#Neighbour AU

[miryum]

☆ miryum's dc universe☆

Neighbour!Jason Todd who wasn’t home when you first moved in. If he was, he would’ve offered to help with the heavy furniture. Alfred raised a gentleman, of course. But no, he was off in a safe house, nursing a wound from last night's patrol. A bullet had grazed his side and it was leaving a nasty ache

Neighbour!Jason Todd who then didn’t mean to wake you when he crashed into his apartment that night, via window. How could he know that someone had just moved into the apartment next door and was startling at every bump in the night?

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was very surprised when he, still in his Red Hood gear, heard someone knock on the door soon after. A very sweet voice called out, “hello? I just want to check that you’re okay? I know it’s not my place and you might be a serial killer, but just wanted to make sure you’re not having a heart attack.”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who threw off his helmet and voice modulator before clearing his throat and calling out, “nope! No, I’m fine. Uh… thank you?” 

Neighbour!Jason Todd who breathed a sigh of relief when the voice responded, “oh, okay. I- I’m sorry. Good night.”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who stood up, even though his bullet wound cried out against it. He wasn’t sure why he stood, for he could already hear your footsteps departing. His face twisted into one of confusion, both at his reaction, and the fact that someone had come to check up on him. The majority of his neighbours didn’t care

Neighbour!Jason Todd who next met you when he was going to get the mail. He saw you outside the lobby door, crouching down. His curiosity got the better of him and he stepped outside during dusk in Gotham, something no citizen should ever do

Neighbour!Jason Todd who found out that you were feeding the street cats. You were fucking feeding the street cats. There were at least six cats surrounding you, weaving in between your legs as you set down a bowl of milk and some cat food. He cleared his throat and you looked up at him, already smiling. How could someone in Gotham smile? At him? His long sleeves, while hiding his physical scars, surely couldn’t cover the anxiety and trauma embedded deep within him. “What… what are you doing?” he asked softly

Neighbour!Jason Todd who simply stared at you as you responded, “I’m feeding the cats.” After a pause, you added, “they were meowing at me when I came home from work so I picked up some cat food from the store and brought it back to them. Aren’t they just adorable?” You reached out to pet one who gladly turned on its belly for you

Neighbour!Jason Todd who asked, “you know, they do that to everyone? They’re smart enough to know a new face that’ll feed them.” And then he mentally kicked himself because now this girl thought he was pessimistic and didn’t feed the cats. Then you shrugged and everything seemed better. “Yeah, I know, but they look so hungry…” The way your lips tilted to the side made Jason want to stare at them forever

Neighbour!Jason Todd who almost offered to adopt the cats because that meant that you would come over to his apartment to see them

Neighbour!Jason Todd who then rubbed the back of his neck and announced, “my name is Jason.”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who melted when you laughed lightly and introduced yourself. He knew he had found the one

Neighbour!Jason Todd who then became much more aware of your presence in the apartment building. It wasn’t hard to piece together your routine (which you should think of changing regularly because it would be too easy for a criminal to figure it out) and if that meant Jason went to go on runs every now and then that coincided with your grocery trips, then it was a coincidence. He would grab his mail the same time you did. He would take more care to not make as much noise when he returned after vigilante nights, as to not wake you. It was the little things, he reasoned, that would make you notice him

Neighbour!Jason Todd who didn’t know what to do when the power went out. Of course, he had his survival kit ready and stocked with a flashlight, provisions, a blanket, a portable charger, and numerous weapons. He was ready to wait it out, but he didn’t know what to do when it came to you. Should he go over and check on you? Or would that seem like he thought you couldn’t handle yourself? 

Neighbour!Jason Todd who didn’t have to worry for long because a soft, rapid knock came at the door. He wasn’t surprised when you were there, small flashlight in hand. “Does this happen often?” is the first thing you asked. Jason huffed a laugh and replied with his own question, “is this your first time in Gotham?”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who invited you into his apartment. He wasn’t sure whether or not to count this as a first date, but you were soon bundled in his blankets and asking questions about his personal life, so that was like a date, right? He hadn’t been on many and didn’t intend to now that he met you

Neighbour!Jason Todd who did not know what to do when you fell asleep on his couch. Holy shit. Fuck. What should he do? He didn’t want you to think he assaulted you while you were sleeping, so for a couple minutes he sat in his kitchen, watching you wearily and putting as much distance between the two of you as possible. But then he didn’t like the distance between you, so it was a real conundrum

Neighbour!Jason Todd who instead sat awkwardly on his ottoman, watching TV with the volume muted and subtitles on

Neighbour!Jason Todd who didn’t even leave for patrol when the other members of the Batfam asked for help. The blackout was causing Gotham to run wild, but Jason was content with locking the doors and making sure you were comfy

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was still sitting on that ottoman when you woke up in the morning. He carefully evaded your questions on whether he slept and instead decided to make you breakfast. When you complimented his breakfast over and over, joking how you would have to come over more often if it meant his cooking, Jason agreed maybe a bit too quickly

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was the neighbour you then called on if you had a package arriving during work hours and needed someone to sign it. He was the neighbour you didn’t mind seeing in the halls because a chat with him wasn’t seen as uncomfortable. He was the neighbour you asked to help repair the sink (you got a very lovely image of his shirt riding up as he laid underneath your sink and maybe it was because you were ovulating but oh god did you want to jump his bones). He was the neighbour who, when he found out you liked similar movies, stumbled over his words to invite you to watch them with him

Neighbour!Jason Todd who actually didn’t love the genre of movies you did, but would like them if it meant seeing you

Neighbour!Jason Todd who wasn’t sure what your relationship status was with him and it ate away at him almost every moment of the day. You were always in the back of his mind, always making his heart warm 

Neighbour!Jason Todd who tried to coax you back to your apartment after you returned home one night, stumbling and intoxicated. But you didn’t want to. You were firmly standing in his doorway and kept blabbering about meaningless things. When he finally convinced you to rest on his couch, you declared, stumbling over your words, “see? This is why I like you Jason. You- you’re a- a very- You’re a very good person.” You then reached up and patted his cheek. “Love you, bye-bye.” And you promptly fell asleep

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was then in a state of shock of the next three hours

Neighbour!Jason Todd who ended up calling Alfred at four in the morning, prompting the older man to think the ex-Robin was kidnapped and needed help. As it turned out, Jason needed help, but with a girl; not a crime lord. Alfred sent Jason off with a few words of wisdom and luck, the most notable being, “Master Jason, if the girl does not return your feelings, then you can simply move out of your apartment and back into the Manor.” Jason thought that was a worse fate than you rejecting him

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was very patient the next morning, giving you painkillers and a large glass of water. When you remembered the previous night, mortified, he tried to calm you down, eyes worried that you would leave him. He wasn’t sure what he would do if you left his life

Neighbour!Jason Todd who, in a mess of panic and embarrassment, managed to blurt out, “no, wait! I- I want you to stay. Please. I know you didn’t mean your words last night, but I really like having you in my life. Can’t we… be friends?” It broke his heart to suggest it, but he’d be willing to keep that platonic bond if it didn’t drive you away

Neighbour!Jason Todd who waited, heart in his throat, when the seconds ticked by and you didn’t answer. “But I did mean them,” you finally whispered out. “I like you, Jason. And I wanna do something about that.”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who stammered and spluttered, “well, then, let’s do something.”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who took you out on dates every week and didn’t know what to do when you found the Red Hood gear in his closet when you were searching for a hoodie to steal

