#Spotify wrapped x hockey

[emuchipmunk]

32 | Seattle Kraken x Chasing You - Patrick Droney

[turcott3]

wrapped around your finger

luca fantilli x fem! reader (ft. umich hockey team and gfs!!)

warnings?: cursing, alcohol, unprotected sex (p in v, public sex, spanking, choking (not really but kinda?), hair pulling, happy ending🥳

masterlist

-

“are yall ready yet?” rutger yells from the foyer.

“yes one second.” you yell back, deciding against the extra setting spray. it wasn’t hot outside, it’s not like you were going to sweat it off.

“we gotta go, i want a good view.” luca says grabbing his keys out of the bowl and heading outside. you opted to ride with luca since the group had to split but you always found yourself gravitating to him. the two of you had never spent time alone together but you always had a slight attachment to him, better described as a little bitty crush.

“have you looked at the set list yet?” he asked you, who got lucky and sat shotgun. the group was going to see post malone, and everyone was excited to go and get sloshed.

“i haven’t, i’ll check now.” you simply state opening spotify and reading it out to him.

“fuck this is gonna be so good.” he says, excitement lining his tone.

“does this venue id?” tyler asks from the backseat.

“no.” you answer quickly.

“may i ask how you know this?” luca giggles.

“i’ve been before, got absolutely hammered.” you say, reminiscing the last concert you attended.

“sweet, tj you’re off the hook,” he says patting the ginger on the back.

“thank god. they would’ve thought i was a fucking alcoholic buying all of those drinks.” he says, relief practically oozing out of him. you pulled into the venue closely behind your friends in the other car.

“everyone got their shit?” rutger asks and everyone replies ‘yes’ before shutting his trunk and locking the car. you made your way inside the venue, quickly finding a place to sit with a decent view of the stage. you loved that this tour was all outdoor shows considering the temperature in michigan in the summer was perfect. you laid your towel out and sat down, luca sitting his towel right next to yours.

“you’re gonna be my designated concert buddy?” you ask laughing at the position he sat in.

“sure am, we never really spend any time together so i figured this was a perfect opportunity.” he smiles and you giggle in response, keeping your cheeks from turning too red.

“drinks for the lot of ya!” jacob yells in a tacky british accent, approaching the group with tj, multiple beers and seltzers for everyone in hand.

“a seltzer for you of course.” luca says, handing you one of the drinks he grabbed.

“you just know my drinking habits so well don’t you.”

“we’ve been to parties together and how many times have i held your hair while you threw up?”

“it was twice luca.”

“and? i still did it.” he says and you roll your eyes, a smile spreading in your cheeks. it didn’t take too long for the openers to begin their set. you had never heard of them so you talked through it. you spoke with a couple of the guys and their girlfriends, luca talking to adam on the phone, sipping his beer. you couldn’t help but notice that he chose to sit with you, but you didn’t want to overanalyze. you drank and drank some more, without even realizing it. you were already somewhat drunk by the time the openers were finished, which wasn’t your intention.

“hey y/n.” luca asks nudging you.

“huh?”

“are you already drunk?”

“yep sure am, you?”

“a little buzz, nothing too crazy yet.”

“i am fully prepared to be absolutely fucked tonight.“ you reply, his expression becoming more difficult to read.

-

when post malone’s set finally began, you cracked a tall boy open, shot gunning it as well as you could. when you sucked the can dry you threw it on the ground out of breath, almost instantly feeling more drunk than before.

“luca.” you said, your words dragging out in a slur.

“what is it?” he asks, shoving his phone back in his pocket, his eyes reading drunk. you step closer to the boy, wrapping your arm around his back, singing whatever song was playing. you felt him do the same, his hand resting just above your ass on your hip.

the two of you sang together loudly and obnoxiously.

“can i try that?” you ask about the beer he held.

“yeah here.” he says, watching you intensely as you took a large sip.

“that is disgusting.” you reply, wiping your face with your hand as he chuckles. you leaned your head on his shoulder as you listened to the loud music. once the song ended you looked at yourself in the snapchat camera, makeup still in place just as you hoped. you couldn’t tell if the alcohol was clouding your judgment but you were feeling things. all the touching and flirting that had gone on over the last hour had your mind spinning.

“fuck i need a bathroom. luca come with me, i don’t wanna get kidnapped.” you say with a glimmer in your eye. a smirk grows on the boys face.

“okay, hey guys i’m taking her to the bathroom.” he yells at the group before you drag him off by his wrist.

“what’s got you in a hurry, we’ll still be able to hear it.” he giggles, jogging after you. you find a single stall, family restroom unoccupied. you open the door and pull the brunette inside with you.

“ive been wanting to get you alone all night.” you admit.

“i can’t say i haven’t felt the same way.” he replies, slurring his words. you two were both plastered but you know what they say about drunk words. in an instant, the boy pushes you by your biceps against the cold cinderblock wall, attaching your lips hastily and sloppily. your hands find their way into his hair, gripping at the strands as he swipes his tongue over your lip begging for entry. you swear hours pass by before he backs away.

“you look so fucking sexy tonight y/n.” he smirks as you two find your way to the sink.

“fuck you make me so horny.” you mutter, squeezing your thighs together as he picks you up and places you on the counter. your short skirt gave him easy access to your throbbing core, running fingers over your soaked panties and sucking them clean.

“god you taste so good.” he smirks, reconnecting your lips again, giving you a taste for yourself. he pulls away with hazy eyes, squatting down quickly and pulling your panties to the side.

“oh my fucking god.” you yell at the contact. his tongue twisted your already swollen bud in circles, sucking and rubbing it in a rhythmic fashion.

“fuck.” you say, gripping onto the boys hair as you finished, quicker than you could’ve imagined. he stands back up, his face soaked in your cum.

“you’re fucking incredible.” he says and you grab him by his shirt, which you unbuttoned hastily after you aggressively reattached your lips. he helped you finish the job as he pulled away, unbuttoning his denim shorts and pulling his throbbing cock out as quickly as he could. you stared at his tip as it leaked with precum and the pure size of him. he rubbed himself harder with a few strokes before looking back up at you.

“fuck me luca. please.” you beg and he instantly caves, pushing himself into you, his hands pressed against the mirror as he pushed into you for the first time. you moaned at the sensation. his tip hit the sweet spot buried deep inside you without even trying.

“god.” you moan out and he grunts. he thrusts into you deep and hard as he pounds into you at a decent speed. your moans snapping a high pitch after the first few thrusts. the music was quickly drowned out by the sounds of your yelps in a bathroom with poor acoustics.

“such a good girl taking me like this.” he smirks at you.

“you feel so good, god lu.” you say, your fingers gripping the hair on the back of his head.

“do you think anyone can hear me?” you ask.

“i fucking hope so.” he smirks, sloppily landing his lips back on yours as he stretches you out with every thrust.

“get down and bend over for me pretty girl.” he simply requests and you do so, resting your stomach on the edge of the counter. he pushes your skirt up further.

“look at that ass, god damn.” he says spanking you once before placing a gentle hand on your, now bright red, ass cheek pushing himself back into you. he grabs onto your hips pulling you onto him as he thrusts. your eyes roll into the back of your head with overstimulation, your sweaty hand slapping onto the mirror for better stability. he pounds into you at an unforgiving speed, wanting to get a good climax out of it. he wraps his hand around your hair, pulling you up flush against his chest as he continues his quick thrusts into you, turning you from moaning to practically yelling. gently he wrapped a hand around your throat as you looked in the mirror at the two of you. your mascara now smeared around your eyes, his cheeks red and forehead dotted with beads of sweat from the steamed bathroom.

“look at you, taking me so fucking good huh?” he asks, making eye contact with you in the mirror. he bucks into you sharply, a yelp leaving your mouth in an instant. carefully, he picks you back up, placing you on the counter. you could tell by the speed that he was getting closer, but the fact of the matter was that you were even closer. he pushes back into you easily sliding back in, a sensation you could never get used to. the way he hit your sweet spot was almost more intoxicating than all the alcohol you drank that lead you to this moment.

“fuck luca, i’m gonna come.” you moan, your nails digging harshly into his back, your speech broken up by his spastic and deep thrusts. moments later, you feel your body relax as a knot came undone in your abdomen. he fucked you right through your high into his own climax. spilling his seed deep inside you. he pressed his forehead to your chest as the two of you sat, gasping for air for a few moments. he runs his fingers through the salty mix of your climaxes between your legs attempting to somewhat clean you up, his drunk mind not thinking about the toilet paper that sat on the back of the toilet 2 feet away from you. you grab his hand and suck his fingers clean, surprising him and showing him that you swallowed every drop of the nasty mixture.

“fucking god y/n you’re gorgeous, let me help you down.” he says, tucking himself back in his pants, lending his hands for you to hop off the counter. you pull your panties back over your sensitive core, and tug your skirt down.

“lu, can you help me fix my makeup.” you whine, referring to the black streaks that formed around your eyes.

“yes baby, hold still.” he says, your heart fluttering at the pet name. he licks he thumb, gently wiping away the mess from around your eyes.

“how does that look?” he asks as you turn around.

“good enough.” you giggle turning back around.

“luca your hair. i’m sorry.” you giggle as he smiles, wrapping his strong arms around you.

“i don’t care about my hair.” he says as you press your cheek to the warm skin of his chest.

“we should go back.” you say patting him on the chest.

“yeah they’re probably getting suspicious by now.” he giggles, taking your hand and unlocking the door, seeing a long line outside the bathroom. the two of you chuckle as you jog past the impatient people in line, back to your spot on the lawn.

“you missed like 6 songs, where the fuck were you gu- oh.” rutger started before getting a good look at you two.

“what?” you ask.

“oh nothing.” he giggles, whispering to his girlfriend who he stood next to.

“girl where did you go?” franks girlfriend asks, tugging you away from luca’s side.

“i had to uh-“ you start and then turn around to see luca dapping up his teammates, clearly spilling what had gone on in the bathroom, “we fucked.”

“in the bathroom?” jacob’s girlfriend says interrupting.

“yeah we did.” you smirk.

“well was it at least good?” frank’s girlfriend asks.

“oh my god yes. his dick is so big, i don’t think i would wanna fuck anyone else like ever again.” you giggle with them, your drunkness seeping back into your vocabulary.

“you guys would be cute, i see the vision.” she says stepping back and looking at both of you.

“i think we would be too, not to be vain or anything.” you joke.

“go for it babe, luca doesn’t fuck just to fuck. or at least that’s what jacob’s told me. he fucks to date.” she says nudging you on the arm.

“honestly i probably will go for it, let’s see how this goes, hey lu?” you call out, catching his attention instantly. he walks over, hugging you to his side.

“what’s up?” he asks, his thumb grazing over the fabric of your skirt.

“maybe you guys are right.” you laugh and he appears confused. the two of you enjoy the rest of the concert, hugging onto each other and singing your hearts out for the final few songs.

-

“everyone’s asleep.” luca giggles as you pulled back into the driveway.

“awe look at them so cute.” you reply.

“are you gonna regret what we did tonight?” he asks, his voice in a whisper.

“not in the slightest.” you say placing a hand on his cheek and connecting your lips softly for a moment.

“you have no idea how badly i wanted to hear you say that.” he smiles as you pull away slightly.

“i can’t let anyone else have that dick or that hair. or just that boy in general.” you say locking eyes with him. instead of replying he reconnects your lips once again, the kiss lingering for a what seems like an eternity. an eternity that you hoped would never come to an end.

“we should wake them up.” you whisper on his lips.

“yeah probably.” he smiles, pecking your lips one last time before waking everyone up to come inside.

-

[eyesthatroll]

needy | jack hughes

pairing; jh86 x fem!reader

warning(s); fluff, established relationship, idk what else, smidge of angst (?), lowercase intended, not rlly edited.

word count; 1.1k

summary; jack comes home from a five game road trip

"can you please come to bed?" jack whines from across the hall, interrupting your concentration.

pausing the outline you were currently writing, you let out a deep sigh. "just a few more minutes, j."

you hear stumbling across the floor, and in moments jack is leaning against the doorframe, wrapped in a burrito blanket you got for your birthday last year.

his hair has gotten longer since that last time you’ve seen him, messily resting past his ears and down his neck.

"you said that ten minutes ago."

you look up, and meet jacks pleading gaze. "you look tired, love. why don't you try and get some sleep?"

it was a little after one am, you were growing tired, and you knew he was too.

he rolls his eyes at you. "i miss you. didn't you miss me, when i was gone?"

removing your glasses, you rubbed at your eyes with your palms, trying to rid the looming tiredness.

of course you missed him, you always did, but you had inventory at work on monday and an important deadline coming up, you couldn't just drop everything because he was home. you had a life without him, too.

"of course i missed you, jack. i just need a little bit more time to work without you bothering me every five minutes, please." you knew the moment you said it, that you shouldn't have.

jack's eyes widen momentarily, as if he can't believe the words that just came out of your mouth.

jack is normally needy, roadie's aside. that was actually one of the first things that made you fall in love with him, his constant need to show you how much he valued and cared about you.

your family is emotionally distant, you've only hugged your dad maybe five times in your life, and you don't think you've ever heard him say i love you to your mom.

jack said it everyday, multiple times a day. leaving to go to practice, "i love you". ending every phone call "i love you". you made him dinner, "i love you"

you had yet to say it back to him.

there was a time you wanted to, but then it passed, and now every time you think about saying it, it just feels forced.

jack hasn’t taken offense that you haven’t said it yet, he knows how you are with this sort of thing.

‘whenever your ready’ he says.

"sure, yeah. sorry for bothering you." jack turns on his heels, not giving you a chance to respond.

the door closes quietly, echoing throughout the quiet apartment.

you sit in silence, your brain not quite processing what had just happened.

you figured you might as well finish your work, then call it a night. you plugged your headphones in and chose a random spotify playlist to work to.

it's about two hours later when you finally give in and close your macbook with a curse under your breath.

shutting the lamp off, you make your way to your bedroom, opening to door quietly as you're unsure if jack is awake or not. part of you hopes he is awake, so you can form some sort of apology.

hockey plays quietly on the tv, while jack is laying down, his body turned towards the window, light snores escaping him.

you go to the bathroom and brush your teeth, too tired to bother with your skincare routine tonight.

stripping out of your day clothes, you throw on one of jacks t-shirts that he's left, and join him in bed. you spared one last look at your boyfriend, before turning the tv off.

turning so your back is facing his, you shut your eyes, and try and force yourself to sleep.

after hours of tossing and turning, you glance at the clock to see that only about 45 minutes has passed since you last checked the time.

turning back to jack, you shook his shoulder. "jack.. jack wake up."

groaning, he pushes your hand off him, turning to face you. "what time is it?"

"a little after three."

"oh.. did something happen? are you okay?" he gives you a concerned look, his face illuminated by the small nightlight in the corner.

"no, nothing happened."

his lips part in confusion. "i don't understand."

"fuck i just-i don't want you to be mad at me, okay?!"

jack jumps slightly at your outburst.

"i'm sorry." you add quickly, before he has a chance to speak.

jack avoids your gaze, seemingly unsure of what to say. "it's not-i should've just left you to your work."

you reach out, brushing stray fallen hair out of his eye line. "you know me, you know i'm not good with.. feelings. but im trying, for you. of course i miss you when your gone, maybe too much. that's why i'm always working, i guess. to distract when your not here."

jack watches you intently. the two of you have moved closer now, his hand palming small circles on your thigh.

"it makes it easier, to not have days off when all i can do is think about you."

"you can always facetime me, or text me when im on the road." he says.

"i know, i just-i don't wanna annoy you. and please don't say 'you could never annoy me' because i know that's not true." you tell him.

"i would love to hear more from you when i’m on the road. even if it's a text here and there, it'll be nice to know you're thinking about me."

you nod.

"and if, you start to annoy me, i'll let you know." he finishes.

you crack a smile. "okay."

jack pulls you into his side. "though, you could never annoy me, because i love you."

"me too." you say, out of habit, but you continue. "i love you, too.”

"you love me?" jack asks, his face, a mixture of adoration and awe.

"stop it." you mumble against his chest.

"i knew it." he's teasing.

"only cause' i just told you."

"luke told me."

you whip you head up to look at him. "when?!"

he laughs at your response. "not sure, maybe a few months ago."

your face contorts in confusion, then realization. "i’m never telling luke anything again."

you lay back down, wrapping your arms around him.

"you loooooove me."

"you're gonna sleep outside."

"you can't make someone you love sleep outside!"

—

mari speaks! emptying my drafts i guess. if this sucks—sorry, i just started seriously writing a few months ago, so any constructive criticism is always appreciated, thanks! 🙂

[slightlystupidhun]

Skating Around Us

Summary: An Asher x Baabe Fic. Asher is a hockey player and Baabe is a figure skater. @itsdaifuku is the reason for this fic!!!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

It was around four in the afternoon. Technically their rehearsal didn’t start until 6 in rink B, but they couldn’t help wanting to get in some practice before hand. They tightened their laces before standing up and stepping out into rink C. The cool air was a nice contrast to the warmth provided by their leggings and workout shirt. They took out their headphones placing one in each ear before taking out their phone and tapping open their Spotify. They selected their warm up playlist and began circling the ice, gradually starting some of their tricks.

Once they felt fully warm they opened their phone once more, thumbing their short program song. It was one of their favorites to skate to. They absolutely loved it. It was “I put a spell on you” Nina Simone. It just the right mixture of smooth and seductive. It showed a side of them not many others got to see. They skated to the center of the rink draping one arm over their head, the other was dropped to their left side. Their head was facing down on the left as their left knee was also pumped.

With the first few keys of the piano sounding they came to life. They skated forward a few feet before wrapping their arms around themself, spinning in a circle. They pushed out as they began skating the outside of the rink. They weaves around the ice coming back center putting their hands on their head rolling their neck around. Their hand came down their front as they reached forward, skating backwards.

They picked up the pace as they turned back to the front doing a building up to a salchow, the momentum propelling them forward to the entrance of the rink. It was then that they saw an entire team of hockey players staring at them. They quickly stopped everything they were doing, grabbing their phone, stopping their music, and ripping out their headphones. They nervously skated to the edge of the rink by where the entrance was.

“I’m sorry. I was just practicing.” They said as they hurriedly stepped off the ice going to grab the bench their bag was sat on.

“Don’t worry about it. Alright, everyone on the ice. Ash, put on your skates already!” Their captain called out rolling his eyes at his teammate.

“Yeah Buddy! I’ll get it right now!” He said walking over to where they were sat on the bench. “Hey!” He greeted when he plopped down beside them. They partially jumped due to the sudden change of weight, the bench did too.

“Oh Hello.” They replied waving at him and removing their skates.

“Oh! Those are cool skates!!” He cheered staring at their skates as he slid his own pastel pink and yellow ones on. Their skates were purple, and covered in glitter. These were their backup ones, ones they used when they weren’t performing, or practicing with their coach, William Solaire.

“Thanks! Made em myself.” They said proudly, slipping into their running shoes. They finally got a good look at the stranger. His pretty blonde hair, that was somehow already messy despite not yet beginning practice. His black and grey practice jersey that heightened his bright smile. His kind eyes as he looked at them. Oh God! They were staring at him. They quickly averted their eyes.

“Well you must be pretty good at it then… I take it you’re a figure skater? You one of Williams? Don’t worry I won’t tell!” He tried to make conversation, leaning in to whisper the last part to them, as if it was a secret. He laced up his shoes as they laughed.

“Yeah, I’m one of his. So you play hockey?” They knew they were asking about the obvious but something about him made them want him to speak more. He had a good voice. And they were staring again. They needed to get that under control. He leaned into them grabbing his hockey stick in his opposite hand.

“Guilty.” He waved the stick around, slightly. He was about to open his mouth to say something else when he was cut off.

“ASH! STOP FLIRTING AND GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE.” Another player from the team yelled.

