#So she's just gonna hope that Ave can help his husband

[desiderium-eden]

"..."

[hollowscreekmuses]

"Well, in a town like this you gotta be careful who you complain to, one day you're gonna end up doing it to the wrong person, ya'know?" which granted was pretty much what happened, the guy decided to poke an angry wolf, not knowing Avery was a an angry wolf but if you're in a supernatural town trying to pick up fights, you gotta be a dumbass because eventually you'll find something bigger, stronger than you. "Yeah? just another thing we can relate to, I guess," Avery nods to her question, "In a way, went to therapy about it, my dads were there for me too, but--Still wonder why? when I was baby my mom left me my dad's care, and while both my biological father and my adotive one, his husband, were the most loving parents you can ask for, I wanted to know why she left me and never looked back, I looked her up as teen but she refused contact," he shurgs his shoulders, it got better, but this was a kind of hurt he was always gonna cary, "So yeah, just not--easy stuff to feel when you're a teen..." he taps with his fingers on the table, trying to distract himself, its not easy to think back about all of this, "I hope it got better for you too?" Ave asks as he looks back at her. "Shit! so you're saying I've been lied to my whole life?" Avery jokes letting out a laugh, he shakes his head, "Yeah, I'm starting to realize that. Hope it does, because I'm tired of amost wolfing out because someone looked at me the wrong way, y'know?" "I was just--embarrased, I couldn't understand what was going on, if I was going crazy or--if there were more people like me," Avery nods with a smile, "But I can see there are and that's good, I'm glad you found someone to help you too, because well...I guess there's a reason why we are--pack people? we're meant to--be here for each other?" maybe one day Avery could be the one helping out the new wolves, he had a long road ahead of him and he knew it, but still. "Yeah, I'm seeing that," he nods, "Maybe I'll join, I need all the help I can get," honestly it was either this or live his life in fear of hurting someone. "Yeah--" as he listen to those words he feels himself starting to tear up again, because honestly that's just what he neeed to hear, "Thank you--I--I'm just fucking scared of this whole thing, It's--It's too much when you find yourself being something you're usually not," he breaths out, taking a hand to his hair, "Eh, I could do without the badass, I had this discussion with a friend lately, and my conclusion is : Bab boys are overated," Avery jokes along qwith her, he truth is, wolf or no wolf, he always had a little edge in him, he's a nice, chill person, but that little firecracker, ready to diss you out comes out when someone is pushing him a little too much. "Thank you," Avery says, he takes the phone, then reaches out his hand to place on top of her, "I really appreacite this, you know? thank you." "Yeah, you're right" he can't help but to smile at that, "I just let my passions take the best of me sometimes so just tell me to shut the fuck up if it gets too much," he chuckles, it wouldn't be the first. "Yeah, of course! I mean, you've been so nice to me! I'm more than willing to teach you if you're up to it! "honestly it wasn't just a way to payback her being nice, it was something he loved and the more he could spread around his love for music, the better. "Oh yeah, no, I figure" he laughs, "That's fine, I'm used to go where I'm needed, sometimes I can't get people over to my studio so we rent some places near them all cool."

"Oh for sure, they always need something to complain about." Amelia hated those types of people and never wanted to become one of them. It never made sense to her, making yourself miserable over and over again while dragging down everyone around you. "Well you're preaching to the choir on those feelings but you're valid. Hopefully it got better for you? I know I got into my own fair share of fights over not feeling wanted." Amelia said with a soft and knowing smile. She sighed slightly, not missing the anger part of newly transforming in the least. "First off well adjusted adult is a myth sadly and the sooner you learn that the easier it is for you. But yeah sadly the anger part is real but it doesn't last long, I promise." She said reassuringly.

"Oh I definitely understand. I tried doing it on my own too but that lasted all but a moth probably before I finally broke and told someone, eventually finding out that they were one too and he helped me with it all." Sure she found out later that Rio was the reason she turned but Amelia always had a soft spot for him and forgave him quickly. "But the pack here is always helpful to wolves, whether you're in it or not. We all have been where you are and want to help make it easier." It was one of the things Amelia loved most about this place, the sense of community they all seemed to have. She softened immediately when he spoke about not wanting to lose himself. "I know how scary that is. But I promise you're still there and you can still be the best version of you. This is just a slight bump in the road and now you have some extra badassness about you." Amelia tried to lighten the mood as she typed her number into his phone and handed it back. "My number's in there. Just give me a call or text literally whenever you need someone okay?"

"Hey there's worse things out there to talk about! At least with music there's always something new to discover." Amelia always loved learning about new music, whether it was a new artist she never heard of or even just techniques to how it was made. "Wait really you would do that?" She asked, shocked that he would offer for her. "Hey that sounds so cool! Hopefully you can get back into it soon though. But I have to admit I doubt there's much need for one in Greywood itself but I'm sure you can easily go to the city and set up shop there."

[hockeylvr59]

Cale finding out he’s gonna be a dad during Christmas morning and for a moment he doesn’t know how to react 😭😭😭😭

Yeah so...this was too cute not to write a little something for. I hope you enjoy it. (1,338 words)

~~~ Peppermint candies. Twinkling lights. Soft fluffy snowflakes. A warm fire. Christmastime was magic. From childhood, it had been your favorite time of year and now as an adult, it still held that something special that made everything a bit brighter and radiant.

Snow reflected through the windows from outside as you tucked a small box wrapped in navy paper amidst the other presents neatly stacked under the tree. The secret contained in that present might just make the magic even stronger this year.

Upstairs, your husband Cale was tucked in bed, exhausted from the current NHL season already and making the most of his few days off and being away from the rink. Your in-laws were here for the holidays, making your house feel extra cozy and lively. Gary and Taylor were in your basement watching replays of some hockey game or another. Laura was in the kitchen making a few mugs of tea and grabbing a few cookies for you to enjoy alongside the fire until you were ready to go to bed.

You loved having Cale’s family here, there was nothing better than seeing how your husband lit up at having everyone he was close to under one roof if only for a couple nights. After almost six years together, his family was your family and when they got the chance to come down to Denver you welcomed them with open arms.

Drinking your tea, you listened as Laura shared stories about current happenings with extended family as well as childhood Christmases with the boys. Even if you’d heard many of these stories before, you never minded hearing them again, getting to know your husband when he was little through your mother-in-law. Those glimpses helped you to understand the man he was now and helped you fall more in love with him even if you also teased him for a few of the stories as well.

As she told stories, Laura mentioned how someday you’d understand what it was like to discover the magic of Christmas all over again through your children. You could only nod along silently, knowing that despite Cale talking to his family practically daily, they were unaware that you’d been trying to conceive for nearly a year now.

From the start, Cale’s family, both immediate and extended, had been great about not questioning the two of you regarding having kids. Even when you got married two and a half years ago, the typical intrusive questions hadn’t come, everyone knowing that Cale was focused on his career for now and there was plenty of time to consider a family later.

Cale had caught you off guard when he first brought up trying to get pregnant. It hadn’t come while spending time with his teammates and their kids or helping with the avs charity brunch. Instead, it had come as you were helping to redress a wound on his hip caused by an errant skate blade. To this day, his “can we start trying for a baby?” echoed through your head and the hopeful expression on his face was embedded in your heart.

When you’d agreed, you didn’t know how hard it would be. The baby-making itself, well that was fun, but negative test after negative test quickly put a damper on the process. You didn’t expect it to be easy, per se, but you didn’t expect it to be so hard. If it wasn’t for Cale’s persistence and love, you weren’t sure you’d be able to keep trying as the weight of negative tests grew heavier and heavier. Every time you thought about giving up, Cale pulled you close and reminded you that he loved you no matter what and that it would happen when the time was right. Because of that, you were more in love with him now than you’d ever thought possible.

Finishing your tea and cookies, you bid your goodnights to Laura, Gary, and Taylor and headed upstairs to snuggle into your husband’s arms. Tomorrow was Christmas and just like when you were five years old, you knew it was going to be hard to fall asleep.

___

Eventually, sleep did come and when you woke up in the morning, nervous anticipation filled you making you slide out from under Cale’s arm, unable to sleep any longer. After a quick shower, you headed downstairs and started making a pot of coffee before preheating the oven to throw the breakfast casserole in to cook.

Then you plugged the tree back in, started a fire, and settled in on the couch to wait for everyone else to wake up on the snowy Christmas morning.

When Taylor bounded down the stairs from the guest room he’d claimed, he picked you up and spun you around exclaiming that it was Christmas and making you laugh at his childlike excitement. It wasn’t long after that before your husband and in-laws joined him, greetings of “Merry Christmas” filling the air.

You settled in to open stockings filled with snacks and other little goodies like nail polish and makeup and stick tape and icy hot. By then, breakfast was ready and you all moved to eat before returning to the stack of presents under the tree. One by one you went through them enjoying the reactions to gifts you’d picked out and surprise at the ones they’d selected for you.

Seeing Taylor picking up a small navy package you scolded him not to toss it like he had so many others this morning (which had thankfully all been clothes). Rolling his eyes at you, he leaned forward to hand the box to Cale. Just like always, Cale carefully undid the paper, sticking it into the trash bag at his feet. As he did so, your breath caught in your throat and you waited anxiously for him to lift the lid off the gift box revealing the secret beneath.

A glint of silver was visible from inside the box and your eyes moved to Cale’s face, waiting for a response. Seconds ticked by, seeming to last an eon, as Laura asked what was in the present that caused her son to completely freeze. When Cale finally looked up there were tears in his eyes and he turned to you, his eyes questioning whether this was real. When you nodded affirmatively, he slid off the couch and knee-walked across the floor, pulling you into the fiercest hug.

Tears filled your own eyes as you carded your fingers through his hair giving him the chance to process everything. When he pulled back to kiss you, you responded eagerly, melting into the deep and lingering kiss, so many emotions being exchanged silently in that moment. Out of breath, his forehead rested against yours, and a smile grew on his face as tears dripped down his cheeks.

“Fucking Finally.” He eventually whispered and you laughed softly at that being his first audible response.

“Finally.” You echoed, staring at him with adoration. “Merry Christ…”

Your words were cut off by Taylor’s exclamation of ‘You’re PREGNANT’ from across the room. Peeking up, you saw the gift box in his hand, a perplexed expression on his face. Laura’s ‘Are you really?’ followed quickly after and you buried your head into Cale’s shoulder for a minute before letting him pull away, having forgotten for a moment that his family was even there.

“We’re having a baby.” You confirmed softly, as Laura’s face lit up with excitement. Presents were forgotten as Cale shifted you onto his lap as you shared the news of your growing family and how it had been a long time coming. Chatter continued regarding how amazing this was and how Taylor was going to teach your little one to drive Cale crazy, but all you could focus on was Cale’s nose brushing against your cheek as he whispered about how this was the best Christmas ever and how he loves you so much.

After all the pain and stress, this moment was everything you could have hoped for.

Christmastime really was magic.

[atlafan]

a/n: hola!! So, I’m posting the first 7K here since this is just one long one-shot. I hope y’all will join patreon to continue reading the rest of the story. I worked really hard on this one, and for whatever reason I feel like this is some of my best writing. Enjoy!

Words in total: 38K

Warnings: 

TW - mentions of abortion/planned parenthood

Some angst, mostly just two people being idiots

Smut - slight daddy!kink, slight soft dom

Being the new kid in school is never easy. When you’re in elementary school, it’s exciting. Everyone wants to know you and be your friend, but in middle school…the kids judged you on day one. Orla Murphy and her family moved to Boston halfway through fifth grade. It would have been one thing if it was summer, she’d be able to slide in undetected. She could just pretend she was from a different elementary school and be done with it. But no, her father got offered a new job in the big city that he couldn’t turn down. Orla’s an only child, so it wasn’t even like she could mope and complain with a sibling. It was just her and her parents, and even though her mother was a bit more sympathetic to her daughter’s misery, it didn’t make Orla feel better. 

So, here she is, on her first day of school on February 1st standing in front of a classroom of kids she doesn’t know, being forced to introduce herself and where she’s from.

“Go on, Orla, tell us a little about yourself.” The teacher says with a warm smile.

“Um…I’m Orla Murphy, I just moved here from Vermont. I’m from a small town where the whole school is the size of this classroom.” She looks down at her snow boots before looking up at the teacher.

“Wow, this’ll be quite the adjustment. What do you like to do for fun?”

“I draw and listen to music. I play Barbies, um…that’s all I can think of right now.”

“That’s fine, thank you, Orla. You can have a seat now.”

Orla goes back to where she was sitting before she got called up to introduce herself to her home room. She slumps down into her seat and listens to the morning announcements. The bell rings and it’s off to math. The class goes across the hall to the other teacher.

By the time lunch rolls around, Orla isn’t feeling much better about her new school. She had brought lunch, and wasn’t sure who to sit with. Her class has two assigned tables, but she doesn’t want to take anyone’s usual seat. She contemplates going to eat in the bathroom until someone taps her on the shoulder.

“You can sit with me and my friends, if you want.”

She turns around to look at a boy with a mess of chocolate brown curls on his head, a pair of round glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, and braces gracing his smile.

“Oh, um, thanks.” Orla blushes and follows him to one of the tables.

“I’m one of the few people that brings lunch too, everyone should be over soon. I’m Harry by the way.”

“Hi.” She says shyly.

“What kind of a name is Orla?” He asks, biting into his apple after they sit down.

“It’s Irish…”

“Cool! Does it mean anything.”

“Golden princess, or something like that, I don’t really know. My dad’s Irish and I guess his grandmother’s name was Orla so they named me after her.”

“That’s really cool. My mom just liked the name Harry, and now that’s my name.” He shrugs. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“No.” She says, and pulls her sandwich out of her lunchbox. “Do you?”

“Mhm, I’ve got three older brothers, I’m the youngest. My oldest brother is a senior in high school, isn’t that cool? He’s going to college next year.”

“Does he drive you places?”

“Yeah! And sometimes he lets me sit in the front seat without my mom knowing. He’s the best.”

Orla felt like she was finally starting to open up, but Harry’s friends joined their table and took over the conversation. They acknowledged her, but didn’t make any effort to pull her back into the conversation. Harry noticed this and didn’t like it. She excuses herself a few minutes before the bell rings to go use the bathroom. There’s a study block after lunch where all of the kids in class could get a jump on homework, or read.

“Okay, everyone!” Mrs. Sampson, the teacher, cheers. “We’ve got a very special treat today. It’s Harry’s birthday, and his mom sent him in with cupcakes for the whole class!” Harry stands up and smiles as Mrs. Sampson places a birthday crown on his head. “Harry, would you like to pick someone to help you pass out the cupcakes?”

“Sure.” He nods and looks around the room. Many kids raise their hands with excitement. He spots Orla looking out the window with her chin resting on her fist. “I pick…Orla!”

Her attention snaps over to Harry while everyone looks at her. She stands up and walks over to him and takes a tray of cupcakes to help pass them out. Once everyone has their cupcakes, and a carton of milk supplied by Mrs. Sampson, the kids are allowed to sit with their friends and chat. Soon, some of the girls start talking with Orla, and it helps her feel more welcome.

By the end of the day, all of the kids are dismissed to go to their lockers and grab their backpacks before getting into their bus lines or go wait for their parents to pick them up. Orla sees Harry at his locker and she works up the courage to go talk to him.

“Hey, um, why’d you pick me earlier?” She asks him.

“Huh? Oh…I don’t know, I didn’t like that my friends were ignoring you at lunch. So, I just thought if you passed out the cupcakes with me more people would talk to you.” He rubs the back of his neck and grabs a card out of his locker. “Listen, I’m having a birthday party this weekend at Roller World, you should come.” He hands her the invitation. “The whole class is coming, it’ll be fun.”

“I’ll, um, I’ll ask my parents…thanks, Harry.”

“Don’t mention it.” He smiles. “Are you taking the bus home?”

“Yeah.”

“What number?”

“Eleven.”

“That’s my bus! You weren’t on it this morning.” He closes his locker and they start making their way to the auditorium where the bus lines are.

“Yeah, my mom wanted to drop me off this morning to walk me into the office so I could get my schedule and stuff.”

“Cool, where do you live?”

“I’m the second to last house on the left of Langston Ave…number twenty-four.”

“You can’t be serious. That’s literally right across the street from where I live! I was wondering who moved into that house. I’m number twenty-seven.”

“Whoa, that’s freaky.” Orla blinks.

“Well, at least you know you have a friend close by. We can wait at the bus stop in the mornings together if you want.” The two go into their line and wait as the teacher on duty keeps them at bay. “Do you wanna sit together?”

“That’s okay, I’m sure you have other friends you usually sit with.”

“Yeah, but none of them are new and exciting.” He scoffs. “Unless…uh, if you don’t wanna sit with me that’s totally fine.”

“No, I do! I just didn’t want you to think you had to offer.” She blushes.

“You’re funny, you know that?” He gives her shoulder a nudge with his hand, and the teacher lets the kids know they can go to their bus.

Orla follows Harry outside and onto bus eleven. He grabs a seat in the middle of the bus and sits down. Orla sits down next to him and smiles. The two talk the whole way home. Harry listens as Orla explains what her dad does for work and why they had to move.

“You’re gonna like living closer to the city, I think. It’s really fun to ride the trains and stuff.” Harry tells her.

They get to their stop and make their way off the bus. Orla’s mom is waiting outside on their front steps for her with a smile on her face.

“Um, thanks for being so nice to me today.” Orla says to Harry.

“You don’t have to thank me. Don’t forget to ask your parents about coming to my party on Saturday, okay?”

“Okay, bye.”

“See you tomorrow.” Harry smiles before crossing the street to his house.

“There she is! How was your day? Was that a new friend?” Orla’s mom gives her a big hug and kiss.

“Mum, stop!” She pushes her mother off of her and they both go into the house. “I got invited to a party on Saturday, can I go?” She hands her mother the invitation Harry had given her.

“Sure! I think I can make this work. I knew you’d make friends right away.”

“I didn’t make friends, I just made one. His name is Harry.” Orla sits down at the kitchen island while her mom makes up an after school snack for her.

“One is still good, Honey. I know this move hasn’t been easy for you, but I’m so proud of you for making it through your first day.” Mrs. Murphy sets down some peanut butter covered celery sticks in front of Orla. “Were your teachers nice?”

“Mhm, Mrs. Simmons is my homeroom teacher, and she’s my English and Social Studies teacher. Mrs. Rayburn is my math and science teacher from across the hall. We had a study block after lunch and we had cupcakes cause it’s Harry’s birthday. Tomorrow we have art after lunch.”

“That’ll be fun.” Mrs. Murphy smiles. “Wait until Dad gets home, he’ll be so happy to hear how your first day went.”

//

On Saturday, Orla takes a deep breath as she walks into the roller rink. Her mother is right behind her making sure she gets in safely. Orla grips the gift bag with Harry’s present in it as they walk further in.

“There they are.” Orla says to her mom, and they make their way over to the other kids and their parents.

“Orla, you made it!” Harry beams and gives her a high five. “Put that down, we can go get your skates.” He tugs her along to the counter while Mrs. Murphy says hello to Mr. and Mrs. Styles.

“Hi, Monique Murphy, I’m Orla’s mum.” She shakes both of their hands.

“You just moved in across the street, right?” Mrs. Styles says. “We’ve been meaning to come over to introduce ourselves.”

“No worries, I’m sure you’ve been busy putting all of this together. Your son has been so sweet to Orla these past few days.”

“We’ve always taught him to treat others with kindness. Um, is your husband at home, or is it just you two in that darling cape house?” Mrs. Styles asks.

“Oh, Shawn’s doing some unpacking for me. I work from home, and I needed him to put my desk back together and all that.”

While Mrs. Murphy gets acquainted with the other adults, Harry helps Orla lace up her skates. Many of the other kids say hello to her, but mostly keep to their established friend groups.

“Have you ever roller skated before?” Harry asks her as he helps her stand up.

“No.” She wobbles and latches onto his shoulders. “Maybe I should just sit this out. I don’t wanna slow anyone down.”

Harry rolls his eyes and takes Orla’s hand to help her get to the rink entrance.

“Come on, Harry! We’re gonna race!” One of the boys says.

“In a minute, I’m hanging with Orla right now.” He looks back at Orla as they both get onto the rink. “Okay, so you’re gonna glide right and left.” He spins around to take her hands, and starts slowly skating backwards. Orla looks at him with wide eyes. “I play ice hockey.”

“Oh, cool.” She swallows, and grips his hands as she follows his movements.

“There you go, you’re doing it!” Harry cheers her on. The DJ announces that cosmic skating is about to begin, and the rink goes pitch black. Neon lights turn on around the rink and everyone starts cheering. “Think you’ve got the hang of it so I can skate beside you?”

“Yeah, but you can go with your other friends. I don’t want you to think you have to babysit me.”

“I don’t think that.” He moves beside her and takes one of her hands. “It’ll just be easier to guide you like this.”

Orla ends up having a fun time with Harry, and she even warms up to some of the other kids. She learns that Logan, Owen, and Matt are Harry’s three best friends. Logan takes Orla’s other hand at one point and helps her skate a little faster with them. She laughs with all of them and gets the hang of skating on her own. Eventually it’s time for pizza, cake, and presents. Orla sits next to Sammy and Frida, two of the girls she was getting friendlier with in class. Harry starts opening his gifts. He gets some action figures, a new Bruins jersey, skate laces, and then he gets to Orla’s gift. From the few days Orla had spent getting to know Harry, she had learned that science was one of his favorite subjects. So, she got him a make your own volcano kit.

“Wow!” He exclaims as he pulls the kit out of the bag. “This is so cool! Thanks, Orla!” He smiles at her.

“You’re welcome.” She says back quietly.

After they eat, the kids go back for a few more rounds on the rink. Others go off to play in the arcade area. Kids start getting picked up by their parents, and Mrs. Murphy lets Orla know it’s time to go.

“I’m really glad you came.” Harry tells her.

“Me too, thanks for inviting me. Um, see you on Monday?”

“Yeah.” Harry pulls something out of his pocket. “I won these at the arcade, they’re just rubber bracelets, but I don’t need two of them. Do you want one?” He holds up the red rubber bracelet that has Roller World imprinted into it.

“Sure, thanks.” Orla takes the bracelet and slides it onto her wrist. She watches as Harry puts his own on.

From that day on, Harry and Orla were the best of friends. They did everything together. She’d go to his hockey games, and he’d invite her over to do homework after school. In the summer time they’d go swimming in his pool, and Mr. Murphy would grill them up some burgers. By the time eighth grade hit, the teasing started. Their friends told them to just kiss already, and they’d ask why they’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. Orla didn’t like Harry like that, as cute as he was. He was just her friend, and she liked it that way. Did they go to the eighth grade dance together and have a conjoined end of middle school party? Sure, but that’s what friends do.

High school is an entirely different ball game. They lived closer to the high school, so they didn’t need to take the bus. Harry and Orla would walk together every morning. They were put into different homerooms because of their last names, but they had many classes together. They were able to choose their seats so they made sure to sit together whenever they could. They had the same lunch period with their friends, so it was easy enough to get through the day. Orla tried out for the girls’ volleyball team, and she got on, so Harry would make sure to go to her matches. He made it onto the varsity hockey team, so Orla continued to go to his games as well. Again, people continued to ask if they were dating. This was mostly because Harry got more handsome by the day and girls were starting to express their crushes. Orla was pretty in her own right, but she was too shy to even look to see if anyone was looking back at her.

They went to school dances as a group, but they always danced to slow songs together. The summer between freshman and sophomore year of high school, the duo got jobs working at a retirement community restaurant that only hired high school students as servers. This meant new friends, and new people to hang out with after work. Most nights someone would host a fire in their backyard, and most nights this led to making stupid decisions. Orla and Harry didn’t drink, but they did smoke weed every once in a while.

“I don’t wanna smell like it, my parents would freak out.” Orla says to her friend who’s about to pass the joint to her.

“We could shotgun it.” He says.

“What do you mean?”

“I can inhale it and pass it to your mouth.” He smirks.