Neighbour!Jason Todd who wasn’t expecting you to laugh, of all things. “I guessed,” is all you said. And that’s when Jason kissed you for the first time

Neighbour!Jason Todd who became a staple in your life, not only because you two lived in the same building, but because of how amazing he was. There were no other words to describe it. It was like the man knew your needs before you did and fulfilled them just because he wanted to. He was the epitome of “princess treatment”

Neighbour!Jason Todd who was scared for you to sleep over for the first time because of his nightmares but found out that when your head was on his bicep (cutting off circulation to his fingers), and your body was tucked into his, hair messy and lips slightly parted, that he didn’t have nightmares. It was like you scared them all away, just by being there

Neighbour!Jason Todd who wanted you to sleep over much more frequently

Neighbour!Jason Todd who made it a habit to buy cat food at the grocery store because you still insisted on feeding those damn cats after months of living in Gotham. Nevermind that the cats had found which apartment you lived in and climbed up to the window via the fire escape. Nevermind that the cats realised that when you weren’t in your apartment, you were most likely in Jasons. And nevermind that he now had cats outside his window almost 24/7 that he begrudgingly fed because who was he if not subject to you or Damian’s rants about feeding the fucking cats

Neighbour!Jason Todd who just liked to touch you. He liked to be reminded that he was much bigger than you and his body could swallow yours up whilst cuddling on the couch. He liked to put his arm around your shoulder and trace patterns on your skin. He liked to hug you tightly from behind because it reminded him that you were there and you were his. He liked to do this in public too – not huge amounts of PDA, but a hand on the waist or slipped in your back pocket. A hand on the small of your back when crossing streets. Reaching out behind him to grab your hand while walking through large crowds

Neighbour!Jason Todd who, a year later, signed the lease to your apartment, so that now you were neighbours who shared a bed and a bathroom and a home

[frogchiro]

Bestie, I'm missing Graves. Do you have any thoughts about him??

All I think about is Graves tbh😭

Okay, so....how about lazy days spend with Neighbour!Graves? Let's just picture this when him and you finally got together and now he basically insists on being with you and spending time together to 'bond more' bc he's clingy like that :((

He loves to just lounge around with you (ideally naked) and do nothing but nuzzle against you, lay on yoir soft skin lazy, hot kisses and occassionaly have a very lazy but loving love making session where you two just lay together as close as can be, not even thrusting his hips, just slow and deep grinding that leaves you both breathless in the best sense possible♡

[missmoonfrost]

Mr. Dangerous - a wolfstar microfic

April 18 - Neighbour AU - 567 words

@wolfstarmicrofic

The yelling wakes Remus up. The voice is distant, but loud enough that he can make out some words.

“Fucking whore, fucking bitch”

And, oh. That is definitely a woman crying.

Remus pulls the pillow over his head and tries to think of an excuse. He doesn’t know which apartment it is coming from. Maybe it’s even just someone passing by outside?

No. He can't ignore this. He won’t be that kind of person. With dread pooling in his stomach, he pulls a cardigan over his worn-out T-shirt and pyjama pants and wearily steps out into the staircase.

He freezes as he spots Mr. Dangerous, as Remus has named him in his mind. The neighbour with long black hair and tattoos winding up his neck, whom Remus lets play loud music late at night because he doesn’t dare complain. For a moment he thinks the yells must have been him. But then he fixes Remus with a concerned look.

“Did you hear it too?”

“Y- yeah. I don’t know where it’s coming from.”

As on cue, they hear a new tirade of curses.

“It must be from above.”

Remus silently agrees and follows Mr. Dangerous up the stairs. They stop in front of a door and look at each other. Mr. Dangerous knocks hard. The voice gets silent. The man that opens reeks of alcohol.

“What do you want?”

“Is everything ok?”

The grumpy man grunts. “Trying to sleep here.”

That’s hard to believe as he is fully dressed. Remus waits for Mr. Dangerous to say something more, but he doesn’t. Remus suddenly realises he looks scared and not dangerous at all, so he puts a foot forward.

“Can I come in? I lost my cat and I think I saw it through your window.”

The man grunts dismissively and starts closing the door.

“Let us in!” Mr. Apparently Not Scared Anymore springs forward. “I know karate and I –“ He gets a punch in the face and stumbles backwards.

“Jesus fucking Christ! Are you ok?” Remus grabs his shoulders and pulls him back, but the door is already closed.

“Fine. It’s fine.” Mr. Stupidly Brave presses his hands to his face.

“I’m calling the cops.”

“Already done.”

And sure enough, Remus can hear sirens in the distance.

After an hour of drama, both of them having been questioned by police officers, both the wife-beater and the poor woman having been escorted out by police and all nosey neighbours that suddenly did hear after all having withdrawn again, Remus finds himself in the staircase alone with Mr. Hero Of The Day.

They look solemnly at each other. Until Mr. Hero Of The Day smirks. “I lost my cat?”

Remus rubs his neck with heating cheeks. “Worth a try, wasn’t it?” He laughes along. It's liberating after all thay have just been trough.

Remus raises an eyebrow. “I know karate?”

It’s Mr. Hero's turn to huff and squirm, but they both laugh loudly again.

“I will not be able to sleep any time soon.”

“Me, neither.”

Remus jerks his head in the direction of his door. “Do you want to come in for a cup of tea?”

Suddenly the good neighbour who Remus had started to relax around looks like Mr. Dangerous again, sizing him up with his eyes squinting and arms folded.

“Only if you don’t want to come to mine for a shot of whiskey.”

Remus laughs again. “Sure. I could use one.”

[darkdemeter]

PHASES COLLECTION TEASERS:

✘ Wanda Maximoff x GN/Female/Male Werewolf!Reader

↳ Don't usually put out teasers for the collection but I'll make an exception this time. Some snippets I thought I'd share for my wanda x werewolf readers! And to think that this song has been a playing inspiration behind these 2 phases. ↳ WARNING: 18+ content contains adult and sexual themes, minors dni

SNIPPET FROM ISSUE #5 "THAT WILD DOG" ────────────────────────

Wanda moans, soft and a voice made from the silken wove of heaven. Her hips roll along the strong muscle of your thigh and you swallow thickly, gaze hypnotised by the way her hips move. Her blouse and corset loosened to reveal the delicious curve of her bouncing breasts already marked with a litter of dark bruises and bites. 

Your hands, claws and calloused nature ungloved, guide her. One hand holds her at the base of her body and toys with the perky mound of her nipple whilst the other does the very same motion against her swollen clit. 

Already you have milked one orgasm from her and you crave another. The full moon has this effect on you. Your eyes alert and in a blinded haze, eager to chase your blissful rut. Your blood running hotter than usual and the form of skin and fur faded into a blur. 

Her spine arches with a teasing pinch on her clit and her thighs quiver uncontrollable. She moans your name, pleading. 

“Thatta girl,” you chuckle, low and dark. “Doing so well for me, aren’t’cha?”

Your fingers curl, the razor of your claws nicking along her velvety, slick walls that squeeze around the intrusion. These intoxicating moments of this affair have become far too much to simply abandon. Wanda finds herself often plagued by the need to have you ravish her, to both praise and punish her with your hardened style. 

She’s been so used to the plusher and simpler comforts life has to offer her. A sweet and educated girl turned and tamed to a darker tone of the west. From the city, what she thought she wanted was a humble life out here in the more reserved skirts of Westfield, further tutored by her lonely auntie. 

But what she wants is you. To be yours in every sense of the sinful word. 

