#It's a party for their WEDDING I gotta be a LITTLE classy

[strifetime]

i have 20 days to figure out a Halloween costume for a friend's party 🫠

[usomads]

Under the Mistletoe // Jimmy Uso x Jey Uso x Reader

Author’s Note -> Strap in folks, this is a long one 😅 I may have gone a little overboard with this one but hey, it’s the holidays and I’m in a giving mood 😂 anyways, I hope y’all enjoy this and as always happy reading!!! 

Plot -> A holiday tradition puts you in an interesting position with your future brother-in-law Jey, and your fiancé, Jimmy. Will the three of you brush past it like it’s nothing, or will the tension consume you?

Pairings -> Jimmy Uso x Jey Uso x Fem!Reader

Warnings -> Cursing, Fingering, Spanking, Oral Sex (M!Receiving, F!Receiving), P in V, Double Penetration, Threesome (M/M/F), Creampie, Not Proofread, MDNI

Word Count -> 4.0k

Holiday parties were a specialty in the Fatu/Anoa’i household. Every year, the Samoan Dynasty threw an extravagant party on Christmas Eve to celebrate with their closest family and friends, and you being engaged to Jonathan meant you would be there no matter what. Most people would dread the amount of time they spent with their future in-laws but you loved the get-togethers the family would put on, especially the annual Christmas party, being that this was your third year in attendance. You loved it so much, in fact, that you bought yourself a brand new dress just for this occasion: a red corset-style bodycon dress, made in velvet, with a plunge neckline and a thigh-high slit to match. You paired your new dress with gold jewelry and a matching pair of red velvet heels, your hair falling down your back in wavy curls. You looked elegant and classy with a dash of seductiveness, not enough to bare everything to all of the other attendants but just enough to turn heads in the right way. Adjusting the strap of your heel and grabbing a handbag from your closet, you made your way downstairs to Jonathan, who had been patiently waiting for you to get ready. He adjusted his watch and smoothed out his all black suit before watching you descend down the stairs, a look of adoration and desire evident in his eyes.

“Damn, baby…” he walked over to you, wrapping his arms around your waist, “you sure we have to go? ‘Cuz I’d have a much better time here at home.” He moved a curl to the side and pressed kisses to the side of your neck, making your eyes flutter shut before lightly pushing his chest.

“Babe, no! We have to be there tonight, we don’t need your mama and Kishi gettin’ all mad at us because you can’t keep it in your pants, mister.” You teased, shooting him a wink as he pouts. 

“But-”

“But nothing! We’re going, and if you’re good maybe we can resume this when we get home,” you bite your lip, holding back a smile as his eyes light up- his hopes of getting some tonight going up with your words. “Now c’mon, we gotta go before we end up bein’ late.” He then rushes to grab your coat, making you giggle as you put on the fabric over your dress and heading outside to the car.

The party had now been in full swing for about an hour now, and you spent that time sipping on a glass of champagne and socializing with friends and family about your upcoming wedding, life updates, and all the usual small talk that was had at these types of events. Eventually, though, your glass of champagne was empty and you needed another. A waiter came by offering to refill it for you but you declined, wanting to move around a little bit so you walked to the kitchen yourself to refill your glass. After pouring yourself another flute of champagne you decided to make your way back, nearly bumping into Joshua, Jonathan’s twin brother, in the entryway of the kitchen. 

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I totally wasn’t paying attention.” You stammered, trying to apologize.

“Don’t worry about it, Y/N, it’s gonna take a lot more than you to knock me on my ass.” You laugh in response, relaxing a bit in his presence as his eyes wander down your body. There was no denying you looked incredible tonight, and your ensemble had his mind racing like so many times before. He would take those thoughts with him to the grave because if anyone found out, if Jon found out, about how bad he wanted to rip Y/N’s dress off of her body and fuck her against the nearest wall… well, he’s not entirely sure what would happen. So instead of falling deeper into his imagination he focuses his attention back on her face, engaging in simple conversation and definitely not thinking about something else. 

The two of you talk for a while about random things, letting the conversation take y’all away for a while until you’re interrupted by Jonathan walking from the living room into the kitchen.

“Y’all gonna head in here for the gift exchange or- oh, what do we have here?” He looks above you two then smirks, his eyes darkening slightly. Both yours and Josh’s eyes follow and notice something hanging above you- mistletoe. Your eyes grow wide and Josh holds his hands up in surrender, taking a step back.

“Aye uce, we were just talkin’. Ain’t nothin’ goin’ on here, bro.” 

“Jon, I-” you stuttered, still in shock, “it’s really not what it looks like, like he said, we were talking and…”

“I know, I know,” he laughs, leaning against the wall, “but… it is tradition. So you know what that means…” Josh and you stand in shock, still not quite sure if Jon was joking or not. You make eye contact, feeling heavy tension between you and him as you both remain standing under the hanging plant.

“Um… uce, are you saying that we should, you know…”

“Why not? It’s tradition, you can’t break that shit. Especially in this household? That shit would never fly, uce. I’m not stoppin’ y’all, might as well.” Jon shrugs, his eyes dark with lust and a hint of excitement, and that’s when you realize- he’s dead serious. You swallow hard and turn to Josh, who’s already eyeing you closely. You shake out a breath, your voice only finding a whisper.

“A-are you okay with this? W-we don’t h-have to if you d-don’t want to..” your hands fidget with your dress as you look down, embarrassed. 

“Are you?”

“I- yeah, I mean it’s just a kiss… right?”

“Yeah…” Josh trails off, “just a kiss…”

“Y’all just gonna stand there or are we doin’ this?” You snap your head back, finding his eyes for permission as he looks at you. “Y/N, baby, it’s okay, I promise. I’m not gonna be mad or anything. I just wanna see somethin’...” Your brows furrow in response as you feel Josh reach for your hand, turning your attention back to him. 

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to, it’s entirely up to you, Y/N… your move.”

“I-,” you breathe out, “I’ll do it. It’s just a kiss…” You notice Josh’s eyes flicker with an emotion you hadn’t really seen on him before. Disappointment, maybe? The thought leaves your mind as quickly as it comes in, his hand reaching for your waist and gently pulling you closer to him- almost hesitant, like he’s still unsure if he’s crossing the line or not. You look up at him, your heart racing as he stares down at you. Are we really about to do this? 

Josh leans down as your eyes close, leaning into him as his lips brush yours. They’re soft as they touch yours, lightly hovering before pressing onto your own. He’s a great kisser, his lips massaging yours gently but passionately until you sense him holding back- like he wants to kiss you harder, deeper, but knows he can’t. After a few seconds he pulls away, your eyes remaining closed as you take in deep breaths, still trying to grasp the fact that you just kissed your fiancé’s brother. You open your eyes to Josh’s staring into your own, his now intense gaze staring right back at you. You bite your lip as you look at him, trying not to crumble under his gaze.

“That’s all you got?” Jonathan breaks the silence, as you both turn to look at him. “Y’all can do better than that. Don’t act like y’all don’t feel that shit too. I been seein’ the way look at each other, you don’t gotta hide it. Go ‘head, try it again but this time do it like you mean it. And after that, we can see how far we wanna go.”

“Uce, you sayin’ that…”

“Josh, I’m not stupid. You don’t do a great job of hiding it at all. Shit, when I first came in here you looked like you was wantin’ to bend her over the counter and drill her shit in front of everybody,” you gasped, a rosy blush rising to your cheeks. “And don’t give me that look either, Y/N, I saw you lookin’ him up and down earlier. You want him too. So let’s make this interesting, hmm?” He paused, walking over to you two. “Honestly? I can’t lie and say I’ve never thought about it. So if you two want it, and I want it, then why don’t we just go all the way?” You and Josh stand frozen, eyes wide as you stare at Jon. Jon’s lips turn to a devilish smirk, looking at you both. “Do it again, and what happens afterward happens. I wanna see where this goes, and I know y’all do too.”

You bite your lip, looking back at Josh as he watches you take your lip between your teeth. Josh and Jon make eye contact, having a silent conversation before Jon nods at him. With the confirmation he needed Josh pulls you to his chest, tucking a hair behind your ear. 

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this, Y/N.”

“M-me too.” You blush as his hand brushes your cheek, sending sparks through you as he pulls you in and kisses you hard. This time, he’s more desperate. Your head spins as his lips massage yours with desperation, hunger, like he’s been starved his entire life. You kiss him back with the same urgency, wrapping your arms around his neck and tangling your fingers in his curls as the kiss deepens. Suddenly the both of you pull away, gasping for air as your lips tingle from the sensation- wanting more, needing more.

“There we go, now that-” Jon is cut off by someone yelling into the kitchen, letting the three of you know the gift exchange was about to begin. “We’ll come back to this later, yeah? As much as I’d love to stay here, we got gifts to open. C’mon, y’all.” He walks back into the living room as you join his side, looking behind you at Josh who gives you a wink before the three of you rejoin the festivities.

The gift exchange went without a hitch, only some occasional glances shared between the three of you that the others were too distracted to notice. Usually that would be the end of it but someone suggested watching a Christmas movie to end the night, which had you sharing the couch between Jon and Josh. You were anxious, but also excited? It wasn’t out of the ordinary to share a couch with them but after the events that unfolded, you were looking at this completely differently. Blankets were passed around to everyone which meant the three of you were sharing one, only fueling your jitteriness. The lights were turned off and the movie started, the only thing illuminating the living room being the large TV.

About halfway through the movie Josh had adjusted himself to where his thigh was now touching yours, and Jon’s hand was sitting on your other thigh. You glanced at Josh out of the corner of your eye, his eyes glazed over as he stared down at you and smirked. Jon picked up on this, making eye contact with Josh and slowly sliding his hand down and in between your thighs. You shuddered at the movement as you felt another hand, Josh’s, do the same. 

“Focus on the movie, baby,” Jon whispered in your ear, “gotta be good for us if you wanna get what you want. I need you quiet, got it?” You nodded eagerly, adjusting to spread your legs for them- resting a leg on each of them. Josh swallowed, suppressing the groan that wanted to escape his throat as the twins inched their hands closer to your aching core. The two cursed under their breath, realizing you werent wearing any panties underneath your dress as you felt their fingers graze your wetness. Jon found your clit first, rubbing slow circles while Josh’s teased your entrance, sliding a digit in as your head fell back and rested on the back of the couch. Jon’s free hand moved the blanket to shield any prying eyes, although no one could see due to the darkness in the room, as the two men played with your pussy underneath it. You were biting onto your lip hard enough to draw blood, trying desperately not to cry out in pleasure and draw attention to the three of you as they continued. 

“Fuck Y/N, you’re so tight… can only imagine how you feel squeezin’ my dick, baby.” Josh mutters in your ear, his tone making you gasp quietly. He chuckles at your response, moving his fingers faster and watching your face contort at his and Jon’s actions.

“Whatchu think, ma, should he come home with us tonight?” Jon whispered loud enough for only you three to hear and you nodded, looking at the two with pleading eyes. 

“Don’t worry, baby girl, imma be there. Promise.” You sigh in content at Josh’s words, your eyes flickering back to the screen as the ending scene begins to play. The other two notice, sharing a look then removing their hands but not before tasting your juices on their fingers. You watch as they bring their digits to their lips, winking at you as the lights turn on and the guests begin to depart- the three of you doing the same.

The car ride was silent, Jon occasionally sneaking glances in your direction as you desperately pressed your thighs together. You continuously looked in the rearview mirror, watching as Josh’s car followed you home. Finally you had made it, pulling into the driveway with Josh pulling in behind you. The three of you got out of your vehicles at the same time, trying to remain calm and not rush to the front door as Jonathan punched in the code to unlock it. The door was opened, as the three of you tumbled inside. You removed your coat and the men their suit jackets as Josh gripped you from behind, latching his lips to your neck as Jon kissed your lips full of fervor. Josh had unzipped your dress from behind, allowing it to fall to the floor as you stood completely exposed to the twins. Both groaned at the sight, their hands searching your skin desperately for relief. You felt Josh’s hard-on press into your backside as you leaned into him, pushing back on him enough to elicit moans from the man’s lips. Your fingers fidgeted with the buttons on Jon’s shirt and removed the material from his torso, your hands gliding along his chest as you continued to kiss him. 

“Go upstairs and get on the bed, me and Josh will be up in a second.” You nodded excitedly as you rushed up the steps, Josh smacking your ass as you moved past him. You yelped in excitement as he chuckled, watching you ascend up the stairs. You made it to yours and Jon’s room and did as you were told, laying down on the bed and anxiously waiting for them to get there. Finally you heard them coming up, their voices low as they discussed what you assumed were ground rules for this. They entered the room, both now only in their boxers as you waited patiently for them to join you. You sat up as they got onto the bed, laying down on either side with you in between them. You went to Jon first, removing his hard cock from his boxers and spitting on it before wrapping your lips around the tip. As you swirled your tongue on him and bobbed your head you also took Josh’s cock in your hand and stroked him, Josh hissing as your hand wrapped around his shaft. You alternated between the two, taking turns sucking both men and making sure both got equal attention. 

“Shit, ma, you’re takin’ us so fuckin’ well,” Josh moaned, his head resting on the headboard.

“Fuck, baby, look at you takin’ us both…” Jon moaned in agreement. “She deserves a reward, don’t she, uce?” Josh nodded in agreement as you looked up at him, his eyes glazed as you took as much of him as you could down your throat. He lifted your head up from his cock, his fingers resting under your chin. 

“Go ‘head and lay back, baby. It’s our turn to take care of you.” You obliged, laying on your back as the two men stood up, stroking themselves. 

“You want Josh to eat you, ma? Should we let him taste you?” You whined in response.

“P-please…” Jon nodded at Josh who kneeled down between your legs, planting wet kisses along the inside of your thighs. Jon brought his cock back to your lips, you opening them for him to slide his cock along your tongue as Josh placed a kiss on your throbbing clit. You arch your back, moaning around Jon’s dick as you continued to suck him. Josh moaned into your pussy, his tongue lapping at your folds as he brought a hand to your breast, kneading it in his palm.

“Tastes so fuckin’ sweet, fuck, could eat you all the time,” Josh muttered against you as you bucked your hips, eager for more. He chuckled, bringing his free hand to your folds and rubbing the skin.

“Be patient, Y/N, imma give you what you want..” You moaned once more, Jon now thrusting himself inside your mouth as Josh wrapped his lips around your clit and pushed two fingers past your entrance. You cried out as they stretched you, pumping inside you at a fast pace as he continued biting and sucking on your clit. You were already close to cumming, your walls tightening around his fingers as you moaned profusely around Jon’s cock, him knowing you were close.

“You gonna cum for Josh, baby? Gonna let him see how pretty you look cumming all over his face?” You whined, now bucking your hips to match Josh’s movements. “Atta girl, you can cum, baby. Let him see you.” Your eyes shot open and looked at Josh, watching as he ate you like he hadn’t eaten in days. That was enough to send you over the edge, releasing Jon’s cock from your mouth as you moaned Josh’s name and came for him. He cleaned you up as you came down, lifting his head to reveal your juices all over his face and beard. 

“Goddamn, uce, you wasn’t lyin’... she’s fuckin’ incredible.”

“And you haven’t even felt her pussy wrapped ‘round your shit yet,” Jon looked down at you, still breathing heavily but aching for more. “You wanna let him feel you, baby?”

“Fuck yes, please, baby…”

“You heard her, you got first. Remember what I told you though…”

“Yeah, yeah, no cumming inside her, I know…” you unconsciously pouted hearing that, feeling a little bit of disappointment.

“But- but I’m on birth control… please? Just this once? I just…”

“You what?” Josh asked, Jon now staring intensely at the two of you. “What, you want us both to fill that pretty pussy of yours? Hmm?”

“Well… that would be nice but I kinda had something else in mind…” 

“And what’s that?” Jon asked you gently, playing with your hair.

“I, um, I saw something a few days ago but I was thinking… I know we don’t do, uh- anal that often but… in this video she was getting fucked by two guys at the same time… like one was doing it normally and the other was, um…”

Josh wore a shocked expression, 1. not expecting you to watch double penetration videos and 2. definitely not expecting you to want that. Jon, on the other hand, was intrigued.

“You sure you can handle that, princess? That’s some pretty intense stuff… I-”

“Fuck yes,” you responded, a little too fast. “I mean, yeah, I think so. I just wanna try it, you know, see what it’s like…”

“That good with you, uce?”

“Yeah, I mean- shit, if y’all are down then I am…” Josh replied, “You wanna lead the way, princess?” You sat up quickly, the excitement and adrenaline taking over as you pushed Josh by his chest to lay on his back so you could straddle him. You took his cock in your hands, guiding it to your entrance and sinking down slowly. You gasped at the size, feeling your walls mold around his shaft and wrap around him tightly as you sat completely on him. Josh moaned loudly, his hands immediately finding your hips as you began to grind on him. He guided your movements and helped you find rhythm, allowing you to pick up your speed and bounce on him. Your thighs connected with his over and over, him now bringing his hands to your ass. He kneaded the flesh in his hands before smacking your ass, moans falling from your lips as each slap filled you with a mix of pain and pleasure. Behind you, Jon was applying lubricant and stroking himself at the sight before him. He had imagined a scenario like this many times before, but none of them compared to what was happening now. Seeing you handle them both so well only turned him on more as he situated himself behind you, teasing you with his tip from behind.

“You’re sure about this, baby? It’s not gonna be too much?”

“N-no please, n-need you both.” You stammered out in between moans as he groaned at your response, his tip at your entrance before pushing himself inside your ass. You cried out, tears brimming your eyes as he pushed his way inside, not used to the feeling. Josh pulled you down to his chest, peppering you with kisses to help you through it as Jon fully entered you. He gave you a few moments to adjust, working at your pace, but eventually the initial pain subsided and you were nodding at the two of them to move.

You had no words to describe how this felt, only loud moans as the two men fucked both of your holes- their moans combining with yours and filling the room. Both of them picked up their pace and were drilling into you, using you as their personal fuck toy, and you loved every second of it.

“O-oh my g-god, fuck, p-please d-don’t stop…” you cried out, “s-so fuckin’ g-good…”

“Yeah, you like that, baby?” Jon grunted. “You love it, don’t you? Being fucked stupid by both of us at the same time? You’re taking us so well, baby…”

“Mmm, I- I l-love it…”

“S-shit, ma, look so pretty all fucked out f’us,” Josh moaned in your ear as he kissed your neck, “you gonna cum for us, baby girl? I feel you squeezin’ me, I know you’re close…”

“I- I-”

“I know, baby, I know,” Jon moaned, “I’m there too, mama, cum for us, princess. Let go all over his dick like a good girl.”

You convulse between them, your orgasm coming at you in full force as your pussy tightens around Josh, urging him to follow suit. Both men cum inside you with loud moans, filling you completely with their seed. All three of you ride out your orgasms, finding your sense of reality and coming back down as you catch your breath. After a few moments they both pull out, the three of you laying side by side as their cum drips out of you and onto the sheets.

“How you feelin’, baby? You good?” Jon asks, turning over and brushing your hair out of your face.

“Never better,” you breathed out.

“Shit, uce, I’m standin’ under every damn mistletoe I can find to get that shit again,” Josh laughed, you and Jon laughing with him as the three of you slowly drifted off to sleep.

[akajustmerry]

would LOVE to hear more about your tabitha and naomi headcanons!!!

and yee shall receive !! idk these are probably silly n basic because we know SO LITTLE about both, but whatever it's free real estate!!

considering we meet tabs at the underground rich ppl party, its a fair bet she's probably a rich nepo baby like everyone else in succ, but she seems pretty chill about it. she's just vibing, wooing her hot rich peers.

tabs has the laidback vibe of old fuck off money. older than the roys or pierces, i think. probably in property or land which is why she has no interest in the Roy trust or the pierce's or politics. we know that makes her more attractive to rome but probably to naomi too. here's someone so rich they really are only in it for you!

i imagine naomi and tabs crossed paths and hooked up occasionally in the past, but grew closer during/after naomi's accident. naomi told ken in the show she was struggling cos of press, trust, trauma, addiction, etc, during that time. from what we see of tabs with roman, she is a pretty patient and understanding person, at least to a point (everyone has limits). i imagine after her accident, naomi would have appreciated having someone like tabs in her life who isn't after anything and is relatively non-judgemental and chill.

don't really count this as a headcanon cos it's just true but tabs and Naomi were hooking up that whole weekend at the Pierce estate. I know it's framed as the "Ken and Roman attempt to get Some" weekend but we know neither of them got any lmao but u know who did?? my gorls <3

for what it's worth I do think naomi and Tabs both genuinely liked kendall and roman. i don't think there were any ulterior motives on their parts. as we saw, neither naomi or tabs had any power or insight to sway the deal in any way. equally, tabs and naomi really gain nothing power-wise from dating these guys so u gotta assume it was genuine on some level. like they really just saw these human shaped messes of men and went "hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii <3" kinda very bisexual of them both really. I felt v represented by it I must say

i dooooo think in the immediate aftermath of naomi and Kendall break up, the next time she hooked up with tabs, they defs had a little "what IS wrong with them?" convo where they probs just showed each other roman and Kendall's lame texts, had a laugh, and then washed their hands of the roy boys

when it's announced tom is ceo of waystar, naomi calls tabs like, "isn't that literally the guy who swallowed his own load because you told him to 😂" and she's like yeah turns out he never stopped and idk they probably start dating seriously again after that.

after naomi gets her share of the money from the sale to the Waystar I like to think she uses it to start some overpriced rehab centres or something. eventually, her and tabs get engaged. nan pierce never acknowledges the relationship and passively refers to tabitha as a friend of the family, even at their wedding because she honestly seems like that kind of bitch.

honestly they probably just continue living cool beautiful bisexual women lives. maybe naomi has some rough patches here and there cos you know addiction isn't easy, but tabs is there for her. they just become this quietly classy wealthy lesbian couple who throw great parties with other philanthropic influential gays and closeted wealthy folks. I'm imagining something like what the kindness blind items say sandra bullock does with all the Hollywood lesbians gays.

shiv invites them both to her baby shower because they're honestly the closest thing she has to friends who are women after everything. they don't go though cos they assume shiv is just inviting them to mess with the boys. they send a very precocious expensive gift though like literal gold and silver baby cutlery or something

tabitha becomes like an insanely successful ghostwriter or something. idk why I just have the impression she's kinda been a wallflower in all these insane wealth spaces and eventually tells all those stories somehow

I feel like if I don't stop I'll just be writing fanfic so I'll stop but idc if it's just projection I jus love that there's 2 beautiful aloof bisexual women in this show and the only thing we really know about them for certain is that they were both way too good for the Roys <3

[sparrowhero]

How do you think Mic would propose? What kind of wedding would he want?

Everything else in Mic's life is big: his personality, hair, clothes, quirk-- so his proposal is small and intimate. He doesn't want to screw things up by making it too big or seem inauthentic. His preparations are deliberate, and he takes extra care with each step.

READMORE FOR LENGTH

I don't think he proposes out of nowhere, there's gotta be some kind of understanding that marriage is the endgame-- it's not a surprise that he wants to marry you, but his method of proposal is. I'd like to think his proposal is a breakfast in bed type situation. (Doesn't have to be breakfast, just the first meal of the day type thing-- something either you love or an important meal you've shared together.)

He wakes you up so, so gently. A hand gently brushing your cheek, your lips. His voice is soft and only for you, asking you to wake up before the food gets cold. He loves being the first thing you see in the morning, to see you in your most natural state as you wake up and god, he just loves you. He loves you, and he's glad that he chose this day to tell you.

You're still waking up, so you don't have much of an idea what he means. He insists you finish your food first-- and he'll try to feed you if he's feeling especially playful. Once you're fully fed and awake, he drops to one knee at your bedside, gently taking your hand in his and pressing a kiss to it.

"Hey...I know I've asked this before, but..." Mic reaches into his back pocket to pull out the ring that he's been staring at every chance he got since he first bought it. "...What're you doing the rest of forever?"