“Oh…” She furrows her brows. Harry isn’t paying attention to the interaction between Orla and Trevor, the sixteen-year-old boy who Orla secretly had a crush on. “Wouldn’t that be like kissing?” She giggles.

“Maybe, would that be a bad thing? If I kissed you?”

“You wanna kiss me?” Orla asks, but before she can get an answer, Harry’s hand finds her shoulder.

“My dad’s here, we need to go.” He says into her ear.

“Oh, um, okay.” Orla stands up.

“If you wanna stay longer, I can drive you home.” Trevor says.

“You’ve been smoking.” Harry says, stepping in front of Orla. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He takes Orla’s hand and tugs her along.

“Harry, where’s your dad’s car?” Orla asks when they get to the front of the house.

“He’s not here, I just said that so Trevor would leave you alone. We’re only a block away from home, let’s just walk.”

“Trevor wasn’t bothering me though.” Orla says to him as they start walking.

“Well, he was bothering me.”

“Why?”

“He was pressuring you into taking a hit off his joint.”

“No he wasn’t. And since when do you care if I want to smoke? It’s not like it would have been my first time.”

“I have some edibles in my room, we can have those.”

“Harry, you ruined something that could have been really special.”

“Yeah? Like what?” He huffs, walking slightly ahead of her.

“Trevor was going to kiss me, and I really like him.” Harry stops short and turns around to look at her. “And you know that would have been my first kiss, so…it would have been special.”

“You wanted your first kiss to be with a guy you would taste like weed in front of a ton of our friends?”

“No one was watching us.” She looks down.

“Why do you like him?”

“Because he’s cute and funny, and he always helps me buss my tables at work.”

“Is that all it takes?” Harry scoffs.

“What’s your problem? You flirt with girls all the time, you know.”

“Girls flirt with me, and news flash, I haven’t kissed anyone either. It’s not like I’m being hypocritical.” He rolls his eyes and starts walking again. Orla crosses her arms over her chest and follows behind him in silence. They don’t say another word to each other until they get to their street, and Orla starts to walk away from him towards her house. “Where are you going? I thought you were sleeping over.”

“Think I’d rather just be alone right now. I’m too annoyed to spend another second around you tonight.”

“You’re being a baby.” He follows her across the street and they both stop at the front of her walkway.

“And you’re being a jerk.”

“Why would you want your first kiss to be with someone who’s just trying to get into your pants?”

“He’s not like that.”

“Yes he is! I heard him, okay? I heard Trevor talking to Eric at the dish drop off. He…he has some bet with him that by before summer is over you two will have gone all the way.”

“You’re lying.” Orla’s eyes start to water.

“I’m not, why would I lie to you?”

“I don’t know!” Orla sprints off into her house. Harry sighs heavily and goes to his own house.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have already gone to bed, so Orla’s quiet as she makes her way up to her room. She washes her face and brushes her teeth before getting into her pajamas. She sits on her bed with her laptop so she can watch TV to calm down. About twenty minutes later, Harry’s climbing in through her window. She looks over at him with a pout and puffy eyes. He doesn’t say anything to her, all he does is cup her jaw and press his lips to her. Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. Before she can even do anything Harry steps back from her.

“Now we’ve both had our first kiss.” He mutters, cheeks a deep shade of red. “I care about you, and you care about me…so it’s special.”

“Oh…well…thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He goes back over to her window, ready to climb back down. “Date whoever you want…just trust me about Trevor, okay?” With that he leaves.

She touches her fingertips to her lips and flops back into her pillows. Her first kiss was just with her very best friend, what could be better?

//

“Logan asked you to junior prom!?” Harry shrieks when Orla tells him after school.

“Shh, yes. I told him I had to talk with you first.”

“Well, do you want to go with him?”

“Not if it’s going to put you in a pissy mood.” She smirks.

“Do you…like Logan? Do you think he’d be a more fun date?”

“It’s not that I think he’d be more fun, but…you know he and I make out sometimes, it’d be nice to go with someone that I could be a little more intimate with. Besides, you have a crush on Josie, why don’t you ask her?”

“Because we go to every dance together.” Harry takes a deep breath. “Go with Logan, it’s fine. As long as you and I still take separate pictures together.”

“Of course! Oh, thank you, Harry!” She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses his cheek. She’s about to walk away from him to go tell Logan, but he wraps his hand around her wrist. She furrows her brows as she look at him.

“But for senior prom, let it be known now, no matter what, you’re mine.” He’s as serious as a heart attack. For some reason, Orla’s mouth feels incredibly dry. She nods in understanding and Harry lets her go. “Go on, go tell your lover boy.”

Orla runs off to go find Logan, and Harry rolls his eyes. He ends up going to junior prom with Josie, who was overjoyed when Harry asked her to go with him. They all have a good time, and they end up having a big sleepover party in Owen’s basement. The lights are dim, and the air is a little smokey. People are drinking, others are staying sober, no one is pressuring anyone to do anything they don’t want to do. Harry can’t help but glance over at Orla every once in a while. She’s sitting on Logan’s lap in a hoodie and joggers, but her hair and makeup are still all done up. They’re kissing and giggling, and Harry feels like he’s going to be sick.

“Let’s play truth or dare!” Frida shouts. Everyone gets into a circle on the floor, and they use a glass soda bottle to spin. Owen spins first, and it lands on Harry.

“Truth or dare?” Owne smirks at his friend.

“Dare.” Harry says confidently. Frida whispers something into Owen’s ear and he nods.

“I dare you to go into the closet with Orla for eleven minutes in heaven.”

Everyone falls silent. Harry and Orla look at each other, and then they both look at Logan and Josie.

“It’s not like they’re going to do anything. I say go for it.” Logan shrugs.

“This is so stupid.” Harry huffs and stands up. Orla follows behind him and goes into the closet.

“Timer starts now! We’ll let you out when it goes off!” Owen yells to them as he turns the music up.

Harry and Orla both cross their arms over their chests as they stand face to face in the cramped closet. They don’t say anything at first, but Harry breaks the silence.

“I think this is, like, the gazillionth time someone has dared us to do this.” He shakes his head.

“Sounds about right.” She sighs. “I’m so glad no one knows we were each other’s first kisses, they’d die if they found out.”

“Yeah.” Harry runs a hand through his hair. “Did you have fun with Logan tonight?”

“Mhm.” She smiles. “What about you and Josie?”

“She’s nice enough, I’m not really sure why I was crushing on her so hard for. She’s not really my type.”

“That’s too bad, I’m sorry.” Orla frowns. “I didn’t think you really had a type.”

“Well, I do.” He snaps. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I don’t think I do.”

“Why do you like Logan?”

“He’s always been sweet to me. I think he’s cute, he helps me with my history homework. And he’s a good kisser.” She grins.

“Is that all you’ve done together? Just kiss?”

“Yeah, I would have told you if something more happened.”

“So…no second base?”

“Has he groped my boobs? No, I’m not ready for something like that yet.” She laughs.

“I thought second was, uh, blow jobs.”

“I thought that was third.”

“No, third is fucking.”

“Then what’s home plate?”

“Being in a relationship.” Harry laughs, and so does Orla.

“That’s fucked up.” She shakes her head.

“Do you think you’ll get to any of that with Logan?”

“I don’t know to be honest. I’m not really worried about it. I’m just going with the flow with him. Why do you care so much? I know he’s one of your oldest friends, but-“

“That’s not why I care. I just…” He steps a little closer to her and tucks some loose curls behind her ear. “I know how sentimental you get about things, and I’d kill him if he ever did something to hurt you.”

She looks up at him. She can feel his minty breath fanning over her skin.

“You can’t be my first for everything, Harry.” She says quietly.

“Why not?” He whispers. He’s just about to lean in when the door swings open.

“So? Did anything happen?” Frida asks excitedly.

“Nope, sorry to disappoint you all yet again.” Orla says, and brushes by all of them to go grab some water.

Harry walks out of the closet, and they all continue their game. When they finish, they all go back to just hanging out. Orla takes her place back in Logan’s lap.

“Do you wanna go somewhere private?” He whispers to her.

“To do what?” She whispers back.

“You know.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her.

“Logan, I’m really only into kissing right now. I don’t want to do anything else.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to kiss in private, though?”

“We do that in your car all the time.” She laughs. “I’m having fun with everyone right now.”

“You just don’t wanna sneak off because Harry’s here.”

“That’s not true.” She frowns. “I just know what I’m personally not ready for. I…I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Orla stands up and grabs her sleeping bag and pillow.

“What, you’re not going to sleep next to me now?”

“I never was.” She throws her things down next to Harry, and buries her face into her pillow.

“You okay?” He asks, rubbing her back.

“Why is every guy a jerk? Like, why is sex the only thing on your pea sized brains.”

“Because our brains are pea sized.” Harry smirks. “We don’t have room to think about anything else. Did Logan try to pull a move?”

“Sort of. He asked if I wanted to go somewhere more private, and I said no, and he said I was only saying no because you’re here, but that’s not the case at all. I just don’t wanna go further than kissing, and he couldn’t comprehend that.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No, I think that’ll just make it worse. It’s not like we were dating, it doesn’t matter. I just…do you think Josie will care if I sleep next to you?”

“Oh, her mom picked her up.”

“When?”

“Like an hour ago…after I politely declined a hand job from her.”

The two burst out laughing and get into their respective sleeping bags. Orla cuddles up to Harry’s side and he throws an arm around her. For the first time in a while, Harry’s able to fall asleep with ease.

//

The pair ended up going to the same college for undergrad, of course. No one expected them to go to different schools. However, their majors were vastly different. Orla wanted to be a Physical Education teacher, and Harry wanted to be a pediatric surgeon. So, while Orla was in her education courses, Harry was balls deep in biology, anatomy, chemistry, and calculus. Harry was assigned a roommate at random, another pre-med student; his name is Neil. And Orla ended up rooming with another girl from their high school who she didn’t know that well, but she figured it would be better than rooming with a stranger; her name is Katie.

During their freshman move-in, Harry got his shit settled and then went to help Orla. Their families all went out for lunch, and then it was just the two of them. Luckily, they were put in the same dorm, Harry would just be down the hall from her. Katie was an education major too, but her concentration was in social studies. Her and Orla would have a few basic education courses together before breaking off into their respective concentrations. She made it onto the women’s volleyball team, and Harry decided he’d just play intramural hockey when the season rolled around so he could focus on his classes.

Harry would go to all of his Orla’s home matches. As things got busier during the semester, they weren’t able to see each other as much during the day. They made up for it at night in the library or in their dorm rooms. The two had grown comfortable with one another over the years, so Orla had no problem just hanging out in a sports bra and spandex shorts around Harry, and he had no problem just wearing his boxers around her. One night, Harry was hanging out in Orla’s room while Katie was at work. They were laying in bed watching a movie. Orla was wearing one of Harry’s old Bruins shirts and a pair of cotton panties. Her phone keeps buzzing, and Harry’s just about had enough. He pauses the movie and sits up to grab her phone.

“Harry!”

“I’m muting your fucking volleyball group chat. I’m getting sensory overload from all of the buzzing…” He furrows his brows at the screen. “Why are they all asking you if you asked me something yet?” He looks up at her. “What do you have to ask me?”

“Nothing, it’s stupid.” She snatches her phone from him. “They’re stupid.”

“If it’s stupid then just tell me what it is.”

“Can we just watch the movie?”

“Give me your phone, I need to know.”

“No.” She hugs her phone close to her chest.

“Orla, just tell me what it is!”

“No!”

“Give me your phone!”

“No!”

Harry and Orla start wrestling on her bed. She’s not wearing a bra so sticking the phone down her shirt won’t work. She does the next best thing and shoved it down the front of her underwear. Harry pins her down by holding down her wrists.

“That’s not fair.” He says.

“It’s my phone.” She tries to wriggle out from underneath him, but he’s stronger than her. The phone buzzes again, and she grunts. “Harry, just let it go.”

“I’m literally not going to be able to sleep unless you tell me.” The phone buzzes three times in a row. Harry watches as Orla bites down on her bottom lip and looks away from him. “Oh my god, is that buzzing against your clit?” He laughs.

“Harry!”

“You did this to yourself.” He presses down against her to keep the phone even closer to where it’s effecting her. “Just ask me whatever it is and I’ll let you go.”

“You’re such an asshole!” She wraps her legs around his waist to try to flip them over, but her legs just aren’t strong enough. The phone buzzes again and she groans. “What are you gonna do, make me come you sick fuck?” She starts laughing from how absurd this whole thing is.

“I’m not the one who shoved my phone down my underpants.” He laughs. “Just tell me.”

“No.” Three more buzzes. “Fuck.” Harry’s eyes widen as he looks down at her, and she gasps. “Are you hard?!”

“No! I…my dick twitched!”

“Why?!”

“Because you’re moaning!”

“Harry, I swear to god if-“

The door opens and Kate comes in. She stops short when she sees Harry on top of Orla.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry.” Her cheeks heat up.

“It’s not what it looks like!” Orla shouts as Harry scrambles to get off of her. She takes her phone out of her underwear and takes a deep breath. “He was trying to read my texts and we started wrestling.”

“Right…” Katie puts her things down and grabs her shower caddie. “I’m gonna go take a shower. I should be back in about thirty minutes.”

“We weren’t doing anything.” Harry says.

“Mhm.” Katie scoffs and leaves the room.

“Will you go to my volleyball formal with me next weekend?” Orla says to Harry.

“What? Is that what you had to ask me?”

“Yes.”

“Orla, why were you making such a big deal about this?”

“Because the girls were making it seem like the formal is a big deal and…I know you have a lot on your plate right now. I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that? Of course I’ll go with you to your formal. It’s just one night, it’s not a big deal. I’m doing well in my classes, I’m not worried.”

“You got so stressed your cried two weeks ago.”

“I was overwhelmed during midterms, you know I have test anxiety.” He hops off her bed. “Don’t sweat it, okay? Just text me the details.” He yawns. “I’m headed up to bed.”

“Gonna go rub one out?” She smirks.

“No.” He blushes. “I’m gonna go play video games with Neil. Have fun masturbating with your phone.”

“Don’t need it. I have stronger devices.” She grins.

“Yeah? Need help using them?” He teases.

“Get out!” She laughs and throws a pillow at him.

Harry blows her a kiss before he leaves and she blows one back. When Katie comes back in after her shower, Orla’s put herself to sleep. Well, actually she’s watching TV on her phone with her earbuds in because she doesn’t want to listen to Katie give her shit about Harry.

The night of the formal, Orla wears a simple little black dress that’s also strapless. She slips on a pair of black flats as well. Katie helps her get her hair up into a cute messy bun on the top of her head while Orla does her makeup. (Orla had Katie help her flatiron her hair to tame it a bit. She usually loves her curls, but she’s been experimenting with different looks.) Around 10PM there’s a knock on their door.

“Come in!” Orla shouts.

“Ready to go?” Harry asks and nearly chokes on his tongue when he sees Orla. “Wow, you look really nice.”

“Don’t act so surprised.” Orla rolls her eyes.

“Want me to take your pic in front of the tapestry?” Katie asks.

“Yes, please.” Orla smiles and hands her the phone. She poses with Harry for a few pictures, and then they head out.

“Aren’t you going to be cold?” Harry asks her on their way to the volleyball house.

“Nah, we won’t be out for long.”

They make their way into the house about ten minutes later. There’s a table set up like a bar for everyone to make their own drinks at. Harry sticks with beer while Orla goes for a rum and coke.

“Hey, O.” Ben smiles at her. Ben was a junior on the men’s volleyball team, and he’s very cute. “Saw you on defense at your last match, you looked great out there.”

“Thanks.” Her cheeks heat up, and she takes a sip from her cup.

“You come here with anyone?”

“Just my friend Harry.”

“Friend, huh?” He grins.

“Mhm.” She nods and takes a step closer. “He’s off talking to Chloe and Heather.”

“Not very nice to leave his date unattended.” He steps a little closer to her. “Especially when she looks so gorgeous.”

“Ben.” She giggles and gives him a playful push.

“You guys had one hell of a season. Aren’t you only one of, like, three freshmen to start this year?”

“Yeah, something like that.” She smiles.

“Gotta look out for the short ones I guess.”

“We’re pretty sneaky.”

An hour or so passes, and Harry can’t find Orla anywhere. He’s starting to get worried so he ventures through the house to see if maybe she went to the bathroom. She’s not in the one in the main hallway, so he goes upstairs.

“Where the fuck did she go?” He says to himself. He had been in the volleyball house plenty of times for various parties, so he had a good lay of the land. He goes to the larger bathroom, and opens the door.

“Ah, oh my god, B-Ben.” Orla’s head rolls back, allowing Ben to kiss on her neck. There she was, sitting up on the bathroom counter with Ben’s fingers knuckle deep inside of her.

“Orla?” Harry says.

“Dude, get out of here!” Ben shouts.

“Oh my god, Harry!”

Harry’s face flushes and he shuts the door immediately. He quickly goes down the stairs and weaves through the crazy amount of people in the house. He had been buzzed, but what he just saw totally sobered him up.

“Harry!” Orla shouts after him, but he doesn’t stop, he needs fresh air. “Harry, wait!” He pushes the front door open and sucks in a deep breath. “Harry! Oof!” She rams into his back and stumbles backwards.

“Get someone to walk you home, I can’t even look at you.”

“I thought he locked the door! And to be fair you didn’t knock.”

“I couldn’t find you for over an hour, excuse me for worrying about you.” He scoffs and turns to look at her.

“I was dancing with Ben and then we went upstairs, I’m sorry. I should have texted you.”

“Since when do you let random guys finger fuck you in bathrooms?”

“Um, Ben’s not a random guy. I’ve known since school started, what the fuck? I…I’ve been fingered before.”

“What? By who?” He shakes his head. “You know what? It doesn’t matter.” He chews on his bottom lip for a moment. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

“I told Frida.” She rubs her arms up and down. “It’s as far as I’ve gone, and I’ve never taken my clothes off to have it happen…”

“Did you do anything to him?”

“I gave him a hand job.”

“Was that your first time doing that?”

“No.”

“Oh my god!” Harry runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know you anymore.”

“Are you going to tell me you haven’t done things? I’ve heard rumors, you know?”

“I’ve dry humped, that’s about it. No one’s ever seen my dick.”

“No one’s ever seen my vagina, not that that’s any of your business. There are certain things I don’t want to talk about with you, can’t you understand that?”

“I understand, I understand perfectly fine.” He goes to say something else, but he just shakes his head. “Come on, you look like you’re freezing.”

“That’s because I am.”

After that night, Harry let out his inner manwhore. During the spring semester, he fucked so many girls he lost track of their names. He didn’t tell Orla a single thing. He fucked all summer long without saying a word to her about it. When Orla first had sex the following school year, she slept with the same guy for the entire fall semester. It didn’t end well, though, which led to her crying into Harry’s chest for over an hour. That night they both opened up about everything, and agreed that keeping things to themselves wasn’t a good idea.

//

Undergrad flew by. Orla passed all of her certifications, and even found a job teaching phys ed at the high school level. She’d have all summer to work her ass off to save up some money and build her savings before starting fresh at her new school in the fall. Harry got accepted into all of the med schools he applied to, and was having trouble deciding.

“NYU is offering me the most amount of money…” He tells Orla one night.

“If…if you go there then you’ll probably end up working at a New York hospital.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you heard back from Harvard Medical yet?”

“No, and at this rate I bet I’m not getting in. Besides, they’re known for offering shit grants. My parents can’t afford to help. All of their money went to their lawyers.” Harry rolls his eyes.

After Harry’s freshman year, his parents told him they were getting divorced. His three older brothers had long since moved out, and with Harry gone his parents realized they just weren’t right for each other anymore. He didn’t take it well. This may have led to him fucking a lot that summer, and the absurd amount of tattoos he got.

“Then I guess…I guess you’re going to NYU.” Orla swallows. “You should do it, it makes the most sense, and you’ll get a great education.”

“Harry!” Mrs. Styles shouts from downstairs. “You got a large letter from BUSM!”

“Holy shit, I forgot I applied there.” Harry says, and the two race downstairs. Harry rips open the large envelope and gasps. “Oh my god! I was accepted in to BUSM’s MD program. Holy fuck, they partner with Boston Medical Center for their surgical residencies.” He looks at his mom, then Orla.

“Are they offering you any money?” Orla asks.

“Orla, um…do you mind if Harry and I go over this together? I’m going to need to FaceTime his father to discuss everything.”

“Oh, sure! Yeah, this is a big family moment. Come by later if you want, H.” She smiles and leaves.

“They’re offering me a decent amount of aid, Mum.” Harry says as he reads over the letter.

“Honey…don’t you want to get out of Boston? NYU could be a great experience for you.”

“Mum, BUSM is a prestigious medical school. Why would you want me so far away?”

“I don’t want you far away, I just want you to have some life experience, meet new people.” She chews on her bottom lip. “I don’t want you to stay here just because you don’t want to leave Orla.”

“That’s not why I want to stay.” Her mother gives him a look. “Okay, maybe I want to stay closer so I don’t have to be far away from her. Can you blame me? We’ve been best friends since the fifth grade. I couldn’t imagine only seeing her once every few months, and then I’d probably have to move out there full time, and she’s only certified to teach in Mass.”

“Honey, you’ve never had a stable girlfriend. Maybe being away from Orla could help you do that.”

“I just haven’t met anyone, it’s not her fault.”

“You’ve liked her since the day you met.” She laughs, astonished at his ignorance.

“No, I’m not one of those guys that’s only friends with a girl because he wants to date her.” Harry rolls his eyes.

“I didn’t say that’s why you were friends. I just think if something was going to happen between you two it would have happened already. So, stop wasting your time waiting for her.”

“I’m not waiting for her to do anything. She’s my best friend, and she’s always going to be my best friend. BUSM makes more cost-effective sense. Think of how expensive the hole in the wall apartment I’d be living in in New York would be. I could definitely find a better priced place here, or I could commute for a bit to save money.”

“If you’d rather go to BUSM, then go. But make sure you’re doing it for yourself and not just to stay close to Orla.”

“I’d say it’s about 80/20.” He smirks, earning him a swat to the arm from his mother. “I’m kidding! It’s more like 60/40.”

“Jesus Christ, go call your father and let him know the good news.” She sighs.

//

Flash forward to present day – eight years later. The pair are twenty-eight; Harry is an attending pediatric surgeon at Boston Medical Center, making absolute bank, and Orla is at her third high school in six years because budgets keep cutting funding, which means P.E. teachers aren’t exactly in high demand. She lives in a small one-bedroom apartment, she’s constantly exhausted, and she wishes she had chosen any other profession. She coaches the girls’ volleyball team for extra money, and works at a bar on weekends and in the summer.

Harry and Orla are still the best of friends. They’ve made it through a lot of ups and downs. Through it all they’ve always had each other. He’s currently seeing a girl named Bailey that he met at a bar near work. Orla is going through a dry spell, but she’s not dwelling on it.

The school year had just ended, thank god, and she has Sunday through Tuesday off from the bar. Orla takes some time to go through her wardrobe and get rid of any dingy leggings or tee shirts. She has a strict budget for clothes because she’s constantly having to replace her athletic wear. She’s chilling on the couch Tuesday evening watching Property Brothers: Forever Home when she hears the jingle of keys on the other side of her door.

[READ THE REST ON PATREON]

[imaginesmai]

Arvin Russell - Bad feeling

Requested by an anon, here it goes! I tried my best, hope you like ❤ Third time I post this, I swear I’m gonna burn Tumblr

Plot: Arvin is worried about Lenora, so he goes to you for advice. You don’t get too far before tragedy strikes the Russell house.

Warnings: SPOILERS OF TDATT, IF YOU DON’T THEM STOP READING THE WARNINGS AND THE FIC, that scene of Lenora’s death.

“So it’s just – throwing up? Nothing else?”