The dark shadows of her recent choices follow her and she’s no longer running from that frightful predator. Instead she embraces thiswant, she accepts that her respectable image is becoming more and more tarnished. 

If she can have you, then society be damned. She wants your teeth in her skin, your scent painting her over and your claws embedded deeper into her flesh; your litter of pups.

“I-I’m so close—” she stutters, hips mimicking the shake in her voice. You curl the lithe, worn working of your fingers and scratch your claws only deeper against her walls, hearing her cry out. 

You coo with a roughened tip of your drawl, “Let me have it, darlin’.”

SNIPPET FROM ISSUE #6 "THE NEIGHBOUR IS A WEREWOLF!" ────────────────────────

From day one you have been a top neighbour. Welcoming and friendly, when she began to move her boxes into her new house, you were there at the truck’s side asking if she needed a helping hand. Of course, she took note of the scrap of metal sitting in your driveway that screamed for help more than her, but something about that charm you have made her accept instead. 

Eager, you began to haul in several boxes at a time, saving her at least an hour’s more work. 

She could never forget such kindness. It was scary to move somewhere completely new, heavy with doubt that she’d make any close friends so soon. Yet there you were, like a dog in the yard wagging your tail and hopeful, puppy eyes as you introduced yourself. 

From then on, you were always around in a way. Every morning when she’d make herself a cup of coffee and some breakfast, she’d see you out in your yard going about whatever it was you were doing that day. Touching up some of the broken pitches in the fence, weeding the hedges or— how she’d go bright red in seeing you in the farther corner of the backyard chopping logs of wood. 

She would quickly duck out of sight behind the floral pattern of her curtains just as you walked past, huffing and sweaty and carrying a load of wood that would take two men combined to haul. 

It was always a marvel and mystery of the things you could do, the small and sort of oddities she found. But it mattered little the moment she came home from work to find you half beneath the body of a car you were working on in your driveway, stereo turned up on full blast playing older music dated to the sixties at least. The way your stained jeans would hug the muscle of your legs, knees parted a little to spread and reveal the sturdy space of your lap and the junction between your legs. 

She had to think quickly and be smart in order to not get caught ogling at you when you spring out on the wheeled bed, tool in hand and hands covered darkly in car grime.

She had to think quickly and be smart in order to not get caught ogling at you when you spring out on the wheeled bed, tool in hand and hands covered darkly in car grime. How you always speak to her with that rumbly timbre edged into the vocal range of your voice, it sends tingles all down her spine and shooting into her core, leaving her with a dampened spot in her panties that she must now deal with after she shuts her front door at her heel. 

The things you would allow you to do with her if she just had the courage to ask. The things you would gladly do to her if she just gave you a chance. But there were other things that you had best keep to yourself and those chores were often curated around a time when you knew she wasn’t home or when it was late and under the cover of night…

Who wants a snippet from issues #7 and #8?

[thesleepyskipper]

WIP Wednesday!

Thank you to the lovely @onthewaytosomewhere and @henryspearl for the tags today!

I'm early as it was time to post the final chapter and epilogue of my @aroyallybigbangrwrb fic good neighbours (reblogs appreciated of my little post about it here ❤️)

Now that that's all done, it's time to really focus on 'the shower one' and I'm excited about it! Here's a little snippet.

There’s a stream of water running across Henry; it starts from his head, dampening his hair until it is dark and messy, pieces of it covering his eyes with droplets slowly dripping onto the tiled floor. From there, it chases a path from his neck, across his shoulder and down his torso, like a river. The kind of river Alex played in as a kid back in Texas. He wants to play in it, splash in it, bathe in it. He settles for reaching out and letting the stream run down over his hand as he places it on Henry’s chest.

And here's some tags for other lovelies in case you would like to play:

@kiwiana-writes, @welcometololaland, @cha-melodius, @orchidscript, @firenati0n

@theprinceandagcd, @cricketnationrise, @jmagnabo92, @myheartalivewrites, @piratefalls

@rmd-writes, @celeritas2997, @three-drink-amy, @iboatedhere, @noahreids

@blueeyedgrlwrites, @alasse9, @stereopticons, @rarelyrad, @smblmn

@nontoxic-writes, @indestructibleheart, @maxbegone, @clockwrkpendrxgon, @getmehighonmagic

@anincompletelist, @anchoredarchangel, @emmalostinwonderland, @heysweetheart-writes, @littlemisskittentoes

@tailsbeth-writes, @sparklepocalypse, @fullsunsets, @duchessdepolignaca03, @sophie1973

@hgejfmw-hgejhsf, @dragonflylady77, @agame-writes, @nocoastposts, @lightningboltreader

@inexplicablymine, @na-dineee, @notspecialbabe, @benwvatt, @cactusdragon517

@onetwistedmiracle, @tinyarmedtrex, @caterpills, @ninzied, @porcelainmortal,

@kordeliafawkes, @stratocumulusperlucidus, @bitbybitwrites, @idealuk, @stellarmeadow

@suseagull04, @wordsofhoneydew, @lizzie-bennetdarcy, @dreamtigress, @caterpills

@miss-minnelli, @priincebutt, @stellarmeadow, @softboynick, @judasofsuburbia

@firstprincefairytale, @rachelica9, @readstheroom, @anti-homophobia-cheese, @fullerthanskippy

@mummabear1o, @zwiazdziarka, @mikibwrites, @swearphil, @flowerfan2

[lulublack90]

Prompt 18 Neighbour AU

@wolfstarmicrofic April 18, word count 991

Remus Lupin had one asset, and that was his parent’s house. It was in the middle of the Welsh countryside. It was a mile walk to the little village, and the only thing it had going for it was the barn. It was light and airy and smelled of wood. 

Remus had spent a lot of time and effort converting it into a liveable space. The idea had been to sell it, but no one was interested in living so far away from the major cities. So, under the advice of his estate agent, he rented it out for short holidays. 

So far, it had been quite lucrative. With the money he made from that and his own job, he could afford chocolate whenever he wanted. 

The holiday season was coming, and he already had two weeks booked out. He tended to get a lot of city dwellers looking to get away from it all or families trying to get back to their roots. 

He checked his emails one morning with a fresh cup of tea and a plate of crumpets. HE filtered out the junk and found an inquiry email in his barn folder. He opened it.

A man was looking to hire the barn for the full summer and all of September as well. He was looking at three months of solid booking. It was a shame he couldn’t offer it, having already booked those two weeks. And he refused to let down his other guests. He typed a reply stating as much. He got a reply back almost instantly, asking if there was somewhere he could pitch a small tent. Mr Black said he would gladly still pay full price while his other guests used the barn. Remus couldn’t believe what he was reading. It seemed too good to be true. He sent a couple of pictures of his personal garden. The views weren’t as good, but it would be sheltered from the worst of the wind, and he could use Remus’s garden furniture. Again, the reply was quick. The man agreed and said he hoped he wouldn’t be any bother. 

Remus sent an invoice and got Mr Black to confirm he agreed to the price, and with the confirmation, he booked out the three months. He sat back with a pleased look on his face as he finished his crumpets. He just hoped that Mr Black would be a good neighbour as it was a long time to deal with a terrible guest. 

July arrived, and with it, a sleek black motorbike and an equally sleek owner. Sirius, as he demanded to be called, settled in instantly. He played his music a little loudly, but as it was to Remus’s taste, he decided to enjoy it. 

Remus found he quite enjoyed Sirius’s company, and they spent nearly every night in Remus’s garden drinking beers. Remus had even started making enough dinner for Sirius, though Sirius had told him he didn’t expect it but did appreciate it as he was useless at cooking.