“ALRIGHT TANK! I’m on my way!!” He yelled back. He finally got up from the bench and towered over them, just a little. He began to walk away before turning back to them, “See you later skater!” If that wasn’t the worst pun they’d ever heard, but they still couldn’t stop themself from smiling. They looked at the number plastered on the duffle bag he left on the bench, number 27. It was then that their alarm went off. 5:30. It was time to head over to their practice, they hoped they would stop grinning like an idiot before Vincent or heaven forbid Angel saw them.

��—

They made it onto the ice in Rink B about five minutes before their practice started. William was already there with his thermo in his arms. Vincent was skating around Lovely as they prepared for their lifts and Angel was on their way over to the Skater.

“Hey Skates!” Angel greeted as they made their way over. It was a nickname they had received from the cheery skater after they laid eyes on the wonderfully decorated, purple skates and soon everyone started calling them that. They quickly shoved on their boring white skates, tightening the laces and walking over to the ice.

“Sup Angel, how are you doing?” They asked bending down to touch their toes before stepping into the rink.

“I’m doing good, but uhm, what was that face you made about?” They inquired in a song song voice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, they waved their hand to disregard any further push into the reason they were smiling like that.

“Alright everyone.” Williams voice broke through, signaling to everyone there to gather in. “We have qualifiers this weekend as you know. I understand you all have been working very hard, and I appreciate that, but we need to go out there and show our best work. Especially after what happened last season. I won’t sugar coat it. After Alexis left in the middle of last season I could tell everyone’s morale has been low.” He paused for a moment, debating his next words carefully. “I know it was a very hard time for all of us. I have recently gotten word that she has decided to join the northern regions team. She will be your competitor this season. So let’s all go out there and leave it on the ice alright?” He smiled at them reassuringly. “I’ll start working with Angel and Skates on their individual pieces. And then Vincent and Lovely there are some things in specific I would like to catch up on. For now continue warming up on the far side of the ice.”

——

Practice had gone smoother than they thought. They were in a great spot and had actually performed better today than they ever had. They were in the zone.

As soon as practice finished they quickly took off their skates, throwing them in their purple bag, shoving on their running shoes. They walked out into the main area, pushing past two large glass doors and walking over to rink C, curious if the stranger they met before was there. He was. It looked as though he was playing left winger, the captain was center, and the one who had called him over was right defenseman. There was also a taller man at left defenseman, a short man with curly hair as goalie, and someone who’s name they couldn’t make out as right winger. They watched as he maneuvered around the other members of his team and shot the puck, sending it reeling into the back of the net.

The way he cheered and took off his helmet had them giggle to themself. He was so adorable. They were about to turn around and stop peering through the glass doorway, when their gaze met his. They shyly smiled at him as he winked at them, smile as toothy and bright as ever. They couldn’t wait to see him again. They hoped it would be sometime soon.

@itsdaifuku !! I hope you like part 1

[wintfleur]

tysm for the tags @lovesickhughes @sweetestdesire @toasttt11 x

if you had spotify wrapped, but for which hockey players you talked about the most, who would be your top 5?

quinn & luke hughes

juraj slafkovský

arber xhekaj

cole caufield

rutger mcgroarty

🏷️ ; @winterbarnesblog @lovecla @cupidbedsy @trevuorzegras @isaadore @aleskie-hischier @hhughes

[svechnikovvv]

wildest dreams

pairing: trevor zegras x fem!reader

warnings: just general profanity, but if there’s anything, let me know (:

summary: a week with trevor alone can lead to much more

a/n: in a recent fan interaction, trevor said his favorite taylor swift song is wildest dreams, so i wanted to do something based off of that. his spotify wrapped top artist is also taylor swift, so i mean, c'mon. no proofreading because we die like men. also wanted to say i have a christmas band concert coming up and i’ve been putting off practice to finish this for you all 🫶🏻

masterlist: here

he said, “let’s get out of this town

drive out of the city, away from the crowd”

i hear my phone buzzing on my nightstand and i ignore it and for a brief moment, it stops. then it starts buzzing again and i groan, looking to see who’s calling me. i see trevor’s name on the screen and i answer.

“hello?” i ask, voice groggy with sleep

“unlock your door” is all he says before hanging up

“wha-” i get out of the warmth of my bed and make my way down the hall to the front door. i unlock the locks and sure enough, trevor is standing there with his hands shoved in his hoodie pockets. he looks up at the sound of the door opening and a small smile graces his face when he sees me.

“trev, why the hell did you wake me up?” he slides by me and into my aparment.

“yeah, just make yourself at home,” i grumble to myself, shutting and locking the door back. trevor makes himself comfortable on my couch and i lean against the only recliner in my living space.

“come with me,” he blurts out, finally looking up at me with hopeful eyes.

“go where?” he shrugs

“wherever. i just want to get away”

“you do know it’s 2 in the morning right?” i take a seat on the recliner and he nods at my question.

“then why do you want to just up and leave? can't this wait until morning?” he plays around with his fingers. a habit i’ve noticed he does. he’s anxious.

“there’s just so much going on here and i need a break.”

“but why do you want me to go?”

“i figured you could use a break, too. and besides, you’re my bestfriend.” right. bestfriend.

“hypothetically, let’s say i agree. how long are you planning on being away?”

“i was thinking a week. maybe?” he scratches the back of his neck and awaits my answer.

“you already have a suitcase packed in your trunk, don’t you?” he smiles at me

“you know me so well, y/n” i sigh and stand up, heading to my room. he follows suit and when we’re in my room, he takes a seat at the spinny-chair by my desk. i walk over to my closet and grab out my suitcase and plop it on my bed, unzipping it. for a minute, trevor sits there and watches me as i pack the clothes i’ll need.

then when i take a glance behind me at him, he’s spinning around. a small smile makes its way onto my face and i turn back to my suitcase.

“don’t spin too much, z. you’ll get dizzy” he stops at my words and goes back to watching me.

“did you pack that green dress?” i furrow my brows and look at him.

“it’s late fall. why do i need a dress?” he shrugs

“what if we want to go to dinner?” i roll my eyes and head to my closet, pulling out the exact dress he’s talking about. i set it aside, knowing i’d have to hang it up in his car so it won’t wrinkle.

“nice hoodie,” he says and i furrow my brows then look down at one of his hockey hoodies that i stole.

“you gave it to me one day and never asked for it back. so i just kept it” i see his face go a bit red and i go back to packing.

once i was done packing my clothes and shoes (which was only a pair of heels and my converse), i grab one of my tote bags hanging up and pack everything else. like my keys, wallet, etc. once that was done, i unplug my charger and grab my favorite blanket to use in the car. trevor insists on taking my luggage and we make our way to his car.

he sets my things in the trunk alongside his and i quickly hang up the dress on the hook above the door on the passenger side.

once trevor and i got situated in the car, which included seat warmers on max power and heat on, we were on the road. i laid my seat back just a little and cozied into my blanket.

“have you thought of a destination yet?”

“i was thinking my hometown?”

“you’re the one driving, not me.” he chuckles and i start to doze off. maybe an hour later, i'm being gently shaken awake.

“y/nnnnnnn” i hear a soft voice call out and i start to wake up a bit from my amazing nap.

“jesus?” i hear the person laugh and i open my eyes and adjust them to the harsh lights. i see trevor crouching in front of me and it appears that we’ve stopped at a gas station.

“there she is. hey sleepyhead” he has a soft and genuine smile on his face and i’m sure i look rough.

“what are we doing?” i croak out and he stands up, holding out a hand for me to take. i push my blanket off of me and the cold, boston air immediately hits me, but i take his hand nonetheless.

“figured we should make a pit stop. you know, get some snacks and i gotta refill the tank.” i nod and we head inside the gas station. i drop trevor’s hand and make my way over to the drinks and grab two gatorades. i scan up and down the aisles and grab a bag of blue doritos and chocolate covered pretzels. because who doesn't love them?

i then feel two hands place themselves on my waist and if i didn't smell trevor's familiar cologne, i would've panicked.

"you ready to check out?" i nod

"shit! i left my wallet in the car. can you hold my stuff while i go get it?" i go to walk away but trevor stops me.

"i'll pay for it" he says without a concern in the world.

"no no. i can't possibly make you do that, trev" he shrugs

"just pay me back when we get in the car" i huff out a fine and we head to the counter and the cashier rings up our items. trevor then pays for his gas and we head back to the car. i take the bag of snacks and slide back into the warmth of the car. i reach into the backseat and grab my tote bag and pull my wallet out of it. trevor finally finishes pumping the gas and slides back into the driver's seat.

"you gonna knock out again?" he asks me, a playful smile on his face. i just shrug.

"maybe. but here," i hold out the money to him and he shakes his head no.

"but you-"

"it was a trick so i could pay for you" i shake my head and figured i'd just put the money into his wallet when he wasn't looking. we're back on the road and i get warm under my blanket again, thus resulting in me taking another nap.

another hour later and i’m shaken awake again.

“y/n, hey. we’re here” i crack my eyes open and look at trevor and he has a big smile on his face. we’re outside of a hotel and trevor takes our luggage inside as i follow suit, blanket wrapped around me and all. when we got to our room, i see there’s only one bed but i could care less about that right now. i wanted to sleep.

i walk over to the bed and fall onto it, closing my eyes.

“still tired?”

“you woke me up at 2am, of course i’m tired” he laughs and sits beside me at the edge of the bed. he pushes a stray hair out of my face and smiles down at me.

“you get some sleep. okay? i’m gonna be right here if you need me.” i nod my head as trevor gets up and sits on the other side of the bed. i hear the tv click on and i doze back off again after that.

i thought, “heaven can’t help me now”

nothing lasts forever

but this is gonna take me down

spending a week alone with trevor was as difficult as i expected it to be. everyday we spent together, the more my feelings for him grew. and we had to share a bed? what is this, a nicholas sparks movie?

as much as i tried to shove those feelings away, a part of me liked this little trip. the selfish part of me. the part of me that got used to waking up entangled with trevor every morning. the part of me that loved his simple forehead kisses he’d give me. but every now and then, it’s okay to be selfish. so i cherished every moment, every passing glance, every touch with him. because nothing lasts forever.

i knew that, when we went back to boston, things would go back to normal. and i dreaded that moment so much. trevor zegras was my weakness.

he’s so tall and handsome as hell

he’s so bad, but he does it so well

i can see the end as it begins

my one condition is…

there was no denying that trevor was a sight for sore eyes. any room he stepped in, he had heads turning to look at him. some even giving him a double-take. pretty sure that one time when we were out, someone stopped him to ask him if he was a model.

don’t get me started on his attitude. he had a way of convincing me to do things with him. like one time, we stole a keg from some frat party. and nobody, to this day, suspects it was him because he doesn’t really talk to any of the frat guys. how we got away with it is still a mystery to me.

i knew that, on that night, things were going to get messy for me. that night is the night i realized how i truly felt for trevor. the fog was no longer there and the skies were crystal clear now. i was falling hard for trevor and i’m afraid he doesn’t reciprocate.

they always say you miss the shots you don’t take, but for now, i think i’ll be a benchwarmer. until i get some liquid courage, i’ll be on the sidelines. i did, however, make a promise to myself.

don’t get too attached.

say you remember me

standing in a nice dress

staring at the sunset, babe

red lips and rosy cheeks

say you’ll see me again

even if it’s just in your

wildest dreams, ah, ha

wildest dreams, ah, ha

i was afraid for this week to end. every rule i set for myself was out the window. i was only setting myself up for failure by agreeing to go with him on this trip. we would be together for a week and then after it was over, we’d go back to how things were.

i will admit though, as much as i hate the emotions i’m feeling, trevor planned some nice things. i’m glad i ended up packing that dress.

***

i was sitting on the hotel bed, clicking through channels when trevor sent me a text.

be ready in 30

oh, and wear that green dress (;

i set my phone down and smile, shaking my head. I walk over to the closet and grab the green dress hanging up, slipping it off the hooks of the hanger. i head into the bathroom, changing into it. once that was done, i just applied some mascara and lip gloss, keeping it light and simple, but still elegant. i pop in the earrings my grandmother passed down to me, as well as her ring and a necklace. all that was left was my heels.

i sit down on the edge of the bed and struggle to get the heels on. after many failed attempts though, they were strapped and i stand up. walking back into the bathroom, i look at my reflection in the mirror and softly smile. not often did i get dolled up, but when i did, i felt amazing.

i walk back into the room and just in time to see trevor walk through the door. when he looks at me, he goes quiet. his eyes take in all of me and he walks towards me, so that we're less than a foot apart from each other.

"y/n, you look... wow. i- wow." i chuckle softly and start to walk to the door.

"come on" he snaps out of his trance and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. we walk down the hallway and step into the elevator. he turns to face me.

"i do mean it. you look amazing" i give him a smile

"you don't look too bad either, zegras" he laughs and my heart melts. i always love when he smiles or laughs because his eyes crinkle. the satisfaction of being the one who made him laugh is a major reward. the elevator door then opens and we step off, preparing ourselves for the harsh new york air that's awaiting for us.

we successfully make it to his car and heat is immediately turned on.

"aux is all yours tonight," he shoots me a wink and backs out of the parking lot. i hook my phone up and pick a song i knew would get a reaction out of him. the faint tune of you belong with me starts to play through the car speakers and trevor gasps. he then turns the volume up some more and i laugh. he starts to sing along as he drives.

"come on, sing with me, y/n!" the chorus starts to play and i join in singing.

"if you could see that i"m the one who understands you, been here all along so why can't you seeeeee you belong with meeeee. you belong with me!" we both shout together and i only wish trevor can pick up on the hint i'm dropping by playing this. i'm brought out of my thoughts by the music being turned down and i look over at trevor. he never turns down taylor swift.

"hey, what's going on in that pretty mind of yours?" i look over at him and he's focusing on the road.

"nothing too important. it'll resolve itsellf" he absentmindedly nods and then i get out of my spunk and turn the radio back up.

"ready for the next song?" i ask and he nods

"hit me with your best shot, l/n" love story starts to play and he laughs.

"i love this song!" i knew he did. it's why i played it. he then starts to belch out his lungs, word for word and i just watch with a smile on my face. he looks at me and his smile widens.

"what?" i shake my head

"you're something else, trev" the smile is still on his face as he looks back at the road, still singing along.

"he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said, 'marry me juliet, you'll never have to be alone. i love you and that's all i really know. i talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress, it's a love story baby just say yes'!" he continues to sing along as i watch with amusement and when the song ends, another one starts. the perks of queing songs.

we continue to sing taylor swift songs and then we finally arrive at the restaurant. it's a nice, hole-in-the-wall place. trevor then rushes around to my door and opens it, holding out his hand.

"m'lady" i take his hand

"why thank you, kind sir" i laugh and then we head to the restaurant.

after trevor and i stuffed ourselves to the brim, he had somewhere to take me. he said he "knew a spot." he wasn't wrong. trevor pulled into a clearing that overlooked the small town and the sun was setting perfectly against the scenery. i stand near the edge of the drop-off and just take in everything with admiration. a shiver then goes through my body and trevor speaks up from behind me.

"cold?" i nod and he walks off to the car, grabbing something, then coming back. i feel something warm drape over my shoulders and i melt into it. it was his suit jacket. i slip my arms through the sleeves and wrap it around myself.

the headlights of trevors car shining on us and the faint sounds of night changes by one direction playing in the back really set the scene. i turn my attention from the sunset to look at trevor to see him already looking at me. he has a soft smile on his face and it makes me smile.

"why are you looking at me like that you goof?" i laugh and his smile grows wider, if that's even possible. he holds out his hand.

"may i have this dance?" i nod and take his hand in mine. we sway to the music and i want to capture this moment and keep it frozen in time.

***

i smile at the faint memory. i hope he treasures that moment as much as i do.

i said, "no one has to know what we do"

his hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room

and his voice is a familiar sound

nothin' lasts forever

but this is gettin' good now

i was in the midst of cooking myself dinner when i hear three knocks at my door.

"just a second!" i call out, washing my hands. i then walk over and open my door and see trevor standing there.

"trevor, what are you doing here?" i furrow my brows and he places a hand over his heart in mock hurt.

"i was expecting more enthusiasm from you, y/n" i roll my eyes and he walks in like always.

"mmm. something smells good"

"yeah, i was in the middle of making dinner" he takes a seat on my couch and i go back to cooking.

"whatcha making?" he asks as he turns the tv on, flipping through channels.

"first, tell me what brings your unannounced visit. not another road trip, is it?" he briefly looks at me before looking back at the tv.

"can't i just come see my favorite person ever?" i shrug even though he can't see me.

"i suppose you can" i hear his footsteps making their way over and i look behind me to see him sitting on the small counter i have. he starts to kick his legs back and forth as he watches me move around my small kitchen.

"now, what're you making?"

"chicken alfredo" i say and his face lights up

"yes, you can stay for dinner" he does a small victory dance and i laugh. he continues to talk to me while i cook, and when i'm done, he makes himself a plate. the next action was so quick, it caught me off-guard. he places a kiss on my forehead, thanking me for dinner, and takes a seat at the small table i have, digging into his food. i stand there processing the action before i make myself a plate as well, joining him at the table. we eat in silence for a few minutes before trevor speaks up.

"mom says she wants you to come back again" i laugh and look at him

"already?" he nods

"i swear she loves you more than me. hell, even ava and griffin miss you" i smile

"they just can't resist the y/n charm" he rolls his eyes playfully before taking another bite of his food.

"she says you're welcome there anytime"

"will keep that in mind" we continue to converse and when we're done eating, we go sit on the couch. i watch whatever trevor puts on tv, and we watch it in silence for a good while before he's the first to break the silence yet again.

"y/n, there actually was a reason i came here today" he pauses the movie and i look at him. he's looking at his feet and i can tell he's anxious.

"trev, you can tell me anything. okay?" he looks at me before looking back at his feet, nodding.

"there was a reason i asked you to accompany me last week" i sit up and turn my body to face him. my silence is enough for him to continue. he then faces me and finally looks me in the eyes. i don't think i've ever seen him this serious in a while and i'm curious as to what he's going to say.

"y/n, i like you," he pauses. "scratch that. i'm in love with you. i asked you to come with me last week because i can't get enough of you. i couldn't possibly imagine spending a week away from you. i thought that a week away with you would be a hint to show you how i felt, because everybody says actions speak louder than words, but nothing happened. so here i am, pouring my heart out to you."

out of everything i was expecting, it wasn't that. i'm at a loss of words and i can see the doubt filling his eyes. he starts to stand up.

"thank you for dinner." he starts to leave but i finally figure out how to talk.

"trevor," he turns to look at me. "you didn't give me a chance to talk" is all i say before he's seated back in front of me.

"trevor, i've fallen for you, and i've fallen hard. i thought that you didn't feel the same way back. i kept telling myself that i shouldn't get attached because after that one week with you was over, that's all it would be. over. nothing would happen. and for a second, i thought i was right. but now you're here telling me you feel the same? i don't know how to react. i'm happy, over-the-moon, elated, whatever other adjective there is." a smile as big as the cheshire cat's graces his face and he places both his hands on either side of my face.

"can i?" i nod and he gives me a kiss that is nothing short of amazing. the kiss you hear about in books and see in movies. we then pull away and he rests his forehead on mine.

"i can't tell you how happy you make me," he softly whispers, bringing a smile to my face.

trevor ended up staying the night with me. not thinking much of it, i let him use the hoodie i stole of his and some men’s grey sweatpants i thrifted. he discarded his previous clothes somewhere in my room. we fell asleep facing each other as he ran his hand through my hair.

however, the next morning, i woke to someone knocking on my door. i sleepily make my way to the door, seeing who it is before opening it. when i see that it’s my bestfriend, i open the doors and am immediately hit with the harsh sunlight. i squint my eyes at her and she laughs.

