#Mutual Attraction

[classycookiexo]

Love it but sometimes I be having to look away right after because it can get intense, especially if y’all don’t break the stare 😂

[admrlthundrbolt]

Reckless Paradise (Silco x Chubby Reader)

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Having a food cart in the Undercity could be boring. But having Jinx as a regular customer made for interesting moments. When she has a fight with her father and comes to you for comfort. Well Silco thinks it's time to meet the person that his daughter always seems to run to.

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Hey guys, I'm back at it again. So I just watched Arcane and fell in love with Silco. That of course means that he became my immediate muse and needed a story written. Anyways I hope you enjoy.

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Jinx slammed a fist against his desk. “I just don’t understand why I can’t go to the meetings.”

Silco sighed. “Because your not old enough.” He gave the thirteen year old girl an irritated look. “We’ve been over this, it’s not safe for you.”

Her eyes began to water. Not wanting to let him see how upset she was, she ran out of the room.

As he watched her go his heart panged with sadness. It was always a hard task to tell her no.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rushing down the street, she went to the only other place that felt safe. Your food cart was outside of the brothel. Joking that the workers there were the ones that needed a good meal the most. This logic kept your pots empty and pockets full. It also came with the bonus of the bouncer looking out for you. Something you were going to snub your nose at.

So to see one of your favorite customers stomping over to you. It was a sight to behold. The small blue haired teen was in a mood you rarely saw her in. Sneaking into your secret stash of fresh fruit. Something you kept on hand for her. You started peeling and slicing, as she plopped down on a stool.

“How's my favorite customer doin'?”

Folding her arms onto the edge of the cart, she laided her head on top of them. “Fine.”

As you put the final piece of fruit in the bowl you sighed in a exaggerated way. “To bad. I suppose I could trade this bowl of fresh fruit for a bit more information.”

She perked up at the offer, but raised her eyebrows in suspicion. “How much do I have to tell you?”

With a shrug you said. “Enough to make you get it off your chest.” Then you stuck out your hand. “Deal?”

A smile spread across her face and she shook your hand. “Now give up the fruit.”

Chortling at her demand, you slid the bowl to her. Then listen to her complain about her dad. You could see both sides of the argument. A kid that wanted to make her father proud. On the other hand a dad trying to keep his daughter safe. It was a tricky situation to say the least.

“I can’t stand when he treats me like a kid. When is he gonna take me seriously.” Her eyes began to water again.

Leaning forward you put a hand on her head, ruffling her hair. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but he just wants to protect you." She gave you a hard look, still you continued. “That being said, you should always know that you’re welcome here.”

Her grin returned, only to dampen. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Putting a hand on your hip, you smiled brightly. “Of course I am. You can make up when you get back home.” Wiping down the cart top, you put away the last of your wares.

Shaking her head feverishly, she stayed glued to the stool. “Nuh uh, I’d rather sleep on the streets tonight.”

Bitting your lip, you thought through the options. Only one solution seemed the way to go. “I can’t let you sleep in a random ally. Come on, were going to have a sleepover.”

Jumping up, she helped you finish packing up and push your cart home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He paced behind his desk, eyes occasionally darting between the door and window. Where could she be, it's getting late. The door opened, only for Sevika to walk through.

Her eyes looked over him and she scoffed. “She's still not back.”

He grumbled under his breath. “No, obviously not.”

Rolling her eyes at the boss’ mood, she nodded her head towards the window. “I'll go look for her, anything to calm you down.” Going back through the door she barely caught his last comment.

“As you should.”

She could hear the worry bubbling up, so she let it slide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bring a spare blanket and pillow to the couch, you set up a temporary bed. As Jinx skipped towards you, you gave her a mock glare. “Did you brush your teeth?”

She nodded with a frown. “The paste tasted weirded.” Then jumped onto the couch.

Tucking her under the blanket you laughed. “Sorry I only have mint. Now off to bed, need to rest up if you want to help me with the cart tomorrow.” This got her to settle down quickly. Brushing a bit of hair, that wouldn't fit into the braids you gave her, you turned off the lights.

Doing your own nightly routine, you were bombarded by thoughts of the girl lying on your couch. You tried to look after anyone that needed it, but Jinx was a special case. She had been through so much tragedy in her young life. She also had a habit of clinging to you after a fight with her father.

A sudden knock at your door startled you from your pondering. Waiting a moment, hoping it was someone at the wrong place. But as another louder knock sounded, you made your way over to the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sevika grunted in annoyance and glare into the distance. It didn't take long, after asking around, to find out where the brat had gone. A food cart that hangs around the brothel. The only problem was no one would tell her where you lived. How was she supposed to question you if nobody would give up your location.

After more time than she would like to admit, someone spilled the info. It was a useless little welp that often gets thrown out of the brothel for wanting free services. He called you a stuck up bitch, because you wouldn't give him the time of day. So he was all to happy to direct her to your home.

Now that she was in front of your door, she hoped this would be simple from here on out.

Though when the door opened it wasn't at all what she expected. There you stood plump and with prominent laugh lines on your face. You looked all of a motherly type. So the frown on your face as you stared at her seemed out of place on you.

“Can I help you?”

She glanced past you and her eyes widen as she spotted the girl. Pointed her out, she said. “I'm here for her.” Seeing you block her view, by closing the door a bit, she added. “Bosses orders.”

Narrowing your eyes at her, you flashed a look over at the kid. Stepping outside of the doorway, you quietly closed the door behind you. “I'm not sure who your boss is, but I can make a guess.” You placed your hands on your hips as an exasperated expression sat on your face. “Look she's already asleep and doesn't want to go home. Do you really want to carry her back kicking and screaming.”

She cringed at the thought, the brat was bad enough in a good mood. Giving you another once over, she thought back on her search for you. Not one person had a bad thing to say about you. Plus if the brat was comfortable staying with you, what was the harm.

“Tell you what, my cart is set up at the brothel. Why don't you let her father know that he can pick her up to his leisure there tomorrow. I'm sure the gesture would make a better impression on her than dragging her home.”

You made a good point. So with a shrug and a smirk she said. “I'll let him know the situation. But I can't guarantee that I won't be sent back to kick in your front door.”

Putting your hands up in a sign of peace you shook your head. “No need, if he insisted I'll let you in. I just think him picking her up would mean a lot. Be it tonight or tomorrow.”

With a nod she starts making her way back to Silco. Only to stop after a few steps and turn back to you. “You know you have quite the reputation around here. Made it more of a challenge than I would have liked to find you."

This caused a sheepish smile to settle on your lips. “It helps when you can provide a hot meal.”

Her smirk deepened. “Maybe"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When she got back to the office he was half asleep in his chair. Slamming the door shut, she quietly snickered as he jump in his seat.

“Wha.” He scanned the room and glared as his eyes landed on her.

She couldn't help but noticed how the look fit much better on him than you. “I found Jinx.”

Glancing around her, his visage swapped to one of confusion. “Well, where the hell is she.” He gestured about her and grew more agitated.

Folding her arms across her chest she slid onto the chair before the desk. “With a food vendor that sets up shop in front of the brothel.”

Rubbing his temples, he tried to kept his temper in check. “And you didn't bring her back because?”

“The woman made to many good points.” She then launch into a recap of her conversation with you.

As the explanation was given, he couldn't help but agreed with you on most points. What he didn't like was you not giving him his daughter. How dare you keep what belongs to him, even if it was for only a night. He could tell by the way that Sevika spoke of you, it seemed you had garnered her respect. Which was a hard won thing to achieve. “Do you agree with her?”

This caused her to pause. Then realize that even if it wasn't what he wanted to hear, the truth was her answer. “Yes, she has the trust of the common folk and Jinx. Trying to disrupt either could result in negative backlash.”

He had to consciously unclenched his jaw. It was a thought out and comprehensive analysis. But not what he wanted to consider. “I suppose that given the situation, a little time apart could do us some good. Does she seem of the trustworthy sort.” His scrutinizing gaze rested firmly on her. Taking in any body language that may betray her thoughts.

“In all honesty, I didn't hear a single bad thing about her. Except that waste Mitch, but his opinion matters as much as a sewer rat's. It's like she's made herself a positive facet in the tunnels of the Undercity.” Placing her hands on the arm rest she leaned forward. “She might even be able to help with getting through Jinx's teenage years. Having some one she can confided in that's outside of the family business. Someone that you could keep in your back pocket for times such as these.”

The suggestion made his hackles fully lower. That could be a great boon in helping keep his daughter in line. For the first time that night he smiled. “Yes, it may be the right moment for me to meet this vendor. I will be freeing up tomorrow morning to gather Jinx from this woman.”

Nodding she had to restrain herself from smirking. She had a feeling that this meeting would be an entertaining event, to say the least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He walked down the street with his usual swagger. The past couple of years had his reputation skyrocketing. Taking shimmer from a small lab to a large scale production had made him a respected yet feared person.

Still it seemed there were people like you. People who weren't under the thrall of his power. So to say he was taken aback at seeing you for the first time, would be an understatement.

Your cart was homey and decorated with many personal touches. There were a few plants hanging about the canopy. Odd sizes of seating set up in front of a bench attached to the cook top. Jinx was next to you, listening to you give her patient instructions.

Then there was you. Comfortable casual clothing clung to your plump body in an alluring manner. Your cheeks were flush with effort as you mixed together a bowl of ingredients. A beaming smile made him glance away, for fear your brightened expression would blind him.

He pauses and took a moment to gather himself. This was not at all the type of senerio he saw himself stepping into.

You noticed movement not to far from your cart and glanced towards it. It wasn't hard to realize it was Silco, Jinx's father. The marred eye was his biggest giveaway. Still you couldn't help taking in his lithe figure and handsome angular features. You had no idea that such a tantalizing treat was scouring the Undercity, right under your nose too.

It was a few moments later that he heard his daughter call him over. Putting on his best face he made his way over to the pair. “Hello Jinx, how pleasant to see you this morning.” He was hoping the jab would be understood.

She looked up at him with excitement as she flipped the cooking batter. “Hi, can you believe how good this smells. I've never had breakfast from here.” She turn her attention back to the cook top and continued flipping.

“Well thank you honey. I'm glad that you feel that way." Facing him you nodded your head at the seats. “Take a seat, it won't be long before it's ready.”

He was grateful for the invitation. She was right about the smell, it was heavenly. “I believe I will take you up on that. My daughter didn't give you to much trouble, did she?”

Shaking your head with a chuckle, you began to plate up some fresh fruit and hot cakes. “Not at all. If anything she's been a great help. Didn't even complain about waking early to set up the cart.”

She perked up and jumped onto the seat next to him. “Yeah, we were out here before the morning rush. You should have seen all the people that came by.” She began shoving food in by the shovelful.

Noticing a plate had also been slid in front of him, he took a bite. It was delicious, the pairing of the lightly dressed fruit and warm pillowy cakes. He hadn't enjoyed a meal this much in a long time. Finishing the dish faster than he would have liked to admit, he couldn't keep his gaze from you.

You moved with such practiced precision behind the cook top. The way you wielded your knife made him believe you could transition into a proper assassin easily. But as he looked over at his daughter, smiling and chatting with you. He knew that you were in a better postition here.

Finishing the delectable dish he brushed away any debris from himself. “Thank you for the fabulous food. But I think it's time we be on our way.” He stood, then turned to Jinx. She was disappointed, though she followed his lead.

Smiling at the duo you held out a container filled to the brim with various items. “Here's something for the road. And I don't want either of you to hesitate to come back either.” Winking at the pair, your smile widened at the happiness on the kid’s face.

Nodding at you, he hoped his expression didn’t show how flustered he was. You were stirring feeling in him that he hadn’t felt in quite some time. “We will have to do this again then, Mrs….”

A more alluring cast settled on your face. Full attention landing on him you said. “Actually it's Miss (Y/N).” Holding out your hand, you gave his a healthy lingering shake.

Keeping a calm appearance he released your hand. “A pleasure, until next time.” Walking away with Jynx, as she called out her goodbyes. He couldn't help glancing back. Only to be shocked at your eyes raking over his own figure. Your gaze met after a few moments and you gave him a heated look. The spell broke as his daughter yanked him forward, going on about how much fun she had with you. It had him thinking about all the fun times that you and he could have together. But that would come in time. For now he would enjoy you through the stories Jinx were telling.

[xxwitchylanexx]

A Night Under The Moon-Cloud Strife x Reader

Rebirth Retold Chapter 3

No Story Spoilers

Chapter 4

Masterlist

*~*

That night their group set up camp on the edge of the somber swamp, finally ready to cross the desolate stretch after two weeks of odd jobs in the Woodlands. The murky water and foggy air made for the perfect hunting grounds for the infamous Midgar Zolom. The possibility of being ambushed had everyone on the edge of their seats. You assured them that the camp was far enough away from the edge. The tents more into the woods than on the shoreline would give ample time if it was to strike. However that had little effect on the rising tension becoming more and more charged with anxiety and adrenaline by the second.

You laid flat backed on your sleeping roll with a knee bent towards the sky. You could barely see the gentle twinkles of the stars above through the thick mist that blew off the sulfuric water. You missed the ambient chatter of the Woodlands despite being literal feet from it. The polluted land long since drove out anything but fiends and scavengers. Even the others grew quiet the lifeless swamp slowly sapping the once joyful vibe leaving everyone disheartened.

You couldn’t take anymore. The silence was suffocating and your ears felt as if an immense pressure was pushing against your ear drums causing the intake and exhales of your breathing to echo loudly in your skull. You rose to your feet quickly and strode off into the shadows of the looming treeline. As soon as you felt you were far enough away from the bottomless pits of muck, debris, and decomposing remnants you slowed. You footsteps quieted into the soft padding of the old dirt road you used earlier that day. The dark withered plants that would crumble by the lightest of touches slowly morphed into strong mossy green ferns, and the occasional patch of wild flowers that thrived in the abundance of nutrients the forest provided. You soaked in the bursting energy for the whispers among the leaves, breathed in the crisp clean air, and only then did the infectious despair fade within the steady beats of your heart.

You knew it was silly. You’ve came toe to toe with bigger evils than the Midgar Zolom. You’ve seen worse horrors than the over polluted river that carried the remnants of the mako pipes that have leaked over the years. It was silly that something as insignificant in the scheme of these could unnerve you. You, who has endured an unimaginable amount of humanity’s abominations. You, who did not falter under the strain of pressure or threat of danger.

You just hated that a place like this was seated on the opposite side of such a wondrous place. You hated that anyone who was lucky enough to flee the monstrosities of Midgar only to find some peace in the Woodlands then gets trapped in the complex uninhabitable hunting ground of Midgar’s creation. You hated that your home, or the closest thing to a home you had, was basically a cage to prevent anyone from spreading their seeing Gaia with their own two eyes.

It was hard to believe you were leaving once again. How long had you been here this time? A year? Maybe eighteen months. You were thankful for Bill. Even after having his plate full with raising his grandkids after the death of their parents he still found space to take you in when you had nowhere to go. He provided you with room and board in exchange with training some of his chocobos, and when he realized you had a special talent for connecting with them he even found you some clients interested in giving you a shot. Then through the power of word of mouth and your hard work you built up a clientele that allows you to do this for a living. You never thought people would benefit from your gift besides betting on your tremendous jockey record.

Your feet carried you up a winding foot path and up a steep incline, using a few of the thinner trees to keep your stability. Once the ground leveled out you slipped through a gap in the trees where the grass grew a bit more wild. A few wildflowers popped here and there across the wide meadow, and the forest gale swept through the blades of grass leaving behind its melody. You leaned against the rough bark of the nearest tree and toed off you boots the course stems of grass tickled at the underside of your feet. You bathed yourself in the light of the moon as you twirled across the field to the center taking in a huge breath relishing in the crispness of the air.

You gazed up at the vast sky, finding peace in the gentle winks the stars bestowed upon you. Slowly you sank onto to your knees before laying down until the flat of your back met the chilly ground. You ran her fingertips through the blades of grass at your sides, and gently plucked at a few from time to time. Time slowed as you allowed yourself to swept away from any troubles in the symphony of buzzing wings, the song of the cicadas, and chirping grasshoppers.

You never could get used to how far the sky above you, unlike the steel sky you grew up under. Everything felt so restricting back then. The darkness of Midgar was skilled in clipping your wings before you truly learned to fly. It kept you shackled to the inhuman ways of greed, lust, and power. Though you tried your hardest not to allow yourself to be caught in the lurking memories of the life you led then, you couldn’t help but wonder if anything had changed. Did anyone miss you? Probably not. In fact many slumlords probably slept easier knowing your blade had been buried with the body they believed was yours while your captor raged at the loss of income you’d brought in.

Six years ago you truly thought you were going to die that night in the coliseum. You hadn't wanted to participate in the Corneo Cup but the debt you owed to that woman for your upbringing-if you could call it that- was was high as the walls around Wall Market, and only winning the matches would provide enough to keep your ‘guardian’ at bay. You survived all the rounds by the skin of your teeth, the exhaustion of such a drawn out competition draining you in a way that left you lifeless. So the terror when they announced a surprise finale had hooked its claws into the fascia of your useless muscle. Bile rose into your throat and you actually considered to just lie down and accept your fate. But when your opponent was released onto the stage with you you knew your death would be far worse than any pain you’d experienced before, and you never in a million years thought the Don to be so cruel. Fresh from the depth of the Shinra labs, as if he knew where she came from, a humanoid figure stumbled through the gates. It’d smelled of rotten flesh and smoky char. Painful groans emanated deep in its’ chest since its mouth was branded shut. Claws glowed a foul purple, more that likely a product of producing some kind of venom that could prove fatal or just paralyze you so you’d be conscious as it teared you apart. You didn’t remember a lot of details beyond the pain that consumed you as its claws impaled you and twisted within your belly. You should’ve died.

You were told you’d struck it down before it could finish the job however you lost consciousness. You’d came to weeks after hidden away in a strange bedroom you’d never seen before. That’s when Chocobo Sam waltzed in, filled you in on the details, and proposed an exchange. He’d arranged for the world to believe you dead, and was preparing a funeral. He would smuggle you out of Midgar in exchange for your employment in the world of chocobo racing. After all help never came for free. Even back then in the streets of Midgar you held a special connection with his chocobos, and with a little training he believed you’d be a world class jockey, and in turn make him a lot of money. Now, as a free woman who’s had the chance to finally spread your wings, you looked for ways to atone for the for the things you’ve done, and people you’ve hurt.

You thought if you stayed on your own, embraced the bitter loneliness that forever contained, and used your skills to help the people of Gaia as you wandered from town to town that maybe the sins of the past would begin to fade. And when you take your last breath on this Planet the scars you’ve inflicted would disappear alongside you. At least that was the hope. Though you aren’t really sure anymore. Maybe there was a better way to set things right.

You told yourself you’d accompany them until they arrived at the saucer, return to your work, and consider it another job well done, but with every day, even though it’s only been two short weeks, you find yourself wishing that you would never have to leave them.

Tifa was like a big sister. The raven haired beauty always checked in with to make sure you was eating enough, or that you weren’t getting too worn down from all the fights that seemed to gravitate their way. She asked your favorite foods, and tried to accommodate your preferences alongside everyone else’s, and don’t get you started about how she nitpicks at your sleeping habits. You don’t understand why it’s such a big deal to sleep under the stars instead of inside of a tent.

You got along well enough with Barret. You quickly learned that as long as you listened to his many stories about the planet and how Shinra was shit, which was the one thing everyone could agree on, you’d get along fine. Though you made a mental note to pick up some ear plugs the next time the group stays in a town. You didn’t mind how much his voice carried in the daylight, but if you had to lose another second of sleep to his ground breaking snores you was going to lose you mind.

You absolutely adored Red XIII. The two of you had become fast friends. In fact the moment you offered him some of the choco treats you had, you had him eating out of the palm of your hand. Literally. As a thank you, Red would often curl up next to your bed roll to cast some extra heat your way. Sometimes after everyone else drifted off you’d point out your favorite stars that hung in the sky and he’d teach you the name of it.

Aerith was a breath of fresh air. So upbeat and full of life. She seen the good in everything, and led her life with grace. As they traveled, she’d point out flowers that she liked or ones she thought you’d enjoy as well. You didn’t have the heart to tell her they were just a part of the background for you. She’d ask you so many questions like: Where are you from? What do you like the most about chocobos? What’s your type in guys? The last one so out of left field it caught you off-guard.

The only guy you currently thought about was the one member of the group that remained a mystery.

Your curiosity burned within you, at times consuming your thoughts that’d be better used elsewhere. The occasional peek behind this tough, brooding act fueled you to be more daring, but the odd swelling of your heart urged you to keep your distance, and he had little to no difficulty in avoiding you. Every now and then Aerith— her insistence seemed a bit odd to you but you figured maybe she was just trying to get him to be polite-suggested that he should sit next to you, or accompany you to collect water or firewood, but even then his body would remain as stiff as a board. It was very clear how uncomfortable he was. Yet, from time to time she could feel the way his stare drilled into you, or when you thought it was safe to sneak a peak at him- I mean who could blame you- he’d already be looking at you. Embarrassment would swell at being caught though the weight of his eyes would remain heavy on your flushed face even after you’d look away.

You sighed as your gaze refocused on the luminous moon, and in a moment of vulnerability you asked it to shed some light on the situation, and maybe ease the fluttering in your chest.

Somewhere in her peripheral a green flicker bounced through the tall grass. You rose onto your elbows, and twisted at the hips in the direction you first saw it. You trained your eyes, scanning high and low for the source. You began to believe you had imagined it until the faint green glow flared once again, flashing six times before growing dark. Lightning bugs.

*~*

Cloud hadn’t meant to stumble upon the scene that played out in front of him. If anything, it was Tifa’s fault since she had asked him to go and find more wood for the fire.

He had combed through the woods after no luck finding burnable pieces near the swamp. Everything was soggy and covered in rot from lying in such mucky water. Truth be told, he jumped on the opportunity to stray from stifling group setting. He basked in the tranquil silence that didn’t happen much anymore since the group had doubled in size the only noises he heard now were the crickets calls and his feet swishing across the ground. He aimlessly picked up dry sticks and bark for kindling and trekked over to a few tress that had a few fallen branches that would last awhile when a rhythmic thumping vibrated through the ground from the clearing up ahead. The movement up him on alert dropping the wood to the ground next to the trunk of the tree he was at and brought a hand up to grip the hilt of his sword.

With measured steps, he stalked forward doing his best to blend into the thin shadows the tress cast to the edge of the tree line. His bicep brushed against the bark roughly as he peered around its’ circumferences. Cloud expected some fiends, boy was he wrong.

The entire clearing was bathed in the full moon’s light. Hundreds of flashing lightning bugs fluttered in circles in soft shades of greens and yellow, and in the center of it all was you in all your striking beauty swaying along with the insects’ movements. He felt himself pull his blade from his back and lean it up against the truck that has kept him hidden. His expression softening without his permission and his eyes swimming in awe of the way you danced as if you were the wind yourself.

