#The clocks go forward where I live tonight so I get 1 hour less sleep rip

[somegrumpynerd]

Me: ah I have a day off tomorrow, I can use it to relax and do something easy for a bit

My brain: hey real quick before you go to bed [elaborate interesting idea that will involve several comics of multiple pages]

[all-for-geek]

Unfinished Business - Love, Family, and Possession Chapter 2: One Hand in my Pocket

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

Fandom: Julie and the Phantoms

Word Count: 3,573

Summary: Nick struggles to adapt to living under Caleb’s thumb. Meanwhile, a day in the life of the Phantoms when Julie is at school.

Nick tossed and turned in his bed. He had heard his alarm clock go off, but it had not been necessary. Nick had been awake for hours. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt like he was trapped back in the dark where all he could do was watch as someone else puppeted his body around. He slammed his hand on the alarm clock less to turn it off and more to prove that he was still in control of his body.

“You should…you should probably get ready.” The weak voice startled Nick upright. He remained tense as he found the ghost boy, William, standing outside his door.

Nick remained silent and still. He didn’t want to get up. He didn’t want to get dressed for school and pretend that it was a normal day. He knew that sooner or later, Caleb was going to come back and…he didn’t want to think about the darkness that awaited him. 

“You really should,” William insisted again. “If Caleb comes back and you’re not dressed, he won’t be happy.”

Nick let out a cold, short-lived laugh. “Why should I care if that monster is happy?”

“Caleb is incredibly powerful. If you’re good, he can use that power to help you. If you’re bad…he’ll use it to punish you.” The words spilled out of William's mouth automatically, like lines on a script.

“So my choices are: I get ready, and he possesses me again, making me miserable, or I don’t, and he finds some new way to make me miserable? He really sounds like a swell guy.”

“Please, Nick.” William’s voice shook with the rest of his body as tears welled up in his eyes. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Nick had planned to scoff at that. Why would he care about him? William clearly worked for Caleb in some capacity. How could someone in league with that monster have any semblance of empathy? Then a jolt of purple electricity went through William’s body that sent him onto his knees. A glowing purple mark pulsed gently on the back of his wrist.

“Caleb is on his way,” William muttered. “Please get ready. I know how it sounds, but this is him treating you well. If you think this is bad, you do not want to see him being mean.”

Nick nodded and got out of his bed. William left to give Nick some privacy as he changed. As Nick walked down the stairs, Caleb walked through the door and into the house.

“Good morning, Nicolas,” Caleb greeted with a bright smile on his face. “Did you sleep well?” Although Nick remained silent, the bags under his eyes answered for him. 

“Such a shame,” Caleb continued, “But I understand. Yesterday was a big day for us.” He stepped forward, casting his shadow over Nick’s cowering form. “But make sure to get a good night’s sleep tonight. Neither of us want me to stay here all night, do we?”

Caleb smiled like a wolf that knew its prey was cornered. Nick remained silent but reluctantly shook his head.

“Excellent. I’m glad we could come to an understanding.” Caleb closed the space between them. The last thing Nick saw before being thrown back into the dark was the look of pity on William’s face.

Across town, music poured out of the Molina's studio as it did every morning. Julie and Luke had gotten into a routine of writing music before school in order for Luke to show it to Alex and Reggie before practice after school. This particular song was one that Julie had suggested. As the two sang to each other, the melody soared through the deeper feelings the song brought out in both of them but both were too scared to say.

Our voices rise and soar so high

We come to life when we're

In perfect harmony

Woah-oh, woah-oh

Perfect harmony

Woah-oh, woah-oh

Perfect harmony

“It’s really good,” Luke said as they faded out of the chorus. “As always.” He playfully nudged Julie with his shoulder.

“Thanks,” Julie replied. “It’s something I’ve been working on for a while now.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait to see how it sounds once we bring in the guys.”

Julie’s smile dropped ever so slightly. She hadn’t told Luke that the song was about him, and she couldn’t say that it was supposed to be a duet without bringing that up and then he would find out that she had a crush on him and it would break up the band and-

“Julie?” Luke’s voice brought her out of her thoughts only for her to get lost in his big, hazel eyes. He shook her slightly by the shoulder and she fully snapped back to reality.

“Yeah! Yeah, it’ll sound really good. Once the guys part’s are in. I just hope it…it doesn’t overdo the song. I’m still getting used to writing songs with so many parts.”

“Relax. That’s what I’m here for.”

“And where would I be without you?”

“I can’t even imagine.”

“You know it’s kinda weird when you just start talking to the air like that,” Carlos interjected, reminding the two of his presence.

“Says the kid who's been talking to a wall for the past 5 minutes,” Alex remarked, earning him a glare from Julie and Reggie.

He wasn’t wrong though. While Julie and Luke had been writing, Carlos had been putting the finishing touches on the word wall. He and Reggie had managed to put the alphabet and some basic words up and were trying to communicate. Reggie had been able to mostly spell his name through the lights. There was a light with the word “Regi” under it.

“Carlos has found a way for us to talk to him in a day of trying,” Reggie said. “Let’s not stifle his ingenuity.”

“I’m going to ignore how you know the word ingenuity and instead focus on how Julie’s dad is gonna find it a little weird that there is a wall covered in Christmas lights and words under them,” Alex replied.

“Duh. That’s what the curtain is for.” Reggie tugged on a curtain that blocked off that chunk of the room creating, as the kids had explained to Ray, Carlos’ “man cave”.

“Alright, I’ve got one ghost down,” Carlos continued, not hearing Reggie and Alex bicker. “What are the other two’s names?”

“Ooo, you should spell your name next!” Reggie ordered Alex excitedly.

“Why can’t you do it?” Alex asked genuinely.

“Well, it will be special if we all do our own names! It will be like we’re introducing ourselves to Carlos.” Alex continued to stare at Reggie, knowing that that wasn’t the whole truth. It only took a second for Reggie to relent. “Also I don’t want to misspell your name.”

“Reg, you-”

“Please…” Reggie begged, interrupting whatever encouraging or sarcastic comment Alex was about to say.

“Come on, Alex,” Julie chimed in. 

“Yeah bro, just do it,” Luke added, attacking Alex with his signature puppy eyes.

Alex rolled his eyes. “Well Julie already said my name, so I shouldn’t have to tell him, but fine.” He lit up the letters of his name on the wall. Luke and Julie applauded sarcastically while Reggie did so genuinely.

“Alright, Luke, your turn!” Reggie called out. Luke poofed over and spelled his name too. Carlos quickly pulled out two more pieces of tape and wrote the phantoms’ names on them.

As if on cue, Ray called for Julie and Carlos to meet him at the truck. Julie quickly helped Carlos pull around the curtain to hide the wall. 

“See you guys after school! Stay out of trouble” Julie shouted. The three ghosts waved back, silently wondering how long until they evitable got into trouble.

It didn’t take long for Luke to show the boys the new song. Even though they were young, the three had been playing together so long that they easily found the right ebb and flow within the song for Reggie’s and Alex’s parts. It only took a couple hours for them to feel good about the extra parts. Luke continued to tweak “Perfect Harmony” by the piano while Reggie messed with the lights again. Alex had already left to try and find Willie.

“Hey bro, what about this during the pre-chorus?” Luke played a slow, melodic riff as he sang. 

“Ooo yeah, that sounds good! What about this too?” Reggie ran over to the piano and began to harmonize with Luke. 

“Yeah man! That sounds great!” Luke punched Reggie’s arm as they continued through the song. Reggie’s smile grew as they worked. The two didn’t often get to write like this anymore. Not since the days of Sunset Curve they would stay up long into the night fine-tuning Luke’s latest creation. Reggie never got used to the spark that flew between them when they sang together. It still sent a tingle down his spine and plastered a big, goofy smile on his face. He missed that feeling.

“Hey what about instead of “We say we’re friends, we play pretend” we do “Around our friends we play pretend”? Luke asked.

“I don’t know, I think the first one works better?”

“You think?”

“Yeah, I mean. The song is about two people who can’t express their feelings, right? They hide their feelings from themselves and each other, not the people around them.” Reggie wasn’t entirely sure where that explanation had come from, but he knew it felt right.

“Huh. Yeah, I guess. I’ll go ask Julie.” Luke poofed out of the studio before Reggie could respond.

Reggie chuckled to himself. It was only a matter of time before Luke found some excuse to go see Julie. Reggie went back to finalizing the words on the wall until he heard Ray pull up in the driveway. Reggie poofed into the house to greet him.

“Hey, Ray! How was your shoot today?” Ray, as always, was silent and pulled out his laptop to begin editing photos.

“Julie brought us this new song today! It’s really good! Well, not that any of ‘em are bad, but this one is really good! Luke and I were tweaking it just now. It was nice getting to work with him like that again. Ever since Julie joined the band, he’s mostly been working with her. Not that I’m complaining or mad or anything! She’s a really good songwriter. It should be her working with Luke instead of me, but…I don’t know. They always seem off doing their own thing, and Alex is always off looking for Willie…I haven’t spent this much time alone in a while. I’ve figured out how to talk to Carlos, though! He is so smart. He’s so much like Stev-”

Reggie paused as he reminded himself of his brother. Reggie had probably had the best relationship with his family of the three deceased members of Sunset Curve. Not necessarily with his parents, at least not near the end, but with his little brother. He and Stevie had been thick as thieves. Even after Sunset Curve started to go legit, Reggie would sneak Stevie out of the house to come watch their shows. Reggie had even started teaching Stevie bass shortly before he died. He still wasn’t sure he missed his parents or not, but Reggie wished he knew where Stevie was.

“I’m…I’m glad that Carlos has such a great older sister to look out for him. And a great dad too. Sorry for talking your ear off again Ray. I’ll leave you to your work.” Reggie left the house leaving Ray none the wiser to the distressed teen that had attached himself to him.  

Reggie poofed back into the studio long enough to write a quick note saying that he was going out. He didn’t want them to worry if he suddenly disappeared. As soon as he signed the note, he poofed back out. He didn’t know where he wanted to go, but he knew that he didn’t want to stay there alone.

Alex trekked through the streets of LA just as he had the day before. He checked everywhere he could: the local museums, skateparks, the streets where he and Willie had first met. He even checked the area surrounding the Hollywood Ghost Club. He didn’t stay long or go too close, but he knew that if he didn’t find a trace of Willie soon, he might get desperate enough to.

On his third lap around, he spotted a boy skating frantically down the road. The boy’s long, dark hair obscured his face; the wind blew it everywhere under his helmet. Alex ran after the boy, too caught up in his own excitement to think of just poofing over to him. He managed to keep up with Willie as he rounded the corner towards Los Feliz High School. What was he doing near Julie’s school? Was she in trouble? Did Caleb decide to lash out at Julie for helping them escape from his brand? Did-

“Alex, hey, what are you doing here?” Alex nearly tripped over his thoughts and the ground when Luke called out to him. He faced Luke like a deer in headlights.

“Me…oh nothing I was just…” Alex turned to where the boy was frantically running up the steps of the school. As he ripped his helmet off, Alex’s whole body dropped when Willie’s face was not underneath. “Nevermind.”

Alex turned to continue his search when Luke stopped him. “Bro, you’re going to find him.”

“Sure.” Alex wanted to believe Luke. He truly did, but the longer he searched, the more hopeless he became. His anxiety seemed to block out the fact that he had only been searching for two days, but the feeling was still the same.

“You will.” Luke patted Alex on the back. 

Alex nodded and turned to continue his search. Luke trailed behind him and pulled forward when Alex gave no objection. The two did another lap around the city. Still, no sign of Willie. They poofed onto the roof of a nearby building and watched as lifers went by.

“What if…what if Caleb did something to him?” Alex turned to Luke for an answer. He would never admit it, but he was longing for some of Luke’s incessant optimism.

“Then we’ll make him pay.” Alex sighed. It wasn't the response he had been hoping for.

“If Willie got hurt because of me, I don’t-”

“It wouldn’t be your fault Alex-”

“If he hadn’t met me, then we never would have gone to Caleb’s club, and he never would have felt like he needed to help us-”

“He helped us because he wanted to. Because he wanted to help you.”

“How can you be so sure?” Tears streamed down Alex’s safe.

“Dude, are you kidding? Anyone with eyes can see how he feels about you.” Luke wrapped Alex in a giant embrace. “It’s not your fault what happened to us, and if Caleb did hurt Willie, that’s not your fault either. It’s all Caleb’s.”

The two sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms until Alex pulled away, drying the last of his tears off his cheeks.

“Thanks,” he said, “What were you doing at the school?”

“I, uh, I needed to ask Julie some questions about the new song.”

“Uh huh.” 

Luke rolled his eyes at the look Alex gave him. “Come on, man. It wasn’t like that.”

“This time.”

“C’mon, it’s just-”

“I know, Luke. Just remember: When you do finally tell her, maybe skip the interpretive dance.”

“Oh c’mon! It was one time!”

“One time too many.”

“Hey, it worked didn’t it?”

Alex laughed. “Yeah, I guess.” The two laughed at the memory and poofed back to the studio.

Reggie didn’t realize where he was going until he got there. He wasn’t really surprised to find himself standing by the bike shack where his house used to be. Given how much he had been thinking about his family lately, it was only natural.

It was so surreal. There was no trace of the neighborhood that used to be here. Everything had been torn down and replaced with perfect, polished buildings suitable for tourists. It almost made Reggie feel sick. To him, it was just over a month ago that this stretch of beach had been his home. The whiplash he felt as he watched people casually walk in and out of the doors of what used to be his house was as strong as when he first came back.

Reggie continued walking down the beach. Even in the middle of the day in October, there were more people on the beach now then there ever were back when he was alive. He walked past families with small children playing in the water. Their contagious laughter brought him back to when he and his brother would play there. A few people in suits were enjoying the sun while on lunch break. They walked away with the same stern look on their faces that Reggie’s dad had everytime he left for work. 

One person seemed to catch Reggie’s eye. A figure stood underneath the pier with a spray bottle in hand. Reggie was impressed with how nonchalant they were about it. Even back in the 90s, you wouldn’t find anyone graffitting there in broad daylight.

As he poofed closer, he realized that she was a girl about his age. Her brown hair was tied back into a high ponytail. Her bell-bottom jeans matched the jean-jacket she wore. The elbows of the jacket were worn and frayed from wear. Even though he knew that she couldn’t see him, Reggie instinctively smoothed his hair out.

She was swinging her hips to a song that Reggie didn’t recognize at first. He couldn’t hear the song that was playing from the walkman, but she was humming along and began to sing as the song reached the chorus.

And What It All Comes Down Too

Is That I Haven’t Got It All Figured Out Just Yet

Cause I’ve Got One Hand In My Pocket

And The Other One Is Holding A Spray Can

The girl chuckled at her rewrite as she continued to spray paint the pillar. Reggie was bopping along as well now that he recognized the song. Jagged Little Pill had come out a month before he died, but he had fond memories of listening to it with the band. He started singing along with the girl, harmonizing unconsciously.

“You a fan of Alanis?” The question caught Reggie off guard. Mostly because it had been asked at all. Lifers weren’t supposed to see him unless he was playing with Julie. It was then that Reggie noticed that when the waves crashed up, they went through the girl’s legs rather than onto them.

“Yeah I guess I…Wait! You’re a ghost too?!”

“Yep.” The girl turned around to face Reggie. She had piercing blue eyes and tanned skin that shone in the sun. Her light purple crop top was covered in paint splotches along with the sleeves of her jacket.

“Name’s Alice.”

“Uh…Reggie…I’m Reggie.” Reggie had to struggle to get the words out of his mouth.

Alice turned to continue her artwork. “So tell me Reggie: you often stand around here and stare at the girls?”

Reggie’s eyes widened as he realized that what he was doing might have come off as a little creepy. “No! No, I just…I saw you painting, and I was curious.”

“Not a bad save. Well, take a look.” Alice stepped aside so Reggie could get a full look at the pillar. Two purple flowers were entwined together by the stems. They were photorealistic to the point that Reggie felt like he could pull them right off the pillar.

“Woah. They're really good.”

“Thanks. I’ve had a lot of time to practice. There’s only so much to do when you’ve been dead for about 40 years.”

“40 years?!” 

“Yep. You're new to this whole ghost thing, aren’t you?”

“Yeah…we died back in ‘95, but for some reason we were stuck in this weird black room for 25 years. We only got out about a month ago.”

“Huh.” Alice began to pick up the spray cans that she had strewn on the beach and put them into a black duffle bag.

“What? Is that not normal?” Reggie asked.

“Nothing is normal about the afterlife. Everyone is on a different journey. You said you were with others right?”

“Yeah my band. We all kind of died together.”

“Must have been nice.” This time it was Alice’s turn to turn red as Reggie stared in confusion. “Oh I just meant not being alone when you became a ghost. You’d be surprised how rare that is.”

