep, that's me, now go pee."

Jax's eye's followed your ass as you walked to the bathroom and he smiled when you dressed in his T-shirt when you returned, "ready for bed darlin?"

You nodded "yes please."

Jax brought you into his embrace and he buried his face in your hair, "goodnight y/n, I love you."

"Goodnight beloved, I love you too."

Part 53

Please comment if you feel able, they help me so so much and I do take on your feedback for new chapters.

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orange-waterfalls · 5 years ago

Text

Say It Back (2/2)

The Host x gender neutral!reader

@thekillingjoke-haha ty for the request(still)

Part 1

A/N: ok i know i made a playlist called "songs to cry to" and listened to it while writing a sappy fic but..... I didn't think I'd actually cry??? I had no idea how to end it I'm sorry ahvsgsvs. also I feel like should point out that I do headcanon that Host is on the aromantic scale, so that's why you are the literal only person who he has fallen in love with. Because. You're special???? I guess????? But uh I hope u like this. Rated T for cursing. Enjoy???

Word Count: 2.4k

Requests are open!

“Host, what the fuck are we doing?” Illinois asks with his hands on his hips.

Host sighs and stops pacing the floor. He turns to the egos- excluding Bim, who is behind him- who he has lined up in the living room. A day has passed since you went on that date with that guy. Host has no idea who he is, but he doesn’t like him.

“Host needs you all to help him,” Host states, his voice managing to stay flat though he was experiencing many emotions at the moment. Not all of the egos were present. The more serious/dangerous ones(i.e. The Googles, Darkiplier, Yandere, etc.) were not there. He’d also kicked out the ones he didn’t trust with something this important(i.e. Ed, Silver Shepard, King of the Squirrels, etc.). There is still a fair amount of them, however.

“Help? Wit what?” Yancy asks. The Host takes a deep breath.

“Host… wants to tell Y/N he’s in love with them…” A series of cheers, groans, and sounds of money being passed follow his statement.

“Okay, but what do we have to do with this?” Dr. Iplier gestures to himself and the nearly identical people next to him.

“Host… is not the most familiar with romantic relationships…” Host explains softly, “He does not know what to do… he needs help…” The room is silent and the Host’s heart beats softly in his ears.

“Oh, hell yeah!” Bing cheers. The other egos join and agree to help. Host swells with joy. These people are maniacs but, dammit, they’re family. Basically, anyways. “So, what do we do?”

“Hm?” Host is snapped out of his thoughts.

“Well, what are we supposed to do? Is there a plan or something?” Host stares at Bing. He… hadn’t thought of that. A plan… would be useful… in this specific situation… hm…

“Uh…” Host scratches his neck while he thinks. Bim rolls his eyes.

“Oh, Christ. Fine,” he pulls a chair up to the coffee table in front of them while the others sit across from him on the couch and in the seats.

“Does… Does Bim have a plan?” Host’s eyebrows raise in surprise.

“I have a lot of free time and believe you me, I knew you wouldn’t be able to do this yourself,” Bim explains. Some of the egos chuckle while Host blushes.

“Now,” He leans forward, as do the rest of them, “Here’s what we’ll do…”

Host does not know how he let himself get into this situation.

He is holding a bouquet of flowers, standing in the middle of your house, wearing a bowtie, of all things, waiting for you to get back. And when you got back, he’d take you to the movies, then to dinner, then the park and he’d finally confess his everlasting love for you while you watched the sunset. And then he’d go in for the kiss. Perfect.

Except… not perfect. Bim neglected to explain what he was supposed to do while all these activities were taking place. He didn’t do romance! He didn’t know how to talk to people! What is he supposed to talk about? The weather? His job? The goddamn election? What?!

Host took a deep breath to slow his beating heart. He could feel the blood threatening to drip from his eyes. He squared his shoulders and faced your door. You should be here soon. Bim said you’d be here soon.

Bim had a plan. Like, a plan plan. An “I have been waiting for this moment for so long that I already have every single detail planned down to the letter” plan. Illinois and Yancy would pretend to get in a fight outside your work. You’d go outside and break it up. You’d ask them what the fight was about, they’d give a stupid answer and you’d tell them to go home. Then Eric would show up, tell you that he thought he left something at your house the last time he was there and he really, really needed it. You’d tell your boss you needed to go home. You’d go home, open your door, and boom! Host takes you out. On a date.

