#Places to eat Harlow

[i-am-baechu]

♬ Summary: “I wanna see it in motion, in 3D...” 

♬ Pairing: Established relationship; Jungkook x reader 

♬ Rating:  Explicit (18+) 

♬Genre: Established relationship, angst, fluff, and smut

♬ Warnings: Smut and talks about body insecurities 

♬ Part of, ‘ His Fan Girl

♬ Playlist: 3D - Jungkook ft. Jack Harlow

♬ Author’s Note: I worked late :( sorry for the late post 🫶🏻

It was another night that Jungkook was working late. She came with him as he filmed his music video for his song 3D in LA and it felt good to be back home but it felt different. He was working so hard for his album and she couldn’t be prouder of him. She wanted to surprise him and do something sexy for him (as an award). He was always taking charge and she thought tonight was the night to change that up. Ever since the interview, Y/N gained weight. She’s been so stressed with the drama that it became noticeable in her appearance. 

She never told Jungkook this but she didn’t feel beautiful because of it. Well, she never did. Jungkook was her fiancée and he was a Calvin Klein model. She was just her. Just normal. She had stretch marks on her thighs and breast and she couldn’t compare to the Kpop girl idols. It was hard when your mind played tricks on you. Not fun at all. 

She looked down at the white negligee with matching tights. It wasn’t the most revealing lingerie but it was revealing for her at this moment. Her belly piercing was shining in the low light and she knew that Jungkook liked her piercing (the only reason why she bought the lingerie in the first place). She had her hair pin back with a flower clip that he gifted her from their anniversary. She looked pretty, that’s what she was telling herself. 

“Y/N, I'm home! I missed you!”

She glanced at the closed door and took a deep breath. She quietly walked towards the door and before she opened it, she closed her eyes. Hoping it would give her confidence. She opened the door and slowly walked towards the sitting room where she heard shuffling. 

“Y/N, I got you some food from the set. I'm going to be honest, it's mostly sweet food because the other food you were allergic to.”

She felt her hands getting sweaty and she stood by the couches and glanced down at the carpet, “D-Did you eat?” 

“Yeah, I know we like to eat dinner together but I was just starving.”

She nodded her head and swallowed some spit, “As long as you eat...”

Jungkook turned around with his love daze look he always has, it quickly changed into something she knew very well. His eyes ran across her body and she couldn’t meet his dark brown eyes, “You look beautiful.” 

“Yeah?” She looked up at him and she quickly frowned at herself. She covered her eyes in frustration and turned around, “God this isn’t how I wanted it to be.” 

“How did you want it to be?” 

“A good reveal? I just walked out here like an idiot.” 

Jungkook shook his head and wrapped his arms around her waist as he leaned down to be in the crook of her neck. He nuzzled his head against hers as she placed her hands on top of his, “You're not an idiot.” 

“I can’t be sexy...you can easily do it because well...”

He raised his eyebrow at this and placed a kiss on her cheek, “Well what?” 

“You're a Calvin Klein model...” 

“What does that have anything to do with this?” 

She sighed and tried to push his arms off but no use, “It has everything to do with it..I can’t be sexy for you. Not in this body.” 

He turned her around and his frown deepened, “You are the most beautiful women in this universe. Your body fits perfectly into mine. Every inch was made for me. Don’t talk bad about it.” 

She looked away from his face and sighed, “I know you notice...”

“Noticed that you're my beautiful wife? Yes, I have.”

“I gained weight since the interview...I can’t wear my shorts anymore. I picked this lingerie because it covered most of my body. I can’t be sexy and It’s so hard.” 

He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead, “How long?” 

She knew what he was asking but she was too scared to answer with the truth, “Why does it matter?” 

“Obviously I haven’t done a good job at showing how beautiful you are.” 

“It’s-”

“It is my job. You are my future and it’s my job to make you feel secure within our love and yourself. Tell me everything that’s on your mind. All the bad and all the good. I am here to be your rock, give me the chance to be your rock.” 

She looked up at him and smiled, “You are my rock...I’m sorry that I hide my feelings from you. It must be annoying to constantly feel left out.”

“It’s not because I know it's hard for you. I’ll always be here for you, remember that. Do you want to go to the bedroom and restart this?” 

She nodded her head and leaned up to place her lips on his in a quick kiss, “I do.” 

They held hands and walked towards the bedroom as Jungkook whispered sweet nothings to her. He sat on the bed and held her hand as she smiled at him. They let go and she walked into the bathroom with her heart beating from her chest, “Act like you don’t know what I’m wearing!” 

“That’s really hard for me...especially when you look so good.” 

“Kook, please.” 

“Fine.” 

She flattened the skirt and took a deep breath. She grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, pulling it open. She stepped into the room and she smiled at Jungkook who was already looking at her with love, “You look gorgeous. You think you can turn around for me?”

She nodded her head and she slowly turned around giving him a full view of the lacy piece. She turned back and gave him a shy smile, “I know it's not the most exciting piece-” 

“It’s exciting for me.” 

She played with the hem of the negligee and let out a small laugh, “Want me to take it off?”

“That depends, do you want it off?” 

She nodded her head, “I do.” 

She grabbed the hem of the negligee and lifted it up. Jungkook smiled more when he saw the little heart tattoo and the cotton sports bra that he came to love. It just made her breast look so big and full, it truly made him into a caveman whenever he saw it. The white stockings that she had on made her thighs look softer than usual and he couldn’t hold himself back. She looked up at him and turned her head to show him the clip, “I finally used the clip.”

He looked at the clip with his gentle eyes and smiled, “I picked that out because it made me think of your eyes.”

“Always the romantic one.” He took off his shirt and started unbuttoning his jeans, “What are you doing?” 

He glanced at her and gave her a confused look, “Getting naked? I know how uncomfortable you get if I’m still fully clothed while you're naked.”

She felt her heart swelled at this and she felt her face warm up, “You always think of me. No matter what, it makes me love you more.”

He smiled at this and took off his jeans leaving him in Calvin Klein boxers, “It’s an honor to be able to make you feel that way.” 

She slowly walked towards him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. His chin was against her stomach as he looked up at her. She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled, “I forgot to ask, how was shooting?” 

He kissed her stomach and looked back up at her, “It went well. I can’t wait to show you the finished product. Enough work talk.”

She pushed his arms away and took a step back. She removed her underwear and his eyes never left her. She took off her bra and folded it with her negligee (something Jungkook found cute. She always folded her clothes before they had sex, it was hot and cute). She went to take off the stocking but his voice stopped her, “Keep them on.” 

His voice made her look up and she glanced down at his boxers to see how hard he was. She nodded her head and watched him take off his final piece of clothing. He moved towards the pillows and she watched him stroke himself. Even though they’ve been together for so long, it always made her feel shy when he did that. She walked over to the bed, climb onto it. She crawled up to him and sat herself between his legs, “I really do love you, Jeon Jeongguk.” 

Everytime she used his real name, he couldn’t help but get hard. He let out a low groan and looked up at the ceiling, “Babe, you know what that does to me.” 

“I know...that’s why I did it.” She glanced down at his hard cock and then back at him, “Can I?” 

“Be good for me.” 

She shuffled backwards and lowered down. She took his cock into her hands and stroked him firmly. She glanced at him and he gave her a nod. That’s all she needed. She placed him into her mouth and he let out a deep groan. She took him deeper as she felt more confident. He pushed some hair back and his fingers gently touched the hair pin. He quietly let out a fuck and brought her up to kiss her. She let out a loud squeak at the surprise move. She quickly changed her wide eyes and closed them to return a passionate kiss. Her hands went to his chest as their tongues explored each other's mouths. 

“You can’t just do that, Kook.” She whispered against his lips as he smirked at her shyness all of sudden.

“You're so shy but you were just sucking my cock. I don’t understand how you do it.”

“D-Do what?” 

“Be so sexy. Can I fuck you?” 

She glanced down at his bare chest and then at his face, “Please.” She placed a quick kiss on his lips as hands went down her body. She let out a small laugh when he gave her that goofy smile, “What?” 

“I’m surprised that you didn’t do pink or purple. You usually do pastel colors.” 

“Can I be honest?”

He nodded his head and pushed some hair back, “Of course.” 

“I saw the white and I couldn’t help but think about a wedding dress.” 

He stared at her for a second and then brought her into a passionate kiss. Their tongues battled and she let out a low moan, “Y/N, you can’t just say shit like that and not expect me to fuck you.” 

The head of his cock slid over her clit and she let out a surprised gasp, “I-I was just telling the truth.” 

His hands went to her tights and rubbed the soft cotton, “The truth is going to get you fucked out.” She glanced down to see him slowly pushing into her. She let out a moan and wrapped her arms around his neck. He rubbed her lower back and let out a groan, “You’re so wet.” 

“I-I was thinking about you. I missed you.”

He let out another groan and kissed the side of her head, “I’m sorry I've been busy.”

“Do-Don’t apologize for working. I-I understand.” 

He let out a chuckle and cupped her face as their lips almost touched, “Always understanding.” He moved and had her on top fully and she looked down with a shy look. He smirked at her and his fingers touched the stockings. He pulled it, making it snap against her skin, “Always so shy.  I wanna see it in motion.” 

She glanced down at her breast and looked away, “I don’t want to go too fast...they got bigger.” 

He let out groan and looked up at the ceiling, “Babe, you are fucking killing me.” 

“I-I’m just telling the truth...”

She placed her hands on his chest and started moving the best she could. She still hasn’t mastered riding him but she improved from the first time. She let out a steady moan as he watched her move up and down. He brought his hands up to her breast and started pinching at her nipples, “K-Kook.” 

“Just keep going baby. You're doing so good for me.” 

Her eyes fluttered closed and she fell forward when she felt his hips meeting her speed. She kissed the side of his neck as she moaned, “Kook, I’m gonna come.” 

“Go ahead baby.” He encouraged her as he rubbed his hands on her lower back. She let out a loud moan and he watched her eyes closed tightly as her orgasm washed over her, “You’re doing so good baby.” 

“K-Kook”

“I know babe, I’m almost there.” She ignored the over sensitivity and kissed the side of his neck. Making sure she didn’t leave any marks behind. Jungkook continued to move and he let out a groan. He brought her into a kiss and he grunted against her lips, “Fuck, your good baby?” 

She nodded her head and continued to kiss his neck, “You come in me. It’s okay.”

“Y-You sure? I don’t want you having another pregnancy scare.” 

She moaned and kissed his cheek, “If it happens, it happens. Remember.” 

“Fuck, Y/N.” He felt her clench and this was the last push he needed. He came inside of her and she closed her eyes at the feeling. After a moment of silence, Jungkook kissed her shoulder as she leaned against him, “You can’t say shit like that.”

“I meant it. If I get pregnant then I’ll be happy.” 

“I will fuck you again to make sure that happens.” 

She let out a laugh and sat up slowly, “Did you whisper your lyrics to me?” 

He let out a small laugh and looked away in embarrassment, “Maybe.”

“Is this another sex song?”

“I’m not going to answer.”

“YAH! JUNGKOOK!”

[heavyhitterheaux]

Put Me to Sleep (NSFW)

First Lady of Private Garden Blurb

AN: um this was supposed to be a Blurb, but I think it's a little longer than that lol

Synopsis: You can't sleep and you quickly ask your husband to fix that for you

Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

Do Not Engage If You Are Underage

"Babe?" You called out to Jack as the time on your phone said 3:26 AM. You had been tossing and turning for a number of hours now with no relief. Usually all you needed to go to sleep was to have Jack laying next to you, but not even that had worked.

You hated waking him up in the middle of the night since it seemed like he would be having nightmares majority of the time so when it looked like he was in a peaceful sleep, you wanted to leave him be.

However, the next morning the first thing out of his mouth would be why didn't you wake him up.

"Hmm? What's wrong baby?" He asked while turning over to look at you and was wondering when you had moved away from him.

"I can't sleep. I've just been laying here for hours." You quietly said while pouting and all Jack did was stare at you until he got an idea and knew the perfect way to get you to sleep.

"You need me to do something for you?" Jack asked as he leaned over and started to kiss down your neck.

"Umm…."

"You tell me any other time what you want, so what's so different now? Come on baby, say what you want me to do to you. Don't tell me my girl is getting shy on me.”

"Eat me out." You softly said and all Jack did was smirk before pulling you closer to him as he placed a soft kiss on your lips.

"Lay on your back then. And you are wearing way too many clothes. Since when do you go to bed like this?" He asked while tugging at your shorts.

"I was cold." You answered as you shrugged.

"That's a first. Since you said that you can't sleep and you woke me up so obviously me being the amazing husband that I am, I'm about to put you to sleep. But first we need to lose these clothes."

Jack gave you another swift kiss before pulling your pajama top over your head and noticing that you weren't wearing a bra underneath, immediately started placing kisses all along your breasts.

"You better not run from me either. You asked for this so you better lay there and take it.”

"I'm not going to!"

"Sure, we'll see." Jack responded before he simply shrugged and made himself comfortable between your legs, but not before leaving a trail of kisses all along your body.

All he did was simply run his fingers across your folds and smirked when he took notice of how wet you were and proceeded to put them in his mouth as you let out a quiet moan.

“Mmm, my baby always tastes so good. You ready for me?”

“I'm always ready for you.”

“Then spread your legs to give me some room and act like you want it.”

You did as you were told and quickly felt him take one long lick that was painfully slow and he could tell that you were getting impatient.

“Babe…” You breathed out wanting him to speed up the process. You were growing desperate at this point.

“Patience, princess.” Was all you heard before he dived back in. He had a tight hold on your legs to make sure you didn't move away from him.

“Oh fuck.” Was the only thing you managed to say before he quickly slipped two fingers into you as he still kept his mouth on you.

Your hands quickly went to play with your pierced nipples as you were rolling them between your fingers while trying to do your best to keep quiet since you knew Urban would be pissed if you woke him up for the third time this week.

“Look at that pretty pussy creaming for me.” You heard Jack say as you peeked your eyes open to see that it was all over his fingers and he quickly held them up to your mouth so you could taste yourself.

“Open up for me baby and see how good you taste.”

You complied and felt some escape out of the side of your mouth which Jack quickly leaned down and grazed his tongue across it before taking his fingers out of your mouth and kissing you.

Jack moaned into the kiss as he could still taste you before pulling away from you and taking one of your pierced nipples in his mouth and sucking lightly. As he was doing this, he slipped his fingers back into you as he added another one and you were getting close to hitting your peak by the second.

“Got damn. Are we sure that there are only seven seas because I definitely found number eight between my wife’s legs. Who gets you wet like this, baby?” Jack asked and all you did was stifle a laugh as he added another finger.

“Only you do.”

Jack then leaned down to suck on your clit and you knew right then and there that you were about to lose it.

“Oooh fuck, oh fuckkkkk.” You whispered before your hands quickly went to Jack’s curls to pull him even closer if that was possible.

Between him having four fingers in you and sucking on your clit, you were caught off guard when you released all over his face, but he still wouldn’t let your legs go as you were whimpering and he kept pleasuring you.

“Mmmm, baby.” You said while attempting to move away from him, but he quickly pulled you back.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going? You asked me to put you to sleep so that’s what I’m doing.”

Jack then crawled up your body while placing kisses as he went before laying next to you and you looked at him confused.

“We’re not anywhere near done and you need to get up here and sit on my face.”

With your legs still shaking you did as you were told and felt him slap your ass before he positioned you where he wanted you.

It was now close to 5:45 in the morning when you glanced at the clock and you had now lost track of how many times you came and your husband didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. He had now been eating you out in different positions close to two hours and you felt as if you could barely keep your eyes open.