Reggie was about to respond when, off in the distance, he heard music playing. The familiar sound of his band drumming in his ear. He thought it was just background noise playing in his mind before he remembered what time it was.

“Shoot! I’m late for band practice. They are gonna kill me!”

“Your band still plays?”

“Yeah! Julie and the Phantoms! Tell your friends!” Reggie was about to poof out when he turned to Alice one last time. “Any chance I can see you again?”

“Maybe. I’m either here or at the park up the road most days.”

“The one with the orange garden?”

“The very same.”

“Great! See ya!”

Reggie poofed out before he could see the amused look on Alice’s face.

[coeurdastronaute]

HSAU: College Part 1

Previously on HSAU

Morning started the same, every day, rain or shine. Four thirty in the morning, the alarm beeped in the small attic room, and under one section of angled roof, where a pile of blankets slumbered, an arm would appear and slap around until the offending noise stopped. It was precise and methodical and never changed, six days a week.

Lexa ran her hands over her face after pushing off the blankets, but stayed in bed just a few seconds longer, orienting herself. Though it was still summer, the sky hadn’t brightened just yet, and the night was disinterested in ending anytime soon. When she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, she stretched and cracked her joints and yawned before grabbing an old shirt to throw over her sports bra and slipping on a pair of shorts. The fan in her window hummed along while the crickets outside groaned in the heat. Outside, the neighborhood she grew up in was quiet and still. A dog barked and calmed itself. No cars moved at all. Every picket fence and yard with signs and flags slumbered before dawn came, and Lexa was the first among the living. July was awake before the dawn as well. It shook off the night from its coat and stretched forward and backward before loping into the streets, covering every surface with a few inches of thick heat. Without the sun, the heat rose up straight from the ground itself, radiating out into the world. Lexa paused halfway through her run and tied her shoe as the light changed for no cars at all. As she stood she dried her forehead on her shoulder and started off again. Her run got insanely longer with the new summer route that took her out towards her uncle’s garage. For no reason at all. “Where’s Bear?” “I let him sleep in,” Lexa smiled before distracting herself with wiping the sweat from her face with her old shirt. “I ran here though, so that’s impressive.” “Yeah, I mean... no Bear though,” Clarke shrugged and hustled about the café, preparing for the opening. It took just a second, but somewhere between flipping the sign on the door and moving to make the second round of coffee, Lexa grabbed her girlfriend’s arm and tugged her back, kissing her like she had been waiting to do since she started her run. “Your mom still at that conference?” “Until Thursday.” “Want me to help you pack?” “Why don’t you let me actually pack and then come over to watch a movie or something,” Clarke chuckled and pushed at her girlfriend’s chest. “I am a great helper.” “No you’re not,” she smiled and ran her hand up Lexa’s neck, pushing her body closer as she found herself stuck between the counter and her quarterback. “I could barely walk after the last time you came over to help.” The words made her shiver, but Lexa grinned as she swallowed and ran her hands over Clarke’s hips. “But you were way more relaxed.” “I can’t wait until practice starts again. You need to work off all that energy somewhere else.” “How about another training session tonight?” The puppy dog eyes were in full effect, distracting her from everything else. The jingling of the bell at the door made them pull apart. Lexa smiled politely, clearing her throat as her girlfriend adjusted her apron. Just a few more days, and they would be gone, away from the safety of their little town. The entire summer had been spent avoiding thinking about it too much, had been spent disappearing to float down the river, to watch movies much too late in Lexa’s room until her mother would come home late from work and politely remind them of the hour, to drop Aden off at his science camp and disappear together to the mountains and spend the day hiking, which inevitably ended with lounging in the shade atop the hill. Lexa took her seat, at her table, and waited until Clarke finished with the first few customers of the morning. Miraculously, without even having to order, a water appeared, with a big bowl of oatmeal and fruit. Just like nearly a year ago, the quarterback sat there and studied plays as the morning rush came and went. Most of her time was spent watching the girl with blonde hair and cheeks that had that damn smile. For the life of her, Lexa couldn’t figure out how she was going to find the motivation to run when she moved to New Haven. XXXXXXXXX

The evening was growing long in the tooth, but neither party could be bothered to let it end without a fight. And even though a mother made her presence known from time to time, it didn’t deter the two sweethearts in the attic hideaway. Nothing really could, with the late-July heat settling on the roof, angry and annoyed. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen your room this clean ever before,” Clarke observed as she hunkered down on the bed while Lexa finished packing and straightening up. “It wasn’t ever dirty, it just feels… I don’t know. Less lived in.” 

“I wasn’t going to leave a mess for my mom.” 

“I know. I just don’t like any of it.” 

“You’ll be doing the same thing in like six weeks.” 

“Oh no. I’m definitely leaving a mess for my mom.” 

Lexa chuckled and zipped up another duffle bag before tossing it on the pile. She gave her room a finally glance and felt a twinge of sadness in the base of her heart, a tiny little tug on her body that felt like she was already gone. She fell into her bed beside her girlfriend and smiled when a hand pushed hair away from her face. 

“You’re going to go across the country tomorrow,” Clarke whispered. “And I will miss you. But you are going to do something spectacular.” 

The quarterback slid her hand around Clarke’s hip, her thumb touching the warm skin there. She liked the feeling of her, and she wanted to remember it. 

“I’ll miss you badly.” 

“Obviously. I’m incredibly missable.” 

Lexa smiled as Clarke held it there and kissed her eagerly, without holding anything back, to try to say what she couldn’t. Hands gripped on her hips and she pushed forward toward Lexa. Hands moved to her neck and she dug her hands into her girlfriend’s hair. 

“I’ll come see you when you move in,” Lexa promised. “Just a three hour train ride and I can be there.” 

“And you’ll work very hard earning that starting spot this summer. No distractions. And if you get a chance,” Clarke grinned and slide her hand up her girlfriend’s stomach. “To get in shape.” 

“You oogling me is really good motivation.” 

“I don’t oogle,” Clarke shook her head as lips moved to her neck. She felt Lexa settle atop her and closed her eyes, pulling her closer, always closer. “I appreciate.” 

“You’ll have a good summer, right? Not miss me too much.” 

“I’ll miss you plenty, but I’ll try.” 

“Will you, um,” Lexa pulled away slightly, her lips a little puffier, her eyes a little more dilated, her hands touching skin and aching for more. “Would you do me a favor?” 

“Your mom is still making dinner. We have like an hour before dinner. I plan on doing a few favors for you.” 

“No, no, not that,” she shook her head. “Well. Kind of that. But I just… I want you to have a good time this summer, and not think about me. But while you’re doing that, could you watch out for Aden? He gets… he gets quiet sometimes. And my mom. She works too hard. I don’t want to leave them.” 

Her eyes were a little glassy with the confession and Clarke pressed her hand to her chest and nodded with a smile before kissing her softly. 

“I’ll keep an eye on them.” 

“You have no idea how good that is to hear.” 

“I can imagine.”

“Any favors I can do for you?” Lexa ventured with a smile. 

“One or two.” 

XXXXXXXXXX

It wasn’t easy for the first week, but Clarke kept telling herself that if she could make it one week, then she could do it, without a doubt. As hard as it was, she clawed her way through the first seven days without Lexa almost intact and only cried a handful to a dozen times. 

They survived with FaceTime and texts and calls. She got to see a lot of Lexa’s new world with tons of pictures and a lot of eager explanations, and Clarke made sure to keep plans with friends, electing to fake it and hopefully find some moments of happiness. And she did, swimming with friends, parties by the river, working at the café. It was all doable when she didn’t take any time to think about it. 

And every night when she talked with her girlfriend on the phone, Clarke had something to tell her that she did that day to keep herself busy. And she got to hear about how crazy training was, and how awesome the team was, and how exciting being on her own seemed to be. Clarke could handle listening to Lexa talk for hours. 

But there was something she needed to do, and she waited until the first milestone of a week to muster up the courage to do it. 

“Clarke, honey, it is so good to see you,” Gabby opened the door and smiled, wiping her hands in the towel on her shoulder before hugging the girl at her door tightly. 

“It’s good to see you, too,” Clarke sighed, melting into the motherly embrace. 

“I hope you’re hungry. I made chicken.” 

“Is it cooked?” 

“Ha ha. Very funny,” she rolled her eyes, grinning as she ushered her guest inside. 

The house smelled warm and delicious, and somehow felt a little different without Lexa’s bag of gear by the door and her cleats clogging up the entryway. The noises were still the same, some music playing over the small radio on the kitchen counter and Aden’s music thumping overhead, but there wasn’t a happy girl about to lope down the steps at the sound of the door and kiss the guest, and everyone knew it. 

“How have you been? How’s summer so far?” Gabby asked as Clarke followed toward the kitchen. 

“Not too bad. Normal stuff. Working and preparing to leave.” 

“Ah, to be young and with the summer ahead,” she wistfully sighed before taking the chicken out of the oven. 

Her phone rang, and Clarke saw the familiar pep in her step to answer it after she looked at the clock, familiar with the schedule Lexa liked to keep. 

“Hey, kid. How are you?” she smiled at her phone as her daughter’s face popped on the screen. “Your timing is great. Look who just showed up for dinner.” 

Clarke waved at her girlfriend from the counter earning a huge smile. 

“Make sure the chicken is cooked,” Lexa offered.  

“Way ahead of you.” 

“How was practice today? You still sore in the shoulder?” 

“It was great. I got some time in on the first line and had a really good film session. I just got back from dinner with a bunch of the guys. It was Shawn’s birthday, so we went to get a bite at this awesome Chinese place I can’t wait to show you both.”

“And you’re back in the dorm by nine?” 

“A couple of the other guys went to grab drinks, but I’ve honestly never been more tired in my entire life, and we have a five call time tomorrow for conditioning.” 

“Okay, honey, well thanks for calling me. You should sleep.” 

“I will. Clarke, wake me up later so you can tell me all about dinner and your day?” 

“We’ll see,” she shrugged and smiled. 

“I’ll be half asleep but I’m extra cute when I’m half-asleep.” 

“It’s true,” Gabby nodded. “She’s impossible to tolerate when she’s awake.” 

“Very funny,” Lexa rolled her eyes. “I love you guys. Have a good dinner. I’m sorry I missed it.” 

“Get some sleep,” they both ordered. 

It was a good dinner. Clarke enjoyed her time with Lexa’s family as she always did, and she felt a little better that Lexa gave her something to do. Maybe it was a win-win all along, that Lexa got to make sure her family was watched, and Clarke would have something to do. She wasn’t sure she could give Lexa all the credit for the plan, just that she was glad it worked out that way. 

XXXXXXXXX

It had been a long two months. Clarke felt every second of it, she thought, despite how busy she was preparing to move across the country. There was still work, and there was still time with friends, still the summer shenanigans she’d come to love, still time with everyone else who was going their own ways as well. 

It took forever and it went on in a blink. But by the time she got off the plane and picked up her luggage, she realized she didn’t particularly miss home at all. As she stood on the curb and waited for an Uber, she wasn’t as daunted by the idea of change as she had expected, but rather eager to embrace it all. 

“Excuse me, ma’am, you’re going to have to move along--”

Dumbfounded, Clarke stared at her girlfriend, who seemed to have somehow gotten taller and prettier in their time apart, standing next to an old truck. Clad in a backward blue ball cap and a torn up workout shirt that looked as if it was still dirty from a morning practice. 

“What are you--?” Clarke began to ask before smiling too much and launching herself into her quarterback’s arms. 

It felt good, to feel Lexa’s arms around her waist, to smell the sun on her neck, to fit so snuggly there. Clarke squeezed with all of her might, kissing what she could smooshed there, with Lexa’s arms returning it, a laugh in her throat strangled from escaping. 

Somehow Clarke realized her legs wrapped around Lexa and she was essentially a koala, latched there. She didn’t care. She kissed her girlfriend, ignoring the honks of the cars and the swirling police that wanted to usher everyone along. She somehow became the person who missed another persons lips. It was infuriating. 

“How did you know?” 

“My mom told me about your flight,” Lexa shrugged. “I borrowed a truck from one of the guys on the line. They think you’re hot.” 

“Well, that’s… sweet, I guess.” 

“I couldn’t wait to see you. Even if it’s just for a little bit.”

“You’re getting soft on me, Woods.” 

“Yeah,” she grinned, squeezing again. “I don’t care. I knew no one would be here to take you to school.” 

“I was just going to uber or taxi.” 

“I’m going to be the person who takes you where you need to go, even if you don’t ask or expect it, and not in as creepy a way as that sounds--”

She was silenced with another kiss as Clarke struggled to hide her smile. 

[starrybethany]

I’m Sure - Adam Boqvist Imagine Part 3

Word count: 4.2K

Part 1

Part 2

Part 4

Part 5

He looks like the perfect mix of Adam and me. But ever since he started growing his blonde hair out, he’s started to look more like Adam. Sometimes when Holden isn’t acting like a grown up and he allows me to cuddle with him and run my hand through his hair, it brings me back to the times I’ve done the same thing with Adam.

I can’t help but feel flashes of guilt in those moments. He’s shown no interest in his father, but I feel the urge to tell him about him. I don’t want him to get hurt by never having a relationship with his father, but I also don’t want to push him to have a relationship with his father just to get hurt. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Now is one of those rare times when he lets me hold him like I did when he was a baby. I convinced him to watch a movie with me, one of those cheesy Pixar films that I know that he loves. He looks up at me from between my arms, staring up at me with eyes that match my mother’s.

When he was born and opened his eyes for the first time, I was secretly relieved that his eyes didn’t match Adam’s. I just knew it would hurt to have to see a mini-Adam every day. But Holden’s eyes being the same as my mother’s hurt just slightly less than it would if they looked like Adam’s, considering I haven’t talked to my mother in over a decade after a rough childhood. It’s part of the reason that when I decided to keep Holden, I knew I had to go all in and do everything I could to provide for him and give him the best life possible.

“Mom, where did you live before you moved to Colorado?” He questions. Even though he’s lived in Philadelphia most of his life, he’s seen the photos of his toddler self cradled in my arms, the Rocky Mountains decorating the background.

“Chicago,” I answer.

“And why did you move from Chicago?”

My chest tightens at the question, but I shrug nonchalantly. I can’t just say hey kid, I was trying to escape your father. Then he would have more questions and I would put a preconceived idea of his father in his head before he even met him.

“I needed a change in scenery,” I decide on instead. It’s the truth, I did choose to go to Colorado over other states because Alex and Dylan used to show me photos of how beautiful it is.

“And what did you do in Chicago?”

“What is this, twenty questions?” I laugh.

“I’m trying to get to know you,” Holden responds.

“I’m your mother, how are you trying to get to know me?” I tickle him, causing him to giggle. “I worked for the Chicago Blackhawks as a suites advisor.”

“The hockey team?” He furrows his eyebrows. I nod. “Whoa, that’s cool. How the hell did you get that job?”

“Language,” I warn him. “I did an internship with them my senior year of college and got the job offered to me when I graduated.”

“Oh,” he yawns, snuggling closer to me. “That’s sick, mom.”

I laugh, kissing the top of his head. “Yes, it is sick.”

~

I pour the mixed eggs into the pan, waiting for them to sizzle. A wave of nausea suddenly hits me, and I grab onto the edge of the counter, trying to balance myself and swallow the bile that threatens to come up my throat.

I take deep breaths through my nose but that only makes it worse as I smell the scrambled eggs over and over again. I move the pan off of the stove and quickly turn it off, rushing out through the front door to take in gulps of fresh air.

Unfortunately, as soon as I open my mouth, everything that I ate last night comes up.

“Are you okay, honey?” A tender voice calls out.

I look over to see my neighbors, a kind elderly couple, staring at me with concern from their front stoop.

“I’m fine,” I choke out, trying to hide my red cheeks behind my hair. “Probably just the stomach bug that’s been going around.”

They nod, obviously not believing the answer but deciding not to push it. I ignore the little voice in my head telling me that the last time I was this sensitive to the smell of scrambled eggs, an embryo was growing in me.

I enter the house again, seeing Holden planted on the couch in front of the TV. He watches with a questioning expression as I dump the eggs into the trashcan, practically throwing the dirty pan into the sink.

I turn to my son. “New plan, we’re having cereal for breakfast.”

~

“Holden!” I throw his bedroom door open in excitement, totally forgetting our golden rule of privacy.

“Mom,” he exclaims in shock, turning his phone off and flipping it over so the screen is face down on his desk. “Have you ever heard of knocking?”

“Sorry,” I apologize, knowing better. He’s getting to the age of porn and masturbation and that is the last thing that I want to walk in on- having the birds and the bees talk with him was hard enough.