--

The wedding itself is intimate-- only your best friends and family. Small, classy-- he's going to try and get someone he knows to be the officiator and Aizawa's GOTTA be his best man. (He tears up a little bit at the wedding. If anyone deserves happiness, it's Mic, and Mic similarly can't wait to be Aizawa's best man if/when he ties the knot.) He'd be down to write his own vows or add some to the ceremony, as well as have conventional vows as well. Either Western or a traditional style wedding in his or his partner's culture (or a mix of both) is fine by him if you want to take the reigns for that aspect. He definitely cries when he sees you in the ceremony bc he's so goddamn happy and grateful, he can't take it.

The reception, however? EVERYONE is invited. It's bigger than anything you've ever seen because he wants EVERYBODY to see and celebrate with him that he's your husband now!! You're his spouse!! Is he going to DJ his own wedding? You bet your ass. It's all his favorite songs, your favorite songs, and even a few of his own creation. Disco ball in the center of the room, plenty of food-- no open bar because of the underage people attending, but there will be champagne and cider for a toast.

All of the students, staff, and other pro heroes one or both of you know are invited to come in, eat, and boogie down. People you've never met before congratulate you and feel like they know you simply because of how much Mic talks about you-- and how happy they are that they'll continue to know you for years to come.

Needless to say, it's one of the best parties of the entire year, but the two of you are so happy and in love it barely feels like anything but life on the clouds when you finally stumble back to your room, curled up in each other's arms...he can't wait for you to be the first thing he sees in the morning all over again.

[meetmyothersouls]

I love your work sm 💕 could you write something where the reader and Timmy are exs and meet again at a friends wedding and reconcile/hookup?

Oooh this reminds me of an episode of a show that was on the other day and it was really sweet. And thank you so much <3

Old Flame

Warnings: fluffy fluff

Your plane was late and your luggage either stolen or left at the airport where you boarded your connecting flight to New York; either way it was just your luck. You were invited to a wedding; you weren't sure why. You hadn't spoken to your best friend, Pauline in years, but when the silky baby blue and white invitation arrived in your mailbox you couldn't say no. Of course, attending this wedding, also meant you'd be in the same room with Timothee Chalamet, your high school sweetheart, your first kiss, your first love, your first...well everything.

You had just enough time, and money, to run to a store you used to buy all of your dance dresses and prom dresses at. The prices had gone up since you were a teenager, but you were able to snag a pretty maroon number, tight around the waist and flowy in the skirts. It had an open back and a cute little bow that tied around your neck. The shoes you wore in would have to do, and you praised yourself for choosing to wear a nude pair of flats.

A taxi took you to the venue, The Carlyle Hotel. You let out a small laugh as you were let out in front of it. This venue had Pauline written all over it: old, elegant, classy, it looked as if it were fit to hold a party hosted by Jay Gatsby himself. You rushed inside and grabbed a seat in the back just as the ceremony started. To say it was beautiful was an understatement. Pauline was gorgeous, her wedding had a ball gown silhouette with layers and layers of white lace made up the skirt that continued up her torso in a corset style top, sleeveless and divine.

The rest of the ceremony was as beautiful as Pauline's dress and just as it ended you felt a finger tap on your shoulder. You jumped and turned around to take in the sight of a man you hadn't seen in 10 years. He still took your breath away and as your name came out of his mouth, you shuddered.

"Timothee. Hi."

"Don't think I didn't see you sneak in 3 minutes before the wedding started," he laughed, "always running late." He shook his head in mock disappointment.

"Hey, you always called it 'fashionably late', remember? And it wasn't my fault this time, my plane was late, and my luggage got left behind, so I had to buy a new dress and everything." Your face felt hot. He looked like prince, and as happy as you were to see him, you were sad at the memories that you had with him, the secrets the two of you held.

"Well, you look...just as beautiful as you always have, y/n, if not more." he took your hand in his and placed a tender kiss to it. A prince, that was, indeed, what he was. You risked a quick glance at his fingers, no ring. He wasn't married at least.

"Care for a drink?" he asked, pulling you out of your thoughts.

"Oh, yeah sure." Your hand remained in his as you stood, only dropping it when Pauline tackled you to the floor.

"Y/N!!! YOU CAME!!!" She was beaming, positively glowing.

"You think I'd miss your wedding? We've only talked about this since we were 9 years old." You heard Timothee laugh behind you, likely recalling the many nights you spent the night at the Chalamet residence. Timothee always tried to sneak in and hang out with you, even after Pauline fell asleep.

"Yeah, except you wanted to marry Leonardo Dicaprio, and I wanted to marry-"

"Orlando Bloom!" The two of you said in unison, laughing.

"God, I've missed you so much. Oh hey, I gotta go dance with my dad, but please stick around for a while?"

You smiled and nodded as Pauline ran off, joining her dad on the dance floor. Timothee bumped your shoulder, "Care to dance with an old flame?"

Letting out a laugh, you rolled your eyes. You gripped his hand a little tighter, expecting to join the rest of the attendees on the dance floor. Timothee pulled you the opposite direction, leading the two of you out the back door and into a small Victorian style gazebo. It was white with a gray shingled roof, ivy trailed up the fencing.

"Shouldn't we dance with the rest of them?" You asked, still marveling at the architecture and beauty that surrounded you.

"I don't want to dance; I want to talk." Timothee's hand was now sweaty in yours, but he didn't let go.

Your heart beat hard, and you were sweaty in your dress. You expected to see him, you expected to talk to him, but you didn't expect to be alone with him. You hadn't seen him or talked to him in ten years, but being around him felt the familiar, especially as he stared at you with those eyes whose color you could never quite place.

"Talk about what?" You swallowed hard as he sat on the bench that lined the inside of the gazebo. He looked up at you, still standing and still holding his hand.

"I didn't think you'd come," he admitted, "I kept looking around and I was nervous. I almost gave up, but then I heard the door open and your tiny footsteps" he paused to laugh and shook his head again, "I was probably one of the worst groomsmen, because at that point I didn't pay one bit of attention to the wedding. I can't even tell you what my sister's vows were or what her dress looked like. I only saw you."

You stood there, gawking at him, and you were quite sure your mouth hung open slightly as he continued speaking, "I've missed you every day for ten years."

"Timothee, I..."

"I'm sorry I know this is a lot and at this point I'm practically a stranger to you," he stood, now taking your other hand in his, "but...forgive me for saying this...I've never stopped loving you."

You stared at him, your eyes bouncing between both of his. You weren't sure if you remembered how to blink or breathe. A sound came out of your mouth, a failed attempt to speak. He was breathing heavily and bounced nervously on the balls of his feet.

Squeezing your hands lightly, he let out a nervous laugh, "Hah, uhm, here let me help you. Now's the time where you say something like 'Timothee, I missed you and I've thought about you every day', you know something like that."

You let out something between a breathy laugh and sigh. This was all happening so fast that the only thing that came out of your mouth was, "care to dance with an old flame?"

Timothee's eyes scanned your face as he offered you a small smile, you couldn't place his emotions. Was he trying to get back together with you? You had to go back to California in three days, surely, he wasn't trying to rekindle anything. When you left, you broke his heart, you knew that for a fact. You promised you'd write him, call him every day, but you didn't. It was too hard, and you felt horrible about it, but it was for the best. You would have held him back, which simply wouldn't do; you knew he was capable of so much.

He pulled you into his arms, swaying with you as your head rested on his chest. Just as it was getting dark, a series of string lights came on, illuminating the gazebo. You both looked up and laughed, it was very romantic, like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Your faces came back down in unison, noses brushing against one another's, your lips so close you could smell his minty breath.

"I have missed you, Timothee. Everyday," you admitted, whispering the words. He swayed with you slowly, looking at you the same way he looked at you when you danced with him on your prom night. "I'm sorry that I-"

He cut you off when his hands moved from your waist up to your cheeks, "Shh," he whispered. He wanted to kiss you, you could tell by the way he licked his lips and sighed, restraining himself. "You don't have to explain anything, I know you had your reasons, and if you want me to know them, I'll listen, but right now, I want to focus on this. On us. On the fact that I would be willing to do anything to have another chance with you. Maybe I shouldn't have acted so fast, but I don't know how long you'll be here. I couldn't let you leave without trying this again. I'm not 17 anymore. I can go anywhere you need me to. Where do you live? California? I can move there. You travel a lot? I'll go with you. Fuck, I'll fly the plane. Y/n, I'll do anything to have another shot at this. With you. I-"

His lips felt like home as you cut him off. Like a missing piece of a puzzle, you'd been trying to put together for ten years. It was fast, sure, but it was right. Timothee's hands moved from your cheeks to the back of your head and the small of your back. You reluctantly pulled your face from his, desperate for air. He placed three more small kisses to your lips but held you close to him.

"Please tell me you aren't seeing anyone?" He asked, suddenly realizing it could be a very real possibility.

"I'm not, I don't really date that much," you admitted.

"Why not?"

You looked into his eyes, "because I've spent the last ten years still in love with you."

He shook his head, half in disbelief, half in an attempt to hide the tears that you saw in his eyes. You weren't sure what this meant, but you were sure that you'd navigate it with him, your old flame.

Tags: @imnotoverlyobsessive @dayafied @soulofendlessbook @fashphotolife @chicchanelcigs @scentedkittenperfection @weasleytwinscumslut @mxciscastleintheair @timotheeisthelomll @marvelmaniac2000 @lovelyrocker @divine-1 @louievr @love-poems-only @starberry-cake @inlovewithphantasy @karinabeers

[yikestripes]

Masquerade

Request: Can you write a Hotch x reader where the BAU team attends a ballroom party after helping a rich man from an unsub as thanks. Hotch meets the reader and they talk and dance all night. The reader is intrigued that Hotch is a profiler and at midnight she gives him her shoe and tells him to find her based only on that. Thanks!!!

here you go @lavenderblossom12 !!!! i hope you enjoy this !!! i actually had a ton of fun writing it and i usually have such a tough time writing for hotch. if it’s good maybe i’ll write a part 2 ;)

key:

(Y/H/C): your hair color

(Y/D/J): your dream job

(Y/E/C): your eye color

word count: 2.5k

“Hotchner,” Hotch answered with his usual monotone draw, narrowing his already narrow brow as he listened to whatever the caller was saying on the other end. “Well, I suppose that would be alright. Send me the location. Thanks.” He hung up and turned the phone over and over in his hands before looking to the ceiling.

“What is it, Hotch? Is everything okay?” JJ asked, concerned.

“The BAU team was invited to a masquerade party to celebrate our returning the Schaffer’s daughter,” He said, sounding unsure. He recognized the caller ID as soon as he saw the D.C area code, having spent extensive time with the family in pursuit of the most recent psychopath. They had gotten a location at the most crucial time, they had shown up right before the unsub slit the young woman’s throat. They apprehended him in a matter of minutes and were able to return the girl safely to her family. She had been the target in a war of spite between the unsub and her father, since he had personally fired him from his company 3 months later without any sort of rhyme or reason, beyond slow work ethic. He was furious and decided to get back at him by taking the most precious thing in his world; his 19 year old daughter.

“Well, that’s never happened before.” Reid said, looking confused. He hated parties, clubs, anything of the sort. The loud music made it hard for him to think and he had a tough time connecting with other people, his tangents tended to turn others off from him. Hotch remained unsure about agreeing so quickly, but decided not to press the issue. It was the right thing to do; it was, after all, partially in their honor. The team could deal with it for one night, not to mention they had been working especially hard and could use a single night to let loose and celebrate their work, especially since this case had been a win for the good guys.

It was set to take place that Saturday and although attendance was not required, it was recommended. This was to celebrate the return of a young girl and it was to thank them, so it was only right of them to go.

At least, that was the way Hotch was going to continue justifying it to himself, whether the team or anyone else understood or not. He was going to find a way to enjoy this party if it took everything in him, or even all the liquor at the open bar. Tonight was about relaxing. Every single person in his life never failed to remind him how uptight he could be, or how he could never relax. With all the things he’d seen since starting at the BAU, how could he?

He straightened his tie in the mirror of his small apartment and took a deep breath, before making his way to the ballroom where the party was being hosted. He had apparently been assigned to a table with the rest of the team, of which he was the first to arrive, and he eagerly awaited his fellow agents’ arrivals. Prentiss came shortly after Hotch, wearing a long red gown that accentuated her curves without trying to make a spectacle of herself, followed by Penelope, who was the complete opposite. Her dress was colorful and bright, just like her personality- and typical work attire. JJ wore a gown similar to Emily’s and Reid had gone with a classic all black suit. Derek was what he called “fashionably late”, sporting a suit that was similar to Reid’s, except navy blue as opposed to solid black.

It didn’t take a profiler to see what each agent’s outfit said about them; Reid didn’t want to be noticed, Morgan was impartial since he got attention no matter what he wore, and the girls’ dresses and makeup spoke more to their individual personalities. JJ was able to snag a babysitter for Henry and brought Will as a plus one, so she dressed more suited to being with someone. Classy and elegant, without attracting attention to herself. Emily was similar in the sense of class and elegance, but she didn’t bring anyone so attracting someone else was more of her goal with her dress and her overall demeanor. Hotch, on the other hand, didn’t have much of a motive for anything beyond looking nice and enjoying his time off from work and his typical worries, sporting a plain black suit with a classic red tie. Nevertheless, all the agents looked fantastic and it showed as they slowly eased deeper into the party.

Hotch excused himself from Reid as he went on about the periodic table, he wasn’t even sure how the prior conversation of the butterfly room on the second floor could possibly have any relation, but of course Reid found a way to bring something like that into a conversation. Hotch shook his head to himself as he approached, being only one of two who were at the bar, besides the bartender.

“I’ll take a Kettle One on the rocks, please.” Hotch took a long drag from the glass as soon as the bartender set it in front of him, earning him a small chuckle from the person beside him.

“Thirsty?” You asked, your eyes alight. The liquor went down his throat icy, forcing him to pause for a second before responding. He offered a small smile.

“Not quite.” He said quietly, looking down into the glass.

“Fair enough.” You took a sip from the wine in your hand as you looked across the room, throwing a lock of (Y/H/C) hair over your shoulder. Hotch took another sip himself before inching slightly closer to you.

“It’s a lovely venue.” Hotch said quietly.

“It really is. I came to a wedding that took place here about a month ago, for one of my best friends from college,” You paused to take another drag from your wine. “I gotta be honest though, I like what they did with the place now much better.” She set down the empty glass on the bar and the bartender filled you up without you saying a word. You took the glass in your hand once more, looking to Hotch.

“Is it safe to assume you’re one of the guests of honor this evening?” You asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Hotch asked.

“Well, you’re sitting at a table that is slightly apart from the other tables, and the other guests at your table who I saw you sitting with before are all glued to one another, seeming as if they’re the only ones they know here.” You said.

“Wow. I guess we do sort of stand out.” Hotch replied, taking another sip of his own drink, feeling the effect slowly loosen him up. He downed the last few swigs and offered you his hand.

“Care to dance?” Hotch was never the dancing sort, except when he went out with his ex-wife and/or coworkers. Haley enjoyed dancing enough, as did Hotch, but they never found the time to do so. However, tonight was about relaxing, and ignoring everything in him that told him not to at least try and enjoy himself. He was going to enjoy this party, he was determined to.

A blush crept up to your cheeks as you accepted his hand, entering the dance floor from the side. Hotch placed his hands on your waist, and you rested yours on his chest as you slowly swayed around the floor.

“So, tell me about yourself.” You said, smiling up at him. You had to hand it to him, he was extremely attractive, and his elusive smiles were something that clearly had to be earned, and you seemed to be doing a pretty good job so far.

“Well, uh, there really isn’t much to tell.” He said, looking around for something to trigger a memory as to what he could use to impress you.

“Come on, a handsome guy like you? I’m sure you’ve got some sort of exciting life.” Now it was Hotch’s turn to blush; he wasn’t used to hearing things like that.

“Well, I’m an FBI agent for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, so I guess that’s pretty exciting.” He shrugged as your eyes widened, fascinated.

“That’s pretty incredible, I gotta be honest.” You said, closing your dropped jaw. He smiled again, somehow making him even more attractive.

“Thanks. It’s hard work, but it pays off. What do you do?” He asked, readjusting his hands a little higher on your waist. You couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed, but ignored it.

“I’m a (Y/D/J).” You grinned. Hotch brushed a stray strand of hair behind your ear, as blood rushed to your cheeks.

“Wow, that sounds exciting.” He whispered. The slower song had ended and led its way to a more upbeat song, and Hotch saw JJ dragging Will and Reid out onto the dance floor, followed by Morgan, Garcia, and Prentiss, who winked in Hotch’s direction.

You dropped your hands from his shoulders and grabbed his hand, leading him in the direction of your table where you had set down your wine glass previously. You took a long gulp, and turned your attention back to Hotch.

“What do you do for the FBI?” You asked, steadying yourself on a nearby chair.

“I’m a, uh, profiler. My team and I work together to create a profile of both a victim and/or the perpetrator, and use that to help solve the case.” He said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“That’s fascinating.” You said, in awe. That sounded like the coolest job you’d ever heard, definitely something straight out of a movie.

“I’m going to grab another drink, did you need a refill?” Hotch asked, eyeing your emptying glass. You paused for a second to check yourself, and see if another could cause you to embarrass yourself. You decided that if you paced yourself, you would be fine.

“Sure, chardonnay.” You downed the rest of the contents and handed the glass to Hotch with a sweet smile. You watched as he made his way to the bar, confident. Another man approached him, and sent a small grin in your direction before turning his attention back to the man you’d spent almost half the evening with, but you didn’t even know his name. That was the funny thing about these sort of corporate parties; names were almost never necessary, you have the most incredible evening, but never ruin the memory with names and empty promises. You were interested in the fact that the man had never even mentioned anything about names, numbers, or anything of the sort. You almost always had to bring up the idea yourself, whether it was after one glass of wine or several. Most usually wanted to sleep with you, something that usually became apparent by this time of the night.

Not with this man, however. He was sweet and sure of himself, but not so sure that he thought he could sweet talk you back to his apartment. He genuinely seemed intrigued by you, and you by him.

“That’s a pretty girl you’ve been chatting up, Hotch.” Morgan appeared at Hotch’s side, ordering himself another beer.

“Isn’t she beautiful? She’s intelligent, too. And miraculously interested in our line of work,” Hotch replied with a small laugh, taking a sip from his glass.

“You think there’ll be a second date?” Morgan asked.

Hotch sorta shrugged and didn’t answer the question, just picked up your wine and his kettle and was off to find you. Luckily for him, you hadn’t wandered far, just to look at some of the paintings that were hanging up around the venue.

“Your wine, my lady.”

“Why thank you, kind sir.” You giggled as you took a short drag, sighing in content. “I hate to say it, but the evening is almost over..” You trailed off, looking toward the giant clock on the wall.

“Wow, I didn’t realize it had gotten that late.” It was nearing 12:15, and the party ended around 12:30.

“Yeah.” You took another sip of your wine as Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” filled the room. “This is one of my favorites, shall we?” He set his glass down on the table beside yours, took your hand, and led you onto the dance floor once again. This time, he allowed his hands to sit directly on your hips as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

“You look beautiful, by the way.” He said with a shy smile.

“Thank you, so do you.” You giggled. This made his entire face break out into a grin as he lifted your arm, indicating for you to do a small spin. You dressed fanned out around you as Hotch brought you close again. You’d lost your footing amid the spin, not used to spinning in such high heels and after about 3 glasses of wine. You giggled a little bit more.

Hotch licked his lips as he took in the color of your eyes, (Y/E/C), sparkling and bright. He smiled a little and looked down at your lips, which were a lovely shade of pink, slightly parted. You could instantly tell what he was thinking, and closed the gap quickly. He stiffened in surprise, and then melted into it. You pulled away breathlessly, grinning from ear to ear.

The song ended faster than you would have liked, when you got a wild idea. It was something you’d always wanted to do, something you’d only ever seen in movies. There’s a first time for everything, right?

You pulled him down a little so you could whisper in his ear while leaning on him, taking off your left shoe.

“Come find me, Mr. FBI agent.” You whispered, pressing the shoe into his hand and walking away, purse in hand, in the direction of the exit.

Hotch’s eyes widened when he finally processed what had just happened, Morgan and Prentiss quickly approaching.

“What was that?” Prentiss asked, somewhat coherently.

“I… I have to find her.” Hotch said, staring at where you had sauntered right out of the ballroom, and beyond his reach.

[taeken-my-heart]

Moirai Chapter 16

Summary: On your 18th birthday a name appears on your wrist. The name of your soulmate. It’s a momentous day that everyone looks forward to, but you’ve always brushed aside; refusing to believe in a fickle mistress called destiny. But what happens when on the morning of your 18th birthday you wake to find the name of your mortal enemy? Jeon Jungkook.

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader Genre: Soulmates au/ Enemies to lovers au. Angst, fluff, bickering, romance, eventual smut.

Word Count: 7995

NOTES: This is THE chapter so buckle in. You’re welcome and also…I’m sorry, hahahaha. 

Also, thank you so, so much to @johobi and @hobios for helping me with the draft of the smut scene. Your thoughts and critiques helped me so much and I’m really grateful!

**

You weren’t sure if people could smell like bus, but if they could then you most certainly did. An hour bus ride home with a small overnight bag was uncomfortable enough, but the guy next to you fell asleep about half way through and your shoulder became his unfortunate pillow. 

He wheezed in his sleep and you’d tried to wriggle your way from underneath him but he was much bigger and heavier than you and if you wriggled too much the bushy red beard attached to his face would have made its way into your own. 

Your dad was at the bus station waiting for you when you arrived. The sleeping man had yawned and stretched as if he hadn’t just been invading your personal space for the better part of 30 minutes before standing and disembarking. 

You smiled at your father in relief as he waved from beside the car before making your way over, slinging your bag over your shoulder. 

“Hey dad.” You smiled, giving him a big hug and he squeezed the air right out of your lungs with a laugh. 

“It’s been too long, baby girl!” He grinned, ruffling your hair and you frowned. 

“You should know to never touch a woman’s hair.” You huffed.

“Your mom likes it.” He shrugged with a wink and you grimaced.

“Ew, dad, too much information.”

The car was stuffy with late summer heat but your dad turned the ac on quickly and put the car in reverse. The scenery was all mostly as you remembered; the suburbs didn’t really change much, it seemed. A new house here and there, a restaurant you’d never seen before, but otherwise it seemed trapped in time. 

It was comforting and a little unnerving all at the same time. You felt like you were traveling back in time with a fresh set of eyes. A strange sense of déjà vu settled over you; like suddenly you had a do over. 

“Once we get home we’ve gotta get ready to go over to the rehearsal. Your mom and sister are already over there helping set some things up.”

“Sure,” you nodded, “I’ll just drop my bag in my old room and we can go straight from there.”

Your bedroom looked different these days. The bedding was the same and there were still some of your old awards and pictures hanging on the walls, but most of the things that gave a room personality and injected the feeling of being lived in had been removed when you’d gone off to college. 

You really hadn’t been back to this bedroom much in the last 12 years. Between your bachelor’s degree, medical school, and now working in the city, you hadn’t had the time or even the inclination. Besides, you’d moved in with Jimin not long after the two of you had started dating so it hadn’t made sense to go back home at that point. 

You dropped your bag on your bed, the blanket looking as though it hadn’t been used since the day you’d moved out. You didn’t have time to examine anything further or feel nostalgic so you left your room quickly, heading back out to the car where your dad was waiting. 

**

The wedding venue was large and bright; much like your sister. You could see her at the front of the dining hall, directing someone who was hanging fairy lights from the ceiling and looking beautiful in her daisy yellow sundress and white sandals. You felt underdressed in your jeans and tank top, but you’d only brought one other outfit and that involved sweatpants, so beggars couldn’t be choosers. 

“Oh, Y/N, there you are!” Your mother called and Ella switched her gaze to you, smile growing as she ran to you. You were surprised she didn’t break an ankle in those shoes, but she’d always been the more graceful of the two of you. 

“You made it!” She squealed, jumping up and down and you giggled into her hair as you clung tightly back. “I mean, of course I knew you would, but I’m so glad you’re here!”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” You grinned, hugging your mom as she came to greet you. “So, where do you need me?”