It turned out that Sirius needed a break from his high-pressure job, which was why he’d come to Remus’s. 

“I hate it. It’s been my life since my mother found out she was pregnant with me. They own the company now, but my brother and I run it. He’s so much better at it than I am, and I swear he’d have such an easier time at it if I quit.” Sirius had admitted to him one August afternoon.

“Then why don’t you quit?” Remus asked as though it were an obvious solution. 

“Everything I own is tied up in the company. If I leave, I lose everything.” He shrugged. “My parents made sure it was that way after I went through a rebellious streak in my teenage years.”

“That’s terrible, Sirius. I wish I could help.” And Remus found he meant it. 

“Don’t fret about it. I’ll muddle through.” Sirius beamed at him as he patted Remus’s leg. “Right, enough feeling sorry for myself. I’m off for a walk. Care to join me?” Remus couldn’t think of any reason not to, so he took the proffered hand, and they strolled towards the village. 

Remus showed Sirius some of his favourite childhood haunts just off the beaten track, and they spent a wonderful afternoon in the thick foliage. 

Soon, the first week came around when Sirius would have to sleep in his tent. And, of course, the worst storm to hit Wales in over a hundred years decided to arrive that night. 

The trees were whipping back and forth, creaking and groaning. The fence surrounding Remus’s garden swayed dangerously. Remus refused to let Sirius stay out in this. He flung open the back door and yelled into the downpour. 

“Sirius! Sirius!” A face popped out of the zippered entrance of the tent. “Get in here!” Sirius shook his head. 

“I’m all good. Don’t fret.” 

Lightning cut across the sky, lighting the dark ground with its answering thunder not far behind. 

“Sirius, please! I won’t be able to sleep knowing you’re out here!” 

Suddenly, Sirius was streaking across the lawn and ran straight into Remus’s arms, knocking the lanky man back a few steps. Lighting flashed across the sky again and then another and another. The last bolt hit the cherry blossom tree in Remus’s garden, and a huge branch fell off and crushed the tent Sirius had been in moments before. 

“Yeah, probably a good call that Remus,” He joked. “Shall I put the kettle on?” Remus decided, not that he had much choice, that Sirius would be staying in his spare bedroom for the remainder of the two weeks. Maybe longer if the look Sirius was giving him meant what Remus thought it did. That night, they sat, snuggled up together on Remus’s tiny sofa in front of a roaring fire, sipping mugs of hot chocolate and listening to the storm wailing around them.  

[autisticlancemcclain]

The boy is young.

Marcela is concerned.

“What you are is nosy,” Miguel says.

“Blah, blah,” Marcela responds like the elegant lady she was raised to be, peeking through the blinds to watch as the boy struggles with several bags full of groceries. She frowns. “Look at him, Guelos. He’s still so young that he takes one trip with ten bags. He’s — a child, practically. A baby. With a mortgage. Who authorized this?”

Her husband sighs, pushing his chair out to come stand next to her. She opens the blinds a couple millimetres wider to help him see, leaning into the hand he places on her back.

“We were young too, you know. No older than him the year you were pregnant with Luis.”

Marcela frowns at him. “Yes, but we were young together. We both had savings, and jobs. I’d been practically raising my siblings for years, at that point. You’d been working since you were twelve. Times were — different, Miguel.”

She turns back to the window. The boy, who just moved in a few days ago, is standing on the small veranda, staring at the door. He looks down at his hand, laden with bags, and then back at the door. Marcela has to bite her lip to keep from smiling, despite her worry.

Miguel slides his hand across her shoulders, pulling her close and pressing a lingering kiss to her head. She closes her eyes, leaning into it, curling her fist at his sternum.

“Times have changed,” he agrees softly, words muffled against her skin. “We’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Okay,” she breathes. She watches over her husband’s shoulder as the boy finally gives up, dropping the groceries to the ground and digging around his pockets for his keys. It was funny before, but he looks so — defeated. Sad. Like this was the frustrating cherry on top of an already difficult day.

Or maybe she’s reading into things. She watches until he finally gets inside, door closing forcefully behind him, and she knows in her heart that she will not be able to leave it be.

———

Marcela is nosy.

“Why are we here,” Lancito whines, trying and failing to pull away from her hand.

“Because we are being neighbourly,” Marcela responds primly. She sees him stick out his tongue from the corner of his eye and decides to let him have it.

“You just want to see the inside of the new guy’s house,” he mutters.

Marcela’s jaw drops, because how the hell did that little brat know that, but before she can say anything the lock turns and she schools her face quickly back into her brightest smile, slightly strained. Lance, suddenly shy, hides behind her legs.

“…Hi,” the boy says. He looks — wary, slightly, but not too uncomfortable.

Marcela takes it for the win it is.

“Hello,” she says, softening considerably. The boy reminds her sharply of her brother. He had that same look to him, the eyes of someone older than he is; the posture of someone who seems to simply understand the world on a deeper level. His slight, awkward smile is identical, as well. She has to blink back tears, heart aching in missing him. “I’m Marcela. I live next door. These are for you.”

She holds out the plate of tostones, covered in aluminum foil. She’d originally had them in a container, but then worried that he’d feel pressured to wash and return it. She moved the tostones from the plate to the container so many times that Marco had walked over from where he was doing his homework, grabbed her hands, guided her gently to the side, and fixed the plate up himself. Miguel had laughed until he cried, because apparently he’s hankering for a divorce. (He’d laughed harder when she’d said that.)

“Oh.” The boy blinks, surprised. He stares at the plate for a moment, wary look on his face replaced with something like confusion.

“They’re tostones,” Lancito offers, peeking out from behind her. The boy startles, looking at Lance with wide eyes. Lance takes his awkwardness for ignorance. “They’re squashed plantains that are fried. Plantains are like bananas but better. Mamá makes them really good.”

Slowly, the boy reaches out and grabs the plate. He peels back the aluminum foil slightly, peeking inside.

“They look good,” he agrees, voice soft.

Lancito scoffs. He steps out from behind her, offense making him brave, but still hold on to the hem of her shirt. “Um, duh. They’re tostones.” He looks hungrily at the plate. “Mamá spent all morning making them and we didn’t get any. You must be her favourite neighbour or something.”

“Leandro-Agustín,” Marcela hisses, cheeks flushing. Lance only stares back at him with a puzzled expression, hand raised in a universal, what?

Luckily, though, the boy doesn’t seem to notice, or if he does he doesn’t say anything. He only slowly peels back the aluminum farther and offers the plate towards Lance. Lance looks back at Marcela, questioning. Marcela sighs.

Quickly, so she doesn’t change her mind, Lance snatches the closest one and shoves it in his mouth. The boy’s small smile gets a little bit bigger. He picks up his own tostone and takes a bite, inclining his head after swallowing.

“You were right,” he says. “They are delicious. Thank you, Mrs. Marcela.”

“Just Marcela is fine,” she assures.

The boy hesitates, face twitching. “I don’t think I can physically do that,” he says politely. “I can feel my grandmother rolling in her grave.”

Marcela snorts. “Alright, fair. I can live with the formalities, I suppose.”

The boy has the same tiny smile again. It brightens his eyes, makes his whole face look younger.

“I’m Takashi,” he says. He goes to offer his hand to shake, but there’s only —

The stump of his right arm twitches. The boy — Takashi — stiffens. Marcela watches, despondent, as his expression shutters, and he steps back.