His feet began to inch closer to you, his clunky boots padded softly in the grass despite being too hypnotized to care if you was loud or not. He found it rather amusing that he’d tried his hardest not to be alone with you and yet here he was being drawn to you like a moth to a flame. He still didn’t know what to say or do around you. Should he act tough, or should he be more gentle? How would he even go about that? What should he talk about, or should he let you choose a topic and just go along with it? What if the other realize he’s acting different around you? Would they all tease him as mercilessly as Aerith did? He was so stuck in his own head that most of the interactions had been awkward he always felt he came off colder than he wanted to. Only for Aerith to have been watching the entire interaction and tease about his ‘crush’. He’d scoffed, and wave her off saying nothing had changed, but you clung to every bit of his free thoughts and he felt like he was going wild.

You weren’t shy or meek. You had the guts to put Barrett in a headlock when he rambled on for two hours about Shinra killing the planet. Did you have a death wish? You were smart and intuitive, winning Red’s affection by appreciating his intelligence instead of treating him as an animal. How you trained with Tifa and surprisingly could hold your own. His head still plagued him with worry that he wouldn’t be able to protect you in the coming challenges this journey will hold. Yet the spark in your eye when you try to convince him to allow you to fight did something to him. He hated how chummy Aerith got with you. Every day she’d approach him with some new info she learned that could ‘help’ him out. You grew up in Midgar. You liked being in the outdoors vs. being inside. You didn’t seem all that interested in flowers. You preferred salty over sweet, and other things she deemed important for him to know. All it did was make his hands clammy when he got close to you, and internally panic as he was unsure how to interact with you.

So why was this moment so different? Sure his pulse raced, but his need to be close to you override the hesitation that consumed him. Maybe he had to be in a trance so his desires could run freely, though his nose crinkled at the thought that he wouldn’t ever be able to be himself around you. He stopped just a few feet away. You were to focused as you hunched over one of the flickering bugs, your braid falling over your shoulder as you leaned over. There was just something so enchanting about seeing you trying to capture lightning bugs like he had when he was young back home on nights sleep eluded him.

Your brows drew together, and that crinkle between them reappeared, as you stretched out your hands and cupped each one in a half circle. You took in a deep breath and exhaled as you quickly clapped your hands around one, as fast as a snake. You shrieked with joy as you hopped a little as cradled the tiny insect against your chest. You peered down at it through the gaps between your finger, a gentle smile graced your pretty face the greenish light highlighting the e/c of your eyes.

He stretched a hand out to you, for what purpose he wasn’t sure, but you must have seen him then out of the corner of your eye because you jolted upwards with a quiet squeak - cute - and hands thrown up releasing the bug you worked so hard to catch.

“Fuck!” you cried as a hand clutched at your chest as you tried to still your rapid heartbeat. “You scared the shit out of me!” You yelled as you stomped over to him and smacked his shoulder. He had to summon all the stubborn willpower in his body to keep the corners of his mouth from inching into a smile. “I worked so hard to capture him, you ass!” You spun the opposite direction without giving him a chance to explain and began looking for your next target like he wasn’t even there.

He scratched at the back of his neck as he shuffled a tiny bit closer to you, “Sorry. I- uh,” Cloud shifted from one foot to the other uncomfortably. “Was looking for firewood.” Your lack of a response had him cursing at himself. Maybe he shouldn’t have approached you at all. He awkwardly turned back to the forest and intending to collect the branches, get back to the camp, and hole himself up. He even made a few steps back to the treeline before he stopped to consider if he should say goodbye. He twisted on his feet to look at you again.

He hadn’t expected you to be watching him, for your eyes to trace over him, study him, as he struggled with what to do next. The silence continued and while it should’ve felt awkward it didn’t. He huffed before looking over at a group of the bugs to the right of her, muttering. “I, uh, could help.” He flicked his eyes to your face briefly to gauge your reaction, not expecting the lopsided smile to be there as you continued to stare him down. “Or whatever.” He shrugged.

“Really?” You asked your head leaning slightly to the side. He only nodded to answer your question. “Alright, show me those skills, soldier boy.” You laughed the sound making him feel so much lighter.

He groaned at your teasing. “Ex-soldier.”

As ge spent a good hour or two jumping, leaping, and rolling trying to catch one of the damn things, no doubt completely embarrassing himself as you sat back and enjoyed the show, he wished he’d never opened his mouth. You must think him pathetic that a man of his skill set couldn’t catch one little bug, but when he finally caught one to present to you it made every minute of it worth it.

Your eyes lit up like he’d given you the heavens, a wide smile glowed on your s/c skin, and the gentle brush of his hand against yours as he settled it into yours had goosebumps racing against his flushed skin. To be close enough to shamelessly admire you, as you watched the critter flutter around your cupped palms, was enough payment for his services. Not that he’d ever charge you, and he’d do it all again just to see the way your face slowly warmed once you realized the attention he was giving you.

Until you finally couldn’t take it anymore, and you peered up at him through your dark lashes like you did that first day. His heart knocking against his ribs, trying to burst through his chest and land in your palms to be handled just as gently as the bug. Your voice was barely louder than a whisper as you spoke, “Thank you.”

He blinked once and then turned away from you completely. He didn’t wait for you either as he walked back to the edge of the clearing the weight of his thoughts revealing things he’d never expected to feel. How on Gaia did this even happen? One minute he was a bad ass mercenary and one bug later he was a love struck fool. He had to put some distance between you before he lost his mind altogether. He didn’t have time for shit like this. Sephiroth is out there and if he found out, Cloud could only imagine the shit he’d do to exploit this new weakness. He only allowed himself to look back once after he slung his sword onto his back and gathered the wood he’d abandoned there. “Let’s go back.” He called to you before quickly stalking back to the camp, leaving you there alone.

You looked around the shadowed field, noticing all the wonderful critters disappeared almost as abruptly as they appeared. The whole scene faded like a dream and left you with more questions about the man than when you asked the moon just a few hours ago. You glanced at it once more before making your way back to camp wondering if it was mocking you.

[mistresskayla-blog1]

A Start of Luminescence

Lyn's Writing Event 2024 Day 12 - Week 2

Characters: Ray Levine and Fem! Reader

May 12: Week 2: Canis Minor (small dog)

Characters: Ray Levine x fem reader

Fandom: Richard Armitage – Ray Levine – Stay Close

The Character of Ray Levine was created by Harlan Coben, adapted for television by Danny Brocklehurst and portrayed by Richard Armitage.

Warnings: fluff, sweetness, camera talk, potential romance, mild angst

Word count: 1.6k

            It was the evening of February 13th, nearly Valentines’ Day, Ray thought as he drove through the park road to his parking spot in the clearing. Tonight he would catch that constellation, the “small dog” on his new DLSR large lens a IS USM by Canon, with extra long shutter stop. You could adjust it manually and the aperture was off the charts for letting light in. It was well after dusk when he set up his tripod and pointed the camera skyward, making adjustments when he heard something rustle behind him. Ray turned, dropping his phone as you stepped up towards him.

            “Um, hey,” He smiled, swallowing as he saw you. You smiled back, “Hey. Sorry didn’t mean to bother you. Is this a good place to set up for Canis minor tonight?”

Ray quirked an eyebrow and looked skyward behind him, “That’s what they tell me,” smile, “So, you got the specs?”

You pulled out your Olympia camera and added a wide lens, bigger than his, “Yep all set. Do you mind if I set up over there?” you point deeper into the clearing.  Ray nods, “Yeah, I don’t own the field. Have at it”. He scratched his neck and just kind of puzzled watched you carry your gear about 20 feet away and set up.  Ray strolls over to you as you are setting up.

“That’s an impressive lens, the Sigma DG HSM?” Ray asked. You smile broadly, “Yes it is”. Ray whistles, “That a pricey lens, what’d that set you back?”

You shrug, “Not too bad, I got it from my friend, he, well, he doesn’t shoot anymore”, you looked down at the ground, shuffling in your camera bag. Ray gave you the pause, “I see, well it was nice of him,” You look up quickly, crouched on the ground, this guy was Really tall from this angle, and wildly attractive, like bad boy wild attractive.

“Sorry, I meant, well, he died,” You swallow back the thought. Ray crouched down to you, “Oh, I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

You bit back a tear, but found your lens cleaner and stood up, tightening the camera on the tripod and checking the angles through the lens, “yeah, yeah. Im fine”. Ray stood back up and looked at you like he wanted to offer a hug, but restrained himself.

Darkness continued to fall upon the field and trees behind you both, “well good luck then,” Ray said smiling friendly, and he walked back to his gear and got on his knees in front of the lens. You heard him curse a few times under his breath from the quiet of the night, and you giggled.

It was mid February in New Jersey. so even though the snow had melted from earlier in the week, it was still cold and the air was still, so nothing was moving, except you two. Ray blew into his hands and pulled his jacket tighter waiting. His sharp nose was starting to get pink on the end, and you giggled again, wearing warm gloves and an even warmer downed vest.

It was nearly 10 pm now, and you both were like eagles on a prey, heads on the cameras, eyes on the lens, waiting for the milky way to clear a bit so you could catch this constellation. Ray cursed again, and fumbled with his angles. You called out to him, “What’s wrong?”

Ray smiled over at you, as he tinkered, “Oh just an old tripod, the knob keeps slipping pulling my shot right out of alignment”. You smile, “That must be frustrating”.  He speaks back, “It is, very,” then to himself, “Though not as frustrating as wondering if I can ask you out for coffee after I don’t see this bloody thing”.

You heard him mumbling and kept an eye on your lens, “What? Did you say something?”

Ray looked over at you, away from his lens, “No, nope. I’m good”, he looked back in his lens, “That was close”, in a deeper voice.

“So what’s your name?” you asked him.

He answered, not looking away from his lens this time, ��Ray. What’s yours?”

“y/n” you answered and shifted on your heels, trying to keep your feet warm as the chill set in further tonight. And then you caught a glimpse of a tail.

“Nice to meet you, y/n” Ray said, “After this, did you want to grab a hot cup of coffee or something?”

You blushed against your collar, which Ray couldn’t see in the dark and distance, “Um, sure,” you called back. Ray smiled, triumphantly.

You spotted that tail again, and followed up the run of stars, checked your notes and counted again. Looked at the perimeters on the Olympia and notated it on a little steno notebook in your bag.

Ray looked over, “Did you find something?”

“Ya, yes. I think so, I was just double checking”, you rattled off the coordinating angles to him and Ray readjusted his lens and angle, “Yep got her! Nice work!”  you beamed a bit, glad he couldn’t see it, “Thanks, got lucky”.  Ray mused, “That’s some luck, I’m glad you’re here to guide me, can I see it through your lens?” Ray strolled over and you stepped back, returning the question with a quiet, “sure”, as he leaned in towards your lens, inches from you.

“Wow, that is it, alright. Really, great work” Ray said. You could see it with the naked eye now, as you looked up to the sky, two sharp stars with an invisible line drawn between them making the formation. Two points meeting together, just like the two of you.

You could smell him then and feel the heat pouring over his leather jacket towards you. It was a subtle musky scent, like an aftershave, but he had raw stubble on his face, so you imagined he hadn’t shaved in a few days. He looked over at you then, closer than before. And smiled a weak little smile of interest, “What?” You spooked and cleared your throat, “Oh, nothing. I’ll just get my shots and then we can go, I’m wicked cold”. Ray stood straight then, “Yeah, sure of course”.

He walked back to his rig and snapped a few groupings, and then picked it up off his tripod and caught a few of you in your rig, as he walked closer to you. You stopped him with a hand up, “Hey, I didn’t say you could do that”. Ray stopped short, “Oh sorry, I forget about photographer ethics, we don’t like to be photographed”. He smirked and showed you his display, “See it was really a cool shot, I wouldn’t have”.  You looked at the display and your heart thumped, he had captured you beautifully with his aperture stop, “You know that’s not bad. Maybe you’ll have to give me your number so I can have one”. Ray nodded, “yeah, yeah of course. Come on, let’s go get that coffee.” You packed up your gear, and collapsed your tripod and walked back to your car with Ray at your heels. He was so tall, and just that kind of height that could be menacing if he wasn’t so attractive and personable. You wondered if he had a girlfriend and figured not because he was hitting on you. Either way, he was handsome, nice, single, and not a creep with a camera, so check, check, check? 

You followed him into the city and you both pulled into the late night diner, the only one left open after COVID shutdowns, and walked up together. Ray still had his camera slung across his chest. You stopped as he opened the door for you, “Do you carry it everywhere?”  Ray nodded, “Yeah I do, I might see something I want to capture”. You nodded, “Fair enough, even in here?”

Ray laughed, “Oh, yeah there is all manner of folks in here late night, it’s a wealth of characters”. Yu entered the hostess area, which was bereft of staff and Ray leaded you to a booth and sat down opposite you. A waitress meandered over and asked what you wanted to drink. Ray looked at you, “Two coffees please”. You nodded in acceptance, “You want cream?” the waitress asked. You nod, Ray shook his head. Ray set his camera gently on the table and shucked off his leather jackets showing a hoodie and flannel underneath. He rolled up half a sleeve and you saw his tattoos. Ok Now you were in trouble, he had bad boy sweetheart written all over him, literally. Another waitress came sauntering over and leaned against Ray’s side of the booth back, “Ray…” she drowled, “How are you?”  Ray smiled at her, “Christy, I am good, yeah. Thanks. This is y/n” he introduced you, she gave you an apprehensive glance and chewed her gum, “Ray, I wanted to ask you about that girl you knew, I think I saw her around again”, Christy said, leaning in more conspiratorially, “or you can tell me later”. Ray shook her off with his subtle head gesture and she went back to the server’s area. Ray fiddled with some sugar packets at the table, “Sorry about that, she’s pretty nosey”.

You smirked, “seems like she’s into you Ray”. Ray scoffed, “Oh, is that what that looks like?” He grinned at you, ignoring Christy who swooped by again trying to get his attention, “I’m well aware, she’s been after me for months. I’m not interested”. He kept his eye contact with you, “I might be persuaded to like someone else, however”. You acted the part and put your hand to your chest, “Mwah”. Ray chuckled, “Yep, that would be the one”. You both giggled as the other waitress set down the coffees and bowl of creamers. See looked at both of you, rolled her eyes and walked away.

(Just a little sweetness for you all.. Levine style)

Tag list:

@scariusaquarius, @middleearthpixie @lathalea @evenstareedits @sweetestgbye @legolasbadass @riepu10

Lyn's Writing Event 2024 - just under the wire... midnight post.

[drymushroomfics]

Lust for Life

Colin Firth x Reader (non gender specific)

You're an up and coming actor. Your first big film is with your favorite actor. Now that you and your co-star are seeing the film for the first time, how will you both react?

You watch awkwardly as the scene plays out on the huge screen. Sex scenes of yourself always seem uncomfortable to you. You're a fairly new actor and you haven't exactly had many on screen romances yet. So jumping right into a scene like that was jaring. Eventhough your co-star, Colin Firth, made it as comortable and easy as possible, you still felt nervous in those moments. It didn't help that he was attractive and you were a fan of his other works.

"Do you find watching yourself to be uncomfortable?", Colin asks, pulling you from your thoughts.

"Definitely...You?", you ask, leaning over to whisper your reply.

He shrugs, "I don't really look at it as myself as much as a character. I asked because you seem a little uncomfortable."

"It's the first time I've seen myself in this way so it's a little... uh... different."

"I like the music for this. It's perfect. Didn't you pick it?", he asks.

You nod.

He's referring to the song playing as your characters are 'getting it on' as one may put it.

"What' made you choose that song?", he asks.

"Um..."

You think carefully, wondering if you should be bold or say something generic to hide your true inspiration for the song.

You've both had just a little to drink so your bold responce may have something to do with it.

You lean forward, whispering, "My co-star."

You pull away, face red. He looks at you with a smile.

"A smile is good, right?", you wonder to yourself.

"I wish to hear the song in it's entirety.", he whispers right up against your ear.

"I can let you hear it later if you'd like... My hotel room has a great speaker system."

You can't believe the invitation that just came from your mouth.

He reacts by looking in your eyes in a way you've never seen. His eyes seem to darken a little. You can feel your whole body heating up.

"I would gladly wish to hear it from.. your hotel room speakers."

You both spend the rest of the film, barely able to focus on anything other than what may be in store after the premiere.

Some people are throwing after-parties but you know neither of you will go.

As everyone scatters, leaving in their designated transports, Colin slips into the same car as you.

The alcohol is starting to wear off as you tell the driver where to take you both. Your nerves increasing again.

"What if he backs out or isn't feeling it?", you wonder, doubt creeping in and not leaving till you and him have made it to the elevator of the hotel.

Before you could register anything, he has his body pressed against the elevator wall. Your lips moving against each other. All the pent up lust is let out all at once.

They force themselves to pull apart when they hear the familiar elevator ding.

"After you.", he says, running a hand through his hair.

You walk down the hall with him folllowing closely behind you.

He doesn't notice the 'do not disturb' sign you slip onto the door handle as you let him inside.

You turn to him, watching him drape his jacket over a chair.

"Want a drink?", you ask, knowing you need more liquid encouragement.

He nods, walking over the the champagne that's sitting in an ice bucket.

He pours himself a glass after handing you one. You clink your glasses before taking a sip.

"Can I hear the song?", he asks.

You blush, nodding and moving to find your cellphone.

You find it in your clutch purse. You attach it to the speaker system, letting the song fill the room.

He takes your hand, pulling you against him.

"What about your co-star, made you pick such a song.", he whispers in your ear.

You lets your hands run up his arms to rest on his shoulders.

"Ya see, my co-star is known for being quite the gentlemen but I learned something about him that day.", you say, boldness coming back to you.

"What might that be?"

"The way his hands gripped my hips and his breath on my neck... He knows how to take control and be everything but polite."

"We should definitely take off your clothes then if we are to understand the truely embrace the lyrics.", he smirks, kissing at your neck.

You take in a breath you didn't know you were holding. The song soon ends and you don't even care as he takes your hand to find the bedroom.

[hellcheerficdatabase]

I need to know

Author: what_about_the_fish

Rating/Warning: Explicit

Chapter Count: 1/1

Description: A loose tongue leads to something beyond Eddie's wildest dreams.

Tags: alternate universe, what is plot? we only know smut, smut, mutual attraction, steamy QUICK, Eddie POV, one-shot, drabble, status: completed

[xxlittle0birdxx]

Ted reappeared with a soft, cornflower blue jumper in one hand.  'This ought to fit you.'  He held it out to Trent.  'Go on, and change, and I'll put your shirt in to soak.  See if we can't save it.'  He then indicated the plates on the counter.  'And we'll take care of that together.'

Trent took the proffered garment and trudged into the bathroom.  He tossed the jumper on the closed lid of the toilet, then stared at it, gnawing his thumbnail.

Why did it have to be cornflower blue?  

When Trent was younger, he'd discovered the film version of A Room With a View.  Young Trent had been seized with a desire to be thoroughly kissed in a sea of blue wildflowers while standing in a sunny Italian field.  And his attraction to Ted wasn't helping matters.  Because not only was the bloody jumper cornflower blue, it smelled like Ted.  It had been recently laundered, but the spine-tingling scent of Ted lingered.  Eucalyptus and mint, and something musky Trent couldn't quite identify, but it was undeniably Ted.

[skylarmoon71]

Aaron Hotchner (Criminal Minds) Chapter 31

There’s a hollow knock on your door, and you furrow your brows as you open the door.

“I usually make a more gracious entrance, but since we entered the veil things have changed. So I thought I’d be more careful this time around.”

He’s standing there, and you can’t stop yourself. You rush into his arms. He’s startled to say the least.

When you pull back he can see the distress.

“Sweetheart..”

His paternal instincts take control, and he closes the door, usehring you to take a seat.

“What’s wrong, did something happen to Hotchner?” You shake your head.

“Hotch is fine. So is Jack and Hailey. Everyone is fine.”

You’re smiling, and he’s relieved. But you’re still wearing that pained expression. One he’s grown used to. He understands now.

“I wish I could tell you that it gets easier. Seeing him everyday, not being able to remember a thing. I can’t think of any greater pain. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. “

“I knew what I was doing. I’ll learn to live with it. “

He knows the reassurance is said so he won't worry.

“Actually dad, there’s something I wanted to ask you. I know you said none of them would remember but Jack he..he remembers everything. He’s also found a way to get through my barrier. It was…just like Hotch used to do.”

Manchester took a pause.

“Are you serious?” You nod.

He looks down.

“That’s incredible. It’s not exactly unheard of. Children are anchors for all kinds of power. Still, this is outside the field of seeing apparitions. He’s able to communicate despite the change in reality.” Manchester swallows.

“If he’s capable of that as a child then…”

It dawned on him that maybe Hotch would regain his memories. When he looks back at you, he stops himself. There was no use in giving you false hope. Especially when you seemed to already be at your limit. Maybe he could give you some practical advice.

“Why not pursue Hotch right now. It’s true that you brought back Hailey, but they are divorced here.”

“I’ve thought about it.”

It didn’t seem right. The whole purpose of this was to give him back his family. There was a chance that he could mend things with his ex wife. If so, you didn’t want to get in between that.

“I think the best thing for me to do is keep my distance. If it comes down to it, I may just end up transferring to a different division.”

“But you love this job, and your team.”

“Isn’t that how the saying goes? If you love something, then you let it go.”

“What jackass came up with that? You think I would have won over your mother with that half baked attitude. “ You smile. This is the first time he’s mentioned her in such a light.

“You know, you never really told me how you snagged mom. I mean she was beautiful. I can’t really see her going for such a gangster.”

“Hey, I was very meek in the old days, you know. “ His defensive reply causes you to laugh.

“To be frank she spent quite a bit of time chasing me. I was unapproachable, and blunt.”

“You, unapproachable, I can’t even picture it.”

“Hah ha, hilarious.”

He’s wearing the biggest smile.

“I hope you don’t have any plans, because this is a long story.”

You pull your legs onto the couch.