When I found out that I was having a boy and not a girl, that was one thing that I was not looking forward to. And it was just as bad as I thought it was going to be…

“What are you doing home this early?” He glances at the clock.

“Oh, yeah, that’s what I wanted to tell you!” I grin wildly, remembering the reason that I rushed into his bedroom in the first place. “I slept in this morning, like I totally missed my alarm and even when I woke up after ten hours of sleep, I was still exhausted. Anyways, I called work and they told me that it was slow, so I decided to take the whole day off and then I went back to sleep for four hours. When I woke up I went to Target to get some groceries but they have that Starbucks inside and I’ve been meaning to try two different drinks lately and I just decided to try them both and-“”Now you’re completely energized,” he gives me a look of amusement. “Yeah, I can tell.”

“Let’s go out for dinner tonight,” I initiate, “We can go to that cute new restaurant downtown that I meant to try with Winston.”

“Sure, mom,” he rolls his eyes but slowly rises from his bed.

“Oh, and just remember, real sex is never like porn,” I tell him before closing his door behind me.

I can still hear his whine of, “Mom!”

~

“I think I’m going to try the chicken alfredo,” I announce, closing the menu with my order picked out.

“You always get that,” Holden points out.

“And? It’s always good. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” I shrug, taking a sip from my cup of Pepsi.

I take a moment to look at my new surroundings. This is the type of restaurant that Winston would love. He loves restaurants that have the brick interior- he always used to say that restaurants that looked like this had the best food.

Maybe I made a mistake breaking up with him. I mean, all he was asking was for me to be honest with him about my feelings. He was trying to do was build a future with me and Holden. Plus, Holden liked him. He’s getting to that age where he might not like all of my boyfriends, shouldn’t I hold onto one that he does like?

“So,” Holden coughs, causing my eyes to snap back to him. He looks uncomfortable, like he doesn’t want to say what he’s about to say or ask what he’s about to ask. “I have to do a project for school on my parents’ lineage. I know all of your stuff, but what about my dad’s?”

I pause, my eyes laser focused on the boy sitting in front of me. He needs to know. But is he asking because he wants to know or because of this school project? Will this school project lead to more questions about his father? I obviously have to tell him the truth, but I wish I would have prepared myself more for this. I could’ve given myself a pep talk in the mirror before having to tell Holden all about his father.

It’s my turn to cough awkwardly. “He’s one hundred percent Swedish.”

“Swedish,” he repeats, nodding. “Okay.”

I freeze. Is that really all he wanted to know? “Do you want a name or something?”

“No,” he shakes his head, drinking from his cup now. “I’m good.”

I nod silently, not knowing what else to say. If he doesn’t want to learn more about his dad, I’m not going to force him. I just hope this project doesn’t bring out some feelings of resentment towards his father or me.

~

I shift on my feet, trying to sooth the searing pain without actually taking my shoes off to give myself a foot massage. But boy, what I would do for a good foot massage right now.

Lia and Rachel giggle to each other and I smile at them fondly, remembering when I was their age and working to be able to my college tuition.

“Lia, I ordered you two more shirts,” I inform the young girl, leaning against the counter to ease the pressure on my feet.

“Thanks, Y/N,” she flashes me a smile. “Hey, what time does the new girl start work today?”

I give her a confused expression. “What new girl?”

“Didn’t Tiffany say anything to you?” Now her expression morphs into one of confusion. “She popped in a couple of days ago and said that she hired another employee and that she was going to start Tuesday, today.”

I fight back the scowl that begs to come out and bite back the nasty words I want to say about the owner. She’s been a shitty owner for as long as I’ve worked here, and this is a good example. A new employee starts today and she’s nowhere in sight.

“She must’ve forgotten to mention it to me,” I settle on saying. I make small talk with the two, catching up on their studies and what they’re doing in their free time. I like to hear about their time in college, it reminds me of all of the all-nighters I used to pull and the times I would leave fraternity houses completely obliterated. Of course, I’m not gonna tell these girls that.

A small girl, younger than Lia and Rachel, appears in front of the counter with a shy look on her face. I recognize the expression as one that the two girls had on their first day here, so I give her a big smile and ask, “Hi! Are you the new employee?”

“Yeah, my name is Marcella,” she introduces herself. I introduce myself to her and usher her behind the counter, giving her an apron with a new nametag on it and show her a couple of things on the machines.

“But I don’t want to overwhelm you on your first day, so you can just observe us today and try it tomorrow, okay?” I request. She nods, a relieved smile on her face. “I’m going to go to the back and grab you some extra shirts that we have until we can order some for you.”

As I shuffle through the boxes in the back, trying to find some that would fit the small girl, I can hear the three talking in the front of the café.

“Is she the owner?” Marcella asks in a hushed tone.

“No, she’s the supervisor, but she might as well be the owner because she does everything the owner should be doing,” Rachel responds. I smile at her answer, glad that someone is seeing the hard work that I put in around here.

“Is she, like, chill?” Marcella questions.

“Oh, she’s very chill. Like you can be on your phone, she doesn’t care, she’s on her phone all of the time too,” Lia says.

“But she’s on her phone because she has a kid,” Rachel points out, “You’re on your phone because you’re Snapchatting the boy that you’ve been talking to for the past four months.”

The three girls giggle with each other as I emerge from the back, two shirts in my hand. My eyes immediately take in Marcella, who’s phone is grasped in her hand now.

That’s not what catches my attention. What catches my attention is her phone case. Tommy Hawk stares back at me with a “miss me?” look on his stupid bird face.

“You a Blackhawks fan?” I try to keep my tone casual as I set the shirts down on the counter next to her, turning to occupy my hands with a spray bottle and a rag.

“Yeah, are you?” She inquires.

I swallow the lump in my throat that appears with the question. Act cool, act casual. She doesn’t know anything about your past, none of the girls do. “No, not really a hockey fan. Just used to live in Chicago and would see the logo everywhere.”

It’s not a lie.

“It is everywhere,” she giggles.

“Well, now you’re going to have to be a Flyers fan,” I give her a smile, hoping she doesn’t see through it to my anxiety.

And when Lia begins to talk about how the guy she’s been talking to is a big Flyers fan, I feel relief flood through my body that I’ve made it through this conversation and into the clear.

~

I’ve been avoiding this for two weeks now. I can’t even remember when Adam and I had sex, but I remember the symptoms from eleven years ago. Swollen feet. Sensitive breasts. Aversions to certain foods- like scrambled eggs. God, I feel like throwing up just at the thought.

But I can’t avoid it forever. I need something to confirm or deny my beliefs. And now, instead of sitting on the shitty toilet in my loft in Chicago, I’m sitting on the toilet that actually works in my condo in Philadelphia.

Time has gone by, but I somehow find myself in this situation yet again. Instead of two tests balancing on the edge of the sink basin, there’s three tests sitting on paper towel on the counter.

I feel less nervous this time than I was when I found out that I was pregnant with Holden. I mean, now I know that I’m a good mom, I’m a good mom to Holden. Sure, I’m not in the best place financially still, but I could find a way to make it work- I did the first time around.

But before I make all of these decisions, I need to find out if I’m even pregnant first.

My phone alarm goes off and I quickly turn it off, taking a deep breath. The nerves start to set in, and I bite my lip in fear.

No matter what happens, I’ll figure it out.

I rise with shaky legs, turning to stand in front of the counter, my eyes meeting the mirror. Slowly, they move down to the three electronic tests.

Positive. Positive. Positive.

Fuck. I run a hand through my hair, lifting my gaze to stare at myself in the mirror. I’m going to be a mom again. I haven’t been a mom to a newborn in twelve years, will I even remember what it’s like to change poppy diapers and make a bottle? I’m older now- not that old- but still, will I want to wake up several times throughout the night to feed an infant?

I mean, at least in Colorado I had a steady boyfriend who willingly shared those shifts with me. Now it’d be me by myself. I’m sure I could get Holden to pitch in every once in a while- shit, Holden.

How the hell am I supposed to tell my twelve-year-old son that I’m knocked up? It’s embarrassing enough to be in middle school, but to have your mom be pregnant will make it all the more humiliating. And the age gap is going to be thirteen years, they’ll have nothing in common with each other. What the hell am I supposed to tell him when he asks me who the father is?

Guess what, kiddo? You two have the same biological father! “Mom,” the kid in question calls out from the other side of the bathroom door.

“Uh, just a minute, buddy,” I stutter, quickly shoving the tests into one of the cabinet drawers, burying it under some pads. He doesn’t go in my master bathroom in the first place, but if he did, I wouldn’t want him to find out about the pregnancy before I could tell him myself.

I throw the paper towel into the trash can and open the door breathlessly, the blonde on the other side of the door giving me a questioning look.

“Uh, you okay, mom?”

“I’m fine,” I answer, exiting the bathroom and plopping down on my bed, patting the spot next to me for him to take a seat. He does. “What’s up?”

“I want to ask you something,” he begins, picking at his overgrown fingernails. It’s his nervous habit, I’ve picked up on it over the past twelve years but haven’t said anything about it. I don’t want him to know that I realize it because then he can hide his emotions from me.

“Okay,” I nod encouraging.

“There’s this programming camp this summer, in Chicago, that I’d like to go to,” he stutters through.

My heart races at the thought of my baby boy in Chicago by himself. He’s grown up a lot in the past couples of months and I know that he’ll grow in the time that he has before he goes to the camp, but I can’t help but feel anxious at the thought of my son with no one to watch him in a big city like Chicago.

“It’s in June, and it’s only for two weeks,” he continues quickly.

“Honey... that’s in a month and a half,” I point out, “It’s kind of last minute to be bringing this up to me, don’t you think?”

“I know, mom, but I didn’t think I wanted to do it and I started thinking about it more and then I realized I really want to do it,” he pleads.

“I didn’t realize you were really into computer programming,” I state softly. If I don’t know about something that my son is so clearly passionate about, am I really that good of a mother?

“Yeah, well, it’s a, um, recent development.”

I nod. “Okay. We’ll sign you up for this camp tonight and then we’ll start getting you ready.”

“Thanks, mom!” He launches himself into my arms and I giggle with surprise, not ready for the sudden action. Nonetheless, I hug him back, cherishing the feeling of my older child in my arms.

“I love you, Holden.”

“I love you, too, mom.”

~

Later that night I lay in bed, darkness filling my room. As soon as Holden left my room earlier to play video games, I pulled out my phone, scheduling an appointment with my doctor to confirm the pregnancy and see how far along I am.

I reach over for my phone, opening Instagram. Adam’s follow request still sits there, untouched. It’s been weeks now, so I doubt that he remembers that he even sent it. Hell, I don’t even post that often, so if I confirmed it, he would barely be able to tell that he’s following me.

But do I confirm it for my son and our future, second child together? Do I message him and tell him that I’m 99% sure that he’s going to be a dad again?

I mean, his track record so far tells me that I shouldn’t do that. He doubted paternity when I told him that I was pregnant with Holden and basically told me to get rid of the baby. He didn’t bother to contact me for thirteen years, and when we did come into contact again, accidentally, he didn’t mention Holden at all or ask about him.

That tells me he’s still not ready to become a parent. It’s been over a decade and he hasn’t come to terms that he’s a dad and that he needs to step up and be there for his child- or children, now.

And I may be a bitch, but I don’t want to give him a chance to hurt this second baby. Even though Holden’s never shown any interest in getting to know Adam, what if this second child does?

What if this baby reaches out to Adam just to get told “sorry, I don’t want you and I never did.” I can’t imagine how much my heart would break for my child if that were to happen. So, with pain radiating in my heart, I decline Adam’s follow request. I’ve gone through one pregnancy without him, I can go through another.

~

Day by day, it’s getting harder to hide my pregnancy from Holden. I wanted to wait as long as I could, or at least until twelve weeks when I know it’s less likely to lose the baby, to tell him that I’m pregnant. I was eight weeks along when I found out but now, I’m fourteen weeks, beginning to show.

I’ve noticed that with this pregnancy I started showing a lot sooner than I did with Holden. My doctor told me that’s normal, that my uterus is already stretched out, so the baby already has space to grow.

I’ve been wearing baggy sweatshirts and T-shirts for weeks now, but I don’t think Holden’s caught on yet.

I stare at myself in the mirror, a prominent bump sticking out from my stomach. I can tell it’s only going to be days until I have to begin telling people about the baby, but I don’t have a few days with Holden.

I drop him off at the airport early tomorrow morning for his flight to Chicago. All he’s ben raving about for the past month and a half has been this computer programming camp- honestly, most of it goes over my head, but I smile whenever he talks about it to me because he gets so enthusiastic.

After seeing him lock himself in his room to play video games all day for months, it’s nice to see him be so passionate about something.

And I hate to tell him such big news right before he leaves for his camp, but if I don’t tell him now, he’ll definitely find out with his own eyes when he gets back.

I drop my shirt, walking hesitantly into the hallway and knocking on his bedroom door.

“Come in,” he calls out.

I open the door to find him hurriedly shoving shirts and shorts into his suitcase that’s laying on his bed.

“Hey, fold those properly so that you have more room in your suitcase,” I advise, taking some shirts from the luggage and folding it into a neat pattern. “And pack some pants, Chicago can still be chilly in June.”

“Okay,” he murmurs, rushing over to his dresser and pulling his pants drawer open.

“I want to talk to you about something,” I tell him, eyes focused on his back.

He freezes in his spot, a pair of black jeans in one hand and a pair of blue jeans in the other. “Okay?”

“Come sit with me.”

He slowly moves over towards me, sitting on the other side of his suitcase. “Okay.”

I take a deep breath, looking him in the eye. “I’m pregnant.”

“O-Okay.”

“Can you say something other than okay?” I question, throwing my hands up in frustration. “Well, is it, is it Winston’s?”

I shake my head, biting my lip.

“How far along are you?”

I squint in confusion, unsure of the sudden change from the questioning of paternity to how far along I am. “Fourteen weeks.”

“Do you know the sex yet?”

“No, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find that out at all,” I admit.

“I think we should find that out when I get back from the camp, together,” he responds nonchalantly, folding a T-shirt laying on the bed.

I can’t help but feel surprised. I thought he would be shocked, upset, angry, I don’t know, but have a stronger reaction than the one that he’s giving me. I guess this camp really is putting him in a good mood, though. It makes me worried of what his reaction is going to be when he returns to Philadelphia after Chicago.

Will he still have that casual approach, or will it finally hit him that it won’t just be the two of us?

“So, you’re okay with it?” I confirm.

“Yeah. It’s about time we get some change around here.”

I chuckle at that, reaching for another shirt to fold. “Yeah, well, we’re about to get a whole lot of change.”

Please fill out this form on what you want the sex of baby #2 to be!!

[cocochannel00]

Quarantine Date

Boyfriend!Harry plans a date in the era of social distancing...

A big PSA to all of my lovely followers: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WEAR A MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE WHEN IN PUBLIC. DON’T PUT YOURSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE AT RISK

Harry knew how important your work was to you. You were an essential worker during the COVID pandemic and had been working rigours 12+ hour shift at the hospital. You had barely seen or talked to Harry over the last couple of months, mainly because he had been locked down in LA for the first half of quarantine and you had been basically living in the hospital lounge. You had been dating Harry for almost a year now so you knew what it was like to have him far away, but this time it felt different. This time all you wanted to was spend your day off curled up in bed with Harry and watch as he tried to imitate Heath Ledger's accent in 10 Things I Hate About You instead of watching it by yourself. I guess you’d just have to spend the day wallowing in self pity with your tub of ice cream. 

You were half way through your movie when your phone rang. Too lazy to look at who’s calling to picked up the phone and spoke a quick hello.

“You. Me. Date tonight. No excuses” the person said through the phone.

“Why Tom Holland I’m flattered, but I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend already” you replied back as a joke.

“Ha ha very funny (y/n) and besides I know you don’t have Tom’s number yet. But seriously, I’ve been home nearly a week and I haven’t seen you in person.” Harry spoke.

“Haz, 4 patients on my floor tested positive for COVID this week. I don’t want to expose you or god forbid Anne or Gemma to it”

“We can do a social distance date, I’ll plan the whole thing,” Harry practically begged.

“Harry I don’t know...” you stated with a sigh.

“I know today is your day off and you’re probably curled up in bed with some ice cream right now so hear me out. You stay in your room and relax for the rest of the day and I’ll spend the day planning our date tonight. Please, love, I really want to see you even if it’s six feet apart and with a mask” Harry pleaded.

“Ok ok fine I’ll go on a social distancing date with you but only if you promise to stay 6 ft away” you said sternly.

“I’ll bring a measuring tape so you can double check” he replied as you laughed.

“Wonderful, I can’t wait. Do I need to wear something special to this date tonight?” You asked curiously.

“That’s a surprise for later”

“Harold you know I hate surprises” you whined over the phone.