Bim, King, and Dr. Iplier would take care of the rest. Bim would make sure the theater was clear… by doing whatever he does… Dr. Iplier would call the people who reserved a table at a fancy restaurant that they’re dying and need to get to the hospital immediately. King would make sure the park was clear by getting his squirrels to scare people away. It was perfect.

...

What the hell is he doing? He isn’t… like this. This is false advertising for what would actually happen if you two are to date. He’d probably spend a whole day writing and then hug you when you went to bed. Maybe a kiss.

But this? Movies(that he can’t watch)? Fancy restaurants? Watching the sunset? This isn’t him. Is it too late to cancel?

Host stiffens when he hears your car pull into the driveway.

30 seconds to make a decision. A) He can stay and go through with the plan or B) he can throw himself out the window.

He hears your keys in the lock and there is apparently an unforeseen third option where he walks out the back door like a sensible person. He breathes heavily once he’s in your backyard.

Okay. Bim’s plan is officially ruined. Great. What now?

He can go home and tell the other egos how he’s an absolute failure and literally cannot do a single thing right.

Or…

Or he could ask you out. His way. On his own, without any help from Bim. He heard you walk around your apartment, talking with Eric.

“So, what did you leave?” You ask. Host feels the dopamine flow through his brain at the sound of your voice. Unknowingly, he smiles.

“I-I-I don’t know. B-But it w-was i-important!” Eric stutters. He’s a really bad actor…

“Okay, it’s okay, we can look,” You respond gently. Host clutches the flowers tightly. You’re so… gentle. You’re so wonderful with Eric, so patient with the kid. You know what he’s been through, and you try to help and understand him. You did the same thing with Host. Maybe that’s why he likes you so much…

“U-Um, I-I think this is it,” Eric says after a few minutes of rustling around.

“Really? I thought this was mine…”

“O-Oh, uh… m-maybe i-it’s n-not--”

“No, no! You have it! Better safe than sorry.”

“O-Okay… um… a-are y-you sure?”

“Yeah, absolutely. I can get another one, it’s fine.”

“A-Alright… thanks!”

“No problem. Bye, Eric! Have a great day! Don’t forget to take your meds!”

“Okay… B-Bye, Y/N!”

Host bites his lip to suppress the happy chuckle that threatens to come out. He thought your interaction was the purest thing in the world. You’re… so… great.

Great? Really? That’s the best word he can come up with? Not “exceptional”, not “tremendous”, “marvelous”, “magnificent”, “stupendous”, “extraordinary”, “outstanding”...

He’s an author, for Chrissakes!

How was it that you took away all of his cognitive ability by just… being you?

Goodness, he had it bad, didn’t he?

Host jumps at the buzzing on his thigh. He takes the phone out of his pocket and answers. He hesitantly brings the phone to his ear. He has a feeling about what’s going to happen.

“Um… Hello?” He whispers.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” Yancy yells. Host flinches at the volume.

“I-”

“What the hell happened to the plan? What is your problem?” Illinois interrupts.

“Well-”

“Dude, we were rooting for you!” Bing takes the phone next. Host frowned, starting to get annoyed.

“If-”

“We’re trying to help you,” Dr. Iplier said, calmer than the rest.

“Everything was ready,” King said from somewhere in the background.

“Host,” Bim finally took the phone, “What happened?” Host was silent for a minute. “Host?”

“Oh, is Host allowed to speak now?” He teases. Bim chuckles.

“Yeah, sorry… Just… what happened?” Host sighs.

“Host… realized… he wants to do this… his way. Without help. He doesn’t need it. Y/N will either like him, or they won’t. All this… fancy stuff won’t change that. Host needs to do this on his own,” Host explains. The phone is silent. He’s begun to realize that silence does not equal upset. Bim snorts.

“Well, you could’ve fucking said that before we convinced that young couple that they’re dying,” He laughs. Host flushes and he’s glad no one’s around to see it.

“Host is sorry…”

“Eh, it’s fine. I’m sure if I ask Wilford, we can do all the shit you were supposed to,” Host can hear Bim’s smile when he talks, “Good luck Host.” He hangs up, and Host is left sitting on your back porch.

Ok. New plan.

Host tears the bowtie off and throws it in your trash, along with the flowers. Hopefully, you wouldn’t mind.

He straightened his back and cleared his throat, raising his fist to knock on your door. He paused.

Wait. What if you didn’t like him? What if you were already dating the guy? Did romantic relationships work that way? He wouldn’t know.