“I’ve got the time.”

~~~~~

“I’m sorry I kept him up so long.”

Hailey shook her head.

“It’s alright. Jack loved it. It’s nice having his dad around so often.”

Now that Jack was fast asleep, Hotch took a seat on the couch. They’d fallen into a routine that worked for both of them. Despite the separation, Jack seemed like the balance between them both. Hailey walked over handing him a glass of water, and he took it happily.

“Thank you.” She took a seat and he drank it.

“So, Ms. Black.” Hotch lowered the glass.

“She’s a good agent. Jack is also taken with her. Not something I really saw coming.”

“What about you?”

“Me?” Hotch wasn’t fully sure where this conversation was going.

“You don’t think she’s intriguing.”

“Hailey.” She smacked his shoulder playfully.

“Aaron, we're not teenagers. You can tell me if you’re interested in someone. I won’t block you on facebook.” He smiled at that.

“We work together, I’m also her superior. I’m not sure it would be very professional of me to even entertain that thought.”

“So you’ve thought about it!”

It felt like he was digging himself into a deeper hole. Hailey laughed this time.

“You know, for a profiler, you’re very easy to read.” She said between giggles.

“All jokes aside, I want you to be happy Aaron. I know I never made it easy, but you’ve always been there when it counted. You’re a good person, you deserve to have happiness. Something I couldn’t give to you.”

“I was happy, Hailey. “ His eyes are so sincere.

“I was rarely ever unhappy with you and Jack.” Hailey wipes at her eyes, and she leaned over, pulling him into a hug. He returns it.

“It’s time for you to be happy again. Jack and I will be fine.” 

[achillean-archives]

Shiftylook's Mappy, Episode 13 Part 4: The End

[popgodz]

[appledressing]

Oh I’m so glad to see how they started. Because the story started right on the conflict zone (like the main issue, obviously, lol), that i think I wondered if they worked together or knew each other for a while or something.

I’m so glad though, that this started out as a real deal meet cute moment. The coffee, the papers, the intrusive friends, the over expectation of nee attraction, the hesitation with the asking out, the stretching out time to just BE there WITH each other . i truly loved it. Like an honest to god, old fashioned, time weathered type of love story.

And that them falling in love in the other chapters, exploring these intimate aspects of themselves, it truly is, them learning each other for the first time. not just for the first time in romantic, sexual terms, like wholly as new people , who just are destined to be entwined together.

And as always, Pen is an absolute gem in this one too 🥰

strange perfections

in which spencer reid and fem!reader meet by accident at a coffee shop. and then they keep meeting there. they've really got to stop meeting like this. (no, seriously. hotch is pissed.) / do you believe me now? bonus chapter!

series masterlist

fluff! warnings/tags: meet cute:) some dark humor, romantically inexperienced reader, spencer reid graduated from caltech, mit, and the derek morgan school of rizz a/n: this can absolutely be read as a standalone BUT it was written as a prologue for my series do you believe me now? to explain how spencer and r met! completely optional, if you're only here for the smut no worries! reading this bonus chapter might make the next chapter better though as it contains discussions of how they met:) anyway, I LOVE YOU!! let me know if you like this silly little random thing! kisses

The café door opens again. A blustery wind raises goosebumps on your arms and makes your bones ache again. You look up at the latest intruder—a hobbling elderly man in a newsboy cap and a knit red scarf. 

Stupid scarf, you think. 

Stupid door. 

Stupid wind. 

Your mug is empty, and the table you’re sitting at is sort of sticky and rickety, and there are so many papers in front of you that you wonder why the hell you thought it’d be a good idea to print the PDF out and annotate it that way instead of just doing it on your laptop like a normal person in the 21st century. Nothing is going right today. It’s the third café you’ve tried in the past few weeks as you attempt to find some place that feels homey, lucky, but this one just feels… inconvenient. 

You look at the stack of papers and sigh. 

Stupid Lord Byron. 

Stupid cafe. 

Usually, cafés are relatively quiet and peaceful—a refuge for the overworked to bask in the luxury of quiet jazz and the smell of dark roast as they continue to overwork themselves. This particular establishment, however, today hosts a group of teenagers—presumably playing hooky—who have commandeered a big booth in the back and keep walking right past your table because apparently they couldn’t have just ordered their drinks at once and they all have to do it separately and loudly. 

One of them has an incredibly irritating, gratingly pubescent laugh, and they think everything is hilarious. This whole situation is unbearable. 

Just as you’re gearing up to go, of course the fucking door opens again. This time, it’s accompanied by a particularly strong gust. 

Strong enough that Lord Byron doesn’t stand a chance. 

Your printed copy of his works blows off the table, at first page by painstakingly annotated page and then before you can even process it, all at once. 

Yeah. This is definitely not your lucky café. 

As you curse and go to stand up, you run into one of those dumb kids. His huge ceramic mug goes flying, careening against the edge of your table and completely splattering you and all your stuff in 16 liquid ounces of scalding espresso and milk. 

It’s silent for a second, save for a few drips from the puddle on your table to the floor, before the kid is apologizing profusely and turning red as a tomato. You can’t even respond—you look down at your ruined favorite sweater, and then around at the pages of Byron littered with color-coded sticky notes, overflowing with angry and purposeful red ink that you spent so much time on, scattered all over the floor. 

Eventually the boy catches on that you’re not going to forgive him and he skitters away, back to his friends, who whisper and giggle profusely. Only a few of them get up to start gathering the fallen pages with you. Several other patrons end up helping as well, so the sheets of paper are gathered and returned into your sticky hands fairly quickly. You thank each person without looking up as they hand you their respective stack. All you want is to get out of here. 

“Here—I’m really sorry about this,” someone says—a tenor-ish male voice, distinctly sympathetic as he holds out a rather larger stack of papers than anyone else had bothered to pick up. 

“I’ll live,” you sigh, straightening up. “But thank… you.”

The man standing in front of you is the kind of man who makes you want to untuck your hair from its usual spot behind your ears, and to stand up straighter, and to try and not stare even though you want his attention. He’s gloriously beautiful in a way that repels and attracts you. He’s the type of man who wouldn’t have given you the time of day in high school and probably wouldn’t now. Instantly you feel both insecure and reduced to a former version of you who would simper and fawn over boys who wanted nothing to do with her. You feel like going to the other side of the café and sitting in the best light and staring out the window poetically and hoping he’s looking at you. 

“On the one hand, I feel bad for being the person who opened the door and let the wind in. On the other… I feel compelled to say at least they’re not covered in coffee like the rest of your table is?”

You laugh vacantly, a second too late, positively coveting the awkward smile on his angular face. Then you make eye contact, and his eyes are so the opposite of angular—they’re huge and inviting and the warmest golden-brown you’ve ever seen, and they’re looking right back at you—and you have to look down. Fuck. You hate when you do that. 

Think of something normal to say!

“Yeah, true. Now I just have to reorder 264 pages. That… that don’t have page numbers.”

You shuffle through the papers. They are hopelessly scrambled. Your heart sinks just a bit.

“Um… I might actually be able to help with that, if you want?”

You frown, glancing up. What kind of sex trafficking ploy is this?

“That’s okay. Might be easier with just one person.”

He laughs—it’s similarly awkward, similarly endearing. 

“Do you mind letting me just… try? It’ll only take a minute.”

Only take a minute? Is this beautiful man deranged?��Why are the hot ones always crazy?

But, perhaps because you’re a pushover who can’t stand up to people, much less beautiful people, much less beautiful men who are paying you undue attention, you find yourself giving in. You hold the stack out. 

“Sure. Give it your best shot. I’ll be impressed if you can even figure out what page one is.”

He’s already flipping through the papers with a drawn brow, walking away with them, and barely looking over his shoulder as he mutters, “I have Byron memorized. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

You follow him, because hello, he has all your annotations. He’s definitely insane, you think, as he sits down at a table and starts rapidly sorting the sheets into separate piles. 

All you can do is stand awkwardly behind him as he stacks papers seemingly at random, barely glancing at them before deciding where they go. 

Maybe a minute, maybe a few go by, each of which have you progressively more flabbergasted, before he’s tapping the edges of a stack of paper on the table and standing, handing them to you with his lips pressed into a thin pleasant line. There’s almost a glow about him—like he couldn’t be more in his comfort zone. 

“There you go. Should be in order now.” You sport a frown bordering on a grimace as you take the stack and flip through it a bit. Sure enough, it seems that everything is in order. You keep looking between the man in front of you and the papers, incredulous as you wait for something to be in the wrong spot. 

“How did you do that?” 

His cheeks turn slightly pink. 

“I know Byron really well. I know how each passage ends and begins so I put them together like puzzle pieces.”

“How did you read that fast?”

“Uh. I’m a speed-reader?”

You scoff, taking another look through the stack. 

“I think that may be underselling it.” A thought occurs to you as you’re grazing over one of your longer annotations—full of expletives and strong opinions. “Oh, god. You didn’t… you didn’t read my notes?”

The man’s eyebrows raise as if he was waiting for you to mention that and he smiles like he doesn’t quite know how to break it to you gently. 

“Maybe a few,” he eventually decides, laughing under his breath. “I appreciated the commentary on his relationship with Augusta. It was… colorful.”

Heat rises in your cheeks as you mumble. 

“Yeah, I had a hard time appreciating the romantic poems. They’re less cute when there’s like a fifty percent chance he’s writing about his sister.”

“Half sister,” he corrects. You give him a look. 

“Does that make it better?”

“… no,” he realizes. “Not even a little bit.”

You laugh, relieved that his face looks as warm as yours feels. 

“Well… thank you, for the help,” you say after a silent second. 

“Of course. Sorry, again. I, um—I hope your day gets better?”

“Yeah, well. I feel like statistically it has to, right? It’s kind of a low bar.”

He smiles, a perfect, perfect smile, and gives you a little wave as he leaves. Without coffee. Checking the clock on the wall, you realize it’s approaching one in the afternoon. If he’d been here on his lunch break, he sacrificed it to organize your stupid Byron texts. You smile to yourself. 

He was totally in love with me. 

And he can’t prove me wrong because I’ll probably never see him again. 

All things considered—this coffee shop does seem pretty lucky. Maybe you’ll stick with it for a while. 

The next time you see the mysterious sexy speed reader is four days later—though you’ve been here every day since. He catches your eye right as he walks in, and his brows jump in pleasant recognition. You smile. He smiles back, before going up to the counter and ordering a coffee with a ludicrous amount of sugar in it. 

I should take note for when I make him his coffee in the mornings, you think to yourself, and then you snort at your own delusions, shaking your head at your book. Obviously you’re not that divorced from reality, but you’ll entertain the fantasy forever until one of you stops showing up to this café. 

What you’re absolutely not expecting is for him to walk up to your table with his to-go cup. 

“Hi,” he says. 

“Hi!”

Jesus. Tone it down, girl scout. 

He gestures to your stack of papers: now secured in a three ring binder. The cup says Spencer. 

Spencer. Spencer. 

It feels important. 

“I see you’ve upgraded.”

“Yes! Yes, I did,” you laugh self-consciously, still struggling to meet his eyes. “Thank you for the help the other day. I would still be sorting through all of this if it weren’t for that, so… yeah. Thanks.”

“Of course! I’m glad I could be of use.”

“Spence!” Someone calls from the cafe door. You both look up to see a stunning blonde beckoning him away. 

Ah. Naturally. The girlfriend who is one trillion times prettier than you. 

Spence. 

Reality sets in. 

“Coming!” He replies, with all the eager compliance of a child, before turning back to you. “Um… well… I’ll see you?”

It’s an awkward way to say goodbye to a stranger, but you suddenly don’t care enough to dwell. Instead you nod once, less enthusiastic now that you know he has a 10 waiting for him on the sidewalk. 

“I am a creature of habit.”

Another wave as he walks away. 

The two disappear from the doorway, but the perpetual breeze seems to carry a snatched bit of conversation your way. 

“Who was that?” 

“Uh… I don’t actually know.”

Yeah. Reality definitely sets in. 

Over the next few days, you break your café streak. Life is busy. There’s not always time to artfully ponder Romantic poetry and drink a six dollar coffee while waiting around for certain people to show up. 

Okay, so… maybe it has more to do with him than you’re letting on. But you’re not going to do that thing you do again, where you become limerently obsessed with a man you don’t know and who is way out of your league just because you can’t form an actual attachment to anyone to save your life. Besides, you remind yourself; we probably wouldn’t be compatible anyway. He’s probably a huge loser. Or secretly a douche. Or chews with his mouth open. Obviously nobody that attractive can also have a good personality. 

Not to mention he has a girlfriend. That should put you off, too.

But you hadn’t been lying when you’d proclaimed to be a creature of habit—you return to the café once you feel sufficiently detached from this Spencer character. 

He’s there. Of course he’s there. Why had you been expecting for him to not be there? It’s not like he was a figment of your imagination. 

This time he’s accompanied by a different blonde woman—a bespectacled blonde with a big floral headband and a patterned dress and a red cardigan and tights and heels that look self-injurious. She’s quite eye-catching; you want to keep looking at her, but you seem to draw her attention, too. Her big eyes widen minutely and briefly you wonder if you’re supposed to know her, but certainly you’d remember meeting a person like that. She doesn’t seem easily forgettable. Both of you look to Spencer at the same time, who’s looking between you with an almost panicked expression. 

“Oh! Th—” the woman whispers, cutting herself off when she realizes how loud she’s being in the otherwise silent establishment. “Ah! Okay, right. Never mind.”

 Spencer sighs. You want to laugh, but you’re baffled by the whole thing. So you go back to reading. 

Ten minutes later, they draw your attention once more. 

“Go, go ahead! It’s more problematic for you to be late than me. I’ll be like, thirty seconds tops.”

You don’t look up as Spencer leaves the café—but are you supposed to gather that these two eccentric individuals are coworkers? And what of the first blonde woman, who you’d presumed to be his girlfriend? Where is she?

While you’re wondering all of this, the new blonde teeters her way over to your table. 

“Hi!” She says pleasantly, waving a purple-tipped hand and wearing the biggest grin. 

“Uh… hi?”

“I’m Penelope. You’ve met my friend Spencer. He just left.”

“Oh—sort of,” you smile weakly, closing your book. “Not formally. I didn’t know his name.”

That’s a lie, but maybe feigning non-chalance will make it real. 

“Well, I just wanted to come over and say I love your bag. And your jewelry and your coat. I love your whole look. I bet you’re a really cool person.”

“Um—thank you!” You perk up, smiling genuinely now. The compliment warms you—you didn’t think your look was all that interesting today. “You too. I love your outfit.”

“Great! You’re—you’re great. This is good information. Um… just out of, like, sheer curiosity, could I get your name, age, and occupation? Oh—and your zodiac sign?”

What kind of convoluted sex trafficking ploy—

“Garcia!”

Spencer is at the doorway again, looking adorably miffed. 

Adorable? Get a grip. 

“Wh—I’m just making a new friend! Is friendship illegal, now?”

“This is the kind of friend-making that gets you a restraining order,” he urges. 

You look up at Penelope Garcia, enamored by their whole dynamic. They clearly care for each other, despite the squabbling. What kind of job do they have where they talk to each other like this?

“It’s fine,” you smile, introducing yourself to her.

“That is such a good name!” She says, and you’re getting the sense she’s kind of always this enthusiastic. “So now we know each other’s names—we should probably definitely be friends, right?”

“Yeah! Um, definitely!”

“Yes? Oh my god! I love this! Okay, um—we work at Quantico, so, we’re like, 10 minutes away—but this is better than the coffee shop that’s closest to the building, so we come here all the time. Usually it’s just us and five grouchy old men, which makes this is really exciting.”

“Quantico… that’s the FBI academy, right?”

“Other stuff, too,” she nods, still smiley. 

Oh! Cool. So they’re FBI agents. 

So that’s cool. 

You’re cool with that. 

Her phone starts ringing—she locks eyes with Spencer. 

“Hotch?”

“Ooh, we are in trouble,” Penelope sing-songs, leaning down to write her number on your notebook without asking. Not that you mind, of course. She adds a little heart and a smiley face next to her name before capping your pen and toddling away. “Bye, new friend!” She calls over her shoulder, waving goodbye with just her fingers. 

“Bye,” you manage, though it’s probably too quiet. 

Spencer flattens his mouth into an approximation of a smile and waves again. 

You accidentally find yourself mirroring his goodbye, facial expression and all. Fuck. You hope he doesn’t notice. You hope he doesn’t read into it. 

Nah. Boys are dumb. 

You text Penelope later that afternoon—a simple greeting so that she can save your number—and then you forget about it. 

It’s not until five days go by without sign of any of them—the two blondes, Spencer, this mysterious and foreboding Hotch figure—that you start to seriously question your sanity. Did they drop off the face of the planet, or what?

But of course, just as you’re sitting at your usual table, Spencer walks in. Alone. 

He sees you immediately, but instead of the wave you’d come to expect, he immediately flushes, looks down at his shoes and hurries into the small lunch-rush line. 

Weird.

You corner him at the coffee bar, where he’s adding more sugar to his coffee. How are his teeth so nice if he does this to himself every single day?

“Hey,” you say, affecting casual confidence as you bus your empty mug. “… Spencer, right?”

It’s comical how you’re pretending you haven’t turned that name over and looked at it from every angle hundreds of times since the first time you heard it. 

He nods, only glancing up at you as he stirs. To your surprise, he knows your name, too. When you give him an odd look, he smiles almost apologetically, finally looking at your face for longer than half a second. 

“I heard you introducing yourself to Penelope. Sorry if that’s…”

“No, no! Is she around, today? I texted her last week, but she never responded...”

“Today is operating system update day, so I don’t even really have a way of knowing if she’s alive in her office.” It’s funny to him, but you just smile, baffled. He notices your silence and catches on, scrambling to explain himself. “She’s our tech analyst. There are 243 computers in our building and she has to update them all remotely, which requires getting every agent to agree to not touch their computer at the same time for an hour or so.”

“Oh… does the FBI not have, like… an IT guy, or something?”

He laughs again—the way his eyes crinkle when he does it makes you a little breathless. 

“You should say that to her. I think you would become her favorite person.”

It’s hard not to smile when he’s smiling because of you—however indirectly that may be. Quickly you realize you’ve both been standing in front of the coffee bar for too long. 

“Alright, well… tell her good luck, for me?”

“I would, but I’ve been kicked out for an hour while she does the updates.”

Your brow furrows and you laugh. 

“From the whole building? You just can’t keep your hands off your computer for an hour?”

“Not if I want to do my job, no. And I am kind of obsessive about my job. I’ve been the reason she had to start the whole process over again before and I’d rather not be that person again.”

You say it before you can think too hard. 

“Well, if you have an hour to kill… there’s an open seat at my table? No pressure, obviously.”

And that was the first of thousands of hours you would come to spend with Spencer Reid. 

After that, it sort of becomes a regular thing. He comes almost every day—except for occasional week or so long stretches, which you have discovered are a part of his absolutely fucking insane job—and sits with you, sometimes with Penelope, once with the other blonde, JJ, who you’ve since deduced is not his girlfriend, most often alone. Usually he can’t spare more than ten minutes, but he begins pushing it, little by little, until thirty minutes go by and you think surely his boss (the great and all-powerful Hotchner) must be beginning to notice. 

One day, during your usual lunchtime rendezvous, his phone rings. He talks right on through it, like it’s not happening.

It ceases. And then it starts again. 

Your head drops to your shoulder, something like pity or regret softening your features. He catches your eye and melts slightly, mid-sentence—like he knows you’re about to tell him to be responsible. 

“Do you think you should…”

His hands drop from where they’d been enthusiastically positioned mid-air. 

“They’ll be fine if I’m late from lunch one time. I’m usually more punctual than any of them.”

You roll your lip between your teeth—it’s not that you want to tell him to go; in fact, those delusions you’ve been harboring about your future life together are only getting worse with each inexplicable minute he entertains your company. 

But his job is important. 

“What if you have a case?”

“Then I would have gotten more calls from more people by now.”

Your head tips back as you laugh lightly at his unwavering insistence.   

“I’m flattered that you so enjoy my company that much. But I can’t with good conscience keep taking up your work hours like this.”

As the laughter fades, he just… watches you, lips slightly parted, eyes intense but not entirely present. 

“You’re probably right,” he finally breathes. “Maybe… you should start taking up my other hours, instead?”

Spencer Reid, you unexpected charmer. 

You balk.

“Like… we would hang out? At a different time of day? Not here?”

“Those are the basic premises, yes,” he chuckles, nodding affably. “I’ve never actually seen you anywhere else. For all I know you could be a ghost eternally tethered to this building.”

“Where would this hanging out take place?”

Fuck, you’re totally being weird. His brow knits. 

“I don’t know. Where else do people hang out?”

He’s not genuinely asking you, he’s gently turning you in the right direction. You charge forward blindly. 

“Restaurants.”

There’s that pretty smile of his again, the one that makes all the thoughts drain from your head like cold bathwater. Though, there’s a sort of mischievous edge to it now that you haven't seen before.

“That’s certainly an option. If I asked you to hang out with me at a restaurant... would you say yes?”

You look down. God, your face feels warm. 

“Would you be asking me out on a date? In this hypothetical scenario that we’ve constructed, I mean.”

Spencer seems to think about it for a moment, which fills you with unexpected panic. When you look back up anxiously, he has the same smile on his face, but his eyes are a little softer now. 

“I would.” 

More panic sets in—just a bit. But you don’t let what is undoubtedly a tidal wave of anxiety break through the emotional guard-dam. Keep it together. This is a good thing. This is what you wanted. 

Unfortunately, you are perhaps more transparent than you’d realized. Spencer begins to look slightly worried, leaning forward in his chair. 

“You don’t have to say yes. I know we don’t know each other very well, I just—”

“No!” You find yourself assuring him, though you curse yourself because you kind of want to know what he was going to say. “I would say yes. I’ve just, um—god,” you laugh gustily, self-consciously. “Sorry I’m being so weird. I’m out of my depth. Nobody’s asked me on a date before. I don’t really know the etiquette.”

Spencer chuckles. 

“You’re doing great. Don’t worry about it.”

Not, what?

Not, you’ve never been on a date before?

Not, that’s crazy, or that’s weird, or how have you gone your whole life without being asked out?

With the implication being, you’re odd. Different. Maybe not in a good way. 

He says none of that. 

“But I should probably actually ask you, huh?” His cheeks turn pink as his laughter is redirected inwards. 

“Sounds like a good first step.”

Spencer is still smiling as he says your name and it sounds so good from his mouth. It makes you sound so real. 

“Will you go on a date with me?”

Butterflies in your stomach doesn't begin to brush what you're experiencing—your entire abdominal cavity is like a Monarch sanctuary.

“I’d love to.”

He seems genuinely relieved as he beams, slumping back in his chair. 

“Oh, thank god. I was so nervous you’d say no. I never do that. Thank you for not saying no. Not that you couldn’t have said no—it would have been completely fine and obviously within your rights to—”

His phone rings again. Both of you are relieved that he was interrupted—but admittedly you thought his rambling was super cute. 

“I should—”

“You definitely need to go.”

“Yeah,” he agrees with a still-breathless smile. “Um—what’s your number?”

You look around fruitlessly for pen and paper. 

“I don’t—”

“Just tell me. I’ll remember.”

He’s so weird. 

A breeze hits your skin as he opens the door. You’re already writing your wedding vows in the back of your mind as you watch him go. 

-

part four

[admrlthundrbolt]

Tongue Tied (Luke x Chubby Reader)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke believes that his luck in love ran out before he was even born. So after weeks of Marnie trying to set him up, he finally accepts. Will it be a wonderful night or a disaster. And how exactly has he been entranced by them. Could they have a secret of they're own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys, I'm back at it again. I had a hankering to watch some spooky Disney movies. So I watched the Halloweentown series for the first time. I am so disappointed that I hadn't seen it before. But no time like the present. And like many before me I was enamored with Luke. This is the result. Hope you enjoy.

---------------------------------------------------------

Luke had always known his luck in love was lousy. But he thought college may give him a leg up. Tons of new and different people to get to know. It was only a matter of time before he met someone he was compatible with.

As he paced his dorm room, he had to reconsider his choices. It had been months, already, a whole semester had come and gone. Yet he struck out again and again. Frowning he decided a walk could help him gather his thoughts.