“Come on baby, you can give me one more. You can’t go to sleep yet because I have to change the sheets anyway so you might as well let me make you cum one more time.”

“Only on one condition.” You quietly answered while looking up at him.

“Name it, princess.”

“I want you in me.”

“Your wish is my command.”

As soon as you said that, Jack quickly slid off his boxer briefs and his dick sprung free making your mouth water as you saw the precum leaking from it. He started to lightly stroke himself before sliding into you and bottoming out, making both of you moan in pleasure.

“Fuck, you feel so good around me, baby.”

All you could do was moan in response as Jack quickly placed your legs on top of his shoulders and you knew from that point on that he wasn’t about to show you any mercy.

And sure enough you were right as he quickly pounded into you.

“That’s it, take all of it, baby. You’re doing such a good job. Keep those legs spread for me.”

You put your left hand over your mouth in the hopes of muffling your moans, but at this point you had no idea if any sound was coming out. More than likely it wasn't as you felt yourself getting close again.

Jack then quickly slid out of you leaving you looking at him with a confused expression on your face but all he did was look down at you and smirk before gently stroking your face.

“I need you on all fours. Face down ass up.”

When you woke up, you had no idea what time it was as you reached for Jack and saw that it was empty when you had finally opened your eyes.

Pouting at the empty space, you rolled over to look at your phone and saw that it was around 2 in the afternoon and you simply laughed to yourself.

He put you to sleep, just like you asked.

You heard the door open and turned back around to see that it was your husband and you reached your arms out telling him that you wanted a hug which he gave to you.

“Mmm, good morning or should I say good afternoon my princess. Did you sleep well?”

Just then Urban barged his way into the room and rolled his eyes before sitting down on the bed and then quickly jumping back up with a disgusted look on his face.

“Don't do that. I changed the sheets.” Jack said as he rolled his eyes at Urban.

“Well to answer your question, I didn't sleep well unlike the princess over here. Because all I heard was you two going at it.”

“I…. well….” You started to say, but was immediately cut off.

“No. Save it. I don't know how the hell you aren't pregnant yet.”

“Because I….”

“Yes, swallowing is your birth control. Anything else you want to add?” Urban asked as his arms were crossed and Jack stifled a laugh.

“There is actually. We need to get you a girlfriend.” You responded as Jack pulled you onto his lap and kissed you.

“I couldn't agree more.” Jack whispered into your ear as Urban rolled his eyes.

“You two make me sick.”

FL Blurbs Taglist

@cmalass

@alinaharlow

@neon-lights-and-glitter

@harlowcomehome

@hoodharlow

@nattinatalia

@itsyagirljaz

[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow x Reader : CRAVINGS AND ARGUMENTS

This pregnancy was different from your first to say the least. The first pregnancy you had no cravings, so when you woke up today craving some weird food combinations you had a plan set in motion.

The only problem is? Your husband hasn’t left your side since he got home two days ago. He doesn’t let you drive and he doesn’t let you be alone for more than five minutes.

If you had to go to the restroom he made sure to be outside the door to hear in case you fell or something. He was every bit dramatic and worried, you loved that about him. But after two days, you were growing annoyed.

You were putting your sandals on when Jack walked into the living room.

“I know you’re not going anywhere right now.” He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow . “I see you have your purse and keys, were you sneaking out?”

You groan. “You and Mia were taking a nap so I was going to make a quick run to the store.”

“Absolutely not, I told you-“

“Yes, yes, I know Jackman.” You roll your eyes.

“Okay first of all, calm down.” He goes to hug you, rubbing circles on your back. “Second of all, hand me the list and I’ll go for you.”

You shake your head. “Jack, I want to go. I need to get fresh air.”

“Go outside then, I finally built your swing.”

“Ughh, okay okay. Just go.” You plop down on the couch. “I’ll text you the list.”

He bends down, lifts up your chin so you can look at him. “Don’t be moody baby.” He pecks your lips and smiles. “I’ll be back.”

******

It was thirty minutes later that Jack was walking back inside the house with two bags in hand.

You’re immediately confused. “What’s wrong? Did you forget your wallet?”

“Huh? Oh no, I’m done.” He says, walking into the kitchen. You quickly follow behind him.

“Babe, you usually take forever at the store when I send you with a list. No way you’re back this fast.”

He starts taking out the groceries from the bags and you look at the stuff in confusion. “What’s all this?”

“Your snacks and food.”

You grab a bag of green beans, “This wasn’t on my list.” You look at the peas, the wheat thins. “I definitely didn’t put this down.”

Jack doesn’t say anything. “Jack, where are my pickles? My hot Cheetos, my Dr. Pepper?” You dig through the stuff he brought home. “Most importantly, where are my spicy noodles?”

He scratches his neck. “About that.”

“What?”

“Baby, that’s all unhealthy stuff. You need to watch what you eat for the baby.”

You glare at him. “Jackman, please tell me you’re pranking me right now. Because if you didn’t bring me what I asked for, you’ll be sleeping on the couch.”

“Okay so I didn’t bring- wait before you get mad.” He goes up to you. “There weren't any noodles and babe, Dr Pepper with creamer? That’s gross so I’m saving you the disgust.”

“You don’t see me give you shit about your chicken and peanut butter.” You glare.

“Wait, that's not fair. Mia actually likes my chicken with peanut butter.”

You chuckle. “News flash, she doesn’t. She hates it and throws it to the neighbor's dog.”

He gasps. “Wow, what a way to shatter my heart.”

You glare at him and walk out of the kitchen and make your way back to the living room. You snatch your phone and sit down.

Jack follows behind you, smirking “What are you doing grumpy pants?”

You ignore him, continuing to scroll through your phone.

“Babe, are you really going to ignore me?” You stay quiet again.

“So what snacks do you want from the kitchen? I’ll cut you some veggies and fruit.”

You glare at him. “If you come near me with those wanna be snacks, I will hurt you.”

“Babe, stop being dramatic.” He chuckles, placing his hands on your bump.

“I’ll be whatever I want to be right now.” You push his hands away. “Don’t touch me.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

You roll your eyes. “You offered to go to the store for me, the least you could’ve done was bring me what I asked for.”

“That is what has you so mad?” He shakes his head. “Babe, I’m just looking out for you.”

You hum, but continue scrolling through your phone. “Who are you texting?”

“Gerald.”

“What did he say?- WAIT WHAT?” He snaps his head towards you. “You’re texting who?”

“Maybe he’ll bring me what I actually ask for.”

“Stop being petty.”

“Who said I was being petty? You can’t give me what I want, let me go ask all the guys who are in my dms begging for scraps.”

“All this pettiness over fucking food?”

“YES.” You yell. “You know I don’t play about my food, especially with this pregnancy. I crave weird things, you think I’m happy about that? I watch what I eat every other day but god forbid I get a weird craving, don’t blame me if your son comes out with a cone head.”

The doorbell rings and you get up as fast as your belly lets you and head to the door.

You grab the bags and close the door.

“Who dropped that off?”

“Gerald.” You snap at him.

Trying to head to the kitchen but he takes the bags from you. “Quit fucking playing.”

“Maybe you should’ve brought me what I asked for.” You shrug and start unpacking the bags.

You smile at what he dropped off. “He’s the best.”

“Who dropped these off? Because no way delivery got here this quick.”

“My favorite Harlow.” You bite into a pickle and do a little dance at the juicy flavor. “Your brother knew you’d pull some shit so he asked me to send him my list.”

You grab the monitor from the counter to double check Mia was still down for her nap. Once you see that she is, you continue to unpack the groceries your brother in law dropped off.

“Okay, I get it but I was only looking out for you.” He groans once he sees the pack of noodles. “I hate when you eat these.”

You shrug, “That sounds like a you problem.”

He nods and scratches his beard. “Do you need anything else ?”

You shake your head. “Oh no, I’m good, wouldn’t want you ruining anything else.”

“I’m going back to bed with Mia.” He kisses the top of your head. “Sorry for all of this.” He mumbles quietly and walks out.

You pick nothing up on his tone so you continue with putting away the groceries that you weren’t going to use right now.

In a plate you placed two pickles, baby carrots, and peanut butter. You filled a glass cup with ice and poured some Dr Pepper with creamer.

You made your way to the table, grabbing the black bag of hot Cheetos. Once you take a few bites of your snacks, dipping your pickles with peanut butter. You get a wave of emotions crashing in on you.

You can’t help but let the tears out, you push away your plate. You were about to head upstairs but you came face to face with Jack.

“What’s wrong.?” He asked, scared.

You hug him. “I’m sorry, I was being a bitch and you didn’t deserve that. I know you’re looking out for me but I just get annoyed so quickly and I hate it that I take it out on you.”

“Hey, hey.” He rubs your back. “Deep breath’s baby, you’re okay.”

You shake your head. “But I’m not, I shouldn’t be so mean to you, over snacks and food. That’s so silly.”

“I should’ve brought you what you asked for, so it’s on me.” He hugs you tighter against his chest.

“Why couldn’t you get the weird cravings again this time?” You joke, remembering how when you were pregnant with Mia, it was him with the mood swings and cravings.

He laughs, “That was a crazy time.” He pulls back a bit so he can look at you. “We’re okay baby, I understand you feel different this time around. I shouldn’t be pushing your buttons about it either.”

“I’m still sorry though, I know you’re trying your best.” You get on your tippy toes and kiss his neck. “You’ve been amazing and I’m just bitchy and moody.”

“Baby relax, everything is okay.” he places his hands on your round bump. “Let me help you”

“I’m going to hold it for a little while, is that okay?” You nod, as he quickly places his hands under your belly, lifting it up a bit.

You lean back on his chest and leave out a deep sigh. “That feels good.”

He kisses your neck, “Little man is really kicking at your side right now.”

“You know he does that whenever we fight or whenever he hears your voice.” You close your eyes as he starts swaying you both side to side.

“He’s going to be good at soccer.” At those words, you feel a big kick on your side, you and Jack chuckle at that.

“We’re good baby boy, just mommy and daddy having a disagreement.” You place your hand where he kicked.

“We’re more than okay little man.” He whispers. After his words, your son kicks again making you and Jack smile and shed a few tears of happiness.

This pregnancy wasn’t easy by any means but Angel “Ez” Harlow was worth it.

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[starrvsn]

` ִ ꔫ ۫ ⊹ J.HARLOW ࣪ ˖ BABY CUPID.

pairing: reader x jack harlow

what to know | fluffy!, single-parent!reader, sweet and simple! — lowercase is intended.

star left a message! may make a part two dk,,,,,, please let me know what you thought about it! i hope you enjoy :)

you hum quietly to yourself as you walk down the aisles of your local supermarket. your one year old daughter, astrid sits comfortably in the child’s seat at the front of the cart. chubby hands playing with the straps of the seat belt to which she brings to her mouth.

“oh! don’t eat that my love, it doesn’t taste nice.” you scrunch your nose at her taking the belt away from her hands, she giggles gleefully at your face, her hands raised to touch your face. you lean your face into her hands landing gently on your palms as you stop at the produce section. her hands go to your hair and tangles her small fingers into your tresses. she looks in fascination at your hair pulling on the strands

“ah ow, honey are your trying to brush mamas hair?” cooing at her, she giggles nodding “oh thank you strid but i have to go get something! i’ll be right back.” you loosen her hand from your hair before walking a few feet to pick up some apples.

you look through the bagged apples to find suitable ones to bring home, moments later you hear a yelp coming from the direction where your daughter is, motherly instincts kick in and you whip you head to your child.

to see her small hands gripping at a mans hair, “oh god.” you mumble you drop the bag of apples rushing to aid the man from your daughter

“i am so sorry sir!” you apologize hurriedly, taking your daughters hands into your own trying to pull her grip away from his curly caramel hair, but she doesn’t seem to budge. your daughter giggles, as if delighted to be in this kind of situation.

“no worries! i— oh ow” he winces at the pain in his scalp, holding his hair in hopes of getting away from your daughters hands, you feel very guilty at the situation taking place, trying to think of ways to defuse this dilemma.

“astrid baby, you need to let go.” you look at your daughter who looks at you shaking her head, incoherent babbles leaving her lips, seemingly tightening her grip on his hair. another yelp sounds out from him, you wince— feel horrible for the man

“your daughter is very strong.” he jokes trying to make light of the situation, you would laugh if your daughter didn’t have a vice grip on his hair. your daughter laughs as if understanding the joke, your heart swells in the moment at your child’s cuteness but quickly dissipates as the situation prolongs more than it need to. you get weird stares from patrons passing by, squeezing your eyes shut you ask your daughter again to let go and to your surprise she does. her large doe eyes looking at you with tears threatening to spill.

you coo at your daughter as you pick her up in comfort; you assume she’s upset the man with the curley haired doesn’t want their hair touched anymore— but you have more questions for the stranger.

“i’m sorry again,, for what happened.” you gesture looking at him fully for the first time. he looks around your age, smooth skin, nice eyes, lips; nose, facial hair you could get around to. a very good looking man. you feel like you should feel bad for checking out a man in front of your child but... you don’t.

“oh no it’s alright. i just went to wave a her while getting some apples and she suddenly grabbed onto my hair.” he laughs rubbing the back of his neck shyly, referring to the container of oranges your cart was right in front of, closing your investigation with the simple answer. “she’s very cute by the way.” he adds, you thank him— your cheeks burning a soft red, wondering why you were feeling this way on a compliment you get all the time. his eyes wandering to your hands to see if there’s a ring on your left hand.

you notice his wandering eyes but don’t question it but instead you act on it “let me make it up to you… you know for my daughter gripping your hair like that.” placing your daughter back into the toddlers seat, drying her eyes of stray tears “no it’s alright wouldnt want to be to much of a hassle.” he restrains but the offer is very tempting to take up.

“no please i insist! astrid would want to make it up to you too.” you gesture to your daughter who’s looking right at the curly haired man, hands lifted as if she wants to touch his textured hair again, a very cute sight.

he merely melts at your daughter “okay...” he trails off looking at you, his hand gestured towards you. you tilt your head questioningly if he’s going to continue his sentence but it never comes, when it hits you; he doesn’t know your name.

“y/n! my name is y/n.” you shake his outstretched hand, he smiles in return

“my name is jack, jack harlow.” you repeat his name in your head reminding yourself to remember the handsome man and his name. you continue to exchange contact information as astrid watches with curious eyes.

once finished jack waved astrid a goodbye before saying his farewells to you, his smile makes you blush as he tells you to text him later about details. once he’s out of sight you let out a big sigh before looking at your daughter

“aren’t you a matchmaker ‘strid.” you coo pinching her cheeks as she giggled in return, your right hand wingwomen.

made with love, star ☆ 

[venic-bxtch]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟHometown Baby *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

•5•

“AND SHES A HOMETOWN BABY, COULD YOU PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN MAYBE?”-OUT FRONT, JACK HARLOW

A crisp white envelope sat on Zaria’s kitchen counter, loud and heavy with unspoken truths. The bold logo of Langston & Taylor Law Offices felt like it was mocking her, another reminder of how much her life had unraveled. She stared at it, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and sadness.

Sia didn’t bother knocking when she arrived. She barged in like the big sister Zaria always needed, her hoop earrings swinging and her voice already full of attitude.

“What’s this?” Sia asked, snatching the envelope off the counter. She squinted at the return address and her jaw dropped. “Wait…so this man really sent you divorce papers? No text? No call? Nothing?”

Zaria shrugged, trying to act unbothered, though her eyes betrayed her. “I guess it’s his way of saying it’s officially over.”