He shook his head and knocked three times. He’d deal with that when he got to it.

The door opens to reveal… you. You’re wearing sweatpants and a Pokemon hoodie. You raise an eyebrow at him, a slightly annoyed look on your face.

God, you’re perfect.

“Host? May I help you?” Your face softens when you see who it is. The Host swallows nervously.

“Uh… may the Host come in?” You nod and step back, allowing him to step into your house. His knees would have buckled with the sheer smell of the house if he hadn’t been here before. The whole place smells like you and he nearly collapsed the first time.

“Would you… like a drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay, well…” You both stand across from each other, a few feet apart. “What would you-”

“The Host likes Y/N,” Host blurts out. You blink at him, hand in mid-gesture.

“What?” You ask quietly. The Host takes a shaky breath and grounds himself. He is going to get through this, no matter how embarrassing or traumatizing it may be.

“The Host… I… I like you. I love you. I am… in love… with you…” He says slowly, not fully comprehending what’s coming out of his mouth. “I like you. Say it back, please.”

“Say it back, please”? Really?! Could you sound any more desperate?

He looks up to see your head tilted slightly. Why were you so cute?

“Okay…” You furrow your eyebrows, “Elaborate?” Host takes another breath and swallows. His throat is very dry. Maybe he should’ve said yes to the drink…

“Host… is in love with you. He has been for a while. He’s not sure when it started, but he knows it’s a very strong feeling. He loves to hear Y/N talk and laugh and… walk around and… do anything. And… he thinks they are such a wonderful person and he wants to be the one to make them happy… he wants to be the one they go on dates with and come home to… because… he loves them…” Host holds his breath while he waits for the response. The suspense might actually kill him at this point.

“I… like you,” You finally say. Host knits his eyebrows together.

“What?” He asks.

“You… you said to say it back…” you whisper, “And… if it happens to be true… that’s not my fault…” Hosts eyebrows raise as high as they can go.

“What?” He repeats, barely louder than a whisper. He hears the floor creak as you walk over to him and he breathes heavily in response. What’s happening? What are you doing? What’s going on?

His breath hitches when you take his hand and intertwine your fingers with his.

“I love you too, Host.” You whisper. The Host feels extremely light headed. You love him? You love him? No, no, no… but…

“But… date… with… guy…” Host murmurs. There goes the brain function.

“I went out with him to try and get over you…” you admitted, “I didn’t think you actually liked me…”

“Why… not?”

“I’m not… anything special--”

“Yes! Yes, you are!” He raises his voice, “You are… exceptional! And tremendous! And marvelous, magnificent, stupendous, extraordinary, outstanding… and… so much more!” You stifle a laugh.

“You really think so?”

“Yes!” You chuckle. You shift your hand so that you’re holding his fingers in your hand. You rub your thumb over his knuckles. He begins to shake slightly. Too much. He was going to pass out.

“So… what now?”

“Hm?” Host turns his head from your hand holding his to your face.

“What do we do now?”

“Host is not sure, he didn’t think he would get this far…” You laugh out loud this time and a smile appears on the Host’s face.

“Well… do you want to awkwardly kiss?”

“That… It would be nice…”

You shuffle forward a bit so you’re very close to the Host. He stands completely still, not exactly sure what to do with himself. You lay a gentle hand on his cheek and kiss him. Not deep, not… sensual, just… a small kiss. Host still gets very flushed by it and his cheek is very hot on your hand. You pull back after a few seconds.

“How… was that?” You squeak.

“Good… it was… it was good…” He pants. You both stand there, unmoving. Then, you start to giggle.

“We… are adults… and we’re acting like teenagers…” You laugh. Host smiles.

“That… we are…” Host starts laughing as well. You laugh at each other and how ridiculous you’re being before you remove your hand from the Host’s. He immediately misses the contact. You wrap your arms around him and hold him tightly in a hug. Host hesitantly wrapped his around you. You stood, swaying a bit, feeling very comfortable.

“This is nice,” you sigh.

“It is.”

“What do you wanna do now?”

“Host is… a bit hungry…” You snicker.

“Alright. I’ll make something.” You pull away and Host chases after your warmth. You lead him to the living room and sit him down on the couch. You go to the kitchen, leaving the Host alone with his thoughts.

You… like him. You… love him. How long have you loved him? Why didn’t he know? Is he really just that stupid around you?

He sighs and traces his knuckles with a finger.

He loves you… you love him…

He couldn’t remember the last time he was this happy...

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