Leaving the dormitories a bright flyer for a neighborhood block party caught his eye. Causing a memory to jolt in his mind. Rushing back up to his room. He hurriedly sent a message to Marnie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was practically skipping around her room, listing off all the great things about you. “She's so sweet and good natured. Quite the book worm too, but that doesn't keep her from enjoying a good movie. You guys are going to get along so well.” She gave him a look, wiggling her eyebrows and everything. “Not to mention she is totally cute. You see her and just want to squeeze the life out of her she's so adorable.”

He tried to hide his blush behind the soda he was drinking. It seemed like you were the total package. So what would you want with a guy like him? Between his ugly mug and uglier past. Would you really give him a chance. “If she's this great, then why set her up with me?”

Marnie frowned as she took in his downtrodden expression. Why was he always so hard on himself. Still she gave him a reassuring smile. “Call it witches intuition, I know you guys are perfect for each other. You'll be each other's yin and yang.” Seeing his mood not brighten, she thought a new detail may lighten the situation. “Besides I told her you were interested already. You would not believe how excited she was.”

His face fell into his hands with a groan. What was he kidding, he would just mess this up too. But then a sudden idea came to mind. Head shooting up, his wide eyes stared at his friend. “OK, but on one condition.”

She nodded eagerly, anything to make the perfect match.

“You make me look human for the date.” He watched as her face fell. Scrambling to make his case, he almost fell from his seat. “Look I just want to make the best impression. We both know that I'm more confident when you take away the goblin features.” Running his finger through fluffy hair he sighed. “I don't want to mess this up. I mean like you said, we're made for each other.”

Nose scrunching in annoyance she crossed her arms. “Is it really the only way you'll agree.” Nodding he watched her resolve crumble. “Fine let me talk to my Grandma and we'll see what we can do.” She wanted to be angry with him. But as the wide grin settled on his face she found she couldn't. If this was what got the two of you to meet then so be it. You really did belong together. Hopefully you could knock some sense into him on your date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You shuffled in front of the movie theater. Nerves and excitement burning in you veins. You had been a bit skeptical when Marnie mentioned a blind date. But after all the good things she had to say about Luke. Well if he's half the guy she claimed then you were willing to try.

He swatted Marnie's hands away as she tried to straight his coat for the millionth time. She had been fretting over him since they met up. It was making his anxiety flare up terribly. If he hadn't already agreed to this he might head home. But there was no way he could disappoint his friend or a sweet stranger. So he took a deep breath and cleared his mind. “OK, I think I'm ready.”

Her smile widened. “Great. Now don't forget that the spell only last a few hours. Even though I still think it wasn't the best decision to begin with.”

Glancing at a nearby window, he couldn't help but admire his handsome face. He doesn't hate his goblin features, they just made him self-conscious. Especially when meeting a cute girl for a blind date. “I know how you feel, you've told me a ton of times. I just want to make the best first impression I can.”

She reluctantly nodded and spun him around. “OK, start with the movie, then dinner afterwards. The perfect first date.” She pushed him in the direction of the cinema. Grinning all the while.

He got to the theater in a few short moments. Still this was a new territory for him. Even with the artificial glow up, his heart was hammering. Steeling his nerves he turned the final corner and paused. There was no way that was his blind date. Looking up and down the street he knew there must be a mistake. You were the only person standing in the place Marnie had set up as a meeting spot. You were gorgeous, the vision of a goddess. Your plush body complimented well by the outfit you had chosen. He was enamored with the sight of you. It made him all the more sure of asking for the makeover. Making his way over he called out your name.

Spinning towards the call, you smiled warmly. Only for your brows to pinch in confusion. You could have sworn that Marnie said he was a goblin. So why was this human guy saying your name. “Hi, are you Luke?”

His grin broadened. “The one and only. It's nice to finally meet the girl that Marnie keeps talking about. Putting a beautiful face to the name and all.” He mentally cheered at your flushed cheeks. Maybe he could charm you into not caring about his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He held the door open as you both exited the cinema. “Can you imagine how much they spent on fake blood? I mean that scene at the end with the bloodfall.” You looked up at him as you gushed about the movie. Going on about the special effects and detail of the props. It was endearing how much you seemed to love movies. He loved your reactions and random comments. Every so often you would tug him towards yourself and whisper something in his ear. He always had to hold back a shiver at your cute action. Every moment he spent in your presence made him open up just a bit more. As if you were drawing out his true nature, without even meaning to. You were so sweet and inviting, it was impossible to not like you.

He tug subconsciously at his ear as he smiled down at you. “You know, you don't strike me as the type of girl that would be interested in a movie like that.”

You gazed at him with glittering eyes. “I love all kinds of movies. They're a great way to bring any story to life. Everyone's story deserves to be told.” If he became anymore enamored with you his heart may just beat right out of his chest.

As a nearby clock chimed loudly you wrapped your plush arm around his own. Surprised he had to stop himself from jumping. “Oh, I know just the place for a great bite. If you like diners that is.” Your full cheeks puffed up as you grinned widely at him.

“Yeah, I could go for a burger and shake.” His own smile spread as you made your way down the block.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner went even better than the movie. He could hear you talk for hours about anything. But the captivating way you spoken about movie was delightful. You listened to every opion he gave and giving your own in an intriguing way. It made his thoughts feel validated and encouraged.

You both enjoyed the food. He had to agree with you, it all tasted amazing. Though there was an awkward pause when the waitress brought out his shake with two straws. She threw a wink to your table and left.

With a small yet genuine he slid the glass towards you. “Go ahead and try. It's way to much for just me anyways.” He flushed at the sweet smile you gave him. Only for his grin to broaden as you shifted to second straw to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now you were strolling through the park. Your arm wrapped around his once again. Supple body pressed against his own. Enjoying the quiet peace and pleasant ambiance together.

You look up at him with dazzling eyes. “I've really enjoyed tonight Luke.” You gave his arm a tight squeeze, smiling softly.

He couldn't help but mirror your expression. It really has been one of the best nights of his life. He honestly wanted to hit himself over the head for not listening to his friend sooner. “I have too. This has been great. But don't tell Marnie, her head would get to big for her body.” He flushed at the sweet giggle you let out.

As the town centers clock chimes the late hour, he swiftly stops. Feeling his face shifting, he tries to turn away from you. Noticing the sudden change, you grip his arm tighter and ask what's wrong.

“I I I need to go.” He desperately wants to run. You couldn't see him like this, it would ruin everything. He covers his face with his hands.

Worried that he could be hurt, you pry his hands from his face. He squeezes his eyes shut, not wanting to see the disappointment on your face. “Luke, please, tell me what's wrong.”

His eyes widened in shock. Staring down at your face, he was surprised at what he saw. Your were worried, your eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I'm a monster, that's what. Or actually a goblin.” His shoulders sagged in resignation. “I ask Marnie to change my appearance so I would have a better chance with you. But I guess I was having such a good time, I didn't realize the hour. I understand if you want to never see me again.” His posture slouch further as he thinks about how stupid he was. That he would ever have a chance with a girl like you.

Bringing your hand to his cheek, you guided his eyes to yours. “Luke I've known from the beginning that you were a goblin. Marnie has shown me pictures of you before.”

His brows pinched as you admitted this. “You knew? And you still wanted to go on a date with me?”

You nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, how could I not. She could only say good things about you. I was actually the one who suggested the date.” Looking away shyly, you gave him a bashful grin.

Shaking his head, he smacked himself on the forehead. Sliding the hand down his face, he sighed. “I really have been dumb.”

Your melodious giggle sounded through the air. “How about you make it up to me on a second date.” He straighten up and hastily agreed. “I can tell you all about my heritage. I am an eighth troll after all.” Your smile widened at the disbelief on his face and the barrage of questioned that followed.

[xxwitchylanexx]

Glories in Gunpowder and Parades- Cloud x Reader

Rebirth Retold Chapter 7

Spoilers for Junon chapter on rebirth but no important event spoilers

I really hate how they didn't put Reno in Junon in rebirth so I added him in a little. Next chapter will be a little shorter but will hopefully be up in the next week or so. Hope you enjoy!!

Minors DNI

Chapter 8

Masterlist

*~*

The day for Shinra’s inauguration parade had finally come. When you woke from a restful sleep that morning in Under Junon you could almost feel the restless chatter from the citizen under the plate. The elevator had double the amount of security it usually did so there was no way your comrades would be able to slip up undetected.

The six of you stood huddled outside the inn brainstorming a way to get inside the fortress. Barret, being himself, suggested you just storm the elevator and force your way in, and as you can imagine no one agreed with him. You were about to suggest a plan using morph materia when Priscilla, that ninja girl’s friend, approached the group with a solution.

It must have been your lucky day. If you were under any other circumstances you’d never have the chance to see tough guy Cloud sitting upon Mr. Dolphin’s back as the took a lap around the lagoon. You were wildly amused along with the rest of the gang. Tifa whooped and cheered him in front of you; waving her arms enthusiastically in the air, shouting ‘you can do it’ and so on. Your inner war with the brunette finally disbanded. The conversation with Cloud in the bar allowing you to let go of the unwanted festering feelings.

Aerith was beside you clapped excitedly at the show and giggling away at the way his spiky hair flattened against his face as the drooped under the weight of the water. Barret was yelling to get in with it just behind you, you swore he was only crabby because he secretly wanted to storm the elevator. Red sat the furthest away from the water his tail standing rigid in a hook, the flickering flame causing little red dots in your vision before you looked back to Cloud’s skillful performance.

In truth, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. Your e/c orbs dragged over the hard lines of his body that his wet clothing enhanced. His broad shoulders were deliciously on display, and the hard planes of muscle rippled along his back as he stroked through the water. Aerith nudged you in the soft spot between your hip and rips with her elbow leaning. She leaned in just close enough to whisper in your ear followed by a giggle at your expense. “You like what you see?” Your face flushed as you glared down at her, without any real heat. You watched your feet intently as you considered jumping into the sea yourself to cool you off.

You missed his final flourish trying to make a point that you weren’t ogling the man to Aerith. Moments after the rest of you rowed out to the boat he lowered, your makeshift elevator, and ascended into the winding halls of the Upper Junon fortress. Aerith volunteered to you to stay behind to wait for Cloud, another ploy to keep the two of you together. You grumbled about it but honestly at least you’d have a break from the perky girl’s pestering.

Five or six minutes later he emerged from the next room over. You waved your arm above your head lazily to capture his attention. You greeted him with a simple ‘hey’ as he approached you.

“Hey.” He shifted his weight from one side to the other.

“Thanks for the lift. They went this way.” You pointed your thumb behind to emphasize where the others went.

“Let’s get a move on.” You waved your arm to beckon him onward. With a huff at your insistence he trudged forward.

You kept your pace even and measured not too slow to lose him, but not fast enough to think you were eager. You didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention as you walked down the enemy’s halls. You eyed him up and down taking in the way his clothes and hair already appeared to be mostly dry already. The quiet was never uncomfortable around him, but you wouldn’t really be you if you didn’t poke some fun here and there. “So… do you ride on dolphins often, or are you just a natural?”

He faltered in his step before correcting the chip in his facade casting a glimpse over his shoulder before staring ahead once more. “It was…” He cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his chest. “Nothing to it.”

You rolled your eyes at his sense of bravado. “Always the showman.” At the end of the hallway the walls widened up into a square archway with subtle peeks of the great blue sky outdoors. “Up there.” As you neared the opening you could see your friends spread out along the steel platform gawking at the view.

You’ve seen The Sister Ray before but never this close, or from this angle. You leaned onto the metal fencing to get a good look you at it. You could see all the grooves and braces along its metal barrel looming out over the sea. The sun glared down onto its length making it hard to look at it long term, but it was a sight to behold. For a weapon of mass destruction, that is.

Cloud gripped at the railing next to you, leaning over it to look at the floor below. “Less security than I thought.”

“More worried about the parade?” Aerith asked from your side.

“Guess thing have changed.” You turned and leaned your back against the fence to see him properly. “They got higher priorities.” Barret replied.

“Personally, I think that’s a good thing.” Tifa said, and you’d have to agree. It was nice to see them focus more on spirit than war. Even if it was just to boost the newly appointed president’s ego.

Red padded up to side and sat back on his haunches rubbing against your leg in the process. “The city’s size on the other hand… the robed men won’t be easy to find.”

“Well they’re definitely not here.” Cloud concluded. “Let’s head into town.” He wasted no time as he started his climb up the number of staircases ahead of you, even taking two or three at a time. You waited for the others to go first except for Barret who insisted on taking the rear.

You climbed the steps just behind Aerith, the girl looking over her arm at you every so often. “Have you been here before?”

“A couple of times. Though I was only passing through.” You grabbed the smooth railing.

“Have you traveled a lot?” Tifa asked from her position a few steps higher than Aerith.

“Yeah, mostly just this continent and the next one over. Most of my clients don’t go farther than the saucer, though I have visited the ranches farther out.”

You weren’t sure what you were expecting the top floor to look like, but you hadn’t expected it to be out in the open. The roof was wide and flat. Long enough to fit multiple airstrips. A few planes were stationed here and there near with a few designated pilots expecting each air craft. The whole place was packed with soldiers all lined up in rows and columns for practice drills. Each commanding officer stood at the forefront of their squad to give out orders.

You realize that the parade was a huge televised event, however you found it pretty odd that not one trooper noticed your not so subtle group wandering around in a restricted area. Were they just negligent in their duties or was your group expected to be here you wondered.

“Any idea what that is?” Tifa inquired. You shifted to see what she was referring to. An aircraft, far larger than any plane, ship, or truck you’ve ever seen, sat proudly at the front of the airway. Its wings spread wide across the surface, and the Shinra logo painted along its massive side. The sheer strength in its propellers, as they rotated rapidly along its axis, disturbed the natural force of the wind around the airstrip. along with may elite forces gathered around it.

“The Highwind.” Cloud explained. “Shinra’s pride and joy. The fastest, most advanced, airship in the fleet.”

“That explains the elite troops.” You added as you counted five, no six elite security officers circling around the vessel.

“Screw the boat.” Barret said. “Let’s take that.” Tifa nudged his sides as if to say ‘shut up’.

“Less you got a trained crew and piloting skills we don’t know about… we’re stickin’ with the boat.”

“That’s too bad. Would’ve been perfect.” Tifa sighed, clearly disappointed. You shared her sentiment. You preferred to travel by plane a hell of a lot more than boat. Planes were faster and less shaky. The constant swaying and creaking of sea travel reeked havoc on your stomach.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” Cloud replied, his statement the end of the conversation as the six of you searched for a way down to the city.

You admired the layout and design as you walked. Every path was lined with royal red runners with a simple pattern embroidered along the edges in gold. Flags, with the Shinra crest printed on each one, of the same color waved around in the breeze. An army of soldiers, regular foot soldiers that is, covered every inch of this place. You could hear the cheerful laughter, and the fumbling of their rifles as they practiced their drills. A few commanders were berating their officers for stupid mistakes, or tardiness, each one on the receiving end all just answered with ‘sir, yes, sir’. You don’t think you’d would ever make it in a job like this. Blindly following orders wasn’t your style, and the disrespect each one puts up with under the guise of ‘discipline’ pissed you off. Whether your rank is at the bottom or near the top no one has a right to disrespect another human being. You line of sight quickly shifted to the back of the person in front of you, now face to face with the dark fabric of Cloud’s at the base of his neck. At one time was Cloud at the bottom of he barrel too, or did he qualify to start higher on the totem pole? It was hard for you to picture him in a trooper’s uniform taking the verbal assault from a higher officer.

What really didn’t make sense to you was why was every individual was okay with being treated this way. Why was it worth it to lay their lives down for a company that was willing to throw those very lives away to make money or regain control or simply to make a statement. You couldn’t possibly believe the salary was good considering all the officials of the company were scheming assholes. Did they truly think Shinra was a just employer or was it fear?

Cloud approached a terminal amongst a few consoles along a large wall and typed in a bunch of stuff like it was second nature. Once it lurched forward you realized the platform everyone was on was an elevator that led to the city. You stared at the terminal dumbfounded that it was so easily accessible. Sure, a soldier probably has access to most things in every facility, but can you imagine the sheer arrogance they have not to change any codes or procedures. Especially since they are highly aware that one left their employment, and is actively working against them. In your opinion that was a huge security liability.

“So Cloud, what can you tell us about Junon?” Aerith asked as the elevator churned downwards.

“It’s a key military outpost with its own offshore reactor. A critical line of defense against any seaborne assault. When needed, it can transform into an armed fortress. It’s strategic location, along with its air and seaport, make it second only to Midgar as the company’s most vital city.” He listed off the facts as if he was reading a menu.

“Huh, neat. Any good restaurants? Sights to see?” she asked.

“Uh.. maybe? I dunno.” You smiled. Of course he’d never sightsee. All business, this one.

“Ah, right. You’re not the touristy type.” She shuffled from one foot to the other as she looked out to what was beneath you.

“If you’re looking for great landscapes, you’ll like the bridge.” You answered in his stead, everyone turning to look at you while you talked. “Otherwise the main drag has lots of different stalls and vendors.”

“It’s so cool you know this stuff.” Aerith gushed.

You shrugged, “I pass through here often.”

Barret grunted from his corner of the elevator. “Hey just to be clear, you do realize we’re not here on vacation, right?”

“Of course I do!” Aerith huffed, annoyed he even thought she was slacking off. “Hey, look! What’s that about?”

You shuffled closer to the railing between where she was and where Cloud was settled in the corner, and peered over the ledge. The sharp instructions you overhead making more sense now that you were looking at the squad lined up beneath you. It didn’t pertain to you nor did interest you so you straightened once again and wait for the lift to finally reach the bottom. The elevator began to grind against the track as it came to a stop, and you all quickly shuffled off.

“Those troopers looked pretty psyched for the parade, huh?” Tifa pointed out.

“More like eager to prance around for their new paymaster.” Barret quipped. “Now I know what y’all are gonna say, but I gotta ask.”

“What?” Cloud asked flatly.

“If Rufus is in town, are we really gonna let this opportunity pass us by? Hell, I’m not sayin’ we kill the man- but we oughta at least give him a talkin’ to. Rough him up a little maybe, y’know?”

“Actually,” Aerith spoke up, “I’m gonna have to agree. First the turks say, ‘Do whatever-we’re not after you.’ but then Cloud’s biker buddy rolls up and says he is. We gotta straighten this out.” You recalled her discussion with Tifa on the way to Crow’s Nest pertaining this topic. It was a valid concern, though you wondered if Rufus cared about her at all. I mean think about it; they were following the robes too there’s no denying that. You had a hunch that it might be Hojo that wanted her back so desperately.

“Okay, but how?” Tifa asked, one hand perched on her hip. “We can’t just walk up to the president in the street.” That’s true. This group didn’t exactly blend in with a crowd.

Perhaps you could, but you weren’t so eager to paint a target on your back as well. After all you’d be on your own again eventually. “Or maybe we can.” Cloud said.

Barret bounced on his heels as he practically skipped closer. “We bust up his parade!”

Cloud pushed him back. “No, that’s how we die in a hail of bullets like a bunch if dumbasses. The city is crawling with Shinra’s troopers.” He paused before continuing. “We join the parade. Hide in plain sight. Get in, get close, get answers.”

“Seriously?” Tifa asked.

He between Aerith and Tifa. “Sure.”

“Wow, that’s good!” Aerith said with her finger pressed to her cheek.

“No argument here.” Barret crossed his arms, or well arm and his newest attachment.

“Barret, Red you guys find a route to the port; see what security is like. And keep an eye out for the black robes while you’re at it. Y/n, since they’re not looking for you, why don’t you try to get information in town.”

You nodded in agreement while Barret bullied himself into Cloud space once again. “Now hold up!”

“Fatigues won’t be enough to disguise you two.”

“True enough.” Red agreed.

Barret resigned with a mumbled ‘shuddup’ as Cloud looked over to you once again. “See you in a bit. I gotta go find a uniform.” You gave him a half hearted wave as he walked off with the other two. Aerith playfully pushing him on the arm and Tifa following after with her arm clasped behind her back. Barret and Red also quickly faded into the crowd of pedestrians wandering the great streets of the bustling city, leaving you there all alone.

*~*

The upper city Junon was generally a quiet and peaceful town to visit, though not everyone has had the privilege to see it. First and fore most Junon was a military outpost, like Cloud had said, so it had a smaller population than most places in Gaia. It’s residents made up of mostly army staff, researchers, sailors, and airmen to employ Shinra’s monopoly of transportation. Any others that wished to visit the city or sail to the next continent had to shell out a hefty sum for tickets and a permit to proceed through the fortress. However today, the narrow streets and winding alleys were jam packed festive tourists and plastered in tacky patriotic propaganda.

Royal red pennants, emblazoned with the Shinra crest, flapped with every salty sea breeze, identical banners hung at the entrance to nearly every establishment you’ve seen so far, signs and posters were on display across every billboard in town, and every single shop (conveniently owned by Shinra affiliates) had some kind of a promotions, featuring the guest of honor, to sucker their consumers into thinking they were getting a decent purchase or rate for their hotel accommodations. You’ve nearly spent half the day weaving through waves of frolicking tourists between the pop up stores and street attractions, and shrugging off the sloppy drunks trying to pick up anyone willing to go back to their room.

Everywhere you looked there was something special for the occasion: colorful face paint adorning the faces of passerby, life size Rufus Shinra cutouts around every corner, signed autograph cards from the open stalls along the streets, vouchers you could win in a raffle for a tour of the Shinra building in Midgar, and the list went on and on. If you hadn’t been given a task you’d have holed yourself up by now to escape the frivolity of the entire celebration. Nothing like an inauguration of a communist to really get people going.

Not that you’ve learned anything useful. The docks were off limit for the time being and even if you wanted to sneak in, every nook and cranny was heavily guarded. Even cruise ticket holders were restricted until after the ceremony. The few troopers that were actually on duty were unwilling to share anything of value. They just urged you to find a spot along the parade route or settle somewhere with a TV to watch the televised program with promises that you would see the president present the award to the best preforming squad.

With no leads elsewhere, you found yourself at a quiet little food truck along the seawall. It was old and clunky but disguised as ‘Rufus’s favorite street meat’ as if anyone would actually believe that the president himself waltz along the streets looking for foot cart dishes. The gaudy decor draped across it’s flat surfaces did succeed in matching the excitement of the event. Honestly you’d think it came right from the train graveyard in the slums. The spinning hot dog on the roof swiveled around slowly as it played some distorted whimsical tune like the vehicle had spent a lot of time under water. Red and gold garland wrapped around the top concealing little bullet holes along the roof. An oversized banner, as tall as you, was plastered over the window hiding the cracks in the glass that advertised their signature rainbow slushies and a ‘Rufus dog’, which was just a fancy hot dog with Rufus Shinra’s, or so they claim, favorite toppings.