Sia dropped the envelope back on the counter like it was cursed. “Oh, it’s over, alright. Been over since he started entertaining Mariah and whoever else. But the nerve of him to pull this coward move? Girl, he ain’t worth a damn.”

“Sia, I don’t wanna talk about it,” Zaria muttered, crossing her arms.

“Too bad. We are talking about it.” Sia leaned on the counter, her tone softening. “Look, sis. I know you loved him, but love ain’t supposed to hurt like this. You deserve a man who’s gonna fight for you, not throw in the towel like some punk.”

Zaria sat down at the table, resting her head in her hands. “I don’t even know who I am without him. We’ve been together since college, Sia. Seven years. That’s a long time.”

“Seven years of you giving and him taking,” Sia shot back. “Z, you’ve lost so much of yourself trying to hold onto that man. It’s time to get it back.”

Zaria sighed, feeling the weight of her words. Sia wasn’t wrong. She’d spent so much time trying to fix a relationship that had been broken for years.

Sia hugged her tightly, whispering, “You’ll be alright. And when you’re ready, we’re throwing a divorce party. I’ll bring the Casamigos.”

Later that evening, Zaria was still sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling aimlessly on her phone when a text lit up her screen.

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

Pineapple Juice 🍍:

What are you doing tonight?

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

She smiled despite herself, the tiniest bit of relief washing over her.

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

Wifey 💍:

Thinking about setting my ex’s clothes on fire. You?

Pineapple Juice 🍍:

Same, but I don’t have an ex. Wanna come over for dinner?

Wifey 💍:

I don’t know…

Pineapple Juice 🍍:

Don’t make me beg. I’ll cook.

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

Zaria hesitated, biting her lip. Jack always had a way of making her feel lighter, like life wasn’t as heavy as it seemed.

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

Wifey 💍:

Fine. But if the food’s bad, I’m leaving.

Pineapple Juice 🍍:

Deal.

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

When Zaria arrived at Jack’s place, she was greeted by the chaotic sound of pots clanging in the kitchen and the unmistakable smell of…peanut butter?

Jack opened the door with a sheepish grin, a towel draped over his shoulder. “Hey. You’re early.”

“I’m literally on time,” Zaria said, stepping inside and sniffing the air. “What is that smell?”

“It’s peanut butter chicken,” Jack said proudly, leading her into the kitchen.

Zaria froze. “Peanut butter…what?”

Jack gestured to the stove, where a skillet full of chicken simmered in a thick, tan sauce that looked far from appetizing. Beside it, a jar of peanut butter sat open, along with a random array of spices.

“You’re kidding, right?” Zaria asked, eyeing the concoction like it might attack her.

“What? It’s a real dish,” Jack said defensively. “It’s a classic Anglo-Saxon dish!!”

Zaria covered her mouth, trying to hold back laughter. “Jack, I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to look.”

“You haven’t even tried it,” he said, grabbing a spoon and offering her a taste.

Zaria leaned back, shaking her head. “No way. I’m not eating that.”

“C’mon, be brave,” Jack teased, waving the spoon closer.

“No!” she exclaimed, laughing as she ducked out of the way.

Jack finally gave up, tossing the spoon in the sink with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Guess I’ll just order pizza. But for the record, this could’ve been a masterpiece.”

“It looks like a science experiment gone wrong,” Zaria shot back, still laughing.

They ended up on the couch with a large pepperoni pizza between them, the peanut butter chicken forgotten.

“So, what’s really going on, Z?” Jack asked as he wiped his hands on a napkin. “You’ve been laughing all night, but I know there’s something under the surface.”

She hesitated, picking at the crust of her pizza. “Chris sent the papers today.”

Jack’s jaw tightened slightly, but he stayed quiet, letting her continue.

“I thought I’d feel relieved,” she admitted. “But now…I just feel empty. Like, what was all of it for?”

Jack set his plate down and turned to face her fully. “Zaria, listen to me. That man didn’t deserve you. He didn’t see what he had. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less amazing. You’re strong, smart, beautiful…he was the one who lost out, not you.”

Her eyes glistened, and she looked down at her hands. “Why do you care so much?”

“Because you’re worth caring about,” Jack said simply.

For a moment, the room fell silent, the weight of his words settling between them. Then, as if to lighten the mood, Jack grinned and added, “And because I need redemption for the peanut butter chicken. I have to prove I’m not completely hopeless.”

Zaria laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“Impossible, but charming,” he said, leaning back against the couch.

When it was time for her to leave, Jack walked her to her car, the chill of the night air wrapping around them.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said, her voice softer now.

“Anytime,” Jack replied. “And remember, Z, you’re not starting over. You’re just starting fresh. Big difference.”

“You’re not alone in this,” he murmured. “Not if you don’t want to be.”

Zaria’s heart raced as he leaned in, his hand brushing against her cheek. She hesitated for only a second before closing the gap, their lips meeting in a kiss that was slow and gentle at first but quickly deepened.

When they pulled back, her breath was shaky, and her cheeks were flushed.

“Jack…” she started, but he shook his head, his thumb lightly tracing her jawline.

“No pressure,” he said softly. “I just want you to know you’re not broken, Z. You’re everything.”

Her lips curved into a small, tentative smile. For the first time in what felt like forever, she believed him.

She smiled, her chest feeling a little lighter. “Goodnight, Jack.”

“Night, Z.”

As she drove home, the envelope on her kitchen counter didn’t seem as heavy. For the first time in a long time, Zaria felt like she could breathe again.

A/N: YIPPEEEEE, they kissedddd.

Btw, do we want any smut?🤭

taglist: @strawberries-and-lots-of-kisses @harlowcomehome @harlowsbby @harlowslut @slutzzz4jack @neptilius @itsyagirljaz @blackynsupremacy

[wexhappyxfew]

Also! 29 on OTP dialogue for Annie and Brady?

HI JAMIEEEE!!! thank you so much for this other prompt as well!!! sorry it took a bit to get to! :) i must say, this idea swirled in my head for a bit and then, when i felt things in writing were finally going the way i wanted them to, i felt ready to post this!! thank you again!!!! :D

a little while longer

(a/n): for the annie x brady girlies, with a mix of angst and fluff all at once!!! to say the least, these two have my whole heart and just !!!!!! there was an anon awhile back talking about brady freaking out if he ever saw annie injured or wounded in the slightest way - and well....here ya go! prompt: don't lie to me. i was there.

The soup was probably the best thing she could've had in that moment - despite what little warmth this place provided, the soup was sure to give her enough strength to keep her going. She'd been up most of the night with a nasty, wheezing cough, her nose running and her throat sore as all get-out. Now, with her stomach feeling sour, nose run red from the amount of times she'd wiped it, she felt like she'd been drug behind a truck and tried standing again. But, for now, this little bowl of soup was making her incredibly happy.

Annie looked up and towards where Brady was, sat taking up spoonful after spoonful of soup himself, getting every last bit her possibly could. She had to admit, she was worried about him more often than not - because he spent the majority of his time worrying about her, especially in the past few days. So seeing him eat his fill and focus on himself, settled her for the time being.

"Guys. Guys!" yelling started down the hallway, along with a banging all along the wooden walls of this sad excuse for barracks. Annie met Buck's eyes from beside her at the table and watched as everyone in the tiny bunk room looked towards the doorway to find Benny DeMarco racing in, eyes wide and bloodshot as he made an attempt to catch his breath.

"What is it, Benny?" Bucky said, pushing up from where he leaned against a bunk, forgetting about his soup and focused on the rather frantic nature of Benny there in front of them. Benny took a minute to catch his breath and then pointed outside.

"They got a new group comin' in. Margie may be in that group. We gotta go look." he said quickly, before disappearing again out the door. Annie watched that now-empty doorway and slowly turned to meet Kennedy and Bessie's eyes - there was something unspoken between the three of them that the boys hadn't entirely clued into or focused on. But coming in as a woman was one thing; having survived that level of interrogation was another.

Margie had to.

She had to be in that group.

She was more hopeful than half of them combined.

"Let's go." Annie said, moving to her feet, buttoning her coat and wrapped that scarf around her neck, "C'mon." She was the first out the door, hurrying down the hall, a few echoing footsteps behind her as she pushed outside and attempted to seek out Benny in the crowd. She caught sight of his beanie, and began, rather slowly, moving through the open area towards the gates.

As she got closer, she watched, as if in shaky, frantic real-time capture, as Benny moved along the fence, yelling out, over and over again, before tearing around the edge of the wiring and disappearing into the crowd.

Annie felt her face grow cold and stoic, her shoulders pressed high, her chin pointed up. Her heart pounded as she turned around the edge of the gate and found Benny there on the ground, pulling a rather fragile looking, collapsed, corpse of Margie Harlowe on the ground, her face bloodied, her clothing practically hanging off of her form, and her one shoulder looking twisted in all the wrong places. Then, standing over them, was whom she could only assume as one of the German soldiers who had been begrudgingly dragging Margie along.

This was one of her girls, her flight engineer; bright, sunny Margie, with that beautiful blonde hair that was now all haphazard angles around her shoulders, bright blue eyes that were red and filled with tears and beautiful rosy cheeks that were scarred and bloodied.

Annie slowly looked up at the German who stood silent and still, overtop where Margie was half alive in Benny's arms, her cries weak and pained, Benny's comfort only doing so much to erase the pain of reality.

Annie couldn't take it anymore.

She took three, wide steps forward right into the German's face, without much thought for her own self and stared up at him, her body rigid, her eyes narrowed.

"She's already half-dead," Annie practically spat out, "did you really have to drag her in the dirt like a dying dog!" Any sort of celebration and welcoming immediately went quiet as people turned to look at the female lieutenant who was currently losing it on one of the Germans. Annie's throat tightened.

"How can you just stand there!" Annie managed out again, but she knew she had messed up long before she even had opened her mouth. She should've stayed with her soup, let Benny handle all this. But she couldn't. This was one of her girls, this was Margie Harlowe.

Without warning, the German had grabbed her by the shoulders and swung her around him right into the dirt, her body hitting the ground with a rough whimper, her eyes closing at the pain shooting through her body.

"Annie, don't," came Margie's quiet cry.

"Don't touch her." Benny said, his voice drowned out by the sudden kick of the German's booted foot into Annie's side. She curled into a ball with a strangled cry, tears squeaking out of her eyes, her body begging for some sort of reprieve that wasn't this.

When the German had stepped away, angrily spitting down on her, she heard yelling and a commotion somewhere behind her, which was enough to make her sit up, weakly at that, looking past Benny and Margie in his arms and a few stragglers hanging about.

There, just past them, was Brady, screaming and yelling, being held back by Bucky and Murphy as best as they could hold him, Brady's eyes dead set on the German officer who walked away casually and calmly. Annie turned her quivering eyes to Brady again and watched as he broke free of the bodies holding him back and stomped across the open bit of land, taking his hands on the front of the Germans uniform and slamming him against the rusty wiring, yelling, over and over.

"Don't you dare fucking touch her again!" Brady yelled, his voice sounding like a wild animal's, guttural and raw, as the German yelled back, "Don't lie to me. I was there! I saw you hit her! Don't touch her again!" It didn't take long for the German officer to yell something in German, before swinging at Brady, sending him to the ground.

The brawl turned into a power struggle, the German kicking and punching Brady there on the ground, Brady all but weakened and defenseless. Finally, the two were separated and bodies were left behind and the few groupings that had been out were left behind by the Germans, only watched by guards in the towers. Annie watched as Bucky helped Brady to his feet, Brady struggling to find his footing, before ignoring any possible help, as he ambled over to Annie.

"Annie." he managed out, his voice sounding weak as he collapsed on the ground beside her, his hands reaching forward - he was always reaching for her, they always were with one another - and placing themselves against her cheeks, his thumbs rubbing in circles, "He should've never have hit you. I swear to fucking-"

"John." Annie whispered, slowly bringing her hands to his own cheeks, "You've gotta calm down."

"Not when they hit you, Annie. He did it because he-"

"John." she managed out again, "I'm okay. It's…..Margie." Brady watched her and some sort of realization seemed to hit him. He knew how important the women of Silver Bullets were to her, beyond anything, beyond even herself.

Slowly, the two looked over to Margie there, wrapped in Benny's arms, those tears running down her bloodied cheeks, grasping onto Benny like it was her lifeline. Annie managed to pull herself to her feet, Brady beside her, their hands linking to one another for some sort of support, before she fell to the ground in front of Benny and Margie, her hands shaking as she reached forward. Margie flinched at Annie's touch, her eyes immediately welling with tears - what could they have done to you?

"Hey, Margie, it's me." Annie whispered, reaching her hand forward and softly cupping the girl's cheek, brushing her thumb over her pink, wounded skin, "You're okay." Margie looked up at her with those water-filled blue eyes and let out a croaky cry, reaching up a free hand to lay gently against Annie's hand and nodded.

"I can't believe….I found…you all." Margie managed out, "Benny saw me first……I didn't want anyone to get hurt." Benny let out a quiet, wet laugh, as if holding in any tears he was trying not to shed. Annie looked to Brady, whose face had grown soft and gentle. Brady watched Annie, his face full of love and adoration, that same look she'd gotten the privilege of seeing anytime he watched her.

"You didn't have to go beat up any Germans, Brady." Margie managed out, her hand still grasping Annie's tightly, "You're too kind." The three of them laughed again at Margie's words, before Annie's eyes filled with tears and Margie seemed to notice.

"Don't cry, Bradshaw, I'm still here." Margie said softly, "Look at me."

"I thought you were dead," Annie managed out, her throat filled with emotion, "I should've looked for you….tried to get you to safety-"

"Don't go saying that, Bradshaw," Margie managed out, before letting out a wet, rattling cough, "I got to see Brady beat up a German for a bit. It was worth it."

"I promise it felt just as good as it looked." Brady said quietly.

"Don't give yourself that much credit." Benny offered and the group fell into small bits of laughter again.

By the time they'd gotten Margie up and in the comforting arms of Benny and Bucky who had come racing over like a bat out of hell, Annie had turned to Brady, looking at him bathed in cold sunshine, his face more stressed and sunken in these days, but still the Brady from that first day on base. They watched one another and she smiled slightly, reaching up to run a finger beside the cut near his eyebrow.

"Let me help you dress that," she whispered quietly, her hand cradling his cheek, as he watched her, "thank you for doing that." Brady clenched his jaw.

"He shouldn't have even touched you."

"I shouldn't have gotten in his face. I shouldn't have said a word-"

"You did the right thing, Annie, I know that. They gotta have a little humanity in this place."

"There's barely an ounce of that here." she whispered, voice sorrowful and sad. Brady watched her, before bringing up a hand to clasp around her one against his cheek. For a second, it looked like Brady was going to say something else, but he bit his tongue and continued to watch her instead.

"Does your chest hurt?" he whispered to her, "I'll help you wrap it. I'll scrounge some bandage."

"Only a little," she whispered back, "I'm more worried about your chest. He hit you pretty hard." Brady smiled softly at her and stepped forward, cradling her face in his hands, his beautiful eyes on her own.

"Let me take care of you." he whispered to her, "Let me hold you, just a little while longer." Annie stared up at him and flitted her eyes across his face and lips, before settling on that scar again.

"Only if you let me wrap up your chest." she whispered back to him.

"Only if I can wrap yours." he said back. She stared at him and then smiled softly, nodding, "Is it tender?"

"I'll be okay." she whispered, "You know that."

"I know." Brady whispered, "Sometimes I just….." Annie watched him, her big eyes holding him in her gaze, watching as he watched her back, their emotions hitting a head.