Arvin shook his head as he hid his hands in his denim jacket’s pockets. Looking around as if someone would suddenly pop out of the bushes, he confirmed that Lenora was just throwing up and complaining about feeling a bit bad at the stomach. You knew he hoped you could tell him the solution, even if you hadn’t seen the girl since she started feeling sick. No one had, because she had started feeling that way just before church, and Arvin had been the only one talking with her.

With the vague explanation he was giving you, you had a bunch of possibilities. Being the doctor’s daughter had its good things, like you could help as much as your father. You hadn’t gone to school, as your father had home-schooled you since you were four. So it was normal that Arvin had come to you about the problem with his step sister, who was his whole world and happiness.

“I don’t know, Arv. It could be a stomach bug, or maybe she’s coming down with the flu” you gave him a small smile, trying to cheer him up. “From what you’re saying it’s probably nothing, don’t worry”

“Nah, it’s somethin’. She’s been acting all strange lately, and she don’t wanna tell me bout it” Arvin scoffed.

“Maybe she found out what happened with those boys, and is processing it”

A laughing kid passed by running, followed by her older sister and his cousin. Arvin stood quiet until they were far away. He was trying to keep his voice down, because he didn’t want the whole town knowing about Lenora. The small graveyard before starting the Sunday’s mass wasn’t the best place to avoid it, but he couldn’t wait no longer.

“She already knows, it’s not that”

“Arvin” you placed a gentle hand on his chin, meeting his worried eyes. “I’m sure it’s just some teenage drama. Do you want me to visit her after the lecture?”

“Your daddy won’ mind?”

To erase his doubts, you briefly pressed your lips against his, and he finally relaxed. Everyone ran to the church a moment after, the preacher finally appearing. Grabbing his hand, you dragged him with you into the temple, choosing a bench in the end since the one his family had chosen was already full.

You didn’t have to look at him to know that he was over worrying things. Not only because he couldn’t stand the sight of the preacher because of what he did to his grandma, but because it didn’t matter how many times you assured him how Lenora was fine; he would still worry, that was who he was.

Arvin Russell and you met when you were just kids, kids who didn’t have many friends. You were well known for everyone, but couldn’t say a word without stuttering and only your father had enough patience to listen to what you had to say. Arvin was new to Knockemstiff, his parents dead. He was a shy boy too, who only talked with his step sister. After his grandma asked your father for help, he said the boy didn’t have anything wrong; just a huge trauma. So he gave you the task to talk to him and befriend the new boy, who turned out to be as patient as your father.

Since then, it was rare to see you without the other. You had started dating after he dropped out of highschool, and now you were saving for, when the right moment came, moving in together.

During the lecture, Arvin’s hand, trapped between yours, twitched uncomfortable. He shifted on his seat a few times, earning some glances from the surroundings. You tried to whisper him that he didn’t have to worry so much, but he didn’t listen to you; if anything, he seemed ready to run out of the church. He managed to wait until the preacher said you could leave in peace, and even let you say goodbye to your dad.

The good man just smiled at you and told you to be careful, asking if he was meeting you for lunch. Arvin, who was shaking on his feet, shook his head, so you told him you were grabbing something outside. Once in the car, Arvin drove past all the traffic signals in town.

“I hope they don’t have to scrape my body from the road” you chuckled nervously, and Arvin lowered the speed.

“Sorry darlin’. I’m just – ‘ave a bad feeling bout it”

“You know that she’ll grow up some day, right?” you moved from your seat, closer to him. “She’s gonna have kids, and a husband, and you’re gonna have to sit through family dinner without threats”

“Still a long way there”

“Oh, not so long” you tried to pry something from him that wasn’t worry. “Haven’t you seen the soft smile she has been carrying around? Bet she has someone in her head”

“She doesn’t – Lenora ain’t like that” he scoffed, finally driving in an acceptable speed. “She’s… uh, she’s Lenora. She doesn’t –“

“What? Get crushes and think about boys? You know that she’s turning fifteen in two months, right?”

“Not if I don’ think bout it”

The ghost of a smile appeared in Arvin’s face, and you high fived yourself. He always looked beautiful when he genuinely smiled, not in one of those usual frowns that he always carried around. To you, he looked younger and happier, and made a fuzzy feeling appear in the middle of your chest.

“You asked me out when I was fourteen, and one year later –“

“I’m fuckin’ throwin’ you out the road now” he cut you off, sneaking a glance at you. “Lenora is datin’ no boys”

“And does she know or are you planning on scare all of them away?”

“I work fine by scarin’ them ‘way from you”

“But I only have eyes for certain Russell boy. She’s going to be more difficult”

Arvin finally gave you a belly laugh, and the sun shined brighter. You still had a few minutes in the car, which you filled by useless talk. He was insistent in treating you lunch, since you never accepted money for taking care of him or his family. Lunch with Arvin meant he had to work extra harder the next week to recover from whatever it took, but saying no meant him carrying you like a sack of potatoes to the café. You wouldn’t mind not eating anything, just a stroll around the woods with him was enough payment.

The conversation ended when the Russell’s house came into view. You let loose your seatbelt to reach in the back seat for you bag. It had the basics; some aspirins, bandages, alcohol, meds for the headache and the stomach, syringes and a thermometer. Arvin parked while you searched into it for the last object, that seemed to be buried deep down.

“I think I forgot the thermometer. You still have the one from your grandma?”

“You can look for it, I haven’ seen it” Arvin told you as he moved the car around.

“Damn, I hope she isn’t too –“

You didn’t finish your sentence as suddenly the car came into a stop and you were pushed forwards, with the bad luck of having your seatbelt off and slamming your head against the front part of the car. It left a throbbing pain in the middle of your forehead, a nasty bruise and some swelling in a few hours. Because you were too busy with the bag, you didn’t notice what made Arvin stop the car so suddenly.

The barn had its door open, something unusual since there were a few bad people who didn’t have problem in stealing from the humble houses. It let Arvin see what was inside, that turned out to be a bucket upside down. For a moment, he was ready to tell you to stay in the car or run to call for someone, take the gun for his father and search for any intruders. Then, he saw a body hanging from the ceiling and recognized Lenora’s dress.

He ran out of the car before fully stopping it, leaving you cradling your head. Your eyes lost focus for a solid second, everything turning blurry around and a feeling as if you were underwater. It was Arvin’s desperate scream that had you blinking yourself into the present.

“Y/N!”

The pure anguish on his voice made you stumble out of the car, your knees scraping with the rough floor when you couldn’t hold your balance. You held onto the vehicle until you saw what Arvin was screaming about. He had tears running down his cheeks, horrible sobs racking his body, that was shaking under Lenora’s weight.

You managed to get to him without falling again, messing with the end of the rope until it came loose. Lenora came crashing down on Arvin, who fell to the ground as his knees gave out. His whole body was shaking as he tried to sit right, cradling her head.

“Please, please” he cried out. “Lenora, wake up! Lenora!”

Prying the rope from her neck, you already knew the answer. There was a sickening blue bruise around her neck, with hints or purple. She didn’t move when you shifted her head and checked for a pulse.

Your fingers fell on flat skin.

-

There weren’t a lot of people in the backyard, not even the preacher, who had left shortly after the ceremony. The Russell expected him to stay for a bit longer, seeing the relationship between the young girl and him. He had been the only person who she talked out of her family, and they had been sure he was fond of her too. That came down quickly when he threw into the lecture that suicide was a coward way to go. Uncle Earskell had held Arvin the whole time, preventing him from throwing fists with the preacher; even if the man himself looked close to doing so.

Everyone left eventually, even your father, who had a business to attend. You hadn’t talked with Arvin since his grandma found you with Lenora’s body in the barn, but once your father left and said goodbye to the boy, you were forced to do so. You were dying to go home and lay in bed, sleeping off the throbbing feeling of the gash of your head. But Arvin had giving you a side glance, shy and pleading, and you told your father you would be meeting him later.

While they lowered the coffin, you stayed by Arvin’s side, eventually working your arm through his elbow in an attempt to comfort him. His grandma broke down and his uncle was quick to gather her into his arms, walking away so she could cry in peace. It was then just Arvin and you.

“I’m sorry, Arv” you whispered, rubbing his upper arm.

When your father, who had ran to the barn after being notified by a neighbour, confirmed what you already knew, you felt a crushing guilt it you. Maybe, if you hadn’t been so insistent in comforting Arvin you could have prevented it. Arvin always had a sixth sense to know when something was wrong before it actually happened. And you had ignored it.

“How’s your head?” he asked. You had never heard him sound so small unsure.

“Just a nasty bump and a small concussion. It’ll be healed in a few days”

“I didn’ meant for you to hit your head” Arvin confessed. “I’m so –“

“Hey, I don’t blame you” you turned around and looked up to his eyes. “No one does. What happened wasn’t your fault”

When tears rushed to his eyes you knew he had understood what you meant by it. He trapped you in a bear hug the next second, his whole body hiding between your arms. You shushed him when the first sob appeared, and then they appeared one by another.

Since you had found her in the barn, Arvin hadn’t cried. He had carried his body to the funeral’s parlour, had chosen the coffin when his grandma couldn’t even sit straight, and had put on a stone face through the ceremony. It was hard always being the strong one, to be so weary about everyone and never breaking down. He was glad he had you, so glad it only made him cry harder.

Grandma and his uncle went back to their house just before the sun came down, but you didn’t release Arvin. It was hard to explain how much he loved his sister, because everything he did or thought about was for her security.  

“Don’t leave me” Arvin suddenly said, making you go rigid with the express confession. “Please. Don’t – You’re the only thin’ I have left, and I can’t – I… I love you so much, that – “

“I love you too” you finished for him, the last sob breaking through. “And I’m not going anywhere. Not now or ever”

Arvin nodded against your shoulder a few times, interiorizing the words. The rational part of his brain that always worked before things happen, that was mildly drowned by the sorrow, was starting to understand that there was more about Lenora’s death to know that just a suicide. And he promised to himself, right there and then, that no one would ever take away another important person from him, not if he was around.

He wasn’t going to leave you either for as long as you had him.

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[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Home Sweet Home: 112 Ocean Ave

Summary- 2.6k Andy Barber x You. You and Andy almost have it all, married and with a jointed family consisting of Andy’s teenage son Jacob, as well as your two younger children John and Cassidy. Looking to add another member, your family is in need of a bigger house, a forever home. You find just the place, 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville Long Island.   Home Sweet Home

Written for @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho​ Spooky Scary Stories challenge. Divider by @firefly-graphics​

Warnings- swears, implied smut, mentions of murders. 

A/N- I chose Amityville Horror for the challenge because its one of my favorite Spook Stories growing up. When reading you will find a lot of similarities to the 2005 Movie, some of the scenarios and dialogue are specifically from that film. Other parts of it are from the book itself. The family name was changed for my own personal reasons. Happy Haunting!  🎃

Masterlist

You scrolled through your phone, double checking the address. “Andy it should be up the next couple streets. Lakeside.” You couldn't hold back the excitement in your tone, and Andy hit the blinker to turn down Ocean Avenue. 

“Babe, don't get too excited.” Andy tried to talk reason with you, his fingers thrumming on the steering wheel. “If it's too good to be true, it probably is.” 

You shifted over as much as you could, the Audi middle armrest keeping you from curling up into his side, but you could rest your head on his bicep. “Come on Andy, this might just be what we've been looking for. Good school district, excellent location, nice neighborhood, enough room for all three of the kids.” 

Andy tilted his head a bit to look down at you, his eyes softening around the edges as he finally smiled, you were so excited for this that it was hard not to match your enthusiasm. His hand released the steering column to take your hand, weaving his fingers through your hand, he let your hands rest against his lap. “You know Y/N, if this place is as big as what the pictures show, we could finally try for our own baby.” 

Wiggling your brows, you nuzzled his arm before sitting up. “I know Andy, why else do you think I want this place. Five bedrooms. It's perfect. Jacob can have a room to come home to when he comes and stays with us when he's not with Laurie. Cassidy and John each have their own bedrooms, and future little Barber Bean will have a cute nursery.” Your voice wandered as your gaze turned towards the window, watching beautiful homes pass you two by. Homes you never would have dreamed possible, million dollar homes on a lake. When you got the ping on your phone for 112 Ocean Avenue being lowered in price, you dreamed about the possibility of it. Then it lowered again, and you started to get hopeful. Then this last price drop, taking off another $30,000 dollar, you squealed in bed. Effectively waking Andy with a jolt, startling him. 

Now here you were, going to look at what will be your dream home, the perfect home. The forever home for you and Andy. Andy would probably scoff at you just knowing this, since he didn't believe in fate. But you did, fate after all was how you met the DA in a bar when you both needed each other in a dark time, and had fallen in love. So fate now was leading you here, to your and Andy’s new start in life. It could be a dream come true. You had enough belief for both of you.  

Suddenly a big white house filled your vision, and you glanced at the address on the GPS. “Andy, there it is! Look at it.” You said excitedly, and Andy slowed the car, pulling to the curb to lean a bit into the passenger side, looking out your window to gaze at the house, giving a small whistle. 

“Okay Sweetheart, I agree. This place looks nice. Too nice, are you sure that price is right?” 

“Yes, I double checked with the realtor when I called them last week. It's really the right price.” 

Andy straightened in his seat, and turned into the long driveway. “That true Honey, this is the deal of a lifetime.” 

You grinned excitedly, just about bouncing in your seat. Andy’s hand reached over, sliding his hand along your thigh before taking your hand, weaving his fingers with yours and giving a gentle squeeze. You knew that he was also excited now. 

When Andy pulled up to the house, the realtor waited for them on the front steps, clutching her phone to her chest and gave a smile. The kind a dealer who's looking to make a fast sale gives. “Welcome, I had hoped you all would be able to find the place easily. Magnificent isn't it? Built around 1910, the foundation is original, but all updated while keeping its original charm. Shall we go inside?” She dangled the keys and you with wide eyed enthusiasm nodded. Andy draped his arm over your shoulder, nodding in agreement. 

The realtor showed them right inside, bustling them inside as she shut the door. “As you see, lots of beautiful lighting, the kitchen has been all updated. The marble counter tops were just installed not even two years ago.” She clasped her hands together and kept a smile plastered on her face while you and Andy wandered into the entrance of the house, looking around. Andy’s head tilted back while looking for any kind of possible damage while you took a step or two on the stairs, and leaned against the banister. “What are you thinking Andy?” you wiggle your nose at him, and he glances at you, you can see him hiding a smile, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets, humming lightly while looking around once more before answering. “The entrance way looks nice, spacious. But I want to look over the rest of the house.” 

“Of course, if you come this way to the sitting room. Perfect for get togethers, children's sleepovers, family game nights. Do you… two have any children?” she flashed a toothy grin, and you wandered away from Andy a moment while he addressed the realtor. “Yes, Y/N has two smaller children, and I have a teenage son.” 

“How nice! Then this really would be perfect for living a family life.” she continued on while Andy followed her in, you waited a moment, then stepped away yourself, going the opposite way. You could still hear the realtor's voice, but you paid no heed. You already knew that this was home. You already could see yourself with a new baby on your hip, redecorating room by room. Andy would be able to set up a home office to work from. You might even be able to write that book you wanted. The kids would settle in, Jacob could come home on weekends from college, holidays the whole family could get together and everything you were picturing was the dream. 

Your dream and you hoped Andy's dream as well. 

Your fingers slid along the cool marble counters once you reached the kitchen, and looked around at the new appliances installed. You grasped the large kitchen sink, and peeked out the back window to see the lake view, catching your breath. Large old maple trees adorned the lake edge, and there was a boat house at the end of the deck. Could this place get any better? 

“Y/N?” you heard Andy coming up from behind you, the click of heels against the floor told you the realtor was right on your husbands tail when he entered the kitchen. Looking around, he gave a low whistle of approval. “Nice.” 

You spun and couldn't hide the grin. “Isn't it? Andy…” You gave a soft whine, and he hugged around you, shushing you in your ear a moment before turning towards the realtor. 

“Basement? I plan on converting it into a temporary office for now until we're settled.” Andy asked and the realtor turned around and opened a door, flicking on a light. 

“Go on ahead and look around.” She looked down the dark stairs and took a cautious step back, her voice wavering slightly. “I’m- uh- gonna just stay up here.” 

Andy walked past her, and you followed him, the both of you going down the stairs. Once you both got to the bottom, Andy looked around all the corners. It seemed dry, clean, and had all the usual things that made up a basement. “Yup, it’s a basement.” 

You leaned onto him a moment and chuckled. “You sound so excited Mr.Barber.” 

Up above them, the realtor said in her overly cheerful voice. “So what do you two think?” 

Andy arched a teasing brow and looked you up and down. “I think you look foxy in that skirt.” 

“Andy!” you hissed as you pushed lightly against his chest and started back up the stairs. He was right behind you and his hand slapped against your backside teasing before you two came back out in the kitchen. 

The rest of the tour went decent, the upstairs had more than enough bedrooms for everyone, closet space, the works. Even now Andy was getting a bit more on board with the prospect of buying this house, and you were sure he was going to give in. Your tour ended back in the main foyer, and Andy excused you two to talk a moment. He pulled you into the living room, sure to give you two enough space not to be overheard. 

“You really want this house Y/N?” his hands reached for yours and weaved your fingers together. “It will mean some sacrifices, because it's still on the high end of our price range, but we can do it.” He assured you, and you shuffled a foot back and forth while thinking about it. 

“I want to, Andy, I feel like this is the right place for us. It has everything we wanted and then some. I can see us being happy here.” 

That was all it took, Andy gave a smile and nodded in agreement, and you couldn't help the excited yelp, jumping into his arms, hugging around his neck and legs around his slender waist. The realtor with a look of panic came running around the corner of the entrance and put her hand to her chest in relief. 

“Were all happy then?” 

You grinned happily as you slid back to the floor, and Andy wrapped an arm around your shoulders. “I think we're ready to put an offer on it.” 

“Well, let me call my office and see about drawing up some papers.” She seemed to be relieved, and once you all were ushered outside, she closed the door firmly. Andy walked down the path a short ways, and turned around to look up at the expansive house, his hand rubbing at his beard in a thoughtful way. The largest purchase he’s made so far, but something was still bugging him about it. 

“Okay, what’s the catch with this place? I looked up what other listings go for in this area. None of them are nearly in such a nice location, or this size, and they are twice the price of this house.” When the realtor hesitated, Andy cleared his throat. “By law you're required to tell us if anything has happened here we should be aware of.” You suddenly could feel your heart sinking a bit at the realtors' crestfallen face. 

“Okay… There was a tragedy- a family was murdered here.” You gasped and the realtor continued. “But that was a long time ago, everyone in the town has moved on. Plus it's a house, a beautiful house just made to have a family in it and become a home. Why let one bad time ruin your decision? You will not find a nicer home in the area, that I can guarantee.” 

Andy took a deep breath and looked up at the house again, and you tugged lightly on his jacket. “Can we still? would it be too weird to live in a house where a family was murdered?” 

“Baby, it's not the house's fault. House’s don't kill people, people kill people. Trust me, I've worked enough cases to know.” Andy glanced down at you. “Would you be able to be okay with it?”  

You let it sink in, and you never had to find out the details honestly. You didn't want to know, you just couldn't let your dreams slip away by something that happened in the past. 

“Let's do it Andy, we can make a better story for this house. Our story.”

Later that night, you and Andy have just told the kids that they were indeed buying a house, and showed them pictures of it. After the two smaller ones were in bed, you and Andy were curled up on the couch, watching a tv show. Jacob was nearby on his phone, looking at the pictures he asked you to send him earlier. 

“This house is huge, way bigger than this one or the one Mom has.” Jacob happened to remark, and Andy nodded. 

“It really is Jake, and it's by the college you want to attend. Y/N and I were talking about it on the way home, and if you just wanted to stay with us rather than live on campus, you would save lots of money.” You nodded in agreement while Andy continued. “No rent, you just gotta help around the house a bit.” 

Jacob looked thoughtful at the offer you and his father was making, and he finally nodded. “That actually would be great guys, thanks. At least the first year.” He went back to his phone, and you hid a grin against Andy’s arm, both of you pleased that he was so eager to take up the offer. He might not be your son, but you cared for him just as much as either of your children. 

Jacob soon yawned and stretched. “Catch y'all in the morning.” 

Andy gave a nod and you yawned sleepily as well, but opted to stay right where you were. “Night Jakey.” You said, and he gave a wave as he headed up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with your son. 

It was quiet for a while before Andy kissed the top of your head, and you looked up at him. “Excited Baby?” 

You bit your lip and shifted to sit up more, pushing him back against the couch, and lifting your leg over his to straddle him while cupping his face. “Want me to show you just how excited I am Handsome?” your brows wriggled and his hands gripped your hips gently and tilted his head. 

“Think we're not going to get caught?” Andy said in a hushed voice and you tilted to look up the stairs, noticing all the lights were off. 

“We’re safe.” You giggled and covered your lips with his, brushing up against him with a soft moan. 

You were more than happy to show him just how excited you were. 

Later that night, when everyone was sound asleep, Andy eased out of bed, sure to make sure you were covered. Making his way down to the kitchen, he grabbed his laptop and started it up while moving to sit down. Quickly he pulled up google, and typed in the new house's address. Whatever happened wouldn't change his mind. But Andy liked to know what exactly he was moving his family into. 

What pulled up was horrific. Pulling up crime scene photos of the family who lived in 112 Ocean Ave years ago, he wasn't shocked to see splatters of blood across the master bedroom that would soon be yours, or the torn apart children's beds with holes blown through the mattresses. It wouldn't be the first time he's seen this kind of evil in the world with his work. Rubbing his hand against his chin in thought, his eyes scanned through the article. What he wasn't expecting was the oldest Deffor son, 24 named Ronnie was the killer.  

He had gone through with a rifle at 3:30 in the morning, starting with his parents and then moving onto his siblings. “Oh god.” Andy muttered as he read the details logged, the man claimed he was told to by a demon. Pushing back from his seat, just staring at the picture of Ronnie being taken out by the police, Andy couldn't look away from his eyes, bloodshot and wild. They bothered Andy to look at, imagining how terrified the children must have been to see their brother staring at them like that, from the end of a rifle. Reaching over to close the laptop, and cut off the pictures, he sighed. 

People kill people, the house is perfectly fine. Telling himself this, he put away his laptop and went back upstairs to join you again. You muttered in your sleep and eased back into his arms. 

[all-things-fic]

Mistletoe Jam

A/N: Merry Christmas from me to you. I don’t where this came from, all I know is I lost a lot of sleep trying to get this finished last night. Hope you all enjoy and thanks to anyone who has ever read anything I’ve posted on here.

Title comes from a Luther Vandross song purely because I like these lyrics in particular - ‘Glad I got big feet cause they're so good for dancin'. Glad you got big legs cause they're so good when we're romancin'

Shoutout to @waitingfortwilight, @harryfeatgaga and @haute-romance-quotidienne for reading this here and there.

~*~

You closed your eyes and let the back of your head hit the headrest behind you in the passenger seat.

“Swear I’m going to change my name,” you muttered under your breath as you heard your son whine Mum for the fifth time in a row.

Harry chuckled in the driver's seat next to you, fore and middle finger resting against his lips as he leaned his elbow on the drivers side door. You were sat in standstill traffic, looking to exit the car park of Cheshire Oaks.

You had a death wish coming here on Christmas Eve but unfortunately in your mad dash attempt to get out of London, you’d left an entire sack of presents behind that were sat next to your tree that had been up for all of a week.

To say you weren’t looking forward to hoovering up after it when you returned to the big smoke in the new year would be an understatement.

However, the actual shopping itself hadn’t been too bad. You’d tag teamed. Harry took your eldest boy with him, leaving you to take your daughter into the one place you knew would keep her occupied: Pets at Home. You’d deal with the constant requests of getting a rabbit over the next 48 hours, if it meant she was quiet enough to allow Harry to grab whatever toy she had suddenly requested from Father Christmas since you’d arrived back up North. 

“Mum,” came the whine again, causing you to look around in your chair and see the culprit. Hidden behind a Barbie doll that had been completely stripped naked, baring a pair of cowboy boots, you found the inquisitive blue eyes of your son.