Your stomach growled as an array of delicious smells wafting through the air from the surrounding stalls assaulted your nostrils. After a small debate on whether this place would kill you or not you caved and got into line just behind the one other customer. As you waited a steady trail of people trailed behind you all creating a wall from your position to the small stage where an event was about to begin.

Honestly, you should’ve known better than trying to find the attraction. You perched on the tops of your toes trying to see over the wave of celebrators, your balance near perfect, but your reaction time delayed. You heard the girl sniffling long before you saw her backing up your way and before your flats of your feet touched the ground again it was too late to get step out of her path.

So there you are being pushed backwards, your arms out to catch your upper body as your ass landed harshly against the pavement, and that wasn’t even the worst part. You only seen a brief flash of color and a plastic cup before you squeezed your eyes shut and prepared for the chilly beverages to splatter across your face before soaking into your clothes. You swallowed the shriek that caught in your throat on contact, and a shiver rippled down your spine as you exhaled deeply through your nose and slowly rose to your feet wiping some of the frozen slush off your chest.

“OHMYGODS! OHMYGODS!” Her hands frantically waving in front of her, her bracelet clinking against itself as she moved. “I am SOO sorry! I wasn’t looking. I am so so sorry.” You wiped a bit of the melting slush from your cheek before studying your assailant.

Her rose hair was what stood out to you first. Each lock curled in a perfect ringlet and framing her face nicely. Then there were her eyes: oval pools of grey, wide in shock and glassy with unshed tears. Once perfectly applied makeup now streaked towards the corners like she’d been wiping the few drops that made it past her lash line. She was shorter than you by a few inches and her frame was small, and lithe. Her shoulders were curled inward, and hands clenched around the once full beverages and trembled at her sides.

She swiped furiously the new tears that slipped free. “I have a room a-at the hotel across the street if you want to freshen up and change. I-I really really am sorry.” Her head hung in shame. Her bottom lip shook between her teeth.

“It’s okay. It was an accident.” You leaned down to peer at her face. “I actually don’t have anything else to wear. I’m just passing through.” She lifted her head, just slightly, to meet your eyes. “Don’t worry about it. It’ll dry. Besides, it looks like you have somewhere else to be.”

She straightened entirely, the tension between the blades of her shoulders easing, before dropping the plastic cups to clatter on the pavement and swiftly grabbing your hand to tug you along behind her. “Don’t you worry! I have extras!” Your dominant hand twisted behind your back to grab the hilt of your weapon as your limbic system trying to trigger the part of your brain into into fight mode. She must’ve seen you reaching for it cause she released your wrist as if you’re skin burned her. She hugged her arms weekly one palm rubbing at her bicep. “Sorry… I’m not trying to kidnap you. I mean look at you,” she gestured at all of you, “I hardly doubt I’d even be a threat to you.” You loosened your hold on the sword and let your arm fall back to your side. “Look,” she said. “I was stood up. I’m not busy. So please let me at least give you something to wear.”

“Well,” your nose wrinkled in disgust at the overly sweet smell permeating your clothes. “I do hate wet clothes.” You shrugged. Her despondent aura quickly transformed into something much lighter and outgoing. Her smile nearly stretched from ear to ear, her pearly white teeth capable of brightening a cloudy sky, as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

“Okay, this way.” Without wasting another second, she resumed her quick pace through the crowd, this time with you close behind. As she led you she babbled on about how she’s from Kalm, and came to see the parade before she traveled to Costa Del Sol tomorrow for a new job. You nodded along as you took mental notes on noticeable landmarks to find your way back later. Your ears trained on any distressing sounds while half heartedly listening to this woman’s story.

You marveled at the size and clarity of the glass doors of whatever hotel she brought you too, stretching at least fifteen feet taller than you. Large glass windows were on either side of the door and you nearly gasped when you turned. In the center of the lobby surrounded by curved wooden benches sat a proud replica of the Sister Ray. The thing was enormous! Nearly the size of an actual tank, and you couldn’t help but wonder if it was a functioning model.

The young woman zig zagged through the lingering guests trying to check in. Once again, you quickly scanned for possible exits and dangers that may be lurking in the dim corners. Just because you weren’t a fugitive like your companions didn’t mean you were safe. Anyone could have seen you with them, and it only took one onlooker to put you in danger. Caution and contingency plans are essential.

You gripped onto one of the railings as the two of you set walked up the stairs. She told you about the guy she was suppose to meet. They had met at the gate of the city when they were waited to acquired a travel permit. They hit it off, and had a lot in common so thinking that that might have been the beginning of something she asked if he wanted to meet up later. He seemed to be on the same page and agreed telling her to meet him at the seaway. He never turned up. She waited a couple hours after the time they agreed on before she finally gave up and quite literally stumbled into you. She feet came to a stop in front of room 304 and she quickly produced a keycard and held it to the sensor before she pushed the door open, and pulled you in behind her with a ‘tada!’.

“I’m Riza, by the way.” She waved her hand towards the extravagant king size bed, a silent invitation to make yourself comfortable. You ran your hands along the smooth red silk as she trotted over to the closet. Your eyes skimmed along the beautifully detailed painting of the flora and fauna of Junon that used to grow around the area before moving on to the pristinely crafted golden sconces and wooden paneled walls. The place was certainly one of the higher tier hotels in the city. You could only imagine the small fortune one must have to stay here. “I hope a sundress is okay. I packed for the beach.” Riza called out to you from the other side of the closet doors.

“Anything is fine. I really appreciate it.” Riza stepped back and closed the door, returning with a lovely blue chiffon fabric folded over her forearm.

“I think this one will look amazing on you. Go try it on!” She practically shoved the material into your hands before you awkwardly shuffled into the bathroom just behind her. “Feel free to use the hairbrush, make up, or well anything!”

“Thank you!” You called over your shoulder before shutting the door with a click and locking the door behind you. You blew a lock of hair out of your face as you stared at your reflection. You looked like you’d just robbed a circus with the various colors staining your clothes.

Some purple and blue tones had dried on your face, and most of your hair had escaped the tight braid you had put it in. You reached behind you to pull the tie free only to discover that it was no longer there. It must've fallen off when you fell earlier. You sighed. You hoped Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith were faring better than you.

Fifteen minutes later you emerged from the bathroom in a simple pale blue off the shoulder sundress with sheer batwing sleeves that flowed till just above your elbows round the entire breast line which accented the are nicely making your s/c really glow. The high waist pinched just at the divot between your ribs and hips then the sheer material cascaded around your calves in a tent silhouette. The lining under the flowy fabric was short and fitted to your form and stopped mid thigh. You brushed out the snarls at the ends of your hair prior to tucking a few locks behind your ears. You normally didn’t let it free, being mid back length it often got in your way, but you'd manage for now. You clipped and fastened the leather strap of your equipment at the waist line and fidgeted with a skirt for a moment before speaking up. “It fits great. Are you sure this is okay? We probably won’t meet again so I won’t be able to return it.”

She did a lap around you to take in every detail of your appearance, her irises dragging from head to toe, before she leaned against a cabinet near the bed. “Girl, don’t worry about it. It looks WAY better on you than me. Though it’d be better without that bag and sword.” She pointed at your equipment that you had secured it to its proper place.

You ignored the statement, not one to forego safety for fashion. “Look, I hate to just change and run, but I do have somewhere to be.”

“No worries! Sorry again.”

You stuffed your wet clothes into your pack and slipped your socks and boots back on before saying your goodbyes. “It was nice to meet you Riza. Good luck on your new position, and enjoy the beach.” You reached to pull the door open before you paused and turned to address her one more time. “That guy, by the way, is an idiot. You’re a gorgeous girl and I don’t come across truly kind people anymore. Don't settle for someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

You opened the door and slipped back into the hallway before she could respond. Each footstep muffled against the carpeted halls as you weaved yourself back into the bustling streets.

*~*

Time was running out and you still hadn’t learned anything that might have given your group an edge. You spent another hour and a half soaking in the whispered rumors, but none knew anything of value. What you needed was to find a middle to high level employee off duty and relaxing, preferably a man so you could charm some info right out of him, but you would settle for anyone at this point. Now if you a valuable employee that had time to spare where would you kill time?

In the barracks you chatted with a nice drill sergeant that showed you some of the routines they planned to perform so maybe Cloud could use that to come up with a better one. You ran into a middle class manager that you learned was leaving for vacation tomorrow since the cruise ships weren’t leaving the harbor until tomorrow. So that really put a wrench in making a getaway plan. You did run into a rather interesting establishment that you swore that bald turk escaped into, but you weren’t granted access unless you shave your head. A bald bar? Really? Eventually you happened by a lounge that looked promising.

The le Sourie, the brick side of the building read. You admired the large purple flowers that decorated the floor to ceiling entrance. The were even more impressive when you realized they were real and well maintained. Definitely a costly expense in this region. Two men stood guard on either side of the tinted glass door, one broad and nearly six feet tall and the other more lanky and around five-two-the second holding a clipboard and scanning what you guessed was a list. You readied your permit, ready to show them and possibly flirt your way in when the second man eyed you up and down before nodding to the towering man who firmly grabbed the handle and pulled it open for you. You weren’t naive you knew you were conventionally attractive, but you were surprised that they were so willing to let any and all beautiful women pass through.

You were immediately bathed in a faint blue light as you walked in. You looked up briefly to see the flower shape light fixtures above you before following the walkway illuminated by more blue faintly glowing floor runners on each side of the deep dark wooden planks. It was a beautiful place: smooth and sleek features, both table and booth seating arrangements, the counter at the bar was up a platform. A TV was mounted on each wall so everyone could view the parade, or there were two or three private booths with a partition to make it feel secluded- VIP section you imagine. Most tables were occupied with patrons engaged in intimate conversations whereas the bar was mostly open.

You took a seat on one of the plush bar stools toward the end of the counter closest to a screen and signaled for the bartender. You gazed at the long list of assorted liquors and asked the woman for something sweet and would go down easy. You didn’t often partake in drinking. You preferred to stay sharp, usually only participating when you're accompanying a client or target. You tended to be looser, and you certainly made seducing a target easier if you arent attracted to them. Your eyes flicked to the screen while the server went to make your poison of choice. You were quickly uninterested as soon as you seen the reporter interviewing a foot soldier. Nothing of interest.

You turned your attention to the far wall, looking for the source of music you kept hearing, where they had a small group of musicians playing. You’ve always had a love for the piano and you played a bit yourself from time to time though that night with Cloud was the first time you played in a few years. Time truly did get away from you when you stayed so busy. The instruments all harmonized nicely with the clean notes of the piano to the smooth brassy tones of the sax. You were a bit surprised that they had a full drum set in such a compact space, but the musician played in a way that was soft and gave the piece a nice low beat.

You sipped at your drink and eyes slowly trailed back to the TV. The reporter was still interviewing the same soldiers about their upcoming performance. They were asking if the troop could share some of the moves they were going to do when the low timbre of someone familiar filtered through the speakers, and shot of excitement rippled down your spine. Your eyes were now glued to the screen above you looking for him. You nearly gave up, convinced you were hearing things, until the camera honed in on the newest soldier in the interview and those bold blue eyes stared back at you through the screen. You’d know those eyes anywhere. A breathy laugh emanated from your mouth as his signature features show through his clever disguise. He looked uncomfortable under the reporter’s attention and stumbled at her aggressive questioning.

“How do you plan to set your team from the rest?” She asked as she shoved the microphone to his face.

“We… Uh…” He snaked his hand behind his head to scratch at his neck, something you’ve come to notice he does when he’s nervous, but the hand fell back to his side when the tips felt the metal of the helmet. Curious that his was different than the rest if them.

“Whoa… Right!” An eager trooper beside him came forward. “I see what you mean, captain.” Oh… Captain? You smiled. That’s cute. “We can’t go spilling our secrets to anyone who asks- especially on camera!”

His flustered and stuttering nervousness changed into the more stern and brusk part of him that was familiar to you. Confident, like he’s done this many many times before. “Break time’s over, people. The parade’s about to begin. Follow me!”

All the troopers jumped to attention before yelling out “Sir!” and the whole group, Cloud included, rushed out of whatever building they had been in. The camera followed after them for a moment before the camera swiveled and then cut off all together and the station switched into some Shinra infomercial.

You shook your head. He always seemed to tell everyone to lay low and out of sight so why was it that he was always the one to somehow stand out the most? You knew they were going to join the parade, but you hadn’t expected to get himself promoted.

“What’s a cute girl like you, doing in a bar, all alone?” You turned to look at the man who slid into the stool next to you. His wild flaming red spikes tied in a low pony was the first thing to catch your eye. The looks looked soft to the touch the front of it pushed up out of his face by the pair of black goggles he wore along his hairline. Then it was his eyes. The turquoise orbs crackled with sparks of mischief that reminded you of a strikes of lightning on a stormy day. You didn’t miss the underlying fire that smoldered back at you just waiting for a chance to light you up.

You made a show of raking your eyes over his slanted brows and further down to his sharp straight nose. You let a small coy smile spread before bringing your bottom lip between your teeth as your eyes settled on his cocky smirk across one half of his mouth. His tidy black suit, if not a little unprofessional, was left open to reveal the toned muscle on his chest underneath. A turk, and one that hadn’t met you in the mines. You could work with this.

“Shouldn’t you be on duty today?” you asked as you turned in your chair to face him. You propped your elbow onto the bar, delicately set your chin into your palm, and crossed one leg over the other which cause the edge of your dress drag down to your thigh.

“Man, I wish.” He sprawled out on the chair with his upper body angled towards you. “Bosses got me on vacation instead of chasing bad guys.” he took a swig from his own drink before signally the bartender for another round.

“Ah, that’s too bad.” You said with faux sympathy. “Would’ve loved to see you in action.” your sultry tone felt foreign on your tongue. You polished off your own drink needing a boost of liquid courage to rid yourself of the get over the tension. You hadn’t needed to do this since you left Midgar, and the fact that it comes so easy to you was unsettling. He drug his chair closer to yours, the legs scratching against the floor, as the bartender brought over the next round. You acted surprised when they set a second one down in front of you too. “Oh, thank you.”

“Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be buying her own drinks. Names Reno.” He stood on the bottom rungs of the stool to look down the bar then returned to his seat. He leaned close enough to your ear that you could feel the hot breath fan over the appendage as he spoke. “And between you and me, I heard that terrorist group’s in town. ‘M pretty pissed not to be chasing after ’em.” You twirled a lock of hair around your index finger as you listened to every syllable he said every once in a while flicking your eyes down to his parted lips. He leaned back, but only a little. “But, don’t worry! I may be takin’ a breather but I’ll protect you.”

“I must be lucky.” You took another sip. “Tell me though, why are you spending your vacation in a bar? A man in your position must be able to go wherever.”

He put one arm on the bar right next to yours, the light skin contact making your skin crawl, and the other on one of the rungs of the stool behind you. You scootched to the edge of your seat just enough that he thought you were interested. Conveniently from this angle you could see all the way to his belt buckle, and you noted the bandages wrapped around his defined abs. So out on injury then. “Heading to Costa Del Sol tomorrow.”

You looked back up at him through your lashes, and tilted your head slightly. “Why not today?” You asked hoping he’d provide an alternative to the closed port.

“Coulda, but only the Shinra-8 is sailing today. I’m waiting for the Shinra-10. Private cabins.” He winked. “Sure could use some company.” The hand behind you coming up to smooth along the skin of your exposed thigh.

You let out a breathy sigh to mask the repulsion that coursed through you. Despite the urge to break his hand you returned the gesture by running your hand down the length of his arm in response. “Perhaps I’ll see you on the ship.” Your gaze flicked towards the door for a second, to search for thee streak that you caught in your peripheral, before quickly taking a second glance. The blood pounding in your ears droned out whatever Reno was saying as you looked the shadows outside the window. Even under that red dingy helmet you’d know Cloud Strife anywhere.

Your heart stopped, if only for a moment, when your hazy eyes met his. Unlike any other time he’s looked at you his harsh stare was molten, hardened, and angry. Maybe it was the two cocktails coursing through your blood or just the desire you kept locked away, but right then and there you wished it was him touching you right now. Your core throbbing at the mere idea of his bare hands sliding up your thigh and under your dress. How you wished for his skin to press against yours.

His expression was blank, guarded, but his hands clenched into fists at his sides. You didn’t want to turn your attention back to the Turk next to you, but you had a job to do. You only hoped he’d understand what he saw was a ruse, but you wouldn’t blame him if he was angry. You had just joined the group and now your practically in the lap of his enemy. You peered up at Reno through the fallen locks of your bangs, batting your lashes a few times to make you seem daft, before taking a long look at the palm on your thigh.

“What wrong, princess?” Of course he’d notice, he was a Turk after all. You learned enough you supposed.

“Nothing. I just saw the friend I was meeting.” You retreated from his hold and smoothed down your dress. You wanted to clear up the misunderstanding before the parade started. “Thank you so much for the drink, Reno, and hopefully, I’ll see you tomorrow.” You gave his arm one more lingering touch before you turned from him and sauntered towards the exit.

“Hey! What’s your name?” He called after you.

You offered no answer. Your only farewell was the wave over your shoulder as he was, without a doubt, watching you leave. Your hands trembled slightly in anticipation, but not nervous and more importantly not afraid as you set your sights on one man. Yeah, it’s definitely the alcohol.

*~*

Cloud was electrified the moment he saw you sitting there. He wasn’t even sure he was breathing. The world around him suddenly didn’t seem to matter as he shamelessly drank you in. It never occurred to him that you could look so delicate, so lady-like, after reveling in the way you struck down fiend after fiend without hesitation. The smooth skin of your shoulders captivated him, and his heart nearly burst through his chest as his eyes dipped lower down your chest. Heat surged through him as all the blood once again rushed to his dick. One smooth leg, all the way up to your thigh, on display through the slit of this new sundress. He barely registered the was the pale blue of the dress complemented your skin tone.

Then he realized exactly what he was watching. It was like someone poured ice water down his back in the middle of summer and lit a fire hotter than Ifrit’s flame deep in his belly. He jaw clenched together as he ground his teeth almost painfully as that asshole touched you so brazenly the way he should be touching you. He was really pissed he hadn’t killed him back in Midgar.

However, it was the way your hand trailed down his bicep and settled gently against his forearm, that turned the rage into nausea. The taste of bile on his tongue growing sharper as your lashes fluttered as he talked to you. His hands clench at the way you laughed at whatever ridiculous thing he said. The whole encounter set of a cocktail of emotions in the pit of his stomach that Cloud didn’t have the tools to deal with so instead he focused on the blood lust that clouded his brain. His posture became rigid as he tried to keep himself on this side of the glass as Reno leaned into you, the gap between the two of you becoming way to slim for his liking.

Part of him knew there must be a logical explanation; you didn’t seem like the type to go finding guys in bars let alone that fucker. He wanted to look away, but he was physically unable to tear his eyes away. He wished to be anywhere but here. Maybe the Gods took pity on him, or maybe you had a sixth sense that told you when he stared at you for to long because the moment your eyes met his across the building and through the glass Cloud couldn’t breathe.

His heart pounded relentlessly against his ribcage at the prospect of being caught, and for a moment the only thing he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears. He couldn't grasp the initial plea your eyes conveyed, but moments after they lit up in recognition before glazing over in a heated stare. The heat returned between his legs like molten lava. His entire body lurched forward towards you, wanting nothing than to be slotted between your thighs, before he caught himself, and when you finally looked away he hightailed it out of there.

What the hell was that? He hadn’t done anything wrong so why the hell did he feel guilty? He fucking knew why he just didn't want to acknowledge the hardness between his legs that twitched to life under your sweltering e/c orbs like some kind of closet pervert. A tiny part of him, perhaps the debauchee that kept surfacing, swelled with a pinch of pride and a dash of smugness. You hadn’t looked at Reno like that.

He stomped down the stairs to the main road where he left Tifa and Aerith behind. He chose to ignore their inquiries, instead he stalked across the road to put as much distance between you and him as possible. He was ready to get this shit over with.

He nearly made it to the troops of Midgar’s Seventh Infantry before he heard his name echo above the useless chatter of the far too crowded street. He thinks that he’d always hear your voice calling out to him no matter the distance much like Aerith could hear the Planet. His feet faltered for a moment as he debated if he was going to ignore you or not, but he just didn’t have it in him to walk away from you.

He stopped and glanced over his shoulder and sure as shit there you were chasing after him with your skirt clenched in one hand to keep yourself from tripping over it as you ran after him.

“Told you it involved her.” Aerith said under her breath, his enhanced hearing picking it up despite her efforts to keep quiet.

“Guess I owe you.” Tifa replied.

“Shut up.” He snapped. He stalked towards you to meet you in the middle, leaving the two gossiping girls at the edge of the road.

“Hey.” You took in a few deep breaths. “Nice uniform, captain.”

He groaned. He had somehow forgotten that detail in the last past few minutes. “How’d you-”

“I seen your interview. You play the part well. And you two-” you peered around him. “Look fantastic.”

His eyes narrowed as he studied you as you appeared to be normal not like you had just shared- well whatever that was. “You’re one to talk, y/n.” Aerith said.

“Really, y/n, you look stunning.” Tifa chimed in. He thought so too. He suddenly felt shy with you next to him like this.

“Yeah, well long, story. Anyway, after you the parade find the Shinra-8. It’s the only boat leaving port today, and it leaves soon after the event. It’s the perfect getaway.”

“Got it!” Aerith said. The girls looked towards the main drag when the rest of the squadron all called out for their captain as they finally spotted Cloud’s helmet in the crowd. “Oh! They’re coming this way!”

You looked up at him with those big shining eyes of yours, “Out of time it looks like.”

“We’ll go stall.” Tifa said with a wink before Aerith grabbed her arm and dragged Tifa along with her as she went to distract the incoming hoards of men.

“Uh, thanks.” He said lamely as he scratched at the hairs along his nape.

“The turks know you’re here.” So you did know who Reno was. The residual flickers of fire in his gut subsided when he understood the nature of your encounter. “So be careful, okay?”

“No promises.”

The corner of your mouth quirked upwards, as you peered up at him through your lashes. The strands behind your ears fell around your jawline before you tucked it away once more. His pulse thumped rhymically in his throat as the silence stretched between you. Should he say anything? Should he ask you about what happened? You chewed on your lower lip, perhaps in the same internal battle as him, as the two of you just looked at one another before your eyes settled on his neckline.