“Thank you for coming,” he says robotically. “I appreciate the food.”

Marcela knows a dismissal when she hears one. She anguishes, once again, in the privacy of her own mind, just how young this kid is. Barely older than Luis.

“I’m right next door,” she says softly. Lance, ever observant, watches the two of them closely. “If you need anything, Takashi, let us know.”

The boy nods stiffly. He closes his door without another word. Marcela sighs.

“You’re gonna need another plate of nosy food,” Lance observes. “Or maybe you should invite him for dinner, and then he’ll invite you for dinner. That might work better.”

Marcela guides them down the steps and back to their house, kissing him gently on the head. “I think you’re right, mijo. You wanna help me make some cookies?”

They’ll get there.

[nerdywriter36]

Sticky Notes and Serendipity, Epilogue: Sticky Notes and Serendipity

AO3

And just like that, Sticky Notes and Serendipity is completed!! It's crazy to think about that, but @brendadaaedestler and I are so excited to be able to share the conclusion of this story with everyone. We are so happy with this sweet ending, and we think our readers will be too ❤️

The fact that this fic is finished and posted in its entirety is absolutely insane. The last year of working on it has been a wild ride and we have loved every second of bringing this beautiful story to life. The love that it received was something that neither of us expected but are so happy about; we're so glad that everyone came to love the story and these characters as much as we did. It is without a doubt one of my favourite things that I've ever written, that I am the most proud of, and I don't think that will change any time soon.

For everyone who has been waiting for the last part, here you are and THANK YOU for going on this ride with us!! For everyone who has been waiting for this fic to be completed before reading it, go nuts!!

Thank you to everyone who has read this fic, and enjoy the epilogue of Sticky Notes and Serendipity ❤️

[detective-inspector-her]

[asking in an ask now]

What is Neighbour Val?

Neighbour Val is sort of based on my Timetravel fic without the timetravel. The idea of the Darklys moving to Haggard to be closer to the Sanctuary.

Valkyrie is Auger and Omen's neighbour from the second book onwards and shenanigans ensue.

Because they'd be a fun trio.

More confident Omen, Darkly Parents Bashing. The whole thing. Also incorporating the Omen has asthma headcanon.

I've got a plan for One chapter and it's slow going, but it'll be out after I've written The Faceless Ones:Time Travel probably.

[totallynotashieldagent]

No Reservations

Masterlist

March

"So, no one else is on this floor?" You asked the building manager 

"Just one guy- But he's hardly around." He shrugged and handed you the key 

Disappointment. That was the only word you could think of. 

Neighbours were the easiest way to make friends, to get to know a city, to get to know its people. Even if it was a place like Gotham. But you were here for a year to finish your guild certification and through that, you didn't want to be alone. People at school weren't the friendliest, and there was good reason for it. The job placements afterwards were for a select number only and no one could jeopardise their career by fraternising with the enemy. 

In any case, you hoped that you'd just run into your mystery neighbour in the elevator or the hallway eventually, and make small talk then take it from there. Or just bring something back from class as a peace offering. 

The first week was manic. Moving in and making sure that you were prepared for the hectic months ahead.

[miryum]

I have three main WIPS I’m working on and I need motivation. Which to finish first? (I think the Jason girlies will win, but you never know 🤷‍♀️)

[pars-ley]

Number 28 (part one)

Pairing: Taehyung x female reader

Summary: Moving into your new building, the last thing you expect is to be helped by your gorgeous new neighbour but will ignoring the connection the two of you have be that easy or will it backfire and blow up in your face.

Genre: Neighbour au / fluff / Angst / friends to lovers /strangers to lovers / series /

Rating: 15 (SFW) 

Warnings: slight embarrassment / flirting / Taehyung being dreamy

Word count: 3.2k

Beta: @baljinciaga​ and @kthpurplesyou​ thank you both so much for your kind words and advice.

Banner: @imakeamess​ you’re honestly amazing.

Notes: This is for @btsmosphere​ thank you for your ask, I really appreciate and sorry it’s taken me so damn long. I’m turning this into a series, future chapters might possibly be nsfw. Thank you for reading and if you could reblog, comment or send me an ask telling me what you think, i’d really love it.

You manage to catch one of the double fire exit doors at the back of your new building with your foot and manoeuvre your back against it, enabling you to slip inside without having to put your heavy box down.

Moving into a new apartment is hard enough but you chose to do it at night, with only one friend to help you. It seemed like a good idea at the time, it would be quiet with hardly anyone using the elevator but you’d forgotten just how much stuff you had packed and the idea of just the two of you lugging everything up filled you with dread for the very long night ahead.

You hear the ding of the elevator, snapping you out of your thoughts, and rush round the corner to catch the back of someone going inside.

“Hold the doors, please!” you call out, struggling to get there before the doors close. A hand comes out at the last minute sending them opening again. “Thank you.” you say strained, as you step in and place the box down with a bump. Hopefully there’s nothing fragile in this one. Leaning over you press the same button that’s already alit and straighten up, trying to stretch your already aching back.

“Are you moving in?” a deep, rich voice echoes in the confines of the metal walls.

Wiping the sweat off your brow with the back of your hand and glancing up, you freeze for a moment. Now you understand what tall, dark and handsome really means and there he was in a suit tailored to perfection. Black hair styled flawlessly with not a single strand out of place, not to mention a face the gods themselves would make a picture of out of stars.

Suddenly you were wishing you weren’t standing here in your lounge suit, had some makeup on and weren’t a flushed sweaty mess while in such a confined space.

“Uh, yea.” you reply, feeling like an absolute idiot. That was the best you could come up with?

“Number 27 by any chance?” he asks, running a hand through his shiny hair and sending it bouncing back into place. The movement of his arm circulated his scent around you. Musky, sweet but clean and absolutely drawing you in.

You raise an eyebrow at his question. “Yea, how do you know? Was there a newsletter or something?” 

Laughing with a boxy smile that has your insides melting, “I happen to know who your new neighbour is.”

God, you hope its him.“And…what are they like? Wild parties? Loud music? Never ending stream of guests?”

A sideways smile that makes your heart hurt, he looks so damn good. “More like; quiet nights in with a book, a few friends over on the odd occasion and excessive photography. So if you can hear the click of the camera lens through the walls then it sucks for you.”

You laugh. That was a relief to say the least. “Oh, well that sounds bearable.”

“Does that mean you’re the party animal?” A touch of humour glinting in his ebony eyes.

“More of a late night movie watcher, friends over for gaming sessions and unless a paintbrush on a canvas can be heard, I'm as quiet as a mouse.”

A genuine heart warming smile stretches across his face.How someone so devastatingly handsome could be so adorable at the same time had you dizzy.

“Then in that case, welcome to the building, neighbour.” he puts a hand out and you shake it.

“You’re the bookworm?” you ask, unsure whether to feel excited at having his apartment so close or disappointed that you know can't date him for the very same reason. Like you'd have a shot anyway.

He grimaces slightly at the nickname. “Taehyung, nice to meet you.” you give him your name and he looks down at the singular box you have with you, “is this all you have?”

“I wish, there's a whole truck full downstairs and I've only just started.” you rub your face, tiredness of the day finally catching up.

“Where are your movers?” he frowns, seeming genuinely concerned.

“Miss cheap skate here didn’t wanna pay out for any. My friends offered but everyone, bar one person bailed last minute, so it’s just two of us.” you shrug attempting to ease the crease of worry on his forehead. 

“We can’t have that. I’ll go down with you and help.”