You spoke his name, watching the way he dropped the doll to show you his cheeky smile. “Can we stay up late and look for Santa?,” he asked, his head slightly tilting as he did so. He really was pulling out all the stops today.

Staying silent, you felt Harry’s gaze look at you from the corner of his eye before he looked up at his son through the rear view mirror. “Doesn’t work like that mate,” he started, causing your little boy to turn his gaze away from yours. “Need to go to sleep, or else he doesn’t show up. Good boys and girls sleep in their own beds,” you heard Harry pause to allow the latter part of his sentence to resonate, as much as it could with a toddler, before he continued anymore.

Staying silent you thought Harry was going to continue, however instead when your gaze moved to look at him, you saw the way he appeared to be holding back an expletive at how someone cut him up to get into a parking space that had become available while you sat in idle traffic.

“Dad’s right, baby,” you agreed, watching the way his face fell into a small frown. His mouth fell slightly agape, you cutting in before he could start to whine. “Hey, you know Father Christmas is watching you right now don’t you-“

His mouth shut as his bottom lip started to protrude, his face rolling to look out the window to his right like he was some moody singer filming a pensive part of an emotive music video. 

“He’s sulking now,” you muttered, turning back in your seat.

“Am not,” he shot back, your mutter obviously not low enough to go unnoticed. You knew it was wrong given he was probably far too over stimulated as it was, but you couldn’t quite help it.

From the corner of your vision your saw that he started to go stiff in his seat, stretched out and showcasing his frustration. Still idle in traffic, you watched Harry turn in his seat to turn his gaze on his son.

“Enough,” he spoke assertively, hand pressing against the taut legs of his son. “You’ve been good all morning,” he continued, seeing no change in his son's temper. 

“One,” he started, causing you to shift slightly in your seat. “Two,” you turned to look at him, seeing the way your little boy shifted, body relaxing. “Good boy, sit back nicely for Dad-“ he manoeuvred back in his drivers seats lowering his voice as he continued, “-so he can get off this bloody car park in one piece.”

***

Anne’s house just smelled like Christmas.

Of fresh baking and spiced Christmas candles. It was cosy too. The kind of warmth that enveloped you the minute you stepped foot into the hallway from the porch. 

She smiled a knowing smile when she saw your frazzled hair once you pulled off your winter hat and quickly took your hand, dragging you in the opposite direction that Harry had taken the kids.

“I have mulled wine,” she passed comment, turning to look at your face from over her shoulder. “No? How about a glass of prosecco?” 

“Isn’t it a bit early?” You said, eyes taking in the mountain of washing up in her sink, as you messed with the waistband of your jeans and sorted out your jumper. 

“Never, not when it’s Christmas,” she smiled. “Besides I think we’ll both need to be a little bit pissed to attack the mountain of washing up.”

Regardless of receiving an actual answer, she poured the prosecco for you, glass being handed over smoothly before she took to pouring her own. As her eyes lifted from the job, she noticed Harry in the kitchen doorway, removing his gloves and shoving them into the pocket of his black coat.

“Or we could get my lovely son to do it,” she let her gaze move over your shoulder as she sipped from her own delicate glass. 

“Barely got me coat off and you’re already giving me jobs,” he spoke deeply, leaning against the doorframe. Turning to look at him you noticed the way his eyes lovingly shone over at his mother, before they scanned the kitchen like it was some sort of crime scene.

He groaned as his eyes stilled on the sink, immediately catching on as to what was being asked of him. “I’ll do it under one condition,” his eyes cut to yours before moving back to his Mum’s. “You let me wear the gloves.”

Anne laughed, hand covering her mouth as she tried not to splutter her prosecco everywhere. “I have new ones,” she said, with glittery eyes. Before you could even catch onto the gloves and the meaning behind them, your mother-in-law had hidden herself away in the pantry.

Eyes fell to Harry as he placed himself next to you. He loved the confused but oh so intrigued look that you wore. “Just wait,” he hummed, hands pressing against the kitchen surface and nudging his head back to where his mother stood, wordlessly making you move your eyes towards the same direction.

“Managed to find these in the pound shop when I popped into town with Louise, they had others but you know how I am with my sparkle-“

Harry hummed, with his lips twitching into the boyish smile. “Come on,” he moved his hand in come hither motion. “Let me ‘ave at ‘em.”

Without another word Anne tossed the pair of gloves onto the kitchen work surface. Your eyes dropped to the item that clattered thanks to the gaudy diamond that sat - from what you could tell - super glued onto the middle finger of the latex gloves. 

“Pound shop upping its game with the introduction of an old Swarovski-esc cocktail ring, I see.”

You didn’t quite know what to say, as you watched your husband marvel with humour at the monstrosities that he seemed eager to don. 

“Where’s the washing up liquid then?” Harry said shaking off his coat and quickly taking to unbuttoning the sleeves of his shirt and rolling them up to the crook of his elbow. “Dishes aren’t gonna do themselves.” 

The laughter of sheer delight that left Anne’s chest cause you to cut your eyes over to her. It was nice to see her in such a way, carefree and in awe of her baby over the silliest thing. You often wondered if the face she wore looking at both Gemma and Harry was an expression that flirted across your face over the littlest thing that your own son and daughter did. 

You eyes watched Harry as he snatched at the gloves, pulling the red latex over his hands and making them stretch against his ring-clad fingers.

“Wha’ size did you get these in,” he moaned around a husky laugh, his fingers clenching underneath the latex into a fist before expanding once more.

“Didn’t look, darling,” Anne nonchalantly replied, swiping up her phone and snapping a picture of Harry off-guard. He frowned lightly over at her, only for Anne to softly laugh. “Since I’m no longer needed here,” she continued, picking up the bottle from the middle of the kitchen island. “I have some gran-babies to cuddle and annoy since my children no longer enjoy my offers of affection.”

“No, we just enjoy your successful attempts at free labour more. Clearly,” Harry shook his soapy-sud hands out, flicking dishwater in the process.

“I’m letting you stay for free over the festive period and feeding you, ‘s the least you can do.”

He couldn’t argue with that one, his eyes falling to yours as you sipped your drink wearing a smile that was far more triumphant looking than it should be.

“Don’t know why you’ve got a face on you like tha’,” he started, grabbing at the tea towel next to him. “You’re drying.”

The very same tea towel came flying at you, your hand swiping to move your half filled glass to save a spillage and trying to defend yourself. 

You didn’t make any effort to move as Harry turned off the tap and got to making sure that all the pots, pans and plates were submerged underneath the surface.

The way his back looked underneath his shirt as he moved his hands around the sink was attractive. It sounded daft and if you weren’t coherent enough you’d blame the prosecco, but even the back of him glowed from happiness (and maybe an extra serving of dessert or two). 

Breaking the silence Harry said, “Need to up me ring game.”

You watched the way he shook out his hand, soapy suds once again flicking against the kitchen counter. “Old Mrs Claus, looking to play away.”

“What are you on about?” You said, leaning against the kitchen counter, hand reaching for the packet which had once held the washing up gloves. Eyes took in the label, flicking it over to read the product description to yourself. 

“Wearing her diamond on the incorrect finger, innit.”

“Probably got a thing for one of the elves. Husband’s let himself go a bit-“

“Santa or me?” He chuckled.

You smiled against the lip of your champagne flute, eyes moving upwards to see the profile of your husband’s face as he stopped all washing up to look at you. “All I’m saying is maybe only leave one mince pie out for Santa this year when you’re helping the kids set up the plate.”

“Look, Santa is a strapping lad,” he spoke with conviction. “He can’t help it, if Mrs Claus is a feeder.” 

“I am not a feeder, Harry,” you laughed, throwing the tea towel back at him. 

“Darling, I don’t know what kind of role play you’re into but maybe this is something we should pick up after we’ve put the kids to bed.” 

“Was just about to ask you the same thing,” you bit back, eyes once again dropping down the packaging that encased the gloves. “Glamourous red and pearly washing up gloves,” you cleared your throat, eye flickering up to see the way his face had pulled into a smile, as he added another plate to drying rack. 

“These fun and stylish gloves make even the dirtiest jobs look fabulous!”

“I can concur-“

Smiling, and hearing it lace your voice, you continued, “The pair of gloves are not only practical but they are complete with a fur lining, pearl bracelet-“

“To match my necklace-“

“-and a superbly sized diamond.”

“Superbly sized diamond, only the best for Mrs Claus.” 

“Funny Secret Santa gift for women-“

“And men-,” Harry interjected. 

“Both fun and practical for doing the dishes.”

He stayed silent at that one, you too remaining tight lipped waiting for him to say something. When you eyes slowly pulled away from the packet, you met his from across the kitchen island.

You noticed the way his forehead held a light perspiration and the front of his shirt was slightly wet from where he had been leaning a little too closely over the sink.

His hair fell against his forehead and into his eyes, that held an expression that made it so you felt like you couldn’t break your gaze. 

“You know what else rhymes with dishes? Missus.” 

The way his lips twitched as he spoke, the crinkles next to his eyes deepening. “Both fun and practical for doing the missus.”

“Harry,” you chastised him under your breath.

“Wha’,” he drawled, expression mischievous. “I’m telling Mum we’re keeping these.” 

“You do realise that Santa is watching,” you swiped your glass, downing the remainder of your prosecco.

“How’d you know he’s not into it?”

The competitive person in you wanted to counter his question with a question of your own, but instead you chose to give him something to really think about.

Slipping down from the breakfast bar stool, you turned to leave the room, stilling in the doorway.

“That makes two of us then.”

***

Somehow between 1pm and 8pm Harry had managed to remember he was a father of two rather than rampant teenager bringing his girlfriend home for their first Christmas together. 

He’d been the ever-doting Dad after he had left the kitchen, helping the kids put together and decorate the gingerbread house at Anne’s dining table, taking a danger nap with his little girl during an afternoon showing of Frozen on BBC One and cooking a Christmas Eve feast suitable for the whole family. 

Rather than fight against the family pyjamas, instead he lead the charge, helping to encourage the coercing of your son into his along the way. 

He got excited when you pulled out the hand crafted plate that said “Dear Santa” along the top and then “Love from,” followed by the names of your son and daughter along the bottom. 

There was no doubt about it, Harry was all in. 

With a carrot and mince pie now placed on the fireplace, Harry now sat with a sweaty child pressed into his side on Anne’s sofa, with Love Actually on the television going in one ear and out the other. 

Your son had put up a fight to sleep, like his earlier episode in the car let you know he would do. His little body bouncing around before creeping along the landing, only for Harry to peek up the stairs and tell him to come down.

He was a hard child to stay mad at, more so when he cuddled into your side to begin with until getting cosy next to his Dad. Part of you wondered if he was becoming under the weather, given the way his cheeks were rosy and his skin clammy.

“Probably this cheap polyester you’ve forced us into,” Harry playfully jibed, knowing just how mad you’d been when you read that the pyjamas you had bought off the internet under the illusion of being 100% cotton, were in fact only 80% cotton and 20% polyester. 

Your hand was held against his forehead as Harry stood with his limp and sleepy body in the middle of the living room. “He’s definitely coming down with something,” you worried your bottom lip.

Harry dropped his lips to his son's forehead, keeping his voice in a hushed whisper as he reassured you that he just needed to get some rest. 

Falling back into your space on the couch, you half listened as Harry left the room asking you to pause the film so he didn’t miss anything. You fought the urge to roll your eyes at how he and everyone else could by now recite Love Actually considering how it had become a classic for this time of year. 

“I’m just going to nip out and grab those presents from the boot of the car,” he said poking his head around the living room door upon his return. 

Lifting your head from the Radio Times magazine that you’d managed to swipe from Anne as she retired upstairs earlier for a bath and to get straight into bed, you nodded when you met his eyes.

“Want to crack open tha’ bottle of red when I come back?” He suggested, fiddling with the collar of his coat, car keys jingling in his hand. 

“Can’t get too pissed, still gotta wrap some presents-“

“I didn’t hear that,” he replied, shutting the door behind him before heading out to the drive to retrieve the purchases both he and you had made earlier.

In his absence, you took in the cosy living room that surrounded you and felt your body sink into the sofa as you relaxed. This was the least frantic you’d felt all day, regardless of the mountains of wrapping you still had to do.

Your children had been wiped when they finally fell asleep, which was always a win for any parent. It meant that they would probably give you the chance to sleep in a little later than usual for Christmas Day. There was nothing wrong with being hopeful that your gaze met 7am on the alarm clock rather than the usual 5am.

The presents that already sat underneath the tree, made your heart soar. Material things did not mean much at all, but there was no doubt it that every single person in this family - your family - was loved. 

Standing from your seat, you let your feet lead you along the carpet and out into the dimly lit hallway of Anne’s house. Pictures of Harry and Gemma, as children, littered the walls. Some of the frames and pictures replaced since you had first set foot in the family home, with images of your own children and Gemma’s too.

The strong sense of family always comforted you when you stayed at Anne’s. Took a gentle hold of your body and consumed you in the nicest way.

Both glasses and the bottle retrieved, you quickly shut the door of the living room to make sure that barely any of the heat from the roaring fire left the fairly sized and cosy space. 

Sitting on the edge of the couch, you quickly unscrewed the bottle of red and poured two reasonable sized glasses.

Leaving one atop of the coffee table, you plucked up the stem of your glass and sunk back into the cream couch. You knew you’d have to be extra careful as the night went on and more of the rich and acidic drink was consumed. 

The rustling of bags let you know that Harry had returned into the house from outside, with the door of the front room opening not long after. 

“Can feel the cold coming off you,” you commented as he set down the four bags he had retrieved. 

“Cars icing up,” he commented, tugging off his coat and throwing it into the spare armchair over the other side of the room. As he turned, he wore a warm smile once his eyes saw the way you were offering over a glass of wine.

Now stood from your seat, he padded his socked feet against the carpet over to you and gently peeled the stem from your grasp. Sipping the drink and keeping his eyes locked with yours, he noticed the way you dropped your stare to his lips as he licked away the lingering wine residue. 

His free hand cupped at the back of your forearm, cold fingers easy to feel through your thin pyjamas. He soothed his hand up the back of your arm, scooping you into him.

Looking down at you with his softened jawline, he hummed the first thoughts on his mind. “Not kissed you all day-“

And he hadn’t. Things had been manic and the day has mainly been about your children, and present swapping with friends. Outside of the other activities previously thought back on.

“Or night,” you mused in return.

He tutted, “Night’s’not over yet.”

Humming you tilted your head slightly when you felt his hand hit the back of your neck. You shivered from his cold touch as he mumbled his sorry’s against your lips.

With a soft shake of the head you dismissed him and welcomed his tender and gentle kiss. His lips puckered at yours and softly drew you into his every want and desire.

As he went to pull away you lured him back with a soft pull to his top lip, feeling him smile at how you didn’t want to break away. He happily obliged you, opening his mouth wider to devour you, enticed by your plusher figure against his and the warmth radiating off you.

“‘S all this,” he mumbled against your cheek, as he tried to calm his breathing and remember not to lose grip of his wine. 

“Jus’ showing you how much you mean to us-“

“Shouldn’t that be me to you,” he corrected. “Would be lost without you, Mommy.” 

Pulling back you looked at him, welcoming the soft peck he left on your lips as you stared at each other. A small laugh left him as he pressed a second and third peck to your lips in quick succession, “‘s not getting the wrapping done is it?”

“You started it,” you mumbled into your glass as he turned to stand behind you and grabbed for the bags. 

Before he got to them however he stalled all movement, looking at your profile with a gleam in his eye. “I’ll bloody well finish to an’ all, after we’ve done this wrapping.”

“Nothing sexier than a man who gets a job done and get its done proper.”

He laughed down his nose at that, before he groaned as he managed to get his body down to the floor.

“Don’t do things by halves, love. Should know that by now. Now, who’s present was the Barbie kitchen set?”

***

That’s how you spent the majority of the night, rummaging through the plastic bags and putting together two piles of presents for each of your children. 

Once it had been decided who was having what, you did your equal share of the wrapping. Harry actually better at wrapping than you were always led to believe by the man himself. You knew he often opted for the gift wrapping service at a Selfridges or a Harrod’s, but here he was slumming it like everyone else. 

“How’s it feel being like every other peasant and wrapping your own gifts?”

He chuckled, mouth closed as it held onto a piece of sticky tape that was going to be used after he’d neatened up the edges of the LOL drawing set that you’d bought for your little girl.

“Actually very rewarding,” he deadpanned, “‘s probably the wine tha’s making it less of a chore though. That and my incredibly easy on the eye wife cheering me on.”

He did find himself getting bored when he was three quarters of the way through however, finding ways to entertain himself like sticking one of the bows to his forehead to give himself to you as a present, which had you giggling over at him with bleary, wine eyes.

“You’re a daft sod,” you said pressing your outstretched foot into his thigh and enjoying the way he cupped the top of the same foot, keeping it close to him. 

You could tell he was getting restless when he started talking about all manner of different Christmas facts that he’d heard around the studio, or in meetings to break up long sessions of recording or tour logistics. 

“Did you know?” He started, “Paul McCartney earns £250,000 a year off his Christmas song, which is widely regarded as the worst song he ever recorded.”

“Obviously not by you,” you deadpanned, as you concentrated on trying to find the end of the sticky tape as it had stuck itself back together.

“I’ve probably helped up his royalties actually, d’ya think I could get a cut of that?” You laughed, looking up at him from the final present you were wrapping. “I’m serious, I’ll have a word with Sonny and see if he can mention it to his Uncle Paul.”

Rather than responding, you reached for the last of your wine and swallowed it in one gulp. Empty glass on the table, you looked over at your husband who wore a flushed face, either from the wine or the heat within the room. You did notice he had pushed the sleeves of his pyjamas top up into the crook of his elbow.

“Did you know,” he whimsically asked in a whisper.

“Probably not, Harry, but go on-“

“It’s well known that mistletoe is an aphrodisiac, a symbol of fertility,” Harry spoke with concentration as he looked down at the paper which housed the toys that he had done a mad dash to The Entertainer store for, once you daughter mentioned how she had changed her list to Father Christmas. This was his final gift to wrap. 

“You can forget it, Styles,” you bit back, watching the way he smirked around the cello tape that he was biting into, too lazy to reach across for the scissors at the end of his legs. Forever easily amused. “Already one too many in our house as it is.”

“Maybe I’ve asked Father Christmas for a new ‘un,” he patted at the present, looking up at you from under his brow.

“A new baby-“

“Yeah, that as well,” he rolled his lips into his mouth, clearly meaning a house. He frowned, “And wha’ do ya mean with this ‘one too many’? ‘S only two of them.” 

“Three.”

He shook his head, his face reminiscent of a child confused. Point proven. 

“Our two kids,” you paused, for dramatic effect. “And you. So, one too many.”

He was taken aback by your playful nature, a little bit lost for words at how brazenly you had dissed him. 

“Thought you liked ‘em young,” he retorted, hand curling around your calf and tugging you over to him. From the quickness of his movement, you squealed. The two of you shushing each other around soft laughter as your eyes faintly fell towards the television monitor that showed you your sleeping children from where you sat in his lap. 

“Dead to the world, both of ‘em,” he mumbled, breathing along your cheek as he noted the way your soft gaze lingered on your babies.

“Can’t wait to see their faces tomorrow,” you admitted, as his lips skimmed gently down your neck. 

“Need to finish off the magic,” he hummed. “Pass me the plate.”

Leaning over from in his lap, you gave Harry the ample opportunity to softly tap his hand against your pyjama-clad bottom. The sound your ears and his received was a dull thud that didn’t achieve what it intended.

Turning to look at him, his sheepish gaze made you aware that he too wasn’t satisfied from his actions. His eyes dropped down to the plate that you held tightly in your hands at the goodies he had laid out on the idea a mere four hours prior.

“You take the carrot,” he pushed it towards you, eyes meeting yours as they looked up.

“And here I was thinking you were the health conscious one-“

“I need stodge to soak up this,” he scooped up the pouring of whiskey. “‘M mixing drinks, so I’m gonna be a barrel of laughs when they jump on me at 5am as my wake up call.”

You softly laughed before you took a hefty bite out of the carrot and he out of the mince pie. With a gooey smile, you couldn’t stop your hands moving up to his lips and wiping away the crumbs from the pastry that sat on the corners of his mouth.

“Have the last bit,” he spoke once he has swallowed his food, offering the small amount of whiskey left in the tumbler glass to you. 

You sipped the drink that he gave to you and placed the empty glass down with a soft clunk to the plate. 

“Can make some magic of our own now,” he whispered in a light alcohol induced haze, satisfied. 

And under the soft lighting of the living room, who were you to refuse him.

His chuckle of disbelief at this words hit your lips with a warm breath, causing you to blush along with him. If he wasn’t kissing you in that moment, you knew that he would have said the words, “Can’t believe I’ve just said tha’.”

But you would believe it, because things like that were him to a T. 

He was that kind of person sometimes, hidden underneath the incredibly handsome features and put together looks: a geek. A loveable geek. 

A loveable geek who knew how to work his way around your body; your head falling back with the thought as he sucked at the middle of your neck. 

“No lovebites, baby,” you gasped, fingers woven into the hair at the back of his head. “We’re at your Mum’s,” you reminded him, feeling his tongue lave against the area he’d been particularly rough with. Like a cat licking at his wounds, tucking his tail between his legs at how he’d admitted defeat. 

His hands moved up the back of your shirt, raising the pyjama material as he went. Your arms lifted, helping him remove the item of clothing and enjoying the tickling feeling of your hair falling down the bare skin of your back.

Harry’s face went straight into the center of your boobs without much focus on where he’d thrown your discarded top in the living room. Mouth sucked with power on the inside of your chest, he was determined to leave a mark against your skin one way or another. 

His hands clawed at the elastic of your trousers, palming underneath them to feel your bare bum cheeks against his hands,helping to create a rocking motion of your crotch against his.

You mewled, in a breathy tone, “Take ‘em off.”

“‘S nice like this,” he coaxed, looking at your face with hooded eyes and enjoying your mirrored expression.

And he wasn’t lying. Been a while since you’d sat in his lap and found your release against him with your clothes still on. 

“It’s not enough,” you admitted, feeling your hips become slightly more frantic as you pressed back into his awaiting hands with a soft clap. 

“It’s enough for now,” he urged you to rock. “Relax on me, darling. We’ve got time.”

Languid kisses was nice. The friction of your clothes too, worked you up in a way that was way more than you would ever care to admit. Breathing growing heavier as Harry kept his lips to your chest and you fisted at his hair.

Tingles ran through you as you felt Harry growing harder through his trousers, rubbing against your center over and over. He twitched as his hand pulled you with more force against him, his hand slipping down lower to rest in-between your bum cheeks.

The way his fingers ghosted close to your center was enough to have you reaching around and pushing his hand down further. The suction sound his mouth made as it peeled away from your clammy skin, made you moan with a fallen head tilt. 

“Want my fingers that bad,” he whispered, feeling the pressure of your hand on top of his. “Tell me.”

“Please, put ‘em in,” you breathily asked. Your mouth fell agape as you felt the tips of his fingers rest against your wetness. You knew if you rocked back and he held you steady enough, they’d sink right in without any resistance.

“Gonna rub your clit for me while you take my fingers, eh?”

Your breathing was laboured as his fingers brushed at your aching, wet center. You were desperate from some kind of pressure, your center pulsing each time you felt the tips of his fingers get closer. 

“At this rate your gonna be all down your legs and mine,” he paused, enjoying the choked moan you released when he finally slipped his fingers inside your wet warmth. “Not even got started.” 

You hand was against your front and harshly rubbing at your sopping clit that had you softly swiping up and releasing enticing moans, causing Harry to throb. 

He softly shushed you as he pushed your fallen hair, slightly damp from sweat, out of your eyes. 

“No ones ever made me this wet,” you admitted in a whiny plea to him, scooping your arm around his neck to sit tighter onto his lap. 