“morning sleepyhead”

“hey, why are you here so early?” she holds out a bag

“early christmas present since i’m about to hit the road home for the break” i take the bag from her and just my luck, trevor decides to wake up.

“y/n?” he calls out from my room and my bestfriend gives me a look.

“you had someone over last night?” i nod and she gasps. “you whore!” i shush her and then i hear footsteps making their way to me.

“y/n, come back to bed. i’m cold & you’re a nice heater” trevor pouts then wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder.

“oh. my. god. it’s happening. okay, i better get going. nice to see you trevor. y/n, you have a lot of explaining to do. bye lovebirds!” she calls over her shoulder before walking off and i shut the door. i turn in trevor’s arms to face him and his eyes are still closed, a sleepy smile on his face.

“you’re lucky i like you” i say, kissing his nose as i walk back to my bedroom. trevor’s hold on me doesn’t falter though, so it’s like i’m dragging him. i set the bag down and then climb back in bed, trevor clinging to me. he rests his head on my chest and soon his breaths even out, letting me know he’s asleep.

tags: @goldenbrokenheart

a/n: i know i didn’t continue the whole song, but i felt i was at a good stopping point (:

[13uswntimagines]

Chanukah party (USWNT x Baby!Reader)

This isn’t a request but @literaryhedgehog​ and I thought it would be fun. The basic premise is that reader is at camp during Chanukah, and the team feels bad (especially Lindsey) so they throw her a party. (thank you @notmia101​ for betaing this for us). 

You smiled at Alyssa as she described her winter plans after training camp. How she was going to visit her sister and her family for Christmas. How they were hoping for snow and how they were going to kill an innocent tree and desecrate its body with lights for their amusement. Her words, not yours. It was a game she and the other girls played every year, trying to make their Christmas plans sound as horror-movie-ish as possible. It was a way of trying to make fun of themselves so you could share the amusement and join in laughing at them. 

But despite their efforts, a little piece of you always felt left out because you couldn’t (wouldn’t?) participate. See, you were one of the few who didn’t celebrate Christmas. You were proud of your Jewish heritage, even if your family wasn’t the most ~religious~. But you were proud of the culture you had been raised in. You held its traditions very near to your heart and weren’t AT ALL bitter that the rest of the team had time designated to visit their family during their winter holidays while you still had training camp through the third week of December.  

You were kinda zoning out because you could only take so much of their cookie baking, their stalkerish man that watched kids while they slept, and their hiding of a stupid stuffed toy you were sure would give you nightmares (who the fuck thought having an ‘elf’ stalk your family all month was cute?!?!? Capitalism was a weird man). (Though you may or may not have paid attention to Lindsey’s plan to dress Ferguson like a little elf…) 

“What about you kid?” Tobin asked, nudging you out of your daydream. 

“What?” You shook your head, making everyone around you laugh. 

“Do you have plans for the holidays?” Lindsey repeated, her smile showing off her dimples. 

“Oh, um. Chanukah started a few days ago. It’s cool, they have an app with a menorah and everything. My family has been face timing me most days, but it will be over before training ends.” You shrugged, hoping they couldn’t see how much being away from your family during this time of year sucked (though you were glad to be included on the camp roster). 

Most of the veteran's jaws dropped, how had they not known that you were missing something so important to you? How had US Soccer overlooked a holiday (and inadvertently given you an ultimatum- celebrate or make the national team). 

“Then why did they schedule training camp this week?” Tobin mumbled. Again you shrugged. 

“There’s 23 of you and only one of me… it’s really not that big of a deal,” you smiled briefly and gave the same speech you had given since middle school, “It’s not like the ‘Jewish Christmas’ even though it happens around the same time some years, my family doesn’t even exchange presents, so I’m really just missing the party they’re throwing on the 18th.” 

“That still isn’t fair though. I mean, we get Christmas off automatically, even if we don’t celebrate it!” Christen huffed, throwing her hands up. 

“I mean, this isn’t like a new thing. We’re always at camp during this time. And next year the holiday starts in November, so it’s not something that can consistently be scheduled around. I guess it’s just a sacrifice I have to make to be the best right?” You said earnestly, shaking your head. You knew all of the arguments, you had heard them for all of your life. 

“But-“ Emily started to protest, but before she could get the words out you cut her off. “Don’t make a big deal guys, it’s fine. Really,” 

The team stared at you for a few seconds, several women opening and closing their mouths several times. You shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, breathing a sigh of relief when your phone rang, glad to have an excuse to get out of this situation. 

“Ok so we’re totally going to make a big deal out of this,” Lindsey said turning back around to face the team the second you were out the door. 

“I’m guessing you have a plan to woo your girl?” Emily smirked, wiggling her eyebrows. 

“It’s not to. No. We are doing this as a team to be supportive of our teammate who is part of a traditionally marginalized culture that we need to be more supportive of,” Lindsey grumbled sternly, smiling when Christen nodded in return. “I’m googling “Chanukah for Dummies” right now. 

They were going to make this camp different from the others (and if she got to impress you that was just a bonus). 

…..

“Umm, why does it smell like something is burning?” Becky asked, walking through the hotel corridor towards the dining room. 

“Because Latkes are apparently more difficult to make than I expected,” Kelley said, tossing what looked like a stack of burned hockey pucks into the trash. “I didn’t realize the whole room was going to smell like fried food- do you think they’re going to fine me when we check out?”

“If they fine you, they better fine Em too. The stench from such a little jar is kind of amazing,” Lindsey huffed. 

“What did she do, get her sardines or something?” Becky asked, shaking her head, remembering the smell that she couldn’t quite place. 

“No. Something called ‘Gefilte fish’”. 

“But isn’t that usually for Passover?” Kelley asked, looking up from where she was trying to scrape burned potatoes off her pan.

“They said it was traditional, isn’t that what we’re going for?” Emily huffed, pouting. Lindsey rolled her eyes at her best friend. 

“I’ve got music!” Chrystal called, walking through the door in a star-patterned sweater. “It turns out there are not a whole lot of Chanukah songs. There’s a Spotify playlist that’s only 3 hours long, or so, so I supplemented it with a lot of Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon.”

“And I brought the sour cream and applesauce as requested!” Sam called, walking in after her, “also some apple juice and honey bourbon. I know apples and honey are a thing for Rosh Hashana, so I thought maybe we could make some cocktails?”

“I won’t tell coach if you don’t,” Kelley said taking the bottle and pouring herself a shot. “Someone else needs to take over the latke making. My attempts have all either looked like lefse, hashbrowns or just burned.”

“Lefse?”

“I had an ex-girlfriend from Minnesota. It was a potato tortilla thing her family sent her at thanksgiving. The point here is that someone else needs to cook or we are just going to be eating sour cream and applesauce on their own.”

“We could make french fries?” Rose suggested tentatively. 

“With bacon and cheese! Those are the best,” Emily exclaimed, only to have Lindsey (gently) slap the back of her head. 

“No, Sonnett. She can’t have bacon and I don’t think she’s allowed to have cheese and meat on the same plate…” 

“I think if we just batter potato pieces in egg and flour and fry them it would taste nice with the apple sauce and sour cream. And we’ve made french fries before so it won’t be so much of a… learning curve. Though you did a great try, Kelley!” Rose said, patting Kelley’s arm.

“You guys are useless. Did you even look at a recipe?” Megan shook her head. 

“If you think it’s so easy you try it.” Kelley scoffed. Megan raised her eyebrow at the woman, stealing the spatula from the defender's hand. 

“Tasty made here we come,” 

*****

“Happy Chanukah!” came from all around as you walked in. Lindsey was very proud. Not only had she gotten the team on track and ensured that they had all of the stuff google said would make the perfect Chanukah celebration; she had also kept you off their trail until this moment. The shock on your face made all the work on their day off entirely worth it. 

The room was decorated in tinsel with a shiny plastic menorah in the center of the table. Several people were wearing ugly sweaters with different “decorations” taped on. A sign on the back wall said “We survived, let’s eat!” Lindsey had decided against hanging up the posters Rose and Mal made saying “Stick it to the (ro)Man!” and “MaccaBEe mine.” The first one because she wasn’t sure it was appropriate, the second one because she knew it wasn’t.

“Ooo who brought the hotdog of the sea?” You asked, biting your lip to suppress a giggle as you walked over to the table to see the food on display. 

“What?” Lindsey’s eyes tried to follow yours, utterly confused. They didn’t get hotdogs. They most certainly weren’t on the list that Chanukah for dummies had given her. 

You smiled softly and shook your head, pointing to the tan balls that Emily had provided. 

“That’s what my siblings and I call it during Passover. Gefilte fish is kinda a love it or hate it thing…” you trailed off, scrunching your nose just slightly. 

“And you’re not a fan?” Lindsey smirked, wrapping an arm around your shoulder. 

“Umm, I plead the fifth,” You mumbled, shaking your head slightly. It wasn’t your favorite item in the world. 

“That was all Emily,” Kelley snorted, clapping you on the back, and you grinned devilishly back at her. 

“Well, it was very nice of her to be so thoughtful. She can try a piece with me,” 

Emily cringed at the idea, but nodded nonetheless. It was your party and if eating the smelly thing out of a jar made you happy, then that’s exactly what she would do. (She also stealthily shot Lindsey the middle finger while you were surveying the rest of the items on the tables). 

“Honestly the sufganiyot is my favorite,” you said, taking a step towards the platter, your lips ticking up at Lindsey’s adorable confused face. “sorry, the donuts,” you clarified, picking up one of the many powdered sugar-covered donuts in the stack, inspecting it to see what kind it was. The Jelly ones were particularly important for the celebration. 

Lindsey blushed a little. “We didn’t know if you wanted jelly or custard,” She said hesitantly, watching as your eyes got impossibly brighter. 

“Both are amazing, thank you,” You smiled softly at the midfielder, brushing a stay bit of powdered sugar off her pink cheeks. You held her gaze for a moment before seeming realizing you had an audience, and turning towards the rest of the team. “thank all of you,” 

It wasn’t the traditional Chanukah you usually shared with your family, but the friends who had become your family made it special nonetheless.

[hockeylvr59]

Secret Love Part 10 || Cale Makar

Requested: [ ] yes [x] no

Authors Note: This is an important and super fluffy chapter. It’s taking me a bit longer to write now that school is back so updates will be slower but I am obsessed with sharing this story with you guys and all of the feedback means the world to me. A photoset of all of the sightseeing locations will be posted immediately following this update and as always will be tagged ‘038′