“We’re almost done, actually.” Ella said, sweeping her hair over her shoulder and looking far prettier than was reasonable while doing so. “Michael is just with the caterer now making sure everything over there is sorted. We’re going to start the rehearsal as soon as Mindy gets here. She’s helping the florist bring the last of the roses.”

“Sounds pricey.” You grinned and your father clutched at his heart.

“Let’s not talk about it.”

Mindy made her way in a few minutes later, long blonde hair piled on her head in a messy bun that she made look classy and a large bouquet of red roses clutched in her hands. She’d been Ella’s best friend since beauty school and even though she was a little ditzy and filled with a few too many giggles, she was really nice and super loyal. 

“Hello!” She greeted enthusiastically, placing the bouquet down on a nearby table and blowing a strand of hair from her face. “It’s so nice to see you again!” 

She gasped, running to give you a hug and you smiled, patting her back gently. 

“It’s nice to see you too, Mindy. How have you been?”

“So good!” She smiled, “just doing hair and dating cute boys.” She giggled again and you smiled, squeezing her arm.

“Sounds like fun.” 

Ella’s wedding planner called everyone over, directing people to their places and the rest of the rehearsal went smoothly. The rehearsal dinner included the whole wedding party as well as the Jeon’s because they’d always felt like family anyway. 

Jungkook had just arrived shortly before dinner started and he’d sat with Michael and his groomsmen so you hadn’t had much of a chance to talk. Not that you had anything to say, anyway. You’d stepped into a weird part of your relationship that you weren’t sure how to navigate. 

You didn’t hate him anymore, but you wouldn’t call him a friend, either. It was like awkward teenage stumbling’s when you’re first trying to get to know your crush. You hated it a little bit. 

The end of the night brought with it warm goodbyes and promises to see each other tomorrow afternoon. You were filled with laughter, good food, and a little bit too much wine, but you were excited for the morning. 

Ella had decided to spend the last night of her single life back in her childhood bedroom and the two of you giggled and talked late into the evening before retiring to bed. You felt good and warm, wrapped up in the blankets of your childhood bed, but happy memories can only hold off the bad for so long and soon you were drifting to sleep with the thought of Jimin’s smiling face and a plus one spot that was now empty. 

**

The silent ache in your chest was persistent. As the sun crept through your old bedroom window and across your bed you sighed, staring up at the soft white curtains and chewing on your thumb nail. This was not how you’d imagined yourself feeling on the morning of your little sister’s wedding. You should have been overcome with happiness for her, but all you could feel was misery.

Sad that in the end, a man you’d loved so deeply, who had professed his own love for you, had decided that he did suddenly believe in soulmates. What was worse was that you understood and were now going to be stuck at a table with your own soulmate for who knows how many hours feeling sad, uncomfortable, and every other emotion that was far from joy on your sister’s big day.

You felt selfish; ruminating in the mess that was your current situation. You could hear the faint shuffling sounds of feet on the other side of your door and you listened softly as someone stepped into the bathroom, turning on the fan as they closed the door.

It wasn’t doing you any good just laying here, you weren’t going to fall asleep with such heavy thoughts so, heaving a sigh, you stood and trudged your way downstairs and to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.

You were going to need the caffeine to even pretend that you were happy about anything this morning. Just as the button clicked off and you were removing the pot from its base you heard shuffling in the hallway behind you.

“You’re up early!” Your sister remarked as she stepped into the kitchen.

“So are you.” You mumbled over the rim of your cup. Too bitter. Where was the cream?

“I couldn’t sleep,” she gushed, “I’m just too excited. I can’t believe the day is finally here!”

You nodded, staring into the swirling amber of your cup as you placed it carefully on the counter top. “Yeah, it came crazy fast.”

“It’s amazing how this time last year Michael and I didn’t even know each other.” She hummed excitedly and you smiled softly at her.

“Life changes so quickly, right?”

“It seriously does! One minute you’re wondering whether or not you even have a damn soulmate and the next thing you know he’s there, completing your life in a way you never thought possible.” She looked at you and as if suddenly realizing what she was saying she looked down sheepishly at her hands. “I mean, not that you can’t be complete without someone, of course.” She mumbled lamely and you smiled.

“It’s ok,” you murmured, “I get it.”

“This is all such bad timing for you.” She frowned, “I’m so sorry, this must be really hard.”

“Don’t be sorry!” You sighed, stepping around the island to grab her hand. “Yeah, my life isn’t exactly how I imagined it but that should have no bearing on your big day. Today is all about you and Michael, it’s a really special time when you get to marry your soulmate. We should be celebrating it, not thinking about me.”

“I know,” she said softly, “but I feel bad. The Jeon’s are going to be at the table with us, Y/N, and you’re just expected to sit there with him and watch your little sister marry her soulmate while your own is…anyway. It’s just not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair,” you smiled sadly, “but we can either give up, lay down and die, or we can decide to be happy no matter what.”

“You have such a good attitude.” She said, lip trembling, “I’m not nearly as strong as you.”

“I’m afraid that strength comes from pain and I would never wish that on you. I hope you stay innocent and happy forever.” You grinned, pulling her into your arms and hugging her tight.

“I love you, Y/N, thank you for being here with me and helping me through this. It means a lot to me.”

“You’re my sister,” you replied, pulling back to look at her, “literally nothing could have stopped me.”

“Well, let me do something for you then. I want to do your hair and makeup!”

“Oh no, not on your wedding day!” You insisted. Your sister had gone on to become a very talented hair dresser and under normal circumstances you would never hesitate to allow her to fix the rat’s nest on top of your head, but not on her special day.

“I insist. Besides, I’m the bride so I can do what I want and I want to do your hair. I can’t have you disgracing my pictures with something simple just because you don’t know what you’re doing.” She teased and you grinned.

“Well, when you put it like that, it seems it would be rude to refuse.”

“Exactly!”

**

One hairstyle and your beautiful lavender maid of honor dress later, you were on your way to the venue with your mother and sister, your father insisting he’d help the groom with picking up his tux from the rental place. Your sister was lavish, her fiancé was not. She’d shuddered at the idea of a rental tuxedo but he had insisted.

After Ella had applied some simple makeup to your face, you’d stepped in to help your sister with her own. Not that she needed any help. Beauty school had taught her enough that she knew her way around a makeup kit.

The pews filled up quickly and Michael stood waiting, looking like the nervous groom he was. Ella was beautiful as she walked forward, a vision of white satin and lace. It was a bittersweet feeling, watching your younger sister marry; but you were proud to say you cried for all the right reasons.

Ella had hired a big band to play at the reception and they started off with an upbeat tempo jazz song that had people jumping up to dance. You grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters, taking a deep breath and heading to your table. Jungkook was the only one sat there currently, both his parents and yours swinging eagerly to the beat in the middle of the fray.

You took your seat, which had of course been put right next to his, and took a careful sip of your drink. “They’re a beautiful couple.” Jungkook said and you nodded, humming.

“Yeah, they look good together.”

He turned to look at you, vision trailing slowly across your face and you resisted the urge to shiver. The pull towards him had been stronger recently, an inexplicable need to be close to him burned in your chest. You’d never heard of this sort of thing before; the burn of needing to be with your soulmate.

You’d always been told that you had the freedom to choose, that you would never be forced to be with your soulmate. No one ever told you it would hurt to not be with him, though. The ache that Jimin had left behind was becoming easier to bear but only because the pain of seeing Jungkook and not having him was somehow just as bad.

“You look beautiful, by the way.” He murmured softly. You looked over at him, leaning his forearms against the table and staring down at his fingers locked together.

“Thank you.” You mumbled. Clearing your throat, you looked away awkwardly, “you look handsome.”

You could see the heat in Jungkook’s face without having to look directly at him. His foot began to bounce awkwardly beneath the white linen table topper and you took a few large gulps of your drink to squash your nerves.

You weren’t even really sure why you were nervous in the first place. You’d known Jungkook all your life, seen him at his absolute worst and he’d seen yours too. There was no good reason for you to feel any nervous fluttering in the pit of your stomach. But it was there all the same.

Jungkook downed the rest of his drink before standing and turning to face you. “I would really like to dance with you…if you would let me.”

You looked up at him, smiling softly. “You know I’m a terrible dancer, I’d have to have a lot more champagne in me to set foot on that floor.”

“That can be done!” Jungkook insisted, holding his hands out in front of him to signal you wait before darting off to the open bar.

He returned a few minutes later with a small tray of liquor; two flutes of champagne and six shots of what you assumed was vodka. “To loosen us up,” Jungkook signaled to the shots, “and to chase down the taste.” A head nod at the champagne.

You chuckled, grabbing one of the shots and clinking it against his own before you both threw them back, hissing at the burn. “This stuff is awful.” He wheezed, eyes watering.

Nodding your agreement, you coughed. “It does the job.”

Two more shots down and one empty champagne flute later, you were feeling much less tension in your shoulders. The only thing that could have made it better was taking off your shoes and the relatively uncomfortable dress you were currently locked in. But even in your mildly inebriated condition you had enough decorum to know that was not cool at your sister’s wedding.

“Ok!” Jungkook said, slapping his hands together and startling you, “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling way more inclined to dance.” He stood, holding out his hand to you and waiting, confidently, as though he knew you better than you did and was sure you would say yes.

Maybe he did know you better.

You took his hand, allowing him to pull you up and into the swaying bodies as the band began a slow song and then you were sinking into his chest, one hand wrapped around his shoulder and the other held securely in his own.

“You look really beautiful.” He said and you smiled.

“You told me.”

“I wanted to tell you again.” He said softly, “you should be told you’re beautiful every day.”

“Wow,” you chuckled, staring down at your feet, “did you swallow a romance novel or something?”

“No,” he grinned, “the alcohol is just making my tongue loose; spilling all the words I’ve been meaning to say.”

“Thank you, Jungkook.” You mumbled.

“Well now you should tell me I look beautiful too.” He smiled and you laughed loudly.

“Oh, the alcohol really is loosening your tongue.”

Jungkook grinned, “Come on now.”

“You look beautiful, Jungkook.” You smiled.

“Thank you.” He said softly, looking down at you. You wanted to look away, his gaze felt too intimate, but you couldn’t. Brown eyes pulled you right into their center, scorching you.

His hand in the center of your back was too warm, tightening and pulling you closer to his chest. You could see everything up close, the small scar on his cheek, long eyelashes blinking down at you, and a perfect cupid’s bow that for some strange reason, you couldn’t take your eyes off of.

The music had faded into the background, the people all but disappearing. Your head felt fuzzy and light and you watched in a daze as Jungkook’s eyes flickered from yours and down to your lips. It was so quick you almost didn’t notice.

“Can we talk in private?” He whispered before pulling you gently from the reception hall and around the corner. You could feel the alcohol sloshing around in your veins as you trailed after him into a vacant hallway.

Leaning up against the wall you watched him as he rubbed at his chin and into his hair, pacing the floor in front of you. 12 years really had done him so much good. He’d been a good-looking young man in high school, but age had made him devastatingly handsome and there was no way you could deny it.

“I’m not completely sober,” Jungkook started, “in fact I’m a little past tipsy, I’ll admit. I know my mind, though, and I’ve had you on it constantly for…well right now I can’t remember how long, but ask me again when I’m sober. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I want a chance to make things right, to be the man that you deserve. I want a chance to be in your life and to be important to you.”

“Jungkook, of course you’re important to me,” you started, but he lurched forward, crowding you against the wall and you looked up at him as he pushed your hair from your face.

“You don’t understand,” he whispered, “I feel like I can’t breathe without you. I feel so tied to you, like a marionette doll, all you have to do is tell me to dance. Being without you has started to hurt, and I don’t just mean like a broken heart. My whole-body aches when I’m away from you and it aches when I’m with you because in the end, I’m not really with you, am I? You still hate me.”

“I don’t hate you.” You murmured. “I’m afraid of you.”

“Afraid of me?” He questioned, eyebrows meeting.

“I’m afraid of the power you hold over me, how easy it could be for you to become my entire world and then shatter it; even worse than the last time. I’ve spent 12 years trying to forget the you-shaped hole you left in my heart. You’re not the only one aching, Jungkook.”

And just like that, the world caught fire, fingers sliding home into your hair as he pulled your lips against his. It was like a shot to the gut, an electric shock running through your veins. If you’d craved him before, you downright needed him now.

His mouth moved heatedly against yours, breathing you in as you wrapped your arms around his neck and his hands traveled down your back and over the curve of your backside, squeezing the supple flesh in his hands to elicit a much-appreciated groan.

You knew you should stop him, tell him that you were probably going too fast. There was a lot you needed to talk about and there was a lot of hurt that needed to be healed, but, honestly, you wanted him too.

This kiss felt different from others. It was filled with an undercurrent that was building, building, building from your stomach and spreading like water through your chest. It was too powerful how right it felt, his lips moving steadily against yours and his fingertips running along your lower back.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to kiss you.” He breathed, sliding his lips along your throat and kissing down to your clavicle. He sucked a bruise into the juncture of your neck and shoulder and you gasped, sliding your fingers into his hair. “To hold you.” A kiss against your cheek, “to touch you.” His lips pressed to your other cheek. “To just be with you.”

“In the biblical sense or the romantic sense?”

“All of the above.” He whispered against your lips before sliding his tongue back into your mouth and pushing you further against the wall. You felt him through his dress pants as he pushed his hips into yours and you felt like you’d been electrified.

Dizzy with desire, you pulled him closer to you, groaning into his mouth. “As much as I’m enjoying this, this isn’t exactly a private area.”

Jungkook pulled back slightly, looking around. “You’re right. Where can we go?”

“We can’t drive. Honestly, I’m pretty tipsy right now.”

“Me too.” Jungkook nodded, kissing along your jaw. “Let’s take a taxi.”

“Where?” You mumbled, kissing his chin softly.

“My parents’ place.”

**

You knew you shouldn’t, that you were very close to drunk and you’d likely regret it when you were sober again, but his lips on your body left you feeling even drunker than the alcohol.

His childhood bedroom was one you hadn’t seen since you were children, though you still barely saw it now as you were too busy stripping him of his suit and tie.

He was muscular, and you eyed him greedily wondering when he even had the time to work out with his schedule. You tried to run your hands down his stomach but he batted you away as he tugged your dress from your body and dropped it on the floor, pushing you down into the mattress.

“Eager?” You grinned and he looked up at you, gaze heavy.

“Like you wouldn’t even believe.”

You watched as he slowly undid his belt, eyes locked with yours before dropping it on the floor with a clink and returning to his zipper. He pulled it slowly down, pushing the fabric over his hips and onto the floor before stepping out of them and shucking them to the side.

“I like your Mario boxers.” You teased and he smirked.

“You’ve got a smart mouth.”

He leaned over you, kissing your lips before trailing a path down your chest and to the center of your breasts, fingers playing with your nipples through the lacy fabric of your bra. You sighed, eyes fluttering shut and back arching further into the warmth of his hand.

Jungkook moved his fingers behind you, pulling at the strap and slipping your bra from you, dropping it to the ground. He stared down at your chest; eyes wild with lust. “You’re beautiful.” He whispered, before kissing a path across it, over your nipple and to the other side before taking your nipple and sucking it between his lips.

“Oh!” You gasped, fingers digging into his shoulders and he nipped at your peaked flesh before kissing his way down to the line of your panties, rubbing his nose down the center and inhaling deeply.

You took a deep shuddering breath, watching as he placed a kiss and you shivered. There was no way you were going to survive this night.

Kissing his way to the waistband of your panties, he grabbed the fabric between his teeth and began to pull it from your hips. The tip of his nose had fire licking down your leg as it grazed your skin and you took a deep breath as he dropped your underwear over the side of the bed and returned to the middle of your legs.

“Open, please.” Jungkook murmured, pushing your legs apart gently before planting a kiss against your mound and you whined, heart racing.

His tongue flicked out, pushing through the seam of your lips and your hips lurched forward into the warmth of his mouth. He delved in further, holding your legs spread wide as he licked and sucked against your entrance, lips wrapping around your clit with a tug and you whined loudly.

He hoisted himself back over your face, flushed and panting and grinned. “Take off your boxers.” You said, watching as he happily complied, pulling the offending garment from his hips and dropping it to the ground with the rest of the clothes.

You wanted to pout at the sight. Jungkook was truly built to make all other men pale in comparison. He was impressive from his head to his toes and the thick appendage standing proudly between his legs was no different.

“Ready?” He asked, body crowding over yours in the bed and you nodded, feeling him prod your entrance with a whimper.

Jungkook wrapped his fingers around your thigh, pulling it high on his hip before pushing slowly into you. You gasped, skin tingling as he stretched your walls, Jungkook breathing into the side of your neck and kissing wet against your shoulder as his hips became flush with yours.

“Let me make you feel good.” He whispered, pulling out slightly before pushing back in and your whole body shuddered.

He swallowed your moans with his lips as he began to thrust shallowly, hand coming to greet your left nipple with a soft graze.

“Please.” You whimpered.

“What do you want? I’ll give it to you.” He whispered, nose skimming your cheek.

“Everything.”

You could feel his back flexing under the tips of your fingers and you ran your hands across his shoulders and into his raven hair, pulling gently.

He grunted, sucking on your bottom lip and thrusting a little harder and you shivered from pleasure.

“Jungkook.” You gasped, one hand clinging to the sheets beneath you as he pushed you further into the mattress with his hips.

“Say it again.” He murmured. “Say my name.”

“Jungkook.”

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say my name like that.” He panted, grinding his hips into yours.

“I didn’t know you ever thought of me.” You crooned, wrapping your other leg around his hip and lifting yours to meet his thrusts.

“You’ve been on my mind for years.” He admitted, kissing from the inside of your elbow to your shoulder. “Have you ever thought of me?”

You gasped as he hit a spot particularly deep inside you and ground against it. “Sometimes.” You admitted, seeking out his mouth and drowning in his taste.

“Can I go a little harder?” He whispered and you huffed a sigh against his lips as he swiveled his hips.

“Yes, please.”

He lifted himself up on the palms of his hands, pushing the hair from your face, “I wanna see your beautiful face when you cum.”

You blushed, body shivering at the notion just as he picked up speed, thrusting deeply into your center with groans and hisses of your name. You could already feel your orgasm building all the way down to your toes and the intensity scared you a little, but you could barely think about it as he kissed you sloppily, grabbing each rounded cheek of your backside and using it to grind himself heavily against your clit.

Your heart was beating wildly in your chest, fingertips tingling as something began to build in your chest. It was like nothing you’d ever felt before; an intense connection, a need to stay right here, with him. You could feel it around your heart, like a lasso, tethering you to him and it should have scared you, but in this moment, you realized you were falling for him.

You’d tried so hard to protect yourself from him, but no one had ever told you about this feeling; this need to be his and to have him in return. Jungkook kissed up the column of your throat, lips meeting yours once again as he gripped onto your thighs, pushing himself even harder into your center and you could barely see straight.

“Jungkook!” you moaned, body twitching. “You feel amazing.”

“So do you.” He choked, running a hand back down your chest and squeezing, “I’m not going to last much longer.” He huffed, breath stuttering against your cheek as he kissed it.

“Me too.” You admitted, running your hands down his back and across his thighs to curve under his ass and help him to thrust in harder.

Your skin felt hot, like sun baked cement in the middle of summer and you could feel your body starting to shiver in pleasure. Your toes curled, gasps of Jungkook’s name leaving your lips as he thrust in harder, and harder, and harder until you felt an explosion, traveling all the way up into your chest and out your fingertips as you called out his name.

You squeezed your eyes shut and saw only him behind tear filled lashes. Jungkook groaned one last time before shattering and painting your walls white. He shivered and slumped, laying still on top of you.

Just as your breathing steadied, he curled his arm beneath your neck, pulling your lips to his and kissing the life back into you, tongue swiping greedily against yours and you kissed him with just as much vigor.

“I’ll be right back.” He murmured, pulling from you with a wince before leaving the room and going into the hallway. You took a deep breath, shaky fingers pushing through your hair as you listened to him shuffling around in the bathroom.

A few moments later he returned, wet cloth in his hands and he kneeled between your legs. “Here, let me help you.” He said softly, and you watched, heart pounding as he cleaned gingerly between your thighs.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom.” You murmured softly after he’d tossed the rag onto his old computer desk and he nodded, sitting back on the bed.

After peeing and washing your hands you stared at your reflection. Aside from sex mussed hair, a few hickeys, and kiss bitten lips, you didn’t look any different. You felt different, though. The connection was stronger and you could feel it in your bones.

Your heart felt so full, but the pain was still there, buried somewhere in the fog of a love you hadn’t realized had started building. You wrapped your arms around yourself tightly before sighing and making your way back to the bedroom.

Jungkook was still sat on the bed, staring down at his hands when you entered. He looked up at you, cheeks flushed with emotion (and probably some residual champagne). “Please don’t leave.” He whispered. “Stay the night with me.”

You paused, biting your bottom lip before nodding and padding over to him, bending down and kissing him quickly. “Scoot over, then.”

He smiled, pulling the covers back before scooting next to the wall and you curled into his side, shivering as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling your body flush with his. He looked down at you, pushing the hair away from your face and cupping your cheek. “Thank you.” He said.

“You’re welcome.” You smiled softly. He leaned down, kissing you gently.

“Good night, Y/N.”

“Good night.”

**

The first thing you noticed when you woke was the pounding in your head. One too many flutes of champagne could do that to a woman. The next was the definite presence of a weight across your waist and someone’s chest pressed to your back.

You tried not to whimper as you squeezed your eyes shut tighter. Perhaps if you didn’t open your eyes, none of this would be real. A soft sigh greeted the skin of your neck, a nose running along the column and you shivered.

Glancing over your shoulder, you noted that Jungkook was still asleep and you heaved a sigh of relief. At least you didn’t have to discuss what happened right this second. You weren’t even sure yourself.

Of course, you remembered what happened, how every taste and touch was like fire, consuming you. You remembered the rush of endorphins, the feeling of all-consuming love. But now that you were sober and the sun was casting light over the fog of your thoughts, you mostly felt fear.

Building a relationship on lust alone wasn’t healthy or possible and so far, that’s really all the two of you had together. The feelings had been strong in the moment, but without even a basic friendship to build on, you knew this would only end in more heart break.

So, you steeled yourself, slipping carefully from his grasp and dressing quickly. You glanced back at him, still sleeping soundly, hand splayed across the space where your body had been, before closing the door and walking softly down the stairs.

“Oh, Y/N, I didn’t know you were here!” You gasped, spinning to face the kitchen, clutching at your heart and looking at Mrs. Jeon who stood by the counter with a coffee in her hands. She smiled at you, a knowing look in her eyes and you wanted to shrivel up and die.

“I-I-I, yeah, I’m actually going now, though.”

“You should stay for a coffee. I’m sure Jungkook will be up soon.”

“I’m sure he will be.” You nodded, playing with a string at the side of your dress.

“Everyone deserves a second chance; don’t you think dear?” She asked suddenly and you looked up at her, cheeks flushing with shame.

“I suppose it depends on what’s been done.” You mumbled lamely, not daring to meet her gaze.

There was a soft lull in the conversation before she continued, “that boy really cares about you, you know. I can see you care about him too. I know there’s a lot of pain in the past, but being allowed to move on from it would be good for you both.”

You could hear hurried steps from the floor above you and you looked up in alarm. “I need to go!” You said, walking quickly to the door just as you heard Jungkook call your name from the top of the stairs.

You rushed down the front steps and made a run for it across the garden before heavy footfall and your name were greeting you once more.

“Wait!” Jungkook called, wrapping his fingers around your forearm and forcing you to a stop, a whimper falling from your lips. “Where are you going?” His eyes screamed desperation and you couldn’t look at him.

“I need to go.” You mumbled, flinching as he reached out for your face, stroking a thumb down the side of your cheek.

“Where? Can’t we talk first?”

“I need to go home. I have work tomorrow.” You insisted, a little firmer.