“I know that’s why I love them. Now I need to go, I have lots of planning to do for tonight. Love you”

“Love you too, H. See you tonight” you replied before hanging up the phone.

You were excited yet nervous to see Harry in person. Seeing his face through zoom was one thing but seeming all of him in person without being able to run up and hug him could very well crush you on the spot. All you knew for sure was that thinking about this date was take up your entire day. You weren’t one for grand cheesy gestures and you hated being the center of attention so you prayed that Harry didn’t go overboard on the whole evening.

You groaned quietly as you rolled over the the other side of your bed (usually Harry’s side) and checked the alarm clock to see it was only 5 pm so you had at least another 3 hours of wallowing in self pity until Harry came back. For once you just wanted the clock to move faster. Sinking back down into your sheets you ran a hand through your wet hair from your morning shower. You knew you should have brushed it earlier so that it didn’t frizz , but you hadn’t been expecting company and you didn’t really care what you looked like under all your PPE at the hospital. Just as you were beginning to detangle your hair you got a message from Harry.

Harry: Wear pajamas tonight, we’re going extra comfy. Love you - H

You smiled at the message and placed the phone back onto your lap. Nothing could ever put a smile on your face faster than Harry’s name popping up on your screen. Back when you first started dating and you had been stressed about going back to work after visiting him on tour he would send you pictures of puppies every morning just to cheer you up. Now he’s resorted to other much less innocent tactics to try and cheer you up when you’re have a bad day, but you couldn’t complain (especially during quarantine). With all that said, Harry continues to surprise you daily so to say you were excited for your date night would be an understatement. The only thing getting you through the wait was knowing you needed to take at least a 2 hour nap before he got there otherwise you would pass out during your date tonight.

——————— /// ——————— // ——————-

You woke up to the sound of “Kiwi” blasting in your ear as the timer you had set went off. Carefully, you untangled yourself from your excessively long phone charger before check the time and realizing you only had ten minutes to get ready. How many times had you pressed snooze in your sleep? You were in too much of a rush to figure it out as you raced to your closet to put on a comfy pair of pajama shorts and an old college t shirt. Even though Harry said it was going to be casual you decided to still go through the effort of putting on a bit of concealer and foundation to try and cover up the bags under your eyes. You were just rubbing in your moisturizer when you got another text from Harry.

Harry: I’m downstairs, don’t look out your window. Come to the backyard when you’re ready because our date night is about to begin. - H 

You grinned widely at the message and quickly finished putting on the rest of your make-up while also running a brush through your hair. Your hair had definitely had better days but it was too late to do anything besides put your hair in a bun to try and keep the frizz down with the growing humidity. With one last look in the mirror, you went downstairs to go meet Harry.

You carefully made your way to the door and grabbed one of your cloth masks off of the counter before putting it on and opening the door to your backyard. Your porch had been covered in fairy lights and two mountains of pillows had been placed on opposite sides of the backyard. In the middle their stood a giant sheet with a projector set up underneath it. It looked like something out of a rom-com and you were shocked that Harry was able to set all of this up without you knowing. Just as you were about to call out Harry’s name you saw him walk in through the back door with a mask on, a bottle of wine in his hands. He was wearing one of your favorite striped shirts that you said made him look like Where’s Waldo’s cousin. 

“I know it’s not exactly how I would have liked to see you on our first date in months, but I made sure to measure out the 1 meter (6 feet) for the cushions” Harry stated as he placed the bottle of wine down on a table next to a box of pizza. 

Your eyes began to water at the sight of him in front of you. It had been so long since you had seen him in person and so much had happened in your life in the last couple months that all you wanted to do was run up and wrap your arms around him. You impulsively put your arms out and took a couple of steps forward before you remembered that you couldn’t touch him and put your hands down. A tear fell down your cheek just as Harry looked up from the bottle he was attempting to open.

“Y/n what’s wrong love. Did I do something wrong?” He asked cautiously as you shook your head.

“Just missed you a lot. Wanted to give you a hug, but I don’t want to risk it” you replied softly as you took off your mask and wiped the stray tears from your face. 

Harry slowly took off his mask and gave you a sympathetic smile, “Wish I could run up and hug you too, love. Missed you so much these past couple of weeks. Thought I was going to go crazy with Jeff and all that baking in LA”.

You chuckled softly at his efforts of lightening the mood before scrunching your nose the extensive facial hair you didn’t remember seeing before.

“When did you grow that fuzz ball on your face?” you questioned sarcastically as you made your way over to one of the pillow piles. 

Harry scoffed at your remark and ran his hand across his face, “Excuse me miss [y/l/n] but this has taken me nearly four months to grow and I’d say it is much more than just a fuzz ball” 

“You’re right Har, you definitely grew it out to pornstar level. Proud of you baby” you said with a giggle as Harry glared at you. 

“I did not come here to get harassed about my new look” Harry grumbled jokingly as he gave you his cheshire smile. 

“You’re right, you’re right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t make fun of your tremendous accomplishments. Thank you by the way, for putting all of this together. This was really sweet. Oh my god, stop, is this your fuzzy sweater” You said with a squeal as you put on his multicolored cardigan he had placed on top of a blanket. You inhaled the smell of his Tom Ford cologne and smiled.

“I figured since I can’t give you a hug yet, you could wear that” he replied back as he carefully opened the box of pizza he had placed on a small table in the middle of the porch. 

You moaned softly as you stared at the pizza just a few feet away from you. 

“Why have I never heard you moan like that for me in bed?” Harry joked as you glared at him.

“That was my foodgasm moan. You know damn well I don’t keep quiet with you so I don’t want to hear any complaints. Now, give me two slices of that delicious pizza please” 

Harry laughed at your response as he placed his mask back on and put on some hand sanitizer before placing two piece of pizza on a plate and pouring you a glass of wine. He walked over to you carefully and placed the food and the glass on a tray next to you that you hadn’t seen. You thanked him before placing the tray in your lap and taking a sip of your wine. Harry began to grab himself a slice when you shouted his name and took out your phone. 

“Wait I want to get a picture of you in person. I can’t keep stalking your fans’ accounts to get pictures of you.” you mumbled as you tapped on your camera. 

Harry nodded grudgingly before he took off his mask and began posing with the bottle of wine. 

“I think I could be one of those influencers” he joked as he nearly spilled the wine onto his shirt. 

“I think maybe we should leave that to the pros” you replied jokingly as you curled up into your pillow fort and began munching on your food. 

Harry sat down in the the pillow fort adjacent to yours on your porch. The two of you talked as you ate and tried to catch each other up on anything that you had missed on your various facetime calls. It was nice to be able to see him in person and know that he was okay. You had been so worried he would catch it while in LA and even though he wasn’t in one of the high risk categories you had witnessed several health people die of the disease and you didn’t even want to think about Harry in that situation. After you had both finished your meals Harry decided to put on “10 Things I Hate About You” and proceed to jump up next to the sheet you guys were using for a screen and act out the entire bleacher serenade live. 

You could not keep the smile off of your face that night. Harry had this way of making you forget all of your problems when you were with him and you were grateful to have found someone as caring as him. 

“ I love you H, thank you for a wonderful night” you whispered as the credits rolled onto the screen. 

“Anything for you love. Glad I got to see for a bit even if you did fall asleep on me halfway through the movie.” He replied back with a grin.

“It wasn’t my fault! You made my pillow fort to cozy, how could I resist a cat nap?” you stated as you smiled at him.

“Can’t blame you for it. Got a couple of cute pictures of you sleeping for my lock screen though.” He replied with a smirk as you groaned.

“Harry I was definitely drooling, you need to delete those” you said as Harry shook his head. 

“Can’t do that. Got to show mom our lovely date night”

“Fine, but no one else sees that picture besides Anne. I can’t have Mitch and Jeff teasing me everytime I see them like with the whole ketchup fiasco.” you mumbled as you began to fold the blanket you had wrapped around your body during the movie. 

“Leave everything there love, you need to go get some sleep before your shift tomorrow. I’ll clean all of this up, you just head inside for me” Harry stated as he turned off the projector and began taking down the sheet. 

“Are you sure?” you asked hesitantly. 

‘Yes, love, you need your rest. Go, come on. I can’t have you falling asleep while taking care of your patients.” Harry replied.

You hesitated for a minute before buttoning up the sweater Harry had given you and putting your mask back on. 

“I don’t want to leave here without giving you a hug” you stated softly as Harry looked at you with a small smile.

“(Y/n) if you want a hug all you have to do is ask, would have given you one the minute I got here. Let me grab my mask.”

“You’re sure you’re okay with this? I got tested two days ago for COVID and the last 6 have been negative but I don’t get the results till tomorrow and I don’t want you to get ill” you replied with a hesitant look. 

“Love I think with all of the hand washing and the masks we’ll be okay, but I’ll only give you one if you want it” he said as he put on his mask and adjusted the nose wire. 

“I want one” you said as Harry opened his arms up for you.

You practically jumped into his arms and nearly started sobbing from the first really physical contact you’ve had with anybody in weeks.

“God I love you so much (Y/n)” Harry stated as he tugged you closer and placed a kiss on your temple through his mask.

“I love you too H” you replied back as you closed your eyes tight and tried to hold on as long as possible.

“Good now come on, get to bed so you’re well rested for tomorrow. I’ll come back tomorrow night with some dinner after your shift so we can eat together again. Would that be ok?” he asked as he placed his hands on your hips.

“That would be lovely. I get off at 8 tomorrow”

“I’ll be waiting for you here, don’t worry” Harry stated. 

“Ok, I’ll go. I love you” you replied as you carefully untangled yourself from Harry and slowly made your way inside.

“I love you too. good night Haz” 

“Night love, see you tomorrow”

———————————————————————

@thereal(y/n) Someone tell my boyfriend that he’s not cool enough to be sponsored by this amazing wine

View all 25 comments

@harrystyles Tell that to Gucci

@annetwist You two are too cute

@jeffazoff Sharing is caring Harold

Masterlist

[aureumjeon]

tiptoed his way (m) || kth

pairing; taehyung x reader. genre; roommate!au; smut; fluff; angst. warnings; breaking and entering, unintended voyeurism, female masturbation, oral (both receiving), unprotected sex via doggy style, choking, tae suffers from MSS(Monster Schlong Syndrome lol), that’s about it.  word count; 6.4K (unedited im sorry :()

summary; ➜ Taehyung found himself locked out of your shared home and there were only two options to successfully get inside. (1) Wake you up from your sleep and face the wrath that’ll follow, (2) Think like a burglar and enter through your window. (Un)fortunately for him, he picks the latter.

taglist; @bella-victoria002  @chaitaewithkookies @saddiesan  @wehadnochoice  @knjhe @thoughtsfromfaroffplaces @livorna @taetaeobsessed @erisann  @thoughtsfromfaroffplaces @wickizer

a/n: the old gif doesnt work i dunno what i did wrong :(

“I’ll be out ‘til late, y/n! Don’t wait up for me.” Taehyung hollered while lacing his worn out white high-cut converse in the entryway. Hoping his voice would reach the end of the hallway where you were currently cooped in in your room. 

 “Alright! Stay safe!” Not bothering to leave your room, you answered back. Voice echoing through and bouncing off the dry walls. After waiting a few minutes, you heard the door slam shut with a thud. You cautiously tiptoed your way to the direction of your door, slightly opening the solid block of wood and peeking through the narrow crack you made. With no Taehyung in sight, you pumped your fist in the air and cheered victoriously. You finally have the house to yourself. You beamed with delight scurrying yourself over to the kitchen to make yourself a hot steaming bowl of instant ramen. 

 Taehyung and Jungkook had been your room mates since you can remember. It was freshman year of college, and you were looking for a cheap place to stay with the money you saved up working as a part-time student during your last year of highschool. A friend had introduced you to Jungkook, saying they needed one more person to split the bill with, broke college students need to support each other. At first you were hesitant, a girl living with two boys in a shared house wasn’t you initial plan but as the days go by since you first moved it, you got to know Taehyung and Jungkook a little more. Your friendship with them had gotten greater, the three of you were inseverable and you treasured them to bits! 

 Although in the four years you’ve been boarding together, every now and then they can really get on your nerves; letting the dirty dishes stack up at the sink until molds would flourish on the left over food; leaving the empty carton of milk in the fridge just as you’re planning to enjoy it with cereal or maybe a pack of Oreos; bags of chips and boxes of pizza scattered on all parts of the living room floor whenever they’d have movie night on Fridays with Jimin and Hoseok; and last but not least, the thing that they always do that grinds your gears the most, their dirty laundry in every corner, nook, and cranny of the house. Stinky socks, sweaty shirts, crusty jeans and even used underwear, you name it!

One time you had guests over; all girls might you add, studying for a group project in chemistry. Oh poor, sweet Yeri… Her unsullied innocence mercilessly corrupted by Jungkook’s disgusting underwear that had a suspicious dried up patch of white something on the crotch area of the small fabric. Yeri almost fainted when she pulled out the article of clothing from the kitchen caddy, flinging it across the room to where the other girls were. You scolded Jungkook the same day, advising him to keep all his stuff where it needed to be kept and on top of that to apologize to the poor girl he scarred for life. Which he did, and that’s the story of how Jungkook and Yeri’s relationship began. Who knew, right?

 Taehyung was like Jungkook at first, but somehow he decided to stay under your radar as best as he could. Once you lectured him on something he’s done wrong inside the quarters of your home, he’d make it a point to engrave it on the back of his head. He has his fuck ups every now and then, but nothing too consequential. There was one time though, and you wish you could forget, that he brought a girl home which wasn’t against the house rules. Jungkook had brought Yeri numerous times and you, yourself, had your fair share of men visiting the house, specifically your room. It was s well established etiquette to keep the ruckus down since you we’re sharing this living space between the three of you. But during that critical time, which you’ve spoken to Taehyung and Jungkook beforehand never lacking to remind them on multiple occasions throughout that day. Telling them to please keep the noise to a minimum because you'll be revising for for a major exam that was equivalent to forty percent of your total grade. Somehow, Taehyung managed to forget your simple and completely doable request. With the paper thin walls between you and the absence of soundproofing, you were able to get every moan, groan and mewl that came from Taehyung’s rooms adjacent to yours. That bastard is so dead was the sole thing on your mind right now and not the words inscribed in the textbook that you’ve read over for the tenth time that night. The morning after that horrendous night of not getting anything done, you waited irksomely in the common room for taehyung and his date to emerge from his chambers. 

 “Y/n, y-you’re up early.” He gulped, taking in your appearance. Your gaze was piercing especially with the huge dark bags under your eyes. “I’ll take Minju ho--”

 “I’m sure she knows here way back.” You cut him off with a bark in your tone, “Can’t you, Minju?” Your focus was now directed at her and she was quivering under your constant scrutiny.“Y-yes,” She clutched on her designer handbag bowed nervously before fleeing the place like a prey encountering it��s predator.

 “I asked you for one thing, Taehyung, one thing.” You lowered your head and massaged your aching temples with your fingers, placating your exasperation towards the boy who was placed in the hot seat. “You knew I was studying tonight, Tae.” The timbre of your voice wasn’t sickeningly livid anymore. From spiking up to a hundred degrees in the last two minutes, it dropped down to a negative ten. “This test is worth forty percent of my grade, I told you that. This is the first time I requested you to do something for me...”  You shut your eyes close and drew out a long sigh before standing up and intending to head back to your room. “If I fail this test, I want to let you know it’s on you, Tae.”  His features were extremely devastated and disheartened, not because of the things you just said but because of how he had forgotten all about it. 

 You inconspicuously peered back at him and the look on his face says it all. A helpless puppy abandoned by its human, that’s what he resembled most at this moment. Big glassy eyes, a wet nose and pouty lips. Okay, that was kind of a mean thing to say, you thought. But you never failed to remind him, always opening up and squeezing in the topic during the mundane conversations you shared together. After one last disappointed sigh, you looked up the clock, 6:55 am. “Anyway, I still have three more hours before the test. I’ll be in my room.” You turned your back on him and proceeded to take a few steps forward before saying one last thing to him, “Please, please, please. Don’t bother me.”  You were on your way back down the hall, nothing will stop you from cramming seven chapters of lesson into your brain in less than three hours in one sitting.

 “Sorry, Y/n.”

 Sorry ain't gonna cut it, chief.

 Its as if Taehyung was able to read your mind, “ I’ll- I’ll be on bathroom duty. For two, no, four weeks. Yeah, yeah. One month of bathroom duty, Y/n. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to forget.”

 You glanced over your shoulder and caught a glimpse of Taehyung with his hands clasped together, his facial expression pleading for forgiveness. You knew he was really sorry. Why? Because nobody liked bathroom duty, not even you.