Warnings: cursing

Word Count: 3,695

~~~~

You started your day - for the second time - when Cale’s thumb brushed over your cheek and his lips ghosted over yours. As your eyes cracked open, you realized he was standing beside the bed already fully dressed. 

“Time to get up sunshine...we have a busy day of exploring ahead of us.” He chuckled as you groaned, stretching lazily as your brain struggled to wake up. A glance at your phone revealed that it was 5:45 in the morning, not even two hours since you fell back asleep. “Get up and get dressed and we can go get coffee and breakfast.” Cale lured, smiling so brightly that you wanted to smack it right off of his face. 

Fifteen minutes later, you were pulling on socks and a pair of hiking sneakers while Cale finished throwing things into the backpack he’d brought as a carry-on. You had already pulled on the pair of leggings, t-shirt, and fleece that Cale had laid out for you and had quickly fixed your hair adding a combo foundation/sunscreen to your face so that you didn’t look entirely dead. 

Sliding out of the hotel room, you stopped down at the continental breakfast for sustenance and coffee. Not long after that, you were sliding back into the rental vehicle as Cale tossed the bag in the backseat and loaded up an address into his phone’s GPS. 

“So can I ask where we’re going?” You inquired, yawning as you looked over at your boyfriend. 

“We’re doing the Golden Circle today...but starting with a little bit of a detour first.” Despite your look to continue, Cale didn’t add anything else to that. Instead, he handed you his phone with Spotify open so that you could pick the music for the trip. 

For the next 45 minutes, you jammed out while looking out the window as the views of Iceland passed by. It was too early to have any form of intelligent conversation but as always the silence was comfortable. Eventually, Cale pulled into a parking lot and climbed out of the car, grabbing the backpack from the backseat. 

“You ready for a hike?” He questioned, lacing his fingers through yours. 

“Let’s do it.” You agreed, hoping your body was prepared for what you were about to put it through. It was a brisk, 14 degrees Celsius/57 degrees Fahrenheit outside but with your layered clothing it was comfortable. 

The start of the hike was relatively flat and continued a good distance before you descended down the hillside and through a stone archway. Continuing your descent you reached a river, one you evidently had to cross to continue. Slipping off your shoes and socks, you rolled your pants up. With Cale behind you, you grabbed onto the guidewire and started making your way across the rocks until you reached a log halfway across. Reaching the other side of the swiftly flowing river, you threw your shoe laden hands up in the air in triumph. 

“That was...an experience.” You mused, taking a towel Cale offered to dry off your feet before sliding back into more proper footwear. 

“Now comes the hard part....up.” Cale declared, taking the towel from you to dry off his own feet. 

“I was afraid you were going to say that.” You joked, stretching to peck his lips. “Just...don’t let me fall.” You pleaded lightly. 

“You’re not going anywhere,” Cale promised. “And the view will be worth it.” 

Sharing sips from the bottle of water Cale had brought, you started the long ascent. Holding the ropes as you climbed, you made slow but steady progress. Without you saying a word about it, Cale slowed down his pace when you needed him to and he reached out a hand to help when the next step was just a little too far or too high. Climbing over some particularly high rocks, Cale had one hand in yours while his other guided you up by your waist, and you stumbled half a step, your chest pressing against his as a anxious giggle spilled from your throat. 

By the time you reached the first marker point you were in desperate need of more water and eagerly took the bottle as Cale pulled it out of the backpack. It was only after you had taken a handful of sips that you actually looked at where you were. Off in the distance was a magnificent waterfall, steep cliffs surrounding it on either side. In the other direction, you could see all the way out to the ocean, just miles and miles of the most stunning terrain. It was absolutely breathtaking and already so worth the burn in your quads you were going to be feeling for days. 

As you turned back to stare at the waterfall again, Cale’s arms slipped around your waist and he stood pressed against your back, his chin resting on top of your head. 

“What do you think?” He murmured. 

“It’s incredible.” You whispered, relaxing back against him. 

“I knew you’d like it.” Cale added, his breaths long and deep, just taking it all in. 

As you stood wrapped in Cale’s arms, in wonder of how a place like this could exist, you felt a wave of emotion crash over you, hitting you as hard as the water flowing over the falls hit the rocks below. 

You were in love with him. 

A life with him, one full of adventure and wonder. Knowing he was the one person who knew you better than yourself, knowing he would always be there to support you physically and emotionally. This was all you could ever ask for, could ever want.

You’d loved him from the moment you first held him 21 years ago. That love had changed in substance as you went from playing house with Cale as your partner in crime and Taylor as your baby to biting your nails trying to quell your nerves as you watched him skate in his first collegiate hockey game. Now, that love was different still: deeper, stronger, all-consuming, intimate. You were learning every little piece of him and he was learning the same about you. 

It was too soon to say the words aloud, but you could no longer deny it in your own mind. You didn’t just love your best friend, you were head over heels in love with him. 

Twisting in his arms, you wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling him down into a soft kiss. Just because you weren’t ready to say it didn’t mean you couldn’t express it through your actions. 

You didn’t even realize that Cale had messed around with his phone to take a picture until you had pulled away, cheeks warm from both the exertion and the kiss. It was a stunning photo, one you were itching to make your home screen, but one that certainly was going in the file not to be seen by your parents. Cale took a few more pictures before the two of you continued to climb. 

When you reached the top of the falls, you took even more pictures, sitting down by the side of the river to munch on one of the protein bars Cale had packed. After a few more minutes rest, Cale pulled you back to your feet and the two of you turned around to retrace your steps all the way back down, across the river once more, and then up to the car. 

Your hike had taken you the entire morning, but had been so worth it. Your epiphany aside, spending time with Cale like this was something you had always treasured but that had been in short supply as the two of you got older. So between the bonding time and getting to take in all of the incredible views you’d just witnessed, you were certainly feeling blessed even if you were already sore.

 Climbing back in the car, you insisted Cale find somewhere with a bathroom before your next stop of the day. It hadn’t bothered you while you were moving but with draining an entire bottle of water while hiking and the constant sound of water in your ears all day...you really needed to pee. Cale had laughed at you, but complied willingly, pulling up his phone to find someplace for the two of you to stop. 

After emptying your bladder and downing another protein bar, you settled in for the short drive to Þingvellir National Park. Having pulled out Cale’s map with the Golden Circle route, you now had some idea of at least the general locations you were going to see. 

As Cale pulled the car into a parking lot, you got a glimpse of what made this place so special. But it wasn’t until you had gotten out and actually started walking around that you realized how truly impressive it was. This was one of the few locations globally where you could actually see the tectonic plates. Jagged rocks thrust out of the landscape appearing on either side of you as you tugged Cale along the path. It was sights like this that made you realize how big and powerful nature was and just how small you were as humans in comparison. 

Having already seen one incredible waterfall today, you decided to forgo the walk to see the one here in the park and instead just took a couple of photos before heading back to the car to continue on to the next stop of your journey. 

Back in the car, you once again took over Cale’s phone for music, his spotify blasting as you drove through Iceland with the windows down, enjoying the beautiful afternoon. Singing along to the music, you kicked your feet up and leaned against your door, partly watching your surroundings and partly watching your boyfriend. He’d relaxed considerably behind the wheel since yesterday and you’d never noticed how sexy he looked while driving before. It wasn’t something you could explain, it was just something that hit you straight in the gut. 

Your next stop was to see Geysir, the Icelandic version of Old Faithful. The strong smell of sulfur filled the air and steam rose from the vents and pools of bubbling water in the ground. 

“We don’t have to stick around here long.” Cale insisted, his hand rubbing over your lower back as you headed toward the largest geyser in the park. Like clockwork, the geyser erupts every six minutes, so it wasn’t too much of a wait to see it before heading back to the car. 

Reaching for the passenger door, you were stopped when Cale grabbed your wrist and tugged your body closer to his. 

“Are you okay?” He questioned, palm cupping your cheek. 

“Yeah Cale I’m good.” You assured him. “It’s just not the most pleasant scent.” Kissing him softly, you brushed your nose against his for a moment before settling back onto your heels. “Now let’s get out of here.” It didn’t escape your notice, that once again Cale was checking on you, making sure that you were always okay. The way he cared for those around him was one of the things you loved most about him. 

It was a really short, ten-minute car ride to the next stop of the day. Though you had skipped the small waterfall at Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls had made Cale’s list of things to see. Unlike Glymur falls which had been tall and narrow, Gullfoss was a fairly shallow set of falls, that stretched over a much wider area. With the sun shining the way it was, rainbows appeared wherever there was mist from the falls. Everything in Iceland was absolutely beautiful; just being here made you feel more grounded, centered. It was absolutely the perfect trip so far to really spend time with Cale as a couple rather than just friends. This time, the photos you took were silly ones to show your families. But like your last few stops, you didn’t linger long before climbing into the car to head to the final stop of the Circle. 

You must have dozed off during that leg of the drive because when you opened your eyes, you were once again parked in a new location. Cale was looking at his phone, but when he realized you were awake, his eyes turned soft as he glanced over at you. 

“What?” You inquired, your back popping as you stretched. Cale didn’t respond, simply shaking his head as he turned the car off and moved to climb out of the car. 

“You coming?” He eventually called, turning back to face you about ten feet in front of the car. Rolling your eyes, you quickly moved to catch up with him and after paying a small conservation fee, you stepped off the paved lot onto a path. In front of you was a crater lake, its deep blue water surrounded by red rock and green vegetation. 

“Okay...don’t get me wrong...everything we’ve seen today has been gorgeous...but I think this is my favorite.” You breathed. 

“Yeah?” Cale murmured. You nodded in response, tucking yourself into his side as the two of you just admired the sight in front of you. Waterfalls were great, geysers and faults were cool, but this...this was on another level. 

Eventually you’d made your way back to Reykjavik after lingering for awhile at the Crater.

It had been a long day, and you were ready to get some dinner and just relax before maybe going to bed early. Sinking into one of the chairs in your hotel room, you sighed in relief and toed off your shoes. Cale had disappeared into the bathroom and when you looked up he was leaning against the wall, a pensive look on his face. 

“So...are you gonna hate me if I tell you we have one more thing on the agenda for today?” He asked. When your shoulders sunk, he chuckled and moved across the room to kiss you. “I promise it’s something relaxing.” He murmured against your lips. 

“What is it?” You groaned. 

“Dinner followed by a little dip…” You had to admit you were intrigued and you were dying to show off the new suits you’d bought for the trip. 

“You kill me Cale.” You sighed, though the smile pulling at the corners of your mouth gave away your compliance. Cale pulled you to your feet and his hands landed on your hips as he looked down at you, content smile traveling all the way up to his eyes. “You’re lucky I really really like you.” You teased. 

“Hmm is that right?” Cale murmured back as his mouth dropped to yours for a kiss that lingered, his tongue exploring your mouth. Sighing into the kiss, for a moment you let yourself get lost in the feeling of it all. When the kiss broke, you stood in Cale’s arms, your fingers playing with the hairs at the back of his neck. The way he was looking at you made you shiver and knowing you’d never leave this hotel room if you didn’t start moving, you pulled away. 

“Do I need to stay dressed like this or can I change into something a little nicer?” You questioned.

“You can change if you want.” Cale declared, fingers running through his hair. Digging through your suitcase, you grabbed your swimsuit and one of the nice but still fairly casual dresses you’d packed before slipping into the bathroom. Sliding the suit on, you pulled the dress on over it before stepping back into the main room. 

“Will this work?” You asked as you slid your dirty clothes into a laundry bag. Cale still hadn’t responded by the time you’d found your sandals and slipped them on and when you looked over at him, his cheeks were flushed and his jaw was halfway to the ground. “Cale…” You prompted, eyebrows raised. 

“Shit...fuck...holy crap you’re beautiful.” Cale declared after snapping out of the daze he’d been in. If this simple dress had that much of an effect on him, you couldn’t wait to see how he responded to some of the other things you’d brought, suit included. 

“So it’ll work?” You repeated your question, giggling softly. 

“Yeah...I think that’ll work.” He agreed, shaking his head before moving to change as well. 

You’d lost count of how many times you’d been in and out of your rental car today, but as you climbed into the passenger seat again, you acknowledged that this time felt different. Once Cale had reached the open highway, his hand reached down to lace with yours. Anxious butterflies filled your stomach and it took some time before you realized why. 

This was your first real date. 

Sure you’d had lunch together, done dinner at your place, watched movies, this whole trip was kind of an extended date...but this was the first time you’d gone out together that truly felt like a date. 

It was silly to feel nervous, you’d been together for a month already and things were really good. Still, you couldnt’t shake that little bit of nervous energy. 

A few nerves were good though, and you decided to just make the most of them. About an hour after you’d left your hotel, Cale pulled into a parking lot again and the two of you made your way through a winding path surrounded by volcanic rock until you reached the doors for the Blue Lagoon. 

Dinner was the first part of this date which you were thankful for because you were starving. With views of the lagoon, high ceilings and a wall made of the same volcanic rock as outside, you settled into a table at the Lava Restaurant. 

Once glasses of wine were poured and main dishes were ordered, you smiled across the table at Cale. 

“I don’t know if I’ve…”

“You really are…” You both started speaking at the same time, and laughter spread between you as you each stopped to let the other speak. 

“Go ahead.” Cale insisted, his thumb brushing against your joined hands. 

“Thank you for all of this.” You breathed. “This trip is really special and I know you put a lot of thought and effort into planning it.” 

“You’re worth it.” Cale said blushing slightly. “This trip wouldn’t be nearly as fun with anyone else.” Reaching for your wine glass you held it up in a toast, waiting for Cale to mirror your action. 

“To us.” You murmured. “To adventures, laughter, and a little romance.” 

“To my beautiful girlfriend. My best friend. I’m so lucky you’re mine even though it took us awhile to figure it out.” Your heart pounded at Cale’s words but thankfully your food arrived before he had the chance to make you cry. 

Sharing your lamb fillet and Cale’s beef tenderloin, you both got to taste multiple examples of the rich Icelandic cuisine. Your main dishes were followed by a shared dessert of icelandic berries and chocolate. As Cale fed you a bite, you felt some of the caramel sauce hit the corner of your mouth. Before you could reach up to wipe it away, Cale had done it for you and your stomach twisted pleasantly at the feeling of his thumb against your skin. 

When your food was finished, you relaxed finishing off your glasses of wine while Cale told you a story from his time at UMass that you hadn’t heard before. Eventually though, you got up from the table and moved to head out to the lagoon itself. 

Since you both had suits on under your clothes already, it didn’t take long to put your things into a locker in the women’s changing area before meeting up with Cale. The moment he saw you, you watched him swallow hard, his eyes visibly darkening. 

“This. is. not. fair.” Cale choked out. Dragging him outside, your eyes went wide as you took in the sight in front of you. Pale blue water, dark rocks, it was absolutely stunning and you couldn’t wait to get in. 

Stepping down into the warm water you waited for Cale to join you, laughing to yourself as he stood on the cement looking completely awestruck. The water was perfect, it felt like you had stepped into a massive jacuzzi and the heat felt wonderful on your sore muscles. 

“You’re trying to give me a heart attack aren’t you?” Cale whispered, his voice dangerously low as he appeared behind you. 

“And just how would I do that?” You smirked, enjoying the ego stroking you were getting from Cale’s reactions. 

“You know how.” Cale mumbled. “You’re absolutely killing me right now.” 

You’d hoped to get some reaction out of Cale when you picked out this suit, but you hadn’t expected for him to lose his mind like this. Admittedly, the blue and white of the suit was even more fitting for this location than you had expected and you felt sexy and confident as Cale’s eyes lingered on you. 

Trailing your nails down Cale’s chest you pulled your bottom lip between your teeth as you smiled up at him. 

“If you like this...wait until you see what else I packed…” You suggested, slipping away from Cale to head over to the in-water bar for a drink, his growl resounding in your ears. 

Cale seemed to recover from his shock a little but not fully and the two of you spent close to two hours enjoying yourselves. You even convinced Cale to not only let you give him a silica mask, but to take a couple pictures with it on even though he was sure to be chirped if his teammates or even his brother ever saw them. 

Relaxed and happy, you left the lagoon to drive back to the hotel. That had been by far your favorite first date ever. And it was the best way to cap off a day that had been even better than yesterday. As you crawled into bed, your head resting on Cale’s chest, the exhaustion of such an eventful day caught up with you and it wasn’t long until you had fallen fast asleep. 

End of Chapter Outfit:

[penroseparticle]

Would it be appropriate for me to be That Dumb Bitch™ and ask for all of the music asks? Because I know I'm gonna ask them all on Anon anyway and I really love your opinions,thoughts, and suggestions on music

Thank you so much💜 ily(platonically)

And I hope you're drinking water

ILY too anon

We both know I’m drinking Diet Cokes rather than water. But I appreciate it! And of course you can be That Dumb Bitch. I approve of all Dumb Bitches as I am one too. all 30 questions coming right up!

your favorite album opener I know it’s pretty basic to answer Arctic Monkeys is a good band, but I am pretty basic so here we are. AM is a near perfect album, which is not news to anyone, but few people know that Do I Wanna Know? is the first track on the album. Masterful. 

a song starting w/ the same first letter of your first name Cheat, by Emily Burns. It’s just a quiet, competent, earworm. And it’s a pretty nice message too- if it were me I wouldn’t have cheated, end of. I like it.

a song outside of your usual genre I’m not super into Metal. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy it, my brother pretty much exclusively listens to hard rock and metal and such, so I have some stuff I like. But it’s just one of those genres someone has to introduce me to songs in. That said, I really like Cold Water by Protest The Hero. Good stuff!

a song that reminds you of your favorite season Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy is SUCH a Fall song, I swear.

a song from a lifelong favorite artist I think my lifelong favorite artist is Ms. Lauryn Hill, if we’re going by the artists I’ve loved longest- that’s obviously influenced by my mother, who LOVES Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, etc. I’m going with a Fugees song, not an independent, but it’s still fantastic- the classic “Killing Me Softly With His Song”.

your current “on repeat” song Montero by Lil Nas X is still on repeat and I’m not ashamed.

a song your friend introduced you to that you ended up loving Shout out Anna for introducing me ti Leikeli47! Girl Blunt was the song and now I just love her in general but Girl Blunt is good. I think my fave is Wash and Set though, so have a freebie on me.

a song that speaks the words you couldn’t say I have a hard time asking for things for myself so Rose’s Turn has always been a song I think but don’t say out loud. Starting now it’s gonna be my turn? Too unrealistic tbh.

a song that captures your aesthetic (can be ideal!) Bambi by Hippo Campus

a song about the place where you live I have played Welcome to DC so many fucking times (By Mambo Sauce because this city is a fucking joke) and I am thoroughly sick of it. When youth hockey teams use a song as their warmup song it gets old REAL fast.

a song from an international artist I LOOOOVE Maluma, sorry not sorry, and El Perdedor is one of my favorite songs of all time tbh.

a song you can scream all the words to Love In The Morning by Chris Jobe. I just really enjoy the song idk why. Also it’s a very simple song and it’s easy to sing.

a reboot of a song/songs you already loved (remix, mashup, acoustic, etc.) I love Passionfruit, but Drake is a... problematic artist to enjoy nowadays. Yaeji did a very slow, lilting, quiet cover of it that I quite like. So now for my Passionfruit fix I support a small artist and not, you know, Drake

a song with the name of a place in the title Oh god. Vienna is literally the name of like 4 songs that I love (The Fray, Billy Joel, Lambert, and Ultravox, so I’ve gotta go with that one tbh. Lambert is instrumental and Ultravox is some chill ass 80′s stuff, and everyone knows the Billy Joel one.

a song that reminds you of traveling Feel It Still by Portugal the Man reminds me of a trip I took to NYC because someone I went with loved the band.

your favorite childhood song My favorite childhood song is What Kind of Pokemon Are You? From the 2.B.A. Master album for pokemon. It is my fave because that cd is the first piece of music I ever bought for myself.

a song that reminds you of a good time Midnight by Caravan Palace. I have seen Caravan Palace three times live, more than anyone but Betty Who, and I ALWAYS have a fantastic time at their concerts. Just. So good.

a song that reminds you of a bad time Season 2 Episode 3 by Glass Animals is how I describe depression to people- it’s not just that I’m like, blank or sad or bland. It’s that I go through the motions and it doesn’t feel like anything. I do things I love and it feels like nothing. You kind of just can’t do anything to get out of it, your stuff just stops working.

a song from an artist whose old music you enjoy more than their new music So it turns out that my favorite album by FAR for OkGo is Of The Blue Color Of The Sky, a fairly old album of theirs. I like most of thier stuff and obviously all of their videos are great, but my favorite song of theirs is from this album- Needing/Getting.

a song that empowers you I like other Lady Gaga songs more but Donatella makes me feel like I can punch through Concrete idk why

a song from a local artist DID YOU KNOW GINUWINE IS FROM DC. ANYWAYS STREAM PONY

a song you related to in the past and present, but for different reasons Let’s Dance To Joy Division by The Wombats is a song I’ve always related to. Back in the day it was just loud and fun and very good, and now I really think the message of “Everything sucks but we’re gonna celebrate what we can” is something I try to absorb as much as possible now.