The elevator stops and the doors open with a loud ding. Bending to pick up the box it is taken from your grasp and lifted swiftly away. 

“No, no, honestly, you’ll ruin your suit.” you’re practically chasing him down the hallway to your door.

“I'll change.”

“I really couldn’t ask you to do that.” you fumble with your keys but manage to open the door to let him place the box inside. 

“Well it’s a good job you didn’t and I offered.” he says heading back out the door, removing his blazer and unlocking his door just a few metres from yours. “I’m just going to change quickly.”

You hesitate. “Well, if you insist on helping, that would be great."

He nods. "What are neighbours for? I'm just going to change," he says as he unlocks the door to his department. "I'll meet you back downstairs."

"Sure thing." You reply, pushing the button for the elevator and resisting the urge to look inside his apartment. When you hear his door click shut behind you, the excitement of having him help blooms inside you, holding back the squeal you feel bubbling in your throat and opting for a silent laugh instead.

The opening doors of the elevator invite you in and all you are met with is your cheshire cat grin looking back at you in the reflection of the mirrors inside. You shake your head at yourself. Get a grip. See a cute guy and you're ready to lose your mind. Yea sure he seems nice, friendly, helpful, not to mention dreamy but you cannot date your neighbour.

You push the thoughts aside ready to return to your task at hand.

Once outside, the autumn night air has a bite to it, very different to the warmth you felt next to Taehyung and it sends a shiver through you. The lights from the building illuminate the darkness, your boxes glowing like a broadway sign saying ‘new to the building’. 

Footsteps echo as you stroll down the quiet alley at the back of the building, the hushed sounds of the cars on the road of the busy city whisper in the distance. Your friend, Mark’s grunts interrupt the peace, the noise bouncing off of the walls around you, as he moves furniture into a pile at the end of the van.

“Is there anything you want taken up first?” he asks from inside the van. 

“Probably the parts of the bed, they can be taken straight into the bedroom and I'll put it together tomorrow.”

He turns to you over his shoulder, looking at you through his dark fringe and says, “and what are you going to sleep on tonight genius?”

“It’s called the sofa, dummy.” you poke your tongue out at him as the sound of light footsteps echo behind you. When Taehyung appears at your side, the same scent from the elevator envelopes you, even outside it's intoxicating. Glancing up at him you’re even more devastated by his casual outfit than you were in the suit.

The grey hoodie unzipped, showing a white t-shirt tight enough to accentuate his defined chest, with the matching grey jogging bottoms and a black baseball cap he wore backwards. This look made you want to bite your lip and let your eyes wander down but you dare not.

Snapping yourself out of your trance, you make introductions. “Mark, this is my new neighbour, Taehyung, who has so graciously offered to help us out.”

They nod to each other, before Mark returns to halling out bed parts.

“So, I made a call and a couple of my friends are coming over to help.” Taehyung informs you with your head snapping up in his direction. “What?”

Mark sighs, the sound full of relief. “Taehyung, I don't even know you but I like you already.”

Taehyung’s answering chuckle was endearing and you had to stop your eyes from growing puppy dog wide whilst you tried not to make your admiration obvious.

“You didn’t have to do that.” You say quietly, not wanting to seem ungrateful but not knowing how to deal with this stranger's kindness, as Mark starts to unload the bed parts, passing them down to you and Taehyung.

“I know but they aren’t doing anything, they’re happy to help.” 

You both head back inside, placing the bed parts against the wall next to the elevator to try to lessen your trips.

“It’s Friday night, how can they not have plans?” You can’t seem to let it drop, as kind as it is, you don’t like feeling in debt to someone.

“Hey, I don’t have plans.” Taehyung protests with a slight pout.

“You sure looked like you had plans?” raising an eyebrow at him quizzically.

He sighs, defeated, “Ok, I had a date.”

Surprisingly, disappointment blooms in your stomach and something akin to jealousy threatens under the surface but you push that away in an instant. “Oh?” you respond as you turn away and head back to the van.

“It was a blind date, I don’t usually agree to them,” he says quickly, as if ashamed. “And tonight just proved the reason why.”

You can’t fathom the delight that blooms inside your chest at hearing this and you mentally scold yourself for it. “That bad huh?”

He nods and you watch his face drop as you finish lugging all the parts of your bed back into the building. “I text a friend to "fake call" me with an emergency just so I had an excuse to leave.” 

You watch his forehead wrinkle in anguish as if wrestling with that decision he made and clearly feeling bad about it.

“We’ve all been there. Sometimes it’s gotta be done.”

He mulls that over and gives you a small smile. “Safe to say it’s the last blind date I'll be going on.”

You both journey up in the elevator again, holding the parts against the walls to stop them falling over.

“I’m struggling to understand why someone like you even needs to be set up on a blind date.” There you go thinking out loud again before you can stop the words escaping your lips.

His eyes look up at yours, gaze curious but you see something flicker in them you can't quite place. “Someone like me?”

Instantly your cheeks heat, wishing you could take that sentence back. Not having any idea what to say in response to save yourself some more embarrassment, you scramble for an answer until the panic makes you cave and you just decide to be honest.

“Yea…I mean, look at you. I’m surprised there’s not a line of women following you around as we speak.”

Now, it was his turn to blush. You watch the pink spread across his cheekbones as he tries to hide his bashful smile. “Definitely not.” clearing his throat and flicking the hair out of his eyes he changes the subject, something you’re grateful for. “Anyway, what about you? Moving in alone?”

“Yep, just me.” You were feeling awkward and not sure why.

“No boyfriend?” his eyebrow twitches and you just shake your head in response. 

“Now that surprises me.”

It was your turn again for that persistent blush having only just got rid of it. “Why’s that?” and yet, a part of you wanted him to continue.

“Well, you’re beautiful, funny, friendly…that's just what I've got from our brief encounter so far. Not to mention, creative and a gamer, all high ranking points in what a lot of guys look for in someone…”

You shrug, managing to hide the grin that threatens to portray itself. “It’s finding a nice guy that's not going to waste my time, that’s the problem.”

He nods, understanding. Maybe it’s the same with women too. “Relationships are not the difficult part to navigate. For me, it’s finding someone that’s actually interesting enough to want to spend so much time with, do you get that?” The same worry in his eyes you’ve felt in yourself countless times when attempting to open up to someone. He really gets it.

“Completely. Lately, it feels as if so much is focused on how someone looks and how much money they spend on dates, as opposed to the actual connection you have with someone and how they make you feel. After all, when you’re old and wrinkled that’s what’s really going to matter.” There’s a long pause and when Taehyung doesn’t respond you glance up at his face to see him staring at you, smiling.

When a few more moments pass, you awkwardly shift your feet and that seems to snap him out of his trance. He clears his throat again and nods. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

On your return trip back downstairs, his friends have arrived in the lobby and he introduces you to Jungkook and Jimin, both extremely friendly and extremely handsome. What are these guys eating?  Having this many good looking, friendly and helpful guys in a friendship group should be against basic human rights.

After some casual chit chat, their sleeves are rolled up and they are lugging box after box to your apartment. Even Mark seems to get along with all of them and he is one of the least social people you know, he barely even tolerates you.

Everything moves fast with the extra hands and before long there are only a few more boxes to take up. It's when you get the sofa into the building that you realise it will not fit in the elevator and all of you will have to try to take it up seven flights of stairs. 

The comical aspect of this proves too much at first as all of you at some point end up in fits of laughter as you all try angling it in different ways to get it past the corners and the bannisters. This was a living 'friend's' sketch for sure, the urge to call out "pivot" was almost overwhelming but in case they were not fans of the show you decided to keep it to yourself, smirking in your own amusement.