 “That seems fair to you, kook?” You spontaneously asked, making Taehyung scan the living room area. Glass started clattering in the kitchen and your doe-eyed bunny-boy of a roommate came hopping in. Taehyung was seeking compassion from his long-time comrade. Maybe shortening his time on bathroom duties or lending him a helping hand at least. Bros before hoes, right? “For the record.” Jungkook started, taking a sip from the cold banana milk bottle in his hand. “You kept me up, too. And I have football practice at eight.”  He shrugged his shoulders casually before hiding back in his man cave. “Have fun cleaning, Tae.” 

 Your chiding was for everyone’s best interest, may this incident serve as a lesson of respecting other people who also lives in this household. Although there was one thing you were still unsure about. After that episode, Taehyung has never set foot in the premises with a woman draped around his arm again. You hoped you did not terminate his hopes of getting a love life.

 In conclusion, they’re just a bunch of stupid college boys wanting to survive this hell hole, what do you expect? So, having the house to yourself was a once in a blue moon moment you’d never take for granted. 

++

It was two in the morning, and Taehyung was stupidly perched at the doorstep patting his pockets for what seemed like the tenth time in the last ten minutes searching for his keys. "Shit."  He grumbled under his breath, taking out his phone from his back pocket and calling up Jungkook's number. After the third try, he finally answered the call.

"H-hey, what's up? I love you and all that shit but why are you calling at two in the fucking morning?" The voice is the other line was dry and scratchy. 

"Ah," Taehyung felt apologetic for waking up the Jungkook but he absolutely needed help, "Sorry for bothering you, Kook. Do you happen to know where the spare key is? Left my copy in my room before I went out and now I'm locked out of the house," He laughed embarrassingly, attempting to check his pockets one more time before calling it quits, wishing his keys would magically turn up in one of them.

"Taehyung…" The line suddenly went silent, it was a good fifteen seconds before Jungkook went on speaking,"Didn't I tell you that I'm holding onto the spare key to have it duplicated since my I lost my copy?"

There it was again, complete and utter silence. If it wasn't for irregular breathing coming from the other line, Jungkook would've guessed Taehyung had dropped the call already.

"Just wake up y/n, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Jungkook suggested, that was probably the best route to take. 

"No bro," Taehyung's tone was unnaturally dark and empty.

"Can I ask why?"

"L-Last time I locked myself out and woke up y/n," he choked on his series of words, recalling the traumatic event that occurred in the past. "She made me wait a whole hour before opening the door. While I was waiting out in the cold, y/n cooked bacon and pancakes at midnight just to spite me. The smell of the food made my stomach flip and growl. When she finally let me in, she ate it all by herself while looking me straight in the eye."

Jungkook on the other line laughed uproariously at Taehyung's untold story, "Remind me not to get on Y/n's bad side. But in all seriousness, how are you planning to get inside the house?" He queried the boy who was stuck in an unfortunate predicament."I don't get back til' Sunday. And it's only Friday."

Taehyung's eyes lit up like those light bulbs in cartoons when the characters gets a genius idea. "Is your room the one without the safety locks on the window?"

"One, no. My windows have safety locks. Y/n's window is the one without it. And two, that's a really bad Idea, Tae."

"What's a bad idea, babe?" Taehyung indistinctly overhears a hushed voice in the background. His conversation with Jungkook probably woke up Yeri too. "Oh, Taehyung's planning to enter through y/n window to get into the house." Jungkook made sure that taehyung was hearing what Yeri had to say, since she's been friends with y/n just as long as them. Her giggles were so innocent, akin to a baby but the words she said were the exact opposite. "That is a stupid idea, unless Taehyung wants to be hit on the head with a metal baseball bat and bleed to death." 

"Yeri said that that's a stupid idea unless you--"

"I heard what she said. And I won't even make a sound! I'll tiptoe my way through her window and out of her room in a flash! That way I'll be in the house and won't have to wake up y/n! I see this as an absolute win." Taehyung broadcasted triumphantly like he had discovered the map to the lost City of Atlantis. 

Yeri snatched the phone from her boyfriend's hand and lectured Taehyung y/n style. "Tae, this isn't the time to be quoting the Incredible Hulk when you're the one who's gonna be beaten to a pulp when y/n wakes up and mistakes you for a burglar. Just wake up y/n and ask her to open up the door for you. It can't be that bad, you'd live a longer life that way. Face the consequences of being a pee-brain."

"Nope," It seemed like Taehyung had made up his mind, and when Taehyung makes up his mind, there's no point in stopping him.

"Ahhh, tell your friend good luck. I'm going back to sleep." Yeri gave back the phone to her boyfriend. "You have our regards. If you don't die, call me back in the morning." A loud yawn can be heard from Jungkook's end as he hangs up.

And that's Taehyung's go signal.

++

He stealthily made his way round the perimeter of the house to the side where your room was located "Bingo." He mused as he spotted your window, slightly left ajar. He strategically maneuvered his way across the flower bed embedded on the ground, calculating his steps accurately not wanting to step on your precious roses and daffodils. He knows he can't lie to you, if asked who trampled on your bloom, he'd rat himself out in a blink of an eye. He'd like to enjoy a long flourishing life. Grow old, get married and possibly have kids and grandkids. 

Not like what he's about to commit will spare his life either way.

 Even with the lack of light and the gauzy material of the curtain, his eyes could make up your vague figure on the bed, tossing and shifting your legs about. Must be some crazy dream you're having, he thought. Though he can't get a clear view of you, he's certain you were there.

 He sucked in a deep breath and slowly pushed the unlocked window wider just enough so that he can slither his body inside, dragging the curtain along with it. He prayed to the heavens above that the hinges doesn't make a sound, not even a tiny squeak or his head will be the one hanging from the valances.

 With his hands securely clasped on the window sill, he utilized his upper body strength to propel himself up until his knees were secured on the narrow wooden surface. "Phew" he shakily exhaled, switching from his current kneeling position to a crouching one, gaining more balance for his following steps. 

 Before fully entering your room now that he had obtained a better view, he decided to take a proper look at your charming unconscious face. Wait, scratch that, that didn’t come out right. What he meant to conclude was… 

When Jungkook first introduced you to him as their new flatmate, he couldn’t help but be blown away. He was thunderstruck when he was graced by your overwhelming presence. Soft silky hair that he’d like to get bury his face in, letting the scent of your shampoo take over his senses; Round bright eyes that somehow carried the countless stars and galaxies, he’d willingly surrender himself just to get lost in them. A lovely button nose that scrunched up when you smiled and introduced yourself for the first time. “I’m Y/n, nice to finally meet you Taehyung.” he remembered clearly, god, how can he forget. Your soft-spoken voice perfectly fitted your delicate face. It was love at first sight, what else could it be? He fell for you hook, line and sinker. 

 He covertly watched over you, not in the stalker-ish way, of course. Whenever you’re lounging around in your favorite pajamas or simply tidying up the house, he’d inevitably find a small smile creep up on his lips. Even just knowing that you’re inside the house when he comes home from the university by the way your favourite music was blaring from your room made him happy. He learned along the way that you were really introverted, spending most of your weekends at home reading your favourite novels  and choosing to withdraw yourself from the generic college scene. Opting for a movie night date with your friends rather than partying at some musty frat house. Moreover, you didn’t strike up any conversation with him or Jungkook unless it was about the house or if it was that important to talk about. Unbeknownst to you, all the things you detested like unwashed dishes or misplaced dirty laundry, he did it on purpose just to get the attention he craved from you. Sometimes he felt guilty at the way he acted whenever you were around, a pout or two on your upset face.

 But he came to the point that he was tired of hiding and playing safe behind that thin line called “Friendship.”If he wasn’t gonna man-up and take action, nothing’s gonna change. So on your twentieth birthday, that’s when he decided he wanted to confess his love for you, hoping that the unrequited becomes requited. He bought a cake and decorated the whole house with a banner, balloons and streamers. He even paid Jungkook fifty dollars to keep his mouth shut about it. 

 What happened after was far from his or Jungkook's expectations. You came home from a date. A date which none of them knew about but here you were, wide eyed and jubilant to see the simple surprise party your dear roommates took the time to prepare for you. You introduced the boy standing next to you as your boyfriend. "Boyfriend" that word stung like a bitch. 

 It was then that he decided to put an end to this one-sided pinning that has been going on for quite some time now that hasn't bloomed into anything, not even a tiny sprout. If the stars were aligning and the universe was really on his side, he would have been your boyfriend by the end of the day, not some guy named Lucas. 

 Every other night he'd return with a girl to his room for nothing more than a quick fuck, never meeting with them for a second time. He thought it was something that would dull the agonizing throb in his chest, it worked for the most part. The bodily pleasure those women brought him made him forget momentarily about everything he's ever felt for you. He thought it was only a matter of time until all the feelings he'd kept would dissipate into thin air. 

 Minju, he recalled. A girl who was just as perfect as you in his eyes, well almost. With the thought of taking Minju home and having her all to himself as a priority in his mind, he got carried away and overlooked one critical thing you asked of him which was on top of that a principal house rule the three of you agreed on. "Always keep the noise to a minimum."

 He knew he fucked up the moment he spots you sitting on the couch glaring at him as he and Minju walked out of his room. He saw the look of disappointment etched on your face at how he had let you down and recognized how bad he fucked up. He thought that you’d never forgive him and end up hating him for the rest of his life, but you always kept proving him wrong. A familiar box was atop the center island with a pink sticky note attached to it. 

"I'm sorry I got mad at you, Tae. It was probably the stress talking. Btw, I passed aced the exam! Hehe. <3 y/n.”

That was when he realized he truly did not deserve you. 

++

His profound daydreaming was put to a halt when he heard a hushed moan originate from your direction. His jaw almost unhinged at how low and wide it was hanging from his face at the sight he has failed to notice prior to entering your room. A convoluted expression was apparent on your face, with your brows knitted together, and eyes shut tight, upper teeth frustratingly nibbling at your bottom lip. Your left hand hidden under the sheer fabric of your shirt, kneading at your mound lavishly while the fingers on your other hand were tirelessly circling around the glistening flesh between you spread legs. You weren’t sleeping, you were masturbating! 

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Gotta get out. Gotta get out. Gotta get-- 

 His whole life flashed before his eyes as he witnessed the mason jar you used as a flower pot unexpectedly gets knocked over by his rogue foot, emanating in a clangorous noise as it hit the seat of your metal chair tucked under your desk. There were numerous circumstances that he wished he could get out of certain situations unscathed, which as luck would have it he did. This one? Not so much as your instincts urged you to direct your attention to where the abrupt sound came from. He saw your bewildered eyes staring at his squatting figure by your window.

 Taehyung quickly slammed his palms over his face concealing his eyes while blindly steering his body farther into your room, knocking over your other stuff in the process. As his feet finally met solid ground, it was now time to plead for his life. “Y/n! Shit! I-I can e-explain. I l-left my keys! A-and I didn't want to wake you up. I didn't mean seeing that!" He heard the sound of his rapid heart beat resonate in his ears, ringing so loudly that he couldn't even hear himself think.

 You found his flustered stuttering adorable and endearing. You weren't angry and knew he was telling the truth. Taehyung, no matter how brazen and badly behaved he was, has not ever lied to you. You can take his word for this one but a little teasing hasn't killed anyone. “Never perceived you as the peeping type, Tae."

 "I swear, I'm not!" His cheeks started burning red, the scorching heat of embarrassment crawling up to his ears and down his neck.

 You didn't answer him right away, and all he could make up with his vision temporarily impaired was the shuffling sound of your bedding and the indistinct footsteps walking towards him. "Well since you're here, might as well help your roommate out." You whispered suggestively in his ear, and he felt his jeans grow a little tighter by the crotch.

You pressed your body against his until the corner of your desk was painfully digging into his back. "What do you say, Tae?"

 "I-I don't think this is right." He respired weakly, his knees were starting to buckle at the figurative weight weighing down on his shoulders with palms still stuck to his eyes.

 "Wanna know what I think." You purred salaciously, the tip of your pointer finger lightly tracing over the skin of his clavicle. "I don't think this is a question of what's right and wrong," Your hand started to head south, stopping precisely at his sternum, your fingers drawing small figure eights over it. "I'm single, your single."You further proved your claim, hand once again dropping lower. Taehyung wasn't much of a gym rat like Jungkook or Jimin so he didn't have any abs. But you still appreciated his body nonetheless, especially paired with his remarkably attractive face. "I see this as a question of want and don't want. And judging from this," without warning, you cupped the hard-on he was sporting. Waves of electricity surged through his blood vessel, every cell in his body had doubled its working pace. "You want this as much as I do." Slowly, you palmed him through his jeans, fingers molding the curve of his clothed dick. His heart rate spiked and breathing got more labored with your words and actions.

He wanted to see you. He wanted to remove his hand from his face and see how the moonlight shining through your window illuminated your appearance, enhancing your elegant features tenfold but he was terrified that this will lead to something that will eventually ruin your friendship.

 "Taehyung..." You whimpered, starting to feel impatient. "Say something. Tell me what you want. Tell me to stop, please just say something." 

 "I-I," Fuck it, he thought. He detached his hands from his eyes and encased it around your petite torso, finally giving in to the treacherous temptation that is you. "I want you, y/n." He dipped his face in the curve of your neck, filling himself  up with the sweet scent of you. "I've wanted you for the longest time, y/n." His voice was guttural and strained, he'd never thought the time of him finally confessing to you would come. It required him every tendril of his being to finally come clean. An abandoned door that was once locked has instantly been pushed open, and his desire for you has never been more ardent.

"I want you too, Tae."

++

Moments later you've found yourselves entangled within each other's embrace, caught in a sweltering and heart racing make out session. Every brush of lips and prod of tongue was burning of lust and passion. The way your fingers intertwined with his and filling its spaces perfectly like the final piece of an unfinished puzzle. It felt so natural, the way the rise and fall of your breathing and the tempo of your pulses fell in sync. It felt like something that should've been done ages ago but was hindered by something unforeseen.

 As he hovered above your frame, you couldn't help but be drawn in the boundless sea of his deep hazel eyes. Wisp of his curled lashes resting prettily on his eyelids, the tip of his pointed nose dusted a shade of baby pink and lips pursed into a gentle smile. He observed you with hooded eyes as you absentmindedly stared at his face. You couldn't comprehend how a mere human can bear this much beauty and elegance in his mortal body, even the gods would seethe in jealousy at his splendor.

 "T-tae. I want to feel your dick down my throat." You professed bashfully, marvelling at his beauty can wait. Right now there was one thing you fervently wish for, him and his entirety. 

 Your bluntness was always one of his favourite traits of yours. "I'm all yours." He replied, placing an affectionate kiss on your lips. 

 "Stand at the edge of the bed." You instructed, going on all fours and crawling your way to the same spot. "C'mon!" 

 Taehyung with arched brows headed to where you wanted him, planting his feet firmly on the carpeted floor. "Okay, now what?"

 "I've always wanted to try like this." You pressed on, lying on your back with your head almost hanging off the edge of the bed, slightly propping it up with a small pillow. Taehyung was caught off guard with your new position, “Y/n, what are you doing?” He queried with an arch of his brows.

 “I’m ready to take your dick.” You seemed determined, sweeping your loosened hair away from your face and tucking it behind your ears. “Saw this in porn before and I’ve been itching to try it out.

 You just kept pulling out tricks from your sleeve, Taehyung never imagined you to be the type who watches porn. “You watch porn?” He incredulously questioned eyes going wide that hinted inquisitiveness.

 “Oh please, I am a human being. Stop looking at me like I’m some saint. I can watch adult videos whenever I want to.” 

 “Fair enough,” He acknowledged while unbuckling his belt, revealing the stiff bulge tucked in his boxer. He tugged the garterized hem of his underwear down and allowed his member to spring free.

 You were genuinely astounded with his impressive size and girth, tip red and already leaking pre-cum. “From all the years we’ve been living together, I kinda expected you were big, but not this big. Didn’t know you were suffering from MSS.” 

 “MSS?” he eyed you outlandishly, having no idea what you were talking about.

 “Monster Schlong Syndrome.” You answered as you tried suppressing the mischievous smile forcing its way onto your lips. 

 “Shut up, Y/n.” Taehyung’s cheeks grew rosier at your compliment about his dick, but he still preferred being humble about his size even when he was with other girls.

 “Make me,” You provoked him, opening your mouth fully and sticking out your tongue. Feeling rather wolfish to have him in your mouth.

 “Are you sure about this?” He queried you one last time, making sure you were a hundred percent okay with this. “I’m the one beginning to feel uncomfortable with your position.”

 “I’m fine, Tae. I want this.” 

 He couldn’t help stroking himself while taking in the image of you sprawled on the bed eyes totally blown-out. Begging and lusting over his cock. Taehyung gently tapped his length on your cheek,causing a smirk to form on your lips. “Stopped teasing,” You wailed vexingly, growing eager by the second. You tossed your head back even further while opening your mouth much wider, giving Taehyung a greater angle.