your favorite cheesy pop song Classic by MKTO is an objectively bad song that I constantly have in my Spotify Wrapped. I legit can’t explain it. Is it good? no. Is it original? Also no. Is it interesting? No! I don’t get it but I’m under the spell

a song from a soundtrack (musical, movie, video game, etc.) A PROMISE FROM FIRE EMBLEM: THREE HOUSES WAS MY NUMBER THREE SONG ON MY SPOTIFY WRAPPED LAST YEAR SORRY MOM SORRY GOD

the song currently stuck in your head OR the song you are listening to right now My music is on shuffle but it just hit Hot Girl Bummer by Blackbear

a song that taught you a lesson Which to Bury, Us Or The Hatchet by Reliant K is one of my favorite songs and really is an object lesson in letting things go. What’s more important? The person or the problem? And sometimes it’s the person, so you bury the hatchet, and sometimes it’s the problem, and you bury us (the relationship). It’s a good song imo.

an instrumental song Teleblister by Clever Girl

a song you always skipped, but ended up loving once you listened to it My favorite song from The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles is Cassiopeia and I straight up skipped it every time I listened for the first like, 6 months I listened to the album.

your favorite album closer good kid, m.A.A.d city is a perfect album as well, and Compton is the last song on the album. Perfection.

your all-time favorite song Such a hard question, and not always easy to answer to be honest. It fluctuates. But for me I think my all time favorite song is currently  

[stars-in-my-universe]

Bad Idea: Part 7

Summary: When pop star Trixie can’t get her act together, her team makes a deal with the NHL…one that she can’t turn down. When NHL player Tyler Seguin can’t seem to get himself under control his team decides to thrust a certain Pop star into his life. Can the two play nice?

Warnings: Cussing.

Note: You guys have been wonderful, honestly with the whole world in lock down, it’ll give me time to write a bit more so hopefully I can get more out. Send me your thoughts, send me some prompts or drabbles I shall be here watching netflix and catching up on shows. 

It was Friday and Trixie sat on the piano bench in a cute little summer dress and brown boots, hair done up and make up done perfectly down to her lipstick and Tyler wasn’t here, not that Trixie had been relying on him to show up. He said he would, even texted her the night before asking for the time and the address. It’s not like she expected him to show up; It just would have been nice for him to keep his word.

“Alright Trix, we’re ready for you to start.” Trixie nodded and traced the keys of the piano getting ready to start. They had already done the interview portion of it and now were moving on to the performance part. She knew the routine, the interview part was just the intro to her performance and to give a preview for any future tours or albums, and honestly an easy way to dig into her private life. 

“Okay Trixie in 3...2...1.” She always got nervous performing no matter how many times she had done it and today was no different. Her leg started to bounce as she watched her team from behind the sound booth. Cami sent her a small smile encouraging her to go on; Trixie took a breath and grabbed the microphone to bring a little closer to her. 

“So, hello everyone my name's Trixie, I’m sure you all knew that. I’m just going to be here in spotify’s lovely live lounge singing some songs for you all…” Her voice trailed off as she watched the sound booth door open and Tyler walk in. The butterflies had surprised her as she watched him apologize and look around a little confused in his black button up and jeans. He of course had on a snap back on with the Dallas stars logo which made her smile. 

 He had actually made it. Tyler was directed to sit on the couch which he did as quietly possible. Trixie  took notice as to how her pr manager had whispered something to Tyler. He shook his head and looked over at Trixie, their eyes locking for a moment. She sent him a nod which he acknowledged with a small smile.

“So here’s Someone you loved by Lewis Capaldi, good man, great voice, great song.” Trixie cleared her throat and closed her eyes and started the beginning keys of the song.

“I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me. This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy.I need somebody to heal, Somebody to know, Somebody to have, Somebody to hold ,It's easy to say .But it's never the same, I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain.” 

Tyler watched as Trixie sang the song he had never heard of, he didn’t listen to much music on the radio but he couldn’t deny that she was talented. 

“Now the day bleeds Into nightfall And you're not here To get me through it all I let my guard down And then you pulled the rug I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved…”

The last line is what hit Tyler, he could tell this wasn’t just a song to her. Trixie had been hurt, deeply and he had no idea how deep. She hadn’t opened her eyes, letting the music completely over take her. She continued to sing and play the piano effortlessly, kind of how hockey came naturally to Tyler, music came naturally to her. 

Cami glanced over at Tyler, she had seen Trixie perform more times than she could count that she sometimes forgot how much vulnerability Trixie was actually showing until she saw the look of awe on Tyler’s face. Sighing, she got up and sat next to the hockey player on the couch making him jump slightly at her presence.

“I’m surprised you came.” She spoke in a hushed whisper; Tyler glanced at Trixie’s best friend.

“I told her we’d try to work through this and she asked me to come.” Cami nodded and looked back to Trixie. She wondered if Tyler realized how much Trixie was opening up in the sound booth without actually talking about anything.

“It’s about Anderson isn’t it?” Cami nodded without looking at him, so he knew about the ex.

“It’s always about him, Tyler. He did a number on her, I watched her have to walk down a red carpet nursing a broken heart, I watched her win an award for best female artist the day he ended it with her. The morning of that award show he had called her and broke it off.” Tyler nodded, what a dick.

“Yeah but wasn’t it mostly a publicity stunt?” Cami shook her head.

“She fell for him, hard, Tyler. She was head over heels, wanting to settle down in love. And then he had cheated and left her. You can ask her the rest if you want but she’s still healing Tyler.” He didn’t say anything. 

“Don’t hurt her, please. She’s a good girl.” He went to ask Cami what she meant and to let her know it wasn’t like that at all, but the girl had already stood back up and continued to watch Trixie. 

“I let my guard down And then you pulled the rug, I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved…” 

Tyler watched Trixie play the final key of the song and when she opened her eyes he could see how they were rimmed red with tears; and a part of him wanted to know the whole story, what had happened. Josh Anderson always seemed like a decent person and who was Tyler to judge, he had broken his own set of hearts. Trixie seemed very hard on the surface But as he watched Trixie wipe her eyes with the back of her hand trying not to smear her makeup all he could think of was how fragile was she really?

X-x

She really thought she was in the clear, she really thought she could wrap this up and go get some Jamba juice and just relax the rest of the day. She was wrong.

“So I know we usually do the interview part before the session, however we noticed Trixie, you had a visitor during your performance, care to elaborate?” Tirxie knew this was part of the plan, Tyler had made a public appearance, they were supposed to be dating. She glanced back at the sound booth and saw Tyler nod at her. When the hell did she become so reliant on him? 

“Yeah Jeff, I don’t know if you watch hockey or anything but I snagged myself a hockey player.” The host laughed and shook his head.

“Wouldn’t be your first one,” Trixie shrugged, not really saying anything, she just wanted to get out of there. 

“What’s this one’s name?” 

“Tyler, Seguin, Tyler Seguin.” The host cleared his throat.

“I’m assuming he plays for the Dallas stars?” Trixie nodded not saying much about his team.

“The same player who posed naked for the ESPN magazine? I remember when that magazine was released everywhere, nice job. ” Trixie cringed and glanced over at Tyler. He was no longer sitting, now standing in front of the glass that separated the two. Arms crossed and a hard expression on his face. Sighing, Trixie turned back toward the host.

“How did you even manage that? You two seem to be a match made in hell.” Of course, the world saw the two as a player and a princess. Why wouldn’t they be a match made in hell.

“We’ll see, it’s still fresh and new. I’ll tell you something though, he’s definitely arm candy.” The host let out another laugh, good. Keep them entertained, keep them from asking any more questions that she didn’t feel like answering.

“Well you heard it here you guys, Trixie and Tyler Seguin. Look out Dallas, you may have a new power couple on the scene.” Trixie rolled her eyes and shook her head, sometimes she wondered if any of this was worth it. 

X-x

“So, thanks for coming.” Trixie and Tyler had decided to grab a quick lunch before he had to go home and pack for his plane tonight. He glanced up at her and nodded, with a small smile he watched as she ate her turkey sandwich from subway with a smile on her face.

“No worries, I told you I’d come. Sorry for being late though, there was traffic-” Trixie shook her head and took a sip of her drink.

“There’s always traffic downtown it’s okay.” The two ate in comfortable silence until Tyler decided to break the wall she was holding up.

“Tell me about him.” He could feel her tense up from across the table, taking notice to how all movement stopped.

“Tyler…” He put his sandwich down and stared back at her, he just wanted to get to know more about her, why she was so guarded and why Josh was the one who made her this way.

“If you don’t want to, it’s okay. I just want to know more about you, understand you, Trixie. You’re clearly not over him.” He took notice of the glare she sent him but honestly at this point he was going to dig until she caved. They were supposed to be working on being friends any ways, this would be a good place to start. 

Tyler could tell she was having a battle in her head, he knew she was trying to decide whether or not she could trust him, but who was he going to tell without exposing his current situation? After a couple moments of silence and nothing but the cars in the street going by Trixie spoke up.

“What do you want to know?” Tyler raised an eyebrow at her tone of voice, she was hard and cold and he didn’t know if he hit a switch or if this is just how she was when it came to her ex.

“Start from the beginning, how did it become more?” He offered, he wanted her to feel comfortable talking about it without feeling too pressured. 

“He uh, I guess he wasn’t getting the recognition he deserved in the hockey world. He was up against a lot of good players on his team. His manager didn’t like that he was so quiet, didn’t really attend events, so they sent me in. We got to know each other...for weeks. We were photographed together, we went out to clubs with his friends. I went to a couple of his home games, he showed up at a couple of my talk shows and performances. It was easy and comfortable and there was a friendship forming until it became more one night.” Trixie picked up a pickle off her sandwich and popped it into her mouth, she loved pickles.

“You’re gross.” She smiled a wide smile at Tyler making him laugh.

“He came over one night, a little drunk may I add. Proceeded to tell me how pretty I am, how he’s always thinking about me, the same old thing most guys tell girls to get laid and it worked. I slept with him that night. As time went on, we got closer and eventually it turned into us actually dating. Going out, introducing me to his friends as his girlfriend. I would stay over his house a lot of the time, I was happy. We dated for close to a year, the thing I didn’t know was the deeper I fell for him the further he pulled away.” Tyler was confused, he knew you couldn’t help who you liked but to waste at least a year on someone and then cheat? He also couldn’t help to think who the hell would cheat on Trixie? She was hot, really hot, gorgeous even. How did one just throw her away? 

“We voided the contract half way through our relationship, they paid us both and we continued on with what we were but like I said he was pulling further and further away. He wouldn’t ask me to stay over anymore, I would fly from California to Columbus and spend hardly any time with him, after the games he would text me to meet him at home and he’d go out with the guys. TMZ loves me, I’m one of their favorite topics every week.” Tyler could tell she was annoyed.

“So as soon as they found me one night out alone at a club with no boyfriend on my arm they ate that shit up and decided to print it in their headlines that there was trouble in paradise and even though they were right, it was still annoying and still hurt to read.” She stopped and glanced down at the table, her leg shaking hard, a habit Tyler learned she did when she was extremely nervous.

“I had to go back to California for one of the music award shows, he couldn’t come with me because he had a game which wasn’t a problem. It was his job and I understood that. I had woken up that morning in California with a text from him a text that said ‘call me.’ So I did and that’s when he told me he wanted to be with someone else, he had been seeing her for months apparently.” Trixie let out a shaky breath and Tyler watched carefully as the woman in front of him slowly tried to keep herself together.

“I loved him Tyler, I really did. I felt my heart break into a million pieces that morning, I remember crying so hard and calling Cami, asking her to come pick me up and to call my manager to cancel the show. I had an award to accept, a red carpet to walk down and a performance for my fans and I felt like I wanted to just crawl in a hole and never come back out.” Tyler was starting to understand a little bit more how strong she was. He watched her and the two jumped when his phone went off, Trixie sighed and went to reach for her phone, assuming he was going to answer it but then he did something that surprised both of them.

He silenced the call and shoved it into his pocket looking back up at her.

“Sorry, go on.” Trixie stared at him for a moment and then continued.

“Cami knew how much of a mess I was but she also knew they couldn’t cancel anything on such short notice. So with a couple shots of tequila and a few pep talks from her,  I walked down that red carpet, head held high, I accepted the award for best female artist with a broken heart and I performed for my fans with  tears streaming down my face moments before.” She finally looked up at Tyler and he could see what she had been hiding this whole, the broken heart she was nursing.

“I haven’t talked to him since, it’s been months and I’m finally okay with that. It still stings though, to know I wasn’t good enough.” Tyler shook his head.

“He’s nothing, Trixie. He fucked up and lost something pretty great.” She let out a small laugh.

“You don’t even know me.” He shrugged.

“Exactly and I can already tell you are something great.” Trixie couldn’t hide the blush that took over. Maybe there was hope for the two after all. 

X-x

“Hello?” Trixie stood in her kitchen with nothing but an oversized t-shirt and boxer shorts on. She had had a long day with her management deciding when her next appearance was, when she was going back into the studio and what other events she was going to be working on so when she got home she took a shower and changed into the comfiest clothes she could think of.  

“I have two tickets for tomorrow night’s game with your name on them, just go to the front of the building and tell them Tyler Seguin sent you.” Trixie scrunched up her nose.

“How do you know I don’t have plans?” He let out a laugh.

“Okay, sorry princess. Do you have plans?” Trixie pretended to think as she mixed her fruit into her yogurt.

“Maybe, all depends. Is your hot friend going to be there? The tall quiet one who looks like he could beat a man to his death?” Tyler groaned.

“Are you talking about Jamie?” 

“Yeah, that one!” She wasn’t actually interested; she just liked to tease Tyler; he could afford to be knocked down a couple of pegs.

“You wound me, Trixie. Be there or well there’s no other option; depending on if we win or not we’ll most likely be going out after.” Trixie made a noise of acknowledgement.

“Bring Cami, everyone knows you can’t go anywhere without your other half.” Trixie let out a squeal.

“Thank you, Tyler. We’ll be there.” 

Which is how the two girls found themselves by the ticket booth at the American Airline center on a Tuesday night. Both in casual clothes, nothing crazy. When Trixie had asked for the tickets she could see the surprise  on the employees face when they handed over the two tickets to her without any arguments. 

Trixie was used to this attention which is why they arrived early to the game even before warm ups happened because she didn’t want to make it a big deal that she was here. Trixie and Cami made their way into the building as Trixie glanced down at the tickets in her hand to figure out where they were seating. It was at that moment she realized...shit. She was sitting in the WAGS section, the VIP section for family and friends and of course girlfriends and wives. Shit. She wasn’t ready for this and if she was smarter she probably would’ve asked Tyler about it. 

“It’ll be fine, Trix. We’ll stay to ourselves and not really talk to anyone, we’ll watch the game. If it’s too much we’ll leave.” Trixie nodded and tried to keep her anxiety at bay. But of course she had no luck with anything tonight because as she walked into the booth, the usher checking her tickets to make sure they were valid, she took notice of a couple of the girls that were in there; all in which stopped to stare and gasp at her. Fuck. 

“You’re okay, Trixie.” She listened to Cami’s voice and nodded. She could do this. But then her eyes connected with a tall brunette that was standing across the room and immediately she knew this wasn’t going to be a good night. 

Aly stood talking to a blonde by the bar and when she glanced over to where Trixie was standing, Trixie could see the anger in her eyes. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

[pappydaddy]

Part Two: Mr. Brightside

A/N: Here’s Part Two! I don’t know when Part Three will be out, but I’m sure it’ll be out soon, I’m almost done the part and the songs for it! Check out the playlist!! If anyone wants to make an Apple Music version, just DM me!

PLEASE TAKE A SECOND TO LOOK AT MY PINNED POST, SIGN THE PETITION AND REBLOG IT IF YOU CAN!!

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Fem!Henderson!OC 

Fandom: Stranger Things

Warnings: Guns, violence, life-threatening situation, aggressive talk about Russians (evil Russians, not all Russians), belittlement, feelings of inferiority, feelings of weakness, deprecation images of oneself, SPOILERS!!!

I Wanna Be Yours Playlist (Spotify)

This part’s songs: Red - Taylor Swift | Mr. Brightside - The Killers | Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls | To Wonder - Aqualung (feat. Kina Grannis) | Lost Cause - Beck | Towards The Light - Jacoo | Blood // Water (King Kavalier Remix) - grandson, King Kavalier |  Oh No!!! - grandson (explicit) | 1 SIDED LOVE - blackbear | Take What You Want - ONE OK ROCK (feat. 5SOS) | Get You The Moon - Kina, Snøw (Shifts into Part Three)

Part One | Part Two | Part Three - Coming Soon

masterlist | taglist | wips | navigation

- not my gif -

  Steve hid behind the plastic plant in the middle of the food court, the binoculars pressed around his eyes, surely leaving a noticeable red ring around his eyes. He was supposed to be looking for the evil Russians that the boy crouched beside him keeps rattling off about, but he couldn’t stop watching them. He really did try to pull his focus away from the two teens standing way too close, but his eyes just pulled towards them like a magnet. “See anything?” Dustin asked, poking his head up over the plant. The two stood out like sore thumbs, proving that they were shit at stake-outs. 

  “Uh, I guess I don’t totally know what I’m looking for.” Steve admitted, pulling his eyes away from the couple to scan over the other people occupying the mall. His mouth hung open, his eyes drifting back up to the second floor where Ophelia and Brett stood, leaning against the railing. 

  “Evil Russians.” Dustin told him as if it were simple. 

  “Yeah, exactly,” Steve exclaimed, not even trying to pull his eyes from Ophelia as she laughed. “I don’t know what an evil Russian looks like.” Steve muttered, his binoculars following Ophelia and Brett as they walked along the second floor. 

  “Tall? Blond? Not smiling,” Dustin listed off suggestively. Steve only hummed, squinting into the binoculars, watching as Ophelia bent down to grab a drink of water from the water fountain, paying attention to how Brett snuck a look at her butt, her dress riding up dangerously. His blood started to boil at the sight of him shamelessly eyeing her like a piece of meat. “Also, look for earpieces, camo, duffle bags, that sort of thing.” Dustin looked over at him as he hummed along, not paying attention. 

  “Right, okay, duffle bags,” Steve repeated, following the pair as they walked again. If looks could kill, Brett’s arm (which was wound around Ophelia’s waist) would have been killed brutally. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Steve muttered in disbelief when Brett leaned down to whisper something in Ophelia’s ear making her pull away, a blush darkening her cheeks as she giggled and hit his chest playfully. The smirk Brett wore made Steve want to knock his lights out. It was a smirk that told Steve his true intentions. He just wanted to get in her pants and he thinks he’s almost there. 

  “What?” Dustin asked, trying to follow the line of the binoculars to see what Steve saw, thinking he saw a Russian. 

  “Your sister,” Steve told him as if it was obvious. “I have no idea why she would even think about going out with a guy like Brett Morris. She can do so much better than that weasel, god-” He ranted, his top lip curling into a snarl at the sight of him pressing a kiss to her cheek, the blush coating her delicate cheeks deepening. “He’s a sleaze.” Steve grunted, looking at the tall hockey player in disgust. Dustin’s eyes snapped towards his sister, watching Brett interact with her. 

  “I don’t know, I don’t see anything wrong with it, they’re on a first date and he’s being nice?” Dustin shrugged, not seeing what Steve was all worked up about. Steve pulled his eyes from the binoculars, keeping them in place so he didn’t lose the couple. 

  “Nice? You see nothing wrong with it,” Steve asked, bewildered. “Dude! That’s your sister and he’s smirking like he’s about to bang her!” Steve nearly cried out. Dustin’s lips turned down in a disgusted frown as he fought back a gag before turning his attention back to his sister and her date who made their way down the escalators, still in each other’s arms. 

  Dustin watched Brett smile down at Ophelia as she gazed at all the sights, seeing what was going on. He shrugged, looking back at Steve who watched the same scene with a snarl. “Dude, he’s smiling like he likes her,” He shook his head at the older boy. “Why do you care anyway? Do you like her?” Steve pulled away from the binoculars again, furrowing his brow at the younger Henderson. Dustin twitched an eyebrow at Steve, waiting for an answer. 

  “I don’t like her,” He denied, his voice filtering almost like it knew something he didn’t. Of course he didn’t like Ophelia. Those were old feelings. She’s his best friend’s sister. The girl who fought demogorgons, demodogs and Billy Hargrove alongside him. The girl who always comes in and brightens his day with her smile and laugh. The girl with bright eyes that seemed to swirl with stars. She was the girl who he felt a strong need to protect, to shield away from the world that was hell-bent to destroy such a beautiful creature. The girl who kissed him in grade nine during a game of spin the bottle. Steve certainly did not like Ophelia Henderson and her certainly didn’t find himself thinking back to that quick little peck of the lips at Hannah Hanson’s party. He scoffed, looking back through the binoculars and letting panic settle into him. “Shit! Where’d they go-” He was cut off by someone snatching the binoculars away. 

  Both Dustin and Steve jumped, looking up at a fuming Ophelia; the binoculars grasped in her hand. Her body nearly shook with the anger coursing through her. “What are you two mouthbreathers doing? Spying on my date?” She asked, her fingers wrapped around the binoculars turning white from her grasp. Steve’s lips parted, his brown eyes looking up at her. It wasn’t like he set off to spy on her date, it just kinda happened. Dustin grabbed the binoculars back from his sister, making the angry girl shift her eyes to him. 

  “No-” Dustin snapped, holding the binoculars to his chest. “We were looking for evil Russians, Steve is just a horrible spy.” He told her, bringing the binoculars up to his eyes. Steve whined at the younger boy’s comment, but otherwise remained silent. 