His eyes dropped down to the way your hand moved over your center underneath your pyjamas trousers. “Hiding from me, darling,” he was obvious.

“I said take them off,” you hummed. “Thought you were a man, my man.”

Harry growled at your goad, fingers slipping without much care and wiping into the waistband of your trousers. He roughly pulled at your bottoms, his limbs and yours unattractively flaying but achieving the ultimate goal of getting naked. 

Bare bum now open to thick heat of the room, you enjoyed the way he tapped his fingers lightly against your left cheek, close to where your bum and thigh met.

“Harry,” you breathed, hips nudging forwards, enough to get his cock to press between your lips, just right. You rolled your hips over him slowly, your wetness enticing and teasing to his cock. Bliss was written across his face as he enjoyed your attentiveness to foreplay. 

“Gonna let me have you,” he stated, no question within his words. He felt the way you nodded against him, as you pressed your forehead to his. 

You gripped his shoulder as you rolled back again, feeling the way his tip slipped into your without much guidance other than the slight lift to your arse from Harry himself.

As you sank down on him, you felt the way his hand pressed to your lower back. Shaky exhales bounced against each other’s lips as you took him in, staying still and relishing in the way his cock felt inside of you.

Throbbing clit flush to his pelvis, you knew even the tiniest of motion would have you losing your mind. 

Wanting to keep him deep, you barely raised your hips more than halfway off him before you were taking him once more. He brushed against the soft spot inside you so wonderfully, that you were admitting your love for him in such a way that had him chuckling. 

“‘S my cock, not me, darling,” he teased. “I know, I know, baby.”

The pace you set was slow, languidly rolling your hips over his. He encouraged you, digging his fingers into your plush hips and throatily moaning as he watched you with lips parted and eyelids hooded. 

The wet kiss you shared with him, had you gripping at his jaw, feeling the way it expanded as he devoured you with his lips and tongue. It was dirty, a quick flick that had your chasing after him, suckling gently and wanting to be just as dirty in return.

You could hear how wet you were, your body wanting the man beneath you to know just much of mess you had made for him. How turned on he had managed to get you. 

He loved it. The sounds. The way he purposefully dragged at your wetness with his fingers over you clit. His roughs pants and throaty moans indicative of just how deeply pleasured he was.

“Hear tha’,” he rhetorically asked. “You’re all over my balls, doll. My thighs are covered.” 

“Oh god,” you gasped as your head fell back and exposed your throat to him, hips rocking and rubbing harshly against his. His hand moved from being cupped underneath your bouncing boobs and took to pressing gently against your throat. 

Somewhere in your mind you thought back to the latex, novelty washing up gloves earlier in the day and how they may feel against your skin, against your throat. It was something you knew you’d have to mention as you hips began to move with more force against him at the idea.

You knew he’d asked, he’d just time the question in the right moment. Probably say your name first to have you looking down at him glassy, fucked our vision.

As he groaned your name, your dropped you head down feeling the way your throat curved against his hand. “Wha’ you thinking ‘bout?”

His face was flushed out, hair sticking to his forehead and you were partly angry at how he’d somehow managed to keep his top on. 

“Need to try the gloves next time,” you confessed. “Want to, want to-“

He watched the way you face crumpled, slightly flushing at how you’d possibly found yourself a kink that was once before totally undiscovered to you. 

He pulled you down to him, “Would try anything wi’you in a heartbeat. So in love wi’you. Love you more when you let me feel you comin’ all over me.”

The two of your were flat against each other as you felt the way he lifted his hips upwards, the angle had him constantly stroking directly on your g spot. Your limbs felt like mush as your body began to shake of its own accord.

“Yea’ darlin’, just like that for me,” he coaxed, “All over me, giving it all to me.”

Your sweaty chest rubbed against the irritating fabric of his top, as you focused on the feel of your clit rolling against him and the feel of his cock tipping you over the edge with a satisfied moan that had you holding him deep inside.  

You fell limp against him, feeling the way his arms wrapped heavy against your clammy back. The only movement came from his hips as they lifted upwards and smacked against you.

His deep groan of your name as his orgasm overtook him, caused you to turn your face into his and leave a wet and heavy kiss to his dropped jaw. His grunts were heavy as they tapered out into soft and wet whimpers. 

Your skin was scorching against his, as you’d came down together next to the roaring fire beside you. The two of you basking the blissful aftermath. 

As you collapsed against him, Harry’s eyes looked up at the tree that he was now somehow partly under. Heaving chest and bleary eyes, he focused on the decorations above his head, as his hand ran soothingly down your clammy back.

With a scoffed chuckle, he caught your attention, enjoying the way you nosed along his neck, to being your lips up to the corner of his.

“What is it?” You asked gently against his lips. His smiled deepened. “What’s tickled you so much?”

Still wearing a blissful expression, he said deeply, “We’re under mistletoe.”

Frowning, you knocked you eyes upwards, spotting the mistletoe that sat tied to two or three baubles on the Christmas tree. 

“Gotta lay on one me, doll,” he cheekily caught your attention. “‘S the rules.”

And if it were the rules, who were you to break them.

[kezibun]

Woodland getaway

A very self indulgant self ship fic to celebrate my first anniversary of being married to Red, Yes it’s been a year, a very long year and i’m so glad I had my fictional husband there to help me through it. I’ll be posting each day of our holiday. Is this cringy? most will probably think so but see if I care. This is purely for my happiness but do I hope you enjoy anyway.

Part 1: Friday

It was afternoon when they arrived. It had been a long exhausting ride over, filled with many giggles, songs sang at the top of their lungs, plenty of fast food, road trip games, a few pit stops and a night spent in a pretty decent Bed and Breakfast halfway there.And now they were finally here. They could finally get some long deserved peace and quiet.

It had been exactly 364 days, a whole year tomorrow since they had last gotten away on a proper holiday together, that was for their honeymoon. Of course they'd had the occasional mini getaway where they'd go out of town for a day or two. This although not half as fancy as paris was a lot fancier then there mini trips. They had the whole long weekend to them selves, Friday to Monday (not including 2 days travel there and back) it was going to be good. To top it all off this was possibly their last holiday as a family of two.

They had arrived at the Forest resort just in time. They stretch for a second as they climb out the car and grab their bags. then like a couple of little kids they excitedly open up their chalet door. The warmth greets them as they walk in. They hang up their coats, take off their shoes and take care not to knock over the little plant by the door as they make their way in.

There after the entrance way sits the little dining room table, behind a counter futher back is the beautiful big kitchen and at the far right is a little living room with a big glass door that opens out into the forest, all the furniture in beautiful warm hues. 

After dropping off the food and things in the kitchen they head into the bedroom to unpack. The big king sized bed has a lovely red throw and matching pillows, in fact even the curtains were sporting the same deep colour. It is extremely tempting and looks very soft so as soon as Kezi puts her bag down Red takes her hand and pulls her down onto the bed with a chuckle. She giggles as he wraps his arms around her.

"Red, darling we need to unpack." She says as she cuddles up to him.

"Come on Sweetheart, been a long drive give yer husbone a little lovein' would ya." 

"Alright, alright just a little snuggling but you gotta promise we can do a little exploring before dinner ok?" 

"Sounds fair." 

They both bask in the quiet soft embrace, just enjoying being together and cuddling close. Red plants a little kiss on her cheek as he rests his hand over where her soul is hidden. 

"How's the li'l guy?" He asks with a loving smile.

"Good." She hums. "He's been all excited today though so he'll probably need a little magic, care and a lullaby tonight to settle." 

Red moves his hand before placing a little kiss over where it just was.

"I love ya two." He purrs.

"Love you too." She giggles.

"Yer due end of the month right?" 

She nods. "Ish, the doctor said sooner or later. It's hard to tell, remember? with a hybrid child and all." 

"Ye I know. Was just checkin' s'all." 

Kezi lets out a happy sigh before giving her skeleton a little kiss. "How about we unpack now?" She asks.

"Not yet." Red grumbles. He pulls her in for a sweet loving kiss. "K, now's al'ight."

She laughs as she drags him off the bed. 

They unpack everything and as promised they get ready for a little adventure. 

They open up the big glass door in the living room and step out to the patio, there’s a table and chairs there but it’s far too cold to use it this time of year. Kezi gets out a little bag and spreads some seeds on the table, as Red closes the door behind them.

“Whatcha doin’ Doll?”

“Leaving some seeds for the birds and squirrels of course.”

“Ya allowed?”

“Um hum, It’s even encouraged.”

“Huh.”

With that they set off down a path, Kezi looked up and around at the trees, silently describing the view to herself. She noted the dark bark on the leafless trees and the way the branches made shapes in the bare canopy, the light pale blue of the winter sky and the fluffy clouds. 

“Hey.” she points up. “That one looks like a bunn-” She trips on a rock on the path. 

“Woah there Sweetheart.” Red says as he catches her, stopping her face from planting into the dirt.

“Oops sorry.” she giggles.

“Careful, ya almost gave me a heart attack ‘n’ I don’t even ‘ave one.” He chuckles slightly but the worry in his voice is evident.

“Thanks for saving me again Sweetie.” 

“Yer so clumsy is ridiculous.”

“I said sorry, and thank you didn’ I” She puffs her cheeks as she pokes at his.

“Jus’ be more careful, love.” 

“As you wish.” She kisses his cheek bone.

“Ya missing on purpose again? Ya li’l stormtrooper.” He chuckles.

“And what if I am?” 

“Then ya deserve this, My cheeky li’l mate.” he leans in and gives her a kiss to the corner of her lips.

“Looks like I’m not the only one with a bad aim, ay?” She laughs planting a quick peck to his teeth before she continues walking.

He follows walking right beside her again. “You’d think we’d be a li’l better with all the practice we get.” He wiggles his bone brow scoring another giggle.

“Maybe we need a little more practice later then?” She sends her a little wink, He knows it totally looks out of place on her cute little face but Red loves it non the less.

“Hey why wait?” He pulls her down for a kiss but is met with a finger pressed to his teeth.

“I said later you cheeky skeleton.” She again continues walking.

He lets out a little love sick sigh before catching up. 

“Yer such a spoil sport.” He mumbles.

“I know.” She hums back as she looks around again, Red looks over at her, he then slips his hand in it’s rightful place in her’s, entwining his fingers with hers. 

She gives him a little smile, the smile that warms his soul, and he sends her one back, the smile that strikes her heart and makes her cheeks heat up.

They had now walked into an evergreen area where the trees above are still adorned in her favorite colour while the bushes below are speckled with his colour. It is so beautiful around as they walk the little empty forest path. They walk a little further till they reach the lake, on the other side of the lake is the village center, the little fairy lights around start turning on. By now the sun has started it’s descent beyond the horizon and the ever darkening hues of pink and orange reflect on the water. A small paddling of ducks swim over, Kezi gets that bag of seed and skaters some over the water for them. They both take a seat on one of the carved benches along the water's edge as they watch the sun set and feed the ducks. As the stars start lighting the night sky, Kezi rests her head on his shoulder with a little yawn. 

“Love you.” She mumbles.

“Love ya too ma li’l sugar cube.” He sighs happily. “Hey, ‘bout time to get ya back and cook ya some dinner.”

“But… I was… gonna cook tonight?” She yawns.

“How about ya cook next hey?” He then scoopes her up in his arms and kisses her head.

“Okie.” She hums. 

[etherealhood]

The Lucky One

author: @etherealhood

word count: 3,057

warnings: so fluffy, lil bit of angst if you squint

a/n: alright guys lemme just say that dad!calum is literally my favorite concept, so i was so compelled to write this! thank you to my favorite lady, @h0tsos for being an angel and letting me ruin her with some fluff! enjoy!

pairing: calum hood x reader

Getting comfortable when you’re seven months is probably the most unlikely thing to happen. But as she sat on the couch, her legs stretched out into her husband’s lap, his hands rubbing at her swollen feet while her little ones cuddled into her sides, she was practically thanking the heavens for giving her any kind of relief.

For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t cursing her husband for having such a high sex drive and being so adamantly against condoms. Right now, everything was so perfect. The love of her life was touching her so tenderly, her daughter’s head on her chest while her son laid his head on her stomach. Duke, their dog, slept soundfully on his bed in the corner of the room. She found her stomach fluttering at the idea of having another baby added to the equation in just a few short months.

With a content smile on her lips and her eyes on the movie that played on the television, she suddenly felt a rhythmic series of twitches coming from the top of her swollen stomach. A distinct jab was felt on her right side, close to where her daughter, Avalon’s tiny hand rested.

The little girl’s head snapped down towards the movement she felt before looking at her mother with wide eyes. The five year-old’s lips parted as she furrowed her eyebrows, looking just like her dad when he was confused. “Mommy?” Avalon’s worried voice prompted both Calum and their son, Niko, to look at the two girls.

“Hey, it’s okay, sweetheart.” Y/N said softly, running her fingers through Avalon’s long and curly hair. The little dog who’d been sleeping walked over to the little girl when he heard the distress in her voice, hoping to give her some comfort as he plopped down next to her, laying his head on her knee.

“Are you okay?” Avalon asked, biting her bottom lip nervously.

Before she could say anything else, another butterfly-in-the-stomach sensation jostled in her belly and this time Niko was just as confused as his twin. His brown eyes were swirling with a puzzled look and he sat up, no longer laying parallel to his mother’s body. “Did we hurt you, Mama?” He asked, his voice trembling. “Why’s your tummy moving?”

“No, I’m alright, babies.” Y/N cupped Niko’s cheek and stroked his cheekbone with her thumb, doing the same to her daughter. She looked from the innocent and concerned faces of her children to the knowing one of her husband. He smiled at her, an amused chuckle falling from his lips. She looked back to Avalon and Niko.

Calum cleared his throat before speaking, his little ones looking at their father for help. “That movement that you feel, it’s the baby in Mommy’s tummy. She’s kickin’ around in there.”

“Why? Does she not like Mommy?” Niko asked, tilting his head curiously.

Calum laughed once more and shook his head. “No, buddy. The baby loves Mommy, just like you, me, and Av do.” He kept his hand on his wife’s shin, his thumb subconsciously rubbing her smooth skin.

“Then why does she kick her?” Avalon spoke up, her hand pulled to her chest as she looked nervously at her mother’s stomach. “That’s not very nice.”

“She’s kicking because she’s happy. You know, she really likes when you talk to her.” Y/N explained, pressing the tips of her fingers around her belly to see if she could get a better feel of the kicks.

Niko raised an eyebrow, looking between his mother and father before whispering, “She can hear us?”

“Pretty cool, huh, Niko?” Calum asked with the biggest smile on his face. Niko’s own smile grew as he nodded. “Wanna see something?” He asked the twins, to which they eagerly nodded. Y/N had a feeling of what he wanted to show them so she turned to put her feet on the ground as her husband kneeled before her, Niko and Avalon watching from their seats on the couch.

Calum’s large hands went to her belly, his fingers lifting up her t-shirt to reveal his wife’s swollen stomach, her belly button poking out. Avalon giggled. “Look at Mama’s belly button!” Both of their children laughed at the silly little detail, making their parents smile fondly to themselves.

As he cupped her stomach with his large and warm hands, Calum’s wedding ring was cool against her skin. He looked up at the love of his life, his eyes on her face as she watched his hands on her stomach before looking back at him.

They shared a moment of silence between them. The sparkling look of devotion in their eyes saying something that simply didn’t need words to be conveyed. Her hands came down on top of his, her fingers lacing with his as he moved his hands up her stomach.

He leaned in to her body, his mouth inches away from her pregnant belly. All while keeping his eyes on hers, he began speaking to their child. “Hi, little one. It’s Daddy.” He said, immediately feeling the jostle of his daughter under his touch. The baby was big enough at this stage in her pregnancy that the baby’s kicking could be seen by the movement under her skin.

Y/N looked to her children and felt her heart swell as the awe that was etched across their nearly identical faces. From the day they were born, she’d been saying how glad she was that they looked so much like Calum. They were his carbon copies with their dark curls, their little noses, their brown eyes, and those heart-warming smiles that she had such a hard time saying ‘no’ to. She was hoping more than anything that the one residing inside of her would be just like the three people she loved most in the whole world.

“You know, your brother and sister are here, sweetheart. You gave them quite a scare when you started kicking Mama.” He chuckled, his happiness bursting from him at the kicks his unborn daughter made against his palms. “But I know that they’re so excited to meet you, they can’t wait for you to finally be here. And Mama and I can't wait to meet you. I love you, darling.”

“Can I say something, Daddy?” Niko asked, Calum nodding in return, moving away so his son could get close. He looked up at his mother, his brown eyes meeting hers as he set his hands on her tummy as Calum had been doing moments ago. She nodded encouragingly, giving him a gentle, reassuring smile.

He sighed before smiling to himself. “Hi, baby. I‘m Niko and I’m really excited to meet you. I’m gonna be the bestest big brother ever and I’ll share my toys with you all the time! I love you so much.” He said, tapping his fingers against his mom’s belly, feeling the baby’s feet move under his hand. He gasped and looked at Y/N. “That was so cool.”

“My turn!” Avalon exclaimed, slightly shoving her brother out of the way as she took his spot, putting her hands where his once were. As if she was realizing that she didn’t know what to do, she looked over at her father who was now holding Niko in his lap. She pouted, scrunching up her eyebrows and jutting out her lips like Calum had done many times before. “Daddy, I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s okay, sweetheart. Just introduce yourself and tell her you love her.” He suggested. “Say whatever you want.”

“Anything?” Avalon quirked an eyebrow.

Calum chuckled before nodding. “Anything.”

Avalon’s confident smile came back to her mouth, a fond gleam in her eyes as she looked at her mother’s stomach. “Okay, well, I’m Avalon. I like cookies and chicken nuggets, and I hope you do, too.” She said, her parents laughing at the unexpected things she said. They should’ve known that she’d say something like that, but in the moment, it was something they were not expecting. Their daughter continued on. “I’m gonna be your sister. And I love you already.”

Y/N felt her baby shift around again, her daughter beaming at the sight and feel. “You can kiss my belly if you want, my love.” Avalon leaned in and planted her lips on Y/N’s skin, leaving a bit of a slobbery kiss in her wake.

“Ooh! My turn!” Niko said, jumping off of Calum and onto the ground, getting on his knees. He left a sweet peck to the right of his mother’s belly button, genuinely surprised when he felt the unborn child kick up where he’d kissed. His eyes were wide and he laughed. “Whew. That was kinda scary, baby.”

“She did it because she loves you, Niko.” Y/N told him, smiling as he climbed back up on the couch and cuddled into her side. He wrapped his left arm around her front, leaning his head against her warm chest.

She felt her heart melt at how cuddly and sweet her little boy was. “I love you, Mama.”

“I love you, Niko. So so much.”

“Mommy, I love you, too.” Avalon whispered as she closed her eyes tiredly while laying against Calum’s chest.

Y/N planted a kiss on Avalon’s cheek. “I love you to the moon and back, Av.”

Niko tightened his hold on his mother as his eyes started drooping in exhaustion. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head as he yawned. “Come on, let’s get you two to bed.”

The family of four turned off the tv, Niko and Avalon in Calum’s arms as they all went up the stairs, their little dog hot on their heels. The parents took the twins to their room, laying them down in their separate beds. Calum kissed Avalon on the forehead, telling her how much he loved her before doing the same to Niko. Duke tiredly jumped up onto his bed, laying at his feet.

“Mommy, can we talk to the baby tomorrow?” Avalon’s sleepy voice asked. Y/N was sitting on the edge of her bed as she nodded, pushing a stray curl out her daughter’s face and behind her ear, cupping the child’s cheek in her palm.

“Only if you, Niko, and Daddy make me pancakes in the morning.” She whispered, relishing in the laugh that came from not only her daughter, but her husband as well. Avalon nodded and agreed to the deal. “Alright, get some sleep, Av.” Y/N gave Avalon a quick kiss on the nose before Calum grabbed her hand, helping her off the bed, the two of them walking towards the door and turning off the light.

Calum closed the door behind them and they made their way down the hall to their bedroom. Y/N pulled off her pajama shorts and her shirt before she crawled into bed, laying on her left side and waiting for Calum to lay down with her. She felt the bed dip behind her and his arm immediately wrapped around her body, one of his hands on her round stomach, tracing shapes on her skin. His body pressed against hers, his bare chest warm against her back and his legs tangled with hers.

“I can’t wait for you to have this baby.” He whispered, his stubbled chin scratching at the skin of her neck. She hummed and leaned back against him, her hand lacing with Calum’s on her tummy.

“Me too.” She sighed contently, closing her eyes. “You think the twins are excited?”

Calum smiled to himself, kissing his wife’s earlobe. “Definitely. They’re gonna be great with her.” His stomach fluttered at the thought of his growing family. He often found himself thinking how lucky he was to have found someone that he loved unconditionally.

Sometimes he’d just watch her and admire every little thing she was and every little thing she did. Because before her, he’d never been so infatuated with a single person. He never found himself with a rapid heart beat just at the sensation of lips slanting over his unless they were her lips. He never found himself with an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach when he had to pull away from a warm body in the morning unless it was her that had been pressed up against him all night. He was never left with goosebumps when fingertips gently grazed over his caramel skin unless it was her touch.

And sometimes he was so sure that his life was a dream. He was sure that he’d be woken up any minute and be drastically disappointed when he realized that he didn’t have his stunning partner laying her head over his heart as she slept or their beautiful children down the hall ready to raise some hell for the day. But then she touched him and anchored him back down into reality, reminding him that this was all real and that he was truly just that lucky.

Without her, without their family, he wasn’t sure where he’d be, who he’d be. Y/N, Avalon, and Niko were absolutely everything to him and he’d rather die than get a glimpse of what his life would have been like without them. So when he was woken up in the mornings to his look-alikes jumping on the bed and disturbing the serene moment that he and his wife shared, he wasn’t upset. He thanked whatever or whoever was listening for giving him absolutely everything he never knew he wanted.

With this in mind, he tightened his hold on Y/N, squeezing her hand and nuzzling his face into her shoulder. She stroked her thumb over his DSH tattoo, the metal of his silver bracelet cold against her skin. “You alright, baby?” She whispered, her voice sweet and full of genuine concern at him tensing up.

He was silent for a moment. “I never knew I could feel like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just… I never want to let go of what we have. I’m so happy, Y/N. I’ve never been so happy. You and our babies make me so happy. I’m so scared that I’m gonna lose it one day.”

Y/N turned over, laying on her back as she looked up at Calum, who was now resting his head on his left hand. He looked down at her, his fingers moving towards her face to gently trail over her cheek, his thumb tracing her oh so soft lips. “You make us so happy, Cal. You know that, right?”

He licked his lips and frowned, shrugging in response. “I don’t know. I’m just not here all the time and sometimes I feel like you guys deserve better than me. Like you deserve a better man than me.” He mumbled, watching as his hand cupped her cheek.

Her hand went over his, her fingers wrapping around his. The wedding ring she wore on her left hand glistened, catching his eye. She turned her head and kissed the heel of his palm. “You are the man of my dreams and I know with all my heart that there will never be another man who can love us like you do.” She said, her voice lowering as she emphasized her next words. “Who could love me like you do. Calum, I love you so much that it’s impossible to even breathe when you’re not here.”

Calum’s eyes visibly watered at the words he knew to be true and he closed his eyes before he leaned into her, his forehead resting against hers, nose nuzzling with hers. His lips grazed over her own as he spoke. “I’m so in love with you.” He pressed his lips to hers, putting all of the devotion in his heart into the way he kissed her. He fell in love with the magical taste she left seeping into his skin. He kissed her and God, he swore he could taste the next sixty years of his life.

Y/N’s eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks, lightly tickling his cheeks. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder, her fingers combing through the silky curls in the back of his head. Her leg hooked over his waist, pulling him closer into her body—well as close as she could being 30 weeks pregnant. She pulled his lip between her teeth, making him utter a breathy groan from the back of his throat. 