"What?" Annie asked quietly, her voice hidden it felt by the sweeping winds this place had. Brady couldn't get his eyes off her it felt, and like it were the most delicate thing in the world, he pulled her into his arms, probably the warmest hug she'd had since arriving here, and stayed like that. Her heart raced in his embrace and as he pulled back, she looked up into his face right in front of her and licked her lips. The corner of his mouth lifted upwards and she felt her body shiver. Something pulled her closer, she wanted to be closer than they already had been.

"Hey!" Brady and Annie seemed to bounce apart, and they turned to find Bucky walking closer, all smug, hands in his pockets, "We're gonna get Margie comfortable."

"Right." Annie said, stepping back and smoothing out her normally, crumpled clothes, catching Brady's eyes for a second and then pushing her hair behind her ears, "Let's go." She hurried away, towards where Benny was still walking with Margie, as Bucky came to Brady's side. Brady stared at Bucky, who smirked and clapped his shoulder.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing," Bucky said, "quite the dragon slayer though, huh."

"Shut up."

"You tell her yet?"

"Shut up, Bucky."

[earthtoharlow]

Teach Me

3) March

MASTERLIST

Ariel stood on her tippy toes to count all the kids in front of her. Today the first grade classes were going on their very first field trip to the aquarium. Looking down at her list she noticed there were a couple students who hadn't arrived yet, noticeably, Jayla Harlow.

Since Valentine’s Day, Jack and Ariel’s text conversations turned into long phone conversations after Jack would put Jayla to bed, she enjoyed hearing about how Jack struggled getting Jayla ready for bed, or how Jayla wouldn’t eat all her vegetables at dinner.

Ariel loved hearing these small details Jack tells her about his life. She always made mental notes about Jayla’s likes and dislikes, while being her teacher she knows Jayla well but it was different when hearing Jack talk about her. Jack’s life ended and began with Jayla, he talked about his daughter like she hung the moon.

Despite sharing all these small tibbetts about their home life, Jack never brought up Jayla’s mom. Jayla was a beautiful young girl, so she imagined her mother to be just as beautiful. Someone with kind brown eyes and a sweet smile, just like Jayla. Ariel could never quite bring herself to ask him.

Her thoughts were cut short when she heard her name being called. Turning around she saw Nova Wyatt’s father holding Jayla’s hands as they walked towards her. When they got closer, Jayla immediately ran to give Ariel a hug.

Bending down so they were at the same height, Ariel wrapped her arms around Jayla giving her a tight squeeze. She could notice that Jayla wasn’t in a good mood. Letting go, she stood up to greet Mr. Wyatt

“Hello, Mr. Wyatt, it's nice to see you again.” holding out her hand for him to shake

“Call me Urban.” Urban said as he shook her hand.

Urban leaned in closer so he could whisper. “I just wanted to let you know that Jayla is kinda upset this morning because Jack couldn’t make it today to come on the field trip with her.”

Ariel nodded before glancing at Jayla who was talking to her other classmates. She knew how excited Jayla was when Jack signed up to come with her, this would mark the second time Jack hasn’t shown up for Jayla.

Ariel was still watching Jayla with a small frown when Urban spoke again. “I don’t know if he’s mentioned it to you, knowing him probably not, but Jack hasn’t been the same since Alyssa passed away a few years ago. He’s become such a hermit, I don’t think he realizes how much it’s affecting Jayla.”

She wanted to ask him more about Alyssa but knew now wasn’t the right time or place to ask. Besides, she would rather hear it from Jack himself. Taking her eyes off Jayla she turned back towards Urban.

“Thank you for letting me know, don’t worry. I’ll be with Jayla all day, making sure she’s okay.”

“Thanks, I’d really appreciate it…” Urban paused before speaking again “Jack would too” he said, giving Ariel a smirk. She could feel her face getting warm.

“Yeah, well it was nice seeing you again Urban. I have to finish checking in all the students.” Ariel said and quickly turned away.

Urban laughed under his breath before leaving.

***

Ariel stood up in her seat as the school bus came to a stop in front of the aquarium. The noise on the bus got louder as the kids got excited looking out the windows.

She raised one hand in the air and one finger to her lips.

“Chicka, Chicka!”

She watched as the kids immediately sat and quieted down.

“Boom, Boom!” They all yelled out.

“Great job! We’re going to exit the bus with no pushing and shoving. Once you get outside, we’re going to line up quietly next to Mrs. Swan’s class.”

She watched as the class nodded excitedly, not being able to keep still in their seats on the bus. One by one each student exited the bus and quietly lined up. Jayla being the last one to get off. After double checking to make sure the bus was empty, Ariel quickly pulled out her phone to message Jack.

“Not going to lie, I’m disappointed you didn’t show up today, but not as much as Jayla is.” She hesitated for a moment before pressing send. She knew Jack didn’t want to disappoint or upset Jayla but she sees the change in Jayla's mood when Jack doesn’t show up. Ariel cared about Jayla a lot and hated seeing her upset.

She sighed when she noticed that Jack immediately opened it and left her on read.

***

Ariel was sitting at a nearby table eating her packed lunch as the students ate their own when Jayla plopped down next to her.

Looking up, she greeted one of her favorite students. “Hi, Jayla! Have you finished eating?” She asked her

She watched as Jayla sighed and pushed the curls that were falling in front of her face back with her hand before replying.

“I guess so, I love my uncle Urby but he’s bad at packing lunches…” Jayla said with a pout.

Ariel tried to hold back her laughter before nodding her head before reaching into her bag and grabbing the half of her turkey sandwich she didn't eat.

“Well, I didn’t eat half of my sandwich, do you want it?”

Jayla immediately nodded her head and grabbed the sandwich, biting into it. “MHM, so much better than uncle urby’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!”

The two continued to eat while chatting about all the different animals they saw today.

“Miss Love! Did you see the fish that looked like Nemo?!” Jayla asked excitedly, bouncing in her seat.

“Sure did, and I even noticed one that looked like Dory!” Ariel watched as Jayla’s eyes widened in shock

“Woah, that’s so cool!”

Jayla paused for a beat before speaking again. “I wish Daddy was here to see it.”

Ariel could see Jayla was getting upset and pulled her into a hug. “I know, I bet he wishes he could be here even more. We’re going to see the seahorses next, so when you get home you can make dad super jealous!”

She could tell that Jayla was so upset after she pulled away from the hug. “C’mon, let’s throw away our trash.” Ariel said, grabbing Jayla’s hand.

“I heard that seahorses are your dads favorite!” Ariel said, trying to get Jayla excited.

Jayla covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. “Yeah! Daddy said in the past he thinks he was a seahorse!!”

Ariel laughs along with her. “Oh how silly!”

***

Jack didn’t want to admit it but seeing Ariel message this morning about missing Jayla’s trip, hurt. The last thing he ever wanted to do was disappoint his daughter. After Alyssa's death, being around large groups of people gave him anxiety. Which was almost hard to believe when he used to perform in front of sold out shows.

He found himself at the Louisville Aquarium, Jack knew he looked ridiculous in his all black outfit but he didn’t care. He was quite proud of himself for making it out of the house.

Jack walked around the aquarium for a bit before finding Jayla’s class. He watched as the students listened to the guide tell them facts about all the seahorses in the water, but then he focused on his two favorite people. His blue eyes fixed on the way her jeans hugged her hips and the way her hair was pulled up in a perfect bun. Jayla stood not too far from her teacher.

Ariel and Jack had been talking ever since Valentine’s Day. He would call her after he put Jayla in bed for the night. The feelings he was starting to feel for Jayla’s teacher scared him. He went on a couple dates a year after Alyssa passed but always ended up leaving the date early, or finding excuses to reschedule the date and eventually the women just stopped calling.

For some reason, he didn’t feel the need to run with Ariel, and that scared him even more.

He continued to watch from afar waiting for the perfect time to make his presence known. He found the window when the guide motioned the kids to follow her to the next exhibit. Ariel was a few feet behind them still watching the seahorse. Jack walked up beside her, and started watching the seahorses as well. He could see Ariel side eye him before turning her attention back towards the glass.

Jack cleared his throat before speaking. “Did you know that male Seahorses are the ones who give birth and not the females?”

He wanted to laugh at the way Ariel snapped her head towards him.

“What?”

“The guy seahorse delivers the baby, that’s my whole vibe. I wish I could deliver my own kids.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s really…” she stopped talking when she got a good look at him. All Jack could do was smirk.

“Jack?!”

“Hey” Jack said with a charming grin

Ariel was shocked and then looked at him up and down, checking out his outfit.

“I’m really happy you’re here, but can I ask you a quick question?” Ariel asked him with her own grin spreading across her face.

Jack nodded for her to go ahead.

“What is that bonnet supposed to be protecting?”

Jack laughed, before bringing his hands up to touch the top of his bonnet.

“Hey! I have curly hair!”

“Ok fair, but it looks like a chef's hat on you.”

Ariel laughed at the pout on Jack’s face.

“But seriously, I’m really happy you’re here. Jayla will be too. She really wanted you here today.”

Jack nodded., frown spreading across his face “I’m really sorry about today, and the last few months honestly.”

Ariel shook her head at his apology. “You don’t have to say sorry to me or even explain yourself. Jayla deserves one more.” Nodding her head towards Jayla who was doing a scavenger hunt with the class.

He nodded in agreement before touching her arm, ignoring the small spark he felt and walked over to Jayla.

Ariel watched with a wide smile as Jack got Jayla’s attention. She squealed in excitement at the sight of her father, jumping onto his arms. When Jack picked her up, she reached out and grabbed his face with both hands trying to tell him about her day all in one breath.

She couldn't help but laugh when she saw Jayla tugging on his bonnet, trying to get it off.

Jayla then turned her attention to Ariel.

“Miss Love!” She yelled out waving her over.

Not wasting any time, Ariel walked over to join them. Happy to see the smile back on Jayla’s face.

***

AN: I love this chapter a lot! Please let me know your thoughts, and as always thank you for reading! 🫶

Tag List:

(message me if you’d like to be added or removed)

@heavyhitterheaux @hoodharlow @neon-lights-and-glitter @babiefries @toocriticalharlow@mace23477@jackmans-poison@dstark-0706@harlowsbby@itsyagirljaz@leftapricotprofessorlover@laylasbunbunny@blossomluvv@comehomeimissyou@minkookie95@harlowcomehome@jackharloww

[carrionhearted]

Im gonna infodump about my ocs because I can’t stop thinking about them. This will be a book… One day. Read on with caution, this is a horror book with very dark subject matter and mild body horror.

There are two mcs, a closeted gay trans man (Eden), and a severely repressed cis gay man (Harlow). Both raised in a hyper-conservative hyper-religious Deep South town IN THE 80S.

Their story is about the deadly consequences of repression, the cycle of abuse, learned hatred and destructive coping mechanisms. Harlow grew up with an INCREDIBLY toxic father who drilled toxic masculinity into him (having feelings is shameful) as well as homophobia. He only ever demonstrated "solving" problems with violence. Harlow was never given the tools or space to unpack any of his feelings ever. So he grew up to become this repressed, horribly frustrated and confused adult who could not understand his attraction towards other men.

Being gay wasn't even a thought in his mind, it wasn't a possibility to him. His father constructed this impenetrable wall of “us” vs “them” in Harlow’s mind- and like a plant deprived of sunlight, he never grew tall enough to see over it.

All he knew was this gut-wrenching hunger, this insatiable craving for other men’s bodies which he couldn't place- something about the flesh, the warmth, he hungered for it in a way which became unbearable. This did not register to him as sexual, again, that wasn't even an option… but he didn’t know what it was. And when you don’t know how to process your own emotions, it all eventually turns into frustration/ rage. So he solved this problem in the only way he was ever taught how- with violence! He killed men, initially choosing those he deemed deserving of death, and he ate them. An attempt to satiate the hunger. This became a habitual thing and he just… kept doing it. Not because it brought him any real satisfaction, it just snowballed into an addiction and he needed his fix. His town caught on to the string of murders, but he was flying completely under everyone’s radar. We’re talking about a 6’ mullet-having yeehaw dude who’s generally reserved and works for his family’s farm, nobody was really looking at him here.

Important backstory tidbit: Harlow was taught how to hunt as a kid. His father took him on outings, which were maybe the only positive memories he had of that man- and they would hunt deer together. He was taught to always use the whole animal, never let anything go to waste- because everything is valuable.

Everything is a gift. “It’s only murder if you waste the animal” (this heavily influenced his later cannibal ways).

One day as a young teen, he found himself alone for a trip. That's when he was approached by this deer- it looked sickly, almost like it was rotting while alive (it had Chronic Wasting Disease). It was clearly suffering, made clear by its complete lack of survival instincts. It walked right up to his gun. It was in pain. He shot it to put it out of its misery, but he did not take the meat. What was he supposed to do? It was useless to him,, he couldn't eat the rotting meat, and despite that he still felt an immense guilt for leaving it behind. Killing, and just abandoning the body. It registered to him as murder. He carried that feeling of guilt with him for the rest of his life. He vowed to never discard a body again.

Eden is a trans man who knows he's trans, but is out to practically nobody during the story. He’s the youngest in his family, with four older brothers. His parents were NOT suited to be parents- they were self centred people who treated their children like accessories. The parents obsessively kept up this “picturesque good Christian family” facade to the world, but that became harder to maintain as they had more kids. They started having to cut corners financially, to the detriment of those kids. That said, every one of their children was planned. The reason they kept having kids despite their situation was because the mother wanted a daughter. Then, Eden was born, assigned female at birth. Since his birth Eden had been treated like a precious doll more so than a child- he was sheltered and only received direct attention from his parents when they needed to dress him up all pretty for Sunday service. There was an incredible amount of pressure on him to be what everyone wanted. He was also raised VERY religiously, all of which MAJORLY contributed to his inner-turmoil abt being trans. He didn’t even have a word for it, to be “trans”. Only this unmistakable discomfort, guilt and shame, feeling like something is wrong with him, feeling like god made a mistake with him. Again, conservative religious south, he has no space to explore these feelings safely. He's pushed it all down and let it fester inside until it started gnawing away at his very being.

A few years prior to the story, this began to manifest physically as a literal rot. This spot of decay on his chest that's been growing and sinking deeper into his body for years. Sloooowly eating away at him, on track to continue until there is nothing left to devour. By the start of the book it’s claimed most of the flesh on his chest- his ribcage is sparsely covered with any skin at all- and the organs beneath are made vulnerable by it. However, he is horrified to seek medical attention. He sees the rot as a marking of his sin, god has stamped his body with this ugly decay to let everyone else know he's defective.

He hides it beneath layers of clothing. Being on his chest, it’s in a place that only an intimate partner would ever see- considering he's perceived by the world as a "woman".

In a… complicated series of events involving ✨societal pressure and coercion✨, an "intimate partner" does end up seeing his chest (Eden is not clear minded when these events are taking place).

This partner reacts with repulsion and violence, to the extreme that Eden fears for his life. He kills the other man in self Defense. (This sequence alludes to the “trans panic” legal defense which is still permitted by many US courts. If you pursue someone intimately, don’t like what you see beneath their clothes, and you KILL THEM- you can claim “I panicked because I didn’t know they were trans” and get a lesser sentence. It’s bullshit and I’m gonna attempt to very delicately write this scene to highlight how bizarre and unwarranted the male partner’s violent response is. The rot in this instance is symbolic of the perceived defect).

In disposing of the body, he runs into Harlow. They find eachother in a (undecided) remote, secretive location.