  “Evil Russians? Why would you be looking for evil Russians in the food court?” Ophelia turned her nose up, looking at her brother as if he were crazy. Dustin sighed, pulling the binoculars from his eyes to give her a look. Steve furrowed his brow at her until he remembered that she had left them last night before they discovered the Russian transmission came from the mall. Heat bubbled in his chest, remembering why she had left them. His jaw clenched, his brown eyes hardening on the wall across from him, hoping that his stare could make it crumble. 

  “The Russians aren’t in Russia, music from the Indiana Flyer was heard in the background of the recording, blah blah blah, there you’re all caught up-” Dustin grumbled, peering through the binoculars again, leaning forward as he looked at each person mulling around suspiciously. Ophelia opened her mouth to retort, but Dustin cut her off. “Now go back to your date so that I can actually spy - unlike somebody.” Dustin shot the last part towards the older boy who sat there, stewing in his anger. 

  With a groan and a roll of her eyes, Ophelia turned on her heels and strutted back towards Brett who now held a pretzel and a drink in his hands. Steve watched as he greeted her with a smile, handing her the drink. His now free hand slipped along the small of her back as he guided her towards one of the empty seats. “Ugh, he doesn’t need to be so handsy.” Steve grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, his lips pouting. 

  “Oh my god, I don’t get why you can’t just see it, are you really that blind?” Dustin asked Steve, not taking his eyes from the binoculars. Steve looked over at the busy-haired pre-teen. 

  “See what?” Steve snapped, trying his hardest not to look over at Ophelia again, just knowing he would be greeted by the sickening sight of her giggling for another guy. Just the thought of another guy making her laugh like Steve does made his stomach churn. He felt like he was standing out in a field as the world around him turned cold, the blue skies swirling into a dark gray - just seconds before the cold rain poured down on top of him. 

  “See how you actually feel about Leah, you Dipshit,” Dustin exclaimed, growing tired of Steve’s blindness. “Everything you’re seeing with Brett being an ass is all in your thick head, fueled by your jealousy!” Dustin told him. Sure, Dustin hadn’t noticed the crush that his friend harboured for his sister, but the second that Ophelia told them about her date, Steve had changed. It had become obvious to Dustin. All the time Steve just suddenly dropped by the Henderson household with Ophelia’s favourite movies in his hands, the fact that Steve was always parked by their curb in the mornings to drive them to school. 

  “I feel like she’s a friend, you Dipshit,” Steve argued back, his top lip rolling up into a sneer at Dustin's suggestion. The fact that everything in his life had suddenly become a downcast blue since Brett had asked Ophelia on a date didn’t mean he liked her. Just because he felt like his heart had been struck with a hammer does not mean he liked her. “And I am not jealous, I am quite positive if I do say so myself.” Steve liked to view himself as Mr. Sunshine. Full of positive light and energy. Though, he couldn’t shake the images of them after their date. Brett’s fingers trailing along the curve of Ophelia’s side as their lips mashed together. The hockey player’s fingers slipping under her skirt, running along her thighs. The mental image hurt him so much he could have punched a wall.  

  “Come on Steve! You like her, why else would you be so obsessed over her going on a date with Brett?” Dustin pointed out. Steve scoffed, rolling his eyes. Why was he even fighting with Dustin on this? Dustin was a kid, he doesn’t understand the complicated world of love. He doesn’t know the arch of a heart, he doesn’t know the pining and the angst. He has no idea what he was talking about. 

  “Because Brett Morris is a dirty sleezeball and Ophelia shouldn’t be on a date with him!” Steve told him, his arms moving frantically even though he knew Dustin wasn’t going to pull his eyes away from the binoculars to watch him. 

  “Sure,” Dustin hummed, finally pulling away from the binoculars far enough to turn his head to look at Steve. “And the fact that you can only refer to Brett as Brett Morris has nothing to do with jealousy?” Dustin posed the question. Robin and Dustin all refer to him as just Brett in a nice, casual tone, but Steve always spat his first and last name as if it was venom he had just ingested, his face always screwing up as if he had just referenced his arch nemesis. 

  “I just don’t like him, I know his type.” Steve avoided, his head swirling from Dustin’s interrogation. Why did he not like Brett? Steve never really talked to him. Sure they were both popular, but Steve hung close to the basketball crowd while Brett spread out a little more within the high school groups. Brett and Ophelia ran in the same crowd, being involved with multiple organizations in school. Without an explanation, Steve had developed a hatred for the tall hockey player from the first time he saw him and Ophelia talking in the school hallway as they stood at her locker, why back when Nancy was in the picture. 

  “You like her and if you don’t figure that you soon, you’re going to have to figure out how to forget her because she’s not going to wait around for you.” Dustin shrugged, telling him how it is. Of course he knew how his sister felt, he figured out how to pick the lock on her journal two years ago. He knew everything about her, and some of it, he didn’t want to know. 

  “I don’t like your sister dude!” Steve gave up trying to make excuses, knowing that Dustin will just mess with his head someway, making him question if he actually did like Ophelia. 

  “Yes, you do.” Dustin stated pointblank. 

  “No.” Steve denied again. Dustin shook his head, peering through the binoculars once again. 

  “Yes-” Dustin sang back, pleased with knowing that he was right once again. 

  “No-”

  “You do!” Dustin shot back. Steve glared at the younger boy. 

  “She’s not my type, okay? She’s too nice, too sweet, too pretty - too perfect.” Steve trailed off towards the end, not being able to find the correct reason why she wasn’t his type. When he was King Steve, he was positive that Carol and Tommy wouldn’t have any problem listing reasons why she wasn’t his type, but now he wasn’t sure. She was gorgeous, funny, insanely smart and caring. She was everyone’s type. 

  “What’s your type again? Girls who don’t like you?” Dustin perked an eyebrow at him when he pulled away from the binoculars once again. Steve shot him a sharp glare for the comment. Steve wasn’t sure what his type was in all honesty, but he was sure that Ophelia wasn’t it. 

  “Thank you,” Steve forced the corner of his lips up in a sarcastic smile before they dropped back down into a straight line. “For your information, Ophelia is still in school and that’ll be weird for me to date someone who is still in high school and she-she is nice to the weird-o’s like Robin. She’s on the prom committee and homecoming committee, and she likes hockey players apparently - hockey players are the bottom of the sports food chain.” Steve ranted, searching his mind for his next point. 

  Dustin looked at him once again, rolling his eyes at his reasons. “Now that you’re out of high school, which means that you’re technically an adult, don’t you think it’s time to move on from primitive constructs such as popularity - which Ophelia is popular.” Dustin suggested, trying to get Steve to see the world that’s outside of all the worrying about fitting in. 

  “Oh, primitive constructs? That some stupid shit you learned at Camp Know-” He paused, shaking his head, trying to come up with the name of the camp Dustin had went to this summer. “Nothing?” He settled for an insult, his defence mechanism starting up. 

  “Camp Know Where, actually. And no, it’s shit I learned from life,” Dustin told him. Nerds, with all that they have to put up with from the popular people, have learned things. They’ve learned that you shouldn’t focus on making other people see you as cool, instead you should focus on making yourself happy. Steve hummed, looking away from Dustin to scan over the people walking around. “Instead of dating somebody you think’s gonna make you cooler, why not date someone you actually enjoy being around,” Dustin suggested. Steve blinked, thinking about it. He did like being around Ophelia. She made his day brighter and just the thought of her made a smile stretch onto his face. “Like me and Suzie.” 

  “Oh, Suzie-” He mocked, bouncing his head. Dustin gave him a look, pulling the binoculars back to his eyes. “Yeah, you mean ‘hotter than Phoebe Cates”, yeah that Suzie, and, uh,” Steve paused. “Let’s actually think about it, how exactly did you score that beautiful girlfriend,” He posed the question, scratching the side of his face in faux question. “Oh yeah! With my advice,” He reminded him. “Because that’s how this works, Henderson. I give you advice and you follow through - not the other way around, all right, pea-brain?” Steve shot at him. Dustin gave him a look before resuming his search. 

***

  Ophelia walked towards Scoops, a dazed look on her face. The feeling of Brett’s lips on hers was still fresh. The odd feeling she felt in the bottom of her stomach returning at the memory. His lips felt odd on hers, they didn’t feel as pillowy as she imagined them to be, instead they were chapped against hers. His lips had touched her so gently, almost as if he was scared that she’d shattered under him any second. Normally, she would have found his gentleness romantic and endearing, but the kiss was almost just his lips hovering over hers, just barely brushing together like he didn’t even want to touch her. It was like that for the entire date, his fingertips just brushing against the small of her back or his arm barely touching her shoulders. 

  She found her mind wandering off to Steve and if he would have done the same thing. Would he have barely touched her, would his lips just skim over her’s in a short kiss? Would his fingertips ever so slightly touch her body? Maybe Brett just didn’t want to touch her? He hadn’t even mentioned a second date before he scampered off for his shift with blushing cheeks. She sighed, her heels scraping against the floor sluggishly. “Does he even like me?” She whispered to herself. She heard thudding feet running towards her, making her lift her head to see Steve and Dustin rushing out of Scoops in search of someone.

  They ran towards her, Steve’s hand reaching out to grasp her small wrist in his, yanking her along with them. She let out a squeak of surprise as she was spun on her heel and pulled towards the center of the mall. She tried to ignore the tingling and the heat that crawled up her arm, spreading throughout her body at his grasp. Steve came to an abrupt stop when they arrived at Robin who stood on the bench wrapping around the center planter’s box that held an assortment of fake plants and a tree, a wide eyed look on her face as she looked down at the three of them. “Robin, what are you doing?” He asked, walking closer to the blonde, his hand still wrapped around Ophelia’s wrist. 

  “I cracked it.” She said, a hint of excitement in her usually monotone drawl. Ophelia furrowed her brows, glancing at Steve’s hand still on her wrist. His grip, it wasn’t just hovering over her like Brett’s was. His touch felt different from Brett’s. His touch was just something brushing against her body while Steve’s ignited warmth in her that spread throughout her body, like a fire burning under her skin.   

  “Cracked what?” Steve asked, prompting Robin to jump from the bench - Steve and Dustin’s eyes following her. The sound of her sneakers slapping the tiled floor made Ophelia look at her.  

  “I cracked the code,” She couldn’t help the smile that consumed her face. Ophelia smiled, proud of Robin for cracking the seemingly impossible code. Robin brushed past the group, glancing down at Steve’s hand encircling Ophelia’s wrist. “Oh, um, Steve?” She turned around, walking backwards with a smirk on her face. 

  “Yeah?” Steve asked, his eyebrows jumping up as he turned his body to look at Robin, waiting for her to ask him something. Her eyes jumped from between Ophelia and him with sparkles of amusement dancing in her vibrant blue eyes. 

  “I think you can let go of Ophelia’s hand now.” She beamed at the older boy. Instantly, Dustin and Steve’s eyes dropped down to see that Steve’s hand still held Ophelia’s wrist, making Dustin snort and slap his hand over his mouth to stop his chuckles while Steve nearly choked on his own spit - a blush covering his cheeks. His hand dropped Ophelia’s wrist, the warmth she felt from his fingers grasping her wrist still burning throughout her body. 

  “Thanks.” Ophelia smiled, walking towards Robin, leaving Steve and Dustin behind. Slipping his hand from his mouth, Dustin looked at Steve who stared at his hand, clenching it in a fist before stretching it out, feeling a weird tingling that felt like he just grabbed an electric fence. Steve’s brown eyes looked up at Ophelia who talked to Robin about how she managed to figure out the code. Her hair bounced behind her as she tried to keep up with the slightly taller girl, her heels clicking against the clean tile. 

  “Yeah, you definitely don’t like her.” Dustin mused, giving Steve a look as he shook his head. Steve looked over at him, still fisting and unfisting his hand. 

  “I don’t like her!” Steve denied making Dustin hum and walk away, joining Ophelia and Robin. Steve rolled his eyes, trudging after the group. 

  “So, Leah,” Dustin cut into the girl’s conversation, earning pointed glares from both of them. “How was the date, from what I saw, it went pretty good.” Dustin inquired, stealing a glance at Steve who glared at him as well. Ophelia glanced at her brother, before glancing at Steve who dropped the glare and gave her a smile instead. 

  “Yeah, Leah, how’d the big date with Brett go? You were so excited yesterday.” Robin easily changed the subject, knowing that she had the rest of the day to explain her thought process and the plan she was cooking up in her mind. Ophelia shrugged, glancing down at her feet. 

  “Uh, it was okay. We just kind of walked around after the movie, we shared a pretzel and sat by the fountain, that’s about it.” Ophelia waved them off, her tone less excited. The date was good, he made her laugh, paid for everything before Ophelia could even think about it, but she couldn’t help but let the kiss and lack of talk about a second date put her off. Steve sensed her downcast mood, his heart itching to cheer her up. He couldn’t stand to see her so down, but he also couldn’t help but to feel delighted at the thought that her date didn’t go well. 

  “Did he kiss you? Is there a second date?” Robin pressed, glancing at Steve from the corner of her eyes as he waited for her answer with baited breath. Ophelia shook her head, a heaving sigh leaving her lips. 

  “He did kiss me, but it was weird and I have no idea if there is a second date, he didn’t even talk about a second date,” Ophelia admitted, looking at Robin. Robin simply looked at her with wide, confused eyes. She was shocked, Brett seemed to actually like Ophelia. “I’m fine, really. Brett’s cute and nice, but I think we might just be better as friends.” She brushed off Robin’s sympathetic eyes. 

  “Still, that must suck, Leah. I know how important this date was for you.” Robin rested her hand on Ophelia’s shoulder softly, offering her support. In a private moment with Robin last night when Steve was scooping ice cream and Dustin had been in the bathroom, Robin had made Ophelia crack, admitting her feelings for Steve along with her hopes that this date would help her get over the goofy dingus. Hoping that Brett would be the antidote to the poison that was her crush flooding her veins. 

  “It’s no biggie, he has my number. Maybe he’ll call me, maybe he won’t - who knows,” She continued to deflect Robin’s support. They all walked into Scoops, seeing barely anyone in the store. Robin opened her mouth to talk to her, but she cut her off. “I’m just going to change into sneakers, I want out of these shoes.” The words were heavy with a lack of emotion, a huge contrast to her normally sweet voice and cheery disposition. Steve watched her as she walked sluggishly into the back room, his heart hurting. He didn’t want to see her so sad. He wanted to see her bright smile, to hear her laughter bouncing off the blue and white striped walls of the overly cheery parlor. He was snapped out of his trance by both Robin and Dustin whacking the back of his head. 

  “Ow! What the hell was that for?” Steve grumbled, looking at Robin and Dustin who glared back at him.

  “For being an idiot.” Dustin retorted, walking around the counter, grabbing a sample spoon and skimming the top of one of the ice creams. 

  “I did it because I’m tired of this,” Robin threw her hands in the air, also walking behind the counter, closing the screen, but not before peeking in at Ophelia who sat at the table slowly putting her shoes on. “She is upset because she’s trying to move on.” She shook her head, speaking mostly to herself, but she wasn’t aware of Steve standing on the other side of the counter, hearing the words. 

  “Move on from what? She broke up with her last boyfriend back in September, she’s not still caught up on that asshole, is she?” Steve asked, making Robin whirl around in surprise, not wanting Steve to hear that. Dustin and Robin shared a look before glancing at Steve. A mix of emotions flurried around Steve’s mind like a blizzard, making him mad. Why would she still be hooked on the asshole who barely paid attention to her? Couldn’t she see that she deserved more. 

  “Why would that matter to you, Steve, you don’t like her.” Dustin sneered, reminding him. Steve jolted back at Dustin’s sudden aggression. Dustin felt protective over his sister. She was obviously crushed that her date didn’t go well and from what Robin just said, it wasn’t because she liked Brett. 

  “I care because she’s my friend. I don’t need to like her romantically to care for her,” Steve bit back making Robin groan, stomping her foot against the floor in frustration. Steve was just as thick as the layer of product in his precious hair. “What? I shouldn’t care about her?” Steve asked, his eyes wide as he tried to pinpoint their emotions based on their reactions. 

  “Let me ask you a question Steve,” Robin paused, placing her hands on the counter by the cash, her hard blue eyes looking up at him. “Were you upset about Ophelia going on a date with Brett?” Robin threw the question up in the air, already knowing the answer. 

  “I wouldn’t say upset-” Steve was cut off by Robin raising her hand at him. 

  “How did you feel about her going on a date with Brett?” Robin rephrased the question, her hand slapping back to the blue counter, waiting for Steve to answer. Steve blinked, thinking. 

  “I guess I was a little upset, I mean, Brett Morris is not good for her. She can do so much better than him.” Steve answered, growing upset at the thought of her not realizing how great she was and underestimating what she deserved. 

  “Okay, so what type of guy is good for her?” Robin bounced back instantly with another question, trying to get him to figure out that he liked her. 

  “I don’t know,” Steve muttered, thinking. With a sigh, he placed his hands on his hips. “I honestly can’t think of any guy who is good enough. They’re all shit,” Steve confessed. Robin raised her eyebrows, giving him a look. “Alright! I was upset that she was going on a date with Brett Morris, happy?” Steve exclaimed, admitting defeat. 

  “You hated it so much that you couldn’t stop spying on them, Steve. You were ready to kill the poor guy.” Dustin chimed in, trying to bring Robin’s point home. 

  “Yes, I spied on them and I might have made some comments about how much I don’t like the guy, what’s your point?” Steve asked them, kicking his leg out to the side, his tongue flicking over his bottom lip. Dustin groaned, his forehead hitting the top of the cooler. 

  “My point is you like her Steve and you have the power to make her feel better. I know it’s killing you to see her so upset so could you just take a second, try to let the realization penetrate that thick skull of yours and figure out that you are head over heels for her?” Robin pressed, gesturing towards the backroom where Ophelia still hid. Steve scoffed, shaking his head at their antics. 

  “I don’t like her, okay? I’m not even looking for a serious relationship - not after what happened with Nancy.” Steve denied. Robin and Dustin grew even more frustrated by his denial. Robin rested her elbows on the counter, leaning down as she clasped her hands together in front of her. She licked her lips, glancing down at the counter before back up at Steve. 

  “You’re just going to stand there and tell us that not even a tiny little part of you realizes that you like Ophelia?” Robin asked him point blank. Steve blinked at her. He thought about it. Did he really like Ophelia? The way Robin had phrased it and the way she said it made him question how he really felt. Had he been denying how he felt about Ophelia because he was scared of being hurt again? His heart did practically leap out of his chest at the sight of her. Seeing guys shamelessly flirt with her day in and day out made him feel like he was continuously running into a solid brick wall with his heart tapped to his face. Oftentimes, he would find himself imagining her smile to calm him down when he’s sad.

  “I-I don’t really know,” Steve stuttered, unsure of himself. He shook his head, righting his posture. “Even if I did like her, she probably doesn’t like me. I am the furthest thing from what she deserves.” Steve argued back. 

  “You won’t know if she likes you if you don’t ask Steve, I know you know how you feel about her,” Robin’s tone was soft and comforting. “We know how she feels about you, but it’s not our place to tell you that. If you want to know how she feels before you realize your feelings, you’re going to miss her - she’s not going to wait around if she likes you.” She told him. Steve looked at her in confusion. 

  “What?” Steve blinked, not understanding what she was saying.

  “I’m saying that if you don’t just figure out your feelings for her, you’re going to miss your chance with her,” Robin was handing him the answer of Ophelia’s feelings for him on a silver platter and it was up to him to figure it out. “And if you don’t figure them out fast, you’re going to mess up.” She warned. 

***

   Rain poured down on them as they laid on their stomachs, watching a storage room being loaded up. Ophelia rested her chin on her hands that laid on top of the concrete parapet in front of them. “Look for Imperial Panda and Kaufman Shoes!” Robin instructed Dustin from beside Ophelia. She pulled her hood up over her hair, her bare legs that her dress didn’t cover becoming cold as they got soaked with rain. She could hear one of the delivery guys whistling over the pounding rain, but because of the distance, she couldn’t see anything through the pouring rain. 

   “They’re with that whistling guy, ten O’Clock!” Dustin exclaimed from the other-side of Steve, his binoculars once again pressed to his face. Lazily, Ophelia let her eyes move towards the direction Dustin told them, seeing a man with a yellow raincoat pushing a trolley with three boxes on it into the storage unit. She also couldn’t help but notice the two large guys dressed in black, both holding rather large guns. 

  “What do you think’s in there?” Steve asked, his eyes squinting as rain fell on his head. He was the only one without a proper raincoat, but that didn’t surprise Ophelia, he wouldn’t be one to own a rain jacket. 

  “Guns, bombs.” Dustin suggested. 

  “Chemical Weapons.” Robin also suggested. Steve’s eyebrows jumped as he licked his lips. He wasn’t pleased to have Ophelia with them, not wanting her mixed up with this. It was starting to get dangerous.

  “Whatever it is, they’re armed to the teeth.” Dustin announced, his eyes dropping to one of the stern faced guards. Thunder clapped overhead as Steve rubbed his eyes that were irritated from the rain. 

  “Great,” He commented, nodding his head as he pulled his hand away. His eyes were screwed shut in hopes not to get any more water in them. “That’s great.” He grumbled, opening his eyes. Ophelia reached up to his shoulder, patting it twice before letting it rest on the concrete once again. Her eyes squinted when one of the guards started to move, trying to see what he was doing. She was so focused on what the man was doing, she jolted back in fright when the storage room doors suddenly opened. 

  “Hey, what’s in there?” Robin perked up, also noticing the doors opening. 

  “It’s just more boxes.” Dustin told them. Ophelia nodded, watching as the delivery man pushed the trolley into the now open room. 

  “Let me check it out.” Steve told Dustin, reaching his arm up to grab the binoculars blindly. Dustin pulled the binoculars from his eyes, his grip tightening around them. 

  “No! I’m still looking!” Dustin pulled back on the binoculars, trying to get Steve to let go of them. Steve simply slapped his other hand on them, trying to wrestle them away from the younger boy. 