As he moved to hover over her, his hands pressing into the pillow on either side of her head, his stomach pressed to hers. He parted her mouth with his, before allowing their tongues to find one another. With his body pressed against hers, he suddenly felt a jostle beneath him, a movement from her stomach kicking him in the abdomen.

His lips pulled off of hers and he looked down between them where the kick had come from. With a laugh, he looked back up at his wife. She smiled brightly at him, her lips swollen as she parted, clearly breathless from his kiss. “I think she wants to say that she loves you, too, Cal.” She said to him.

“Well, I love her so much more.” He told her before moving down her body, laying next to her stomach. His hand pressed against her belly, to the right of her bulging belly button. “I can’t wait to meet you, Leia.”

“Leia?” Y/N asked, her fingers running through his hair, fingernails gently scratching at his scalp.

Calum smiled bashfully and nodded. “I think it suits her, don’t you?” She pulled him back up towards her and kissed him softly, her hand holding his strong jaw. He chuckled and looked unto her eyes fondly. “I’ll take that as a yes?” His brow raised in question.

“It’ll be a yes if you keep me warm all night long.” She teased him with a smirk, turning on her side once more. He agreed with yet another laugh and pressed his body back into hers, spooning her. His hand went to her stomach again and another kick pressed to his palm.

“That can be arranged, my love.” He whispered in her ear, kissing her bare shoulder. His wife was quick to fall asleep and all Calum was left to do was hold her, knowing he was the luckiest man alive.

-

thank you for reading! let me know what you thought?

[rainbowsandcoconut]

Just Saw you like getting questions, so here goes. A followup on the travel favorites. You mentioned it was difficult to narrow down. Would a top ten be easier? I always look for new inspiration LOTR being your first fandom but have you ever been into something no one else understood? 😊

HIIII! 💕 This totally made my night. I am honestly so surprised anyone would care enough to send me an ask, this is so sweet 🥰 Anyone wanting to talk or ask anything should absolutely feel free, I’d love it!

I’m gonna start with the last question since the travel one will definitely be longer 😊

I’ve been into a lot of things no one in real life understood haha. Like Supernatural back during seasons 1-3 ish when I was obsessed and my friends would get tired of me talking about it all the time (thank god for LiveJournal), or cycling (road and track) that I got super into watching one summer and ended up going all over the country to see races and do some photography for, for a few years.

Now traveling. Oh man, you’re really making me miss the days where travel was allowed and where I could afford it lol. Thanks for this question though, it’s really put me in a good mood to remember some of my trips, I hope these don’t disappoint. In case anyone hasn’t seen 3 of my fave travel memories, they’re over here. And now I’m going to spam you all with 10 more of my fave memories from trips. I had to try to go with ones I could find my pics from and I mostly managed, apart from Norway, so here we go:

1. Flying an airplane in Wanaka, New Zealand 🛩 

I got to actually fly a plane! It only fit 2 people (and a cat) and I feel like I was allowed to do waaay too much, likely because it was my instructor’s first time taking someone inexperienced up so he let me do most of take off and also fly most of the trip, and then he even offered to talk me through landing it but I’m not insane so he ended up doing that part on his own. It was super freaking cool, and the view was absolutely breathtaking.

2. Seeing the Northern Lights, Tromsø, Norway

My best friend did her master’s in Tromsø so I went to visit her for a week in November 2018. I was a bit worried it was too early in the season to see the Northern Lights but one night the whole sky was full of dancing green light! We went up the top of a mountain and stayed there until we couldn’t stand the cold any longer, and it was just an incredible night. I didn’t manage to get any good photos with my phone so I just stole this off Google but it’s pretty accurate

3. Meeting Rachel Bloom in NYC last year

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is one of my favourite shows, and it’s really meant a lot to me. Yes, it’s a comedy with musical numbers but it also portrays struggles with mental health more realistically than any other show I’ve seen and that’s something I’ve really both needed and appreciated. Rachel is a comedic genius, and her show has helped me through a few tough times, so being able to not only see CXG live at Radio City Music Hall but also get to talk to Rachel after the show made it an incredible night.

4. Watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The history of the Angkor temples is so fascinating, and I managed to get myself up early enough to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat several times. For anyone who may want to go, my advice would be to not elbow your way to the front of the lake, but stand a bit further back while the majority of the tourists scramble to get a good spot. About 90% of them will disappear into the temple once the sun has offically risen and it’s gotten light out, but you want to stay by the lake. The sun takes longer than you think to actually rise above the temple, and by the time it gets there, most people will have left and the area will be much quieter and more peaceful and will give you a chance to really take in the sunrise. Each time I kept thinking maybe the sun wasn’t super bright or the clouds would cover it some because it seemingly took so long, but staying is absolutely worth it.

5. Early morning Alms Giving in Luang Prabang, Laos

This almost felt like a moment I wasn’t supposed to see but the owner of the guest house I was staying at assured me I was fine to watch. I wasn’t staying in the center of the city, and I was the only tourist out to watch the long procession in this neighbourhood which made the experience feel extra special and authentic as opposed to how crowded I’ve heard it can sometimes be in the city center.

6. Going to Lawrence, Kansas in 2009

Seeing as I mentioned being very into SPN above, I’ll include my trip to Lawrence, Kansas on this list. I went solely because my friend and I thought it’d be funny to do so because of its connection to Supernatural. We got invited to lunch by the owner of a souvenir shop who was delighted to hear I was from Denmark because her husband had a friend whose dad had once been. We stayed in Kansas City, and I got lost on my way back from the post office one day. An older lady in a car stopped by the streetlight I was at and offered me a ride back to my hotel which I gratefully accepted, only I started to rethink that decision once I realized that the footwell of her car was so full of bibles, I had to step on them, and the passenger door could not be opened from the inside. Obviously I realized this after I was in the car but while I was somewhat freaked out, I still agreed with her that us going past the McDonalds Drive Thru before my hotel was a good idea so her and I could get to know each other a bit... I was way too trusting back then but hey, I didn’t die so yay?

7. Driving a moped for the first time on Phu Quoc, Vietnam

I don’t have a license for any kind of vehicle and I have never driven any either (apart from a car twice on completely deserted, straight roads) but the owners of the hostel I was staying at insisted it was the best way to get around the island. Once of them tried to show me how it worked on her own moped, then let me try for a couple of minutes and then declared that she’d rent me one for the next day even though she was too afraid to sit on the back while I was practising because my accelerating and breaking were super abrupt. So the next day off I went. I drove into a tree and a sign in the street, got a lot of concerned looks, and I probably broke any and all traffic laws but I had such a fun time and I got to see some incredibly beautiful beaches that I don’t know how I could’ve gotten to without the moped. Important note for anyone doing this: remember sun cream! I sadly don’t have any photos of the moped, but I did take this photo of one of the beaches I visited:

8. Going to Obama’s first inauguration in January 2009 in Washington DC

I’ve always been into American politics and that interest peaked around 2008, so just in time to watch Obama get elected, and I knew I had to try to go to DC when I started planning my first ever US trip for 2009. I didn’t manage to get onto The Mall as I only made my way downtown around 6 am but I got a spot on Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade. I have never been so cold in my entire life but I’ve also never experienced the kind of euphoria and excitement from a crowd that I did that day. There truly was a feeling of hope for a real change, and I talked to the absolutely friendliest, kindest people while we waited. Plus I got to see Barack and Michelle Obama wave at me (in my direction anyway) as they were walking down Penn Ave which I’ll forever remember.

9. Going to Kangaroo Island, Australia

I love kangaroos. So much. I will never get over how cool they are. And I got to bottle feed joeys (baby kangaroos) on this island, as well as pet a bunch of tame adult ones, and see sooo many wild ones. Plus I got to see lots of koalas and other wildlife, as well as the beauty of the island. My friend did technically hit a kangaroo (or wallaby) when we were driving after dark but she’s Australian and didn’t take it quite as hard as I did.

10. Seeing the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

I’ve just always loved this building. And seeing it in real life did not disappoint.

[btsqualityy]

BTS Toddler Series #16: Potty Training

Kim Seokjin

You walked into Kaiden’s room, smiling widely when you saw him still fast asleep. You leaned down in his bed, rubbing the top of his head gently.

“Kade,” you whispered. “Time to get up buddy.” He whined, turning onto his side to face you as he opened his eyes.

“Mommy,” he pouted as he slowly sat up.

“Good morning baby,” you smiled. “Wanna get up now?” He nodded his head and you grabbed his hands, helping him out of the bed. Once he was stable on the floor, he looked up at you with hooded eyes.

“Did you have any accidents last night?” You asked him and he shook his head. “Do you have to go to the potty now?” You wondered and he nodded. Grabbing his hand in yours, you lead him out of his room and into the bathroom that was directly across the hall. You then helped him out of his pull up and stood there while he relieved himself.

“Done mommy,” he announced and you grabbed a new pull up from the cabinet underneath the sink to put on him. Once he was fully clothed again, you kissed his forehead as he looked up at you.

“Go get daddy?” He asked and you nodded.

“Yeah, go ahead. He’s in bed,” you told him and that’s all he needed to hear before he bounced out of the bathroom.

Min Yoongi 

You stood in the middle of the aisle in the store, trying to make a decision about which brand to buy. 

“Y/N-ah,” you heard and you turned to your left, seeing Yoongi walking towards you with Kinsley in his arms. “We were wondering where you had run off to.”

“I just wanted to come check something out that I’ve been thinking of,” you shrugged, turning back to the rack in front of you.

“Underwear?” Yoongi asked. 

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Kinsley has been doing so good with potty training that I thought maybe we could take the next step and transition her out of pull ups to wearing real underwear.”

“You think she’s ready for that?” He wondered as he adjusted Kinsley on his hip.

“Let’s ask her,” you suggested as you grabbed two different packs of underwear and held them up. “Sweetheart, do you want some underwear?” Kinsley eyed the two packs in your hands before reaching out for the one that was in your right hand, and you handed it to her.

“Pretty,” she murmured as she pointed to the package and held it up for Yoongi to see. 

“It is pretty baby girl,” Yoongi agreed.

“Would you like to get those? You could wear them,” you told her and she nodded without hesitation. “Well, that settles it.”

“Well, alright,” Yoongi grumbled wearily. “I don’t have to like it though.”

Kim Namjoon

“Good morning,” you said as you walked into the kitchen and Namjoon looked up from his bowl of cereal and smiled widely.

“Morning jagi,” he greeted and you walked over to him, leaning down to press a kiss to his lips. You then moved over to Mason, who was working on eating his own smaller bowl of cereal.

“Morning Myungie,” you cooed, kissing his forehead and running your fingers through his hair.

“Hi mommy,” he mumbled back, his mouth full of food.

“Did you go potty yet?” You asked and he nodded immediately.

“Went all by himself too,” Namjoon added, making you smile.

“Such a big boy,” you mumbled as you kissed his cheek before walking away from him. “Are you gonna take him to daycare today, or am I?”

“I have an early meeting with the boys so you’ll have to,” Namjoon replied and you nodded before looking at the clock for the time.

“I better go get dressed then,” you muttered as you sped walked out of the kitchen. You went to the bathroom and barely made it two full steps inside before you felt something wet underneath your foot. Furrowing your eyebrows, you looked down and your eyes widened in realization.

“Namjoon!” You shouted and you heard fumbling before Namjoon appeared in the doorway of the bathroom. “When you let Mason use the bathroom by himself, did you check behind him after he was done?”

“Nooo,” Namjoon answered slowly, dragging out the last syllable. “Was I supposed to?”

“Look at the floor Namjoon,” you snarled and he did so, his eyes widening when he noticed what you were standing in.

“My bad,” Namjoon chuckled nervously, making you sigh heavily as you seriously contemplated divorcing your husband.

Jung Hoseok

“What the hell Y/N-ah?” Hobi gasped, his mouth hanging open dramatically.

“Oh, stop being so extra,” you laughed. “It was just a suggestion.”

“But said suggestion was that I should potty Lennox while you potty train Berk and that’s not fair,” he pouted.

“Ok first off, that’s not what the suggestion was. All I said was that since we want to start potty training them, you should be the one to explain it to Lennox and I’ll explain it to Berk,” you clarified.

“And why should we do that?”

“It’s simple: you have the same body parts as Lenny so it might help him understand better,” you explained. “The same idea applies to me and Berk.”

“So I wouldn’t be stuck doing the whole ‘potty training, accidents all the time’ thing by myself?” He asked for clarification.

“Of course not Hobi,” you scoffed as you rolled your eyes. “We’re a team, therefore we’re going to potty train them as a team.” 

“I can work with that,” Hobi smiled before leaning over and kissing your cheek. “Now, let’s just hope that they cooperate.”

Park Jimin 

“Mommy.” You groan lightly, opening your eyes to see Noah standing next to your side of the bed with teary eyes.

“Noah? What are you doing up so early?” You asked him as you sat up to look at him. He started to cry harder, which made your eyes widen in surprise.

“Hey hey baby boy,” you cooed, setting your hands on his chubby cheeks and wiping his tears away. “Why are you crying?”

“Accident,” he whimpered. 

“Accident? What accident Noey?” You wondered. Noah wordlessly pointed to his pants and you looked down, realization washing over you when you saw the wet spot on the front of his pajama pants.

“Oh Noah,” you sighed, pulling him close to you and hugging him tightly. “It’s ok that you had an accident.”

“Noah bad,” he muttered as he shook his head and you pulled him away from your chest to look at his face. “Not a big boy.”

“You are not bad Noah,” you told him firmly. “You’ve been doing so good, it’s ok that you had an accident and guess what?”

“What?”

“Even big boys have accidents sometimes,” you said. You leaned forward and left kisses all over his cheek, making him giggle at the feeling. “Here, wanna go clean up and change clothes and then come cuddle with mommy and daddy?” You asked him and he nodded rapidly. You got out of the bed and grabbed his hand, leading him into the bathroom.

Kim Taehyung

“Go potty!” Spencer chirped and you groaned loudly before looking over at Taehyung.

“Don’t look at me, I took her last time and it turned out to be a false alarm,” he snorted. Since the two of you had started trying to potty train Spencer, you had come up with the idea of a sticker chart where every time that Spencer successfully used the bathroom, she got to choose a sticker and put it on the chart that hung on your refrigerator.

“Ok so in hindsight, the chart might’ve been a bad idea,” you admitted. “But at least she’s excited about using it though.”

“Mommy, potty,” Spencer whined and you sighed heavily before getting up and letting her take your head as you both headed to the bathroom. Once you got to the bathroom, you helped her pull down the pull up that she had on before sitting her on her small potty that was up against the wall. You waited for a few seconds and you heard the telltale sound of her going.

“Such a good girl,” you smiled, running your hand over her head. “All done?” You asked her and she nodded. You helped her clean up before fixing her pull up and her clothes.

“Sticker now?” She wondered and you laughed while nodding your head.

“Yeah, you can put a sticker up now,” you confirmed as you both walked out of the bathroom. You walked into the kitchen, grabbing the sticker book from the top of the fridge before handing it to Spencer for her to pick one.

“Did she actually go?” Tae questioned as he walked into the kitchen.

“Yep, didn’t even hesitate,” you answered. Spencer finally chose a sticker and reached up until she was standing on her tip toes, pressing the sticker onto her chart.

“Great job Munchkin,” Tae praised.

Jeon Jungkook

“Is this what the rest of our lives are going to be like?” Jungkook asked from his spot on the bathroom floor. You were sitting on the toilet, the cover down, while Ava sat in front of you on her little miniature potty. 

“Don’t be dramatic Kook,” you chuckled.

“I’m not, I’m being serious,” he clarified. “We’ve been potty training her for a month now and she still won’t even sit on the potty unless we’re in here with her. So, to reiterate my question, is this what the rest of our lives are going to be like? Sitting in the bathroom with her so that she uses the potty?”

“Not every kid takes to using the potty immediately,” you shrugged. “It might take a while.”

“How long? Because we’ve been sitting here for 30 minutes and I haven’t heard so much as a tinkle,” Jungkook pointed out. You looked down at Ava, who was looking back and forth between you and Jungkook as she sucked on her pacifier.

“Do you have to go potty Ave?” You asked her and she nodded her head.

“Are you gonna potty sometime today then Angel?” Jungkook interjected, yelping loudly when you kicked his leg. Another 10 minutes passed as the three of you sat there in silence until suddenly, you heard the sound of tinkling.

“Good girl Ava,” you praised, helping her wipe herself before standing her up and fixing her pants.

“Good job Angel,” Jungkook smiled, holding up his hand and letting Ava give him a high five.

[angelkurenai]

Living on - Steve Rogers x Reader - Part 2

Avengers: Endgame SPOILERS BELOW read at your own risk

Title: Living on

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader, Tony Stark x Reader

Warnings: Avengers: Endgame spoilers

Summary: After losing your husband and father of your child, Tony, in the big fight against the mad titan Thanos you feel incredibly lost. Thankfully you have your friends by your side all the time, Steve Rogers more than anybody else cating to your every need and doing his best to help you be happy again. If only you could see him as a friend. After lots of time Steve himself admits to having feelings for you and how he is willing to wait for you. The real question is, are you ready to move on from Tony?

Read Part 1 here!

“He loves you.”

Did the words shock you? Perhaps not as much as they should. Did Tony saying those words shock you? You had no idea in all honesty.

“He loves you. He loves you so incredibly much, more than words can say. He always has. You may ask, how do I know this? Ah long story but baby I'm Tony Stark and above all... a man madly in love with you. Takes one to know one. That's not really the point here.” he shifted in his place, his eyes back on you “Does he love you more than me? Hm definitely not. I'm Tony Stark and I'm Iron Man.” he shrugged with a small scoff and a smile on his lips “But does he love you enough to make you smile and sing and dance and be purely happy for the rest of your life? Definitely yes.”

You didn't know if you should be relieved or feel another weight rest on your chest. For how long had he really known? For how long had he had to deal with the doubt of you leaving him? You knew you always subconsciously tried to fight whatever part of your heart that loved Steve and focus only on Tony – which wasn't really that hard because of how much you loved the latter – but you always tried not to let him notice and somehow you had apparently failed. For how long had you unwillingly hurt him you didn't know and even more didn't want to know. What you wanted to know, though, was why he didn't look in any pain. He didn't look like a man that was broken he'd lose the woman he loved to another man. More like one that had accepted his fate and that made things only worse for you and your heart.

It only made you wonder how many times had he gone through something like this. Ready to let you go to Steve only to find out he still had you and probably fear when the moment would really come.

“Thing is, Steve is good. Steve is, well, a total sweetheart and the absolute dream boyfriend. He's also got a good ass, that's one of your things isn't it? Of course it is.” that one did earn a small laugh from you, even if it choked on a sob “You wouldn't be with me if you didn't have a thing for that. Granted, you've always also had good taste but this is not about me now.”

“Uh my point is, he cares about you. He cares enough to do anything in his power to make you happy. I mean, we didn't see to eye on so many things but if there is one thing that we could agree on it's you. 100%. It's you, you being happy. We'd both do anything to make sure of it.” he took a small breath “Do I feel good knowing he'll be there for you and not me? Probably more than I expected. Jealous? Oh you bet your beautiful ass. But it's something I'm used to. He's always been part of your life, just like me, in a different yet very similar way. And if there's one I know that will do this, one that I trust to do this, it's him. Don't tell him that, not yet, just let him be a bit bitter about what happened.”

“I don't want you to feel guilty either. I know that you love me. It's kind of like... an intuition? I didn't use to believe in those but after everything that's happened, I cannot ignore it. Frankly, I need it too.” he sighed, rubbing his eyes for a second “And it feels good. Because you've always done your best to show me how much you love me even if a small part of your heart always kind of belonged to him. You've stood by my side through thick and thin, even when I was the biggest pain in the ass. You made me feel more loved than I had ever dreamed off, how can I be mad about that? And now... life goes on. That's how they say, isn't it?”

“I was thinking-” he cleared his throat “I was thinking- What was it? Oh yeah Steve and you. I think I've always had a feeling about it. Did it bother me? Not as much as it should. Plus, the sex was always better afterwards.” he shrugged but it was tired and you could practically see the energy slowly but surely leaving his body as it showed on his smirk “Guess that's why I was always a bit too competitive with him. I didn't hate him, no, by no means. And we didn't argue because of you so don't- don't blame yourself for that. It's just that he and I didn't agree on many things. I mean, yes, we did agree on loving you and for that I could never hate him. I think despite all of it, there was a deeper understanding. He couldn't control his heart and neither can you. And that's why I can't stay mad at you either. For what you may ask. Well, it's simple...”

“For moving on with him.” he looked you straight in the eyes “You want it. You will want it. Either way, the way I see it, Steve is your future. And I know he'll want it too... Do I want it? Yes and no. If by some miracle, which I doubt will come, I make it, I'd give everything to be with you again. But that's not the case, I'm not making it out of here and as much as it kills me to know it, I'm also a bit relieved to know you'll have him there. Or at least hope you do.”

He hoped you could be with another man? How could he hope such a thing? How could he even care only about your happiness even during his final moments? Or even at least the moments he thought would be his last. It made the pain twist your heart painfully inside your chest even more. Despite the differences he had with Steve he was willing to let it all go for your sake. You knew he had long ago forgotten the man for the secrets he'd kept from him just for your sake. He could always see how much it was tearing you apart on the inside so after the fight with the Captain, he never once mentioned it to you because he hated having to make you pick a side.

“What am I trying to say? Well it's simple.” he sighed softly, smiling lovingly “I want you to keep living on without me. You can do it, I know you can. And I want you to enjoy this, I want you to live this. To live your life with him and oh it's going to be a wonderful life. I am calm knowing that he's going to be there for you, to give you what your heart had always desired and that only he could-”

You couldn't do it. Not because you were listening to Tony say something like this but because during his last hours he could be thinking about something like this. How long had he even known? There were far too many questions that couldn't be answered, especially not just a couple hours before-

With a shaky breath you stopped the message, making the hologram disappear. Fighting the tears from your eyes seemed like the hardest task possible at the moment. You thought you had cried to the point you were completely dry when you first lost him but apparently there was still so much more left in you. Only that this time, and after all these years, it felt like with the tears came a sudden need that you couldn't deny or fight. You wanted to hate yourself but when Tony didn't, why should you? You needed Steve to hold you right now so bad, just like had done from the first moment. Thinking back to it, you could almost feel it too.

“Feels like today was never gonna to end.” you muttered, letting out a shaky breath as you leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Better days will come. You'll see that.” Steve's voice was reassuring and as expected when you looked up, you saw his eyes were already on you “But that will unfortunately take time and you have to be strong for your daughter. But I'm not worried about that.” the smile was soft on his lips as he turned towards the sink and spoke in a low voice, the way someone would utter a secret or a confession “I always knew you were the strongest Avenger.”

As hard as it was to believe at that moment, the corners of your lips lifted into a smile and your heart managed to feel just a bit lighter “Just don't tell Thor this. It's going to break his poor heart.” your teasing words earned a soft chuckle from him that felt so intoxicating and even more like a true breath of fresh air that you had not managed to take in over 24 hours. But sadly, it took only second for your smile to fall.

“Besides... I think we all know who the strongest Avenger really was. There's no point in-” you choked in your words when you thought about your dead husband. Steve paused mid-movement and looked at you full of worry, eyebrows furrowed deeply.

You noticed, of course, but shook your head to reassure him and mostly to shake off some of the pain “I'm fine. I'm fine.” you cleared your throat but he didn't seem convinced in the least bit “I'm actually starting to thing it's you Rogers that's going through a rough time. And I mean probably worse than mine.”

“Why do you say that?” he looked at you over his shoulder, concerned look ever present.

“Because the Steve I know would take out his problems on a punching bag and not in a kitchen washing dishes after having spent his time cooking dinner for about three hours.”