You’ll never guess what Harlow is doing! Also disposing of remains (bones n guts), at the same place, face hidden while he does so. They have a mutual deer-in-headlights standoff. There IS an open case of serial murders in their small town… Harlow is responsible. Eden realizes this after a short exchange of stunned words, and totally breaks down. Heavy dialogue exchange, Eden feels completely defeated and destroyed by guilt, he just begs Harlow to kill him. Harlow responds by saying he only kills men (Eden is closeted and passes as a woman). This pushes Eden over the edge and he snaps, he shouts that he is a man, this is the first time he’s ever said it out loud. Harlow is… confused, but intrigued. He doesn’t want to kill Eden, but he’s not sure what he does want to do. He decides to knock Eden out… which he does very easily.

Eden wakes up in a different location. Some not so great smelling farmhouse of sorts. Harlow enters the room eventually and explains… “I disposed of that body for you, don’t worry about that right now. I bruised your head pretty bad when I knocked you out, sorry about that, I didn’t mean to use that much force. I made you some soup! It’ll help. The meat is pork. Don’t worry about it. Let’s talk. :3” They’re still both very unsure of each other but neither have much to lose (they also have mutual blackmail) so they start talking. AND BOOM

COMPLICATED SERIES OF EVENTS

ENSUES AND THEY BOND OVER SHARED EXPERIENCES, TEACH EACH OTHER TO UNLEARN THEIR TOXIC AND DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, HAVE A ROMANCE WHICH SERVES AS A VALIDATION ARC FOR EDEN AND A SELF-ACCEPTANCE ARC FOR HARLOW AND YADA YADA. They are both profoundly disturbed individuals who have done terrible things but the whole point is to hold a magnifying glass to their actions and point out HOW and WHY they fucked up. To condemn that path, the mindset behind it, and the people who carried on those abusive cycles before them. I want to thoroughly examine and chip away at the layers of external influence that lead these characters to their lowest life points- and reveal the truth beneath them. These were once children, full of love and openness as we all once were- the problem is larger than the individual, it’s a societal issue of passed down bigotry and stubborn refusal to progress. It’s a toxic cycle of violence with very real, very deadly consequences for all involved. The characters both do BAD things, that’s the POINT.

Important backstory tidbit: In Eden’s childhood, he found a baby bird fallen a long ways from its nest. It was hurt, and he brought it inside to a small cage. He figured the cage would serve as protection for the bird as it grew- it was so delicate, it needed the shelter. But that cage was tiny. He fed the bird, tried to take care of it and gave it all its base survival needs. The bird was offered food, water and a cage. But that is all. That’s all Eden was given in his home, he thought that meant it was enough. He watched it grow into a young dove, but as it aged it only got sicker. This bird was deteriorating before his eyes and he couldn't understand why- he feared it would die in that cage. As soon as it became old enough to fly, Eden made the decision to release the bird. It was sicker than ever, Eden knew it didn't have long. He knew releasing it would practically be a death sentence, but it was going to die soon either way. He did not want the bird to die in the cage.

When released, the dove didn't even know how to flap its wings properly. The cage was too small to stretch them out, it had never even had the chance to learn how to fly. It didn't know how to find food. It didn’t know how to identify danger. And on the next morning, Eden found that bird on the ground outside of his house, dead. It was being picked away at by a vulture.

Eden felt relief.

The bird had died. It didn't make it. But it brought him peace to know it didn't die in that cage. That bird had never known the love of its mother, or siblings, it had never known what it was like to be wanted and cherished. That role was left to the vulture, who had never turned away from the unsightly or damaged. It had swooped in with the unconditional love of an angel, and carried the dove off into the sky above- its stomach, a chariot to heaven. It was gruesome watching the vulture feast- but it had such a tender appreciation in its eyes. It kept the circle of life in motion. In a way, Eden found this ending happy.

Eden’s symbolic bird is a dove, Harlow’s symbolic bird is a vulture.

They both die at the end of the story.

They'd become very close over the span of it though- they resolved their issues together, but in doing that they found themselves further ostracized from the world around them. They backed themselves further and further away from the world, until they finally hit a corner. Their past destructive actions were also catching up to them- the murders that is, they ended up on the run from police. It all came back to bite them.

The rot on Eden’s chest had spread throughout his entire body, and it was past the point of no return. No medical intervention would help at this point. One night, after a close encounter with police left them both wounded- Eden and Harlow both realized that these were Eden’s last few hours.

His body was decayed and rotted, he was sick, he was injured, he was visibly suffering. He would die soon, it was inevitable. Harlow decides to put him out of his misery. But he couldn’t stand the thought of discarding the body. He didn’t want him to die unloved.

Reaching into Eden's exposed ribcage, Harlow removed his heart from his chest. He knew this would be a death sentence, but he was going to die either way. He didn't want him to die in the cage.

He ate the heart, rotting and tainted as it was, he saw every part of his lover as a gift. Nothing goes to waste, for every rotting animal there is a grateful vulture. One which will see your defect and cherish you all the same.

Is now a good time to address the name Eden? I feel like most people are familiar with the gay love = forbidden fruit and/or cannibalism = forbidden fruit metaphor… yk, the embrace of supposed sin, being arbitrarily kept from the sweet, nutritious fruit of the garden. Passing through the gates of Eden (ribcage again) and eating the apple (his heart).

:3 anyways

Harlowstayed with the body until he also died (unrelated wounds from the chase). Decades later they would be found as skeletons in an unmistakable embrace, none of the flesh which made people scorn them during their lives. They were seen as lovers then, and were finally understood.

ALSO ALSO SO SYMBOLISM RIGHT. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM??? REMEMBER HOW EDEN WAS RAISED AS HYPER-RELIGIOUS???

So cannibalism as a metaphor for QUEERNESS now. A craving for the forbidden flesh. To partake in another's body in the most intimate and fulfilling way. But living in a world that sees it as repulsive…

Right? You with me?

Ok and then the inherent divinity of transness. To partake in the act of creation alongside God, to resculpt yourself in divine image. Jesus was not simply born of genetic material (yk how transphobes love to say “blah blah blah you can’t change your chromosomes!!” Like… if we use that logic, Jesus is trans. He’d have XX chromosomes because... miraculous conception.

No sperm, which provides the Y chromosome, which creates a male body. BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT DOESNT FUCKING MATTER BECAUSE HES A MAN REGARDLESS!!!! JESUS WAS A DUDE!!!). He was created by WILL.

The will of god, a version of himself, to BE!!! Fully human, fully god, flesh and blood in an image he himself designed. Holy trinity being the same entity and all, Jesus’s body was his own design in a way.

YOU WITH ME???

OK

OKAY AND SO.

GAY CANNIBALISM… TRANS LOVER.

TO

TO PARTAKE IN THE BLOOD AND BODY OF CHRIST. THEOPHAGY.

THE ULTIMATE HOLY COMMUNION.

TO CONSUME YOUR LOVER AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP, CONVEYING YOUR LOVE FOR EVERY PART OF THE BODY THEY'VE GROWN TO DISPISE. TAKING A PHYSICAL PIECE OF THEIR LIFE INTO YOURS AND UNITING YOUR VERY BEINGS. UNCONDITIONAL AND ETERNAL LOVE, DESPITE ONE’S FLAWS.

TO THINK OF YOURSELF AS CARRION AND BE FOUND BY THE MOST GRATEFUL VULTURE.

A DEAD AND ROTTING GOD STILL BRINGS LIFE TO THE MAGGOTS WHICH FEED ON ITS CORPSE!!!

RAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m unwell I’m unwell I’m unwell I need to actually get to writing this NOW

[stickseascn]

hey, isn’t that JOSEPHINE “JOEY” DAVIS-SCOTT, who looks a little like ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY? i hear SHE is a THIRTY-TWO year old CIS WOMAN who works as CO-OWNER OF THE CRYSTAL RIDGE WINERY who has been in town for HER ENTIRE LIFE. they ARE a member of one of aspen creek’s founding families. you can usually find them at WILLOW STREET or CRYSTAL RIDGE WINERY. if you ask me, they remind me a lot of LEATHER JACKETS, SOFT SMILES BENEATH HEAVY EYELINER, AND A HEART THAT’S TOUGH BUT EASILY BRUISED. just keep an eye on them & see if their true colors shine through!

basics

full name: josephine davis-scott nickname: jo, joey age: 32 years old date of birth: august 21st, 1992 zodiac sign: leo sun, cancer moon, aries rising gender & pronouns: cis woman & she/her sexuality: bisexual occupation: co-owner of crystal ridge winery; manages social media for the winery and the davis-scott bed & breakfast; photographer; painter

family

mother: evelyn davis-scott father: james davis-scott sibligns: tba davis-scott, tba davis-scott, harlow davis-scott, penelope davis-scott nephews: alice reeves, teddy li, tba, tba, tba

personality

mbti: ESFP-A (the entertainer) moral alignment: chaotic neutral temperament: sanguine parallels: jess o'brien (chesapeake shores), pacey witter and jen lindley (dawson's creek), brooke davis (one tree hill)

about

she’s the youngest child in the davis-scott family and often felt a bit out of place among everyone -- her older siblings, nieces, and nephews, many of whom were born just a few years after joey herself. her house was always bustling, whether with family or the guests at the davis-scott bed & breakfast, where she spent most of her childhood and teenage years.

despite her outwardly extroverted nature, joey often felt lonely. that’s part of why amara has been so important to her ever since they met in kindergarten. the two girls have been inseparable ever since, navigating middle school, high school, and college in raleigh together, then amara’s pregnancy, and ultimately opening the crystal ridge winery side by side.

spotify wrapped

stick season - noah kahan

dirty little secret - the all-american rejects

don't tell me - avril lavigne

thnks fr th mmrs - fall out boy

the middle - jimmy eat world

hanging by a moment - lifehouse

the best of me - the starting line

disease - matchbox twenty

she will be loved - maroon 5

love song - sara bareilles

i'm a slave 4 u - britney spears

like a prayer - madonna

come clean - hilary duff

bleeding love - leona lewis

like a boy - ciara

since u been gone - kelly clarkson

i hate this part - the pussycat dolls

wanted connections / plots

exes: someone from high school or college. ideally, i’d love a dynamic similar to pacey and joey from dawson’s creek -- where jo takes on the pacey role lol. they’ve disliked each other since childhood, but things started to shift when they entered high school, and something romantic developed. however, it all abruptly ended before college. now, they've crossed paths again and are trying to convince themselves they can still be friends, but it's not easy being friends with someone you once loved.

work-related plots: people joey has worked with before, or is about to collaborate with. she’s a photographer and a painter with an impressive portfolio. she photographs events, weddings, parties—basically anything. in addition, she teaches a few free art and photography classes, particularly for kids.

some kind of enemies: joey is known for her abrasive personality. she’s outspoken and isn’t afraid to defend her ideas, no matter who she’s talking to. maybe your muse doesn’t like how blunt she is, or they have opposing views. it would be fun to have an enemy in such a small town. this conflict could be something recent or something that dates back to their school days.

[geralt-of-baevia]

Call It What You Want: Chapter Five

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine

pairing: nooutbreak!joel x f!ofc (Violet Fletcher)

rating: explicit, MDNI 18+

word count: 3.1k

summary: Seeking solace from a painful breakup, Violet relocates to a tranquil town, purchasing a neglected house to renovate. In her new neighborhood, she befriends Harlow, who introduces her to Joel, a gruff and seasoned contractor with a heart of gold. Despite Joel's initial grumpiness, Violet finds herself drawn to his expertise and hidden kindness.

As Violet immerses herself in home renovations alongside Joel, their dynamic begins to shift, with Joel unexpectedly opening himself up to the possibility of love. Their budding relationship faces challenges as shadows from their pasts emerge, testing their newfound connection.

warnings/tags: hints at a daddy kink, groping, dry humping, grinding, etc.

a/n: alright, something FINALLY happens! yay! and oooo drama is staaaarting. i love it.

In the first week of our deal Joel and I were both very busy. I had made french dip, beef stroganoff and so many breakfasts and pastries. All while he had patched my deck, put up a new shower curtain, fixed part of my roof and fixed the air conditioning with his brother Tommy’s help. 

There was constant commotion at the house, but it was something I thrived on. It was nice to have something do do every day. To have a reason to get up and bake. I hadn’t done much of that since I had sold the bakery six months before. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it.  

I learned that breakfast was Joel’s favorite meal very quickly. Since we were both early birds, most mornings I had coffee and food ready to go when he got to the house. Friday morning I decided to make my favorite; biscuits and gravy. When Joel came through the kitchen door, I was just pulling the biscuits out of the oven.

“It smells amazin’ in here,” he said, setting his toolbelt down next to the door in a thud. “Whatcha making?”

“Biscuits and gravy.”

“Mmm, my favorite.”

A silly grin spread across my face. “It’s mine, too.”

Joel came over and made our cups of coffee while I plated our food. We took our breakfasts and headed out to the sun porch to eat. Earlier in the week Joel moved a couch and coffee table into the once empty room for us. It was such a nice place to sit and look outside and enjoy company. I loved our little routine.

“How is your arm feeling this morning?” he asked before shoveling a bite of food into his mouth. I could sense something was up with Joel by his body language, but I couldn’t tell if I was making it up or not. 

“It’s getting better. I’ve been doing my exercises and stretches that the doctor recommended. And I haven’t had to take a pain pill in at least three days,” I told him proudly. My forehead was healing nicely, too, it only needing a bandaid over the stitches.

“Well that’s very good to hear.”

As we ate our meals in silence, I could sense something was definitely making Joel apprehensive. 

“Hey, is everything okay?” I asked through a bite. 

“Hmm?” he asked, turning to face me. It was like I had snapped him back to reality. 

“Is everything okay, Joel? You’ve been acting kinda odd since we sat down to eat,” I explained. He sighed in response. 

“Everythin’s fine,” he stated. I cocked an eyebrow at him. “I’ve just been meanin’ to ask you somethin’ since yesterday, but I couldn’t get the nerve up to last night. So I told myself this mornin’ on the way here that I was gonna ask ya.”

My heart began pattering in my chest.

“Well, just ask me then.”

“Um, I have a buddy from the school I work at that’s getting married this weekend,” he started, “and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me?”

I gave him a coy smile. “Like as your date?”

“Yes, as my date,” he said, nudging his shoulder into mine. 

“How fancy are we talking?”

He paused. “...is that a yes, then?” 

I giggled. “Yes, I’ll go with you.”

He beamed at me, and his face softened with relief. It was adorable. 

“So, how fancy?” I asked again, “Like, do I get to see you in a tux or something?”

“No, not that fancy. But it’ll definitely be a dres nice for the occasion type of wedding.”

“When is it?” I asked before taking a drink of my coffee. 

“It’s tomorrow at 11am in the town over. I’d pick you up around 10:15. Is that okay?” he asked. 

I nodded. “That sounds great.”

The next morning I rushed around trying to get ready. I had decided to keep my hair and make up simple, but I was still nervous. Thankfully Harlow was coming as well, and Joel’s brother Tommy as her date. 

I looked myself over in the mirror, fiddling with my hair and smoothing my light pink dress over my thighs. I hadn’t been to a wedding in a long time. The next one was supposed to be my own, but that had obviously changed. 

At almost 10:15 on the dot, I heard Joel’s familiar knock at my door. After looking myself over once more, I ran downstairs. I opened the door, it revealing Joel looking as handsome as ever. He had on a green plaid shrit with his sleeves rolled up, showing off his forearms, a pair of nice jeans and boots. His curly salt and pepper hair was combed back, and his facial hair freshly tidied. 

“You look so handsome,” I told him, the words falling out of my mouth before I could stop them. His face lit up, his eyes crinkling at the corners. 

“Um, well thank you,” he said timidly, his bashfulness coming out. “You look gorgeous.”