You hands reach out for him. Your fingers moving slowly towards his collar pausing to give him time to back away if he so desired. Every instinct told him do so, but there was an ache in the hollow gut that yearned for your touch. He nearly flinched as the tips of your fingers ghosted along his neck, but forced his body to relax under the warm pads of your fingertips. It was brief, no longer than a second or two while you straightened the collar of his uniform, but it was enough for an army of goosebumps to erupt across his sensitive flesh. “Good luck out there. I’ll be watching.”

He swallowed thickly around the thump that formed in the back of his throat and nodded dumbly in confirmation. You smoothed your hands down his shoulders and onto his upper chest before withdrawing from him completely. You jutted your thumb behind you to signal your departure as you stepped backwards into the crowd once again. He heaved in relief when he watched your figured trailing away from the bar.

“You’re right, Aerith. He’s totally in love with her.” He groaned. Just what he needed; another thorn in his side to poke, prodd, and tease.

“Let’s go.” He redirected. “We have a parade to win.”

[skylarmoon71]

Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Oneshot

Books are the language he spoke.

For Leo, he’d always gravitated towards them. That’s how they’d pass time when he was growing up. Splinter taught them the importance of knowledge. They were all gifted in their own way, and it was thanks to the many readings they’d indulged in. Although as they got older, Raph preferred punching bags, Donnie liked computers and Mikey could get lost in his video games for hours. Leo still appreciated the mystery that came with each and every book he touched. That’s why when he met someone just as invested as he was, it felt nice.

You just loved books.

Of course you hated school, like most. There was a big difference between finding a good book, and being forced to read some boring text on how screwed up history was.

Despite that, you took pleasure in reading. Leo remembered you educating him on a particular one that was pretty special to him. He lost count on how many times he’d read it.

“Hey, is that Kuno’s sword?”

Leo looked pleasantly surprised that you’d recognize not just the text, but the Japanese translation on the display cover.

“It is, have you read it?”

“Sure have.” You jumped over the back of the couch, landing right next to him with a grin.

“I read it my freshman year of high school. Did you know the story is a love letter?” Leo is completely invested now. You shift closer.

“But it’s a manual on martial arts. How could it be a love letter?”

“Well, the author was an upcoming writer in his hometown. He fell in love with a priestess. They met at a mixed martial arts school. She was teaching the class, and he was writing a paper for his university assignment.”

Leo’s eyes are filled with wonder. Then he re-reads an earlier sentence that he’d been stuck on. In the past he’d assume that some of the errors he’d spotted were due to a misprinted typo. Possibly a rip off of the original book. They didn’t exactly have the best access to exclusive items. Now that he’s looking at it, some of the words go together. His eyes shift through the pages before hurriedly, and you laugh.

“You just noticed the hidden text.”

Leo is in awe.

“This is incredible..”

You nod, reciting the current page as you point them out.

“Fierce like a sword.”

Each area that your finger lands, Leo takes in the text.

“Every bit of this was a gift he made for her. Truth is he wanted to marry this woman, but her father didn’t approve. He was a novice writer, and Kuno’s father wanted her to be with someone strong who could protect her. Provide for her. But they were in love, so Kuno ran away with him, despite her father’s opinion. They were married a few years later. Kuno and her lover had two boys who ironically became national champions in Judo. The author was well known for his insightful perspective of the art of fighting. His book teaches discipline, control, love and courage. It’s an inspiration that demonstrates fighting for what you care about.”

He couldn’t have phrased it any better. This was the first book Splinter had given to him. He always wondered why he liked it so much. There were life lessons embedded in the book he had never truly noticed until now.

“How did you figure it out?” Leo can’t help but ask.

You’re smiling proudly.

“Well the first time I read it, I kept seeing the errors. I thought I just bought a bootleg version, so I reviewed the original online. When I put them together I started to see the little notes in between, so I researched the author. I was surprised it took me so long, I’m a sucker for romance. It just made me love it more. Writers have a way of putting a bit of truth in whatever they write. Whether it be fiction, fantasy or comedy. Our desires are easy to spot in the words we write. As a striving writer myself I know first hand."

You always looked so passionate when you talk about books.

"Writing is how we speak to the people around us. It’s our own personal love letters.”

That’s what you’d said to him that day.

Leo had seen a few of the pieces you wrote. You were great at poems, and short stories. Most were action packed, or fantasy driven. You were never shy to display them. That’s why he’d found it strange that for the last couple days, you were being a bit secretive. He caught you a few times typing away, but when he brought up the topic, you’d hastily close your laptop and change the subject. At first, he brushed it off. Maybe you just weren’t ready for anyone to read it.

One particular evening he was in the dojo practicing with his brothers. You were at the side with your back to the wall as you threw words to make them smile every now and then, typing away on your ipad. Training continued for another couple hours until everyone called it quits. Raph and Donnie were arguing about who should get the last juice box. You’d raced Mikey to the fridge to snag a few poptarts.

Leo stayed behind to meditate. At least he tried. Five minutes in and he heard a ding. His eyes popped open, and he saw the glowing of your ipad screen. He tilted his head. You never went anywhere without it. Leo smiled, standing.

“If I want to get anything done, this needs to go.”

He’d gotten used to the insistent ring of notifications. Who knows how many more would go off. Moving to the wall, he picked up the device.

“(Y/N), you forgot your ipad.” He called. There wasn’t a response, so he moved to head around the corner, but the words printed on the open document caught his eyes. He couldn’t help himself. He knew it was intrusive to snoop, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. His eyes ran over the screen.

“Lee’s arms were strong, he lifted her so effortlessly off the floor. Every look he’d sent was like an impulse he couldn’t stop. Despite being a warrior trained by his father to protect his brothers, he deserved love. The two swords he carried around were like the guard he needed. But she saw through it.”

This felt fairly familiar.

“Every time she saw him, her heart would give a healthy thump. Those sapphire gems that always pierced her heart. He was everything she wanted in a man. Strong, smart, honorable, kind. He’d laid his life down for the people of the village. Fighting alongside his brothers, Rain, Dion, and Mike.”

Wait a second..he was definitely spotting a pattern.

Leo scrolled forward, accidentally moving to the next page.

“She’d known for a long time how she loved him. Possibly from the very first day that he’d saved her from drowning in that river.”

The river..

“Leo did you hear what I said, Mikey’s going to eat all the pop tarts if you don’t hurry.” You skated around the corner with joyful laughter. All of that seemed to halt when you saw him. Leo’s gaze lifted, and when you saw the item in his hand, your heart dropped. You snatched the ipad out of his hand viciously.

“W-Why would you go through my stuff!” You sent him an accusing look, and Leo stammered.

“I-I didn’t mean to, I was just bringing it to you but I..” He wasn’t sure what to ask first. All the questions ran right out of his head when he saw the way your eyes began to well up with tears. You pulled your bag from the floor, shoving your ipad in as you stormed off.

“(Y/N) wait I’m-”

“Leave me alone!!!” You disappeared around the corner.

Leo wanted nothing more than to chase after you. But the judgy looks of his brothers made him halt.

“Whatcha do this time fearless?” Raph asked mockingly.

“I didn’t do anything, I was just..” How could he explain that? He just sighed, turning around as he headed for his room. You may have had a head start on him, but he wasn’t going to let this hang in the air. He grabbed his swords, heading after you.

~~

You’d jumped into the first taxi you saw when you got to the surface. When you were back in the safe confines of your apartment, you deflated, dropping your bag on the couch.

“I can’t believe he saw!”

You’d been so good at hiding it.

“Darn online blog.”

This was all their fault. In the article it said that finding alternative outlets would help. You figured that if you could never voice your feelings for Leo, then you’d do what you did best. You portray it in a story. A safe, healthy way of embracing your creativity and dealing with the conflict. You run a hand over your face as you move to your bedroom, shutting the door behind you. You were pacing in the room.

How could you face him after this? Leo was smart, so of course he must have figured it out. You did use different names though. So maybe you were in the clear.

“That’s right, he might not have figured it out. I freaked out for nothing.”

“I’m not an idiot, you know.” You screeched, and Leo couldn’t help but chuckle as he jumped through the window, closing it upon entrance.

“W-What kind of psycho sits silently in a girl’s bedroom window!!? “

“You should be grateful it’s just me. How many times have I told you to be more careful? You shouldn’t leave your window open.”

Classic Leo giving you lectures on safety.

“I’m pretty sure no one is that committed to climbing up ten stories just to attack me.”

“You can never be too sure.”

You almost forgot about the whole ordeal, but it creeped back up, and you suddenly felt painfully vulnerable.

“It’s rude to snoop through people’s things.” You were upset. Because he invaded your privacy.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to. I fully intended to bring it to you. But then I saw the text and I couldn’t stop myself. It’s not an excuse. But I need you to know that I would never intentionally go through your personal belongings.” You knew that. This whole situation was just too embarrassing.

“Regardless of what happened, (Y/N) I need to know. Was that story..about me?”

The very question you were hoping to avoid.

Tugging at your shirt, you look away. No reply is given, but you can feel Leo’s eyes on you. He takes a step forward, and you take one back.

“I’m sorry..”

A tentative whisper. You won’t look at him.

“I never wanted you to find out. I thought if I wrote down how I felt and invented characters to play out the love that I wanted it would be easier to face you everyday and pretend that..that I didn’t have feelings for you.”

He realizes that this was not supposed to be discovered.

“Our own personal love letters, right.” He whispers. You look up, and Leo inches closer. Every step is taken cautiously.

“All this time you’ve been in love with me?”

Your lips quiver.

“I’m sorry.”

Leo shakes his head, gently tilting your chin up.

“Stop apologizing."

When his lips meet your own, you feel your heart soar. Your brows knit in confusion, and you reach out, hands pressing to his chest. You aren’t really sure what’s going on. This is crazy. Did you bump your head on the way in and now you’re playing out this fantasy. Leo’s hand moves your waist and he pulls you in closer. You let out a soft hum, hands balling into fists. Leo grins against your lips. It’s clear that this has taken you by surprise. He pulls back for a second, licking his lips, and you’re adorably dazed.

“I guess I should have been honest too. It’s not always easy for me to be honest about how I feel. But I love talking to you. Comparing. Making discoveries on hidden text in good books. So don’t you ever apologize for how you feel.”

Even if your feelings had been one-sided, there was no way he would shun you for it. You see that now. It was just a bit nerve wracking feeling so much without knowing.

“You’re like a real life prince Leo..”

It’s a little mumble, and he chuckles. Even you couldn’t write a character this good.

“Since I’m a prince, I guess that makes you the princess.” You squeak when he leans down, picking you up. He begins moving to the window.

“W-Where are we going?”

“Not sure, but we’ll figure it out.”

He just looks at you with those pretty blue eyes. At that moment you know there’s nowhere you wouldn’t go with him. So you smile, leaning your head on his chest as you enjoy the ride.

[achillean-archives]

Miike Snow - Genghis Khan

[appledressing]

all the feeellliiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnggggggggggsssssssssss!!!

PLEASE!!!

they made me cry they made me laugh they made me cringe AND also wish…

Finding Home Again: Part One

Summary: Y/N meets Spencer Reid when she is 11-years-old, her older brother, Adam, is his classmate and friend. They reconnect at Adam's wedding.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!reader

Category: fluff, angst, one bed trope

Warnings/Includes: mild bullying, name calling, bisexual spencer reid (it's canon to me), wedding activities, swimming in underwear, alcohol consumption, reader wears a dress, suggestive content (16+), commitment issues, emotionally unavailable parents, bad relationship with parents, confrontation

Word count: 12.4k

a/n: part two is here!!

main masterlist

Spencer Reid was a terrified 8-year-old freshman in high school. As he navigated the crowded hallways, his small frame was easily overlooked, but his presence still drew strange looks and whispered comments. He felt extremely uncomfortable and out of place, his heart pounding with every step. By the end of the day, he still hadn't had a single student offer any help or kindness to him. 

His last class of the day was Algebra 2, and he felt a flicker of hope. Math had always been his sanctuary, a place where numbers and equations made sense when nothing else did. When he walked into the classroom, he noticed that there was assigned seating. Relief washed over him; at least he wouldn't have to struggle to find somewhere to sit.

As everyone got settled in, Spencer found his assigned seat next to a tall, friendly-looking boy. Before he had a chance to take out his notebook, the boy turned to him and smiled warmly.

"I'm Adam," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.

Spencer looked at the hand and then back up at Adam, feeling a wave of anxiety. "Hi, I'm Spencer, and I don't shake hands," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Adam laughed, not in a mean way, but with genuine amusement. "Hi, Spencer who doesn't shake hands. It's nice to meet you."

Spencer felt a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth. For the first time that day, he felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, high school wouldn't be so bad after all.

— 

Y/N had spent the past few years immersed in the bustling streets and rich culture of Paris, attending a prestigious boarding school that promised to refine her language skills and broaden her horizons. Yet, despite the allure of the City of Light, she often felt the sting of loneliness, her parents' distance echoing even across the ocean. Now, at age 11, she was returning home a month earlier than the American school year ended, her heart a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.

As the chauffeur-driven car pulled up to the grand but cold mansion in the suburbs of Las Vegas, Y/N's heart sank. She had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that her parents would be there to greet her. Instead, the familiar figure of their chauffeur, Robert, was the one to open the car door.

"Welcome home, Miss Y/N," he said with a polite smile.

She forced a smile in return, hiding her disappointment. "Thank you, Robert."

Dragging her feet along the paved path, she entered the house, its opulence doing little to warm the cold emptiness she felt. She made her way to the living room, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of home, but instead, she was met with the unexpected sight of her brother, Adam, and a group of his friends, hunched over textbooks and notebooks.

"Hey, Y/N!" Adam greeted her with a grin, looking up from his textbook. "Welcome back!"

"Hi," she replied, her voice flat. She was too tired and too upset to muster any enthusiasm. Her eyes scanned the room, seeing the familiar faces of her brother's friends that she’d seen in pictures he’d sent. When her eyes finally landed on a boy who was clearly much younger than the rest, with tousled brown hair and a slightly awkward demeanor. He looked up, meeting her gaze with a mixture of curiosity and shyness.

“Who are you?” Y/N hadn’t meant to be rude, she was just slightly shocked to see someone her own age among the older boys.

"This is Spencer," Adam introduced, gesturing to the boy. "Spencer, this is my sister, Y/N. She just got back from Paris."

"Hi," Spencer said softly, offering a small, tentative smile.

"Hi," Y/N replied, her frustration momentarily forgotten as she took in the boy who seemed as out of place in their luxurious home as she felt. "Nice to meet you."

"Sorry we're invading the living room," Adam said, noticing her weariness. "We're just cramming for finals. Spencer here is a genius when it comes to math and science, so he's been helping us out."

Y/N nodded, her exhaustion catching up with her. "It's fine. I just need to rest, so please, no screaming about fractions."

She turned to head upstairs, her feet thudding against each step as she climbed. She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy towards the study group, wishing she had that kind of camaraderie during her time in Paris. They didn’t take well to American’s, no matter how long she was there nor how fluent she spoke. But more than anything, she wished her parents had cared enough to be there when she came home.

—

The summer before his senior year stretched out long and hot, with the air thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and the hum of cicadas. Adam, now balancing a job cleaning pools and the pressures of preparing for SATs, ACTs, and college applications, found his days filled to the brim. He wasn't working for the money; his parents' wealth ensured he never had to worry about that. But he wanted to break free from the golden cage, to carve out a future where he wasn’t reliant on his parents.

Y/N watched from the sidelines as her brother’s schedule became increasingly packed. She missed the days when they would goof around together, but understood that Adam had his own life to lead. Meanwhile, Spencer Reid found himself spending more and more time with Adam. Spencer wasn't old enough to work yet, but his days were equally busy with preparations for the same academic hurdles.

One hot afternoon, Adam and Spencer were sitting on the back porch, textbooks and notes spread out between them. Adam was explaining a particularly tricky math problem, his hair falling into his eyes as he spoke. Spencer listened intently, his eyes occasionally flicking up to Adam's face, a subtle admiration in his gaze.

"Got it?" Adam asked, looking over at Spencer with a friendly smile.

Spencer nodded, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Yeah, thanks. You're really good at explaining things."

Adam laughed lightly, clapping Spencer on the back. "No problem, buddy. We make a good team, huh?"

Spencer's heart skipped a beat at the casual touch, his mind racing with unspoken feelings. "Yeah, we do."

Their interactions were always like this—simple, friendly, but with an undercurrent of something more for Spencer. He couldn't help the crush that had developed, even though he knew it was impossible. Adam was older, focused on his future, and saw Spencer as a friend, maybe even a little brother.

One day, as they were packing up their study materials, Adam glanced over at Spencer. "Hey, thanks for helping me stay on track this summer. I know I’ve been busy, but it’s been cool hanging out with you."

Spencer smiled, the words warming his heart. "It's been cool for me too. I’ve learned a lot."

"You're gonna ace those tests, no doubt," Adam said with a confident grin. "And who knows, maybe we'll end up at the same college."

Spencer's eyes lit up at the thought, but he quickly tempered his excitement, not wanting to seem too eager. "Yeah, that would be great."

As Adam slung his bag over his shoulder and headed inside, Spencer lingered on the porch for a moment, watching him go. He knew his feelings for Adam would likely never be reciprocated, but he cherished these moments of closeness, however fleeting they might be.

Y/N observed all this from her bedroom window, a quiet observer to the crush Spencer clearly had on her older brother. She felt the green monster of jealousy coil up inside of her. Why doesn’t Spencer look at her like that? Is she not as smart as Adam? Not as funny? Maybe he only likes older people.

One particularly warm day, Spencer was over to help Adam revise an application essay. They were hanging out by the pool, both to Spencer's excitement and frustration. He didn't want to take his shirt off in front of Adam; he was so scrawny compared to the man Adam was becoming. He didn't even have hair under his arms yet! Spencer found himself getting worked up over the muscle Adam had put on while cleaning pools, feeling increasingly self-conscious.

"Hey, I'm going to grab some lemonade," Spencer said, trying to keep his voice steady as he got up from his lounge chair.

Adam looked up from his notes and nodded. "Sure thing, grab some for me too, will ya?"

Spencer nodded and walked briskly into the house, his thoughts a whirl of admiration and insecurity. As he poured himself a glass of lemonade, having kindly turned down the offer from one of the kitchen staff to do it for him, Y/N walked into the kitchen in a swimsuit. She knew what she was doing; she wanted to see if Spencer would look at her like he did her brother.

"Hi, Spencer," she greeted, her voice casual but her eyes searching.

Spencer almost dropped the pitcher, startled by her sudden appearance. "H-hi, Y/N..."

"How’s it going? Is it hot out there?" she asked, leaning against the counter with an air of nonchalance.

"Mhm, it's hot and, uh, yeah, good. You?" Spencer stammered, trying to keep his eyes on her face and not let them wander. Stupid hormones.

"I'm good, bored. Think I'm gonna go for a swim," Y/N replied, giving him a pointed look.

Spencer swallowed hard, feeling his face heat up. "Oh, cool. Swimming sounds nice."

Y/N nodded. "You should join me sometime. It’s a good way to cool off, especially on days like this."

"I, uh, maybe," Spencer managed, his voice cracking slightly.

She smiled at him. "Well, I'll be out there if you change your mind."

With that, she turned and walked out towards the pool, leaving Spencer standing there, his heart racing. He couldn't help but feel a confusing mix of emotions. He liked Y/N; she was kind and funny in her own way. But his feelings for Adam were something different, something he couldn't quite understand or control.

As he walked back outside with the lemonade, he caught sight of Y/N cannonballing into the pool. Adam looked up and waved Spencer over, oblivious to the tension Spencer was feeling.

"Thanks, man," Adam said, taking the glass from Spencer. "You should take a dip too. Y/N's got the right idea; it's a great way to beat the heat."

Spencer nodded, trying to smile. "Maybe later."

He sat back down, trying to focus on the essay in front of him, but his mind kept wandering. He glanced over at Y/N, who was swimming leisurely, and then at Adam, who was scribbling notes in the margin of his paper. Spencer felt like he was caught in the middle of something he didn't quite understand, struggling to find his place in the dynamics of this family that had become so important to him.

—

The day of Adam's graduation was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. Adam, ever the unexpected, had committed to Florida State, a decision that had shocked and horrified many. Spencer could hardly believe it when he heard the news. Florida State, a school notorious for its party culture, seemed an odd choice for someone who had always been so focused on academics. But Adam was a party boy through and through, and now, with the immense college fund his parents had set up for him, he had the freedom to choose his own path.

That night, Adam's family mansion was abuzz with a grand celebration party. The opulent rooms were filled with friends, family, and well-wishers, all toasting to Adam's future. Spencer, though trying to be happy for his friend, felt a gnawing sense of sadness and anxiety. Graduating at only 12-years-old and moving away to college meant leaving behind the only family that had ever felt like his.

As the party continued, Spencer found himself feeling more and more overwhelmed. Seeking solace, he looked around for Y/N. He found her standing by the grand staircase, looking as though she was taking a brief respite from the festivities.

"Y/N," he called softly, and she turned to him, her eyes filled with concern at his slightly panicked appearance.

"Hey, Spencer," she said gently, sensing his turmoil. "Do you want to go outside?"

Spencer nodded, grateful for her intuition. She led him out of the mansion and into the expansive garden. The night air was cool and soothing, and the garden was a haven of tranquility away from the noise of the party. They walked in silence for a while, the stars twinkling above them like scattered diamonds.

Y/N finally stopped at a secluded spot, a bench under a large oak tree. She sat down and patted the space next to her. Spencer joined her, taking a deep breath as he looked up at the sky.

"I can't believe he's going to Florida State," Spencer said, his voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of sadness.

Y/N nodded. "Yeah, it's a surprise, but it's his choice. He’s an adult now."

Spencer sighed. "I know. It's just... I'm going to miss him. And you. This place feels like home, and now I'm leaving."

Y/N placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll miss you too, Spencer. But you'll do amazing things, I know it. You've always been great."

He looked at her, his eyes searching hers for reassurance. "It's just... scary, you know? Moving away, being on my own. What if I don't fit in?"

Y/N smiled warmly. "You will. You always do."

They sat in comfortable silence, gazing up at the stars. The night was calm, the garden a peaceful contrast to the lively celebration inside. Spencer felt a sense of peace wash over him, comforted by Y/N's presence and her words.

"Thank you," he said softly, looking over at her. "For being here. For understanding."

Y/N squeezed his shoulder gently. "I’ll always be here for you, Spencer."

As they sat together, the weight of the impending changes felt a little lighter. The stars above seemed to shine a bit brighter, and for the first time that night, Spencer felt a glimmer of hope for the future.

—

24 years old now, Spencer Reid hadn't thought about Adam in years, but when the invitation arrived in the mail, it brought back a flood of memories. He held the ornate envelope in his hands, his heart pounding with a mix of nostalgia and nerves. The invitation was to Adam's wedding, an event that promised to reunite old friends and acquaintances. Spencer couldn't help but feel a sense of obligation to attend. Adam had always been kind to him during those tumultuous high school years.