“So do I. Don’t do this, Y/N, don’t run from me. We were both there last night, I know that you felt it too. It wasn’t just sex; it was more than that and you know it. It was like being completed; two pieces of the puzzle finally being put back together.”

“I’m not a broken puzzle, Jungkook!” You shouted and he took a step back in surprise. “Why does everyone treat you like you’re broken if you’re not with your soul mate? I just broke up with the man I thought I was going to marry; I’m vulnerable. That’s the only reason last night even happened.”

Jungkook’s face shuddered, bleeding emotion as he looked down at the ground. You realized belatedly that he was only wearing a pair of baggy grey sweatpants, as though he’d dressed in a hurry. Your heart clenched at the thought.

The grass poked out from between his toes and he sighed, a deep, mournful sound. “Are you ever going to forgive me?” He whispered.

You were trying to protect your heart, but at this point it seemed so futile. Just walking away from him was breaking it more than you’d expected. “I need to go home.” You said. “I’ll see you at work.”

**

Your apartment felt so empty when you returned. No Jimin to help you fill the darkened corners. You’d packed in a hurry, throwing whatever you’d brought with you back into your bag, doing your best to avoid your parents’ questions about where you’d been all night.

They’d find out at some point, anyway. You knew Mrs. Jeon wouldn’t keep this to herself for long. For years Jungkook had been “the bad guy” and now it was you and you couldn’t face it.

Guilt clawed at your insides the entire trip back and now, standing in your doorway, you decided that instead of facing any of your responsibilities, you would hide from them. Burrowing under the covers of your bed, reaching out for Jimin’s old pillow and clutching it to your chest, you cried.

You hadn’t exactly been lying when you told Jungkook you were vulnerable, sleeping with him was a rebound in a way…but it was also so much more than that.

You hated to admit it, but he was wearing away at your steely exterior. Chipping at the ice that had covered your heart when he’d rejected you all those years ago.

There was a part of you that feared if you pushed him away too much, you’d miss out again. A man could only take so much rejection before he gave up entirely. Another part of you wondered why that was something you were afraid of.

You’d both grown up; changed, and now Jungkook seemed so ready to just dive head first into the deep end. You couldn’t forget, though. You couldn’t let go. It was foolish, but the snub still burned bright in your memory and him wanting you now didn’t change the fact that back when it really counted; he hadn’t.

The doorbell ringing made your muscles stiffen. Had Jungkook followed you to your apartment? Was it Jimin; had he left something behind?

You stood slowly, apprehension building in your chest, and made your way to peer through the peephole of the door.

Lizzy was stood there, grin wide and arms flailing in a wave. You opened the door, peering at her curiously. “What are you doing here?”  

“Did you forget?” She asked, not even bothering to pause before walking straight into your apartment and removing her bag. “You told me to come over at this time before you left for the wedding. Said you’d be back by now. Guess you’re a pretty accurate measure of time but not so much in the memory department.”

“Oh.” You said softly, closing the door. Lizzy threw her bag over the back of one of your chairs and turned to look at you, eyebrows meeting in the center of her forehead.

“Something happened.” She stated matter of factly and you knew it was no longer a secret you could keep. To be honest, you really needed someone to confide in right now.

“Yeah.” You nodded, “Did you want anything to drink?” You motioned lamely at the kitchen. Lizzy only shook her head, grabbing your hand and pulling you to the couch.

“Spill the beans.” She said, folding her legs crisscross once she’d sat down.

You sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “I haven’t been honest with you the last few months. I hope when I tell you why you’ll be understanding.” Lizzy’s brows furrowed deeper together, but she said nothing, waiting for you to continue.

“I’m a pretty private person about my past; I don’t really like to talk about it because it hurts…but I can’t really hide it anymore, you’re bound to find out at some point and I’d rather it come from me.”

You slowly pulled up the sleeve of your sweater, displaying your wrist to your friend and watched as her lips parted in surprise.

“Jeon Jungkook? Dr. Jeon?”

You nodded and waited for the storm, but Lizzy only frowned. “Oh…wow. Ok, but I still don’t understand what the good doctor has to do with your past.”

Pulling your sleeve down, you linked your fingers together in your lap, pursing your lips in thought. “I’ve known Jungkook all my life. Our mothers have been best friends since elementary school and moved into the same neighborhood when they got married. We were practically raised together. For the first 18 years of my life I saw Jungkook nearly every day. We were friends as children but then drifted apart. He entered that mean little boy stage, you know what I mean.”

Lizzy nodded and you continued, “Anyway, we drifted apart for years but always acted like we were friends in front of our parents, didn’t want our moms to feel bad. He grew up to be really handsome and popular and all the girls wanted a piece, even my sister. They started getting really close and Jungkook had his birthday, got his tattoo but didn’t say anything. My birthday was 2 months later and when his name appeared on my wrist, I felt like I’d been punched.”

“He’d been pursuing my sister, acting like my name wasn’t there on his wrist. I confronted him and even after all of that I was still willing to make it work, he’s my soulmate after all. He didn’t want to, though. So, we cut ties, graduated high school, went to different colleges and didn’t see each other again until he started working at the hospital.”

“Wow.” Lizzy breathed and you nodded, frowning.

“It gets worse.”

“What happened?” She asked, eyes wide.

“We had sex last night.” You admitted; the words bitter on your tongue.

“Oh!” Lizzy gasped and you could already feel tears stinging at the corners of your eyes.

“We were both tipsy and I was still heartbroken over Jimin and he just kept talking about how he wanted another chance to prove himself; that he’s not 18 anymore and we just got carried away.”

“What was it like?” Lizzy asked carefully, “sex with your soulmate?”

“Fireworks.” You cried, “There are no words to describe it. It felt like going your whole life thinking you’re content only to find out you’ve been missing a giant hole in the center of your heart and now it’s been filled and you’re complete and in fact it’s spilling over the edges and there’s just so much love that you can’t possibly hold it all so it just goes to every corner or your body until you think you might burst.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“I’m terrified!” You wailed. “He’s been my enemy for the better part of 20 years and now I feel like I can’t breathe without him and I’m afraid. Aside from the brief moment of the initial rejection, I’ve never felt like I was an incomplete person but now I know what it’s like to have him and without him I feel the broken pieces of my soul shattering again.”

“So, the solution seems fairly clear to me. You guys need to be together. I can’t deny that I’m insanely jealous. Honestly, really, really envious. Not only do you know who your soulmate is, but he’s criminally hot.”

“It’s not that easy.” You sniffled, wiping at your nose.

“Why not?”

“Because we have history, Lizzy, and not a very happy one. It’s a lot to try to work through.” You frowned, throwing your hands up in frustration.

“So then work through it.” Lizzy deadpanned.

“But then he gets what he wants. He always gets what he wants. He didn’t want a soulmate so I left him alone and now that he wants me, I’m supposed to just give in?” You soured.

“You sound really vindictive right now. You said your past was painful which means the rejection hurt. You were willing to try back then, what’s changed?”

“Why does he always get to win? He deserves to feel some pain too!” You complained.

“So, you’re holding a grudge?”

“No!” You insisted childishly.

“Really? Because it sounds like you are to me. He was a kid back then, probably scared out of his mind. He was staring his future right in the face and probably wasn’t ready for the responsibility. He’s a fully-grown man now, more established in the world and he’s realized what he threw away all those years ago. Don’t you think people can change?” She asked, frowning at you and you felt more ashamed than before.

“Of course.” You admitted softly.

“What you and Jimin had was beautiful and healthy and despite that, he was willing to push it all aside because his soulmate changed his world. He didn’t even believe in soulmates! Doesn’t that say something?”

“Please don’t talk about him.” You bit out and Lizzy sighed.

“I’m just saying. You have an opportunity at love again, and this time it’s the real thing, as real as it gets. Are you really willing to throw it all away because you can’t let go of something an 18-year-old boy did 12 years ago? Really?”

“He broke my heart, Lizzy.” You murmured, the tears starting all over again as you picked at the fraying edges of your second hand couch.

“And that sucks, it really does and I’m sorry about it…but tell me, how do you feel right now? Now that he’s changed his mind and you’re running away instead? Be honest with me.”

You paused, lip trembling before you choked out a soft cry, “Now I feel like I’ve broken my own heart.”

“Do yourself a favor, Y/N, let yourself fall in love with him. You deserve to be happy.”

“What if he breaks my heart again?” You whispered.

“He’s a man, he’s probably going to make you cry a few times over your life time; it’s just what men do. If a soulmate’s love is really all they say it is, though…it’s worth it.”

You huffed, rubbing at your face and Lizzy smiled, “Just think about it, hmm?” When you nodded, she stood, going back to her bag and reaching into the pocket, pulling out a DVD. “You up for a movie?”

“Sure, I could use the distraction.” Tomorrow was back to work and you assumed that you’d have to deal with Jungkook. You weren’t sure how, but somehow Lizzy had to be right, somehow, it had to be worth it. People wouldn’t keep seeking out their soulmates and living seemingly blissful lives if it weren’t worth it. Right?

**

I hope you enjoyed this long awaited chapter! Let me know what you think! <3

Chapter 15

Chapter 17 (Finale)

Copyright © 2018 by Taeken-My-Heart. All rights reserved.

[gothpanda]

A Little Bit of Attitude Ch. 33: Nikki

WORD COUNT: 6.8k

A/N: Happy Holidays!!!

TAGS: @madamsixx​ @emariehorror​

WARNINGS: Drug mention

Read on Ao3

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December 31st, 1985

Los Angeles, California

Nikki grasped Sammi's hand, pulling her into his side, and wrapped his muscular arm around her shoulders. Sammi broke out into a smile from the surprise, almost tripping over her heels as the two walked across the front of a Bel Air mansion, feeling a pair of lips on her cheek. She cocked an eyebrow at Nikki, matching the smile on his lips.

"You seem happy to be going to a party for once," said Sammi.

"What do you mean for once? I like parties,"

"For about an hour then you're begging to go home. You're never the first to suggest a party. What's up with you?" asked Sammi, snaking her arms around Nikki's waist. The couple stood by the front door, ignoring the passing guest who entered. Nikki huffed out and shrugged his shoulders, remaining a comforting hold on his girlfriend.

"I just want to have a great New Year's Eve with you and Tommy. I'm still on cloud nine after Christmas," said Nikki with a genuine smile. Sammi couldn't help herself, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss Nikki lovingly.

"I know exactly what you mean. Come on let's try to find Tommy in this circus," said Sammi, pulling Nikki by the hand, entering the white marble mansion. The party was filled with many familiar faces to anyone, mingling with actors or musicians as they drank expensive champagne served by waiters. Nikki tried his best to feel comfortable with the number of people, reminding himself to keep holding Sammi's hand. The couple's attention lit up from the sight of a tall, teased up hair man coming straight towards them.

"Sammi! Nikki! You're back!" yelled out Tommy, hands in the air, ready to hug them. He wrapped the two in a group hug, resting his chin told of Sammi's head, smiling gleefully. "I've missed you so much!"

"Are you drunk already?" asked Sammi, pulling away from her brother.

"I thought you and Heather got here an hour ago," said Nikki, resting an arm around Sammi.

"Yeah but this party is fucking boring. I have to entertain myself somehow. I didn't think you two were going to make it!" yelled out Tommy, a smile still glued on.

Sammi shook her head playfully. "Where's your future wife anyway?"

"Oh she ran into some actress friends that I don't even know, but I'm so happy to see you. Christmas was boring with Heather,"

"Tommy!" chuckled Sammi, smacking Tommy in the chest lightly. "You can't say that about your future in-laws,"

"It's true! Sixx, you gotta come to our house for our Bass Christmas! Our mom promised to make kebabs!" said Tommy.

"Oh completely and maybe I'll finally get Athena to like me after all the dirty stares," joked Nikki sarcastically.

"It's not a bad idea. You'll get some nice greek food in you," smirked Sammi, gingerly patting Nikki's stomach. "Think about it. We're having our Christmas on the 3rd,"

"Yeah! And to convince you some more, let me get you a drink," said Tommy. He walked behind the couple, guiding them through the sea of people to the classy bar.

Once there, the three quickly found Heather rambling on with a guest she knew, almost oblivious to Tommy touching her arm. Sammi gave a polite kiss on the cheek to Heather, learning to be nice to her soon to be sister-in-law. Nikki only said a short hello, paying more attention to ordering drinks for him and Sammi. Heather glanced over to Nikki, becoming self-aware to not make a crude or sour face. She wanted to be cordial even if she didn't care for the man. Nikki didn't need to read too much into Heather to know he wasn't liked by the actress. Instead of carrying on a fake conversation to please the siblings, Nikki guided Sammi to another area. With their classic drinks in hand, the couple found a more secluded part of the mansion, laying down on a loveseat. Sammi laid against Nikki's chest, a content smile as she watched the party go around her. She held onto Nikki's hand, kissing it unexpectedly.

Nikki scrunched his brows together. "What was that for?"

"I don't know. I'm just really happy right now. I'm glad we went out tonight,"

Nikki hooked his chin on Sammi's shoulder. "Even if it's just us alone here?"

"Yeah," said Sammi, sipping on her drink.

"Are you excited for '86 to roll around? Another year of putting up with me,"

"I really am. Tommy's wedding coming up. You and I are still going strong together. Maybe this new year something new will change for the better,"

"I like hearing the optimism, Princess," muttered Nikki, kissing Sammi's neck.

"What about you? Do you have resolution up in that big head of yours?"

"Am I going to have to expect more big head jokes from you?" Sammi giggled, shrugging her shoulders. Nikki sighed out. "I have three main plans. First, get a number one album. Second, finally going on a vacation to wherever you want in the world. And finally getting you a new car,"

Sammi pushed herself up off Nikki, looking at him with a cock brow. "Getting me a new car?"

"Yep," said Nikki, popping the last sound out with a smirk.

"I don't need a new car or have my boyfriend buy me one," objected Sammi,

"Say no all you want Princess. I have a whole year to convince you. Or just drop it off on your doorstep. I'm thinking a nice blue corvette or camaro would look good on you," thought Nikki, pursing his lips out.

"Good luck with that!" chuckled Sammi.

"Hey everybody, it's almost midnight!" someone yelled out. The guest quickly gathered to the foyer of the house, the countdown radio on full volume. Sammi jumped on her feet, pulling Nikki up by the hand and tugging him to the party. The two made their way to the outskirts of the sea, finding Tommy and Heather. Tommy's tipsy demeanor changed to a more giddy appearance, smiling wide when seeing his sister and best friend. He couldn't help but admit how happy the two looked together, seeing a change in Nikki. "Okay ready? 10! 9! 8!" the crowd began to chant. Nikki grasped Sammi's waist with a feather-like touch, turning her to face him as they got close. "7! 6! 5! 4!" Sammi swung her arms around Nikki's neck, staring deep into his eyes. "3! 2! 1!" The two fell into a romantic kiss, right on time with the loud happy screams and confetti that filled the foyer. "Happy New Year!"

June 14th, 1987

A gasp. A loud constant beeping echoed throughout Emma's bedroom, the radio alarm reading 11:30. Sammi's eyes shot open awake, gasping from the startling feeling to be woken up. Her dream from a past memory stayed in Sammi's mind, almost feeling like she was there again. Sammi rolled onto her back, wiping away the sleep from her eyes. When she turned to Emma's side of the bed, Sammi was surprised to see nothing but a half-made bed. Sammi reached over to shut the annoying alarm clock off, frowning as she looked around. The smell of cooked food soon waft into the bedroom, sounds of cabinets and pans carefully clashing in the kitchen. While Sammi didn't want to get out of bed, she knew that she needed to acknowledge the day as a guest in her friend's home. She tossed her legs out from the duvet, shuffling across the hall to Emma's bathroom. The splash of cold water helped Sammi feel more awake, the small hangover losing. Sammi stared into the round bathroom mirror, scuffing at her almost neglected appearance as she wiped her face with a wet wipe. Remnants of last nights were soon gone, but Sammi knew they would return for another round. Another round of questioning and confronting, something the twenty-three-year-old didn't want to encounter.

In the front of the apartment, Emma kept her head peeking into the hallway as she 'helped' make brunch with Sabrina. Sabrina switched her glance from the stove to Emma, carefully listening to Sammi's footsteps.

"Em, just wait for her to come," whispered Sabrina, flipping one side of a cooking pancake.

Emma sighed. "I am. I just thought she was going to come out already," said Emma, walking over to the refrigerator. She crossed her arms as she leaned against the counter, still looking over to the hallway. "She slept through the first alarm. You don't think that's worrying?" whispered Emma.

"No I don't. I'm sure if you weren't a workout freak, you would've slept in after last night," hissed Sabrina, plating the pancakes with a side of eggs. Right as Emma was close to objecting, Sammi appeared out of the hallway, mustering up a small smile to the girls. She sat up on the high barstool, looking over the breakfast bar to see what Sabrina was making.

"Sam! You're up!" gleefully said, Emma.

Sabrina presented the plate of food in front of Sammi, not showing any visible emotion. "Thank you. How early did you guys wake up? Your alarm just went off, Em," asked Sammi, taking a bite of scrambled eggs.

"That wasn't our alarm. We've been awake since 7," said Sabrina, her back to Sammi.

"Since you didn't get up, I just put in a different time. I didn't want you to sleep the day away," said Emma.

"Which is why we're also not eating," uttered Sabrina, folding her arms as she coldly looked at Sammi.

"Oh. You know it wouldn't be the end of the world if I did sleep in," answered Sammi. "Besides that was my plan anyway," joked Sammi, smiling, disappearing when Emma or Sabrina didn't budge.

"Sammi, it's Saturday. It's pointless to be lazy, especially when you're visiting all of us," said Emma.

"More like especially when you have a mess to clean up," said Sabrina. "We need to talk about what happened at Tommy's, Sammi," Sammi bit the inside of her cheek and continued to eat her food. She pushed away fallen pieces of hair away from her face, glancing at Sabrina's cold front.

Emma sighed. "Sabrina's right, Sammi. I don't think you can hide from this,"

"Why not? I'm great at hiding and running away from my problems as of late. One more day couldn't hurt," said Sammi with a shrug.

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "But hurting Nikki as the days go is the better option? What happened to you wanting to talk to him, huh?" asked Sabrina, cocking a brow.

Sammi frowned deeply. "I changed my mind. I'm fine not talking to him anymore,"

"Bullshit! We all know you had a list of things to talk about, and for you to drop him again is pretty shit!" argued Sabrina.

"Sabrina," muttered Emma, a calming voice between the two.

"No, Em, she needs to hear this! What you did to Nikki from the moment you left was shitty. You continuing to ignore him after last night is shitty. But I know what's right and that's talking to him," said Sabrina, her voice carrying out. Sammi looked away from Sabrina, resting her chin in the palm of her hands. "Don't you want to make things civil with him? It's Nikki!"

"I do," mumbled Sammi, inhaling a deep breath of air. "And I know you're right. I have been shitty to him, but I don't know if I can speak to him,"

"Why not, Sammi? Out of everyone, I'm sure you missed Nikki the most. So what if he has a girlfriend?" said Emma.

"It has nothing to do with Veronica. I'm scared to even look at him let alone talk about our bullshit. Nikki's never been angry at me like this, and I don't know how to fix it," said Sammi, rubbing her temple.

"By admitting you fucked up to him. Start off there and then listen to him," said Sabrina. "But you have to go today. He's going to leave again pissed off at you and Vince, for months before coming home,"

"We can give you as much advice as you need, but you also have to swallow the hard pill of going to Nikki's," said Emma.

Sammi nodded with Emma, her eyes looking at the two people she knew she couldn't avoid. Sabrina walked over to Sammi, putting a supportive hand on top of hers just as Emma did. "Once you get it over with, you'll feel so much better,"

"How are you so sure about that?" asked Sammi.

"Because it's Nikki. He cares about you more than anyone else in all of L.A. Don't forget that," said Emma.

*

It was a beautiful sunny day in the California Valley, Sammi feeling nothing but anxiety and dread as she drove. She was somewhat grateful for Nikki living far away, giving her enough time to think of what to fully say. Sammi thought of every possible way Nikki would react to her but remembering she couldn't hide any longer. Unfortunately, the moment Sammi turned into the mansion gate, all confidence left her body. With a trembling finger, Sammi pressed the gate intercom, heart beginning to race from waiting. Sammi almost pushed it for a second time.

"Who is it?" asked Nikki. He sounded surprisingly well to Sammi.

Sammi bit the inside of her cheek. "It's-It's me. Can I come in, Nik?" asked Sammi. Nikki didn't bother with a worded response, only opening the automatic gate. "Thanks," muttered Sammi, driving through to park right next to one of Nikki's cars. She inhaled deeply before stepping out of the impala, swallowing away nerves as the double wooden doors appeared right in front of her. Sammi didn't need to ring or knock, Nikki, swinging the door wide open and almost making Sammi jump out of her skin.

The look in Nikki's eyes was hard for Sammi to read. He didn't seem mad, but it wasn't the same warmth he would give to only Sammi. Nikki blinked a few times as if to check he wasn't hallucinating Sammi in his front steps, looking up and down at her. He cleared his throat, wiping the clammy feeling from his palms on the back of his jeans. "Hi," uttered Nikki.

"Hi," mumbled Sammi, shifting her weight between the balls of her feet.

Nikki looked anywhere that wasn't the short girl in front of him. His feet. The outside. Anywhere. He didn't want to look into her eyes. "What do you want?"

"Can we please talk, Nikki?" begged Sammi, wrinkling the gap between her brows, frowning.

"Sure," said Nikki, stepping aside to 'welcome' Sammi in, closing the door behind her. Sammi was quick to see the growing changes within the gothic castle, impressed by Nikki's ability to find his taste. She followed behind the man throughout the front of the house, heading straight for the kitchen. Everything around the house looked clean. Only three dirty dishes in the sink. "I like what you've done with the place," said Sammi, sitting down on the round breakfast table.

"Thanks. I had all the time in the world," said Nikki, placing two bottles of water between them, sitting across from Sammi. The tension was thick in the atmosphere, silence with only faint sounds from the outside could be heard. Nikki bounced his leg underneath the table, glancing up every so often at Sammi. Sammi would only take a sip of water and look around the kitchen. She then began to bite the nail of her ring finger, still looking anywhere but Nikki.

"Stop biting your nails," said Nikki

"Sorry. You know it's a bad habit when I'm nervous," muttered Sammi, dropping her hands onto the table.

"Yeah which is why I'm telling you to freaking stop. Then you complain about your nails looking like shit," frowned Nikki.

"Wow, nice to know you remember the little details," smiled Sammi

Nikki scoffed, folding his arms against his chest. "That's because I remember details of the people I care about and don't pretend they don't exist anymore,"

Sammi's smile soon dropped, pressing her lips firmly together. "Ouch. I guess I deserved that,"

"What? Expected me to be all smiles just because you're here at my house?" asked Nikki, cocking a brow.

Sammi glared at Nikki. "No, I didn't. I thought you'd be as cold as you possibly could be,"

"Do you blame me?" asked Nikki, a sarcastic smile on his lips. "I hear nothing from you. No calls. No Letters. Only to find out from Tommy you ran away. Oh and of course from Vince. Then to see you pop out of thin air as if nothing,"

"And whose fault is that? And I didn't run away," asked Sammi, raising her voice.

"Then what did I do for you to ditch everything and run all the way upstate?"

"I didn't ditch! I didn't run away! I left for school!"

"Bullshit,"

"It's true!"

"Then please further explain, Samantha," asked Nikki.

Sammi clenched her jaw. "Samantha? Really?" Nikki shrugged his shoulders in an almost taunting way. "I went to San Francisco for school. I decided to go back to get an actual career because some of us need school. Alright?"

"Still could've told me anything about school and that you were leaving," said Nikki.

"You made me not say goodbye to you, Nikki. If you remember at all, the last time I saw you you were gripping onto me high on heroin at my brother's wedding. Hurting me," spit out Sammi.

Nikki's face turned frozen, any angry winkle disappearing. He shifted in his seat, wiping his hand over his lips. "I didn't hurt you,"

"Are you sure about that?" asked Sammi, cocking an eyebrow.