My cheeks grew hot and my eyes met the ground. 

“Thank you,” I told him, chewing nervously at my bottom lip, “It’s not too much?”

He shook his head, his brow knitting together. “Not at all. Are you ready to go?” 

“Yes, let me grab my bag.”

I grabbed my purse and my shoes and locked up the house. Joel and I got into his truck and pulled out of the driveway, off in the direction of the wedding. I threw my shoes and purse on the floor before turning in my seat to face him. I rested my back against the door and pulled my feet up to rest on the space between us, hugging my knees. 

“You comfortable?” he asked sarcastically. I pushed his thigh with my foot. “Hey! That’s my driving foot.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, dad.” 

His eyes snapped over to me at my comment, his eyes stern. It was a look that made the space between my thighs surge with heat. 

“So um,” I started, shifting in my seat a little, “How long have you known the couple getting married?” 

“I’ve known Bill and Frank for at least 20 years. We first met through an old friend,” he told me, taking his eyes off the road occasionally to look at me while he spoke. I nodded. I could tell there was apprehension in his voice. 

“...and?” I asked, knowing he had more to say. 

“...and they’re getting married because Frank is sick and they want to get married before he passes away,” he concluded. My heart dropped into my stomach. It was so bittersweet. 

“That’s - heartbreaking,” I said, not knowing what else to say. I heard him sniff, so I learned forward and put a comforting hand on his knee. “But it’ll also be beautiful.”

He looked over and me and gave me a have smile, his eyes brimming with tears. I gave his knee a squeeze before he took it in his own. He brought it up to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. I smiled. 

“Thank you for comin’ with me.”

“Of course.”

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It wasn’t anything spectacular or over the top. Just a simple wedding in the backyard of Bill and Frank’s beautiful house. There was maybe only about 30 of us there in total, and not one of us had a dry eye by the end of it. I had packed tissues in my bag and I had never been so thankful I had done so. 

After the ceremony everyone mingled and ate finger food while Frank rested for awhile. I stood in a corner of the garden with Joel, his brother Tommy, Harlow and their friend Ellie, one of Harlow’s students. She had practically adopted Ellie, and hence so did Joel and Tommy. They were this little blended family that I couldn’t help but admire. 

“So, Violet?” Harlow started, pointing an accusing finger at me, “Joel told me the other day that you used to have a full ass bakery?”

“Mmhmm,” I said with a nod, trying to be as nonchalant as possible. I didn’t really want it getting out, but I also didn’t tell Joel not to say something. I couldn’t get upset at him. 

“Girl, I have known you for almost four months and you’ve never said anything about it to me? That’s a big deal!” she stated. I shrugged. 

“It just wasn’t a big deal to me at the time to talk about,” I said. Tommy smacked Harlow in the arm. 

“Did you ever think Harles that maybe she didn’t want to talk about it then?” he asked her, attitude dripping all over his words. She rolled her eyes. 

Harlow had been weird to me the entire time at the wedding, and now she was calling me out about something silly like this? I didn’t know what was up, but I didn’t want to worry about that right now. I just wanted to enjoy the wedding with Joel. Joel turned to me, blatantly ignoring the drama from his brother and Harlow. 

“Do you wanna go get a beer with me?” he asked. 

“Sure,” I said, giving Harlow a side glance. He slipped his arm around my middle and led me away from the group and over to the house. 

“Is it just me or is Harlow bein’ weird?” he asked, still looking ahead. I glanced up at him and sighed. 

“No, she’s being weird,” I confirmed. We went into the kitchen and Joel grabbed us each a beer from the large cooler by the sink. He opened both of them on the counter before handing me mine nonchalantly. 

“Did-did you just open those on the edge of the counter?” I asked, my jaw a little slack. He smirked at me as he took a swig from his beer and shrugged. 

“Maybe I did,” he said with a quick wink. The butterflies in my stomach awoke. 

Before either of us could say anymore, Bill wheeled Frank into the kitchen from the living room. Frank was looking much more rested than he had after the ceremony. 

“How ya feelin’, buddy?” Joel asked Frank. 

“Much better, thank you,” he said with a kind smile. He turned his eyes to me. “I didn’t get to meet you before the wedding. I’m Frank.”

He held a hand out to me and I closed the distance between us to shake it. 

“It’s very nice to meet you, I’m Violet,” I told him. His smiled widened. 

“She’s Harlow’s neighbor,” Joel explained, “Her house is the one I’ve been working on.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who made those croissants then, aren’t you?” Frank questioned. He glanced at Joel with a knowing look, their eyes meeting. Joel blushed, coughing to mask the embarrassment. 

“Yes I was. Did you like them?” I asked. Frank scoffed, looking back at Bill with a sarcastic look. 

“Tell her Bill, did we like them?” 

Bill cracked a small smile on his stoic face. “Violet, those were some of the best damn croissants we’ve ever had.” Frank turned back to me.

“Is there any way I could persuade you to make more for us?” he asked, rubbing his hands together excitedly. I giggled. 

“Absolutely. You can consider them a wedding present,” I told him. 

“We look forward to it,” he said, “but if you’ll excuse us we have more guests to thank for coming.”

“Of course you two,” Joel said. Frank took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze. 

“It was very nice to meet you, Violet,” he said while making unwavering eye contact with me. His eyes were so kind, and his smile one of the most genuine I’d ever seen. It broke my heart that he wasn’t going to be around much longer. 

“You too, Frank,” I said, trying to push down my somber thoughts. 

As the afternoon continued on, all of the guests wound down and Bill and Frank did some usual wedding traditions. They cut the cake together, folks gave toasts, and finally they had their first dance. Yet again there was not a dry eye in the house as Joel and Tommy helped get Frank to his feet, aiding him in having his first dance with his new husband eye to eye. I would never hear the song ‘That’s How Strong My Love Is’ by Otis Redding the same way again. 

After their dance, Joel came back and sat next to me as others joined on the cement patio to dance. 

“Hi you,” I said as he wrapped an arm around me, resting it on the back of my chair. He was a little out of breath and rubbed one of his knees with his free hand, muttering about it under his breathe. I giggled. “That was very sweet of you, you old man.”

He gave me another stern glance, but couldn’t hold it for long, cracking a small smile. “Yeah, yeah, thanks.”

We sat together and listened to the music, watching people dance and interact. Joel hummed along with each of the songs, tapping to the beat on my shoulder. I couldn’t help but want to melt back into him and feel the vibrations of the humming in his chest. While I was lost in my thoughts, the song changed. I didn’t notice until Joel got to his feet and held a hand out to me. 

“Would you like to dance?” he asked. I nodded, realizing the song was The Mamas & the Papas’ ‘Dream A Little Dream Of Me.’

He helped pull me to my feet and then led me over to the patio. I turned around to face him and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling my body close to his. He took my right hand in his, resting it on his chest before putting his hand over mine. I interlaced our fingers as I wrapped my free hand around his neck. He looked down at our entwined hands and smiled. As he began to sway us back and forth, I rested my head against his chest. 

I felt him let out of sigh of contentment, pulling me closer to him even still. His fingers dug into my side, like he couldn’t get me close enough. I pulled my head away from his chest to look up at him, my green eyes meeting his deep, dark brown ones. He rested his forehead against mine, slipping his other hand down around my waist. I reached up and linked my hands behind his neck; neither of us breaking eye contact. 

When the song was over, it felt much too soon. Without saying a word, Joel broke apart from me and immediately began tugging on my hand, leading me somewhere away from the patio. I followed as he led me to the side of the house, his footsteps impatient. Before I was able to ask him where he was taking me, he turned me around and pinned me to the wall with his hips. 

Our eyes met again as I looked up at him. I watched as his gaze flashed down to my mouth and back to my eyes. I nodded my head ever so slightly, giving him permission to do what I know he wanted to do. My heart began pounding as his hands cupped my face, my breaths shallow. 

 Joel closed the gap between us and crashed his lips against mine. My chest felt like it was going to burst at the seams. I grabbed onto the collar of his shirt, trying to pull him closer to me as his fingers twisted in my hair. His hands left my face, exploring my body as he deepened the kiss. I gasped for air as his lips trailed down my jaw and neckline, his mustache prickling my skin along the way. 

I grabbed my arms around his neck as he began hiking up my dress. Heat pooled between my legs as he reached his hands under my thighs and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his as he pinned me to the wall again, this time grinding against my center. He moaned against my neck, and I could feel him hardening underneath his jeans each time he dipped his hips into me. My head rested back against the siding as he kissed and bit at my neck greedily. 

“Are you fucking kidding me?” 

We both jumped so hard I almost fell out of Joel’s arms and to the ground. We whipped our heads around to see Harlow standing by the corner of the house, her mouth agape. Joel set me down and helped me with my strap as I pulled my dress back down over my thighs. 

“Harles, listen-”

“Don’t Harles me, Joel. I don’t want to hear it from you,” she said, pointing a drunken finger at him. She turned her attention to me, her eyes narrowing at me. 

“I can’t fucking believe, you,” she said, pausing before the word ‘you’ for emphasis. 

“What the hell are you talkin’ about?” Joel asked, his tone serious and stern. 

“When I introduced you guys I was trying to be helpful to you both, not have you go behind my back Violet and fuck him,” she stated flippantly, “and even here? At Frank and Bill’s wedding of all places? You two just had to sneak off like goddamn hormonal teenagers?”

“Harlow, we’re not-”

“Save it, Violet. I saw you come home from staying the night at his place in his clothes,” she accused, scorn in her tone. 

“Harlow, this is none of your goddamn business, none,” Joel stated firmly, taking a step between me and Harlow. 

“It is my business, Joel. You have been my goddamn older brother since Lucas died. I have seen every woman who has used you in more ways than one, and you always get hurt,” she spat at him, “I just never would have thought that you would be one of those girls, Violet. I’m done here.”

She turned on her heel and left us standing there, dishelved and gobsmacked. Joel started to follow after her, but I grabbed his arm to stop him. 

“Joel, don’t. She’s drunk and needs to cool off.”

He nodded in agreement, his chest rising and falling rapidly with his breath. I reached down and grabbed his hand and giving it a squeeze. We went back to the party in silence, and I tried to avoid looking in Harlow’s general direction. The knot in my stomach only got bigger as the afternoon went on. 

Once the reception was finally wrapping up, Joel and I said our goodbyes to Bill and Frank. After we got in the car we sat in silence, my brain wracking over what Harlow had said. 

“Joel?”

“Hmm?”

“What did Harlow mean by other girls using you?”

He sighed a knowing sigh. 

“That’s a story for another day.”

[i-care-4u]

I’d like to request a Jack fic where reader (who is a fan and is shy) and Jack go on their first date and she is nervous but Jack notices and acts all cute about it and calms her down (like I thought about the ‘don’t be anxious, I got you’ line from poison). Please and thanks.

I GOT YOU | J.HARLOW

PAIR: JACK HARLOW X READER

REQUESTS ARE CLOSED | MASTERLIST

you were backstage, waiting for jack to finish his final song. there was a screen in one of the rooms to watch jack perform live. in the meantime, you were lip-syncing to “state fair,” his last song for the concert.

urban opened the door just to see you, “how come you’re not in the pit today?”

you shook your head, “it’s too much for me. some of these fans don’t have etiquette.”

you weren’t lying though. after venues started opening up again the previous year, fans started to get crazier. you didn’t find it a problem at first, but after the craze jack received, you immediately moved from the pits to backstage with his crew.

“it’s crazy out there,” your eyes widened.

you looked at urban, who was chilling at a corner, and he agreed with your opinion, “some of his fans can be too much, and i understand if you don’t want to be standing with a whole bunch of strangers.”

you gave urban a weak smile, “thank you urban for understanding. yes, i miss seeing him perform up front, but-”

there was a knock on the door, and urban opened it to see a sweaty and exhausted jack. he tried to reach in for a hug, but you refused.

“how’s my girl been?” jack smiled at you while you laughed, taking a few steps back.

“now if you don’t get your sweaty ass out” you joked.

jack backed off, “finding everything alright in here?”

“i miss seeing you in the stage, but things are more peaceful here.”

“we’re leaving to go back at the hotel in a few minutes, and i have a surprise for you after, yeah?”

you nodded, “all for me?”

jack kissed your forehead, “for you.”

-

jack locked your shared hotel room to go take a shower. once finished, he changed into something casual, but somewhat makes it fashionable.

“you ready?”

jack walked in to see you in the couch, changing the tight shirt and baggy pants combo to an archived dress. you put your phone in your bag and stood up, “yeah, let’s go.”

you got into the passenger seat while jack was the one driving. you had a smile on your face, getting pretty exciting yet nervous on what place jack was going to take you.

“close your eyes,” jack said as he was driving. he took a turn and the glowing letters of the restaurant began to show up.

once he entered the parking lot, he allowed you to open your eyes, “alright, you can open them.”

you opened your eyes to see the restaurant that you begged jack for a long time now, “oh my god, jack! you finally did it!”

“i know.”

-

you and jack settled on the table, and you suddenly felt anxious. you looked around the room, and people were everywhere. normally, this wouldn’t be the case as jack would book a private room just for you and him to eat.

you started tapping your fingers on the table, feeling nervous in the public setting. jack began taking notice of your body language, and removed the toothpick from his mouth, “everything okay?”

you placed your hand on the table, “yeah, it’s just-” your vision started to blur a little as you looked around the room again, “you know that feeling when you’re anticipated for something and the second you go, it’s going horrible? that’s how i’m feeling.”

“don’t be anxious, i got you,” jack held your hand, “pretend that it’s just you and me in this room.”

you took several deep breaths, and the first thing you saw was jack.

“you’re doing great, sweetheart.”

you blushed by his comment and by then the waitress passed out the dishes. before picking up the fork, jack wondered if you wanted to get it on the go instead.

“you want to eat it at the hotel instead?”

you refused, “no, i was the one that wanted to go here anyway.”

-

on the way out, you came out with enthusiasm, “that was delicious, just like expected.”

you turned around to look at jack, “sorry about earlier, i was just panicked that someone was going to call us out and ruin our date.”

“i understand your concern. we’re lucky that didn’t happen.”

“yeah,” you hopped onto the car, “maybe it’s worth going here again.”

jack started the car when he asked, “want to go to another date? this time it’ll be private.”

“to where?”

“to the hotel room and watch a movie there,” jack laughed.

you rolled your eyes, “i can’t with you sometimes.”

[heavyhitterheaux]

Baby Blues

First Lady of Private Garden Fic

AN: mature topic ahead, mentions of postpartum depression

Synopsis: The two of you are at odds once again, and deep down, Jack knows that there is something wrong with his wife but can't figure out what it is. He makes it his mission to get down to the bottom of it in order to help you.

Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader

The full fic to this concept

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

You massaged your temples as you sat down on your bed finally able to take a breather. All three babies had been officially home for two months and instead of it getting easier, you felt as if it was getting harder. Jack had been sent to the store by you to get more formula since your milk supply hadn't been that great lately. Probably due to the fact that you were barely eating, but that was another conversation.

The hope was that they would at least sleep for two hours so that you could lay down yourself, but you knew that it probably wouldn’t work out in your favor. You and Jack were still at odds and it would be sometimes awkward with both of you at home with the triplets which was 98% of the time. After almost losing you, that definitely took a toll on him, but the two of you would still argue about unnecessary things that wouldn't matter twenty four hours later.

In your mind you were trying your absolute hardest while trying to recover from having them since it hadn't been anything but easy. At this point, you didn't want to divorce him. Possibly legal separation, but the thought of divorcing him completely had never crossed your mind. Despite what had gone on in your marriage, at the end of the day you still loved him and couldn't see yourself living without him.