  “Lemme see it.” Steve pressed, pulling harder. Ophelia scooted closer to Robin, not wanting to be hit by Steve’s flailing elbow. A flash of lightning temporarily blinded them as Dustin and Steve continued to tug on the binoculars. 

  “Hold on!” Dustin argued, giving a sharp tug to the binoculars just as Steve let his hands go - making Dustin hit one of the metal pipes, a loud bang sounding over the pounding rain. Ophelia and Robin jumped at the sound, their eyes jumping from Dustin before looking down at the guards. 

  “Shit!” Ophelia cursed when she saw the guards glancing towards their direction, their hands reaching for their large semi-automatic guns. All four gasped, fear making their blood run cold in their veins. Ophelia was almost positive that her heart had stopped beating for a second. 

  “Duck!” Dustin cried as they all dropped to lay down. Ophelia flopped on her back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her head rested against the slope of the parapet uncomfortably, a dull ache already making itself present in her neck. She had barely noticed that Steve had grabbed her hand tightly in the middle of the mess until she felt the same heat crawling under her skin that she felt when he grabbed her wrist earlier. It was a welcomed contrast from the cold rain pelting her like bullets, but she couldn’t let the sensation distract her from the fact that they could very well die right then and there. 

  “We gotta go,” Steve whispered harshly. His mind raced, trying to figure out how they were going to get themselves out of this situation. “We can hide along that.” He pointed towards the larger structure attached to the roof entrance. He didn’t even wait for them to argue before he started to move, tugging Ophelia along with him. He hadn’t even noticed his hand in hers, he was too occupied with trying not to die. They all awkwardly ran, pressing themselves up against the tin siding of the structure.  

  “I hope this plan works because we don’t have a plan b.” Ophelia panted, letting her head fall back against the wall, her eyes closing. Her chest stung from the panic and running, her lungs burning as they continued to grow greedy for air. She could feel herself shaking, but she wasn’t sure if it was mostly from the cold or her pending death which was rapidly approaching. 

  Nobody said anything as they all tried to calm their wildly beating hearts in hopes to control their loud breathing. The faint but rapid clang of heavy boots hitting the stairs was muffled to their ears, but detectable none-the-less. The heavy door slammed against the tin making them jump. Ophelia pressed the palm of her free hand to her mouth, her heart rate picking right back up. She found herself trying to plead with every higher power there was to just let them make it out of this situation alive, even wishing on the stars she knew were hidden behind the thick black rain clouds. She hoped that the planets and stars were aligned just the right way so that they all could live another day. 

  Thunder clapped, overhead making Ophelia suddenly start praying to Zeus of all people, hoping her name was a good enough reason for the mythical god to help the four of them. Steve squeezed her hand tight, nearly cutting off the blood flow to her fingers, but she didn’t care, she just squeezed his hand back equally as hard. They listened carefully, trying to hear any sign of movement over the rain splattering against the concrete of the roof. 

  It felt like an eternity before they heard the door swing open and slam shut, followed by the sweet sound of heavy boots hitting the metal of the stairs. “We should wait here until we know for sure he’s gone.” Dustin whispered, anxiety filling him, making his mind race. For all he knew, the guard could be waiting to catch them at any second, successfully catching them in his masterplan.

  “Good idea.” Steve nodded. Robin and Ophelia looked at them with hard eyes. 

  “Well then how do we know when to leave? It’s not like he’s standing out in the pouring rain, he can wait there for hours!” Ophelia pointed out a flaw in Dustin’s wait-it-out plan. Just as she said that, they heard the guards loudly talking to each other in Russian, their voices booming over the rain. Dustin smiled at his sister. 

  “That’s how we know.” He remarked, darting towards the door. She rolled her eyes as the rest of them moved after him, their hearts still racing a mile a minute. They filed into the stairwell, their panting breaths echoing off the wall along with the squishes and squeaks of their sneakers against the clean floors. They were all drenched from head to toe, their clothes a soaking mess that clung to their skin uncomfortably. Ophelia’s hair hung in clumps around her head, a few clumps sticking to the back of her neck and allowing water to trail down her dry back. For the most part, Ophelia, Dustin and Robin’s clothes were somewhat dry thanks to their raincoats protecting them; the protection of the rubber coats stopped the second the Russian guards discovered their presence, their hoods sliding off their heads, their unbuttoned jackets flopping open to expose them to the cold rain. 

  “Well, I think we found your Russians.” Robin declared the second they reached the back corridors that connected all the stores to the loading dock. She glanced between Steve and Dustin as they all rushed back to Scoops, wanting to be safe once again. Steve continued to hold Ophelia’s hand, tugging her along behind him as he sped walked to Scoops. Robin glanced at their intertwined hands, sharing a look with Dustin who also noticed. 

***

   Robin was long gone, having biked home so that she could sleep off the memory of nearly dying, something the other three had unfortunately faced twice before. Dustin retreated to Ophelia’s car, but forced her and Steve to get his Camp Know Where hat that he accidentally left behind in the backroom of Scoops. Ophelia and Steve walked in silence, Steve’s mind wrapped up in trying to figure out if he actually liked her. “So, that was kinda scary earlier, huh?” Steve asked, his voice coming out squeakier than he wanted, as he pulled the door to the outside open, the sound of raindrops hitting the wet pavement meeting their ears. 

  “Yeah, just a little,” Ophelia nodded. She had sensed his rigidity around her. It was like he was constantly on edge, overthinking everything he did. She felt fear settle into her chest at the thought that he had figured her feelings for her. He was probably trying to figure out how to let her down gently or how she could have possibly misread his signs of friendship for something more. “We’ve almost died a lot of times, but this is the first time we’ve almost died from guns.” She tried to carry on the conversation as if her heart wasn’t threatening to rip itself in half. 

  Stepping into the pouring rain, their barely dry clothes were instantly wet again, weighing down on them along with the crushing silence beating between them like a pulse. Even with the cold rain drops pelting them and thunder rolling over their heads, they still took their time walking to their respective cars. Despite the suffocating silence that bathed them, they still wanted to spend time together. “I don’t think this is a good idea - not after what happened on the roof.” Steve suddenly stopped, turning to face her. Ophelia dug her heels into the ground, whirling around to face him with furrowed brows. He didn’t know what prompted him to say that, the thought of not wanting her to get hurt pressing itself to the forefront of his brain - begging for attention.  

  They both ignored the raindrops rolling down their faces at high speeds and the rain beating at their faces, their eyes blinking rapidly. “What do you mean? You don’t want to figure out what they’re doing anymore?” She asked, confused. Steve was stubborn, he never gave up on anything. It wasn’t like him to back out of something. 

  Steve shook his head, water spraying from his hair at the action like a dog. “No, no,” He breathed out so softly Ophelia almost didn’t hear it over the rain. “No, I don’t want you to be involved in this anymore.” He told her, gesturing his hands in the small space between them. They stood so close, you could barely fit another person between them. Ophelia blinked at him, her mouth opening and closing as she processed what he had just said. 

  “Why not? If you haven’t noticed, I’ve dealt with things a lot scarier than Russians.” She shot back, her hands flying through the air. They had been through so much the past two years, they had been through hell and back and there was no way she was going to bow out at Russians. Last time she checked, they weren’t some unknown force from another dimension.

  “Did you not see the giant semi-automatics they were holding Ophelia? That’s a lot harder to avoid than a monster,” Steve’s voice boomed, his blood pressure building. He didn’t want her to get hurt; he didn’t want her to end up with a bullet in her. He wanted her safe, far away from this. Monsters were one thing, but these monsters had guns and a ruthless urge to kill. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He admitted, his voice quieter, but scratchy - realization hitting him. He felt like he had been hit by a tonne of bricks. The world was spinning around him like he was standing on a spinning top that was spinning out of control. His stomach churned, making him want to throw up, but the dizziness made him feel like he was going to pass out. He liked her. Here he stood, in a deserted parking lot with rain pounding down on him, starting a fight with her because he liked her. 

  Steve watched her face, a mixture of sadness, hurt and anger perfectly blended to match the storm swirling overhead. She chuckled dryly, shaking her head as she folded her arms over her chest. Licking her lips, she set her watery, but hard eyes on Steve who seemed to be caught up in his own thoughts. “You don’t want me to get hurt,” She echoed like she couldn’t believe the words he spoke. “Do you not remember who saved you from being killed from demodogs and Billy Hargrove last year? Oh, yeah! That’s right,” Her tone picked up to fake enthusiasm. “It was me.” Her tone dropped dangerously. 

  “Billy was different and you ended up right next to me on that floor, Ophelia,” He reminded her, his voice raising as well, his voice strained. “I can’t do that again, I can’t see you laying there barely hanging on to consciousness again!” His body shook as he screamed into the night. He was screaming out silently, hoping that she could hear what he was trying to tell her. 

  “And you think I want to see you being beaten to a pulp again? No, but I’m not going to try and stop you from potentially saving the world again and you shouldn’t try to stop me!” She screamed back. She was trying to get him to hear her, to hear her true meaning in the words that she spoke. 

  “I can take care of myself, you-” He cut himself off, his mind stopping his mouth from talking before he put his foot in his mouth. “You-” He tried to come up with something else quickly, knowing that what he wanted to say was a complete lie. She could take care of herself. She had proven that multiple times. “You-” He tried again, but she cut him off with a stressed cry. 

  “I- What, Steve,” She asked, her eyes dancing with fire despite the water that pooled in them, trying desperately to smother the fire. “I can’t defend myself? I can’t take care of myself, huh,” She asked, choking back a little sob as her heart pulled itself apart slowly. She had always been undermined, nobody letting her do anything because she wasn’t strong enough, because she was just a little fragile thing that would break if the wind blew too hard. She listened to his silence, his eyes darting to the wet pavement guiltily. “God Steve! I thought that you of all people wouldn’t look at me like that, but I guess you’re just like everyone else.” She spat, tears finally breaking through the wall, sliding down her cheeks along with the rain. 

  Steve noticed instantly, his heart feeling like it was being held together by a single thin string that was seconds away from snapping at the sight of the tears. “No, Ophelia, that wasn’t what I wanted to say-” She cut him off once again. 

  “Then tell me,” She stated, sniffling slightly. “Tell me what you don’t think of me like a porcelain doll that will crack at the softest touch,” She prompted him. Silence banged like the thunder over their heads. Steve’s mouth hung open, wanting to say something, but he couldn’t, his mind blank. He really didn’t see why she couldn’t continue this with them other than the fact that he likes her and will go insane if something happened to her, but he couldn’t say that. Not yet at least. “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” She muttered bitterly, wiping at her face. “Think what you want, Harrington-” She spat his name as if it were a bad taste in her mouth, sending a dagger into his heart - severing the string holding it together. “I’m doing this whether you like it or not.” She told him, turning on her heel and speed walking towards her car where Dustin sat.

  Steve stood there, hair hanging in his face as he watched her. The warning Robin gave him earlier echoing through his head. “If you don’t figure them out fast, you’re going to mess up.” Steve sighed, kicking the ground and walking to his dark car. His thoughts were consumed by Ophelia, wondering how he was going to fix this and his new found feelings for her. He had always felt it, he just finally realized it. Ophelia Henderson could take anything she wanted from him, even his beating heart from his chest, and leave and Steve would just be happy to see her smile. 

 She was always there for him. She gave him shelter when his dad and him were fighting about College and he didn’t feel safe to be home for weeks. She held him, gave him food, cared for him when his parents wouldn’t. When he felt like he was losing everything, like he was drowning, she was the one keeping him afloat, keeping his head above water. She was the reason his head was still above the rising water levels of his life. She was the reason he was still hanging onto hope that his life will get better. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t able to protect herself (which he knew full well that she could), he’d still rather give his life for her because she’s saved his life more than once and he knows that she’d do it all over again, even if it meant giving her life for him. She was the reason he was still there, being able to be there for Dustin. She pulled him out of his darkest time, of the period of his life where he honestly couldn’t picture himself in five years because he thought he’d be dead. He didn’t understand how he couldn’t have realized his feelings sooner, how he so clearly liked her that even Dustin noticed it before him. He could have avoided doing the one thing he never wanted to do: hurt Ophelia.

[emuchipmunk]

19 | Jared McCann x American Teenager - Ethel Cain

Part 5 of the Spotify Wrapped x Hockey series

[alilpunkrock]

Baby fever

Ryan Sitkowski x reader

Requested by: @ryansitkowskiswifey

“Being with Ryan for a couple of years and is having baby fever imagine :)”

A/n: annnnnnnd she’s back! I’m definitely not doing these in order anymore, mainly by what I have the best idea for overall. Thank you everyone for being so patient! Enjoy! 🖤🖤

Tag list: @chriscrosscerulli @myanaconda-will-consider1t @thisplace-ishaunted @ryansitkowskiswifey @musicsexandpizza69 @whyisgmora

••••••••••

The holidays were always your favorite time of year, but every year your family keeps getting bigger and bigger. Cousins having babies, toddler nieces and nephews running around outside in the snow. You loved every second of it.

This was the 3rd year in a row that Ryan was coming along with you to celebrate. Your family loved him, put off by his appearance for sure, but once they saw how goofy and nerdy and how happy he made you they quickly welcomed him to the family. Things between you two are pretty serious. You moved in a year after getting together and he bought you a ring last Christmas. Not like an engagement ring, more like a “I promise I’m always going to love you and come home to you” ring. You wore it on your wedding finger anyway, and Ryan had no complaints about that.

You sat at the kitchen table with your niece on your lap coloring in the Christmas themed color book she got as an early gift. You giggled at her ranting about why the snowman’s vest needed to be pink instead of blue, because his favorite color is pink. Ryan was in the kitchen, holding a beer, and talking with your dad about the hockey game from the night before. Your voice drew his attention away and Ryan’s focus landed on you and the 5 year old, each with a crayon in your hand.

Ryan has always loved the idea of having a family with you. Obviously he hopes when the time comes that you have a boy so he can teach him how to do all the manly guy things he does. He wants to teach him to play video games and win, and play guitar, or drums would be cool too. Of course if you have a girl, he’s going to teach her the same things. Anything is unisex if you’re not an asshole.

Your dad followed Ryan’s gaze and he smirked.

“So things are good with Y/n and you I assume?” He took a drink of his beer. Ryan nodded, suppressing a smile.

“Yeah, things are really good. We finally got the construction finished on the house and it’s all decorated. Y/n handled the decorations.” Ryan chuckled.

“Just like her mother.” Your dad commented. “Should we be expecting any grandchildren any time soon?”

Ryan’s head shot up at the comment and a blush spread up his tattooed neck.

“Uh,” he cleared his throat. “No, we haven’t talked much about that.” Ryan said awkwardly, not wanting to talk to your dad about having kids with you because they both knew how the birds and the bees worked and Ryan likes having his dick in tact and doesn’t want your dad to use the meat tenderizer as a weapon.

Your dad patted Ryan on the back.

“It’s okay son, I know that day is going to come some time, and if she’s anything like her mother it’ll be when she’s damn good and ready.”

Ryan chuckled, nodding and took a long chug of his beer, hoping that the subject would change or the ground would swallow him whole.

~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the night carried on smoothly, dessert and presents and how the grinch stole Christmas. You and Ryan decided to head home a little before midnight, saying your goodbyes to your family members and getting an attack group hug from the 3ft tall munchkins. Ryan held your hand on the console the whole way home and a comfortable silence filled the car. The only sound was the music playing from Ryan Spotify softly over the speakers.

“You and my dad talked for a long time tonight,” you started. “Anything interesting?” You asked. Ryan glanced over at you and shook his head.

“Nah, nothing too crazy. Just talking about the Penguins game last night. Ya’ know, guy stuff.” He teased. You rolled your eyes at him waiting for the rest of the drive to be over.

Once you made it inside your home, you immediately slipped your jacket and your shoes off, sighing as your socked feet touched the plush carpet.

“Remind me next time I know I’m going to be chasing kids around all night and not to wear heels.” You said to Ryan, resting your tired body on the couch with your feet on the table. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around your shoulder pulling you into his side.

“You got it babe.” he kissed your head.

Should he bring up the conversation with your dad? Should he tell you he’s ready to start a family? Both of you are more than financially stable, you just started a new job in a new position, his band has been doing amazing. Maybe he should just rip the bandage off.

“So I’ve been thinking,” he started.

“Uh oh..” he nudged you.

“I’m serious,” you looked up at him. “What do you think about starting a family of our own?”

Your eyes widened in shock. Ryan wanted kids? Of course you knew he was amazing with them, you just never expected him to want a clone of himself running around. You could see Ryan’s panic the longer you took to answer.

“Uh, I don’t know. I didn’t know you wanted kids.” You said.

“I didn’t, until you.” A blush rose on your face.

“Ry, I would love nothing more than to start a family with you.” You leaned in and kissed his lips.

He cupped your cheek with his hand and deepened the kiss for a moment. He pulled away slightly to speak.

“I say we get started right away.” Ryan grinned.

He stood up suddenly and picked you up, carrying you over his shoulder. Your squeal turned into laughter as he marched up the stairs, determined to get the family business started.

[howareyanowpod]

The Letterkenny Leave

How Are Ya Now? Podcast Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IDa578R0Drfh6WflJxMFU Guest Host:  Genesis Nunlee This weeks band:  Lizzie Boredom Pre-show stuff (00:00 - 09:58):

Indiegogo campaign:  https://igg.me/at/podscure/x/22323938#/

Please help us get our gear upgraded before the end of the month.

Growth:  25%

Cosplay contest:  https://howareyanowpod.com/how-are-ya-now-cosplay-contest/

New Patreon subscriber:  Shaine Wynsma https://www.patreon.com/HowAreYaNowPod

Happy Saturday Dean, And my best to your lovely wife Tiara. Congrats on all of your success! I have been listening for a couple of weeks and just finished the Season 3 wrap up. The interview with Tyler was amazing. As are you guys, not surprised it has taken off the way it has. I would love to be on the show. Watching, actually re-watching, S6 E1 right now. Which is the one I would pick, between us girls. But I am gonna takes you up on your offer of promoting something. Cuz that’s what’s I appreciates about yous. Sept 7 and 8th, I am going to be riding 200 miles in the Ride for Life Chicago. The Ride benefits TPAN, an HIV/AIDS outreach group in Chicago. It is 100 mile ride from Chicago to Sawyer, Michigan. A very Letterkenny type town in West Michigan, not sure of it population, but it has its problems. Then 100 miles back on the 8th. More information on TPAN is available at TPAN.org. This will be my 9th time doing this ride and raising funds for them. If any of the degens out there would like to donate, any amount is fine, my ride donation page link is http://support.tpan.com/goto/Shainemw. All the money goes into TPAN’s general fund. If they let me know they heard it from you, I’ll make reference to How Are Ya Now.  Over an Out, ShainePlease donate ANYTHING you can to Shaine's ride and let 'em know that you heard about it from us!!!

This is a big feminist episode!

Introductions

Facebook Group - Professor Tricia Would Literally Shit a Brick

Episode dive (09:58- 0:48:00):

Recap:   Letterkenny Talent Show

Deep dive of this episode:  The Letterkenny Leave

Thoughts/Theories/Trivia/Questions (0:48:00 - 1:07:20):

"Meaty" episode

Hockey players and Skids BOTH had A LOT of dialog

Dean's never played "Never Have I Ever"

Thoughts/Questions/Observations from our degens: Bobby from JB’s Meme’s via Twitter stated: Also. Reilly and Jonesy's blackboard. The chubby stick figure and it says "Shoresy = fat " 😂And then: This is possibly the first episode, not written by Jared and Jacob. I could be wrong.Well, I then brought in “Awesome” (our Trivia Maven) to fact check. Her response was: “the first episode of #letterkenny to be written by someone other than @jaredkeeso  and @jacobtierney79 was s03e04 Les Hiques, by @TorrensJonathan” Victoria McCabe - Facebook (New admin for FB pages/groups) Even more Wayne autism evidence. Why is Katy still annoyed at McMurray in the later episode after this (I mean granted the phrasing was awful)? Does this answer last week's had she had both question? Ever played never have I ever? If so, best or worst thing you ever revealed or had revealed? Ever done or had done any of the mentioned goodbyes? Are there any ones you can think of that they didn't mention in that? That girl doesn't need to be on drugs, prob a good idea she read and didn't take the steroids. Poor poor trusting hockey players. Valerie Lopez - Facebook Soooo, didjya ever notiiiice (I'm doing terrific there bud) that Tanis'ssssses didn't partake of the hot tub party? Why is that? Why wouldn't the McMurray's have invited her given they know that it would have made Wayne uncomfortable to have her in the hot tub with him and they thrive on that. Just my own theory that the McMurray's thrive on discomfort and would have loved watching that happen.. And 2nd point --- does anyone REALLY believe that Pastor Glen had noooos ideas whats was happenings? It was such a fun contradiction to watch play out. Additionally, Valerie is a Patreon patron and now our HIGHEST contributor on our Indiegogo campaign!As you may remember, she heads-up the Comedy Wham podcast. She has now done three separate episodes on Comedy Wham that are in reference to Letterkenny.If you go to comedywham.com and put “Letterkeny” in their search box, you’ll find four articles!  Check ‘em out! Thank you so much, Valerie!  We love you to pieces! 

Glen and Gail being both oversexualized and undersexualized at the same time.

How white is Canada?

Racism:  North vs South vs Canada

Is Wayne into horror books?

What would happen if Wayne and Dary fought?

Mrs. McMurray looked really bummed when Dan got out of the hot tub. Trivia 

R&J reference "Charlotte gains, bro" and "Serge of gains, bro".  Those are references to:  Charlotte (English-French actress and singer) and Serge Gainsbourg (father of Charlotte, French singer and songwriter ) 

Soft-pass:  Opposite of a Hard-pass.  Something that you're interested in but just can't do.