“Why? Didn't you like it? I thought Morgan enjoyed-”

“It was excellent and I'm sure she's going to be giving you puppy eyes very soon to cook it again but-” you raised a finger, moving to stand beside him and have a better look at him “That's not the point Steve. Cooking, letting Morgan play with the new shield and even joining in when she asks you to, cleaning the table, wash the dishes, trying to-”

“I just thought that since I had nothing better to do that I'd do something nice for you and her. I'm ure you ave so much on your mind, wouldn't be bad to take one worry off your shoulders.” he said in a soft voice, wiping his hands with a towel “I believed that you could probably use some-”

“Help?” you questioned, eyebrow raised and face stern although always loving because how could you ever stop caring for this man? Your heart would always beat for Tony, sure, but it would always beat for Steve as well whether you could admit it or not. “Do I look like I need any help with that Steve? I'm handling it just fine. Why shouldn't I be? Because I lost my husband no more than 24 hours ago? Because he got the ending he always thought he would but never wished for? The ending I tried so hard for over so many years to convince him he wouldn't have? Because I'm left with a little girl all alone and have to show life moves on and so should we? Because I'll have to hide my tears when she asks about her father or when I see her play with his things? Because Tony Stark is gone and there is nothing I or anybody else can ever do to bring him back? Because I am alive and he's not? Because he'd somehow-”

“No” he said breathlessly, eyes wide “No. No no. (Y/n). (Y/n)!” he tried to reach out to you, his hands took hold of your shoulders and gave a shake “(Y/n), listen to me. Hear me out here. Calm down- Calm down!... Please. Please, you're gonna wake up Morgan, (Y/n).” the mention of your daughter's name managed to make the words stop pouring from your lips. Squeezing your eyes shut, you let the tears roll down your cheeks and Steve to pull your shaking body closer to his.

After all the crying you'd done one would think this would end faster but it really didn't seem to want to end, not until realization dawned on you. Placing your hands softly on Steve's chest you gave him a small push and pulled completely away from him. Not meeting his eyes and while wiping out your tears you finally whispered in a hoarse voice “You shouldn't be here Steve.”

“What?” the gasp was very much audible in his voice “(Y/n)...” he tried to reach out for you again but you took a step back, wrapping your arms around your middle and he only let his hand drop, an exhale leaving “You can tell me anything you want, but that is not going to change my opinion. I am here and I will stay here for as long as I can. You may think you're all alone with Morgan after Tony left but you have friends, (Y/n), you have me.You do need your friends by your side and you do need their help, there's nothing wrong with that. Because it's not out of weakness.”

“Is that why you're here then?” you whispered, finally looking up to meet his eyes “Is that why you're doing all this too? Because you're a friend?” you were sure he could as well understand all the things you wanted to say with the last question, all the things you didn't dare voice out loud especially now that your husband had just died. The guilt was eating you up on the inside already as it was but if you did say it, if you admitted to not seeing Steve as only a friend, then you didn't know what would happen.

“Because we're family.” he breathed out “Because I care about you. Because I know how well you can hold your own but also because you need a shoulder to lean on, we all do. Because I can't bear the thought of leaving you alone during a moment like this. That's why I'm here. We've always been and it was Natasha who made me realize this. I've left you and let you down far too many times, I don't plan on doing it again. Especially this time. If I did something like that again, I would never forgive myself for it. And if you fear that someone could... think I have other reasons then-” he shrugged, placing the towel back on its place “It's their fault. I could never take advantage of you or the situation like this. You of all people know it. But if, for whatever reason, you doubt it then I could always-”

“No” the word left your lips so fast that it surprised you more than him. When you looked down you realized you had reached out for him, taking hold of his arm. You slowly let your hand fall as your head lowered “I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. It's just-” you stopped yourself and he tilted his head to the side, eyes filled with worry until you looked back up at him “You could've stayed. Today, when you returned the stones, Steve. You could have stayed... back then. With her. But you didn't and I just- Why?”

“Her? You mean... Peggy?” he asked reluctantly before you gave him a weak nod. He held your gaze for a couple secondsbefore he smiled a bit sadly, shaking his head as he glanced down “I could have, yes. I could stayed there after I'd put the stones in their right place. Maybe until I had a long life and cam back when the time was right. I could have had the life I didn't get with Peggy, a marriage and kids probably and nothing bad was going to happen here because we still would've won.” he nodded his head and you kept yours still hanging low, not ready to show him or even dare admit to yourself how much the prospect of him staying with Peggy hurt you and even more made the jealousy burn deep within your heart “But-” and the kind of hope that word gave you, the way it made your heart rate pick up only added onto the guilt “Once I saw her, I realized I couldn't do it. I mean, I never really felt like I could but when you have the opportunity to yu kind of give it a second thought, don't you? Well, I did and it just didn't feel right. Being with her didn't. None of it did and in the end... I realized Tony was right.”

“T-Tony?” you whispered your husband's name with a frown.

Steve hummed, nodding his head “Well, for one, he always told me I need to get a life. Plus, we uh had a talk before we went to search for the stones and thinking back to his words... he really was right and I think I'm going to listen to his advice once more.”

“His advice?” you said shakily “Does that have anything to do with the new shield?”

“Probably something like his last wish, you could say. And uh it sort of has to do with the shield.” he smiled a bit “You saw Morgan play with it huh? Granted, she wouldn't let go, of that and her father's helmet, so we might have a new little Avenger there. But uh yeah, some of it has to do with the shield too. Or basically the title itself. I'm... I'm thinking of passing it all down, to Sam of course, at some point. Soon I hope. Giving up the fight. I mean, my fight and my war is already over so... yeah.”

“A-and after that you'll do... what? Go where?” the thought of losing him scared you to the bone.

“Well, going home would seem like a good option. That is... if home is willing to take me.” there was a level of uncertainty and even fear in his voice, but without him needing to say anything else you could already understand all the words that he still held back and felt an odd sense of peace.

“I'm sure it is.”

Opening your eyes, which you had not even realized you closed, you felt the tear roll down your cheeks yet a strange feeling set in your heart. One that you knew very well but had almost forgotten all this time. One that you wanted to feel again. 

Before you could regret it or change your mind, you reached for your phone and made the call.

[livinasimminlife]

Dear David...

If you’ve kept up with The Krazy Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright, you’ll know about the appearance of the Bayless family from Twinbrook. If not, then, ***minor spoiler alert!***

Davis Lamar is related to them... a.k.a. David Bayless. Arc 34, Remembering, briefly features the Bayless family. I decided to share some stills from my gameplay for fun. 

Avery Bayless (14)  is rather angry that the soda machine ate her simoleons. She really hoped for a refreshing drink after school.

Dear David, I really hate this blasted machine! I wish you were here to reach up with your long arms and grab the cola. 

Frustrated, Avery gives up and comes home to play ball with her brother, Taye on their Bayuck swamp farm.

The days and nights kinda blend together, but every night, Taye and I play ball. It’s kinda nice. I know he wouldn’t admit it but he’s grown to be handsome while you’ve been gone... er... except for those ears! 

Taye Bayless (17) tosses a baseball with his sister, Avery near the swamp. He’s taking a break from studying for exams, and he adores his kid sister. 

At least I can wear my hair long to cover mine. The girls at school still make fun of me. I don’t know if I can ever show my face again there after falling flat on my pimply nose while trying to get that blasted cola!

Avery and Taye play ball in the yard near the water tower that provides fresh water for the Bayless family. Also Avery’s sporting her rainboots since the ground can be quite mushy in the swamps. Avery shares a special relationship with Taye as they both love the outdoors and are active. 

But here on the farm, I can just be goofy self and laugh and play in the yard. No one’s gonna see me with all this swamp grass ‘round. Don’t feel like you gotta write back. It’s just stupid stuff here, really. Don’t even know howta end so bye, I guess. ~ Aves

Skye Bayless (16) plays the bass much like their older half-brother, Davis. They also have a flamboyant style. In game, when Skye aged up from toddler to child, they had a feminine hairstyle, and when they aged up to teen, Skye was actually wearing a dress. I decided Skye is gender fluid as the game encouraged me, preferring they/their as pronouns. Look at the pure joy on their face! 

Evening hangs in sultry skies; the heat of sweetgrass swaying in the sweaty breeze. The scent of sun-soaked tea tickles my nose and tempts me away from practice. I ponder little and then I play the love song only Bayucks know and beat my foot upon the porch wood. I strum the notes you taught me b’fore and think of the soft twangs on a sweltering night that barely scratch the sky for which I’m named.

Skye shares a room with their older brother, Taye. Taye is a studious kid and is looking forward to university and getting out of the backwater swamp. Here he practicing writing his speech. 

How do I start? I miss you sounds trite. I love you sounds stupid. But I do, mmkay? Uni apps are due soon and M’as breathi’n down’em my neck, but ya know...what she dont’ realize is I really wanna go and be out there in the world. And somehow I know its tough for ya’s now, but you make it seem okay... that the world aint so scary if you can face everythin’g that’s you have and still come out okay. So hang on... oh and um... when you get home... I still need help with apos’trophes. - Love, Taye (and yeah, Im cool with mushyness but dont’cha tell Ma). 

Little River (5) Bayless is sad. She misses her big brother very much. She also lost her doll somewhere and fears the dog took off and buried it somewhere in the swamp. 

Dear David, I miss you. I love you. My dolly is gone. I think the dog took it. I think the dog put it in the yard in the ground. I wish you was here. We could dig it up to...to...too...(it’s a big word - Chase helped me). together. ~ River 

Shepherd Skeet Bayless may live in the Bayuck swamp, but he’s far from backward. True, he prefers the simple life, but he takes pride in his swamp farming skills. Here he tends to the sweetgrass his family has grown for generations and practices his sermons. After all, plants are very good listeners.

 Son, I miss you. We can’t wait for you to be home. I think it would be good to spend time in the garden together. Plants have a healing nature to them. After all, the Good Lord gave us a garden to tend to give us purpose and a place. Enclosed are my notes from my latest sermon, some psalms, and a few of your favorite hymns. I’ve taken to preaching to the plants. I know it’s dumb, probably, but they listen. I hope you’ll listen and know that you just get well and get home soon, okay? 

At twilight, Chase Bayless (19), all grown up, and capturing the land she calls home on the canvas. It’s a cooler evening than most, the mists of the swamp rising up to provide some low haze. She’s home on break from uni, an Education major, and she took up painting to unwind.

Dear David, I don’t want you to worry about me. Shark Racket broke my heart all those years ago and I know how angry you were. But today he brought me a cake. He dropped it off on the porch and ran away like a sissy, but I saw him through the curtains. I think he heard about your situation somehow. Townsfolk talk. The parishoners whisper among themselves on Sundays and I don’t like it. But you don’t need to worry about it. I’ll bop any of ‘em on the nose if they speak badly about you. 

Ma Bayless... Gwayne, that is, has enchantress abilities. She hoped at least one of her children would inherit her supernatural genes, but alas! No matter how many kids she popped out, not one of them is “special.” She takes out her frustrations by crafting potions (legal and illegal) in the attic of the Bayless Manor. 

Ma’am’s spendin’ most nights in the attic. I don’t think she’d admit it, but she feels guilty. She’s working on the perfect stress potion. She says it’s for her, but I don’t think so. I hear her mumblin’ to herself, hissing at herself, and she says your name a lot and that she’s uh... failed you. Don’t tell her I said that. She’d probably wring my neck like a spring chicken. 

Avery, like her siblings, Davis and Skye, loves music. It brings a smile to her face every time she can tickle the ivories in the evenings. What southern home is complete without a family music room? 

The armless statue of the goddess Veni offends Pa Bayless, but Chase brought the beauty back from her studies abroad in Sim Union. After three days of arguing, Gwayne finally convinced her husband to keep the peace and allow the lady to be on display. 

Did I tell you I got to study abroad? You aren’t the only Bayless to travel now, big brother. I betcha can see my smile. I can still try and one up you, ya know? I spent some time in Championne, in the City of Lights. Oh it was beautiful! I wish you could’ve seen all the art and culture and that you could taste the scones. I’ll make you some when you return.You still like blueberries, right?

I’ve enclosed some of my silly scribblings from the trip. I hope you don’t mind. Tonight I’m painting on the porch. I can hear Skye and Avery both play different songs, and yet somehow they blend so beautifully. I think you’ve inspired them. 

When she isn’t enchanting, Gwayne likes to feel the earth between her fingers. After all, an enchantress has a special relationship with nature. It’s the only time she can be “free” and doesn’t feel the pressures of motherhood and her business management career. 

And Ma’am too. You know she loves you in her own way. She spends more time in the garden now than she ever did, in the section we used to call yours. She’s trying to cut back on her hours at city hall. I think she misses you. But yeah, don’t tell her I said it. This is our secret. 

Taye gets in a late night workout in a dark corner of the attic. He really wants to grow out of the “skinny boy” stereotype. Alas! I don’t think he’ll grow into those ears! 

Taye’s upstairs now fighting on the weight machine like you always did. He’s determined not to be so scrawny anymore. 

In the backyard, River plays pirate in the treehouse. Land Ho! 

And River... I caught her in the treehouse you built with her and Pa tonight. She sleeps out there most nights, playing pirate into the wee morning hours. She says she’s lookin’ out for you over the Gulf. You’ve got a guardian angel you know that? Well, I should sleep. I’ve got an online class in the morning and I need my beauty rest. I hope you’re hanging in there. Hurry home. ~ Yours, Chase 

Hope you enjoyed! 

(The arc itself is NSFW, but if you want to read the chapters featuring the Bayless family directly/indirectly, you can read Unyielding and Unexpected.) 

[themoonandotherslikeit]

The Daughter of a Righteous Man- Chapter 31

*SEQUEL TO THE LOOK IN HER EYES*

After her husband is drug to Hell, Ava Winchester and her brother in law Sam try their best to do right by Dean and raise her daughter, only to find that good intentions aren’t always enough. Loving someone isnt always enough.

Chapter Thirty-One, We Would Always End Here 

Ella

About sixteen years later

I walked through the bunker after leaving Dads room. I didn't know how I was supposed to do this. How I was supposed to let this go? I made my way into the kitchen to make myself a cup of chamomile tea. Sam sat, leaned over his books, scratching his head.

"Hey," I said to him.

Clementine was curled up in his lap, fast asleep. I smiled a bit. Bunch of softies.

"Hey,” he grunted. He had a solid beard growing, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"You look tired," I said, grabbing his empty coffee cup. I started a new batch.

"Feel tired,” he admitted.

"Any leads?"

"Not really,” he sighed. "He still trying to go in the coffin?"

"You know he is," I sighed, crossing my arms. I pulled my robe closed over my pajamas and wiped a tear off my cheek. "He insists its the only way."

"It can't be," Sam said, burying his face in his hands. "After all we've been through, after all he's done, this isn't how his story ends."

I nodded. "Definitely isn't," I agreed. "We will find something. We always do."

I poured his cup of coffee and handed it to him.

"Thanks, El."

"Welcome," I said. I put the tea kettle on the stove and plopped down next to him. "He was talking about Mom."

"He was?" Sam glanced at me. "What about her?"

"The first night they spent together. After some werewolf hunt where she saved you guys."

Sam smiled a bit. "Yeah, she did that fairly often."

I rested my chin on my palms and looked at him. "Why don't you guys talk about her?"

"Just hurts, ya know?"

"Still?"

"No matter how much time passes, it never dulls the pain you feel when you lose someone you love."

I winced. I will miss Dad for the rest of my life. I will be heartbroken forever. I wanted to throw up.

"Hey," Sam said, reaching for my hand. "He's gonna be fine. He's Dean Winchester. We have fought the devil, survived the apocalypse, Hell, Purgatory. He isn't going to let some Arc Angel take him down. No way."

"I'm going to choose to believe you," I said slowly. "Because the alternative is too damn depressing."

"I'll say," Sam said with a smile. "Hey, come here." He pulled my chair to him and turned me around. He gathered my long hair in his hands and french braided it down my back. I closed my eyes. Dad and Sam were both really good braiders. They never would say who taught them or why they knew, but there was something calm about it.

"Did Mom teach you guys how to braid?"

"Yeah," Sam said with a soft chuckle. "We were pretty whipped. Yours is a lot easier, though. She had these wild curls."

"How did she die, Sam?"

He tied off the bottom of my hair and patted my shoulder. "Not for me to say, kid."

"Dad is going to die before he tells me. I'll never know."

"Some things are better not knowing,” he said seriously. The tea kettle whistled. "Get it before it wakes up Jack. You know that kid barely sleeps."

"Right," I said, weakly, standing up. I poured my tea into my cup, and dropped the bag in, letting it steep.

I lived in a house of lies. I gripped my cup tightly. I just didn't know why they were lying. Something happened to her, and maybe if I had all of the information I could help my dad. I couldn't lose another parent. I couldn't spend my life missing another person.

Ava

Present

I sat in the rocking chair, my heels raising and hitting the ground on repeat trying to rock Nel to sleep, but she just stared up at me. Her fingers were twisted in my hair, tugging, but I didn't care. Her bright eyes looked at me in wonder. She had so much ahead of her. I could feel it. She was destined for greatness. "Your Daddy will save the world."I promised her, kissing her tiny fist. "We will raise you to be a great woman. You will have everything..." It was impossible to describe how much I loved her.

She cooed up at me and my heart melted. If the world wasn't burning around me, I would just do this. I would die in this chair, staring down at my growing child.

"But for now, princess, you have to sleep." I touched her nose, causing her to sneeze. So fucking cute!

"No luck?" Lacey asked me, coming back in from the kitchen.

"Not really," I admitted.

She handed me a bottle and I tried offering it to Nel. She took it, although she looked bored as she suckled. Her eyes were scanning the room.

"It was so much easier when I could breast feed," I sighed. "I hate giving it up."

"Makes things easier, though. When you aren't here." Lacey sat down on the couch, watching me rock her.

"I miss the bond," I sighed, before my eyes met Lacey's. "You can go home, Lace. If you need to."

"I know." She smiled genuinely. "But I'm here to help you. You've got some big shit on the horizon."

"That's an understatement." I laughed, drawing designs on Nel's puffy cheeks. "You're a good friend. I don't deserve it."

"You're saving the world. It's the least I can do."

I smiled weakly.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm worried about Dean."

"Hunky husband. Where is he?"

"I don't know. He disappeared in my arms."

"What?" Lace raised an eyebrow.

"He said the angels would come for him. I hope that's what happened. He left his phone... I can't reach him." I looked down at Nel. Her eyelids looking heavier. "I'm trying to stay calm."

"Are you even human?" Lacey asked, alarmed. "I'd be freaking out!"

"Thanks, Lace. Way to keep me calm." I laughed dryly.

"Sorry, I just... don't you think you should be looking for him?"

"I think I should just wait here. I don't know where to go." I shook my head. "I'm at a loss here, Lace. I know he will call me when he can."

"Will he? Or will he just try to do this alone?"

I considered that, biting my lip. "Maybe. I have to trust him, though. That's what marriage is."

As if on cue my phone rang next to me. I picked it up, standing with Nel, the sound of the phone ringing alerted her out of her impending sleep, and she dropped her bottle. I put her on my shoulder and patted her back. "Hello? Chuck? Is that you?"

"Ave, it's me."

"Dean?"

"I'm on Chucks phone."

"I see that. Are you okay? What happened?"

"Angels. Fuckin angels. Cas helped me escape.. we... we have to get to Sammy. Lilith is the last seal. Killing her is the last seal. He's walkin right into a trap."

"Oh my god," I said into the phone. "Where are you? I'll come right away."

I didn't see it coming. How could I have? At least that's what I'd ask myself later.

I was barely able to react as the lamp from my side table collided with the back of my head. My phone clattered to the floor. I protected Nel in my arms, who was screaming now. I was on the ground, even though I didn't remember falling. My vision was blurry. What is... Lacey stood over me, holding the lamp. "I can't let you go to him. I can't let you stop, Sam."

"Lacey what are you..."

"God, you Winchester's just don't know when to shut up, do you?" She reached down and picked up Nel. I tried to sit up, but she pressed her boot to my mouth. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Don't bother getting up. I don't need to hit you again, Ava. That'll do."

"Why are you doing this?" I mumbled against the rubber of her boot.

She tilted her head to the side, her short blonde hair falling into her eyes. "Lucifer must rise," she murmured, her eyes flickering black. "Just as it was foretold."

Sam

Present

My phone rang and Dean's name glowed and danced on my screen. I hit the ignore button before I could be tempted. He was going to talk me out of it. I had to end this. It was my destiny. It was my... I could hear kicking and muffled screams from the trunk of the car. Ruby had a demon in my trunk. An innocent woman being possessed by a demon. What was I doing? Dean had to be right. He always was. He was my brother.

I was coming down from the high that the blood brought, and I was having some serious reservations.

"Are we doing this or what?" Ruby asked, crossing her arms. "Come on, Sam. You know what you have to do. We have to kill Lilith, or we are going to be on the wrong side of the apocalypse. Or did you forget that I was trying to help you."

"I know," I said, running my fingers through my hair. "Your ways are just..."

"Inventive?"

"Something like that."

"Sam this is the way. You know this is the way."

"But an innocent woman..."

"All those demons that you kill with the knife.. what do you think happens to those people?"

My stomach dropped. I didn't.

"You're going her a favor, Sam. Otherwise she would die a long, painful, drawn out death, and the world will be in eternal hellfire, and honestly who wants that?"

"Ruby this is wrong," I said desperately. I knew she was a demon, but after everything she had to understand...

"It isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. What is one girl compared to saving the entire world. Don't be stupid, Sam."

"I'm just starting to think that Dean was right."

"About what?" She asked, stiffly.

"Everything," I said, leaning against the car.

"He isn't. You aren't a monster. You're just a man who wants to make a difference." She touched my arm. "Come on, it's now or never."

"Just give me a minute Ruby!" I said, shrugging her hand off.

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why'd you ignore his call if you are all team Dean all of a sudden?"

"I don't know," I admitted, pulling my phone back out. I opened my voice mail and selected for it to play. My hand shook, as I yearned for my brothers voice. My confidant. My mentor.

"Listen to me, you bloodsucking freak. Dad always said I'd either have to save you or kill you. Well, I'm giving you fair warning. I'm done trying to save you. You're a monster, Sam...a vampire. You're not you anymore. And there's no going back." Beep.

It was all fucking over.

My eyes flicked to Ruby. "Get the knife."

Ruby tossed me the knife, and I popped the trunk. The blonde nurse struggled in her restraints. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked terrified. You're a monster, Sam. He was right.

I grabbed her, and pulled her into my arms. "Please,” she murmured against the gag, sobbing.

"I'm sorry," I said, before pressing the knife to her corroded artery, and pressing my lips to her open wound, bleeding her dry.

Dean

Present

"Ava? Ava? Fuck! Something is wrong Cas we have to..."

"We have to get to Sam," Cas said flatly. "You have to stop him. You're the only chance, Dean, I wasn't lying when I said that. You know where he will be, go to him."

I looked around, clenching my fists. "Fine, but you have to find Ava. Make sure she's okay."

"Yes,” he said with a nod. "I will."

"And Cas?"

"Yes Dean?"

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet, Dean," Cas said, before disappearing.

I jogged out of Chucks house and hopped into the Impala. I dialed Sams number as I drove toward the convent where it was all going to go down. I didn't have much time. "You've reached Sam's other cell. Leave me a message." Beep.

"Sammy," I sighed. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Listen, man. You aren't a monster. You're doing what you think is best. It's all we can do, but they're liars. Sam they're all liars. Whatever you do, don't go to the convent. Don't kill Lilith. It's a trap. She's the last seal. Please listen to me, Sammy. If you've ever trusted me it's time to trust me now. Poughkeepsie man, Poughkeepsie."

I hung up the phone and drove as fast as I could. Wind and rain howled around me. It was like a fucking lightening storm. Omens. I thought to myself as I gripped the steering wheel. "Cas!" I shouted out a prayer. "Tell me Ave is okay! Christ, man!" How was I supposed to keep going, to fight the good fight if I didn't know if she was safe.

"Fuck!" I shouted, hitting the steering wheel.

The Impala climbed up the hill to St Mary's. It looked almost Victorian, which didn't make a lot of sense for where we were at. I pushed my car to the max, rushing as quickly as I could up the hill as I could. I had to make it to Sammy before it was too late.