The front door opened indicating that Jack was back and you soon heard his footsteps as he made his way upstairs. He peeked in your bedroom and saw you sitting on the bed and staring off into space.

He leaned down to place a kiss on your forehead and you gave him a weak smile.

“You feel okay, today?” He asked as he sat down next to you, but you just shrugged.

“I don't know. I just…” You got quiet and didn’t finish your sentence.

“Baby, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong.” Jack replied as he grabbed your hand to place in his.

“I don't need any help. I'm fine.”

“Y/N, why are we doing this again? You're shutting me out and I'm trying to understand what is happening with my wife.”

“Hmm, so now you want to try and understand? You weren't concerned with how I felt basically the entire year in 2022 so why now?”

“I already apologized for that and I thought we moved past that.”

“Who moved past it? Because I didn't.”

“Why do we ALWAYS do this?” Jack exclaimed while throwing his hands up towards you, but all you did was attempt to put your excuse of hair into a ponytail because you didn’t know the last time you actually brushed it.

“We always don’t do anything, you brought it up so I answered your question.” You fired back while looking at the two mismatched socks on your feet.

“I’m trying here so the least you can do is cut me some slack!”

“Jackman, if this is what you call trying to at least attempt to act like you care about this marriage, this is one hell of a poor job.”

“Here we fucking go. Don’t you think that if I wanted a divorce or to separate from you that I would have done it already?” Jack asked and you could tell he was immediately filled with regret as his eyes went wide and all you did was stare at him.

“There’s still time to go to the courthouse today if that’s your heart’s desire since it’s only eleven in the morning. But let’s be serious I saved your fucking image because come the fuck on, I could have thrown your ass under the bus. No matter how you mistreated me and put your wife, someone that you gave your last name to on the back burner, I still did right by you. As much shit as you did and it wasn’t a secret, it got played out for the entire world to see but yet, I never spoke bad about you ONE TIME. Because as much as you constantly give me headaches, I love you and I do want to save this marriage. But if I’m the only one trying then fuck it. The one thing that really sticks out in my mind is when I actually did fight Anitta and you didn’t even ask me if I was okay, not once. Despite how she had acted towards me ever since she met me. I told you how I felt about her and all you did was ignore me in order to try and boost your career. The career that I helped you create, but whatever.” You simply shrugged your shoulders and tried to walk past Jack, but he caught your wrist and lightly tugged on it.

Deep down, he knew that he had been difficult towards you and it had been hard to process his emotions and Jack did feel some type of way about how he had treated you. He broke the one promise to you when you told him not to ever forget where he came from or the people that helped him get to where he was, but now he had done the exact opposite and the fame had got to his head.

It took him hearing it from his mother to finally realize it

“Y/N…. wait a second.”

All you did was turn to look up at him and let out a deep sigh.

“I promise to do better and do right by you….. And them. I’m sorry I just…. I know for a fact that I have to be better about expressing how I feel towards you and a few months ago, I thought that I was going to lose you forever. Please don’t ever think that I don’t love you because I do. I love you more than life itself and just for the past year I haven’t been the best husband that I could be and want to get back in your good graces and fix this. I’m tired of us fighting and we have three little ones that don’t need to grow up in a dysfunctional household. You know for a fact that divorce would never be an option for me on my end. I was serious when I asked you to marry me at nineteen and I’m still serious now.”

“It’s not just us anymore and they should always be your first thought.” You quietly said as you could hear through the baby monitor that they were awake.

“I’ll…. Go make an appointment with Fatima after I check on them.”

The two of you had been seeing a marriage counselor named Fatima and you could tell that she was genuine and also wanted the best for the two of you.

“That sounds like a good idea.” You quietly answered as you simply hugged yourself in your pink oversized sweater that Jack bought you years ago, not bothering to make eye contact with him.

“We’re going to get through this, baby. One step at a time.” Jack quietly said as he leaned down to kiss your forehead.

All you did was nod in response as you sat down on the bed and simply stared off into space.

Jack simply sighed as tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he walked out of your shared bedroom and was on his way to the triplets room when he pulled out his phone to do a quick google search.

He knew that something was wrong.

What are the signs of postpartum depression?

Insomnia.

Fatigue.

Poor appetite.

Mood swings.

Irritability.

As Jack kept reading the symptoms on the list, just about every one of them he had seen in you over the past month and he was kicking himself for not noticing sooner.

You were hurting and he was simply adding to it which was the last thing that he would have ever wanted to do. After checking on the triplets, he would text Fatima and look more into getting you help for this because this had to be the only explanation for what was going on with you. After coming home, you had been so happy and now it seems like a switch went off and you were the complete opposite. Jack quickly wiped away his tears before making his way into the triplets room to see Axel wide awake and staring at him. He quickly picked him up and cuddled him closer to his chest.

“Axel, I have to figure out what's going on with your mother and get her the help that she needs. I want for her to be able to see the three of you grow up, but if she keeps going how she is right now, that might not happen. I'm trying to be a better husband and a good father to you three, but I don't think I'm doing such a good job.” He quietly confessed as he brought him downstairs in order to make a bottle for him.

As he waited for it to heat up, he saw you come into the kitchen and attempted to take Axel from him. But you quickly heard his protests.

“Baby, go lay down. I got them. You're tired.”

“I'm fine. I can feed him.”

“Y/N, please just listen to me. Did you even sleep at all last night? You aren't fine.” Jack asked as you looked away from him and he knew that he had his answer.

“I need for you to rest. Don’t worry about them.”

“But…”

“Please don't argue with me. I know when my wife is tired.”

“Okay.” You quietly said as you made your way back upstairs.

When Jack had woken you up by kissing yojr forehead, it was starting to get dark outside and as you sat up in bed you simply sighed.

“Baby, come on. I ran bath water for you.” Jack didn't wait for a response as he grabbed your hand and led you into the bathroom and began to help you take off your clothes.

You glanced down at your scar across your abdomen and quickly looked away. It was still hard for you to look at seeing that you almost lost your life.

Jack helped you sit down in the bathtub and kissed your cheek and made sure you were settled.

“I'll get some clothes for you to wear and put them out on the bed and I'll order you some food. Wing Stop okay?”

You nodded your head as Jack left the bathroom, but he made sure to keep the door cracked in order to be able to hear you if you needed him. Ten minutes had probably passed before the tears started streaming down your face and they wouldn't stop no matter how hard you tried.

You were trying to stay quiet so that Jack wouldn't hear you, but he did once he had heard a loud sob. He immediately stopped what he was doing to go in the bathroom to check on you and the sight in front of him broke his heart.

“Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen?”

At this point your knees were to your chest as your head was resting on top of them and your arms were hugging your legs as you continued to sob.

“Jack…” You started to say before letting out another sob.

“Yes? Baby, you're scaring me. Tell me what's wrong.” He asked again as he was now sitting on the side of the tub next to you.

“That's the problem! I don't know! I'm so sad all the time. Why do I feel like this?”

“We're going to get you help. Whatever I have to do I'm going to make sure that my wife is okay.”

“Do you promise?” You asked in a whisper as you turned to look at him.

“I promise. You aren't going to feel like this forever if I have anything to do with it. I want you to get back to being your happy bubbly self. I haven't left your side since you got pregnant and I'm not leaving now. We're going to get through this.” Jack told you as he brushed some of your hair out of your face that had fallen out of the ponytail.

You nodded as Jack grabbed the Mielle shampoo that you used for your hair and began to massage it through your scalp. He didn't even know the last time you had washed it and figured that he would do it for you so that it was one less thing that you had to worry about.

As Jack washed your hair for you and conditioned it, your thoughts were running rampant. The last thing you wanted was to feel like this and you wanted to be the best possible mother to the triplets. You deserved it and they deserved it with as hard as it was bringing them into this world and all that you went through.

After he had rinsed out your hair, he grabbed an old t-shirt to wrap around it in order for it to be able to dry as he helped you out of the bathtub. Once he did and you were facing him, he leaned down to place several kisses on your lips which you gladly accepted.

“I love you and you’re going to be okay. We're going to be okay.” He whispered and you immediately nodded.

“I love you too.”

“Let me help you get dressed so I can finish your hair for you. You want me to blow dry it or let it air dry?”

“Blow dry it, please.”

“The Harlow salon is officially in business.” Jack said and you couldn’t help but to let out a small laugh.

Once Jack had finished your hair for you and putting it up, he made sure that you ate and the two of you were now sitting against the headboard in your bedroom as he was flipping through channels on the TV. You simply went and laid your head on his chest as his arms wrapped around you and leaned down to kiss the top of your head.

“Thank you for being here for me today.” You quietly said and you hugged him tighter.

“You don't have to thank me. You're my baby and your well being is important to me. I'm always going to make sure that you're okay and I’m sorry that it took me so long to notice.”

“Notice what?”

“That my wife was hurting. You have postpartum depression, baby. I looked it up and you have almost every single symptom.”

“Oh.”

“At least we know now what's wrong and we can do what we need to do in order to get you help. You mean everything to me even though I haven't been the best at showing it. But I'm going to do better for you and them.”

You hadn't even looked up the symptoms of it, but was going to take Jack’s word for it.

“I just want to feel better and be a good mom.”

“You will feel better and you're already a good mom. You just need a little help right now and that's okay. This is more common than you think, but it's not going to be like this forever.”

“What if we have more kids and this happens again?”

“We don't need to worry about that right now. Let's just focus on getting through this first.”

You nodded your head in agreement as you turned your focus to the television and you started hearing small whimpers on the baby monitor. You made a motion to get up and Jack immediately tried to stop you.

“Babe, I can…”

“I got it. You let me rest a little bit and I feel better.”

“Are you sure?”

“Promise. I'm fine. Like you said it won't be like this forever.”

A few months later, you were sitting backstage with the triplets and Jack was due to perform along with a few other artists and he made it up in his mind that he wanted all of you to come with him. Ivy and Autumn were crawling around on their playmat with their toys while Axel was in your arms sleeping as you heard the door open and he walked in.

He leaned down to kiss you while also kissing Axel's forehead as he sat on the floor and both of the girls crawled over to him.

“Are you okay? Do you need anything?” He asked as he was making faces at Ivy who was laughing.

“We're fine babe for the millionth time.” You responded while laughing and checking the time on your phone.

“Just making sure!” He said as he held up his hands in defense.

Jack made sure to block off a room backstage specifically for you and the triplets. Urban would pop in from time to time to check on you too so that way they wouldn't be overwhelmed with all of the noise. There was a screen in the room so that you along with the babies would be able to watch Jack’s performance.

“Aren't you supposed to be getting dressed?”

“I had to check on my wife and babies first. Yall are my priority. They can wait.”

Just then Urban stuck his head in the door and was looking at the both of you.

“Neelam is going to murder you in the next two minutes if you don't hurry up.”

“Tell her I'm coming!”

“That's what she said.” You muttered before busting out laughing and Jack and Urban just shook their heads at you.

“And you call me the unserious one.”

“But you are!”

“You know this is the first time in a while that I've gotten a genuine smile out of you.” Jack said while getting up and coming to sit next to you.

“And I have you to thank for that.” You said as you adjusted Axel in your arms.

“Just doing my husband duties. We're in this for the long run, baby.”

“And I wouldn't have it any other way.” You replied as Jack leaned down to kiss you, but was interrupted by Axel waking up and giving him a look.

“I… Axel fix your face. Your mom was mine first.” Jack exclaimed as you laughed at the face he was making at Jack.

Axel continued to stare him down before closing his eyes again and laying his head back down.

“You know you can't get mad. He is literally you in a baby's body. But back to what I was saying. You saved me in more ways than one so thank you smush.” You said as you leaned over to kiss him again.

“You're welcome, baby girl. If it's for you I'm going to do it without a second thought.”

Liked by jackharlow, urbanwyatt, danivalentine, generationnow, sza, theshaderoom, and 1,592,006 others

y/ninsta: jackharlow said today is the first time in a while that he got a genuine smile out of me, so I had to take a selfie. Postpartum depression is real, and I thank my husband from the bottom of my heart for recognizing what I was going through and that I needed help. I love this life that I get to live with him and my babies 💕

jackharlow: always in your corner, baby. forever and always.

urbanwyatt: SERVING LOOKS 😍😍

danivalentine: jackharlow thank you for taking care of my baby girl. she is so loved by you and everyone else around her. 🥹

saweetie: love you mamas and we always got your back

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[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow x Reader : STRAWBERRIES AND SOME.

WARNING : SMUT !!!! 18+

Huge thanks to my boo @harlowcomehome for this one and for helping me out 🤭🤭 I tell you every time how much I appreciate you 🤞��💜

Jack had suggested throwing a little BBQ with his family and close friends. He’s been on the road non stop, so he just wanted to relax and catch up with everyone.

Sadly the timing wasn’t right, because your house was getting remodeled so there was no chance of hosting at your place. Luckily, Urban, Sunni and Copelan were nice enough to offer their home.

Jack had texted everyone saying how he didn’t want you stressing or cooking due to you being pregnant. So everyone helped out and each brought a plate and Urban’s father gladly offered to cook the Pattie’s.

You were all finally seated, enjoying the company and just laughing at everyone’s crazy stories.

“Daddy, can I have somes?”

“Here you go baby.” You look up and see Jack handing Mia some strawberries.

You don’t know how you didn’t notice before, but this time you did and it got you feeling all kinds of things.

Jack goes to take a bite from a strawberry and notice how his lips are tinted red, how juicy his lips look and how hot he looked biting into it.

That goes on for two minutes max, but it was enough to get you going.

You reach out for your phone and immediately text him.

Wifey : Are you teasing me?

He doesn’t respond.

Wifey : Fuck that’s hot.

He still doesn’t respond, so you continue to blow up his phone.

Wifey : Wish it was me you were biting and sucking on like that.

Wifey : Babe

Wifey : Jackman, let’s go to the car real quick.

Wifey : I’m so wet, just seeing you bite into the strawberry like that, got me dripping.

“Y/N, who are you texting so much?” Druski pulls you out of your thoughts. , “You texting your sancho?.” He teases.

You look up, a little lightheaded and hot, so you laugh it off. “Oh yeah, sure.”

You notice Jack is looking at you with a confused and irritated look on him. His eyebrows are furrowed and he tilts his head to the side.

You look down to your phone and send him another text.

Wifey : Babyyyy, let’s sneak off real quick 🥵

Wifey : 🍆🍑 💦 JACKMAN, I need you baby.

You’re getting annoyed that he isn’t responding to any of your text messages, so you grumpily slam your phone on the table, turn to look at Jack, but notice he’s already looking at you but he seems annoyed, his vein on his neck popping out.

He stands up from his seat, and nods towards the house. “Excuse us, I need to speak to my wife privately.”

You quickly stand up and follow behind him, getting excited and nervous.

You two are on the side of the house, away from everyone.

“Baby, why didn’t you correct Druski? Who were you texting.?” He asks you, rubbing at your belly.

You noticed the tone of his voice, Jack rarely got jealous but when he did you caught on quickly.

You feel like ever since you got pregnant this second time around, he’s been somewhat territorial, with both men and women, it didn’t matter. He just didn’t want anyone near you, he wanted you all to himself.

You can’t help but smile and stare at his lips, he has a bit of strawberry juice on them, so you get on your tippy toes, and give him a quick kiss, but not without licking his bottom lip.

You pull back, smile at him. “Check your phone dummy.”

He raises his eyebrows but pulls out his phone from the back of his pocket. “You texted- oh? OHHHH?????”