By the time the sofa reaches your new living area, the guys had a sheen of sweat across their brows and their heavy panting chorused together.

“Ok, you guys have done enough! Me and Mark can take it from here,” you touch Taehyung's shoulder, “Thank you, all, you’ve been such a great help.”

Jungkook jumped on the spot a little, “Nah we’re good, there’s like three more boxes, we’ll go and grab the last ones.” He flexes his muscles and wiggles his eyebrows at you before him and Jimin jog out down the hallway.

“Whatever these guys are on, I want some of it.” Mark says dryly before leaving with them.

Now you and Taehyung are alone again, awkwardness starts to rise up and you’re unsure why but before it can escalate you interject, “Well then, I’m getting pizza for everyone as a thank you. Where’s a good pizza place ‘round here?” You pull out your phone already googling places in the area.

“You don’t have to do that.” Taehyung protests and you give him a disapproving look.

“And you all didn’t have to help me, so let me repay the gesture.”

He gives in and nods, telling you about a pizza place they order from all the time. As you complete the order, the others return with the last of your stuff. 

You surveyed your apartment, it didn’t look like much right now but it was yours and all your stuff was here.

Mark’s arm winds around your shoulders, encasing you in a warm hug. “You ok?” he watches your face as you nod and lean into him.

You felt an immense swell of pride in your chest, and you had every reason to be proud of yourself. You had bought this apartment on your own, with only a little help from Mark of a small loan for your deposit but you had done it. A huge milestone you'd dreamed of reaching, fair enough you'd always imagine this step with a partner or husband but the fact that you managed by yourself made you feel even more successful. It showed you, you could be successful on your own without a man propping you up.

After the last apartment you attempted to buy with your ex, you weren't sure you wanted to even try again. But dwelling on the past doesn't do anyone any good. Here you are, finally at a place in life you were happy in most aspects.

You take a deep breath and turn back to the guys. “Ok, pizza’s on the way.”

They cheer and you are quickly enveloped in a warm hug with Jungkook and Jimin, dancing you around the room until you are laughing so much your belly hurts.

“Alright, I vote we eat in my apartment, as I have the luxury of seating.” Taehyung’s amused voice sounds.

“Excuse me sir, but what do you call that?” You point at your sofa with feign shock popping your mouth open.

“Let me rephrase, I have the luxury of ample seating.” 

You couldn't help the laugh that escapes. “Fair point.”

Taehyung leaves with Jungkook and Jimin talking excitedly but you feel eyes on you and turn to the only one left in the room.

“What?” you ask after noticing Mark's questioning gaze.

“What is that?”

You frown as you look around the room, not understanding. “What is what?”

“Oh come on, there’s something between you two.” he says as if stating a well known fact.

Your brain hustle’s for some semblance of understanding. “Between who now?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Don’t give me that. You and Taehyung, it’s so obvious it’s practically visible.”

Your mouth pops open and you feel annoyance rise up inside you, at him creating something over nothing. “I’ve only just met him.”

Shrugging, he replies. “Since when does a spark have a time constraint?”

Your mouth opens for a response but you hesitate. Do you have a spark? Just because two people get along doesn’t mean there’s something behind it. “It’s called being friendly, doofus.”

“Hmm-mm,” raising an eyebrow at you. “You’re friendly with me, with Jungkook and Jimin too but Taehyung…god, it’s practically suffocating, the energy between you, and you know i’m right otherwise you wouldn’t be getting so defensive.” He smirks and the sight irritates your soul. 

“There. Is. Nothing.” your foot stamps slightly making your point final as you fold your arms across your chest, something Mark finds very amusing.

“Alright, little miss brush-off, whatever you say. Let’s go eat.” He hooks your arm and drags you out the door and to Taehyung's apartment with questions rapidly filling your head and overthinking now beginning. 

Was he right? Did Taehyung like you or is Mark simply reading into a new friendship too hard? Either way, you have to be careful now, the last thing you need is to fall out with your next door neighbour. Whether that be heartbreak or misunderstanding, especially when you’ve only been in the building for four hours.

[onboardsorasora]

https://www.tumblr.com/onboardsorasora/747284783747497984

Neighbor max comes home to Daniel washing his car in Max’s parking spot

He’s horny and annoyed

oh and Daniel's probably doing this in tiny shorts and like a muscle shirt so he's not hiding anything. the sun is beating down on him and his wet and glistening and Max is sooooo annoyed becasue thats his space.

he stomps into the building. refusing to respond to daniel's greeting. of course his apartment faces the parking lot. so he glances out his window and see's daniel in all his glory. jerks off to the play of muscles in the sun

[i-did-not-mean-to]

Best Day of his life

My dear little @fandomfaeryreads has also sent in something. With the help of @laurfilijames who is always my soundboard and inspiration, I've come up with the following...

Words: 1,5 k

Warnings: None

Characters: Kíli x OC

“I truly hope that you’ll find someone to accompany you to my wedding,” Fíli grinned, raking his broad fingers through the soft, golden beard covering his shapely jaw. “We wouldn’t want everyone to be worried about you, would we?”

Kíli shot his brother a doubtful look over the breakfast table and shook his head. “It’s more surprising that you’d find someone willing to marry you, given that you’re boorish, smelly, and an award-winning idiot.”

“Oh, someone is worried, huh?” Fíli teased, leaning back confidently. Ever since his girlfriend had accepted his proposal he was – he had to admit this much himself – a little cocky.

“Never,” his younger brother shot back and pushed aside his half-full plate petulantly.

The unnerving grin on Fíli’s face made him want to punch him, and Kíli was sure that his new sister-in-law would not at all appreciate it if her groom sported a black eye in their wedding pictures.

Stewing in his own annoyance, he threw open the French windows and stalked out into the narrow garden; he still loved the house his mother had raised them in, and he dreaded the moment Fíli would move out for good to set up his own household with his wife.

“Hey Kí,” a soft voice resounded and, instinctively, Kíli turned to the wooden lattice that separated their plot from the adjacent garden.

“Hi Bean,” he greeted and leaned his cheek against a gap so that she could press a giggling kiss onto it. “My sweet saviour! Now that I see you, my day has become 100% better.”

Kíli chuckled; her and her mother had moved into the neighbouring house when he had been a young teenager and – with all the humour of their immature minds – he and his brother had taken to calling the young girl “Bean” on account of her being short and laughably fragile compared to their hardy boyhood.

Over the years, the good-natured witness of their dumbest antics and most grievous accidents had grown into a charming young woman though whose demure beauty had attracted more than one suitor. Kíli had chased them all away in more or less discreet ways.

Unfortunately for him, Bean did not take him seriously when he tried to flirt with her; she seemed to stubbornly mistake his earnest admiration for a callous continuation of his adolescent taunts.

“What happened?” she asked, taking in his sour face and the dark cloud of dismay marring his usually so cheerful visage.

“Oh, Fí is being an ass. Say, what do you do tomorrow?”

“I am going to your brother’s wedding, as are you,” Bean replied calmly, cocking her head in a way that made her hair cascade like a curtain of translucent silk over her slender shoulder.

“Would you like to go with me?” Kíli asked, surprised by the sudden feeling of tightness in his chest.

“I thought you’d share a car with Fí. Don’t you have to be there earlier? Well, either way, I’d be delighted to be of help,” Bean replied with a bright smile.