 “You ready, baby?” His already deep voice dropped an octave lower, a sultry and sickeningly honeyed tone slathered all over his words. You crossed your legs together feeling the steamy heat pool between them as you nod fervently. 

 Unhurriedly, Taehyung pushed the tip of his cock past your lips. The warmth and wetness of your mouth elicited a satisfied groan from him. He pushed even further down your throat, sheathing himself completely and noticing how tight the space has gotten as he descends. “Fuck, baby. Your mouth feels so good,” he euphorically moaned seeing how your pretty mouth is stretched by his thick cock.

You blissfully purred at his praise, and the vibrations of your throat around his member sent a chill down his spine. “I-I’ll start moving, okay.” He choked on his word, his senses brimming over with the buzz of pleasure. At a leisurely pace, he began gliding his dick in and out of your hot cavern, hearing lewd squelching sounds  with every push. “Shit,” He rasped when you hollow your cheeks around him. “Your mouth is the best, baby.” He quickened the speed of his thrusts, savouring the constricted hold you’ve got on him. Tears started to pool at the corners of your eyes as your mouth was bombarded with the repetitive jabbing motion. You’ve never felt this full before, the way he has you gorged put you in a state of pure ecstasy.

 Taehyung shifted his veiny hand to caress your face, wiping away the wetness from your corners of your eyes. With his balls slapping right into your face, you failed to capture his pupils dilate and the concupiscent glint in his dark orbs. His hand found its way at the base of your neck, favouring the tug of the skin, muscles and bones outlined beneath the surface. His slender, bony fingers spread across the expanses of your neck, petting the strained muscle domestically. His digits started to curl around the base, the blunt of his fingernails digging into your skin and you felt the restriction of air affect your lungs.

Taehyung knew you were enjoying this as much as he was even with you gagging and choking on his dick. He exerted more pressure on your jugular, and you felt your body sink further into the mattress. He thwarted his hips into you once more, deeper than before as his wanton howls reverberated inside your room. Before he could blow his load in your mouth, he stopped himself and pulled out his swollen cock coated with your spit.

 You opened your eyes and griped at the sudden sensation of barrenness, "W-why'd you stop?" You felt light headed, your body eventually recognized the lack of oxygen you underwent. Your chest hurriedly heaved up and down as you were gasping for air, trying to catch your breath.

 "This is my first time fucking you, the only place I'll be cumming in right now is your pussy." Taehyung wickedly grinned, looping his arms behind your neck and knees and carried you bridal style. He walked over the side and carefully lowered you on the bed, head snuggly resting on the pillow leaned on the headboard. He made his way back to the foot of the bed, taking a seat directly in front of your bare core. "Since I interrupted you earlier," his hands began stroking you calf, tiny goosebumps springing up from his touch. "Let me make it up to you and make you feel better than those little fingers of yours."

 You detected a hint of embarrassment as Taehyung's gaze focuses on you already seeping sex. He began crawling closer to you core, tipping in to pepper kisses on your inner thighs. As his warm breath began rousing over your skin, you couldn't help but clench around nothingness at the level of arousal you were experiencing. "What were you thinking about when you were pleasuring yourself?" He cooed the question out before licking a wet stripe along your moistened slit. His tongue was dancing in his mouth after finally acquiring a taste of your delectable nectar. "I-I was thinking about you, Tae." You answered weakly, the pad of his thumb now circling your sensitive nub. He hummed in approval at you words, his tongue was the one promptly to devote its undivided attention to you bundle of nerves. "What was I doing then?"

 You released a long exhale when you felt Taehyung slip on of his slender fingers inside your hole. "I-I thought about how you'd fuck me with your huge cock," You admitted, shutting your eyes as he twirls his finger inside you. He inserted another digit, and it got you tossing your head back in fervor. "How you'd make me cum so hard.”Your eyes reeled back at the back of your head as another finger slips into you with such ease. 

 “You’re soaking wet, y/n.” he was prideful of how you’ve become putty under his ministrations, “And all for me.” He sloped down once more and flicked your clit with his wet muscles at an excruciating pace. You started feeling yourself clench around his digits, “W-wait.” You intervened, not wanting to release just yet. “I want to cum with you.” 

 He devilishly grinned from ear to ear and flipped your body over, your knees and palm bearing the weight of your exhausted body. “Wanna hit you from the back so bad.”

 You lowered your torso and arched your back inwards, excessively sticking your ass up on full display. Taehyung smeared the accumulated pre-cum on the tip of his cock all over his length, painting it with the lubricating substance. He aligned himself with your entrance and gingerly drove his hips forward until he bottomed out. “Fuck, y/n. You’re cunt’s even tighter than your pretty mouth.” the interior walls of your vagina squeezed at his member, accommodating his length incomparably. “Your pussy was made for me, y/n. Best pussy I’ve ever had.”

 As much as you fancied him to rant about how amazing your pussy was, you wished he’d just shut up and pound you into oblivion and put an end to the tormenting ache bubbling inside you. “Move.” You sought, pushing your rear end against him hard and coaxing him to ultimately move.

 His knuckles were turning white at how tight he’s gripping onto the curve of your hips, nails engraving small crescent-shaped marks on your skin. Without warning, he launched the onslaught of the brute ramming of his dick into you. Each thrust he bore were insanely crisp and accurate, striking your sweet spot with every jab. The sound of skin slapping against skin and your heavy breathes were the only tunes filling the silent space of your room. Taehyung pulled out his length almost completely, appreciating how coated and soaked it was with your juices, awakening another entire level of his vehement lust for you. He slammed himself back into your tight slit, clenching his buttocks and rutting his pelvis at an inhuman speed.

 “I’m so close, Taehyung.” You wailed sinfully with a high-pitched strain to your voice, aware at how every muscle in your body is tensing up. 

 “Me too, baby.” He unexpectedly towed you by your hair until your back collided with his chest. His hand located your neck yet again, wrapping his digits around it and cutting your intake of air. You swear that at the end of this, your neck would be sore, purple and bruised because of how robust he retains his grip on you. At this point, his movements began getting sloppier and imprecise, suggesting he was at last getting to his most sought-after high. His idle hand shakily made its way to your almost forgotten clit, ruthlessly rubbing at it with the pad of his fore and middle finger continuously until you were convulsing around his cock and milking him down  to the last drop. Both of your body collapsed on your bed, utterly breathless.

 “Wow.” Taehyung managed to breath out. 

 “Yeah, wow.” You repeat, steadying your breathing. “What happens now?” You awkwardly asked, staring at the blank ceiling like it was the most interesting thing in your room. 

 “Wanna go on a date?” His voice was filled with reluctance, the thrumming in his chest never calming down. Now wasn't the perfect time to ask you that kind of question. So he braced himself as he waited for your answer.

 You turned your head in his direction and looked at how the light from the now open window magically outlined his enchanting profile. “You’re way out of order but I’d love too.” 

++

Taehyung's obnoxious ringtone Disturbed the silence of your sleep.

"Your phone is ringing." You grumbled, t

"Yo, Tae, glad to hear you're still alive. Got into the house yet?"

"Yeah," He paused, looking at you. "Got into y/n pants as well."

[samwilsonsbabymama]

All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do) 18+

Pairing: Sam Wilson x Black Reader

Summary: Everyone around you sees how crappy your boyfriend treats you. How long does it take for your old friend Sam Wilson to convince you that you’d be better with him?

Warnings: Crappy boyfriend, unfulfilling relationships, not cheating but persuasion, nothing too sexual

A/N: So I listened to All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do) by Joe and I got Sam Wilson vibes BIG TIME and I had to write this lol This is the version that I listened to, the above link is to the music video where I got some of my inspo from lol There’s no real difference other than the length of the song lol

Word Count: 2,500 ish

v2- I typed all of the texts out in this version so people can see them if they don't load on the other version. Sam is italicized and reader is bolded. I tried to separate them. Let me know if the format is messed up 💖

You stood at the counter, ringing up your last customer for the night. It had been a long but exciting shift. You’d gotten a chance to see an old friend of yours, Sam Wilson. You’d seen him on TV fighting alongside, and against, the Avengers. No one believed that you knew the Sam Wilson, especially your boyfriend. It was great seeing him again. You two talked for a while when there weren’t many people in the store, and you exchanged numbers, excited to catch up with him soon.

As you locked up the store, you thought about the good times that you spent with Sam in college. You knew how he had been planning on joining the military and you were glad to see that he was doing well for himself. 

You sighed in annoyance when you heard a clap of thunder over your head as you looked around. Your boyfriend was late once again to pick you up. You absolutely hated waiting around for him, and you hated it even more that he used your car while you were at work.

Deciding not to wait for him, you pulled out your phone and ordered yourself a Lyft when you received an incoming text.

Hey Y/n. It’s Sam.

It was good seeing you today.

Hey Sam!

Yeah, I really enjoyed seeing you as well 😊

You checked your Lyft’s location, noting that it was just around the corner. You shifted your weight onto your other foot as you waited when you saw the headlights from the car come around the corner. You adjusted your bag once again as the driver pulled in front of you.

“Y/n?” the driver asked when you opened the door.

You nodded your head, “Yeah, that’s me.” You slid into the back seat and closed the door. You were settling in when your phone buzzed again in your hand. Once you were completely settled, you unlocked your phone and opened your text stream with Sam.

I don't want to sound too forward, but I was wondering if you would like to grab a drink with me sometime? You know, catch up some more.

But, I understand if you don't want to.

I would love to catch up sometime!

Great! How does tomorrow sound?

Tomorrow sounds great! Though, I think I should mention that I do have a boyfriend. So this would be just as friends.

You chewed your lip as you waited for his response. You hoped that he still wanted to meet up. You spent the rest of the car ride trying to distract yourself from waiting for Sam’s reply, and when you made it home without hearing from him again, you were a bit upset with yourself. Maybe you shouldn’t have brought up your boyfriend. Maybe he did just want to catch up as friends and you just ruined that possibility.

You let yourself out of the Lyft after handing the driver a tip and glanced up to your apartment. The living room light was still on, which meant that your boyfriend was home, he had clearly forgotten to come pick you up. Again. You rolled your eyes and trudged up the stairs and contemplated whether or not you wanted to argue about it or not. 

That decision was made for you when you walked through your door to find him laid back on the couch with dirty dishes everywhere.

“Damn, Ty!” you groaned then slammed the door. “You said that you were going to clean up!” you kicked off your shoes and began picking up the mess that he made.

“My bad, Y/n,” he mumbled without taking his eyes off the TV screen. “You know it was my day off.”

You rolled your eyes, “Yeah and I had to work all day! You didn’t even cook? Come on, Ty. You said that you would help out more.”

He waved his hand as if dismissing you and you made your way to the bedroom to get ready for bed. You wrapped your head up in a pineapple before hopping into the shower. Once you were done, you put on lotion and brushed your teeth. Ty had made his way to bed while you were in the shower and he looked to be sleeping already. You pulled back the covers on your side of the bed and flipped on your reading light and opened your book. You were halfway down the page when your phone buzzed.

You smiled when you saw Sam’s name on your screen.

I'm not surprised that someone cuffed you lol

Just friends it is then

Do you work tomorrow?

I'm happy to hear that. Yeah, I work tomorrow but I don't close.

I get off at 3. Where do you want to meet?

Have you heard of Pietro's Bakery?

YEAH! I love their cinnamon rolls!

I know the owner. Let’s meet there at 4?

Wait! How do you know the owner?

😅Friends from work

I'll introduce you.

Awesome! I can't wait to see you again, Sam.

Me too. Sleep tight, Y/n

Good night, Sam 😊

And for the first time in months, you fell asleep with a smile on your face.

 Work was going by slowly for you and you kind of anticipated that it would. Whenever you were excited about something, time seemed to slow down.

You’d cleaned almost every aisle of the bookstore and made sure that all the books were facing the right way in the aisles that you cleaned. You’d fluffed pillows refilled coffee mugs of those that needed them and eagerly helped patrons that asked for help. You were intent on keeping yourself busy.

You’d looked at the clock for the millionth time and loudly groaned when you saw that it was only 1:30. You still had an hour and a half left of work.

You looked up eagerly when the chime above the door went off and crinkled your eyebrows when you saw Ty walk through the door. You watched as he scanned the room and make his way over to you when he spotted you.

“I need your car,” he said once he reached you and you rolled your eyes.

“Hey Y/n,” you said in a mock voice. “Can I borrow your car?”

“Hey, Y/n, can I borrow your car?” Ty repeated with a dry voice.

“Why?” your hand was on your hip as you waited for his response.

“Because I have to work late tonight and I’d rather not take a Lyft.” Ty held his hand out for your key and you looked him up and down.

“So how am I supposed to get home?” you said, your foot tapping with annoyance.

He shrugged, “Take a Lyft. Look Y/n, give me the damn keys, I’m about to be late for work.” 

You crossed your arms and pursed your lips, “That sounds like a personal problem.”

“Look, Y/n, I really don’t have time for this,” you could tell that he was becoming agitated. You fished your keys from your pocket and handed them to him, and he snatched them from you and turned to walk away.

“You’re welcome,” you mumbled. “Make sure you put some gas in it too!” you yelled at his retreating form.

“When you gon let him go, Y/n?” your coworker, Tanya, asked you as you walked back up to the front of the store. “The way he treats you isn’t right, and I know you know that.”

“Yeah, I know. I just… I don’t know,” you admitted. “I know he loved me once, but now I don’t know. Now I think he just sees me as… less. Ya know. Like, he barely touches me anymore, not even a hug. It’s like our relationship has run its course but neither one of us wants to be the first to say goodbye.”

“Wow,” Tanya dragged out. “Quoting Gladys Knight?” she chuckled. “Look, you deserve someone that’s gonna love you no matter what. Someone that worships you and brings out the best in you and Ty does not do that. He never did, and you know it. I say, be the first one to say goodbye, because you deserve way better than he can give you.”

You chewed your lip as you thought about what she said. Your three-year relationship with Ty was stagnant, and you couldn’t think of a time when it wasn’t. There was no fire, there never had been, and honestly, your fights weren’t even fights. He typically just sat there as you complained about his mess or that he forgot to come pick you up, something that happened way too often for your liking.

You groaned at your situation wondering how you managed to dig yourself into this hole.

You finished helping one last customer before you clocked out for the day. Now that you didn’t have your car, it would take you longer to get there. You decided to walk instead of catching a Lyft. You needed some time to clear your head before meeting up with Sam.

You window-shopped as you made your way to the bakery. You took in all the sales and wished that you could stop and partake in some retail therapy, but you continued on.

You made it to the bakery sooner than you had hoped, but you didn’t have anywhere else to go so you went in.

You walked to the counter and ordered yourself a cinnamon roll and found a seat in the corner. As you waited, you people watched the patrons in the bakery. Some were old, some were young, but many of them were around your age it seemed. Most of them came in with their families, and it made your heart hurt a little. When you were younger, you thought that you would be married with a couple of kids by now. You had plans after college, but for some reason, they didn’t pan out for you. 

You picked at your cinnamon roll for a few minutes before a shadow cast over you.

“You’re early!” Sam’s booming voice startled you.

“Hey, Sam!” you slid out of your seat and threw your arms around his neck. You melted into his embrace; it felt like you belonged here. Quickly shaking yourself from your thoughts, you pulled away from him and sat back down.

“I’m glad you came, Y/n,” Sam’s smile took up his entire face. That was one thing that you loved about him, his smile was infectious. You couldn’t help but to smile when he did, and his smiles were always genuine, never forced.

You two talked for hours, you didn’t even notice that the sun had gone down.

“Hey, Sam,” a woman with fire-red hair appeared next to your table.

“Wanda, hey, this is Y/n. Y/n, this is Wanda, she owns the place.” Sam introduced the two of you and you smiled as you shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Y/n,” she smiled brightly at you. “I’ve heard a lot about you over the last few years, Y/n, it’s great to finally meet you.”

You looked to her in confusion before she continued, “He said that you’re the um, what did you say, Sam?”

“It’s not important, Wanda,” Sam said, clearly trying to get her to move on.

“That’s right, you’re ‘the one that got away’,” she winked at you with a smirk on her face before turning to Sam once again. “I’m going to head home, will you lock up for me?”

Sam nodded once again, “Good night, Wanda!”

You watched as Wanda walked away laughing to herself at Sam’s obvious discomfort. “Well, she’s sweet,” you commented once you heard the back door lock.

“Yeah, and a pain in my ass,” Sam grumbled. “Look-”

You cut him off, “So I’m the one that got away?” you chuckled.

He shrugged, “I had plans to come and get you once I got out but I was kinda messed up after Riley, then Captain America needed me, then the whole Thanos thing. I just wanted to be at my best when I finally did get to see you.”