“Let me fuck the earrings off of you?” You smile at him cheekily.

He’s smirking at you, “Let’s go then, what my baby wants, my baby gets.” He walks you both inside the house and into the bathroom, he quickly closes the door.

“In here?” You giggle as he sets you on the counter.

“Tell me, what did it for you?” He rasps, the eager smirk painted across his face.

“The way you were eating the strawberries, your entire mouth was sucking around it, and I just imagine it being me.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s see how wet you are for me.” He spreads your thighs apart.

He pulls up your dress to your waist, and with his index finger he brushes your clit in one quick movement.

You whimper out, “J-Jack, no teasing baby, I c-can’t. Need you now.”

He continued to play with your clit “You’re wet, like” his breath hitches “really wet.” He quickly removes your panties, tossing them to the side.

“Please baby, I need you now” You look at him with begging eyes.

“Let me eat you like those strawberries?” He smirks, his dimple prominent which didn’t help the twitch you felt against your clit.

“I can’t wait any longer” you whined and Jack knew you mean business, ever since you got pregnant the most subtle things turned you on, and he wasn’t complaining. At all.

You reached for his pants, unbuttoning them as he sloppily kissed you. You could feel him coming undone already, as he let out moans into your mouth.

“Baby- you’re loud” you giggled and he did too.

“I can’t help it, you started it” he smiled.

“You did! You were eating those strawberries like that on purpose” you salivated as his dick sprung free.

He lined himself up, pushing his hips against you and pushing past your walls as you tightly hugged his dick.

“Boobs” he moaned and you were all but incoherent.

“Hmm?” You hummed but he was already lifting the remainder of your dress over your head. He hurriedly took your bra off, your boobs bounced freely in front of him.

Jack continued to thrust into you, but his mouth went from sloppily kissing you to sucking on your already sensitive nipples.

“Fuck” you exhaled, “baby, baby, I’m going to…” your voice was shaky and urgent.

“Don’t cum, don’t you dare” Jack rasped, he always challenged you to hold back. The sweat was forming in his hairline making his curls stick to his forehead and that image alone wasn’t helping you hold off your orgasm.

“I can’t, I can’t” you felt your legs trembling and your stomach growing hotter by the second.

“Whose pussy is this?” He moaned, he was panting in your ear.

His moans always made you urgently reach your climax.

“Your- yours” your voice trembled as you reached your orgasm. You threw your head back, and Jack continued to thrust into you chasing his own.

He was nearly ready to orgasm when the bathroom door flung open.

You yell out in shock, Jack mumbles a quick “Shit” and rushes to cover you up.

“We have a guest bedroom for that, you nasties.” Urban chuckles. He closes the door after a moment of realization of who was in there and what was happening.

You and Jack fix your clothes in place, and try to look somewhat presentable before walking out.

“Let’s hurry up and eat so we can get home.” He walks you both out of the bathroom. “After Mia goes down for her nap we’re going for round two and we’re not stopping.”

You smirk, “That was the plan baby.”

You two are walking back outside and sitting down at the table. You thought fucking him in the bathroom would calm you down but it only got you more hot and needy for him.

“Damn Jack, your wife fucked the earrings off of you?” Druski yells out, making everyone stare at you both.

Jack goes to touch his earlobe and smirks, “I guess she did.” He winks your way.

“Here you go baby, can’t have you losing them.” You hand him his diamond earring with a smile.

•••••••••

TAG LIST

@heavyhitterheaux @harlowsbby @arination99 @cmalass @jackharloww @minkookie95 @deannaard @jacksmoviestar @harlowcomehome @fdl305 @httpkoylinnn @xoxokiaraaxoxo @hoodharlow @automaticpeachsong @amethyst09 @aliciacat20 @allyson15 @gabbylovesreading @stefansalvatoresgf @violetdreamsworld @carma-fanficaddict @jasminxts @itsaaliyah2 @itsyagirljaz @harrycanyonmoonn @neon-lights-and-glitter @awhore4moree

[disenchantedif]

Noah Kahan songs for the ros? ☝️

Bored at work so I’m answering asks. I love this one. Luci’s was almost Dial Drunk for the record but they’d never actually have the guts to call MC lmfao.

Viktor: Everywhere, Everything

Everywhere, everything; I wanna love you 'til we're food for the worms to eat; 'til our fingers decompose, I'll keep my hands in yours

Theo: She Calls Me Back

I don't get much sleep most nights, I'm seeing you in every dream; if only I could wake you up, if only I could fall asleep; I'll love you when the ocean's dry, I'll love you when the rivers freeze

Charlie: Come Over

Someday I'm gonna be somebody people want; but I'm in the business of losing your interest and I turn a profit each time that we speak

Luci: Animal

White lies take all of the color from you; most nights you don't sleep at all and you black out blind; you hide, is there any wonder no one ever really tries to call?

Cameron: False Confidence

Why won't you take me seriously? Look at me all fucked up over someone I'll never meet; and I wonder why I tear myself down to be built back up again

Harlow: Howling

Where to begin? Oh, let's pretend we never met so I can disappear a moment; I've been trying to swim with both my hands behind my back; my dear, I always feared the ocean

Penny: The View Between Villages

It's all washin' over me, I'm angry again; the things that I lost here, the people I knew, they got me surrounded for a mile or two

Avery: Carlo’s Song

Still haven't found what I'm looking for, some escape from my sin; you know that place you been dreaming of where all light comes in.

And I'll keep growing my hair out long just to cover my eyes; and I'll keep playing that goddamn song if it keeps you alive

The Wraith: Halloween

It's an ode to the hole that I found myself stuck in, the song for the grave that I dug; there's a murder of crows in the low light off Boston and I see your face in each one

[richincolor]

New Releases

We've got quite a few books on our radar this week! Coming out this Tuesday:

And Don't Look Back by Rebecca Barrow

After her mother’s death, a teen pieces together the truth of her family’s past and what her mom was hiding from in this thriller that’s perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.

Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind.

When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two things: where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed.

With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two choices: keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.

The Homecoming War by Addie Woolridge

When plunging enrollment forces two rival high schools to merge, two class presidents must work together to make the schools unite. But when a mutual crush emerges, they’ll both have to figure out what they want and where their loyalties lie before they become the most hated people at school.

Meg Williams is on the way to making her dreams come true. As the incoming Junior class president for Hirono High School, all she needs are a few more As and an excellent college recommendation letter, then she can leave Huntersville, California, and her ghosts behind.

Or, at least she was on track until the school district decided to combine Hirono with their rival, Davies High School. Now, Meg is wandering the pristine hallways of Davies High, her life plan threatened by Hirono’s queen mean girl, Freya Allenson, and the maddeningly perfect Chris Chaves, Davies High School’s class president.

When it turns out Huntersville’s Golden Boy won’t just step down, Meg begrudgingly accepts that they’ll have to work together for the year. Worse still, escalating pranks between the rival classmates and a developing crush threaten to throw Meg even further off course. As homecoming draws near, both Meg and Chris will have to decide where their loyalties lie.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. But for now, she’s trapped in her impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table—resurrecting the dead, for a price.

When Zilan finally has the chance to complete her imperial exams, she ventures to the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country in tasks she’ll be lucky to survive, let alone pass. On top of that, her reputation for raising the dead has followed her to the capital, and the Crown Prince himself seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt.

The more Zilan succeeds in her alchemy, the more she gets caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family. There are monsters lurking within the palace walls, and it’s only a matter of time before they—and secrets of Zilan’s past—catch up with her.

Kween by Vichet Chum

Soma Kear’s verses have gone viral. Trouble is, she didn’t exactly think her slam poetry video through. All she knew was that her rhymes were urgent. On fire. An expression of where she was, and that place…was a hot mess.

Following her Ba’s deportation back to Cambodia, everything’s changed. Her Ma is away trying to help Ba adjust to his new life, and her older sister has taken charge with a new authoritarian tone. Meanwhile, Soma’s trending video pushes her to ask if it’s time to level up. With her school’s spoken word contest looming, Soma must decide: Is she brave enough to put herself out there? To publicly reveal her fears of Ba not returning? To admit that things may never be the same?

With every line she spits, Soma searches for a way to make sense of the world around her. The answers are at the mic.

Salt the Water by Candice Iloh

Cerulean Gene is free everywhere except school, where they’re known for repeatedly challenging authority. Raised in a free-spirited home by two loving parents who encourage Cerulean to be their full self, they’ve got big dreams of moving cross-country to live off the grid with their friends after graduation. But a fight with a teacher spirals out of control, and Cerulean impulsively drops out to avoid the punishment they fear is coming. Why wait for graduation to leave an oppressive capitalist system and live their dreams?

Cerulean is truly brilliant, but their sheltered upbringing hasn’t prepared them for the consequences of their choice — especially not when it’s compounded by a family emergency that puts a parent out of work. Suddenly the money they’d been stacking with their friends is a resource that the family needs to stay afloat.

Salt the Water is a book about dreaming in a world that has other plans for your time, your youth, and your future. It asks, what does it look like when a bunch of queer Black kids are allowed to dream? And what does it look like for them to confront the present circumstances of the people they love while still pursuing a wildly different future of their own?

The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson

A Lesson in Vengeance meets The Taking of Jake Livingston in this page-turning YA horror/fantasy set in dark academia about a queer Black teen who discovers the sinister history of his boarding school and the corrupt powers behind it all.

Regent Academy has a long and storied history in Winslow, Vermont, as does the forest that surrounds it. The school is known for molding teens into leaders, but its history is far more nefarious. Seventeen-year-old Douglas Jones wants nothing to do with Regent's king-making; he’s just trying to survive. But then a student is murdered and, for some reason, by the next day no one remembers him having ever existed, except for Douglas and the groundskeeper's son, Everett Everley. In his determination to uncover the truth, Douglas awakens a horror hidden within the forest, unearthing secrets that have been buried for centuries. A vengeful creature wants blood as payment for a debt more than 300 years in the making—or it will swallow all of Winslow in darkness.

And for the first time in his life, Douglas might have a chance to grasp the one thing he’s always felt was power. But if he’s not careful, he will find out that power has a tendency to corrupt absolutely everything.

A high-octane mystery of murder and magic for fans of Ace of Spades, House of Hollow, and Get Out!

Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello

Will Trey and Ariel find their happily ever after in this hopelessly romantic love story? ‘A screen-worthy holiday romance.’ Joya Goffney, author of Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

Trey Anderson is popular and handsome, and he works at his family’s beloved Black-owned bookshop, Wonderland. Ariel Spencer is quirky, creative, and in need of a holiday temp job to cover her tuition for The Artists’ Studio. An opening at Wonderland is the answer . . . and the start of a hate-to-love journey for Trey and Ariel. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of shutting down, can they get over their differences and team up to stop the doors from closing before the deadline?

The Glass Scientists: Volume One by S.H. Cotugno

The gothic worlds of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and more collide in this graphic novel series about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters. For fans of stylish reimaginings like Lore Olympus and gaslamp fantasies like The Night Circus !

London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse. That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.

But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.

Up in Flames By Hailey AlcarazGorgeous, wealthy, and entitled, Ruby has just one single worry in her life—scheming to get the boy next door to finally realize they’re meant to be together. But when the California wildfires cause her privileged world to go up in flames, Ruby must struggle to find the grit and compassion to help her family and those less fortunate to rise from the ashes.

At eighteen, Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard. But she couldn’t care less about those messy college boys—it’s her intense, brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants, and even followed to school. Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t deter her . . . whatever Ruby wants, she eventually gets.

Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown, destroying her parents’ business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core. Suddenly, Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival, with no income or experience to rely on. Rebuilding seems hopeless, but with the help of unexpected allies—including a beguiling, dark-eyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyone—Ruby has to try. When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town, it becomes even more imperative to help. And if she has to make hard choices along the way, can anyone blame her?

In her powerful debut novel, Mexican American author Hailey Alcaraz chronicles a riveting portrait of transformation, resilience, and love with an unlikely heroine who, when faced with unforeseen disaster, surprises everyone, especially herself.

[nightsprung]

bee has brainstormed new ocs! here's the short rundown:

sloane kelly, 20, cis female, diana silvers. sloane has always been a relatively quiet and unassuming person. little does her sleepy town of yellowknife, ohio know that she's the mysterious voice of the observer, the host of semi-hit nighttime radio show the watch. the show delves into stories of the paranormal, supernatural and occult, and especially puts the town of yellowknife under a critical lens when it demands to find answers to several inexplicable disappearances over the years.

julie mason, 28, cis female samantha logan. julie mason is a well-enough known name to the public. one of the most promising and revered athletic talents to come through UCLA's women's basketball team with sights set on a professional career with the WNBA, those dreams were ripped away cruelly in a collision with a drunk driver on the way home from a championship victory party when she was 22 years old. since then, julie completed her schooling in psychology, obtained her masters and now works in mental health therapy, specializing with athletes.

harlow olson, 22, cis female, maya hawke. spontaneous is one way to describe harlow's childhood. turbulent is another. she never knew much about her father, and her mother was always free-spirited to a fault that forced harlow to grow up faster than she should have. multiple new schools, multiple new cities and towns, multiple new places decorated her childhood and teen years but none of them ever felt enough like home. she'd balance her dreams of attending film school with the realities of having to work countless hours in her spare time to help cover bills; and even then, it wouldn't stop debt collectors from finding them. in the midst of her adolescence, harlow tracked down her birth father and found he could offer her something her mother never could - stability. she petitioned to move in with him in an effort to have a more "normal" life as a teenager - a job to cover her own whims instead of bills, the same teachers semester to semester, a consistent group of friends. after high school, she finds herself studying film at NYU as she had always dreamed, but there's still some pieces of her that feel fractured. missing.

skyler cauldwell, 23, nonbinary (she/they), ayo edebiri. skyler has always been adept with technology; growing up in the digital age certainly helped with that. it's no wonder she ended up studying computer engineering in college, with the hopes of a promising career in cybersecurity. life is relatively normal for them; they have challenging courses, a core group of friends, several extracurriculars that eat up their time, debate team included. she's set to go to nationals with the rest of the team her senior year, but comes down with a nasty case of bronchitis days before the team is set to fly out to the competition and has to concede her spot to the alternate. the guilt they feel when the top news story a few days from that point is on the missing flight the team was on. months later it'd be discovered that the plane had crashed on an uninhabited island, and only a few members from the team survived.

summer beaumont, 19, cis female, sadie stanley. summer beaumont is your quintessential girl-next-door type. she's never had a bad thing to say about anybody and you're more likely to find her getting a cat out of a tree than doing anything particularly thrilling. it's no wonder that she's celebrating finishing her first year of undergrad by spending two months of her summer as a counselor at camp pinewood. she's great with the campers, especially the younger ones, and is always happy to cover for her fellow counselors, so long as they extend the same courtesy when she needs it. she will need it, by the way - typically on nights when the moon is full and the wind is howling. yeah, definitely the wind. don't mind the fact that she spends most of the next day in her bunk, or that her favorite pair of keds have been discarded completely for a fresh pair.

(reading this back summer sounds like a werewolf - she's not lmao. but she hunts them, and other monsters! a girl needs hobbies, after all!)

melanie ford, eternally 27, cis female, ella purnell. melanie ford has been dead for years now. the definitive story is a drug overdose, but she swears she'd never touch the hard stuff. no, this wannabe socialite has standards! the truth of the matter is melanie's death was far from an accident, and until the mystery around her demise is solved, she's cursed to continue walking the earth. in the meantime, she's trying to bide her time in limbo by doing good deeds, in the hope that it'll balance out some of the less than savory things she did while she was alive and secure her a spot in the good place.