Nikki's eyes rested heavily on the table, only remembering fragments of last year. "I'm sorry I did that to you, Sammi. I am," Nikki sighed out. "If it makes up for it in the slightest bit, I haven't touched junk in almost two months,"

Sammi rolled her eyes, scuffing. "Now it's my turn to say bullshit,"

"Fuck you," spit Nikki, regaining his frown.

"You expect me to believe that just by word of mouth? As if you haven't said it before when we were together?" said Sammi with an icy stare.

"Look through the entire fucking house if you want! I threw everything out. I didn't need you to figure out how fucked up heroin was making me. Clearly, since I had a whole fucking year without you," Nikki jumped out of his chair, walking further away from Sammi. Sammi kept her eyes on Nikki, the feeling of anger overcasting everything.

"I shouldn't have come here," uttered Sammi.

"Why because you're finally facing a mistake you made? How we both fucked up?" asked Nikki, his voice echoing out throughout the kitchen.

"What mistake?!"

"That you hurt me! Just admit you hurt me! Admit it!" yelled out Nikki. It was Sammi's turn to hear out an ounce of her mistake. Sammi softened her expression, lowering the walls around her. It was only fair if Nikki was about to drop them. "I've hurt you before! I can admit how shitty of a person I was to you! But accept the fact I have feelings too under all this shit," Nikki walked closer to Sammi, a safe distance but close. "I had to beg Tommy to give me your number so I can tell you about Nona, and I get nothing in return. When Nona passed I didn't tell anyone but you. I didn't care if you were mad at me. I still wanted to tell you because I knew how much you cared about her. Then come to find out you were with Vince, fucking and him rubbing it in my face," chuckled Nikki dryly, biting his lip as he looked down at Sammi.

"You had Veronica all that time," uttered Sammi, looking away from Nikki.

"Veronica doesn't mean shit to me! All she is is nothing but a problem!"

"Really? Then why are you two all over magazine covers? Vince told me about how fast you moved on? I had to find out about you two in a music store!" asked Sammi.

"To get you out of my head! Everything I've done after you left was to get you out of my head! The one reason I was with other girls was to try to get you out of my fucking head. High and sober you were all I thought about. The only time I'm even around Veronica is to get high,"

"And you're not getting high anymore? No more heroin?" asked Sammi, eyes beginning to become reflected like glass.

Nikki nodded, exhaling shakingly. "You know I've tried to quit before, but this time I needed to stop. It was getting scary even for me,"

Sammi bit her lip, swallowing away the lump in her throat. "Nikki, I am sorry,"

"For?"

"For everything. For just getting up and leaving. I know I'm not perfect. I know I fucked up when you needed me after Nona,"

"It's fine. You were busy with your new life, and letting Vince in it," mumbled Nikki, looking down at his feet.

"Vince and I are nothing. It meant nothing," reassured Sammi.

Nikki chuckled. "That's not how he put it,"

"It's Vince. You really think he's going to tell you the truth?" Nikki shook his head. "I was drinking, and he kept putting things into my head about you. I asked him to not tell you. I pushed him into a pool last night because I was so mad at him,"

Nikki's eyes widened with an amused smile. "Did you really?"

"Yeah, I did. It was either that or punch him and the pool just so happen to be close by,"

"Damn I wish I stayed for that," said Nikki, sitting down right next to Sammi. Sammi smiled at him, the two softening their daggers at each other. "I'm sorry too for being a shitty boyfriend. You didn't deserve any of that,"

"Apology accepted. And I did want to say goodbye, Nikki. I really did,"

"But you thought I was high that day so you left?"

"Not necessarily. I was a mess trying not to crack in front of everyone. When I was about to head over here, I burst and just couldn't do it. I wished I had you with me to help say goodbye. Holding my hand," sighed Sammi.

"That wouldn't have happened,"

"Why not?" Sammi scrunched her brows together.

"Because I wouldn't have let you leave,"

"But it was my choice,"

"You think I believe that, Princess? You left because of me and found an excuse,"

"Nik, I didn't-"

Nikki inched himself closer to Sammi, narrowing his eyes towards her. Sammi only stayed still, confused. "I know you better than anyone to know you love your family with everything in your tiny body. Yes or no?" Sammi nodded. "So you're really going to tell me you wanted to move by yourself away from everyone just for school?"

"No…" said Sammi, slouching her shoulders.

"Exactly. If you had told me about going back to school, I'd be by your side helping out in any way my dumbass could. But I would've never told you to leave because you would miss everyone way too much," said Nikki, reclining back against the wooden seat.

"Goddammit. I hate that you actually listen," groaned Sammi, resting her chin in the palm of her hands with a pout.

"I think it has more to do with the fact I'm right for once," smirked Nikki.

"Wipe that smirk off your face,"

"I am right. Damn that feels good to say," said Nikki, almost in a singing tone with the smirk growing into a smile.

Sammi rolled her eyes. "God I forgot how annoying you can be,"

"But isn't that why you like me so much?" asked Nikki, still smiling. Sammi couldn't help but crack, hiding her smile behind her hands, looking away from Nikki in a fun manner. Nikki chuckled at Sammi, noticing the light tint of red on her cheeks. He couldn't help but mess with his fingers, a little habit when he felt nervous around Sammi initially. Since Nikki was so used to just touching girls, he needed a way to restrain himself in the beginning days of knowing the girl. He glanced up at the clock on the kitchen wall, seeing how it was almost time for the sun to set. "Hey, do you want to get out of here?"

"And go where?" asked Sammi, raising an eyebrow.

Nikki shrugged his shoulders. "Haven't gone to Little Tuscany yet?"

Sammi's eyes lit up, a short smile appearing on her lips. "No, I haven't. I would love to go out for dinner,"

"Perfect. We can go on my new bike," said Nikki, nipping Sammi's chin, matching her smile. A small ounce of old routine running back into them.

"Your new bike? Why can we just go in your or my car?" asked Sammi.

"Because that would be the boring option, and we know I don't like to be boring," said Nikki, standing up to walk over to the coat closet that divided the kitchen from the rest of the house. He reached inside the small coat closet, pulling out two jean jackets, one being too small for the man. Nikki held it up to Sammi, pleased to see her eyes light up. "I think you might need this to wear,"

"I knew I left some stuff over here," said Sammi, grabbing the jacket from Nikki to slip it on. "Let's head out,"

*

The Italian restaurant was a comforting place, which was what Sammi loved about it, dimly lit by candles and lamps for the evening shift. A family-owned business with an old man always sitting in the entrance to welcome every customer. Nikki opened the door, gesturing Sammi to enter like a proper gentleman. They were regulars to the point a young hostess smiled at Sammi, reaching over for menus to guide them through the restaurant. Wooden tables with blue tablecloths in the middle and dark emerald booths on the sides. The hostess showed them to their booth in the restaurant's corner that felt secluded for Nikki and Sammi. It was busy for a typical Saturday, families, and couples enjoying themselves. As Sammi read through the menu, Nikki kept his eyes on her, not paying attention to anything else. Not even the pop music that was playing in the background softly could interrupt Nikki. He played with a sugar packet between his hands, reading every little detail of Sammi. Nikki didn't think Sammi appeared any different, but he didn't want to miss anything. Nikki didn't want to miss the way Sammi played with a lock of hair that framed her face or the way she pursed her lips as she read. That is until a waiter approached the table to cut Nikki out of his concentration.

"Good evening! What can I get you two to drink?" asked the waiter with a polite smile on his face.

"Can I have a raspberry soda," asked Sammi, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Make that two sodas, please," added Nikki, Sammi raising an eyebrow.

"Okay I'll be right back with your drinks," said the waiter, dashing to the back near the kitchen.

"No drinking tonight?" asked Sammi.

Nikki shook his head. "I have to drive the bike, remember?"

"That, unfortunately, hasn't stopped you before in the past. You can have one drink if you want, Nik," said Sammi.

"No can do. I'm being serious, Sammi. I really don't want to drink and have a sober night for once. Just the two of us" smiled Nikki shortly. The waiter placed two old-fashioned glass soda bottles right on queue, tossing two straws between Nikki and Sammi.

"Are you two ready to order some food or need a minute more?" asked the waiter, pulling out his notepad from his apron.

"Do you want to split a Margherita?" Nikki asked Sammi, gaining a nod from her.

"Alright, one full Margherita pizza coming up!" said the waiter, giving his best polite smile and heading to another table he was assigned.

When it was only the two of them again, Nikki and Sammi began the staring game except without any anger. Sammi didn't know what to make of this evening, unsure if Nikki was trying to win her over by being nice. She knew Nikki wasn't like Vince, who did things to gain something, but it was something to keep in the back of her mind. So Sammi acted as if this was an expected date with Nikki, extending her legs out from under the table to rest on Nikki's lap. Nikki paid attention to this, squeezing Sammi's ankle, and gained a giggle from her.

"So how's San Francisco been? And be honest this time, please. You haven't mentioned what exactly you're doing over there," asked Nikki, hands resting on Sammi.

Sammi sighed out, crossing her arms against her chest as she tried to summarize in a few words. "People, horrible. Food, great. School, difficult because I'm studying to be a pharmacist. Stupidly expensive for no reason. I was quick to remember why you hate it there a month after moving,"  

"Oh so you did think of me?" teased Nikki, earning a specific finger from Sammi. "But school is going great right? Passing everything and being a little miss A student?"

"More like a B student, but it's way better than not passing," said Sammi with a shrug. "Hey, and how has Tom been since Nona? Is he still living in the house or?"

It was Nikki's turn to shrug. "Tom's been doing okay, and he is still living there. He came down to visit not that long ago, he mentioned selling to get a smaller piece of land,"

"Was it the first time seeing him after the funeral?"

Nikki stiffened his shoulders, looking down at the table. "I didn't go to the funeral," Nikki muttered.

Sammi couldn't help but make a face of shock, eyes changing in a second. "What?"

"I couldn't go because I was too high. It wouldn't have been fair to the both of them if I showed up like that," Nikki sighed, biting his cheek as he recalled last year. Sammi only gave a sympathetic smile. "Tom's asked about you… a lot,"

"And?" asked Sammi with worry.

"I sugarcoated as best as I could so he wouldn't worry. To him, we broke up because our jobs were getting in the way and you needed time to focus. Which isn't the worst lie I've told,"

"No it's not, but it's nice to hear Tom still cares to ask,"

"It's Tom, of course, he cares. Tom and Nona really did love you after a few days, Sammi," Nikki nodded to himself, the memories of Nona playing in his head, letting out a sad sigh.

"Can I ask you a question?" Sammi firmly pressed her lips together.

"Shoot," muttered Nikki, looking down at his hands.

"Do you still care about me?" Nikki cocked his head and curled his lip, not expecting to hear this kind of question. It was stupid for Sammi to ask this question, Nikki thought, knowing how different he is with Sammi only.

"That's a dumb question. Of course, I still care about you. Why would you think I didn't?" asked Nikki, trying to regain some amount of stolidness.

"Because maybe I just need a little reassurance. You can't blame me for still thinking the worst," said Sammi, taking a sip of her soda. "And I don't expect you to be nice after an hour of being angry,"

The man nodded at Sammi's words, beginning to think before he said anything. Nikki leaned closer onto the table, reaching over to Sammi as he laced his finger through hers. Sammi didn't object, letting Nikki hold her hands in the middle of the table. "We both fucked up in our own ways, right? And we're both sorry, right?" Sammi nodded. "Alright then. I wouldn't see why we'd have to throw away a good thing just because we weren't nice to each other," said Nikki, shooting a smile at Sammi, his classic crooked one that made Sammi melt.

"You make it sound so nice and easy to fall back into it," joked Sammi.

"It could be. We could work on it after I get back from being on the road," said Nikki squeezing Sammi's hands. "Speaking of which, there's a show the day before your birthday in Oakland. Would you want to come,"

"It would definitely beat spending it alone in my apartment! Of course, I'll go. I haven't seen you guys play in a while anyway," said Sammi.

"Excellent point," smirked Nikki. Before Sammi could get another word in, their waiter walked up with the perfect Margherita pizza right between them, Nikki letting go of Sammi's hands. The two said their thank you's and didn't hesitate to dive into their meal, eating in blissful silence—a delightful dinner after the days of chaos in their lives.

"Oh and we're getting the cheesecake after this," said Sammi in all seriousness.

Nikki chuckled, wiping the corner of his mouth. "You read my mind, princess," winked Nikki.

*

The ride back home was a calm one, Sammi with her arms wrapped around Nikki and resting against his shoulder. A Saturday night in Los Angeles remained busy as always, riding through the party bar streets. It made Sammi miss her hometown even more than she thought. When Nikki slowed down into his neighborhood, he was surprised to find his security gate wide open. For a moment, Nikki was trying to rack his brain if he ever closed the gate after taking off for dinner. He didn't think to see an uninvited guest sitting on his steps, smoking a cigarette. Nikki parked the bike right by Sammi's car, a safe distance for Sammi to not be near Veronica. Sammi took off Nikki's spare helmet, smooth the back of her hair, unaware of Veronica's presence. Veronica held a glare right onto Nikki and Sammi, finishing her cigarette with disgust to see the pair.

"Sammi," Nikki stood right in front of Sammi, blocking Veronica from her line of sight, lightly holding onto her. "I think you should be heading home. It's getting kind of late don't you think?"

Sammi scrunched her brows together, looking down at the watch on her wrist. "I mean it's 10:30, but I don't think it's late in our world. I wanted to see if I left any other stuff around the house," Sammi told Nikki, stepping aside from Nikki only to get blocked again.

"I'll drop off anything I find tomorrow at Emma and Sabrina's. You can just call and give the address," said Nikki, biting his lip.

"Nik, what's going on? Why are you acting-"

"Nikki! You motherfucker!" yelled Veronica, marching right on her heels over to the pair. Nikki cursed under his breath, finally acknowledging Veronica as she stood right in front of him. Sammi stood frozen behind Nikki, stepping back away from the two. "Now I know why you've been ignoring me all day!" yelled out Veronica again, smacking Nikki in the chest.

"V, I've been ignoring you before today. What do you even want?" asked Nikki, pushing Veronica away from him. Veronica almost tripped over her feet, stumbling to regain her balance. Nikki narrowed his eyes at her, reading her body language. He scuffed. "Of course you're fucking high,"

"Oh, and you're so great just 'cause you're off it for a while. Don't fool yourself, sweetheart, you're going to come back," said Veronica, inching closer to Nikki. She peeked behind him, curling her lip at Sammi. "Do you know you're a fucking slut?"

"What?" asked Sammi, scrunching her brows together.

"You're a slut. Because you're out doing god knows what with an engaged man, you bitch," Veronica spit out, pushing Nikki out of the way to get closer to Sammi. "But I'm guessing Nikki never told you,"

Sammi's face fell, lips parted as Veronica flashed a diamond ring on her finger. She frowned at Nikki. "Well, then congratulations on the engagement. Your ring looks beautiful," said Sammi, pressing her lips firmly together.

"Thank you. Hey!" shouted Veronica. Nikki didn't need to say anything to Veronica, grabbing her by the shoulders, almost dragging her away. He tried to not let her fall onto the pavement, finally letting go once they crossed to the outside of Nikki's property. "Fuck you!"

"Here! Have twenty bucks, get yourself a cab, and get the fuck away from me!" shouted Nikki, throwing the money at Veronica. "We're not together, you psycho bitch," Nikki said, walking back into his property and shutting the automatic gate behind him.

"You'll be back! You'll be back after everything!" shouted Veronica before walking away, aimlessly. Before Nikki could have a moment to catch his breath, he now had to run after Sammi, seeing her already heading to her car.

"Sammi! Sammi," Nikki laid a hand on Sammi's shoulder only to be shoved off. "Sammi please listen, I am not engaged to Veronica," said Nikki, standing between Sammi and the car door. Sammi only glared right at him, trying her best to open the door. "She asked me when we both high out of our minds. That isn't an engagement,"

"Bullshit! You asked me the same way in Vegas, except this time you got a ring for it," said Sammi with a frown.

"That was different! And I didn't even give Veronica that ring! She stole my credit card and bought it herself," Sammi glared at Nikki once more, finally getting enough strength to push him off her car. Nikki could be heard through the window as she got into the old impala, but Sammi paid no attention. She was ready to leave, but the impala had a different plan. Sammi tried to turn on the ignition only to get the rough sound of the engine failing. She did this three more times until finally giving up, dropping her head against the steering wheel. Nikki knocked on the window once Sammi gave up, seeing the stubborn girl roll down the window. "I think it's dead,"

Sammi clenched her jaw, continuing her glare. "You don't say,"

Nikki shook his head. "I told you needed a new car. See what happens when you don't listen,"

"The impala's fine! It's just being a pain in the ass out of all days to be one!" shouted Sammi, groaning as she stepped out of the car, slamming the door. She folded her arms against her chest, trying to not look at Nikki.

"I knew I should have just given you a car on your birthday randomly," said Nikki.

"Well you didn't give me shit for my birthday so shut it," Sammi said. Silence ascended between them again, Nikki sitting on the hood as he watched Sammi sulk with an intense frown. "Are you just going to stand there or are you gonna say anything?"

"What do you want me to say, Sammi? If it's about your car, there's nothing I can do because I'm not a mechanic and everything is closed,"

"I'm talking about your stupid fiance,"

Nikki blinked. "Oh. Well, she's not my fiance, simple as that. I was high when she asked and said yes. But that is completely different from when I asked you in Vegas,"

"How so?" scowled Sammi.

Nikki rolled his eyes, pushing himself off the car. "Because when have I kicked you out of my house? Or been embarrassed by everything you do when we're out? When I asked you, it was because I felt like we could be married. That isn't how I feel about Veronica. After I stopped shooting up, I stopped calling every single person that could bring that crap around me. Veronica included. She is nothing but a pain in my ass," This didn't lessen Sammi's scowl at Nikki, but she began making her way to the front door. Nikki scrunched his brows together. "What are you doing?"

"Going inside to go to bed," said Sammi, turning on her heels. "Or do you want to take me back to Emma and Sabrina's apartment that's 30 minutes away?" Nikki opened his mouth to say something but then closed it as he tried to think of words, following Sammi to the door.

"Are we gonna sleep in my bed? Together?" asked Nikki, unlocking the door.  

"Is your bed clean from anything gross?" Sammi asked, heading straight for the stairs.

"Actually yeah, I just changed the sheets three days ago," smirked Nikki.

"Okay then we'll share the bed," Sammi stood at the top of the stairs, arms still crossed, looking up at Nikki. Nikki couldn't help himself any longer from touching Sammi. With hesitation, Nikki softly cupped Sammi's cheeks in his hands, leaning down to kiss her lips but without any hungry force. He pulled away, cheeks flushed as if he was back to being a teenager, clearing his throat. Sammi had the same tint of blush on her cheeks, almost stunned with surprise.

"Sorry," muttered Nikki.

"It's okay," smiled Sammi. Before continuing to Nikki's room, Sammi stood on her toes' tips, kissing Nikki in what felt short to the man. "That is all you're getting tonight," said Sammi.

Nikki chuckled to himself, wrapping an arm around Sammi's shoulders. "I am not complaining one bit,"

[nyisles]

Magic in the Hamptons

~my first fic be kind~ 

Player: Mathew Barzal 

Words: almost 3.5K 

Warnings: language

Notes: heavily inspired by the dooley-lee wedding, thank you anders and grace. s/o to the song magic in the hamptons being v fitting as well. there could be a playlist for this, but that’s excessive for part one of a fic that might FLOP :-)

         When you had agreed to be your best friend Reese’s plus one to some wedding, you had certain expectations. A night of average (at best) food, middle aged couples bopping along to some outdated party songs (including and not limited to ‘I gotta feeling’ by the once popular black eyed peas) and finally an evening ending around maybe midnight where you’d be knocked out from pure boredom. You’d always found it interesting how being bored could really make a person so tired. With extreme hesitation, you accepted your friends request as a plus one strictly as repayment for the time you had taken him to a miserable holiday party in college. Although when his car pulled up to the most elegant vineyard on all of Long Island, you felt a completely different aura. “And uh… how do you know the couple again?” You questioned suddenly looking down at your dress playing with the hem hoping that you were appropriately dressed. Glancing out of the car window seeing all these tall blondes dressed perfectly walk into the event space that the party would take place in, you gulped feeling a bit intimidated. Reese couldn’t even tell you what black tie optional was, or whether or not this wedding had a dress code and you should’ve never just assumed. “My Dad’s friend’s daughter… Sydney. She’s marrying some hockey guy…Martin… I think.” He said so casually with a chuckle, “I’m bad with names. I’m just looking to slip in, eat a nice meal, drink some free booze and slip out. Mainly doing it for my parents, since they’re away on business someone had to show face for Boomer.” Your eyes scrunched up in confusion, there was just too much to unpack in those simple statements... Martin, Sydney, Boomer... but then as you thought about it maybe for a millisecond more, you slowly found yourself hating how stupid you could’ve been. As a Long Island native, you had just come to terms with the fact you were now facing the IT wedding of the year. The upper crust of your small island would all join in one place, and so would an entire hockey team that your family had found itself rooting for season after season. Leaning back into the leather seats of Reese’s car, you refused to take off your seatbelt, clutching onto the middle console and the handle above the door. “Reese, I can’t go in. I’m…sick. I’m underdressed. I am a no one in comparison to these people. I have…zits, within an hour of being outdoors in a fucking vineyard in July my hair will frizz, and I will smell.” You said going over the top with the dramatics. Something you weren’t typically known for, but this was an emergency. You couldn’t really face these people without feeling well, not confident in yourself. With a roll of your best friends’ eyes, you heard him unclip your seatbelt, after unclipping his own. “(Y/N), slip in… slip out. Do it for me, for the Booms.” Reese said as he popped open the car door for himself. How the fuck had he managed to forget he was family friends with all of these socially important people?

         You absolutely clung next to Reese as you looked around at the beautifully decorated reception area trying to keep a poker face. The venue was just like a pinterest wedding in a barn, but much, much classier. There were gorgeous flowers in almost every shade of pink imaginable, and tables as far as the eye could see. Just beyond that was a large dance floor and a band set up. Of course, there was a band. This was a classy event that no DJ would be able to touch. “Oh look, here we are.” Reese said leading you over to a table filled with little place cards. You tried to quickly eyeball over the names to see what guests would be in attendance, but Reese was quick to find your card along with his. “Table 28.” You muttered quietly picking up your card. “Hush, I promise this will be fun. I won’t leave your side. We’ll be inseparable… now let’s get a drink and try to find this table.” 

         Now that was over an hour ago when Reese had promised to be what you considered a good friend. Now you were maybe two Stella Artois deep. You felt classy when asking the bartender for this beer. This event probably didn’t have your go-to bud light and almost if on cue you heard, “Hey, can I get another two buds?” It only took a second to feel the body whose voice it came from stumble into you a bit as they managed to get to the crowded bar that you’d been at for at least twenty minutes waiting for Reese to return from the bathroom. “Sorry.” The voice said, not managing to look over at you, but oh boy had you looked over at him. You gulped a little after recognizing that face. God, you could recognize that side profile anywhere. You weren’t a crazed hockey fan, but you’d been to enough games to know who he was. Maybe he felt your eyes piercing the side of his face, but he looked over at you with an awkward smile and a nod as he patiently waited for the bartender to find him his drinks. “I didn’t even know they had bud light here, this place just screams classy to which... your drink of choice does not.” You muttered taking another swig of your drink, totally unsure of who you had become after these few beers. A boom of laughter escaped from his mouth, “You clearly don’t know Matt or Syd.” He quipped, reaching over the bar grabbing the two beers from the bartender. “Can you muster up another for my friend over here?” Your new hockey playing bar friend nodded towards you. “I’m Anders… and I don’t think I’ve seen you before, so you’re either family of the bride or…a wedding crasher?” You suddenly felt a little stupid, maybe taking the party too seriously, and unfortunately for you Anders Lee had just pointed that out to you. Settling down your Stella Artois you stuck your hand out keeping your gaze low towards the table top of the bar while your cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “(Y/N), and neither… just a plus one who got ditched by her best friend.” Anders gave your hand a gentle shake. “Ah, well stop by table 29, we’ll show you some fun and we all drink bud light.” 