Despite his apprehension, Spencer decided to go. He meticulously planned his trip, ensuring he had everything he needed to make a good impression. The journey to the wedding venue in Napa Valley, California was a blur of anxious thoughts and memories of the past. As he arrived at the grand hotel where the event was being held, he felt a knot of nerves tightening in his stomach.

Meanwhile, Y/N was also preparing for the wedding. She couldn't help but feel excitement and trepidation at the thought of seeing Spencer again, Adam informed her that he had RSVP’d yes. She had always harbored a silly little crush on him, one that had persisted through the years despite their long separation. The idea of seeing him again, older and perhaps changed, was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

The wedding weekend began with a flurry of activities. The hotel was abuzz with guests arriving, mingling, and catching up. Spencer found himself lost in the crowd, his nerves making it difficult to relax. As he checked in at the front desk, the receptionist handed him a key card with a polite smile.

"Here you go, Dr. Reid. Room 212," she said.

Spencer thanked her and made his way to the elevator, his mind racing with thoughts of what the weekend could entail. He arrived at the door to his room and swiped the key card. As he pushed the door open, he was met with an unexpected sight.

Y/N was standing in the middle of the room, her back to him as she attempted to pull up the zipper of her dress. Upon hearing the door open, she spun around with a scream, holding the dress to her chest.

“What the fuck!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.

“I’m so sorry!” Spencer stammered, equally startled.

“Spencer?” she said, her expression shifting from surprise to recognition.

“Y/N?” he replied, still trying to process what was happening.

“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded, still clutching the dress to her chest.

“I don’t know, this is the room I was told I'm staying in. My key opened the door…” he explained, holding up the key card as if it could somehow explain everything.

“Shit. Okay. Something must have gotten messed up. I'll check it out as soon as I'm dressed,” Y/N said, her tone calming slightly.

“Okay. Yeah. I’ll just leave you be,” Spencer said, starting to back out of the room.

“Actually… Spencer, could you help me with the zipper?” Y/N asked, her voice softer and a bit embarrassed.

Spencer paused, his face flushing. “Uh, sure. Of course.”

He stepped back into the room, closing the door behind him. Y/N turned around, holding her hair up to give him access to the zipper. His hands trembled slightly as he grasped the zipper, carefully pulling it up the back of her dress.

“Thank you,” she said softly once he had finished.

“No problem,” Spencer replied, stepping back and trying to keep his eyes respectfully averted.

She sighed, shaking her head. “Well, let’s go sort this out. Maybe the front desk can figure out what happened.”

As they left the room together, Spencer couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of awkwardness and nostalgia. Despite the initial shock, there was something oddly comforting about being in Y/N’s presence again. 

—

"So you're saying every single room in the entire hotel is booked? How is that even possible?” Y/N asked, her frustration evident.

“Well, miss, your wedding party is not the only group staying here. It is a very popular vineyard, especially at this time of year,” the receptionist explained calmly.

“So what you’re saying is we have to share this room?” Y/N pressed, trying to find a solution.

“You could stay with someone else, but yes, there are no more rooms available,” the receptionist confirmed.

Y/N sighed deeply, rubbing between her brows. “Okay. Thank you.”

Spencer and Y/N walked away from the desk, both trying to process the situation. Spencer broke the silence with a lighthearted joke. “Hopefully this is the worst thing that will happen this weekend.”

Y/N looked at him, a mix of apology and stress in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Spencer. I didn’t mean to make you think I’d hate to share a room with you… it’s just, this weekend is already going to be stressful.”

“Hey, no, I’m sorry for teasing. It’s okay. It will be like the sleepovers we had as kids,” Spencer said, trying to reassure her.

“You mean where you and Adam slept in the game room and I stayed as far away as possible?” Y/N responded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

“Exactly,” Spencer bubbled with laughter, the tension between them easing a bit.

They made their way back to their shared room, Spencer couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic, thinking back to those simpler times. Y/N, too, found herself feeling a bit more at ease, her initial worries about the weekend beginning to fade. 

—

Once they were back in the room, Y/N looked over at Spencer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I was going to pretend to be courteous and ask what side of the bed you prefer… but I have to sleep next to the window,” she announced, a playful smile on her lips.

“Oh, well, thank you for almost considering my feelings!” Spencer laughed, his tension easing. “I don’t mind either way, but if you snore half as bad as your brother, I’m putting a pillow over your face.”

“Oh my god, that man could cut down trees with that chainsaw he keeps in his mouth!” Y/N exclaimed, her laughter filling the room.

They shared some giggles, the awkwardness between them dissolving into familiarity and warmth.

“It’s really nice to see you, Spencer,” Y/N said sincerely, her eyes softening as she looked at him.

“You too, Y/N. You look so grown up,” Spencer replied, noting the elegance and maturity in her appearance.

“Well, 12 years will do that to someone,” she said with a chuckle, her gaze lingering on him.

“Not me, I still look the same,” Spencer said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

“Yeah,” Y/N tilted her head to the side, studying his face. “You really haven’t changed at all.”

“Okay, easy now,” Spencer protested lightly, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

“Did you ever grow armpit hair?” she teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Hey!” Spencer exclaimed, trying to defend his dignity.

“Oh, come on, Spencer! Show me!” Y/N teased further, taking a playful step towards him.

“No, Y/N. Hey, get away from me!” Spencer laughed as Y/N chased him around the room, her determination to see his armpits turning into a playful game.

With a burst of energy, Y/N ended up tackling him to the bed, sitting successfully on his stomach. “Give it up, Spencer, I win.”

“Nope!” he yelled triumphantly before using all his strength to flip her, pinning her down and tickling her.

Y/N cackled and shouted, “Uncle! Uncle!” between fits of laughter.

When Spencer finally pulled back, they both noticed the precarious position they were in. Spencer was between Y/N’s thighs with his hands by her head, both of them panting in each other’s mouths. The laughter faded as they locked eyes, the weight of the years apart and the sudden closeness creating a charged moment.

“I need to get ready for the rehearsal dinner,” Y/N whispered.

Spencer took the cue and got off of Y/N and the bed. “Mhm, yup. Me too.”

“Um, I showered when I got here. So, uh, I’ll just go get ready in the bridal suite. You can have the room,” Y/N said as she gathered the things she would need to get ready.

“Y/N… you don’t have to leave, I’m sorry.”

“What? Nothing to be sorry about. Just giving you your privacy. See you later, Spencer.”

“Yeah, see—” but she had already shut the door behind her. 

Spencer ran his hands over his face, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. What had he been thinking? The sudden intimacy had caught him off guard, and now he felt a pang of regret for how awkward things had become. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and began preparing for the rehearsal dinner, hoping the rest of the evening would go more smoothly.

— 

Y/N was not a bridesmaid, but she was fine with that. She wasn't all that interested in the responsibilities and duties that came with it anyway. She was still very close with her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Elizabeth, and it was no problem for her to get ready in the bridal suite. Once she explained the mix-up with the rooms, Elizabeth was extremely apologetic and understanding.

At the rehearsal dinner, Y/N’s seat was, of course, next to Spencer’s. He had arrived before her, which meant she spotted the back of his head before she sat down, giving her time to make a run for the open bar before making her way to the table.

As she sat down, Spencer looked over and his breath caught at the sight of her. Y/N looked absolutely radiant in her rehearsal dinner attire. The outfit suited her perfectly, complementing all of her assets and making her eyes shine. Maybe he had been silly to waste all those years alongside her chasing after her brother when she was right there. Although, he figured it probably would have been difficult to maintain a long-distance relationship at 12 while he was in university.

“Hey,” Y/N greeted him, her smile warm and genuine.

“Hi,” Spencer replied, still a bit breathless. “You look... amazing.”

“Thanks,” she said, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

Spencer chuckled, feeling more at ease. “Thanks. It’s nice to be here. I mean, it’s been so long.”

“Yeah, it has,” Y/N agreed, taking a sip of her drink. “It’s crazy how time flies.”

As they settled into conversation, the initial awkwardness from earlier seemed to dissipate. They talked about their lives, their work, and the memories from their youth, finding common ground and shared experiences. The laughter and joyfulness that had once defined their friendship began to resurface, making the evening feel less like a reunion of strangers and more like a gathering of old friends.

Throughout the dinner, Spencer couldn’t help but steal glances at Y/N, marveling at how she had grown into such a beautiful and confident woman. The realization that he might have missed something special by focusing so much on Adam gnawed at him, but he tried to push those thoughts aside and enjoy the present moment.

After all the speeches were given and the eating was rehearsed, the youngest and oldest of the crowd turned into their rooms for the night. The bridal party and groomsmen left as well, all needing to be up very early. This left the young to middle-aged adults to the complimentary after-dinner party. There were free drinks, a dance floor, karaoke, and dimmed lighting.

Y/N looked over at Spencer, not knowing if this was his cup of tea or not. “Do you want to stay for a bit?”

The idea of cutting the night short didn't sit well with him, especially not with how Y/N was looking at him. “No, no, I'd like to stay if you do.”

“Sure,” she smiled. “I’ll stay.”

The two walked over to the bar to get a drink. Spencer had very rarely indulged in alcohol. Gideon had tried to introduce him to scotch, which he hated. Hotch had shown him whiskey, which wasn’t as bad but still too strong. Derek ordered him a Sex on the Beach that he really liked but was too embarrassed to order on his own. So he didn't know what he was going to do when the bartender looked at him.

“What will you have, miss?” the bartender asked Y/N.

“Just an appletini, please,” she replied. The bartender nodded and turned his attention to Spencer.

Spencer could feel his palms sweat as he ran over every drink he knew of. Y/N leaned over and asked, “Do you want me to order for you?”

Spencer nodded gratefully and whispered his order in her ear. Y/N pulled away, absolutely delighted. She told the bartender his drink before looking back to Spencer and saying, “At least ask me on a date first, you men are all the same,” teasing the poor red man.

Spencer blushed furiously but couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you,” he said, his embarrassment mingling with amusement.

The bartender soon returned with their drinks—Y/N’s appletini and Spencer’s Sex on the Beach. Y/N handed Spencer his drink, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Here you go, pervert. Enjoy.”

Spencer blushed even more, laughing despite himself. “Thanks,” he said, taking a sip and feeling the sweet, fruity flavors calm his nerves.

They moved to a small table near the dance floor, the music a pleasant background to their conversation. Y/N sipped her drink and looked around, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

“So, Dr. Reid,” she began, her tone playful, “what’s your favorite part about weddings?”

Spencer thought for a moment, a small smile forming on his lips. “Honestly, I’ve never been to a wedding before. Have you?”

Y/N nodded, her smile softening. “Yeah. I think my favorite part is the dancing. I’ve always wanted someone to swing me around the dance floor at a wedding, it looks so romantic.”

Spencer took note of what Y/N was saying, thinking that maybe he could be the one to dance her around tomorrow at the reception. “You know, I never said thank you,” Spencer said.

“For what?” Y/N tilted her head.

“For being nice to me, you and Adam both. You never laughed at me or made me feel weird for being so young and advanced.”

“Spencer…” Y/N said with a hint of questioning in her voice. “Why would we make fun of you for being smart? Oh ha ha, look at this guy, he knows way more than us.”

Spencer chuckled. “I know, but still, thank you.”

Y/N smiled warmly, reaching across the table to give his arm a reassuring squeeze. “You’re welcome, Spencer. You’ve always been special to us.”

Spencer felt his heart grow ten sizes at her words, 'us,' and the fact that Y/N remembered his aversion for touching hands. Screw Adam and Elizabeth, he’d marry Y/N tomorrow. Now, that might be a little dramatic, but whatever.

As Spencer and Y/N continued to catch up and enjoy each other's company, they also consumed more drinks. The alcohol birthed an idea in Y/N’s pretty head, quite a good one if she says so.

“Spencer,” she leaned in, her voice playful.

“Yes, ma'am,” he responded, also leaning in until their foreheads pressed together.

Y/N giggled before sharing her idea, “We should go swimming.”

“What? Where?” Spencer asked, bewildered.

“The hotel has a pool!” she exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

“Isn’t it closed by now?” Spencer asked, skeptical but intrigued.

“Nuh-uh,” she shook her head against his, her movement causing his glasses to brush against her eyebrows. “It’s open 24/7.”

Spencer was nervous; he knew Y/N liked to swim, but he wasn’t very good at it, not having done much swimming since his last summer with Adam. But he couldn’t say no to her, it would appear.

“Okay, let’s go,” he agreed, the decision making his heart race.

Y/N squealed in delight, grabbing Spencer by his bicep and dragging him behind her. She squeezed the muscle in her hand before wiggling her eyebrows at him and saying, “Wow, doctor, did you put on some muscle?”

Spencer blushed something fierce. “I had to, I’m in the FBI.”

“Ohh good, I’m gonna need a big strong man in case we get into danger,” Y/N teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Spencer felt like he already was in danger, but a kind he was willing to face.

—

Once at the pool, they were both relieved to find no one else there; it was pretty late after all. As they approached the water, Spencer suddenly realized a flaw in Y/N's plan.

“Y/N, wait,” he grabbed her arm. “What about swimsuits?”

She smirked at him and pulled her arm away before grabbing the hem of her dress and pulling it off. Spencer's eyes were as wide as saucers, hilariously magnified by his frames.

“Close your mouth, doctor. Wouldn't want you to catch flies,” she teased, and with that, she jumped into the pool.

As Y/N resurfaced, Spencer noticed her makeup was impressively intact, probably some of that new waterproof stuff they make. She swam over to the edge in front of Spencer before looking up at him with a gaze not unlike a siren luring in prey.

“Come on in, Spence. The water feels amazing,” she coaxed, her voice soft and inviting.

Spencer, under the influence of something much stronger than alcohol, started shedding his clothes down to his briefs. Y/N wolf-whistled once he had his shirt off, causing a full-body flush to take over him. As soon as he was down to his last article, he jumped into the water to avoid her staring any longer.

The cool water enveloped him, a refreshing contrast to the heat he felt under Y/N's gaze. He surfaced, pushing his hair back and adjusting his glasses, which had miraculously stayed on.

“There you are,” Y/N said, swimming over to him. “Isn’t this nice?”

“Yeah,” Spencer admitted, feeling a bit more at ease now that he was in the water. “It’s actually really nice.”

“Are you ready?” Y/N asked, her voice low and taunting, getting very close to Spencer in the water, their bodies almost touching.

Spencer felt like he was going to pass out. “Re–ready for what?”

“Race ya!” she exclaimed, and with that, she was off, swimming away with powerful strokes.

Spencer blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden challenge. Then, with a determined look, he launched himself after her, his competitive spirit kicking in despite his nerves. The cool water rushed past him as he swam, his strokes becoming more confident as he pushed himself to keep up with Y/N.

She reached the far end of the pool first, touching the wall and turning to see Spencer still making his way towards her. She laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night air.

“You’re slow, Dr. Reid!” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Spencer reached the wall, panting but smiling. “Not all of us are part fish, Y/N.”

“Hey, I’m not that fast,” she said with a playful pout. “You did pretty well for someone who has never won a swimming race, ever.”

“Thanks,” Spencer replied, catching his breath. “But next time, I’ll beat you.”

“Oh, is that a challenge?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe,” he said, feeling bolder. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“I like when you get cocky, it suits you,” Y/N said, her voice dropping to a flirtatious purr as she swam closer to him, their bodies almost touching again.

Spencer's heart pounded in his chest. “Oh really? I didn’t know I had it in me.”

“There’s a lot you have in you, Spencer,” she replied, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his breath catch. “Maybe you just need the right person to bring it out.”

“And who, um–who do you think that person is?” he asked, his voice trembling and nervous.

“Someone who,” she whispered, her lips just inches from his. “Would have se–”

“Hey! What are you two doing in here?” a security guard called out.

“Nothing!” Spencer yelped.

“Just leaving!” Y/N added quickly.

They scrambled out of the pool, grabbing their clothes and running down a hallway towards the elevators. Once they were safely inside one, they looked at each other and started laughing.

“I thought you said it was open all night!” Spencer exclaimed between breaths.

“I may have told a fib to get you to come swimming with me,” Y/N admitted, giving her best puppy dog eyes. “Are you mad at me, Spence?”

Spencer could see her hard nipples poking through the soaking wet, thin material of her bra and couldn’t find himself to be anything but aroused. “Uh, no, no. Not mad, that was fun.”

Y/N caught him looking but didn’t say anything. What man wouldn’t look at wet breasts right in his face?

“Yeah, it was,” she agreed, smiling. “Thanks for going with me.”

As Spencer looked up at the ceiling to avoid staring at Y/N’s half-naked body, she took her opportunity to glance down at his scantily concealed half hard bulge. She could see the entire outline through his wet, hot pink briefs.

“Never took you as a pink guy, doctor,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Spencer blushed fiercely, trying to cover himself with his clothes. “They were a gift,” he mumbled, embarrassed but unable to keep from smiling.

“Well, I think they suit you,” she said with a wink.

The elevator dinged, and they stepped out, making their way back to their room, still dripping wet and grinning from ear to ear. Once inside, they both burst out laughing again, the adrenaline from their escapade still coursing through them.

“Here,” Y/N said, grabbing a couple of towels from the bathroom and tossing one to Spencer. “Dry off before you catch a cold.”

“Thanks,” he replied, wrapping the towel around himself. “I can’t believe we just did that.”

“Me neither,” she admitted, toweling off her hair. “But it was worth it.”

Spencer nodded, his heart still racing. “Yeah, it was.”

They both stood there for a moment, wrapped in towels and basking in the afterglow of their impromptu adventure. The tension between them was palpable, but so was the camaraderie and affection.

“Well,” Y/N said finally, breaking the silence. “I guess we should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Spencer agreed reluctantly, not wanting the evening to end. “Uh, do you want to shower first?”

“Thanks, Spencer,” Y/N nodded her head and grabbed her things.

The next 10 minutes were the hardest, literally, of Spencer's entire life. Knowing Y/N was naked and wet on the other side of the door was pure torture. He could hear the water running, imagine the steam filling the room, and envision her silhouette behind the shower curtain. When Y/N cracked open the bathroom door and peeked her head out, Spencer sat up faster than ever before, super not obvious at all.

“Sorry… I kind of forgot to bring any clothes in, so I need to come out in my towel. Is that okay?” she asked, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Ye–yeah. Mhm,” he cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. “That’s totally fine, no big deal. Why would I care?”

“Okay, weirdo,” Y/N looked at him skeptically, a playful glint in her eye. “Bathroom’s all yours.”

Spencer nodded and waited until Y/N was facing her suitcase to make a break for it, sprinting to the bathroom so she didn't see his very prominent boner tenting his pants. Y/N turned around quickly at the sound of the bathroom door slamming, finding his behavior odd.

In the shower, Spencer turned the water to cold and willed his erection away. The icy water was a shock to his system, but he needed it to calm down. He had not indulged much in self-pleasure and had certainly never seen as much of a woman as he saw today, let alone been touched by one. Eventually, it did go down, and he got out, only to realize he hadn't brought a towel. Of fucking course.

Spencer was now the one sticking his head out of the crack he made in the doorway, “Y/N…?”

“Yeah, Spencer, what’s up?” she called back, now sitting in the bed.

“I, um, forgot a towel,” he admitted, feeling his face heat up again.

“Oh shit, let me grab yours,” Y/N replied, getting up and walking over to his bag to retrieve the towel.

“Thanks,” he muttered, trying to make himself as small as possible behind the door.

When Y/N walked over to hand the towel to Spencer, she couldn’t help but immediately break into giggles.

“Oh, that’s what every guy wants to hear. What is it?” Spencer asked, mortified, his head barely poking out from behind the door.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped between laughs, “it’s just that I can see your butt in the mirror.”

Completely horrified, Spencer slammed the door shut and banged his head on it. “Can we please forget about this?” he groaned, his face burning with embarrassment.

“Absolutely not! You have the cutest ass I’ve ever seen!” Y/N called out, her laughter echoing through the room.

Spencer felt his face burn even more as he dried off and quickly dressed. When he emerged from the bathroom, he avoided eye contact with Y/N, who was still chuckling softly, a wide grin on her face.

“Ready for bed?” she asked, a playful glint in her eye, clearly still amused by the situation.

“Yeah,” Spencer mumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment as he climbed into his side of the bed.

They settled into their respective sides, the awkwardness from the bathroom incident lingering but slowly giving way to a more comfortable silence.

“Goodnight, Spencer,” Y/N said softly, turning off the bedside lamp and snuggling under the covers.

“Goodnight, Y/N,” he replied, settling into his pillow and trying to calm his racing thoughts.

As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Spencer couldn’t help but smile. Despite the awkward moments and his own nervousness, he felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn’t felt since that last summer. This weekend, for all its surprises, was turning out to be something special. And as he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

— 

When the room’s phone began ringing with a wake-up call in the morning, both Y/N and Spencer groaned at being woken up. Y/N stuck her arm out, grabbed the phone, and hung it up to stop the sound rattling in her head. Much to her surprise and gratitude, she was not hungover, just very tired. She went to roll over to go back to sleep when she noticed her body was being restricted by multiple different body parts, none of which belonged to her.

Spencer had one arm around her waist, his other beneath his head, one leg on her hip, and the other between both of her legs. The man had wrapped himself around her like a human octopus. He was also awake, not having slept through the wake-up call, but was paralyzed out of fear or embarrassment, maybe both.

Y/N felt him tense up and his breathing grow rapid, signaling that he was awake. “Well, good morning to you too, Dr. Reid. Or is it Doc Ock?” she teased, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“Ha ha, very funny,” Spencer mumbled, his face burning with embarrassment.

“I know I am, thank you,” Y/N said, a smirk playing on her lips.

They lay in silence for a few more moments, both of them thoroughly enjoying the feeling of the other's body pressed against their own.

“So, not that I'm complaining, but were you planning on letting me go anytime soon?” Y/N asked, amusement evident in her tone.

“Oh god, yes. I'm so sorry,” Spencer said, hurriedly trying to disentangle himself. In his haste, he managed to rub his morning wood against Y/N’s ass.

“Jesus, Reid! Any of your other body parts you want to touch me with?” she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“No, nope. Actually, I think I'm just going to open the window and jump out. I think the 15 floors will kill me,” he said, his voice muffled from behind his hands that were hiding his extremely red face.

Y/N laughed softly, reaching out to gently pull his hands away from his face. “Hey, it’s okay. It happens,” she said, her tone reassuring. “No need to jump out the window.”

Spencer looked at her, still blushing but grateful for her understanding. “Thanks, Y/N. I’m really sorry about that.”

She shrugged, giving him a playful smile. “It’s all part of the fun, right? Besides, I’d miss having you around.”

Spencer managed a small smile, feeling a bit better. “I’d miss you too.”

They lay there for a moment longer, the initial awkwardness giving way to a comfortable silence. Until Y/N, unable to resist tormenting Spencer, said, “Did you want a hand with that?”

“What??” he half-squeaked, half-screamed.

Y/N threw her head back, laughing hard in the early morning light shining in.

“You’re so mean,” Spencer muttered, his face a deep shade of red.

“Aww, did you really want me to?” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I’m not answering that,” he replied, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.

“All in good time, young grasshopper,” Y/N said, patting his arm playfully.

Spencer, rolling his eyes and unable to stand Y/N’s antics any longer, got out of bed to get ready for the day. He needed coffee, and maybe 50,000 shots of alcohol. What he failed to consider was that he was still hard, in loose gray sweats, and that he was sharing a room with Y/N, the worst person, ever.

“Whoa baby! I didn’t realize you were holding out on me! Get back here!” Y/N called out, patting the bed and laughing even harder.

Spencer, mortified, ran to the bathroom, his face burning with embarrassment. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, trying to calm his racing heart. The cold shower earlier had been nothing compared to the icy plunge he felt now, thanks to Y/N’s relentless teasing.