Ava

"Ow," I whispered, touching the back of my head. My hand was covered in blood. Great. I blinked a few times. Where am I? It looked like a church, or a convent. There was a large cross with Jesus nailed to it, he was weeping.

I tried to stand up, but I couldn't move.

"Sorry, sweetie. I can't let you get up."

I turned my eyes up to see Lacey cradling Nel. "What a little cutie, isn't she?"

"What are you doing?" I hissed. "Give me my daughter back.”

"Is she even your daughter? You've barely been home." She gasped dramatically.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Lacey." She smiled. "You thought you made a friend that easily? Oh honey. It was torture being your friend, and I've been to actual Hell. I know all about torture." She laughed darkly. "You said it yourself. This little one has a big destiny. I'll make sure of that."

"What are you saying?" I asked, desperately fighting against the invisible restraints.

Lacey rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers, removing my voice. I gasped and tried to scream to no avail.

"God you just keep talking. Come here little Eleanor. I won't make you listen to her anymore."

I closed my eyes, tears rolling down my cheeks. I didn't know how, but suddenly I knew that this was the end. Dean, wherever you are... I love you and I'm so sorry I couldn't protect her. I let her do this. I let her into our lives... and now... now it's all over.

"Is this her?

"Yes," Lacey said in response to another female voice.

I opened my eyes, but everything was blurry from my tears. From the air. There was a darkness in here. I could feel it to my core. Whatever just entered the room was evil. It was like how the air changed right before a storm. I shifted a little against the pressure on my body from Lacey holding me down.

Who are you?

"Sam should be here any minute,” the woman said. "He is coming to kill me."

Lilith.

"Just as it was foretold, the first demon will be the last seal," Lacey said proudly. "And here I have the next generation. Consider it an insurance policy."

"It was the right move," Lilith agreed. "Plus." She smiled. "If the child is in danger, there's nothing Sam won't do to protect her. His honor will be his destruction."

Oh, Sam. Please don't... don't walk into a trap. But I knew, from all of my time with the Winchesters, that that was exactly what he was going to do.

Lacey looked toward the door. "Lilith it's time,” she said softly, before walking to me, and laying on the floor next to me, Nel sleeping innocently in her arms. I thrashed again, trying to reach her, but my own body betrayed me. I couldn't reach, I couldn't move, all I felt was pain. My chest ached and cried out. My throat burned from the sobs that wracked my body.

The doors to the sanctuary flew open and Sam stepped into the door with Ruby at his flank. Thunder rolled, almost shaking the room. It seemed like it was storming heavily outside. I could hear the rain and hail slam against the large stained glass window at the peak of the sanctuary.

Sam put his hand out, palm flat and Lilith flung across the room, slamming into the alter. He hadn't seen us yet.

"Sam!" Lacey cried out before she faked silence as well.

"What the?"

Lilith flicked her hand, pushing Sam back. He reacted quickly and put his own hand out, pushing her back against the alter and holding her there. I watched her strain and fight against him, much like how I was fighting. I heard the sound of boots on the stone floor and I squinted through the door, and for a second he was there. I thought we'd made it. If he was here it would all be okay. It always was.

Dean.

Ruby grinned and flicked her wrist, the doors slamming shut right in front of him. "No!" He screamed, but they were immediately muffled but the wind whirling angrily outside the church.

I closed my eyes tightly again. He will find a way. He always does.

Sam walked toward Lilith. "Don't worry, Ave. I won't let her hurt you."

It's not just her! I wanted to scream, desperately, but nothing came out.

"I've been waiting for this... for a very long time, he said early, his fingers curling into a fist.

"Then give me your best shot,” she hissed.

He held out both hands and shouted, focusing everything he had. His eyes were clamped shut before they flung back open. His pupils had taken over the white of his eyes. Demon black. He opened his fists and shouted out as a pulse of white light came from him and stroked Lilith. She screamed out in pain, but only for a second.

"Sam!" Dean screamed through the door, his fists slamming against it. He didn't see us. Maybe it was for the best.

Sam turned to look at the door.

"Sam! Sammy!"

"Dean?"

Ruby stepped to him, putting her mouth near his face. "What are you waiting for?! Now! Sam, now!"

Lilith spit out blood and laughed, her teeth red. "You turned yourself into a freak. A monster. And now you're not gonna bite? I'm sorry, but that is honestly adorable."

I hoped she was right.

Sam turned, and I saw the look on his face. The blackness of his eyes and the smile on his face. He was going to do it, and fuck, he was going to like it. He held out a hand, and effortlessly sent a ball of power, of light, of energy right into Lilith chest. She convulsed, and yowled out in a way that was almost animalistic. The burn marks on her chest from the energy lit flame, and she combusted into a poof of smoldering, black ashes.

The fire came out, igniting her blood from before in a pattern, a circle and then it twisted in on itself. Oh no!

"What the hell?" Sam asked, stepping back. His eyes were his own again, and he looked freaked.

"I can't believe it," Ruby murmured.

"Ruby, what's going on?" He turned to her.

"You did it. I mean, it was a little touch-and-go there for a while, but... you did it."

"What? What did I do?"

A smile grew on her face, her eyes lighting up in the flames. "You opened the door. And now he's free at last. He's free at last!"

Sam covered his mouth. "No, no, no. I stopped her. I killed Lilith!"

"And it is written that the first demon shall be the last seal. And you bust her open. Now guess who's coming to dinner?"

"Oh, my god."

"Guess again."

"You lying bitch!" He held his hand out, and nothing happened.

"Don't hurt yourself, Sammy. It's useless. You shot your payload on the boss."

I thrashed against my restraints that still held well. My breathing was getting more difficult, like the air in the room was getting sucked away by something.

"The blood... You poisoned me."

"No. It wasn't the blood. It was you... and your choices. I just gave you the options, and you chose the right path every time. You didn't need the feather to fly, you had it in you the whole time, Dumbo! I know it's hard to see it now... but this is a miracle. So long coming. Everything Azazel did, and Lilith did. Just to get you here. And you were the only one who could do it."

"Why? W-why me?"

"Because... because it had to be you, Sammy. It always had to be you. You saved us. You set him free. And he's gonna be grateful. He's gonna repay you in ways that you can't even imagine."

I turned to Lacey and she winked at me making a shh motion with her fingers.

A cracking sound came from my right and I turned in time to see Dean kicking through the doors. He looked stressed, his eyes wild, a statue in his hand that he was obviously using to break down the door.

"You're too late," Ruby said with a grin.

"I don't care,” he said, holding the demon knife up to her. She was so cocky, so happy with herself that she let her guard down enough for Sam to reach around her and hold her in place, just long enough for Dean to stab the knife into her chest.

Electricity seemed to roll through her as she convulsed, the creature under her skin dying and turning to dust.

"I'm sorry," Sam said, his voice breaking.

"I know," Dean said, before turning his head. He must've felt me watching, begging inside of my mind. "Christ! Ava!" His hand left Sams shoulder and he broke into a run after me. "Lacey! Ave! Can you move?"

Lacey sighed, sitting up a bit. "Killing Lilith must've broken her holds on me."

"Are you okay? Is Nel?" He asked, desperately.

"Oh, sweetie, she is so much better than okay."

"What?" He asked, frowning.

Sam ran to my side and tried to pull me up, but I still appeared bolted to the floor. I tried to dart my eyes to Lacey, to warn him. Sam PLEASE! I begged.

The flames were still circling, but the pattern looked close to completion. We had to leave, but I had a feeling this was far from over, and not all of us would walk out of here. I just wish I could warn them.

"She's magnificent."

"Dean she can't move,," Sam said, trying to pull me off the floor.

Deans eyes went from me to Nel. "Give me the baby, Lacey."

"I don't think I'm going to do that, Dean,” she said sinisterly.

"Give me the fucking baby." He took a step toward her, and Nel sniffled, and began to cry in Lacey's arms.

"Ohh, shes hungry. Aren't you little one? I'm sure you don't mind, do you Dean?" She flicked her wrist, sending Sam and Dean to the floor, trapped just like I was.

"What the fuck?" Dean asked as he hit the floor hard.

"Well I have been feeding her, you know. I'm sure she would prefer it if I just made her dinner." Lacey walked to the alter, stepping around the flames and laid Nel down. She pulled a knife out of her boot and sliced her palm open, squeezing the blood right into the open mouth of our child.

"No!" I screamed out, breaking through her compulsion. Seeing what she was doing was enough for me to overpower her, to rip myself out of her hold for just long enough for me to charge her. Blood rolled down Nel's lips, and the sudden noise made her scream out again.

I grabbed ahold of Lacey, knocking her to the ground. "You fucking bitch!" I screamed, and she just smiled up at me.

"Ave?" Dean called out desperately.

"You Winchesters," Lacey said, looking up at me. She pushed a curl out of my face. "So emotional."

Then I felt it all at once, the pain in my back. In my spine as she twisted her knife, severing my spine. I coughed out blood, tears of shock rolling down my cheeks. Lacey pushed her off of me. "I'll be back for you, kitten,” she whispered, placing a kiss on Nel's cheek before smoking out, her dead host falling to the floor next to me.

Dean

"Ava!" I shouted. Once Lacey smoked out Sam and I were released from her grip. I ran to her, pulling her into my arms.

Sam jogged over, pulling Nel off the alter. He quickly wiped her lips.

I held Ava in my arms as she convulsed, her eyes rolling back in her head. "Shh, it's okay. Ave it's okay. It's not that bad," I said, gripping her clothes. Tears were still rolling down her cheeks, even then. She was here the whole time. Cas didn't get to her. Lacey... fuck we left Lacey with Nel. Who knew how long she'd been feeding her that shit.

I held her against my chest. I could feel her lose consciousness. I could feel her slip away against me. With every beat of my heart she was further and further away. "It's going to be okay, Ave. I've got you. I won't let you go," I said into her hair. "You're the one, sweetheart. It's always been you. From the second I walked into that bar. It'll be okay, because everything with us is right. You're the only thing that's right." I rocked her slightly as she went limp in my arms. I reached down and kissed her lips. I felt her breath mingle with mine one last time.

She was gone. There were no trades. No swaps. There were no take backs. She was gone, for real. There was nothing I could do. Not this time. I was completely helpless. I should've known that we would always end up here. This was always the end for us. It was written in stone. No matter what, she was destined to die in my arms, and I was destined to spend my life without her.

About sixteen years later

My bed creaked next to me, pulling me from the nightmares that plagued me every night. This one was particular. Talking to Nel earlier brought that night back up. The night I lost her. The night that I worried that we would be constantly reliving the past. Making the same mistakes.

Ever since that night Sammy and I watched Nel, worrying that she was going to develop abilities like Sam had. A taste for blood, like Sam had. He'd only had one taste of the demon blood, and she probably had countless feeding sessions with her demon nanny, but so far everything was fine. She was a great kid.

I opened an eye to catch her crawling into bed next to me like she had when she was a child.

"Hey, kid," I yawned. "You good?"

"Just a bad dream,” she admitted, curling up next to me under the covers. I put an arm around her and kissed her head.

"Me too." I rolled onto my back and looked at the ceiling. "Want to talk about it?"

"I don't remember much... but there was an old church. Fire. You were screaming. It was horrible." She yawned. "Mind if I stay here tonight? I always sleep better when I'm not alone."

My blood ran cold, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, kid. Sure."

"Thanks, Dad,” she said with another yawn. "I love you."

—————

Authors Note: 

And that’s all folks! Part 2 is officially complete! I cannot think y’all enough for your constant support of me and my writing. This series has had a big place in my heart, since it’s the thing that got me back into writing after my deep depression. Inspiration is an amazing thing. I want y’all to know that every single reblog, like, and comment gives me so much joy. There aren’t enough words for it. Mostly, though, I just wanted to say thank you so much. Keep an eye out, I’ll start posting Part 3 here in a day or so. I have about 19 chapters done already, and it’ll have a masterlist like the two previous parts. 

Part 3, What the Rain Can’t Wash Away

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Nightmares

Welp, i’m back at it again with another nightowl fanfic. This is a angst/fluff sorta thing this time. but nevertheless I hope it’s alright!  The fanfic is under read more. Again it’s not long but it’s fun writing up small stuff.

Warning: It hints at abuse, attempted murder and dead naming. 

Proceed with caution if you read it!

The fanfic is under read more, also do excuse my English!

“You know...violet, Why do you keep on trying?” a shadowy figure spoke, getting the vampire’s attention. She doesn’t utter a word to the figure.

“Oh come on now...you’re not going to talk to your dear grand-uncle? You know...the only family you have. You really are horrible aren’t you?” he chuckles with malice behind his voice. Lady winter feels her heart drop before uttering the words “I got seth..my aunt, my uncle and my grandpa...I don’t need you.” The lass has a feeling to run, run as far as she can but she can’t bring herself to move. Being paralyzed with fear is the worst thing for her right now and it seems like the figure can sense that. 

“Tsk tsk, you scared violet? What a real shame, I thought you’d be braver by now but you’re still the same scared little girl you were all those years ago…” He says, taking a step closer to her, Lady winter heart begins to race, her thoughts racing, she desperately wants to get away but she still can’t move. The figure continues walking towards her with a twisted grin on his face.

“What you got nothing to say?” the figure teased. “You always were a quiet one, I wonder what everyone thinks about you little miss quiet ...oh how I wonder indeed” he gets closer “I wonder if your friends and family love you...Including that husband of yours, I bet he doesn’t really love you violet.” he chuckles again. “After all who can love someone so weak, so insecure, so so pathetic. It’s al-”

“SHUT UP!!!” Lady winter shouted, interrupting the shadow. The shadow stops in front of her, leaning down close to her face.

“Silly girl...I know you’re afraid, you’ll always be afraid...scared and alone just like you were all those years ago...You’ll lose your loved ones...you’ll be alone all over again.” The figure grabs at the vampire’s neck, choking her and with a wicked smile he said. “IT’S NOT LIKE IT WOULD’VE MATTERED ANYWAY, THEY NEVER CARED ONLY PRETENDING, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK ANYONE ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT YOU?~” Lady winter gasps for air, trying her best to get his hands off her throat, she’s too weak, she can’t free herself from his grip. Panic is setting in, She isn’t able to breathe or cry out for help but then a thought came to her mind. “Who would want to help someone as pathetic like you?” The vampires eyes begin to tear up as her vision fades to black….

Until the lass wakes up, gasping for air. It takes a moment for her to realize she isn’t asleep anymore. She exhales then turns to her right seeing her husband starting to get up. It gives her some comfort to know he’s still by her side but, what that thing said in her dreams...are still quite vivid in her mind. The conductor sits up still a little groggy from waking up. He couldn’t help but look at his wife. 

“Aye lass, is everythin’ alright?” conductor asked with a sleepy tone in his voice. He can tell something is up with her, she has the same look on her face she always has whenever she’s scared or anxious. 

“Huh?...oh umm it’s nothing dear, don’t worry about me.” the vampire responded to his question. The conductor tilts his head and the feathers raised up sorta like how one would raise their own eyebrows. He moves closer to her and spoke softly “lass...I know somethin’is wrrrong, ye ‘ave that look on yer pretty face again.” Lady winter knew she can’t hide the fact she’s afraid now, she keeps forgetting he knows her so well so hiding her emotions would be useless right now. She starts to tremble a bit, her eyes begin to fill with tears again like what they did within the dream or nightmare she had. 

Conductor gently pulls her close to him, rubbing her back in a vertical motion. “Shhh, lassie it’s alrrright ye can talk to me. I’m here fer ye.” he said in a comforting tone. It’s not often conductor is seen like this, hell if at all but when he is with his wife. He can’t help but feel relaxed, soft, and overall calm. The lad cares about her a lot more then himself as a matter of fact. But that is his thoughts, for now he waits for his wife to talk to him. He’d never force her to speak, instead the lad gives her some time until she feels ready to talk. 

Lady winter wraps her arms around him as she buries her face into his neck. Still trembling from the nightmare she had. “I-i, just had another nightmare...that’s all.” she said shakily. Conductor is concerned knowing that she suffers from intense night terrors. 

“May I ask wot tae nightmare was about this time lassie?” he asks. The vampire nods slowly. 

“I had the dream...with a shadowy figure that looked a lot like my grand-uncle..It talked down to me just like...he did.” she pauses for a moment, tears falling down her face before continuing on “It...grabbed my throat to...and did the same thing he did I…” she stops talking and starts to sob softly. Conductor doesn’t let her go, he starts to stroke her head, his fingers running through her silky soft hair. 

“Bonnie lass...I’m so sorry ye had a terrrible nightmare like that...ye don’t deserve to experience those things...not at all.” he spoke.

 “I-I know...but those nightm-mares are so tiring a-and scary...I hate h-having them…” winter said in between sobs. The conductor gently nuzzles her while lifting her head to look at him, he wipes away her tears. “Ye know lass...I’m gonna promise ye this, I’d never let anythin’ bad like that happen to ye ever again. I won’t let anyone hurt ye, I promised ye this before but I’ll always protect ye.” He pauses for a moment as lady winter just looks at him, not quite sure what to day. The owl continues to speak “Yer to important to me to ‘ave anythin’ bad happenin to ye, I’d never leave ye feeling so lonesome. I love ye lass, and i’d do anything fer ye. I mean that.” he finishes speaking to her then gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. 

Lady winter calms down and smiles slightly. “Ye know, you’re too good to me, I promise you I'll do the same for you.” The lass gives him a soft smooch on his beak causing the lad to blush.

“I love you and umm..thanks for always being there for me my dear.” Conductor looks at her, his feathers a little poofy from the kiss she gave him. “Aye of course lassie, I'd always been here fer ye. Nothin’ will change that me wifey~” he chuckled and lady winter giggled softly along with him as he pulls her closely to cuddle. It might take a bit for these two to sleep again but, as long as they are in each others presence, they don’t seem to mind in the slightest, they even just might watch the sun rise from the comfort of their room together.

[chaossmagic]

Drabble prompt: “sometimes being a complete nerd comes in handy” 😘😘

“Okay, dads, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Seb flopped unceremoniously into a chair at the kitchen table, huffing out a breath in attempt to push his unruly hair from his eyes. Unfortunately for him, he’d inherited the messiness as well as the colour of his hair from Robert, and when it got too long it stuck up in all directions, making him look, as Aaron would often point out, like he’d slept in a hedge rather than an actual bed. 

Aaron, immediately suspicious, took a gulp of his tea and asked in one breath, “What ‘ave you done, how long have they excluded you for and who do I need to ask for when I phone the school to apologize on your behalf?”

Seb gave him a look. “Nothing!” 

“Oh, like you and Isaac setting your desk on fire in Chemistry was nothin’?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow from where he sat opposite him, going through some boring paperwork from the scrapyard or the haulage or whatever it was. “You got kicked out for three weeks for that, and we both got an earful from your teacher for letting you run riot in ‘er classroom.” He jerked his head in Aaron’s direction, who nodded pointedly. 

“Not to mention the fine we ‘ad to pay the school for the damage you caused,” he added. 

“It’s nothing like that this time!” Seb protested, and when his dads both fixed him with a tell the truth or else look he knew far too well, he repeated, “It isn’t!” He shifted in his seat, picking at his nails - and avoiding both their gazes.

“Well, then, if it’s not juvenile arson then what is it that’s got ya twitchin’ over there like a toddler who’s just had an accident in its nappy?” 

At which point they were interrupted by Tia who, having just blown up several zombies on the video game she was lost in, shouted over the back of the sofa, “Seb’s got a girlfriend!”

“I have not!” he burst back without thinking - but a dark pink flush had come over his cheeks, making his freckles stand out against the paleness of the rest of his skin. 

“Don’t listen to him, dads,  I saw him!” Tia replied, her grin far too satisfied, her tongue poking through the gap in her teeth that was currently being corrected by braces. “Seb and Anna sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G-”

“What are you, five?” he muttered, folding his arms and sinking further in his chair, so that they could only see his fringe and his bright red cheeks. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“But you like this girl - Anna, is it?” Robert prompted, and Seb flushed even darker. “It’s okay, you can tell us, y’know.”

“Is she pretty? Smart? What year is she in?” Aaron asked, firing off each question with more and more glee creeping into his voice. “Have you even talked to her, or do you just stare at her from a distance hoping she’ll make the first move?”

“What, like us, you mean?” Robert winked, making Aaron roll his eyes and give him a mock slap on the arm. 

“Give off, you just jumped on me, I didn’t get a choice, did I?” he replied. “And I’ve been stuck with ya ever since, unfortunately - ow!”

“Dads, c’mon!” Seb groaned. “I’m having a crisis here and you’re being all embarrassing.”

“Embarrasin’? Oh, we’re embarrassin’ you, are we?” Aaron asked. “Look, Rob, Seb’s got his first crush and we’re embarrassin’ ‘im.” 

“It’s our parental duty, I think, isn’t it?” Robert said, grinning with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“Yeah, comes with the territory mate, sorry,” Aaron shrugged, raising his hands in a What can I do? I’m a parent, it’s my legal obligation to embarrass you gesture.

“Oh my God, will you just help me out or not?” Seb pleaded. “Do either of you know anything about Star Wars?”

Aaron scoffed, rolled his eyes again. “No.”

But Robert replied, far too excitedly, “Yes!”

“Finally,” Seb breathed out. “I want to know how to impress her - Anna - and she likes all the geeky stuff, Star Wars, Star Trek, all of that,” he added, in a shy voice, “but I don’t, and I really want to so I can talk to her about the stuff she likes.”

“Well, that’s kinda sweet, even if it’s really nerdy,” Aaron said, finishing his tea and putting the empty mug by the sink. “So I will leave you in your dad’s capable hands before your weird sci-fi stuff rubs off on me.”

“Hey, it’s not nerdy, Star Wars is a cinematic masterpiece!” Robert interjected. 

“Whatever you say, geek,” Aaron said, but he was only teasing - Robert could tell by the glint in his eyes, the one that said You’re a weirdo but I love you. “Prepare yourself, Seb. You might wanna find a different schoolboy crush by the time your dad’s speech is over. I’m gonna go shoot some zombies with Tia.”

——

“So’s the nerd headquarters closed for the night, then?” Aaron asked as Robert slipped under the covers much later, sidling up to Aaron to press his body against Aaron’s already drowsy-warm one. His toes were like icicles against his bare legs, and Aaron hissed through his teeth at the sensation. 

“Yeah,” Robert said. “We had a good chat, actually.”

“How’d you feel about him having a crush, then?” he asked, propping himself up on one elbow so he could look at Robert properly. 

His husband shrugged. “It was always going to happen, wasn’t it? He’s fifteen, he’s getting older,  he was bound to start liking someone eventually…” 

But Aaron knew Robert. And he knew the hesitance in his voice, the nervousness. The worry.

“Still a bit weird though, isn’t it? Our firstborn liking a girl for the first time an’ all that,” Aaron prompted. “He’s growin’ up, our Seb.”

“Tell me about it,” Robert sighed. “Feels like a year ago he was still in nappies and bumpin’ into table legs when he was learning to walk, not fourteen years ago.”

Aaron rolled onto his back, folding his hands on his chest. “He’s got us, though. He won’t have to figure stuff out by himself, all the…grown-up stuff.”

“If you’re insinuating that my fifteen-year-old son will shortly be asking me about where to buy the best brand of condoms, I’m kickin’ ya out of this bed,” Robert said with a shudder. “One thing at a time, yeah?”

“At least he has you to talk about all the nerd stuff, y’know, so he can bond with this Anna he likes,” Aaron appreciatively. “Even if it’s really embarrassin’ watchin’ ya.”

“Oh shut up, you love it,” Robert teased, nudging him with his elbow. He rolled over so that he was hovering above Aaron, his hands flat on the pillow above his head. He lowered his head to cover his mouth in a slow, sensuous kiss. “I’ll have you know that sometimes, being a complete nerd comes in handy.”

“Oh yeah?” Aaron murmured against his lips. “How?” 

“Well, for starters,” Robert said, his voice low and deep, “I can show you how I got top of the class in biology…”