“Sam, I have-”

“You have a boyfriend, yeah I know.” he scrubbed his face with his hands. “Can you tell me that you’re happy with him, Y/n?”

You remained silent, giving him your answer.

“We have history, Y/n,” Sam continued. “You know you’re mine, and you know I’ll do all the things he won’t do. I’ll do them for you.”

“You know I remember that night? And I know you remember it too.”

Your eyes fluttered closed as the images of that night flashed through your mind.

The two of you panted as Sam thrusted into you, his hips moving at a slow pace and your nails dragging down his back. He fit so well inside of you, like he was made for you. You’d lost count of how many times he’d made you cum already, but you could feel another orgasm stirring. He whispered in your ear, telling you how good you felt wrapped around him.

You’d imagined this many times before, but nothing, nothing, had prepared you for how he would actually make you feel. 

Sam’s hips began to move faster and his hands moved down to your hips to hold you into place as he fucked into you. Your breathy moans filled the air as he grunted in your ear. You’d never heard anything sweeter than the sound of his voice as the two of you made love.

In that moment, you imagined your life being filled with this. Coming home to Sam, loving him, and having him love you. That was something that you could get used to.

You snapped out of your thoughts when Sam squeezed your hand, a smirk on his lips because he knew what you had been thinking about.

“Y/n, he treats you like your nothing,” Sam said instead. “You’ve told me about all of the times that he’s taken your car and had you find your own way home. I wanna do all the things your man won’t do.”

You chewed your lip, “I hear what you’re saying, but-”

“What good is a diamond nobody can see?” Sam asked. Your hand rested in his as his thumb ran over your knuckles. 

You shrugged, “We’ve been together for three years. It just doesn’t feel right leaving him, ya know?”

“You’d rather spend the rest of your life unhappy?” Sam lowered his voice and leaned closer to you over the table. “Y/n, you know I can make you happy. You deserve it.”

“Sam I-,”

“You say you need someone to be there for you,” he interrupted you again. “To love you all night long

I don't think you have to look no further because I'm right here. And I'm ready to do all the things your man won't do.”

You locked eyes with him once more, and you saw nothing but sincerity there. Sam was your safe place. He was your home, and he was right. You didn’t have to look further. He was the one for you.

[emy-loves-you]

Wrong Numbers and Useless Gays Chapter 4

Sad Boys and Fun Facts

Patton’s a sad boi but Virgil has a distraction

Chapter 3 | Masterlist | Chapter 5

Three weeks had passed since Virgil had first texted Roman. In those three weeks, Virgil had learned a lot about his new friends.

First, there was Patton. God, did that man love puns. Virgil also loved puns, but he preferred reading Patton’s puns over making his own. Remus had caught Virgil blushing at his phone and made a comment about his new “friends with benefits” (Virgil had been unable to respond. He was too busy trying to hold back his giggles from one of Patton’s pun tangents). Patton also made it clear that he was the “Dad Friend” of the group. Virgil couldn’t type a single self-deprecating comment without Patton threatening to physically fight him. It was rather terrifying, really. He also made sure that everyone was taking care of themselves. Once they learned that they were in the same timezone (They hadn’t shared cities yet. Friend or no, Virgil was telling where he lived in that quickly) Patton made it his goal to check in and make sure that Virgil ate at mealtime. One last thing about Patton was his… struggle with technology. He tended to send almost everything directly to the group chat instead of private messages. Logan said that he tried to teach Patton how to do so, but the lessons never seemed to stick.

Speaking of Logan, the nerd had his own quirks. He didn’t type much, usually only responding when someone required everyone to respond. The other time that he typed was during debates. Nine days into their friendship, Virgil had mentioned saying “you too” to a cute barista and claimed that he ruined any chances with his new crush. While Patton and Roman offered words of encouragement, Logan remained silent. Virgil had assumed that Logan agreed with him but didn’t want to upset his boyfriends. As soon as their conversation ended, Virgil received a private text from Logan, requesting to debate. They argued over cognitive distortions for a whole hour before they reached a compromise. Logan had called the debate “lit” and asked if they could debate again in the future. That was another thing about Logan. Apparently, he had vocabulary cards for slang words. When he was talking out loud, he would hold the card up so the others knew what slang word he was attempting to use. When texting, he would put quotation marks around the word. It was adorable, in Virgil’s humble opinion.

Then there was Roman. Princey was known for his dramatic flair and Disney references. When he was feeling especially Extra™ , he would use “thees” and “thys” and call people peasants. He also had a love for nicknames. Patton had very few personal nicknames, with most of them being terms of endearment like “honey” and “amor.” Most of Logan’s nicknames pertained to him being a nerd, such as “pocket protector” and “Microsoft Nerd.” He seemed to have a limitless number of nicknames for Virgil, with most of them referencing his emo-aesthetic (how Princey had discovered that so early in their friendship, Virgil had no clue). He never repeated Virgil’s nicknames; the only exception was “storm cloud,” which he tended to use at least once every conversation.

Virgil had become extremely close with the trio over these three weeks. That wasn’t the only thing he did, just the thing he did most often. The Dark Sides had finalized their contract with Thomas, who set up a tour almost immediately. Virgil really should have seen that coming. Their band had become extremely popular over the past few years, and they had only done one tour before this. Performing across the country would help boost their popularity even further. Virgil sighed, his anxiety spiking at just the thought of seeing all those faces in the crowd. That was why he used the persona Anxiety. Anxiety wasn’t afraid of anything, he was fear. Being Anxiety allowed Virgil to be confident and suave without worrying about judgment. They judged Anxiety, not Virgil. The case was similar for Janus and Remus. Deceit was elegant and mysterious, while Duke was loud and over-the-top. They didn’t have to be rejects wanting to fit in with society. No, they were Rockstars. Society wanted to fit in with them. And Virgil was just fine with that.

Bzzz

Vigil glanced over at his phone. He was in Los Angelas right now, around halfway through his tour, which put him 3 hours behind his new friends. He glanced over at his clock, 9:45 PM glaring at him through the dark. He turned back to his phone. Why are they up at 12:45 in the morning? I know Logan keeps them on a rigid sleep schedule.

P- (9:45 PM) Ro? Are you still up?

V- (9:45 PM) Pat, why are you still up?

P- (9:45 PM) Why are you still up, kiddo? It’s almost 1 AM! Don’t you have a hangout with your friends today?

Virgil sighed, thinking of the concert he had tomorrow. He glanced over to his sketchbook. Patton had been really impressed with his sketches, so he had been practicing less gory drawings to show him. It had evolved into something almost therapeutic. Knowing how he worked, Virgil would probably sketch until around 2 in the morning, then sleep until 8 AM. The concert wasn’t until 7 PM, so he had enough time to sleep in if necessary.

V- (9:46 PM) First of all, you know I’m in California right now. It’s 9:46 for me. Second of all, we’re not hanging out until tomorrow night, so I can sleep in if needed. Third of all, you’re avoiding the question: What are you and Roman doing up at 1 in the morning? I thought you guys had work in the morning.

P- (9:47 PM) We do. Roman got a burst of inspiration at around 10, and he usually refuses to sleep until he writes it all down. He probably fell asleep at his desk, that silly billy!

V- (9:47 PM) That doesn’t explain why you’re still awake. And why didn’t you get up to check on him? I thought you guys lived together.

P- (9:47 PM) We do! I just couldn’t fall asleep tonight. And the bed’s too warm to get up!

V- (9:48 PM) Well, Princey’s probably being a “sleeping beauty”

Virgil frowned at his phone. Patton hadn’t responded to his text. Sure, that wasn’t a very good pun, but it was still a pun. Patton laughed at every pun he saw, or at least followed it up with another pun. He could be asleep, but didn’t he just say that he had trouble sleeping?

V- (9:50 PM) Pat?

P- (9:50 PM) Yeah, Kiddo?

V- (9:50 PM) Are you okay?

V- (9:52 PM) Patton?

V- (9:52 PM) I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Just because you didn’t answer my pun doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you. I’m sorry that I sounded like an asshole.

P- (9:52 PM) No, Sweety. It’s fine! It’s nice to know that someone cares about you!

P- (9:53 PM) I’m just a little sad today.

V- (9:53 PM) Do you wanna talk about it?

P- (9:54 PM) I’m fine, Kiddo! This just happens sometimes. No need to worry!

Virgil sighed, thinking about how much Patton reminded him of Janus. Janus grew up neglected, and was taught to convince everyone that his life was perfect. By the time Virgil had met him, Janus was 19 and a compulsive liar. Virgil wasn’t much better, having just gotten kicked out of the foster system. Virgil lived with Janus (and soon Remus) until The Dark Sides had enough income for Virgil to live on his own (technically Janus had more than enough money for that- his parents were loaded. But Virgil wanted to have something that he earned. He wasn’t just some charity case). When they first lived together, Virgil could never tell what Janus was actually thinking. It took a lot of time and trust to separate Janus from Deceit. Now, he was still heavily sarcastic, and he tended to close himself off when he got upset, but Janus had come a long way.

Virgil looked back to his phone. Patton didn’t seem to have it as bad as Janus did, but you could never tell. At least he acknowledged that he wasn’t okay. There is the chance that something really is bothering him, but Virgil had to trust Patton on that note. It is entirely possible that Patton is just feeling down today; God knows how many times Virgil would question why he should get out of bed. He bit his lip. What helps me when I feel sad for no reason? He smiled, remembering when Remus would spout the most obscene things to distract himself from his own negative thinking. A distraction.

V- (9:56 PM) Did you know that giraffes can clean their ears with their own tongues?

P- (9:56 PM) What?

V- (9:56 PM) “Rhythm” is the longest word in the English language that doesn’t have a vowel.

V- (9:56 PM) Elephants are the only mammals that cannot jump.

P- (9:57 PM) More like Elecan’t!

V- (9:57 PM) Haha :)

V- (9:57 PM) Without food coloring, Coca Cola would be green.

V- (9:57 PM) A 3-year-old boy was elected as mayor in Dorset, Minnesota

P- (9:58 PM) No way!

V- (9:58 PM) Yes way! His name was James Tufts.

V- (9:58 PM) 7 different dogs have been elected as mayors in the US.

P- (9:58 PM) I love dogs! They’re such good boys!

Virgil smiled, adding Loves Dogs to his mental list of Quirky things I like about Patton Morale. They continued to talk about dog mayors for a while until Patton ended it abruptly.

P- (10:14 PM) Why are you doing this?

V- (10:14 PM) Doing what?

P- (10:15 PM) Why are you going out of your way to try and cheer me up? You should’ve stopped talking to me 20 minutes ago. Instead, we’re laying here at 1 AM talking about dog mayors! I would have been fine on my own. Why are you wasting your time on me?

V- (10:16 PM) Pat, if you tell me that I’m wasting my time talking to you, I’m going to have to physically fight you. You are my FRIEND. I care about you. When you’re sad, I WANT to cheer you up. When you’re happy, I WANT to laugh along to your punny jokes. Because I know, at the end of the day, if I was sad and needed someone to cheer me up, you would do it in a heartbeat. You, Lo, and Princey are amazing people, and my time spent with you will NEVER be a waste. I swear.

Virgil sighed, dropping his phone on the bed. He might’ve been too forward with that last text. But it was true. While the four of them weren’t nearly as close as Virgil was with Janus and Remus, he still cared about them a lot.

P- (10:18 PM) Thanks, Virgil. That really means a lot to me

P- (10:18 PM) I’m gonna try and get some sleep now

V- (10:18 PM) Alright Patton, Goodnight

P- (10:18 PM) Goodnight

The next day, Virgil saw a postcard in the window of a gift shop. It had a puppy with sunglasses on the beach, with cartoonish letters saying “Having A WonderFUR Time!” He took a picture and sent it to Princey.

V- (1:08 PM) What’s your address or PO? I wanna send this to Patton.

R- (1:09 PM) Say no more, Hot Topic!

V- (1:09 PM) Aw, you think I’m hot.

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

Taglist: @bisexualdisaster106 @self-taught-mess @itawalrus

[northcarolinanative]

𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 (𝟿)

Chapter 9: Then It Won’t 

A/N: Hi. I am so sorry for the wait on this chapter. I was feeling a little stuck and Honestly overall uninspired and unmotivated. I needed a break from writing, I also don’t know how long to have this story going, but if you have any feedback PLEASE let me know, it would be greatly appreciated:) As always my asks, requests, messages are open so please talk to me:) 

Description: John B’s Sister comes home from staying with their mom, only to find out that her brother is missing and her dad was murdered. JJ may have just lost his best friend. She and JJ have to figure out what to do and how to pick up the pieces.

Need to catch up? Ch.1 / Ch.2 / Ch.3 / Ch.4 / Ch. 5 / Ch.6 / Ch. 7 / Ch. 8 

I was so confused. I didn’t know what had gotten into JJ. Why did he kiss me like that? Out of nowhere. I know that we were both happy and excited. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, but it opens up too many doors. As much as I want to be with JJ, it puts a lot on the two of us. We both are dealing with a lot right now. What if that is why he kissed me? What if he was confusing one emotion for the other, and it wasn’t what he was wanting to do? My thoughts were everywhere as I stood still. JJ and I are still standing in front of the counter. JJ arms were wrapped around my shoulders, and mine around his waist. It was a hug that was full of emotion, what those emotions were, I am not sure, and I don’t think that he was either. 

After our breathing started to settle down, we didn’t talk much. More of a silent agreement between the two of us to go to bed. The air was thick, but not in the same way it had been. There was a tension between JJ and I. A tension that I didn’t want to be there, one that made me fall further into the already present feelings that were there. As I was changing in John B’s room, like every night, it was gloomy. The room held a weight that I still did not want to bear. Tonight though it was different, there was a glimmer of hope. I didn’t want to take over his room because he would be back. He would be back here as soon as JJ and I found a way to make it wherever that ship was going. 

JJ knocked on the door, pulling me from my thoughts as I finished pulling my shirt down over my body. “Yes?” 

JJ leaned in, then entered the room. There it was again, that sticky, emotional tension. JJ was only wearing a pair of worn, faded, khaki cargo shorts, hung loosely around his waist, his hair wet from the shower that he just took, and I couldn’t help but look at him. Once I realized what I was doing I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. “Hey, would it be weird if I, uh, borrowed a pair of JB’s pajama bottoms?” He said looking down. “I just realized I am out of clean ones and I don’t think you wanna sleep next to me in these smelly old clothes.” He laughed off the last part. I could tell he was unsure of my sleeping plans for the night, but I was glad that he still was okay with sharing a bed. 

“You’re right. I didn’t want to say anything but you were starting to smell” I let out a laugh, and JJ followed laughing as well. The mood was better, almost normal again. “You know where it’s at,” I said nodding toward the dresser on the far wall, then walking out into the living room. I began removing the couch cushions to pull out the bed again for the night. 

3:15 am 

I read the clock on the microwave again. Less than an hour ago I was begging for sleep, but now my nerves were on edge and I was full of adrenaline. I laid down staring at the dark wooden ceiling, only light coming from the moon and the crack in the door from John B’s room where JJ was changing. I was so stuck in my thoughts that I barely noticed the bed dip as JJ laid down beside me, his hands laced together behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling, now only illuminated by the bright moon outside the open window. The wind caused a cool draft sending a shiver down my spine. 

“I’m sorry” JJ finally broke the silence. I knew it was coming, I mean we couldn’t just ignore it. JJ’s nerves were just as high as mine were at this moment. I sat up turning to face JJ slightly, running my hand through my hair. 

“Don’t be sorry” I said letting out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. I felt JJ relax a little beside me. He closed his eyes and I heard him let out a deep breath. “Why’d you do it?” I asked. I wanted to know what he was thinking. 

“What?” JJ said. He sat up, turning to me. I could see the way his eyebrows were scrunched in confusion. 

“Why did you kiss me JJ?” I said in a long breath. I started talking, I didn’t know if I actually wanted the answer once I asked the question. “Because if it was just the adrenaline or the joy of our lead on John B, that’s totally fine. If it was just a way to distract us from the emotions we’re feeling then that's okay too because I know that we’ve been comforting each other like that because we don’t know what to say. I just want to --” 

“I did it because I like you Y/N, that’s it, that’s why” JJ cut me off. It felt like his words hung in the air. I didn’t know how to respond. “I mean I guess the adrenaline and everything helped me get the courage to do it. I mean look at what you did Y/N. You are like halfway to finding John B. You’re amazing.” I reached over and pulled him into a tight hug. 

“I like you too JJ,” I whispered into his shoulder before pulling away. The tension in the air is significantly less. Things were more clear, but still so much remained unsaid. JJ and I sat back, looking between each other, silence falling over us once again. Neither of us knows where to go from here. 