Inside the bathroom, he took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself. He couldn’t deny that a part of him enjoyed the playful banter, but another part of him was utterly overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings. He needed to collect himself and face the day, starting with a much-needed cup of coffee.

Back in the room, Y/N was still chuckling to herself, thoroughly amused by Spencer's reactions. She began getting ready, her thoughts drifting to the upcoming events of the day and the unexpected pleasure of Spencer’s company. Despite her teasing, she was genuinely glad he was there.

As Spencer emerged from the bathroom, now somewhat composed, he glanced at Y/N, who was busy with her morning routine. “Truce?” he offered, a tentative smile on his lips.

“Truce,” Y/N agreed, smiling back at him. “For now.”

They both laughed, the tension easing as they continued preparing for the day ahead. The morning light filled the room, promising a day full of possibilities and perhaps, a few more moments of unexpected connection.

—

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the vineyard as Y/N and Spencer wandered through the charming village, the scent of grapes and fresh earth filling the air. They didn’t have much to do in preparation for the wedding, so they decided to venture out in search of coffee. The village was picturesque, with cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and inviting cafés.

As they strolled, chatting about old memories and catching up, they suddenly found themselves face-to-face with a woman Y/N recognized all too well. Christa, one of the girls who used to bully Spencer in high school, stood before them. Adam had warned Y/N about all the mean girls and boys, just in case they had any younger siblings at the school.

“Oh my god! No way! It’s the baby freak and boarding school!” Christa exclaimed, her voice dripping with mock surprise and disdain.

Spencer immediately tensed, the old nickname hitting him like a punch to the gut. He hadn’t been called that in years. Y/N, feeling a surge of protectiveness, stepped forward.

“Christa!” Y/N exclaimed with a bright, exaggerated smile, moving in for an overly enthusiastic hug that left Christa visibly uncomfortable. Christa awkwardly patted Y/N’s back, clearly thrown off by the unexpected embrace.

“Uh, hi,” Christa muttered, her confidence wavering.

“How are you? What has it been, 15 years? You don’t look a day over 40,” Y/N said cheerfully.

“I’m 30,” Christa replied, her tone icy.

“Oh… well, sunscreen is your best friend!” Y/N said, her voice dripping with false innocence.

Christa’s face twisted in offense, while Spencer struggled to hide his laughter behind a cough.

“Baby freak… you look exactly the same. Still scaring everyone away with your freaky genius powers?” Christa sneered, her eyes narrowing at Spencer.

“I–uh, no, I–” Spencer stammered, the old insecurities rushing back.

“Spencer, here,” Y/N said, emphasizing his name, “is not a baby, maybe compared to the looks of you. And he is not a freak, unless you want to talk about more private matters, but judging by the turn of your nose and the stick up your ass, I’m going to go ahead and assume you have no idea what I’m talking about. How long has it been since a real human touched you?”

Christa was speechless, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to come up with a retort. Finally, she sneered, “I bet Spencer’s never been touched by a human ever.”

Spencer looked down, his face turning red with embarrassment, feeling like the insecure 12-year-old all over again.

“Really? Like this?” Y/N said, pulling Spencer down into a kiss before Christa could say another word.

The kiss was brief but intense, and when Y/N pulled back, Spencer’s eyes were wide with surprise, his cheeks flushed. Christa stood there, stunned and utterly speechless, unable to come up with a reply.

Y/N turned back to Christa with a triumphant smile. “Awe, Christa, you look like a fish. Never speak to me or my boyfriend ever again, okay? Okay, sweetie. So good to see you!”

With that, Y/N took Spencer’s arm and led him away, leaving Christa standing in the middle of the street, fuming and defeated.

As they walked away, Spencer glanced over at Y/N, his heart still racing from the unexpected kiss. “Thank you,” he said softly.

Y/N squeezed his arm gently, a warm smile on her face. “Anytime, Spencer. You deserve better than people like her.”

They continued their walk, the tension from the encounter melting away as they enjoyed each other’s company, feeling closer than ever before. The weekend had taken another unexpected turn, but this time, it was for the better.

—

After grabbing their coffee, Spencer and Y/N realized they still had plenty of time before they had to start getting ready for the wedding. The charm of Napa Valley beckoned, and they decided to indulge in one of the region’s finest offerings: wine tasting. The idea seemed perfect, a way to enjoy the beautiful vineyard and create some new memories.

They made their way back to the vineyard and signed up for a tour. As they strolled through the rows of grapevines, Y/N kept her hand looped around Spencer's arm. It felt natural, a comforting closeness that neither of them felt the need to mention. The guide led them through the process of winemaking, from grape to glass, sharing interesting tidbits and answering questions.

Once the tour concluded, they were led to a private table on one of the many balconies the vineyard’s main building had to offer. The view was breathtaking, with rolling hills and endless rows of vines stretching out under the clear blue sky. A tasting flight of wine was set before them, each glass glistening with rich, inviting hues.

Y/N took a sip from the first glass, savoring the flavor before turning to Spencer. “So… about earlier,” she began, her voice soft.

Spencer nodded, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass. “Yeah. That was… unexpected.”

“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” Y/N said, looking at him earnestly. “I just couldn’t stand her talking to you like that.”

Spencer shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “You didn’t overstep. It was… nice. Surprising, but nice. No one’s ever stood up for me like that before.”

Y/N blushed slightly, taking another sip of her wine. “Well, you deserved it. She was horrible.”

Spencer glanced at her, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the wine. “Thank you, Y/N. For everything. It’s been a long time since I felt… protected.”

Y/N smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You’re welcome. And for what it’s worth, you could have handled it really well all on your own. I just… wanted to make sure she knew she couldn’t mess with you.”

Spencer chuckled, relaxing more as he took a sip from his glass. “You definitely made that clear.”

They continued their tasting, discussing the nuances of each wine, but the earlier conversation had brought them even closer. The view, the wine, and the company made for a perfect moment, one that felt both nostalgic and new.

As they moved through the tasting flight, they found themselves laughing and reminiscing about old times, the tension from the earlier encounter long forgotten. The vineyard, with its serene beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for reconnecting, and they both felt a sense of peace and happiness that had been missing for too long.

Y/N looked out over the balcony, her hand still resting lightly on Spencer's arm. “I’m glad we’re here,” she said softly. “I’ve missed this.”

“Me too,” Spencer replied, his voice equally soft. “It’s like coming home.”

They clinked their glasses together, a silent toast to new beginnings and cherished memories. The weekend held more surprises, but for now, they were content to simply enjoy each other’s company, letting the wine and the moment carry them away.

“Speaking of home… do you think you’d ever come back?” Y/N asked, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

“To Las Vegas?” Spencer replied, looking at her curiously.

“Yeah,” Y/N said, feeling somewhat hopeful.

Spencer took a moment, thinking it over. “I’ve never thought about it, really.”

“Oh, I guess if I left, I wouldn’t want to come back either,” Y/N said, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone.

“Y/N… it’s not that. There’s just nothing there for me anymore.”

“Yeah, nothing,” she said bitterly, sipping her wine.

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant,” Spencer said quickly, his eyes wide with concern.

“It’s okay, Spencer. You don’t have to pretend. We haven’t talked in over a decade. I can’t blame you,” Y/N said, looking down at her glass.

“Y/N–” Spencer began, but she cut him off.

“I’m going to head back and get ready. Can you give me an hour alone, please?” she asked, her voice strained.

“Yeah, of course,” Spencer said softly, his heart sinking.

Y/N stood up, giving him a small, tight smile before walking away. Spencer watched her go, feeling a pang of regret. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, and now he felt the weight of their years apart more heavily than ever. He sat there for a moment longer, staring out at the vineyard, before deciding to take a walk to clear his mind.

The serene beauty of the vineyard provided some solace, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Y/N. He realized how much he had missed her, how much he had missed having someone who understood him. The years had created a distance between them, but he hoped that this weekend could be a step towards bridging that gap.

As he wandered back to the room an hour later, he knocked softly on the door, giving Y/N the space she had asked for. He hoped they could find a way to reconnect, to rebuild the bond they once had. The weekend was far from over, and he was determined to make things right.

— 

By the time the ceremony rolled around, Y/N and Spencer hadn't talked yet but took their seats next to each other. Spencer tried to apologize again, but Y/N brushed him off, telling him it was okay. The ceremony was beautiful and didn't drag on too long. Y/N cried, and Spencer put his arm around her shoulders, letting her cry on him.

They took their seats for dinner after, being seated again with her parents and close family. Though her parents weren't there for the rehearsal dinner, they were now. Spencer was extremely nervous, having never gotten a good read on Y/N and Adam's parents before. All he knew was that they shipped their young children off to boarding school and then left them home with hired staff more often than not.

As the first course was being served, Y/N's mother eyed Spencer with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. “Y/N, who is this man you brought?” she asked, her tone sharp.

Y/N took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Mother, this is Spencer Reid. He grew up with us, don’t you remember?”

Her mother pursed her lips, shaking her head. “No.”

“I’m not surprised,” Y/N muttered under her breath.

Her father, catching the exchange, leaned in. “Watch your tone, that’s your mother.”

“I’m 24,” Y/N said, her voice steady but strained.

“And you’re still our child,” her father retorted.

“I’ve been financially independent since I was 18. What are you going to do? Take my salad fork?” Y/N shot back, her frustration evident.

Her parents rolled their eyes in unison. “No wonder it’s your brother getting married and not you,” her mother sneered. “You were always so bitter. Determined to hold grudges.”

Y/N’s mouth dropped open, ready to fire back, but Spencer quickly intervened. “Actually, Y/N and I have been together for what, 2 years, darling?” he said, his voice smooth and confident.

Y/N was momentarily stunned, but then a wicked smile crept across her face. “Yes, baby. And that present you gave me for our anniversary was so… sensual. I can still feel it,” she said, biting her lip for effect.

Spencer tried to contain his laughter, his eyes dancing with amusement as he looked at Y/N. 

Her mother’s face turned a deep shade of red. “Y/N L/N! You are incorrigible.”

Y/N shrugged, unfazed. “I don’t care,” she said, a defiant glint in her eye.

The table fell into an awkward silence, but Spencer felt a sense of triumph. He had managed to diffuse the situation and even brought a smile to Y/N’s face. As the dinner progressed, they exchanged knowing glances, each feeling a little more at ease despite the tension surrounding them.

As soon as people were encouraged to get up from their tables, Y/N and Spencer shot up. Their first stop was the open bar, both needing a drink after enduring a whole dinner with her parents.

“Can we get an appletini and a sex on the beach?” Spencer ordered, his voice only shaking slightly.

“Spence!” Y/N yelled, hitting his arm playfully. “I’m so proud of you!”

He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. They stood at the bar, sipping their drinks as they observed the crowd. The lively atmosphere was a welcome contrast to the tension they had just experienced. Y/N’s eyes were on the couples dancing, and Spencer remembered what she had said earlier about wanting someone to swing her around the dance floor.

“Do you want to dance?” Spencer asked, turning to her.

“Oh no, it’s okay. I know you don’t like to dance,” Y/N replied, her gaze lingering on the dance floor.

“Y/N… I want to dance with you. Do you want to dance with me?” Spencer asked, his eyes earnest.

“Yes, very much,” Y/N said, her face lighting up with a smile.

Spencer set his drink down and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor. The music was a soft, romantic melody, perfect for a slow dance. As they found a spot, Spencer placed his hands gently on her waist, and Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed to the music, the world around them fading as they focused on each other.

“I can’t believe I’m finally doing this,” Y/N said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Me neither,” Spencer replied, his voice equally soft. “I’m glad it’s with you.”

Y/N’s eyes were shining. “You’ve always been special to me, Spencer.”

He smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You too, Y/N.”

Her heart raced at his bold gesture, not expecting such a move from Spencer. They stayed on the dance floor for a few more songs, enjoying the moment and the connection that had been rekindled. Eventually, Spencer took Y/N's hand and led her away from the floor.

“Spence… you’re holding my hand,” Y/N said, glancing down at their intertwined fingers.

“I am,” Spencer replied, his voice steady.

“You don’t do that,” she pointed out, her heart still fluttering.

“I don’t,” he agreed, looking at her with a small smile.

“But you are,” she continued, her eyes searching his.

“Right again,” Spencer said, his smile widening.

“Why?” Y/N asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Because I like you,” Spencer admitted, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity she hadn’t seen before.

Y/N felt her breath catch, her heart pounding in her chest. “You… you like me?”

Spencer nodded, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “Yes, Y/N. I like you. I guess I was just too afraid to admit it before.”

A smile slowly spread across Y/N's face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I like you too, Spencer. I always have, since we were kids.”

Spencer's face lit up with relief and happiness. “Really?”

“Really,” Y/N confirmed, squeezing his hand.

They stood there for a moment, the noise of the party fading into the background as they gazed at each other. The years of separation and unspoken feelings seemed to melt away, leaving only the warmth of their rekindled connection.

“Do you want to get some fresh air?” Spencer asked, his voice soft.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Y/N replied, her smile never wavering.

They walked hand in hand out to the vineyard’s garden, the night air cool and refreshing. The walk through the garden was very much reminiscent of the last time they saw each other. The path was lined with twinkling lights, casting a soft glow over the grapevines and flowers.

“Did you really not know I liked you all those years ago? I was so obvious. I did everything to get your attention,” Y/N said, breaking the comfortable silence.

“No, I really didn’t know. I just thought you were really nice!” Spencer replied, his brow furrowing in surprise.

“And you liked Adam,” Y/N stated, a hint of a teasing smile on her lips.

“I–I, what??” Spencer stammered, caught off guard.

“It’s okay, Spence, he doesn’t know,” Y/N said, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Spencer let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “You knew?”

“Of course I knew. I could see it in the way you looked at him. It’s fine, really,” Y/N said, her voice gentle.

Spencer looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of embarrassment and relief. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things awkward back then.”

Y/N shook her head, her smile softening. “You didn’t. I just wish I had known how to tell you how I felt. I was always so nervous around you.”

Spencer smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. “I was nervous around you too. I didn’t know how to handle my feelings. I guess we were both a bit clueless.”

They laughed together, the sound carrying through the quiet night. As they continued their walk, the memories of the past seemed to blend with the present, creating a sense of closure and a new beginning.

“Do you think things would have been different if we had talked about it back then?” Spencer asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Maybe,” Y/N said thoughtfully. “But we were just kids, and you had so much ahead of you.”

Spencer nodded, feeling content with her answer. They reached a bench under a large oak tree and sat down, the stars twinkling above them. Y/N leaned her head on Spencer’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

“I would move back home,” Spencer said softly.

“What?” Y/N asked, her voice filled with warmth and curiosity.

“I would move back home,” Spencer repeated, his voice steady. “If it meant being with you eventually. I’d come back to Las Vegas.”

Y/N lifted her head to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise and emotion. “Spencer, you don’t have to do that for me. We aren’t even dating.”

“I know,” he said, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. “But I want to. You were always like home to me, Y/N. Being with you feels right.”

“I would never ask you to give up your job; you worked so hard to get there,” Y/N shook her head.

“But I—”

“Stop,” Y/N interrupted, pulling away from his touch. Her heart raced, and she felt a wave of panic wash over her. “This is too much, Spencer. We’ve just reconnected, and now you’re talking about uprooting your entire life for me. It’s overwhelming.”

Spencer’s face fell, his hand dropping to his side. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just wanted you to know how important you are to me.”

Y/N took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. “I appreciate that, really. But we need to take things slow. I need time to process all of this.”

Spencer nodded, though the disappointment was clear in his eyes. “Of course. I understand. We’ll take it slow.”

There was an awkward silence between them, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the air. Y/N felt a mix of guilt and relief, unsure of how to navigate the intense emotions swirling inside her.

After a few moments, Spencer spoke again, his voice soft. “I’m sorry if I overwhelmed you. I just care about you a lot.”

Y/N managed a small smile, her heart aching. “I care about you too, Spencer. But let’s just see where things go, okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed, though the tension between them remained palpable.

They spent the rest of the evening in a subdued silence, both lost in their thoughts. Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, and she wondered if she had made a mistake. But she also knew she needed to follow her instincts and not rush into anything that didn’t feel right.

That night, the walk back to their room was a silent torture. Each step felt heavier than the last, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering tension. Spencer desperately wanted to fix things, but he didn’t know how.

When they finally reached their room, Y/N wordlessly grabbed a pillow and placed it between their bodies on the bed, creating a physical barrier that mirrored the emotional distance between them. The gesture was small, but it felt like a chasm had opened up.

Spencer lay on his side, staring at the wall, his heart aching. He wanted to reach out, to hold her, to reassure her, but he couldn’t bring himself to cross that line. The fear of pushing her further away was paralyzing.

What was far worse, was when Spencer woke up to an empty bed and an empty hotel room. Panic set in as he called out her name, hoping she was just in the bathroom or getting breakfast. But there was no response.

The reality of the situation hit him hard. Once again, he had managed to lose one of the only people who ever felt like home. The weight of that loss settled in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He sat on the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands, trying to make sense of what had gone wrong.

The silence of the room was deafening, and the loneliness was overwhelming. Spencer knew he had to find a way to make things right, but at that moment, he felt utterly lost and alone.

—

Downstairs, Spencer was checking out when he heard a familiar voice call his name. He turned around to see Adam bounding towards him.

“Hey buddy!” Adam, as broad as ever, swept him into a hug, picking him up in his excitement.

“Whoa! Hi!” Spencer laughed, caught off guard by the enthusiastic greeting.

“How are you? Thank you so much for coming. I’m sorry it’s been so crazy, I can’t believe I almost missed you!”

“Yeah, hah. Glad I ran into you,” Spencer replied, trying to keep his composure despite the turmoil inside.

Adam, unaware of Spencer's inner turmoil, continued with a big grin, “So, I heard you had to bunk with old Petit Chou.”

“Y/N? Yeah, I did,” Spencer replied, the nickname bringing back a wave of memories.

“How was it? Was it like old times?” Adam asked, his tone cheerful and curious.

“Um, no, not really. We got along a lot better,” Spencer admitted, a small, sad smile forming on his lips.

“Oh, you dog! Did you sleep with my sister?” Adam's tone was teasing, but he looked extremely pleased.

Spencer's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. “No, no, nothing like that. We just... caught up.”

Adam laughed, clapping Spencer on the back. “Well, I’m glad you two reconnected. She always had a soft spot for you, you know.”

Spencer forced a smile, trying to push away the sadness. “Yeah, me too. She’s... she’s great.”

“Eh, I wouldn’t go that far,” Adam teased in a big brotherly fashion.

“So, I thought you’d be gone by now on your honeymoon?” Spencer asked.

“Oh no, Lizzie wanted to have some time as newlyweds in our house first. You know, get settled in, put all the presents away and such before we leave. She really thinks everything through,” Adam explained, love evident in the way he talked about Elizabeth.

“She sounds wonderful. I’m so happy for you, man,” Spencer said sincerely.

“Thank you, little dude. Are there any lucky ladies in your life? Lucky lads?” Adam asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Huh, no,” Spencer replied, shaking his head.

“Dude, you should have totally made a move on Y/N! She yapped about you for years after you left. When I told her you were gonna be here, she practically threw away her suitcase and bought all new clothes, wanting to make a good impression or something,” Adam said with a grin.

“What?” Spencer choked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Yeah, man, she had it baddd. It was kind of cute,” Adam chuckled.

“Oh, I had no idea,” Spencer said, feeling a little bit of shock and regret.

“Well, if you’re ever in Vegas, you know who to call,” Adam said, clapping Spencer on the back.

“Yeah... where are you living nowadays?” Spencer asked, trying to shift the conversation.

“Georgia! Met sweet little Lizzie at Florida State and followed her home after graduation. Never left,” Adam replied, his eyes shining with happiness.

“That’s great, Adam. I’m really happy for you,” Spencer said, genuinely pleased for his friend.

“Thanks, man. And seriously, don’t be a stranger. If you’re ever in the area, you’ve got a place to stay,” Adam said, giving Spencer another friendly hug.

As they finished checking out, Spencer’s mind raced with thoughts of Y/N. He needed to talk to her, to clear the air and understand what had gone wrong. But for now, he was grateful for the brief distraction that Adam had provided. It gave him a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to make things right.

—

Y/N went back home, feeling the weight of the weekend pressing heavily on her. She barely had time to sit down and process everything when her best friend and roommate, Billie, showed up at her bedroom door, armed with snacks and drinks.

“Hey, thought you could use some company,” Billie said, giving Y/N a warm hug as they entered.

“Thanks, Billie,” Y/N replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

They settled on the couch, surrounded by an array of comfort food and drinks. Billie opened a bag of chips and handed it to Y/N. “So, tell me everything.”

Y/N sighed, taking a deep breath before recounting the events of the weekend. She told Billie about reconnecting with Spencer, the intense emotions, and the difficult conversation that left her feeling lost and confused.

“I feel so silly,” Y/N said, heaving a big sigh. “Mourning something I can’t have. We live on opposite sides of the country. How would it ever work?”

Billie reached over, giving Y/N’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s not silly at all. Feelings don’t follow logic. You’re allowed to feel sad, even if it seems impractical.”

“I just... I really thought maybe we could make it work,” Y/N said, her voice breaking.

“Hey, you never know what the future holds. Maybe things will change, or maybe you’ll find a way to be together despite the distance,” Billie said, their tone comforting.

“But what if we don’t? What if it’s just not meant to be?” Y/N asked, her eyes searching Billie’s for answers.

“Then it's not, you can't control what's out of your hands,” Billie said, offering a comforting smile.

Y/N nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. They spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. While the ache in Y/N’s heart didn’t completely disappear, she felt a sense of peace over the situation.

— 

Spencer wanted to reach out to Y/N, knowing he couldn't even use the excuse of not having her phone number—one of his best friends could hack the Pentagon for fun if she wanted. But he didn’t want to face the rejection he had a feeling would be coming his way. He knew it was impractical: his job was demanding, they lived nowhere near each other, and on top of that, they didn’t even know if they would work. Maybe the magic between them only existed in the air of the wedding.

They went weeks in radio silence, both resigning to move on. They had gone 12 years without each other; they could handle some more. That is until Spencer found something in one of his luggage pockets. He was repacking his go-bag after returning from a case when he opened a pocket that he did not often use, planning to put a fresh pack of gum in there.

He quickly took the note out and opened it, seeing it was in handwriting that he didn’t recognize. His heart skipped a beat as he began to read:

Spencer,

I’m sorry for leaving unannounced. I truly loved seeing you this weekend. It was wonderful to catch up after so long apart and to see that you are still the same sweet, loving guy. I hope you never change.

I left without saying goodbye because of my own issues, not because of anything you said or did. Please understand that. You mean so much to me, and I would hate to jeopardize our friendship over something silly like this.

If you’re ever in Vegas, you always have a place to stay.

Y/N