- - -   

         Dinner service was incredible, you sat at your assigned table, one table over from your new friend Anders, but he didn’t seem to notice too much. He was caught up in conversation with who you presumed was his wife. They were sitting close and comfy, so instead of watching them you let your eyes gaze across their table. It appeared that every boy around the table had been more attractive than the one next to him and of course with an even prettier date. The one with the beard – Nick, then the one with the cute gap tooth – Jordan, the blonde – Casey , the one with the sleeve of tattoos - Cal, and then your eyes landed on a much younger one – Mathew. His hair slicked back, a crisp white linen button down covered with a blue blazer and not the boring navy-blue kind. It was a bright enough blue to grab the attention of others, which was exactly the vibe you were getting from him. Someone who liked being noticed. His own eyes were scanning the room and had stopped when they landed on you. A soft smile appeared on his face, lifting up his drink as if to toast yours. Cocky. Anders had looked over at his teammate and caught at his gaze found your eyes “(Y/N)!” He shouted giving you a wave over. They had an empty seat at their table and Reese had been schmoozing Boomer. Apparently his father and Sydney’s dad were very good friends. “Come here kid, you look like you need some fun.” 

        It took you a moment to pull up from your chair, and try to navigate your way around the other wedding goers to an empty chair at the table. “Guys, this is (Y/N). Be nice. No biting.” Anders said jokingly, while narrowing his eyes at Mat. You tried not to blush or think of it too deeply. Plopping yourself down in the most graceful way you could after 4 beers. “Hi everyone, thanks for letting me crash your table.” You said softly trying to give them all a small wave. Everyone then went on to introduce themselves, as if you hadn’t really known them. “We weren’t planning on sitting very long. The dance floor is calling, (Y/N).” Mat said, with your name rolling off his tongue in a way that sent shivers down your spine. God, you’d been single for too long to have this attractive boy speak words to you. It seemed like everyone was already halfway to the dance floor before Mat was standing in front of you putting out his hand to help you stand up. “Well… what are you waiting for. The night is young.” 

        Mats hands pulling your arms around swirling you around, grazing your hips, and all of the above while the band played song after song. For the first time all evening, you felt like you belonged with the crowd and you were having fun. You didn’t have to look at your phone pretending to text anyone for the next hour like you once imagined you’d be doing. At first you thought it’d be weird, dancing with some boy you barely knew, but the way he was casually working in conversation and getting to know you while moving his hips in all sorts of silly ways was soothing for you. Everyone else was in a happy state of drunk to notice Mat’s poor dancing, or yours for that matter. “So, you’re here with some guy, but you’re dancing with me?” Mat leaned over and spoke in your ear making sure you could hear him over the music. Feeling your face flush from both the comment and the fact he was so close to you. “You’re going to kill my ego if you tell me that’s your boyfriend.” Mat said once more in your ear, pointing over at Reese who was at the bar drinking and talking to some older men. “He’s not my boyfriend. Just a friend from college that needed a plus one. I’m pathetically single!” You said leaning back in to him, your lips practically on his ear. As soon as you spoke your last sentence you cringed, at least internally. You had to keep a poker face. You managed to make yourself feel like you were back in high school with that silly comment. Mat was so cool and you couldn’t even formulate more than one coherent, non-embarrassing sentence at a time. “I’m glad to hear that.” was all he said placing his hands on your hips helping you sway along to the classics. ‘Come on Eileen’ was playing and right as the breakdown hit, Mat moved his hands from your waist to grab your wrists, holding your arms up as he sang right in your face. “At this moment, you mean everything! You in that dress...” You couldn’t help but laugh and sing along with him and the rest of the wedding guests. “Mat, let’s get a drink.” you shouted over the music as the song came to a close.

        He ordered two more beers, and you thought tonight you might potentially die of alcohol poisoning, or worse, make a fool of yourself in front of the most beautiful boy you have ever met. “I’m having a lot of fun with you, so thank you.” Maybe when you get drunk you get sappy, but you genuinely meant it. Staring at Mat’s features you tried not to get lost in the way his eyes followed your lips with every word, or the way his jawline seemed to be so defined, or even the way his hair was tucked behind his ears because it was becoming far too long and unmanageable. “It’s nice to hang out with a pretty girl.. And come on, you’re fun. Don’t act like you haven’t been destroying it on the dance floor. ” He spoke finishing his sentence with this laugh. This seemingly annoying laugh that was maybe a little too loud and obnoxious though none of the wedding goers seemed to notice as they all were enjoying themselves. Right now they were doing the electric slide on the dance floor, and couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to whoever you were and Mathew Barzal. “It’s very attractive, to see someone being themselves in a crowd of people they don’t know.” He leaned his big body against the bar, still facing you waiting to see what you had to say. It took a few seconds for you to muster up your thoughts, trying to come up with something not totally pathetic. 

        “You’re such a flirt.” was all you managed to come up with, “Don’t use those lines on anyone else, Barzal. I need to feel like I’m the only girl you’ve picked up at a friend’s wedding.” He licked his lips after taking another swig of his drink. God you really just wanted to kiss his stupid face when he did that. “You are! I pinky promise.” He responded sticking out his pinky finger, attaching it to your own momentarily. “Give me your phone, I want you to have my number.” He grinned pulling out his iphone from his back pocket handing it over to you. “(Y/N), unofficial wedding date… Love the contact name” Mat said reading from his phone as he got it back with a dorky grin. Right as you were about to open up your mouth and try to lay it thick, the rest of the Islander crew made their way to the bar. Nick slapping Mat’s back, and the rest of the boys immediately grabbing more drinks. “We’re about to head to the after party. I heard Marty got McDonalds to cater, and Trotzy doesn’t even have to know about it.” Nick called out. “Anders said he’d keep it quiet too.” Jordan said to Mat, as he looked over to you giving you cheeky grin. “You can probably bring your new plus one.. If she wants.”

 - - -

        Shuffling onto the party bus with the rest of the Islanders and their wives or girlfriends or friends was just… different. You didn’t necessarily belong, but Mat was doing everything in his power to make you feel like you did, much like he had at the wedding. He’d continued to introduce you to teammate after teammate, especially as you all piled on the bus. Matt and Sydney probably didn’t account for an extra person, as there was only one seat left by the time Mat was done introducing you to everyone. “Are you sure it’s alright I’m here? I don’t think Reese left yet and he can drive me home.” You gently whispered, not wanting to be a bother. Instead of responding, Mat slumped himself down in the seat, grabbing your waist and having you sit on his lap. For someone whom you’d met hours ago, it all felt very comfortable. “Safety first, gotta keep the prettiest girl on the bus safe.” He kept his arms tightly around the waist as if to mimic a seat belt. Leaning his head on the top of your shoulder, resting his eyes shut. The compliment made your face flush, but he wouldn’t see that. “Can’t take you home if we don’t make it there first.” Mat said speaking against the back of your neck. 

        “Barzal, eyes open! The night has just started.” You heard one of his teammates scream at him, leaving you no time to respond to his much steamier comment of the night. Turning back and looking at his face, you saw him slowly open up his eyes, looking at you rolling his eyes. “Their right you know, can’t take me home if you fall asleep.” you quipped back. One of his arms moved from your waist to the back of your neck dipping your face in close to his for a kiss. In that moment you forgot you were on a party bus surrounded by other people. You sunk into his lips perfectly only letting it last a moment before deciding you didn’t want to make a show. “(Y/N), shut up.” Looking around the bus quickly it seemed that no one noticed, and if they did, no one seemed to care. 

        Music blared across the small bar, solely filled with those of you who had come right from the wedding. Sydney had changed from her beautiful ball gown of a wedding dress to a much shorter, tighter party dress. The hockey men had all managed to unbutton their shirts, whipping them off dancing around. The party was quickly becoming everything you’d seen on instagram. Your eyes widened at what was going on, and you felt a hand on your shoulder. “Welcome.” the voice said as you turned, fully expecting it to be Mat trying to pull you off to some corner for more dancing or drinks, but it wasn’t. “I’m Grace, that one…” she said pointing at Anders, “he’s my responsibility for the night.” to which you both chuckled knowing it was her own special way of introducing herself as the wife to The Captain. “It’s nice to see a fresh face around here. Mat’s always so mopey when we go out and are all coupled up.” 

        “Well we just met today…” You said looking at Grace, and then past her to see Mat dancing wildly with his teammates with a schoolboy grin on his face. There was something about him that was just so intriguing, something that made you want to be around him because he had this infectious personality. “He’s a great guy, (Y/N). But can I give you a piece of advice? Don’t go home with him. Mat’s attention span is so small. I can see he likes you, and maybe you can be someone special...but if you leave with him, he won’t call tomorrow. He won’t text.” Soon another couple of girls appeared, more of the wags you assumed. They wouldn’t have made it into the bar if they weren’t friends of Sydney or Matt’s. “Same thing happened to me, with Casey. It took a lot of work to become something serious… not to be nosy.” A different blonde said with a shrug. You assumed she had to be Kristy, married to Casey Cizikas. “Hockey boys are the same. You give in easy, and you’re just another sucker.” 

        “Amen, sister! I’ll make Josh order you an uber home. And then, we’ll add you to our group chat, if Mat misses out on you, at least we have a cute new friend.” Megan Bailey added in giving your shoulder a squeeze. All these pretty put together blonde women wanted to be your friend, and it didn’t make sense but you went with it. Grace quickly nudged the side of Megan seeing Mat coming up from behind, not wanting to spoil your quick gossip session “You ladies done stealing my date?” 

        “Let’s dance.” You said immediately grabbing his forearm dragging him onto the dance floor trying not to let what the girls said get to you. They did seem to have an idea of how Mat would be. Even if it wasn’t in your intentions to go out and have a serious relationship with this boy, you at least wanted to see where things could progress. It hasn’t taken much for you to find your crush growing infinitely. Dancing was exactly what you both did for the rest of the night, intermixed with casual make out sessions in a side hall of the bar leading to a bathroom, and downing a few more drinks. This boy had you hooked, and now you really couldn’t leave with him if the girls knew what they were talking about. You needed him to want to text you tomorrow, to take some sort of an initiative. 

      So it was 6:30 am before you got home, in fact, Josh Bailey ordered you an uber from the after party (as promised by Megan, your new favorite human, no one else pounded back margaritas, made you feel at home, and offered to take you shopping quite like she did). Mat managed to sneak a kiss goodbye before you wobbled into your uber. At exactly 7:03 am he sent you a text, ‘had a great time’. That was it. It felt like it was missing more substance, Mat was acting like you were his date and that you’d known each other forever. Though you promptly answered, and waited. And waited. And waited some more. And you’d wait three more weeks until you were to receive another text from Mathew Barzal. That’s exactly when your life was totally and royally fucked. The girls were right, he was a challenge and  right as you had almost forgotten this special evening, he made his presence known. 

Mat Barzal: hey. 

[redfoxwritesstuff]

Coffee and a Wedding (Chapter 10 of 12)

Happy Tuesday! Please be aware- next week there will be NO UPDATE for Coffee. I’ll be flying to NYC Redeye and Landing early on the 3rd. 

On that note, Notice something different in the title? Yeah? Know what that means? That means I’m officially done drafting this story and we know for sure how many chapters we’ve got to look forward to. 

Rated M for eventual Smut. 

Chapter warnings: Matt is in this chapter? I feel like that’s a warning on its own- Warning- you have to deal with Matt!

Check out the Masterlist for prior chapters. I am always thankful for any Ko-fi donations because lets face it, I drink my weight in coffee and in return you get a shit ton of words.

Clint x OFC

Chapter 10

“Welcome back.” Clint called from where he sat at the small dining table, his own laptop lighting up his face.  

Just ‘welcome back’. That was it. No ‘babe’. No pet names. That hurt way more than I expected. He didn’t even look up at me. It hurt more than it should have. I could feel my eyes well up and willed the tears away. This makeup job was expensive. The artist assured me that the layers would hold up through anything. Rain, sweat, tears and even a dip in the ocean. I still didn't feel like testing it until after the pictures over and done with.

It was fine. This is what I wanted. This is how it should have always been. I sniffled. It was a loud and ugly sound, louder than I had expected. Flinching, I regretted it instantly. Way to draw attention to yourself.

His eyes flicked up to me and there was a moment where I could see his face shift through a range of emotions. There was confusion first. After was this weird slack jawed look that was quickly replaced by shock as he stood up too fast, sending the chair falling behind him.

“Holy shit.” I rolled my eyes at his words. Yeah, of course it would shock him that I’m tearing up over nothing. There were countless times I’d taken a verbal beating from an unhappy customer before he’d step in and throw them out without so much as a tear in my eye.  

“We’ve gotta go in like an hour or so.” I hated how watery my voice sounded.  

“Yeah.” Clint said. “Sorry- I was tits deep in taxes. I’ll get changed right away.” He stood rooted in place though.

“Taxes?” I was thankful for the somewhat random distraction. “It’s not the end of the year yet.”

“Do them quarterly- makes it hurt less- Can I just say you look fucking amazing, babe?”

“What?” I didn’t mean to say it but I’m pretty sure I said it.  

“I mean- Holy. Shit. Your hair!” He hurried across the room toward me. “Turn, turn- let me see their work.”

“Okay?” I turned and my mind swam. What the hell was happening? Had he been off all morning because of taxes? What did he think of me then?  Were we back to how we were before? “It looks okay? It’s hard to see when they hold that little mirror up...”

“Yeah, babe. Let me- Here, I’ll get a picture of it.” Clint was talking a mile a minute. That was probably a good thing since I was still reeling from the change in him. “I hope Matt’s throwing some big dollars at Sarah’s hair because they went top notch on you.”

Clint slipped his phone in front of me after taking a picture. Sure, the lighting wasn’t great and the focus was a little off but that did nothing to hide the way the strands were pulled back in a comfortable braid. Gems dotted the mass of braided waves.  

“Your dress is in the closet- I’ll grab it for you and put it in the bathroom while you grab the other… stuff? You need to change. I’ll change out here.”  

~~~~~<3

“Clint?” I called through the door. When I tried on the dress there was a shop associate to help me into it. I didn’t think about trying to reach the zipper or laces on my own. And now I’ve been trying to get it on for the last thirty minutes. We were running out of time.  

“Yeah?”

“I need help.”  

That’s how I ended up standing with my back to Clint, arms crossed over my chest and holding the dress up and over my otherwise bare chest. I tried to ignore the fact that I was wearing a lace pair of panties that were probably clearly visible above where the zipper started.  

Clint thankfully made no comment about my panties or lack of a bra. While the air around us was so much more like what it had been, I could still feel an underlying current of something hanging around us. It was like the river thawed but the ice was still there on the surface. His fingers were cold as he curled them around the tab of the zipper.

With a tug at the base of the zipper’s path and in one smooth motion he was able to pull it up the small of my back. As it moved higher he had to stop, pulling the fabric together with one hand and inching the zipper up the rest of the way. Once the zipper was taken care of, he set to work lacing up the back.

“Time to go.” I said, looking at my phone before slipping it in the clutch style purse.

~~~~~<3

Clint was sitting on a folding chair with a water bottle in hand. Matt had offered him a beer but he had turned it down. Matt’s father also offered him a beer and likewise, he turned it down. I guess drinking before two in the afternoon wasn’t really Clint's thing?

I posed with Sarah for pictures while she was in her robe. The photographer was sweet and kind though their flash was blinding. Every time I caught sight of Clint he looked right at home, lounging in a folding chair or wherever he could find to sit as we were ushered through the spaces.

Finally, we were sent out for the real prep to get underway. We made our way to the  beach where somehow we were roped into set up. While we placed chairs and carpets settled into place, Clint resumed the soft touches I had grown so used to since the charade started. It made it even harder to focus on the task at hand- one we never agreed to in the first place- without ruining my dress. Also not helping was the suit Clint wore, tailored and hugging his form, necktie and shit matching the blues of my dress.  

By a quarter after three, guests started to arrive. Sarah had said it was going to be a fairly small gathering but as we had been setting out chair after chair earlier, I realized that wasn’t going to be the case. Still, setting out three million chairs did nothing to prepare me for the influx of what seemed to be three million people.

“Our job's done for now. Let’s get a seat before all the good ones are gone.” Clint whispered.  

He leaned down and planted a sweet kiss to the top of my head as he wrapped an arm around my side. Leaning into him, I let him lead me to one of the front rows as we settled into the seats. Around us, people I recognized from my teen years mingled with people I recognized from high roller magazines. Sometimes, men wearing expensive suits would come up to Clint and I, recognizing him from some Stark party or another.  

Every single time he introduced me as his girlfriend, my heart jumped into my throat. I saw the looks some of them gave us. Some thought I was too young for him. Some thought I was with him for his money. Some thought the only thing I could offer him was sex. The whispers were just loud enough for me to hear. Or maybe that was my own paranoia and self doubt.  

Regardless, it was time for everyone to take their seats and for Sarah to say her ‘I do’s. I wished that I could have shown her the pictures Clint had taken before now. I wished I could have gotten her to listen to me. I wished none of this was happening.

It was bitter sweet when the music started and the whole crowd stood to take a look at Sarah as she walked down the path. There was a light blue satin fabric that covered the smoothed sand. Each step left what looked a lot like waves behind her, smoothed out somewhat by the weight of her dress and the short train as she walked.

And she did make a beautiful bride. While the dress she wore was delicate and light and her hair had a perfect wave to it. The sun was reflecting off glittery gems placed in her hair. The same gems were placed in the bundle of flowers in her hand. None of it was as beautiful as the smile on her face.

And it all made my stomach turn. Clint squeezed my hand as the couple at the alter smiled lovingly at each other. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to vomit.  

“Breath.” Clint whispered in my ear. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. A tear slipped out of my eye and I harshly wiped it away.  

“You can object.” He pointed out as I let out a shaking breath.

“No.” I whispered back. “She didn’t believe me, she won’t now.”

“I’m sorry, babe.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side as a few more tears slipped down my cheeks.  

I sought comfort in Clint’s embrace as Matt and Sarah said their vows, then their ‘I Do’s and the crowd cheered. We stood and clapped and I did my best to pretend to be happy for them. With a deep breath, I prepared myself for a few more photos before it was time for the reception.  

~~~~~<3

With Clint at my side, we made a direct path to the bar the moment we had gotten inside the doors. The music was soft and classy for now and there were trays of cocktails set out on tables and on the corners of the bar. Waiters walked with trays full of drinks.

I didn’t take my time with the first drink. Pictures had been a nightmare. I plastered on a wide smile and tried to look happy in the family pictures. I did my best but I’m not sure I ever could have really looked happy.  

The dinner was nice and expensive. The toasts sweet and I about cried with joy once it was time to dance. At least then I could pretend Sarah hadn’t just tied her life to a man I had grown to hate over the last few days. I wasn’t one that really threw the word ‘hate’ around carelessly. But I did hate him. God, I hated him so much.  

Still, when it was time to gather around and try to catch the bouquet, I gathered with the rest. Clint smiled on and cheered and I rolled my eyes at him. Women pushed and pulled on each other as Sarah took her far too pretty bouquet and turned her back on us.  

“One,” She said. “Two, three!” And the flowers sailed through the air.  

I was pushed and pulled until I was off to the side of the group. It happened so fast and I hadn’t really cared about catching the overpriced flowers. The bounced once, then twice on grabbing hands only to fall neatly in my half assed reach.  

What the ever loving fuck?  

There was a showering of congratulations. People who were jealous of me put on bright smiles and made teasing jokes. Everyone kept asking when Clint and I would be planning our wedding. Matt’s father clapped Clint on the shoulder and asked when he would be proposing.

We spent much of the night dancing and drinking. The cake was amazing and the party was amazing. I had almost put the thoughts of the horrible match out of my mind for most of the night. There was a live band and as the sun set, twinkling reflected off glassware and gems decorating the area. In the distance, the moon and stars quickly joined the party, making for the most romantic setting I’d ever seen.  

The party went on and I was wrapped up in being with Clint. I indulged in affection, both giving and receiving. It was selfish but I excused it. I couldn’t have anyone else questioning if I was holding back. And I didn’t want to hold back. It was a wedding, love was all around us.  

And I was in love with him. I think I was always aware of it, in a sense. But now I felt it in an earth shattering way. Yet it was a soft feeling. A warm feeling. I don’t think I could ever go back to before. Could I survive without the way he ran his hand along the small of my back and he walked by? Could I survive without hearing him call be ‘babe’ anymore?

Before my mind could wade through the buzz of the alcohol to dwell on that, I noticed a gaggle of suits gathered in a circle. Matt was standing among them and they were sharing laughs.  

“Most of them were at the party.” Clint offered as he spun me around only to pull me back into his arms. I didn’t think anything of it when Sarah made her way to them.  

“What’s this?” Her voice rang out loud enough for us to hear over the music. If we were father from the group, it would have been impossible to hear it at all though. We danced a little closer. “Who are they? When was-”

The rest of what she said was lost to me. At another table some bridesmaids downed shots to the cheering applause of spectators. I watched as Sarah broke from the group, clearly upset and made her way over to us. What happened? What did she see?

“Lexie” She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me from Clint's arms. Behind her, a distressed Matt approached. “I’m sorry. I saw the pictures. I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

“What are you sorry for?” Matt demanded, downing his glass of whiskey and setting it on a nearby table.  

“She tried to tell me, Matt. And I didn’t listen to her.” Sarah’s voice was getting louder. People around us were beginning to stop dancing. “I told her to stop imagining things.”

“I can explain, Sarah.” Matt pleaded, reaching out for the bride who only stepped away. “Sarah, calm down. You’re causing a scene. Let me explain.”

Sarah held her arms out and span around in a slow circle, swaying a bit on her feet. She was clearly drunk at least. “Then explain it to us.”

“Clint.” Matt said.

“Me?”

“Clint?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah.” Matt nodded, gaining traction. Clint grabbed a drink off a tray as the attendant passed and took a long drink as Matt opened his mouth to start again. “We had the games set, the drinks, Mozart on the sound system. Real classy.” Clint snorted into his drink, earning himself a jab from my elbow. “Clint called the strippers. Called it ‘a gift’ and that my planned party wasn’t the way ‘real men’ do it.”

“He what?” Sarah gasped and I think I pulled a muscle rolling my eyes.

“How can you believe that?” I challenged.  

“I don’t know Clint.” Sarah retorted. “I know Matt.”

“Do you?” Clint asked.

“I know him better than I know you.” Sarah jabbed her finger into Clint’s chest before turning on me. “If you wouldn’t have kept him hidden, maybe I would know him.”

“I didn’t keep him hidden.” I fumbled.  

“Oh?” Matt said. “So what, Clint didn’t want you to tell anyone about him? Was he that against being tied to you?”

“Excuse me?” Clint’s voice was getting that hard edge to it, the one I only rarely heard.  

“I bet he doesn’t even take you on dates.” Matt said.

“He does.” I was freaking out. This wasn’t something we talked about. I didn’t have a plan for this. We didn’t have a story for this.  

“Where?” Matt asked. “When last?”

“You always said you didn’t have time to breath, let alone date.” Sarah offered.  

“So what, you date in?” Matt asked.  

“What’s wrong with staying in?” I asked. This was getting out of control.

“Stay at home dates are just a cover for sex.” Matt answered. “He’s just after you for sex. All he cares about is sex. So he hired what he called ‘strippers’. I’m pretty sure they were just hookers.”

“Clint’s a good man. He treats me right.”  

“So what? You’re after him for his money? Lord knows he keeps saying he has it. Is he giving you all his money? Is that why he has an old watch?”

“Matt- She’s my sister.” Sarah was faltering. I couldn’t imagine what she saw in him but at least she wasn’t against me. Not totally.  

“Enough.” Clint said. His voice was low and firm.  

“You brought strippers- Hookers- to my- to Matt’s party and want to say what’s enough?”  

“Even if I did hire the strippers- and I did not, I did not make Matt try to swallow one’s face. I didn’t make Matt touch them. I didn’t make Matt struggle to carry one to the broom closet where I’m sure they had sex.”

“How dare you- I did not have sex with one of them!” Matt’s face was red.  

“But you kissed one?” Sarah challenged, turning on her husband as Clint down the rest of his drink and set it on a passing tray, switching it for a fresh one. “You did, I- that was one of the pictures.”  

“But- I- I- I’m not the one who called them.” Sarah slapped him and marched away.

“Look, how am I the bad guy just because Alexis can’t fuck Clint well enough and he needs to watch stripper’s-”  

It happened so fast. One second Matt was talking and the next, a crack echoed through the silent air and Matt was crashing to the ground. There were gasps and whispers. Sarah had stopped in her tracks and turned to look, eyes wide.  

Reaching out, I wrapped my arms around Clint’s arm. I guess I thought I was going to try to hold him back. It didn’t matter though because he made no move to advance on the man on the ground.  

“Stay down.” Clint’s voice was cold as ice and carried through the room as he looked around. His shoulders were squared and his head was held high. He rubbed his knuckles.  

“Clint?” I whispered.  

“I want to make something vary clear, to everyone in this room.” Clint’s voice carried through the room, projected and full of steel. “You can insult me all day. You can question my means and my finances. You can judge my watch for being a few years old. You can judge me for my age. You can judge me for my business. But I will not stand for anyone talking about the woman I love like that.”  