“Yes. No. No, that is not what I meant. Do you want to go as my date?”

She blinked a few times and then broke into mocking laughter. “Did your former date cancel?”

“I haven’t asked anyone,” Kíli huffed proudly.

“Ah, so I am the last resort solution?” Arching an elegant brow, she crossed her arms over her chest and let him waffle for a few seconds.

“No,” he finally said, “I didn’t feel like asking just anyone. I wanted to go with someone who means something, you see?”

Her smile grew warmer and her narrow, slender hand pushed through the planks to pat his muscular, lean forearm soothingly.

���Sure I’ll come with you. It will be like old times…Oh, that’s my mother calling. I’ll see you tomorrow?” With a last, reassuring squeeze and a sunny smile, she disappeared into the house, leaving Kíli alone in the garden, pondering how he could convince her of the depth of his affection.

When he rang the doorbell of the neighbouring house the next day, Kíli felt his heart beating in his throat.

“See you there,” he heard her call to her mother and then, the door swung open to reveal his childhood friend in a pale blue dress that complimented her sparkling eyes. She looked like a China doll – precious and perfect – but her mischievous grin was still the same as it had ever been.

“Look at you,” she whistled, “you clean up nicely, Kí.”

“Eh, I have to keep up with the prettiest girl around, don’t I?” he shot back with a wink and offered her his arm to escort her to his car; Fíli – much less arrogant on his big day – had already left with their mother, but Kíli was sure that his brother didn’t need another nervous relative breathing down his neck just yet.

“Ah, flatterer,” Bean laughed but took his arm and gave it the usual, comforting squeeze.

“Not at all,” Kíli protested softly, “you look gorgeous.”

“It’s my best dress,” she admitted, a hint of colour mounting into her cheeks.

“I don’t only mean today,” Kíli jumped on the opening, “even though you do look especially charming on this day of celebration and joy.”

Bean didn’t reply to that, she merely looked at him inquisitively with her birdlike head movement and her bright eyes.

The ceremony turned out to be wonderful and – when a few stray tears rose into Kíli’s eyes at the sight of the boundless happiness of his brother – Bean handed him her embroidered handkerchief without a word.

“Ask the girl to dance.” Kíli looked up only to meet his sister-in-law’s sparkling, green eyes. “You’re not usually one lost for words, are you?”

Heaving a sigh, Kíli recounted all the compliments he had already paid Bean over the years without omitting how easily she had swatted his attempts at suave charm and playful flirtation aside at every turn.

“Hmmmm,” his brother’s siren-wife hummed, tapping a perfectly manicured finger against her full, rosy lips pensively. “How about you drop the act and just tell her the truth then?”

Giving him a hearty slap on the back, she drifted away to entertain the rest of her wedding party and Kíli resolved to take her advice.

“Dance?” he asked nervously as soon as he reached the table at which Bean dreamily was sitting and marvelling at the understated elegance of her surroundings.

“Oh, you don’t have to,” she laughed.

“I want to,” Kíli insisted and led her to the wooden dancefloor in the middle of the room. How often had he dreamed about holding her in his arms like that?

“Bean,” he whispered into her ear. “I really meant it all the times I’ve told you that you’re beautiful.”

“Ah, you’re making fun of me again,” she chided softly, but there was a note of exhaustion and genuine hurt in her voice.

“I am not. I know that I might have behaved despicably when I was younger, but I would have thought that we’re friends and that, one day, you’d realise that I’ve grown up and…that you’d finally believe me.”

Her eyes were wet and round when she looked up at him now; Kíli could only stare at the pale oval of her sweet face, illuminated by dancing lights and flickering candles.

“I am flippant,” Kíli admitted, “because it’s easier to say the very serious things in life as if they meant nothing, but I do cherish you deeply and I think you’ve been the prettiest girl in town since the day Fíli had to cut his hair.”

“I seem to remember,” Bean cut in, “that someone had burned his hair?”

“Irrelevant,” Kíli waved her interjection aside. “What I want to say is…I’ve been in love with you for longer than I can remember and, even if you don’t reciprocate these feelings, I’d be thankful if you couldn’t just dismiss them out of hand.”

He took a deep breath; it felt good to have verbalised all the doubt and the compounded insecurity he had dragged through the years, too afraid to confront them and too enamoured to let them go.

“Oh, you fool,” Bean chuckled and pushed herself onto her tiptoes.

“I swear, if you kiss my cheek like a good sister now, I will scream,” Kíli moaned; they had been like this for too long – him saying dumb stuff and her forgiving him instantly – for her to even hear how much he wanted her to change the way she saw him.

“You’ve always talked too much,” Bean sniggered, caught his face in her soft, warm hands, and pressed her lips to his.

Kíli forgot about the dance and about the people looking on; he simply lifted her into his arms and melted into that first kiss he had fantasised about for years.

This truly was the most blessed day of their existence.

@fellowshipofthefics here's the second one for today :D

Lots of love from me <3

[thesleepyskipper]

Seven (+1) Sentence Sunday

Many thanks to @kiwiana-writes, @blueeyedgrlwrites, @myheartalivewrites and @littlemisskittentoes for the tags!!

I'm really happy to be able to say that I have finished my rough draft for @aroyallybigbangrwrb and Chapter 1 will be posted a week today, next Sunday!

Here's another little sneak peek of my neighbours AU with a bonus sentence! 😂

“Hi,” Henry responded, barely able to make proper words in his head, proud to have at least formed a single intelligible syllable with his mouth. 

His brain was still stuck on how stunning the man in front of him was, his unfairly long eyelashes coming into view as he got closer and closer. In fact, he felt there were not enough adjectives in the English language to describe just how beautiful he was. And Henry should know, as an English Literature major with a Master’s degree from Oxford, and certainly as a published author with a novel currently on the New York Times bestseller list.  

(Okay, it was #14 this week and had never been above #12, but he was definitely not complaining - he had at least made it onto the list!). 

Not wanting to be rude, Henry managed to get a few more words to escape his lips, “I’d shake your hand, but I’m a bit, uh, indisposed at the moment.” 

He tried to point at the box by tipping his head towards it, hoping that got the message across. Henry also tried to appear perfectly capable of managing the weight, but his arms were straining at this point as the box started to slowly slip lower and lower in his grasp, inching towards the floor.

Tagging friends new and old who might like to share on this beautiful weekend!

@rmd-writes, @celeritas2997, @cricketnationrise, @nontoxic-writes, @welcometololaland

@indestructibleheart, @alasse9, @sparklepocalypse, @ships-to-sail, @firenati0n

@anincompletelist, @anchoredarchangel, @iboatedhere, @priincebutt, @jmagnabo92

@heysweetheart-writes, @duchessdepolignaca03, @hgejfmw-hgejhsf, @dragonflylady77, @theprinceandagcd

@henryspearl, @agame-writes, @fullsunsets, @nocoastposts, @inexplicablymine

@na-dineee, @notspecialbabe, @benwvatt, @cactusdragon517, @onetwistedmiracle

@suseagull04, @caterpills @stratocumulusperlucidus, @tailsbeth-writes, @getmehighonmagic

@cha-melodius @three-drink-amy @orchidscript @onthewaytosomewhere, @tinyarmedtrex

@ninzied, @porcelainmortal, @emmalostinwonderland

(I think I've fixed my tags now! Open tag to anyone else who wants to share!)

[annaofthenorthernlights]

Just neighbours...

@domaystic

Fandom: Frozen modern au Pairing: Kristanna Rated T day 06 - prompt: under the same umbrella