Mrs. McMurray references being in (Aca)'pulco until "fellas started getting' haved from bridges with their dinks cutt off".  This was something that actually happened down in Acapulco in 2017/18 from rival drug gangs.

All of the baseball players mentioned had careers sullied by their use of steroids

Roger Clemens

Sammy Sosa

Jose Canseco

Anabolic steroids come in the form of tablets, capsules, a solution for injection and a cream or gel to rub into the skin. Weightlifters and bodybuilders who use steroids often take doses that are up to 100 times greater than those used to treat medical conditions.

Both books mentioned in this episode are real books.

Carrie Originally published: April 5, 1974 Author: Stephen King

The Boy at the Leafs Camp  Originally published: 1963 Author: Scott Young

Fuck - Fight - FERDA! (1:07:20 - 1:28:52)

Fuck:  Dan, the McMurrays (TOGETHER ONLY), Gail, and Tanis

Fight:  The FIRST time we've had NO scraps!!!

FERDA:   Everyone else.

Farewells and Outro:  (1:28:52 - 1:36:31) Next Episode: Great Day for Thunder Bay Artist of the week:  Lizzie Boredom Location:  Dallas, TX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzieboredomband/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizzieboredomtx

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lizzieboredom.band

Bandcamp: https://lizzieboredom.bandcamp.com/

Contact: lizzieboredombooking@gmail.com

****************** Intro: Song: Problem Album: Dead Men Can't Catcall Outro: Song: Dead Men Can't Catcall Album: Dead Men Can't Catcall ******************

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

source https://share.transistor.fm/s/705f713e

[marwritesgood]

She Used to be Mine | F. Cooper

Pairing ; Young!FP x Waitress!Reader

Timeframe ; Past!AU

Summary ; Trouble seems to follow Y/n everywhere she turns. Luckily for her, ‘trouble’ is FP’s middle name.

TW: Verbal/Emotional Abuse

A/N: Literally no one asked for this, but here’s the thing: I watched ‘Waitress’. Listened to the entire ‘Waitress: The Musical’ soundtrack. Played ‘She Used to be Mine’ on repeat for the whole week. All because Spotify put it on one of my Daily Mix playlist. I am obsessed.

Also, in my country, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 years. Whilst writing this I completely forgot that Riverdale is set in America where the drinking age is 21. Whoops.

*

“Hey, you.”

I had arrived at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe for my Sunday morning shift, only to see FP waiting in the carpark with his motorbike. I sigh, and offer a weak smile. I wanted to be happy to see him waiting for me, but it was virtually impossible considering the circumstances.

“FP, what’re you doing here?”

“You didn’t return my calls,” he mumbled, following me inside, but remaining in front of the counter as I tied my apron around my waist and clocked in behind. “I was just worried about you and uh... and about us. I thought our date on Friday went well, or at least I had fun.”

“... I did too,” I responded, softened by his concern. “Believe me, I really did, but I can’t be seen talking to you anymore. My father has very strict rules about who I’m seen hanging out with and I don’t wanna disobey his orders.”

Silence fills the air for a moment, which terrifies the crap out of me. I didn't want FP to think that I was avoiding his calls on purpose, but I also didn’t eat him to overanalyse his character. It wasn’t his fault my dad didn’t want me anywhere near him. It had less to do with his opinion on him, and more to do with his expectations of me.

“So... That’s it?” I may as well have kicked a puppy in the face. That’s what looking at his reaction felt like. “We’re over? All of the note-passing during classes and shared milkshakes and fries after your shift... It all has to end. All because your old man thinks I’m trouble?... Really?”

Placing my notepad down, and scanning the virtually empty room for possible eavesdroppers, I lean over the counter and explain myself as best I can and the softest voice I can muster.

“FP, you don’t get it.” I try not to sound annoyed, but it was difficult not to be agitated by his persistency in spite of my reasons. “If I could keep seeing you, and keep going on dates to the Twilight with you like we did on Friday, believe me, I would... But disobeying my father’s orders? It’s a fucking death wish.”

I hoped my choice of words, and the seriousness in my expression would allow him to take a hint, but he remained unwavered by both, and continued to persist, following me as I walked to my first table for the day.

“Y/n, c’mon-”

“- Don’t FP. You know what? Just, leave... Please.”

I may as well have killed a puppy. A cute, persistent and completely oblivious puppy. That’s what looking at his expression as he walked out of the Chocklit Shoppe felt like.

*

I wanted to call FP when I got home from my shift, especially since my father was set to be working up until after midnight, and, because my older brother was temporarily out of town, I would have the house to myself. However, I decided to give him some space instead, and headed up to my bedroom.

After changing out of my uniform, I began brushing my hair when a soft knock sounded from my bedroom window. Alarmed and concerned, I grab my brother’s hockey stick and slowly make my way towards it. After pulling the curtains open, I let out a relieved sigh, before unlocking and sliding my window open.

“FP?!” I yelled, only to be met by a mischievous grin. “What on earth are you doing here? Knocking on my window like a sociopath?”

“Well it’s nice to see you too, Y/n... Y’know. That’s no way to treat your fellow classmate, let alone your date for tonight.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I mean, Y/n Y/L/n, the greatest waitress to ever walk into Pop’s and the greatest girl to ever walk into my English class-”

“We’ve never had English together-”

“Baby, don’t ruin my moment,” he said, teasingly interrupting me. He knew calling me baby would shut me up. Goddamn. “Y/n, will you do me the honour of letting me take you out for a date tonight?... Pretty please?”

This boy. Not only did he completely disregard everything I told him earlier at Pop’s, but he was asking me to go for a drive him, despite me repeatedly reminding him that I am not to be seen out with him.

“I told you, FP, I can’t-”

“You can’t be seen with me?” He raises his eyebrow at me like a student ready to outsmart his professor. “Well, guess what, darlin’? It’s approaching 10pm, so no one is going to see us. Plus, I know your dad won’t be home until late, so we’ve got loads of time to kill.”

“I am not getting on the back of your motorbike.”

“Well then...” He reaches into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulls out an unfamiliar looking keychain. “It’s a good thing I stole my dad’s station wagon... So what do you say?”

I was tempted. Like, really tempted. A night out with FP Cooper? Any girl would jump at that opportunity, even without the whole entire ladder and bedroom window factor. However, I wasn’t quite sold on the offer.

“Where do you even plan to take me?”

“I know a place in the Southside.”

Sold.

*

“How in the world did you ever find this place?”

The Whyte Wyrm. FP had driven half an hour just to walk me into one of the most notorious bars in town. If only he knew how familiar I already was with the location and the people it harboured.

“I know people.” FP tried very hard to come off as mysterious, but I saw through his act and found it quite amusing how hard he continued to try. “People I’ll introduce you to, that is, if you’re willing to come inside with me?”

“Lead the way,” I replied almost instantly, catching him off guard. “What? Did you think I was gonna chicken out of this?”

“No, it’s not that,” he murmured, smiling as he held my hand and began walking me towards the door. “You’re just... full of surprises. I don’t know... I guess I really like that about you.”

I stare up at him and smile back at him, before unknowingly leaning closer to his face. He responds by lowering his head and meeting me halfway until our faces are mere millimetres away from colliding.

“Y/n?”

We move apart quicker than you can say ‘Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe’,

“No fucking way... Y/n, is that you?”

I turn around, only to be bombarded by three guys; all old enough to be my grandfather despite looking dangerous enough to cause fear in FP, who had no idea what was going on. I chuckle, and after letting go of the men, I offer him a comforting smile to reassure him that this was anything but a dangerous situation.

“Guys, this is FP Jones. He’s... a very good friend of mine.”

“Jones.” The tallest one, Pharaoh, states as he scans FP from head to toe with an content smile. “I seen you around here before, but if I had known you were a friend of Y/n, I would’ve introduced myself sooner... I’m Pharaoh. This is Venom and Scarface.”

“Nice to meet you... uh, how do you guys know each other?”

“Um...” I awkwardly look towards the three serpents standing across from me, but they smile and raise their eyebrows, as if they were amused to see how I was going to explain my unique relationship with them. “My mom was a serpent, and these three were her best friends.”

“Her mom was a legend,” Venom added.

“Yeah,” chimed Scarface. “And when lil’ Y/n was born, she was only your guys’ age. So we took both of them under our wings. Raised Y/n like she was our own niece. Hell, Pharaoh loves her like she’s his own kid.”

“Damn straight.” Pharaoh responded, before wrapping his arm around my shoulder and messing my hair up.

“Where’s your mom now, Y/n?”

The four of us fall silent at FP’s question, and Pharaoh opens his mouth, about to answer him, but I hold my hand in front of his chest and keep him from doing so. If he was going to hear this, FP was going to hear from me. No one else.

“She died,” I answered, trying not to come off as too sad or too emotionally struck by the sudden mention of her death. Even if I was still mourning her loss. “When I was fifteen... That’s when I moved in with my dad, and started going to Riverdale High.”

“That’s when we met each other?”

“... Yeah,” I replied, with a small smile appearing on my lips. FP and I met in Freshman year. Who’d have thought it’d take us until Senior year to finally begin dating. Because I sure didn’t. “I never thought of like that.”

“Venom. Scarface,” Pharaoh said, cutting mine and FP’s moment short, most probably on purpose. “Why don’t you show Y/n’s friend to the bar. Get him a couple drinks on the house, and bring some back.”

I knew what that was code for; get FP out of my face and keep him distracted, so I can actually say what I want to say to Y/n.

“Pharaoh-”

“Don’t Pharaoh me, kid,” he responded sternly, catching me off guard and frightening me a little. I had never seen him get angry so quickly, especially at me whom, as Scarface mentioned, he loved as his own. “You disappear into the North, never have anything to say to us for three years, and only make an appearance because your boyfriend dragged your ass here? Thought we meant more to you than that.”

“You do, Pharaoh,” I retorted, trying to hide how hurt I was at what he was insinuating. “C’mon, y’know you do. Look, I’m sorry, I just... I haven’t been able to find the time to call or visit, especially with school and my waitressing shifts at Pop’s.”

“And yet you still have time to go on dates with Jones.”

“That’s different,” I reply, fighting back a light chuckle. “He fucking knocked on my window even after I told him that my dad doesn’t want me around him.”

“Wait a second,” he mutters, holding his hand up to keep me from continuing. “Your old man doesn’t want you around the kid?... Why? He seems harmless.”

I wanted to tell him, then and there. Tell him that my father is controlling and manipulative and remains adamant on keeping me from having a social life. Tell him that I have been dying to come back home, to the Southside, ever since I left. Tell him how much I hate living with my dad, but my mouth runs dry.

“Who knows,” I droned, shaking my head and changing the subject. “But I really am sorry for not reaching out to you guys. I’ve missed you, Pharaoh. I’ve missed all of you guys, but it’s just... Hard, you know? Now that mom’s not here.”

“I know, kid,” he replied sympathetically, scuffling my hair again before pulling me in for another bear hug. I felt at home.

Soon enough, FP returned with Venom and Scarface. I expected them to be holding bottle of beer in their hands, but instead FP passed me a glass of apple cider identical to the one he held. They notice my surprise and laugh.

“What?” Venom questioned. “You think now that you’re back you get free reign over the drinks? You’re still underaged, kid, so enjoy your apple juice.”

“Why didn’t you get something else?” I asked FP, before taking a sip out of my glass. He had turned 18 last month, and never stopped bragging about how he could legally drink alcohol and I could not. At least not until a couple of months.

“I’m driving, remember? Gotta make sure you’re safe, y’know... Can’t let anything happen to you.”

I smile and rest my head on his shoulder, which proved to be a cue for Venom, Pharaoh and Scarface to leave. After finishing our drinks, and telling FP a couple of stories from when I was kid being raised in the south, I bid the serpents farewell and head towards his father’s station wagon so he could drive me home in time for when my dad get home.

“Thank you, FP,” I murmured, as I held his hand. “- For taking me out tonight. When you have a father like mine, opportunities like these are hard to come by so I really appreciate you knocking on my door like a sociopath.”

“Anytime, darlin’,” he replied smoothly, smirking at how sappy I wad becoming all of a sudden. After a short moment, he coughs noticeably loud, and straightens his posture. “About your dad, Y/n... Is everything good? Like... I get that he’s strict but is that it? Or is there more to his behaviour?”

He was the first person to ever ask me this. Here I was dropping hints at every single person I discussed this topic with, but FP was the first to actually question my dad, and check up on me. We end up staring at each other for a while, and I am too taken aback to find courage to reply.

“Y/n?”

“... He scares me, FP,” I whisper, trying my best not to tremble, but doing so anyways. I turn to keep my head down, but he lifts my chin up and caresses my cheek in a reassuring manner. “I don’t know... He used to be okay back when I saw him a couple times a year, and I thought things would be the same once I moved in with him but... I guess once my half-brother left the house, and because I’m so different to him- both of them, really- he’s just so crazy about everything I do. It’s like he’s paranoid I’ll become an addict or join the serpents... like my mom did... And god does he love reminding me of that.”

“I’m sorry,” he replies, before pulling me into an abrupt hug. It startled me at first, but I returned the embrace and hid my face in the crook of his neck. He had a way of making me feel safe. “I should have asked you about him sooner, god, I wish I could do something, Y/n. Y’know, so you can live how you wanna live. So you can go South and see Pharaoh and the guys. So... so-”

“- So we can be together,” I finished.

“Yeah... But, I get it,” he assures me, before placing a soft kiss on my forehead. “And I’m sorry for being so persistent... From now on, I won’t do anything unless you feel safe enough.”

‘But I always feel safe with you,’ I thought silently to myself. 

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence, for we both wanted to be together, and to have more car rides out South and more milkshakes at Pop’s and movie nights at the Twilight, but we knew it wasn’t possible. At least not while I remained living with my father.

After arriving at my front yard, I kiss FP on the cheek before saying goodnight and heading towards the ladder to my bedroom window. I climbed into the room, and went to switch on my bedside lamp, only to see my father sitting at my computer desk with a furious look on his face.

“Where the hell have you been, young lady?”

*

This time I was the one knocking on his window like a sociopath, in the late hours of the night. I had run away from home, with all but my backpack and bike, and headed straight towards the only person I could think of within cycling distance. FP.

“What the fu- Y/n? Is that you?”

He opens his window and switches his lamp on, before holding my hands to help me climb through without falling. I try to wipe my tears, and keep him from seeing my swollen eyes and the prominent bruise on my wrist, but he sees through my attempts.

“Oh my god, what happened?”

At this point, I begin sobbing, and FP is quick to wrap his arms around my frame, which I am grateful for. He leads me to his bed, and we both sit at the edge. As I began to calm down, FP rubbed circles on my back and waited patiently for an explanation.

“He came home early,” I began. “And he was just waiting in my room for me to get home, and when I did he was so angry... I’ve never seen him get so mad. He asked me where I was, and I made the mistake of telling him the truth. I told him about you, and about Whyte Wyrm and about seeing Venom, Scarface and... Pharaoh.”

Chills are sent down my spine when I recalled mentioning Pharaoh to my father. His entire face became red, and it was as if that was the thing which set him off.

“He grabbed my wrist and pushed me. Yelled at me. Told me I was making all the same bad decisions my mother did, and that I’d end up just like her when she was my age... When I left I ran away, and... and you’re the only person I could think of running to.”

He smiled at me, and lifted my chin up so he could kiss my lips. How he was able to make me feel loved and safe, even with a father like mine, I could never understand. But I was grateful.

“You’re crashing with me until you find somewhere better to stay, okay?”

“Okay-”

“And you’re gonna tell me if he ever touches you again, alright?”

“I will-”

“Because,” he chokes up for a second but looks back at me and regains his wording. “Because you mean a lot to me Y/n... And I’m not gonna let anything bad happen to you again. Not while I’m here, okay?”

I nod, and take my jacket off. FP and I spend the night sleeping next to each other, my head on his arm and his lips pressed against my forehead. By morning, he managed to slip away, and when I woke up to half empty bed, I was curious as to where he had gone. 

“Wow,” I muttered, as I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, only to see FP cooking bacon and eggs for what I presumed was breakfast. “I didn’t know you could cook, let alone work a frying pan without burning the house down.”

“That is no way to be speaking to the guy making your breakfast.”

I laugh an take a seat at the counter, only to be interrupted by the sound of knocking at FP’s front door. After trading curious glances, he and I quickly walk towards the door, and FP stands protectively stands in front of me and opens the door. Part of me was terrified of seeing my father again, but it wasn’t him.

“Pharaoh?”

The tall serpent, accompanied by his two best.friends, slowly enter FP’s house which, thankfully, had no other people inside. God only knows how FP’s father would have reacted to three serpents entering his home.

After entering, and scanning the room, as if assessing it adequacy, Pharaoh turns to me and lets out a sigh, before pulling me into his arms.

“Why didn’t you tell us, kid?” He asked, in trembling voice I never knew he could possess. “Why’d we have to find out from your boyfriend that your dad is a fucking asshole... We could’ve- we could have protected you.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, after he let me go. “I just didn’t wanna burden you guys.”

“Y/n, are you fucking mad?” He retorted incredulously, yet lovingly. “You’re family. Not just to us, but to all serpents. You’re one of us, and it’s our job to protect our own... How many times I gotta tell you that?”

This time I am the one who engulfs him in a bear hug. 

“Seems like you and Jones over here have a pretty good thing going on,” Venom commented, after noticing the plate of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon on the counter.

“Yeah,” I replied, before walking up to FP, wrapping my arm around his waist and resting my head on his shoulder. He responds by wrapping his around my frame and kissing my forehead gently. “We do have a pretty great thing.”

And we did.

[lilalbatross]

5, 10, 15, 16, 19, 27, 29, 30 for the ao3 ask meme <33

oh boy okay here we go

5. What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

definitely Anything for you, my Shoresy fic. teeny tiny fandom for a weird niche canadian hockey comedy, but the response i got was really lovely and it's somehow in my top 5 for kudos, comments, and bookmarks. that was the first thing i posted after a couple brutal months for mental health and writers block, so those comments and stuff are really special to me

and then a special mention to chapters 6 and 7 of Austin Alone because people came fucking flying out of the woodwork to scream at us within the first couple hours of posting lmao i don't think i'll ever see anything like that ever again

10. What work was the quickest to write?

oh hands down it's What the fuck is with the spatula?, which i wrote in a single 4ish-hour sitting and a lot of that time was spent rewatching the Are You The One? ep they're watching so i could get the sequence of events right lmao. look, i just have a lot of feelings about drunk idiots brute forcing their way through complex probability with a spatula, and i needed to project that onto my otp

15. What WIP are you taking into next year with you?

dragging the carcasses of so many half-written fics, but trying to actively work on Acesodyne, which is a billy x owen post-1x07 multichap canon divergence about injury and music and grief and healing and i’m trying not to let it spiral out of control and it may not ever get posted even if i do finish it but hey we’ll give it a shot.

also determined to actually finish Downpour, which literally started as just “i bet if they stood in the rain Billy’s hair would get in his face and it would be cute and Owen would kiss him about it” and somehow turned into a bit of a trauma and body worship thing??? idk don’t ask me i don’t have any answers but i do have a 2.5k partial draft that i should put some hours into

16. What’s your most common “Additional Tags” tag?

lol it's "Established Relationship" from all my billy x owen oneshots where they're together at the start and i'm not giving you all the fucking backstory for how that happened, just jump in and we're off.

(...but also you and i know that the "how that happened" is usually Austin Alone if people know what details to look for lmao)

19. What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

i don’t see myself drifting away from billy x owen any time soon, so definitely gonna keep thinking about those bastards more than literally anybody else in this fandom (except you lol). i also want to do more Shoresy/Goody. i wrote the one oneshot, but i have a multichap outline that needs some massaging and i think could be interesting. and i get to slam more canadiana into fic, which i really can’t do when all my other shit takes place in texas lmao

and then i’m sure i’ll get surprised by a pairing and end up spitting out something isn’t even on my radar yet. who knows, maybe i’ll finally find a Ted Lasso pairing that i want to write about. Colin and...[insert name here idk we’ll see but if i write about anyone it’ll probably be Colin]

27. What do you listen to while writing?

*gestures vaguely at my entire spotify wrapped* no but seriously. depends on the fic but i’ll generally have a playlist, album, or even song that i loop for each fic. sitting there long after midnight had a very angsty playlist. touch the sky and bite the asphalt was Maneskin’s album Teatro d’ira hence the fic title. i’m pretty sure with a gift for burning was Let Me Drown by Orville Peck. Acesodyne’s playlist is heavier on acoustic guitar/pop-punk because it’s a lot of songs that i know how to play on guitar so i can connect a physicality to what i’m trying to write

29. Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

gonna resist every bone in my body that wants to be self-deprecating and couch this with all the weaknesses i see etc etc. big fan of this paragraph from with a gift for burning:

So many voices he wants to hear tonight. Numbers he knows by heart, burned into his muscle memory and connected to nothing. Harkes’ line had stayed in service the longest. Nobody canceled his contract, and it rang to voicemail for months before the unpaid bills piled up and his line was cut off. Billy called, again and again on bad nights, until his mouth shaped the words in time with Harkes’ rhythm. “Yo, it’s Jake. Leave a message if you want, but you should have just texted.” The last time he called, a confused teenage girl picked up and Billy threw his phone against the wall.

I was a little drunk when i wrote it, and then when i reread it i immediately had a moment of “oh :(” and then i knew i was onto some shit and it helped me break the direction the rest of the fic was gonna go lol

30. Biggest surprise while writing this year?

I did not expect my stuff to steer so hard into angst quite as much as it does???

but also in some ways biggest surprise was just that i...can... (don’t look at me)

send me ao3 wrapped questions if you want