~~~~~<3

With Coffee coming to a close, those of you who are only being tagged in Coffee- let me know if you want to migrate over to any other tag lists. 

Tag List: @theheartofpenelope, @winterisakiller, @tnystrk-exe, @bradfordbantams, @ruebx, @hufflepuff25, @0-0-0-0-0-0-0-7, @theoneanna, @alexakeyloveloki, @toozmanykids, @j-u-s-t-4, @missaphrodite23, @bambamwolf87, @nonsensicalobsessions, @tinchentitri, @xoxabs88xox, @queenoftheunderdark, @wegingerangelica, @myoxisbroken, @coyotesongwriting

[assless-chapstick]

WAIT NO COME BACK, it's Daddy kink Charles slut again! We can't talk about Arthur's tattooed wedding band without talking about thEIR W E D D I N G. Who proposed? How? How long had they been dating? What was the ceremony like? Since Arthur isn't really religious and I don't /feel/ like Charles is either Can you tell that Charthur is my fave and I'll go down with this ship?

I’m having a rough night feller. Thanks for this!!

Arthur and Charles absolutely had one of those Gay™ moments where one of them starts to propose and the other is like “I was gonna propose!” like

They’ve been ddating three or four years, and they’d talk about it, once or twice; do they want to do the marriage thing, what it means to them, if it’s something they want or if just saying “always,” between the two of them, is enough… but I don’t think they ever decide on like a “yes, let’s.” Just an abstract “some day, yeah.”

So I think Charles waits until he’s finished law school, til he’s got his future locked down and is ready to start his life. He’s almost guaranteed a position, if he passes the bar, so he’s feeling pretty stable and ready to like… have a career and do the real grown up thing.

It’s at the like, party they have, after his graduation. It’s a little garden party, him and a couple of law school buddies all have a garden party, invite family and friends – of course Charles and his crew are the odd ones out, the rest of his friends have that family money – and it’s a nice, classy affair. Charles gets to wear a Nice Suit (the one Hosea tailored for him, cuz god be damned if any young man Hosea knows is gonna walk around wearing an ill-fitting suit), and Arthur dresses nice for the occasion too. Everyone’s there, I think ; John, maybe Javi, Dutch and Hosea, Tilly and Sadie (Tilly is a friend of Charles’s from his undergrad), Susan. Charles’s mom even flew in from Montana to watch him cross the stage.

And Charles has the ring in his pocket, he’s nervous as all fuck – knows Arthur will say yes, but wants this to be perfect… kinda wants to make Arthur cry, say something so touching Arthur cries!! He wants to!!

He’s also told like, everyone that Today is The Day, and they’re all playing it cool, though Dutch is SUPREMELY bad at playing it cool. He keeps like, winking at Charles every chance he gets and giving him thumbs up like “you got this 👍👍👍” and it’s like… jfc Dutch, fucking chill

So they’re hanging around, chatting, eating kosher hotdogs on artisanal gluten-free organic ancient grain buns (Beau’s dad hired the caterer and it’s the fanciest mediocre hotdog Charles has ever had in his life – Arthur’s disappointed that they hired catering cuz he fucking loves to grill), and Arthur is all like, “I’m gonna grab some more champagne, babe, you want some?” and Charles sees the perfect opportunity and he SNATCHES IT and is like “sure!”

And so Arthur turns, walks to the lil table and Charles gets down on his knee, has the little ring box in his hand, he’s fucking primed to strike, when Arthur turns around it’s fucking PROPOSAL TIME BABEYYY

When Arthur does turn around he kinda… jumps, a little, spills a little champagne, and then he’s… fucking laughing?? Laughing hard, like he can’t believe it, and Charles wasn’t expecting that at all… and Charles is like “Arthur Morgan –“

And Arthur is like “Shit!! Shit!!” and he’s still laughing and he gets on his knees, still holding both glasses of champagne, and holds one up for Charles to see and of course, of COURSE,

His cheese all fucking boyfriend stuck a ring in the champagne glass. Was gonna surprise Charles like that.

So then Charles starts laughing, and Arthur is laughing, and Arthur chugs the glass of champagne so he can get the ring, and Charles holds out one hand, and Arthur is like OH and so he chugs the OTHER glad of champagne so he can hold out HIS hand and they both slide the ring onto the others finger and then kind of just like… hold hands, and laugh, and press their foreheads together, and they don’t need to say anything, they just know, they’ve always known –

But then John (who has been dutifully filming the whole thing on his phone, like Arthur asked him to) is like “Well?? Say SOMETHING!”

So Charles goes “Will you –“ at the same time Arthur goes “Charles, I –“ and then they’re laughing again and mumble some nonsense no one can make out and then they kiss, and of course the whole fucking party stopped to watch and they clap and it’s embarrassing and stupid and fucking perfect…

The wedding ceremony itself is pretty low key. Dutch and Hosea are a pair of Old Queens, want something fancy and elaborate, but Charles and Arthur aren’t like that, and they’re not super religious, so they choose to have something secular and small and intimate, close family and friends only.

When Dutch n Hosea retired, they bought an acreage a couple hours outside the city (Dutch insists that land is the best form of capital to invest in or something idk) where they’ve got a couple horses n a lot of room, so that’s where they have the wedding. It’s the summer and the prairie grass is long and the chairs are mismatched, but that’s ok because it’s Charles and Arthur and everyone else they love and it’s perfect.

Of course Dutch and Hosea walk Arthur to the fuckin altar or whatever – Dutch wears red accents, Hosea wears blue, Arthur purple. It’s cute and cheesy and I love it?? Charles has a nice turquoisey pocket square and tie, and Tilly braids his hair for the occasion and he looks so fuckin sexy!!

A friend of Susan’s (Swanson!) officiates, John is Arthur’s best man and Tilly and Sadie are Charles’s maids of honour or whatever?? their vows are short but eloquent, and they agree – “Always.”

The reception is all food Susan and Arthur and Charles’s mom slaved over the day before, and they cut the cake with a fuckin tomahawk. I feel like they also do like, axe-throwing or something as like, a party game or whatever idk

At the end of the day, once the guests are all gone and it’s like 3am and they’re still a little tipsy, Arthur and Charles collapse into bed in one of the guest rooms and Christ, it’s been a long, stressful, nerve-wracking day, they don’t have the energy for wedding sex, they just wanna curl up and hold each other and go to sleep and –

And of course they can hear, real faintly through the walls, John and Javi in the next room, Javi all “quiet, flaquita, I know it’s your first time, you’ve been saving yourself for me, haven’t you? But you have to be quiet, that’s my good girl, love you so much… you’re so tight, darlin', we gotta go so, so slow – you feel that, how tight your virgin pussy is on me? My little bride, my little wife, my good girl, gonna cum in you, gonna make you mine, let your tight pussy milk –“

Arthur and Charles pass out in spite of the noise, and in the morning they wake up before the others and sit and have coffee together and are all “pass me the sugar, Mister Smith,” “It would be my pleasure, my darling husband.”

Arthur almost immediately starts calling Charles “the ol' ball-and-chain” and thinks it’s absolutely hilarious and Charles just rolls his eyes

Thanks for the ask, mister! It cheered me right up uwu

[sonipanda]

Now this pair I have already worn out a few times before I actually got round to reviewing them, and I can happily say that they are a fab pair! I have reviewed a few in the ESSEX GLAM range and have loved them each and every time!

The Spec

Colour: Black

Size: UK 5

Materials: Outer Material: Faux Suede, Inner Material: Textile, Sole: Synthetic

Price: £19.99

Website: Amazon – ESSEX GLAM Womens Stiletto High Heel Pointed Pumps Ladies Belted Ankle Strap Court Shoes

The Review

From The Website: Spruce up your shoe collection by treating yourself to a pair our stunning court shoes! Featuring a stiletto heel and pointed toe they are the perfect mixture of business and elegance. The ankle strap is made of individual strings giving them a unique finish. Ideal for going out, clubbing, parties, special occasions, weddings, business & more.

Gorgeous Womens Stiletto Heeled Court Shoes This Style Is So Elegant Its Perfect For Any Occasion! Outer Material: Faux Suede Inner Material: Textile Sole: Synthetic Closure: Buckle Heel Height: 11.25 centimetres Heel Type: Stiletto Shaft Diameter: Adjustable/Elastic Shoe Width: Normal Ankle Strap Made Up Of Multiple Straps 4.5 Inches / 11.25 CM Heel Height All Items Aim To Be Dispatched Within 24 Hours.

  The Packaging: I won’t ramble on too much here, but as you can see below, I managed to get as many images as I could so you can see step by step how I received them.

  Getting Them On: with or without hosiery, your foot slips in with ease in these heels. I have worn mine both bare foot and with heels, so I can say that I had no issues at all getting them on.

The ankle strap is adjustable and I always set mine to the tightest one so they sit slightly higher rather than resting on the ankles.

  On The Feet: so basically no explanation needed! I wanted to add so many more images, but they would have looked the same. I loved being in these!

They are super comfortable to be in all day, and I really do mean all day long. My fete managed to last the whole day without them aching from being in heels.

The front pointed part doesn’t squish your toes at all, and there is a slight bit of room for your toes to wiggle around in.

The ankle strap (as I mentioned before) sits higher on my ankle, but stays put all day long. I didn’t have any issues at all with wearing these. I also wanted to show you in one of the images below that the buckle on this is quite big; the width of the ankle strap itself, which I thought was a little different but still looks classy enough.

Your foot doesn’t slip and slide everywhere in these as long as you get the right sized pair – otherwise you can add in some slim insoles to stop that from happening.

The heel height would be classed as high, but I find these are more of a medium height and they are easy to walk in too.

    My Thoughts?

I gotta say these are becoming a favourite pair of mine! I love the way they fit and the fact that I can be in them all day and I don’t have any aching feet is just a massive bonus!

ESSEX GLAM Womens Belted Ankle Strap Court Shoes Now this pair I have already worn out a few times before I actually got round to reviewing them, and I can happily say that they are a fab pair!

[emmelfish]

Folks, we made it here. It’s NUPTIALS time.

And Dina Caliente bogarts the alcohol before the ceremony’s even begun.

Dina: I’m just – I’m happy for you Brandi, really I am, but Mort-Mort hasn’t called since he got his leg over and I fear I may never fulfill my Marry a Rich Sim want. I just feel so vulnerable right now.

Dina: But yeah you make maternity marriage gowns look super classy and you look beautiful, and Darren – pink becomes you, so... happy wedding guys!

Dina: Let’s all get wasted! Not you obvs Brandi.

Le sigh, still a snooze, even with booze. Hopefully the party score will pick up!

Yep, Brandi’s best boys are all wearing pink, even though she’s not got a hint of her fave color on her wedding attire. Hey John Burb! Better not have been poking any more holes in your Durexes or switching out Jen’s birth control for Altoids. Hiya Dusty, how’s college?

Dustin: I’m still Undeclared since you all threw me in that dilapidated dorm and exited the game.

Undeclared! Great TV show. Uh, we’ll get to it, we just need to change your LTW to Top of the Criminal career because I want you to be a babyfaced mobster, and then you can take the Mathematics.

Dustin: Yay, numbers. That’s almost as fun as wearing a pastel suit.

YOU’LL THANK ME!

Hubba hubba, Tara Kat scrubs up well and has switched out her regular day hat to her fancy one! Thanks girl. Could you have a word with Dirk about changing out of his urine-soaked, blood-stained scrubs for this pivotal moment in his family life? Normally he doesn’t do a single thing to piss me off.

Dirk I swear to god if you don’t change into your powder pink suit I’m gonna make you watch your dad and stepmom making out on a freaking loop.

DIRK!

Holy heck Brandi is freaking huge.

Ah sheesh finally, he Superman’d it at the last minute.

John, there’s telling the bride she looks beautiful as everybody should, and then there’s full-on Jon-Voigt-in-Anaconda leering. STAHP IT.

John: Ah like ’em maaaarried, ah like ’em preeeegnant...

Feminists everywhere, please kick this man hard in the danglebits so he can make NO MORE BABIES.

Vows!

Brandi: From the first moment I saw you...

Brandi: ...it was around five seconds until we boned and made twins.

Darren: It was indeed.

Dustin: That’s... that’s it?

Beautiful, wonderful, round of applause everyone.

Presenting Mr and Mrs Dreamer! It’s a shame about the automagic surname change, I’d much sooner a double-barreling (for both spouses, the way they do in France!), but alas, The Sims 2 hails from a far less woke era. Maybe I’ll get round to fixing that if I ever make the effort to fire up SimPE.

What the... the hell time you call this, Beau Broke?

Beau: Fashionably late.

Dustin: Why in Watcher’s name do I gotta look like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol and young Neil Patrick fucking Harris over there rocks up in a tiny tasteful tux?

Because it’s hilarious, that’s why. And also, those fun suits you and Dirk are wearing didn’t come in child size.

Good lord, who rattled Dina’s cage?

Dina: I just remembered about Jessica, A Baddie, breaking into our house.

Oh for crying out loud Dina get over it, it’s been like an entire season since then and you get mad about this one thing every three minutes.

Staring in disbelief is Tara Kat’s default mode, and it suits her little face swimmingly. To think she was once on Darren’s list of Maybes to Marry, before I gayed her up with SPOILERS! Haha, not yet pretties.

Dirk, it’s their wedding, can you not give them a PDA free pass this one time?

Dustin: Yeeeeah, adulting, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. C’mere you long, tall... curvy... bubbly... yeah, sexy champers.

Had some wine coolers before the bus ride over from SSU did we, Dusty?

Beau what on earth’s wrong? You look distressed and yet your angry thought bubble is vacant. Are the tails on Dirk’s suit offending you?

Beau: Yeeeeessss!

Of course Angry Brandi Art Face had to put in an appearance at her wedding. Or perhaps the furrowed brows are because of the somewhat generous portion of prosec her dear son is pouring himself.

I love how all the toasts are literally only about Brandi, but she chooses to represent her new husband by doing him a heartfart.

Dirk: Hey so Dustin, our girlfriends are related... we’re officially family... do you think that means we’ll get married?

Dustin: Dude, are you high?

Dirk: I’m just... very confused about my life.

No Beau, you don’t get any sadly. I promise you that a nice rosé cava will be your drink of choice when it’s your turn to go to university.

Hey, the party score is up! Don’t stop me now, I’m havin’ such a Good Time, I’m havin’ a ball...

Tara: Brandi, your bewbs are so big that your cleavage can prop up my champagne glass!

John: That’s hot.

Yay, look how happy everyone is! Wow, I simply can’t think of anything that would ruin this perfect moment (obvious foreshadowing is obvious), it’s just what you’d want from a Sims 2 wedding.

Guests are chatting away, siblings are dancing...

...only three minutes to go. I’d take a Good Time score. Come on, we can keep it up...

...Daz is delicately feeding his bride the cake instead of smashing it in her face, good man, Beau’s all aglow in the zone...

...John’s heartfarting a lesbian, he can but dream, but at least it’s a nice dream for him...

...there’s a mother and son dance-off happening, Diggy’s being great with kids as she always is...

...besties dancing – holy shit we hit Roof Raiser! Is that all it takes? A little all-round positivity? Well then. Remind me to throw MOAR wedding pardies.

Beau DO NOT KILL MY ROOF RAISER VIBE with your grumpus face!

Beau: It’s this rain, it’s playing havoc with my corsage.

Rain on a wedding day is lucky! And you like music don’t you kid, just sing that Alanis song. 🎵 It’s like ray-ee-aaaain...

Dina: Goodness gracious. Brandi’s eldest, you’re growing like a weed.

Huh, interesting! The special event camera just kicked in. I wonder what that could be fo –

WHAT

THE

FUCK

I... just... I’m wordless. ACR, you are a freak. Goodnight dear Simblrverse. Stick a fork in me, I am DONE.

Hey – great party though!

[incorrectdeceptionquotes]

A Coffee Connection Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Day Three, five days before the wedding. [Morning]

It was exactly six in the morning. Kay and Cameron hadn’t moved much from the positions they had fallen asleep in. The only thing that had changed was that Kay’s hand was resting on Cam’s chest and it was intertwined with his hand while his other arm was still around her shoulder. They didn’t seem to be getting up anytime soon until a scream was heard. They both jumped up at the noise, their heads slightly bumping against each other. “What was that?” Cameron asked.

“I don’t know,” Kay said, getting her gun out of her suitcase.

“Seriously? You brought your gun?” He chuckled.

“I’m an agent Cam; I’m never actually off the clock” They went outside of their room and a few doors down, there was a young redheaded woman crouched in front of one of the rooms, Kay recognized her almost immediately, “Morgan?”

The redhead looked up with tear-stained eyes, “Oh my God, Kay.” She ran up and gave the brunette a hug.

“W-what happened? We heard someone scream.” Kay asked. Morgan began to stutter franticly, “It’s okay, just take your time. No rush.”

“I-it was around five o’clock, s-so about an hour ago... I couldn’t sleep s-so I decided to get and go for a run around the gardens...” Morgan explained, “W-when I got back, I was about to open the door to m-my room w-when...” Her eyes began to tear up.

Kay handed her gun to Cameron and gave the younger woman a tight hug, “Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Cameron was impressed with how Kay was able to keep the young woman from spiraling.

“When s-someone... I don’t know... attacked me! L-like, they weren’t trying to kill me, i-it was like they were trying to do s-something e-else.”

Kay’s eyes widened as she pulled back from the hug, “Someone tried to assault you?”

“I-I think so...” She was calming down, “I didn’t know what else to do so I just screamed and then they ran away.”

“But you’re mostly okay?”

“Y-yeah, just a little shaken up.”

“Okay, you go clean yourself up, maybe get some sleep if you can, I’ll take care of this.”

“Thank you Kay-who’s this?” She asked pointing at Cam.

Kay realized, “Oh, this is Cameron.”

Morgan gasped, “Cameron Black? Is he your date?”

Cameron nodded to her, “I am, nice to meet you...”

“Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you Morgan, sorry it’s under these circumstances though.”

Morgan smiled, “Well, it’s just poor timing I guess. By the way, Tiffany wants all us all to wear something fancy for this morning’s brunch.”

Kay blinked, “I’m sorry, what?”

“She says she wants to take a lot of pictures and wants everyone to dress up.” Morgan shrugged, “By the way, have you tried on your bridesmaid’s dress?”

Kay gave a nervous laugh, “Yeah...”

“It’s... something right?”

“Oh yes.” She nodded.

“Well, I’ll see you too at brunch then.” Before Morgan went inside, “And thank you again.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” When Morgan went inside, Kay turned to Cameron, “Cam, can I have my gun back?”

“Oh yeah, sure.” He nodded handing the weapon back to her. He looked down at his clothing, “Kay?”

“Yeah?”

“We’re still in our pajamas.”

Kay looked down at her clothing, “Oh.”

Cameron smiled and took her free hand, “Come on, we might as well have a coffee and get ready for that wedding party brunch.”

Kay tried to ignore the heat she felt rising to her cheeks, “What about the attack on Morgan? I can’t just let-”

“I’ll call the team and see if they’d want to spend a day in the Hamptons, they could help catch this guy so you can enjoy the rest of this trip.”

“Thank you Cam.”

“Don’t mention it.” A little later, Kay was getting ready in the bathroom while Cameron was trying to tie his tie but he just couldn’t seem to get it right, “So Dina said that if all goes well, she, Gunter and Jordan should be here by half past one.”

“I hope you thanked them for me for coming all the way out here. I wouldn’t want to bother them.” Kay said as she finished up getting ready.

“Eh, it’s not that big a deal besides, it’d be good for them to get out of the city.” He replied still struggling with his tie.

Kay smirked when she came out of the bathroom and found Cam struggling, “Need some help with that?”

“If you don’t... mind...” Cameron lost his train of thought when he turned around and saw Kay. She was wearing a sky blue maxi dress with white flats and her hair had been parted to the right like it normally was. Now, Cam had seen Kay in formal wear before and thought she looked beautiful but here, there was something different. He wasn’t used to seeing her in dresses. What she was wearing was simple but she looked simply stunning to him. Although she always looked amazing to him.

Kay shook her head as she smiled at him, “So the Incredible Cameron Black can perform death-defying illusions but he can’t fix a proper tie?”

“Okay, first of all, it’s the Amazing Cameron Black and you know it,” Kay rolled her eyes as she finished fixing his tie, “Second of all, my brain only has so much room and I save it for my illusions.”

“Whatever you say Cam,” Kay let go of his tie and went and partly lay on the bed, her legs dangling off the edge, “Coffee not ready yet?”

Cameron lay down next to her the same way she did, “Nope.” Cam turned his head to look at Kay. They never really got a chance to spend quiet moments like this together, he liked it. In fact, he loved it.

Kay turned her head to face him, “What?”

“Kay, I gotta ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“What issues do you have with your family? I mean they all seem really nice and they seem to think the world of you.”

Kay took a deep breath, “It’s... it’s hard to explain... I love them and they are good people but... I don’t know...” She gave a slight chuckle, “You know when we were kids, during family reunions, Caroline and I would find ways to engrave our initials in one of the walls of wherever we were staying at, and no one ever found out about it.”

Cam smiled as she told him that memory, “Sounds like you and Caroline were a handful.”

Kay gave a sad smile, “We were, I guess...” She looked him in his sweet blue eyes, “You know, I’ve never actually told anyone that story”

He beamed at her, “I’m honoured.” He then turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow, “So... is it Katrina?”

Kay furrowed her eyebrows, “What is?”

“Your full name?”

Kay let out a laugh, “You’re still on that?”

“Of course.” Cameron smirked, “I intend to learn as much as I can about you. Is it Kaitlin? Kaylor?”

“Kaylor?”

“Eh, thought I’d try it.” He shrugged.

“I’m not telling you Cam.”

Cameron sat up, “Oh... bad move Agent Daniels, bad move... I have ways of making you talk.”

Kay sat up as well, “Do you now?”

“Oh yes.” He smirked.

Kay noticed a spark of mischief in his eyes, “Cam... what are you-” She was cut off when Cam placed his hands on her waist and started to tickle her, “Ahh!” Kay started to laugh and in between the laughs she said, “Are you a child? You really think you-you can tickle the truth out of me?”

Cameron started to laugh along with her, “Probably not, but if it’ll put that smile on your face, I’ll do it!”

Kay continued to laugh, “Because it’s an involuntary reaction!”

Cam let go of her as they both fell on their backs again, their laughter slowly dying down, “Okay, okay. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t push it”

Kay caught her breath as she looked, “Ha, I haven’t laughed like that since I was a kid.”

“Glad I could be of assistance... it’s good to hear you laugh.” He said smiling at her.

Kay smiled back at him. He always managed to make her smile in the most unexpected ways. Sure, he could frustrate her sometimes and even worry her but he always came through. It was what she really liked about him. Wait, no, it was what she loved about him. That’s when realization dawned on her. She was in love with Cameron. “Oh crap.” She thought to herself. She looked into his playful smiling eyes and sighed, “Kadence.”

“What?” Cameron was confused.

“My full name is... Kadence. Spelled with a K.”

Cameron raised an eyebrow, “Kadence? That’s the name you’ve been so secretive about?”

“Yup.” Kay nodded.

Cam nudged her, “It suits you.” Kay rolled her eyes, “I’m serious Kay. It’s classy, kinda elegant but still sounds badass. Although you’ll always be Kay to me, now I just know more about you”

Kay nudged him back, “You won’t stop until you know everything about me, will you?”

“Ha, no.” They then fell into a comfortable silence as they both just looked up at the ceiling. Their hands were just inches away from each other. Cameron slowly moved his hand until his pinky intertwined with hers. He was about to say something when the timer for the coffee pot went off, “The usual Kadence?”

Kay rolled her eyes again as they both stood up, “Thank you Cam.”

“Kadence Daniels... to be honest, you could have defiantly made a career as a magician with a name like that.” He said he poured her a cup of coffee adding the ingredients he usually puts for her.

Kay laughed that off, “I think I’m better suited to chasing bad guys.”

“Well, you are pretty scary,” He hands her the mug as he turns back to make his own, “In a good way.”

“Thank you.” She said, taking a sip of her much-needed coffee. About an hour later, they headed to the dining hall for Tiffany’s wedding party brunch. Cameron took hold of Kay’s hand claiming it was to keep up the act. Kay leaned over to Cameron and whispered, “Okay, so we’re going to play it like everything’s fine but keep an eye out to see if we can figure out who attacked Morgan.”

Cameron nodded, “My eyes will be open.”

“Kay! Cameron! Over here!” Tiffany called out. They were all sitting at a very large round table, Cameron and Kay sat down in the two seats that were available. Tiffany smiled at them, “Did you guys sleep well? You went to your rooms kinda early.”

“Oh yeah, I could tell Kay was kind of tired so I suggested we go to bed early considering these next few days might get a bit busy” Cam explained.

Tiffany nodded, “Oh, by the way. Kay, you remember my friends, Brooke, Octavia, Mimi and Morgan” She pointed to a light-haired brunette, a black haired woman, an Asian woman and the redheaded Morgan. Kay greeted them as Tiffany clapped her hands, “Okay, now that we’re all here, let’s take a look at this menu.”

Pierson raised an eyebrow as he looked through, “So Kay, how did you and Cameron meet?”

Kay furrowed her brow at the question; this was supposed to be about Tiffany and Harris plus she didn’t want to have the spotlight on her and Cam, “Uh, well, we met during a case.”

“What kind of case?” Tiffany asked, genuinely curious.

“Well, I was interrogating this drug lord on this parked plane and I had gone out to regroup because he wasn’t talking. Then smoke bombs started to go off and then the plane just exploded.”

“Except it didn’t” Cameron added.

“What?” Tiffany asked.

Kay explained, “It had disappeared.” Kay then went on to explain of how Cameron insisted he help with the case and how she was reluctant at first but he proved himself to her, “So... that’s pretty much it in terms of how we met... but enough about us. Tiffany, what’s the plan for today?”

Tiffany waved her hand “Oh, well, Harris and I have a few things to attend to today so you are all relinquished from your duties today until 6 o’clock, where we want you to join us in the lounge for some drinks and karaoke.”

“Karaoke?”

“And I hope you guys have a song you like to sing because it’s gonna be a duet competition! Harris and I will judge of course.” Tiffany went on to talk as they ordered, ate and eventually parted ways for the day.

As Cam and Kay went back to their rooms to change into more comfortable clothing for their little ‘stakeout’, Cameron spoke up, “You know I think Pierson has a thing for you.”

Kay turned to Cam in confusion, “What?”

“Well, think about it, he tormented you growing up, he tried to ask you out to dinner – just the two of you, I might add – and he hates me, which is very difficult to do because I am adorable. In some twisted way, he has romantic feelings for you.”

Kay raised an eyebrow, “That doesn’t sound very healthy if you torture the person you like.”

“Oh, it’s totally toxic but I just call it like I see it.”

“And just how would you know that that’s how he feels?”

Because I know what it feels like to be jealous. “I’m a good observer.” He winked. Kay rolled her eyes. They got back to their room when Cam got a text, “Jordan just texted me. He says that they should be here in about a half an hour.”

“Great. Want some coffee?” Kay responded as she came out of the bathroom wearing a maroon t-shirt with jeans.

“Sure.” Cameron replied as he took off his tie, “I don’t understand how some people wear these things all the time.”

“It does make a man stylish though.”

Cam raised an eyebrow, “Does it?”

“Oh yeah.” Kay said keeping her eye on the coffee pot, “Although, I do find your sweater and blazer combination quite interesting.”

Cam smirked, “Really?”

“Although I do wonder how you don’t boil in all those layers.” The coffee pot timer dinged and Kay was about to take the pot when Cam beat her to it, “Hey, I thought I was making you coffee.”

“You did.” He smirked.

“Oh come on, you know that it takes more than that.”

“You made. I pour.” He said pouring the coffee into two mugs and adding cinnamon in both, “We’re a team Kadence.”

Kay rolled her eyes, “Since when do you put cinnamon in your coffee?”

Cam shrugged, “I thought I’d try it. See what all the fuss is about.” Kay smiled to herself at that though that didn’t stop Cam from noticing. They sat by the table and drank their beverages in comfortable silence, stealing a glance at each other every once in a while and smiling when they made eye contact. Almost as if on cue, as soon as they both put their finished drinks down, Cam’s phone buzzed, “They’re here.”

Okay, so I’m splitting the days into two chapters now because this way, I can get more updates done for you guys and it’ll be easier for me because then I will be able to gather my thoughts and ideas much better. I didn’t realize just how much writing entailed when you want to include as much detail as you can and still be entertaining for your reader. So I hope you enjoyed the morning portion of Day Three, my writing load for this story has doubled yet it has lightened, I think you will be seeing another update for this one sooner rather than later.

[causinginvisibledamage]

TRR Chapter 14: Hana’s mom can just go straight back to hell from whence she came

General thoughts: 

All the Tangled references are appropriate this week because Hana is Rapunzel, Lorelai is Mother Gothel, and I’m throwing her over the balcony myself. 

Ok a little dramatic but oh man. I AM PEEVED. 

let’s try this again

Ok, so. This was a hard plot to resolve. Not even MC could talk the Lees out of being stubborn and listening to no one. So finally Hana found a way to take action and show her parents she could stand on her own to get past their fear and convince them she’s not doomed out here in the wilds. 

And it ties back into the reoccurring thread of this book, which is that you can get farther with friendship and allies than you can by trying to stubbornly go things alone. 

Biggest issue: Ima chalk it up to pacing: Hana’s victory and plot get swept past pretty quickly for a moment with your LI. :/ 

...Which, granted, was a really good moment! That diamond scene was fantastically done and definitely one of my faves. ♥

Alright, let’s get more into it! This post turned entirely into blahblahblah about Hana’s plot so jump in for that ride.  For reference, my MC is Riley and she’s romancing Maxwell, and I’ll probably have more about that later.

if you know anything about me, two things I am ALL ABOUT are HEISTS and DEFENDING MY FRIENDS. 

(In elementary school, I was quiet and painfully shy up until the point when someone tried to bully my friend within earshot, and then the school would have to call my mom because I didn't yet know how to channel those emotions into anything except STRANGLE. Maybe somebody should've taught me about heists! ...Wait no stealing is bad.)

Except when your friend's parents are being awful and unreasonable and not LISTENING

OH man. Just arranging these photos made me so angry again. These two are barely invited to my wedding. The back table with cold soup for them!!!

Lorelai might get most of my ire, but Xinghai isn’t coming off much better. 

Last week I guessed from all his sad sprites that he would be the weak link here, that we’d have to win him over to convince him to grow a spine and convince his wife to back off!!! but that isn’t what happened and I am kinda glad they didn’t go that predictable. 

But hooo man. These two have been having a one-way conversation with their daughter for her entire life, and now that she’s finally trying to speak back, they’re like Huh wow I guess words do nothing!!  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Reminds me of that post about how “If you don’t respect me I won’t respect you” >>>  “If you don’t respect my authority I won’t respect you as a human being”

The reveal that Hana’s dress is tied to her last good memories of her grandmother, and the BLATANT way Lorelai uses it to manipulate her is so damn cruel. Oh, sure, it was totally just coincidentally sitting on top of this pile~ my ass

I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR YOUR HAPPINESS. YOU WILL LIVE IN MY CASTLE WITH ME AND MAXWELL AND HAVE DANCE PARTIES AND BLANKET FORTS FOREVER.

So with that in mind, it sucks how being a good friend to Hana is so consistently paywalled :( I’m remembering back to the fondue scene in book 2 where she’s crying and everything, and if you don’t pay to invite the boys over, it’s kinda just like Oh man that’s rough buddy. :| 

Basically, if you don’t pay for the dress heist, the conversation where you comfort Hana gets cut very short, and it isn’t even given the weighty music it gets in the diamond scene, which really helps set the tone. And then the tension has to share the stage with Lorelai possibly ruining your party. 

I’ll be honest, if I had to choose between diamond scenes this week, it would have been the one with the LI, which is a great relationship-building one paired with sexitimes, and a good successor to the one two weeks ago where we finally get to talk about the future! 

More on that later because HEIST TIME

We are nothing if not on brand here at Duchy Revanasi. 

Off we go to recruit Maxwell or Olivia! 

Olivia: You can say the punchline as many times as you want, Maxwell. It’s still not funny.  Maxwell: Maybe I set it up wrong. I’ll start over from the top...  MC: Sorry to interrupt! Olivia: Oh thank god. 

jslkdj i love both of them

sorry Olivia, gotta see what shenanigans my fiancee can cook up. 

b’awwwwwww. 

Maxwell’s plan is to tell Lorelai they’re having a disco in the study!! A really really loud disco!!! Because “Riley said I could.” 

Lorelai leaves immediately. Heheh. 

as for Olivia, Our Lady of Drama, her tactic is uh. a little lacking in tact and I ended up being glad I went with Maxwell. 

At least we got a little bit of... backhanded defensiveness from Lorelai. “not entirely to blame” :/

I live in support of Hana’s angry face, but Olivia please. Hana is having a time 

Hana’s flirting tactic is straight to “take off your shirt” like damn girl 

We find a sECRET pASSAGE (hooray!!!) to a really pretty sunset. :D 

I really thought we were gonna take our LI back here later for a hot minute when MC was like “Hey I know a place!” but it ended up being the pretty balcony so I’m not complaining. 

Thanks, I have great writers! 

But god, this guts me. Hana never even had friends until she got here, she told MC that she was her first friend! Hana’s parents have been her only source of support for her entire life, of course she loves them and can’t picture her life without that, it’s all she’s had. 

Hana’s dad says Hana isn’t equipped “for a life of independence” like MC was. Like, he’s obviously coming from a place of worry, but it’s blinding to him to how Hana is trying to fix that. She has been trying so hard to stand on her own two feet. 

Her parents care, but they aren’t ready to listen to their daughter as a person. (respect vs respect again)

And damn, marrying someone like Neville would’ve been a disaster!!! Sure he’s rich, but he doesn’t exactly give off the impression he can make good decisions, so it would fall to Hana. Except with his arrogance and if Hana was as ideally subservient as her parents wanted her to be, she wouldn’t be able to. 

ugh i need to take 10 showers just following this thread of thought. 

sidenote, whomst the FUck let Neville onto my property. Gladys, get this punk trash outta here 

...Rashad can stay. He's alright. And helps out Hana in the end so, hooray!

Oooo Hana is still into us T_T 

That dress though! ♥ Usually i’m not into beadwork, but I adore the color, and how it makes MC look like a classy mermaid. I would love to wear that and swish around and feel how heavy it is. 

Those poor dressmakers who spend an entire year preparing and then if the duchess just is like Actually nah. 

:))) this made me laugh so hard. ISN’T IT. :[ 

She can’t take anything real from you. RUB IT IN HER FACE, HANA. 

But oh man. Lorelai not only holding Hana’s love and her things hostage, but also playing to the press like Oh what a fancy new duchy you have, such a nice festival of hope, wouldn’t it be a shame if one of your best friends mothers CAUSED A BIG DAMN SCENE. 

MC gives it the ole nyc try, but Xinghai is ready to hide behind his wife at a moment’s notice. 

COOL MOTIVE STILL MURDER or in this case ‘cool motive still emotionally manipulating your daughter and forcing your wishes on her’ 

I AM TRYING SO HARD TO WORK WITH YOU HERE. 

I think Lorelai’s bombshell for the press was the fake-out for someone getting murdered tonight. They went all out with the DRAMA MUSIC. Lorelai probably queued it herself, she clearly lives for the drama. GO AWAY. STOP RUINING THE MOMENT. People are trying to have wishes here >:(

[she’s talking about the chances of Xinghai making a business deal with Rashad on his own. sheesh, Lorelai’s not much more of a supportive wife than a mother, huh]

This image of Xinghai with the lantern breaks my heart a little. But I’m a sap. Damn discount George Takei, stand up for yourself and your daughter!

THIS, THOUGH. THIS SPEECH MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT. Your apologies are nice and all, but if you want to be a part of my life going forward? You can’t pull this shit again. That is exactly what she needed to say, and I’m glad she got to say it. 

I tried a few different ways and all times came out of it with Lorelai’s approval. Curious if it is possible to fail? Also wonder if there were differences if you didn’t win Xinghai’s approval in the previous book. 

ok i’m emotionally exhausted. the rest and Maxwell can wait for another post. i’m going to the gym or something

[midnigtartist]

7 with taakitz, which one of them would be this extra???

Thank you Nonny for my life

I gotta a little liberal with the promt here but I think the result is well worth it

7- Kissing the other persons hand before asking them to dance

2145 words because I have no goddamn chill apparently

Finally an excuse to write some wallflower Taako stuff thank thank

Taako is many things, a performer is not one of them. Above all else he’s a brother first, devoted to his sister. He’s a chef second, perhaps not professionally anymore more but cooking is a second nature, and a wizard third. He’s acquired other titles over his years of travel. Ties he would consider more distant, and less defining of himself like ‘mentor’ or “linguist’ or ‘hero’ or other silly shit like that, but performer is a whole nother ballpark. He’s a celebrity, a personality more than anything else. He puts up a good front of a charming socialite, but that’s more deception then performance.  He’s not an actor, and he’s certainly not a dancer.

Tears dried after a sentimental and blessedly short ceremony, the whole of the Fangbattle wedding party relocated over to Merle’s beachfront property for a rouqus reception. Taako’s gotta applauded the old dude’s keen eye for location, the venue is gorgeous. A little pub and grill built on an otherwise untouched strip of white sand beach, Taako can hear the crash of waves against the shore from here. Somehow they’d managed to cram everyone up on the back deck. A band, lead by Carey’s brother and a few of his other bard friends play a loud, jovial tune over the rush of the receding tide, beckoning party goers out onto the dance floor with a melody so enchanting there must be a little magic woven into the measures. Lanterns encircle the whole event, there dim glow casting swaying shadows over the floorboards as the sun starts to dip below the sea, staining the sky deep navy and bright pink. Tables draped in light linen clothes have been pushed out of the way to give the guest more room to dance and golden ivy vines creep up and along the railings of he deck. All in all a pretty classy affair, though Taako could certainly do without the ugly, tacky as hell fantasy tiki torches Merle had insisted on.

Almost everyone has found their way to the dance floor by now, even the most hesitant of guest swayed but the sweet sweet jams Jeremy is busting out on that flute. The brides haven’t left the floor since they stepped on to take their first dance, absolute shedding it out there as Killian dips and spins her newly wed wife with laughter on her lips and tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. Magnus is out there too, stomping around with Angus standing on his feet and clinging to his hands like his life depended on it, the kid looking simultaneously terrified and like he’s having the time of his fucking life. Merle, who'd’ previously been sloppily gesticulating and gyrating in a fucking vomit inducing display is now actually dancing quite nicely with his daughter and son. Equally as sticking to Taako but, like, in a sweet, overly sentimental way now. Despite the sirens call of the music however, Taako has remained dutifully seated at a table just outside the welcoming glow of those horrible torches, picking his nails and watching the laughing masses with an uneasy boredom

Lup had sweep in like storm a few moments ago, snatching up his date and dragging Kravitz out onto the dance floor in what could only be described as the power move of the century. How many liches attempt to assert dominance over the goddamn Grim Reaper via rowdy wedding dancing? Not many, he’d imagine. Taako was in goddamn stitches as he watched his panicked boyfriend get towed along by the sleeve of his jacket by his just recently embodied sister. He had to admit, watching Kravitz fumble along after Lup’s commanding lead through a complex, fast paced dance that had lots of clapping and stomping and lifts was exceptionally entertained. He’d howled with the rest when the embassy of death itself found himself being dipped quite extravagantly by the brazen lich, but halfway through the second song, they’d been swallowed up the by the crowd and Taako had lost them. And now he was just board, edging on ready to pack it up and leave. Big shindigs like this are fun for about the first hour, then Taako starts to get antsy, especially when left alone. He can’t even find Barry or Ren. A little voice in his head tells that he’d be having a much better time if he just got off his ass and went to find someone to talk to but, nice try brain he’s not about to be tricked into making himself less miserable, so you can jot that the fuck down. No, he’s just going to sit here and stew, and shoo Angus away if he tries to ask him to come dance, and dismiss anyone attempts to get him to do something fun until it’s his turned to get dragged out onto the dance floor by Lup and goaded into shuffling along to the music before he snatches up his boo and bounces before the slow jams kick on. Maybe stanch some leftover dessert pie and matching bottle of wine while they make their escape. Maybe split the bottle with Krav then fuck on the couch. Maybe drink the whole bottle by himself in the bath, then fuck Krav on the couch. Probably just go the fuck to sleep with Krav and drink it in the morning. Regardless, all future plans at this point require Kravitz,  but he’s gotta find the handsome bastard first.

He spots the aforementioned handsome bastard as he bursts out of the drunken throng, stubbing his way over towards Taako’s perch. He looks windswept. Hair tousled, locs slowly slipping from his ponytail, shirt coming untucked, laughing breathlessly. The lantern light wraps him a warm, familiar, soft orange glow that highlights the peaks of his cheekbones and deep flush of exhersion that adorns them. Taako’s stomach does a meager cartwheel and the sensation manifests itself in the form of a small, affection curl of his lips.

Openly admiring his boyfriend as he leans against the side of his chair Taako hums. “Lost you there for a second, handsome” he says

Still out of breath, Kravitz offers up a wheezing chuckle an shrug. Sweat dews along his throat and the side of his face. He reaches up with one hand and starts to undo the knot of his tie, slipping it from around his neck.

“Looks like somebody had a good time” Taako comment, leaning forward onto the arm propped up on his knee

Once again, Kravitz answers with a breathless chuckle. “Your family can be quite-”

“Exhausting?” he supplies

“I was going to say, lively” Kravitz says, now stripping off his suit jacket.

He hands it to Taako without having to be asked, which Taako is quite grateful for. As stunning as his spaghetti strap, floral print, easy-breezy springtime jumper is, it does little to protect his bare arms from the chilly sea breeze.

“Well I hope you didn’t tired yourself out there, buckaroo, because cha’boi has plans for the rest of this evening” He drapes the heavy jacket over his shoulders. It warm with the body heat of the crowd, Taako’s surprised Kravitz don’t ditch it sooner.

Kravitz nods, taking the half drunk margarita Taako pushes his way. “Should I be worried?” he asks, then knocks back the drink.

Taako shrugs, “Depends on what I settle on”

Kravitz chuckles.  He rolls up the sleeves of his floral print dress shirt, then offers an outstretched hand to him, palm up in invitation. Taako eyes it wearily.

“You better not be tryin to get me to dance.” he warn, setting his hand tentatively into Kravitz hold.

Kravitz laughs. “You? Dance?”  and here he bends at the waist, taking Taako’s hand in both of his and kissing each ring clad knuckle irreverently. “I wouldn’t dream of it” there’s a cheeky grin plastered to his face. Taako rolls his eyes in a well intention way under the other man’s overzealous swagger. “Mind accompanying me for a breath of fresh air, love?” he continues.

Taako considers him a moment, the way the firelight catches the flicks of gold in his dark eyes, cracks from which his molten heart of gold push through to the surface. One thing he really appreciates about his boyfriend is how considerate his is without having to be asked. He better attuned with his needs then Taako is himself, and he admires that about the reaper. So he lets himself be pulled gently from his chair.

“Only if you insist, darling,” he croons, pretending like he doesn’t also need a break from the noise and the light and the people.

He she kicks off his strappy, heeled sandals, Kravitz strips off his dress shoes and wads up his socks into them, and together they sneak around to the stairs

They leave the glow and laughter and cheers of the party to their back and steal into the dark twilight that’s settled over the sandy shoreline,Taako’s arm threaded through Kravitz’. The sand is still blistering hot from the heat of the day, burning the soles of Taako’s feet, enveloping his toes as he wades quick as he can towards the waters edge. Together they step over the precipice of dry beach onto the cooler sand the ocean has left wet. Kravitz takes his hand, locking warm fingers around his own like promise and they set off down the coast, teasing as close to the waves as they dare. Every so often a particularly ambitious wave splashes up around their ankles, turning the white sand caked to the tops of his feet brown.

They walk in a companionable silence for a long while. The party to the right of them, the waves and the seemingly endless sea to their left, and the moon and a million billion stars above them, bathing them both in silvery light. If he listens hard enough, Taako can just barely make out a distant melody over the crash of the rolling water and the whisper of the ocean breeze.“Did you have fun tonight Taako?” Kravitz asks, swinging their hands absently between them.

“Hell yeah, my fella” Taako says. “Hard not to with those guys.”

Taako isn’t one for small talk, doesn’t give a shit about pleasantries. So when he asks Kravitz: “Did you? ” it’s out of a genuine interest, and not just something to fill the void of dialogue.

Kravitz sighs with the breeze. “I had a lovely time.” he says. “I just- I love being around people, I love being around your family.” he squeeze Taako’s hand. “Celebrating with them, laughing with them, spending time with you. It’s been so long since I experienced community and affection like this, of being part of- of something so deeply moving as the love you all have for one another, it makes me feel so overwhelmingly- alive.”

Eventually they pause, not wanting to lose the light of the party entirely, and stare out over the dark sea. It seems endless, too big to comprehend, too deep to ever know. Taako’s stomach drops as the scope of it swallows him whole. All at once, he feels far to small and singular. He shuffles closer to Kravitz, whose body is still warm with exhersion and the collective body heat of a dozen or some drunken idiots, sets both hands of his shoulders and press his cheek into the crook of his neck.

“When Lulu and I were kids, she used to stare up at the night sky, just stand there and, uh, fuckin stare at the stars ‘n shit, like she could see her whole damn future if she looked hard enough.” he murmurs. “I couldn't’ do it though, cause you look up there and all there is is this gaping void of nothing and it was like, if you stared at it too long the world was gonna tip over and you’d fall in and get lost in all that nothing. I used to hold her hand, like I could hold her down or something, so she wouldn’t get lost. Fuckin’ uh fuckin dumb as hell right?”

Kravitz kisses the back of his head. Taako closes his eyes and leaned the full weight of his body into his gradually cooling frame.

After a long while, Taako picks up on the small swaying motion of his body. A musician at heart, Kravitz had somehow picked up the music of the party, still in full swing in the distance, and started swaying in time with the tempo. He hums along, the vibrations in his chest and his throat as he continues to move them. Taako doesn’t stop him. Instead he curl closer to his chest, laying his head against his shoulder as the other man reaches around so that both arm lay across his waist, spinning them on the spot. Not quite dancing, but something close.