“What does this mean?” I said swallowing. “Does it change things?” Again, I didn’t want to know what the answer was. “I need you to get through this JJ. You saw how Kie and Pope reacted to what we’re doing here, looking for JB. You know what I’m going through better than anyone JJ.” I put my hand on his jaw looking him in the eyes. I could barely see the blue in them from the dimly lit atmosphere. I saw the way that the light hit his face illuminating the way his features softened into my touch. 

“Y/N, you’re smart and beautiful, and a literal genius. I don’t want this to change anything between us, but you know me. I speak my thoughts, and since you came back, and with John B being gone, I just, I guess I just started to see you as more than my best friend's sister.” I could see the thoughts turning in his head as he tried to figure out what to say. 

“And moving forward?” I asked. I felt the break in my voice. I’m sure JJ saw the tears that brimmed my eyes. 

“Nothing has to change.” He reached his hand up to cover mine that was still sitting on his cheek. “I don’t want it to change.” 

“Then it won’t” I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. “Let’s get some sleep yea?” 

“Yea,” JJ said, he looked away from me and I felt my heart drop. I felt like I handled this wrong. JJ was feet from me, and I could feel the nerves vibrating off of him. He laid back down, the same way as before.I moved, up next to JJ, resting my head and my hand on his chest. I felt his arm fall, wrapping it around my torso. I started to trace little patterns into the hollow of his chest and he moved his fingers up and down my spine. Comforting each other, just like normal, like we said nothing changed, right? 

I looked up at JJ, only to meet his eyes already on me. I smiled softly as he drew me in. I kept looking between his eyes and his lips, softly illuminated in the moonlight. He bit his lip softly, a small smile forming across his face. He leaned his head down, slightly shifting his body lower. His other hand came to rest on my chin as he turned to face me. I closed my eyes feeling his face get closer to mine. His thumb running across my bottom lip and his lips barley ghosting over mine. I moved forward pressing our lips together. It was different from the one before, it was more meaningful. With everything out in the open now, the kiss was more real. I could feel the emotion behind both our lips at that moment. Things got heated quickly. Moving to press against each other, quickening the pace of our kiss, passion growing. Then I pulled away looking at JJ resting our foreheads together. 

“We really should sleep,” I said with a slight giggle. JJ just nodded and wrapped his arms around me pulling me close. 

“I know we said nothing would change, but I could get used to kissing you like that,” JJ said, pulling my closer to him and resting his head on mine. 

-- 

I woke up to the sound of rain beating down on the tin roof that covered the porch, JJ and I separated in our sleep, his arm now barely laying over my hip. I was careful not to wake him up as I got out of bed. I stood up stretching out from the confinement of the pullout bed. I looked over at JJ, his mouth slightly open and laid out on his back. One arm behind his head, the other across his body where it had rested on my hip, holding onto me. I smiled to myself, letting my hand reach up and touch my lips softly, remembering what had happened last night. I took my time in the shower, for once letting the warm water relax me rather than letting the pouring water blend with my tears like it had been the past few showers. 

I got dressed, before leaving a note for JJ. I didn’t want to wake him, both of us were struggling to sleep soundly, and he seemed at peace. I didn’t want to disturb that. 

“Went to find some work. We need money to stay afloat J. See you later? - Y/N” 

So with that I headed out to my car, toward Figure 8. Granted that was the last place that I wanted to be, but I know that is where I could find good work. Every summer I worked as a waitress at the club. I was hoping that since I was under my mother’s last name on all their paperwork, they wouldn’t recognize me as JB’s sister. The other pogues were worried about the cops and their help in John B’s escape. I knew that if my last name was “Routledge” that my chances of even getting on the Island were slim. The club was full of kooks, and kooks didn’t care where I came from or went to after work. All they cared about was that I showed up on time and did my job. And I did. 

I parked my car at the edge of the lot, away from the Range Rovers and Jeeps that littered the lot. Everything was shiny in Figure 8, it was clean and sparkly, it lacked character, much like the people did. I had called Mr. Jones before I left for the Island, telling him, like every summer, that I would be returning to the island once the ferry recovered from the storms. So he should be expecting me. I looked at the large double stained glass door, pushing them open to a grand room. I was not expecting the strong scent of sandalwood to overwhelm me as it did. 

I looked around at all the adults here, dressed in slacks and polos. This was their casual wear, which I could not imagine how uncomfortable it must have been. I walked through a back hallway to avoid any looks with other kooks, or anyone who might notice me before I secured my job. I went through the routine of getting the job with Mr. Jones, signing paperwork saying that if I get hurt it isn’t their fault, then he handed me my uniform. “Sit here and wait for me to finish scanning this stuff in, then I’ve got a few more things for you to sign.” He pointed to a bench in the main hallway before disappearing behind another large door. I sat tapping my foot. I played with a white string that was coming loose from my shorts. “Head down, don’t make a big deal” Is what one of the older waitresses had told me when I started working at the country club. She was also from the cut, she told me that it was the best way to deal with the teenager kooks who would pick fights with us while working. 

“Y/N” I heard someone call. The tone in their voice was cold. I looked up only to be met with who I wanted to see the least. My blood boiled at the sight of him, how was he free walking around. “Y/N Routledge” He spit, his tone venomous and dark. I stood up taking steps back and away from him. 

“Rafe Cameron” I breathed out barely audible.

-- 

Masterlist 

Taglist: @nikki082489 @lovelymaybankk @dolanfivsosxox @alexa-playafricabytoto @downbytheouterbanks @heyhargrove @heywards​ @kayln021 @readysteadygo23​ @im-a-stranger-thing​ @thatsonobx​ @dumbxgurl​ @ameeraaa21@zehnuhrfunf​ @imagines-and-preferences1216​ @mileven-reddie​ @sw-eat-ing​

If you wanna be added to a tag list please send me an ask, it makes it easier to keep up with:) if your user is crossed out it wouldn’t let me tag you?

[ajokeformur-ray]

Hi lovely! Just sending my ask for what we talked about! I work for a bingo company as a chat room host. I talk to players, answer queries and running quizzes. Could i request a piece of patrick being bored while i work, tonight i work til 1am so once he finished school I'd be working. I can just imagine him being so bored and cute.

To add on to my recent ask...you'll know what i mean...ASSSSSSSSS DAT ASS!!!!

My dearest Charlotte, I know exactly what you mean ;) there’s nudity in this piece but it’s not NSFW so fair warning ^^ I hope that you enjoy this piece, please let me know if not and I’ll write you something else ksksksk this is personalised just for you, so enjoy! 💜

Quick disclaimer: It’s mentioned that Pat goes to school but Heath was 19 at the time of filming and so I write Pat to be 19 - 22 years old.

Word count: 1, 763.

You were already working when Pat came home from school. 

You had over a thousand people in one chat room and over three hundred in another. You were typing as fast as you could to talk to players and to answer any questions they had, and your fingers felt like they couldn’t move fast enough, your brain working faster than your body could move. It made a panicked ache bloom in your chest sometimes, but for the most part were you confident and sure of yourself. You knew what you were doing. Your wrists were cramping horribly but you pushed forward to fulfil your minutely quota.

Your laptop was hooked up to another monitor so that you could see more of everything at once. Your eyes moved over both screens, your fingers were moving as fast as you could manage. You were well and truly in the zone, focused and working your absolute hardest. So focused were you, in fact, that you completely missed Pat coming home from school. Usually, he made a fuss when he came in, wanting all of your attention, but you started work at four fifteen in the afternoon and he came home at almost five. You were already in full swing and Pat sequestered himself in the living room so that you remained undisturbed in the bedroom.

You had a migraine, too, and you were feeling nauseous. You were tired and you were feeling bad about so many things; things you had no control over, things you couldn’t change. You desperately wanted for Pat to cuddle you and to take care of you - 

Just as the lump in your throat, made up was it of a wad of emotions impossible to name or define, grew bigger and made your eyes sting with tears which only blurred your vision and made you blink them away rapidly, there was a small knock on the bedroom door and Pat cracked the bedroom door open just enough for him to come through. He shut it as quietly as he could with his free hand; the other was balancing a tray made up of a glass of water and some food for you. He tiptoed around the room so that he could set the tray on the nearest available surface, moving with exaggerated movements to, at the very least, make you smile.

You barely even glanced at him, your fingers moving over the keyboard. Occasionally did you mutter something to yourself, something which you needed to do or remember, and Pat was entirely enraptured by you. You were so focused but all the signs were there that you weren’t feeling good. Pat sat down beside you once the tray was settled and he further moved and laid down beside you, keeping to himself and being as quiet as he could. He had missed you today but you would be working until one in the morning and so Pat had to get his fill of you where he could. You were the best part of him, the most exciting part of his day, and Pat always made sure that you knew how deeply he loved you.

Pat was not a quiet man. He loved spontaneity and adventures, making you laugh. Your smile was one of his most favourite sights and Pat worked to see it every day. Some days, on his darkest days, it was for your smile that he even got out of bed. What the two of you shared was so deep and so rich that it was beyond words, though you exchanged plenty of those. He managed to lay there for half an hour before he sighed. It was a long and heavy sound saturated with boredom.

“Hey there, girlie,” Pat sighed, reaching out to touch the small of your back. His hand was pressed flat against your shirt, the heat of him seeping into your own body and warming you from the inside out. It felt good to have Pat there with you and you pushed yourself backwards just enough so that you could enjoy his touch a little more. Pat chuckled low in his throat and slipped his hand underneath the hem of your shirt so that he could soothe you as best as he could without disturbing you. He knew that you weren’t feeling okay but you wouldn’t finish for another five hours or so, and it was all that he could do to be there for you.

“Hi, Pat.” You smiled slightly, your heart squeezing with love for your Aussie. You loved him with your entire being and you knew that Pat loved you with all that he was, too. “How was school?”

Pat chuckled. “I don’t know. I skipped most of my classes.”

“Pat!” You scolded him half heartedly, your eyes not leaving your work. You had to remain focused no matter what. You continued to type with one hand while the other grabbed the glass of water. You drank deeply, clearing almost half the glass in one hit,

“Whoa, easy,” Pat laughed as he crept closer to you so that he could lean his forehead against the small of your back, underneath your shirt, “Breathe, love.”

“Mm.” A noncommittal noise and then, “No time.”

Pat remained where he was, underneath your shirt, his soft curls tickling at your skin, his breath gently fanning across your flesh as he inhaled and exhaled through his nose. You thought that he might have been asleep there, tucked into you. You felt him move as he pulled his legs up so that he was in the foetal position, curled up into your back. An arm lifted off the mattress which cradled Pat’s body and wrapped around your lower belly. He didn’t squeeze you, for that could hurt you on a bad pain day, but he shuffled closer to you, full lips clumsily pressing a kiss to the space of your back which was closest to him. “I love you.” A sleepy, incoherent mumble. Oh, but he was so tired. He often stayed up with you while you were working, so he was up at seven in the morning to get ready for school and he didn’t go to bed until one in the morning or whenever you finished. When he came home from school, he would collapse into bed with you (gently, so as to not cause you any more pain) and sleep until you finished work... and so the cycle would continue.

There was nothing that he wouldn’t do for you. True to his surname was he a romantic. He was a sweetheart and he told you every minute of the day that he loved you; with his words and with his actions so that never could you doubt him. In return did you reassure him of the same and the two of you clung to each other with all that you had. You were there for each other through your best days and through your worst; there was nothing that you wouldn’t do for the other person and there was nothing that either of you could ever say or do which would make the other love you any less or be any less proud of you.

“I love you too.” A pause and then, “Are you sleeping because you’re bored?”

“Well, that and I’m tired.” Pat’s body shook the bed with his laughter, his fingers stroking soothingly along your side, once again under your shirt. He craved you like his lungs needed oxygen.

A hand left your keyboard just enough to reach back and blindly feel along Pat’s legs. Your fingers rested upon his black jeans for just a moment, long enough for him to register that you were touching him, and then you had to get back to typing; there was always just so much to do. Pat ended up falling asleep against you, his arm curled around you. He must have been more tired than he had let on, but faithfully did he remain beside you until you were finished. You picked at the food he had made for you as your shift crawled past and at last, at last, when the clock struck one in the morning and your shift finished, Pat was the first one to spring up. 

He was blearily eyed, his curls flat on one side where his head had been pressed against your back, and he helped you to put everything away before without finesse or thought did he strip down. First his charcoal grey long sleeved shirt, tossed unceremoniously into the corner of your room, then his black jeans were shed and left as they were on the floor, the trouser legs left inside out. You stared, utterly captivated, and Pat caught your heated gaze with his own. A wicked grin accompanied his next words to you. “I bet you’ve thought about me naked, huh?” Pat winked as he pulled down his boxers while he slid into bed. You caught a flash of his bare bum as he did so and you felt your entire body heat up in a blush.

“Thinking about it now, yeah.” Your voice was weak in your arousal and your body feeling shaky. Oh, the things he could do to you...

Pat threw you another wink and leaned over the bed to peel back the duvet on your side - get in - and you smiled in relief as with a weary sigh did you sink into bed. Pat leaned over and shut the bedside lamp off, plunging the room into darkness. Your head was pounding as your migraine got worse and your nausea increased, too, but Pat, intuitive as he was, began to gently massage your scalp with one hand, the other one draped over your hips again. He didn’t squeeze but his weight there was a deeply reassuring one. 

“How are you feeling, love?”

“Really shitty. You?”

“Worried. For you. Come on, we gotta sleep - busy day tomorrow. I love you, you know that?”

You tipped your head, searching, wanting. Pat chuckled, knowing what you were after, and his lips found yours in the dark. His kiss was sensual, slow and reverent as he explored your mouth with his, his tongue darting out to deepen the kiss. You welcomed him into your mouth and turned to face him, moving your body carefully to get closer. You wanted more of all that he was. 

As you pulled away, needing to breathe, Pat hummed softly, the noise swallowed by the returned sentiment, “I love you, too.”

It was your simplest, heaviest truth.

Patrick Verona @jokershyena @loveletterstoledger @itsthejoker @royaleclownx    @tsukiakarinobara    @arianatheangelworld @antonija89​  @hotpacino​

[seventhroses]

☁️ Dreams

👩🏻 A/N: It's here! This is my first story! I just wrote it as I needed an outlet to get my mind off reality. Probably gonna write again? Idk 🤔Anyway I'm excited to share this! Not sure if it’s good BUT I hope anyone that gives it a go would enjoys it! 🥰

🌠 Geners: Fantasy, fluff, slight smut

📃 Word count: 4.9K

Since young, you always have a thing for dreams. You were told many stories of different people's dreams and you've always finds it fascinating on what goes on in there when your body shuts to recharged.

There was one in particular that had it imprinted in you till now. It was your grandparent's dreams. You can't believe that they actually met in their dreams and how their love unfolds into reality.

How can anyone dreamed of someone else when they've never cross path or see each other before? You always questioned.

You could never figure out no matter how many times they tell you their tales. But even so, it was the sweetest love story that you've heard and of course, seeing it through parts of their times, you were partially convinced that maybe dreams do come true.

As you get older, instead of popping colours of life, nightmares get the best of you. You eventually start sleeping lesser and lesser hours. Dreams were no longer the happy fluffy thing you did look forward to every night.

Today was the worst. It was one of those days, where you felt like everything was collapsing on you. This week have been so exhausting and you probably had less than 10hours of sleep in total. Having to deal with your sickening boss that always throws you with piles of urgent paper work that you end up OT till 1-2AM to finish, colleagues that act as if they're the only one that have a life outside of work and dumped their unfinished work on you.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worst, you sprained your ankle while chasing for your last bus home tonight.

"How great.." you sighed while limping up the bus with your now sore ankle.

"Well at least, I managed to catch the bus…" Trying hard to comfort your miserable self as you found a seat and sat down. 

You finally reached home after what seems like forever. Throwing your heels aside, you limped towards the kitchen to get some ice for your swollen ankle. Walking to the living room you plopped yourself onto the sofa, turning the TV on that you have no plans on watching. You find yourself staring into the ceiling, can't help but to question about your life.

Even though you're tired as hell, you can feel yourself fighting that tiredness, refusing to let another nightmare invade you tonight. But as the clock ticks away by the minutes, you know your fight is futile.

"If only.. I just wish for one good dream.. Just one, to end this miserable week" with that, you find your heavy lids closed as you fell asleep.

The next thing you know, upon opening your eye you saw the ray of morning sun shining into your room.

Checking the time on the clock, 

"It's 11AM?!" Now, widely awake. "Did I just sleep through the night?"

Not remembering when's the last time you slept through the night without waking up with cold sweat or hyperventilating from the nightmare you had. Though, you weren't complaining. You were in fact longing for a good sleep like this.

You got out of your bed, slipping into your bunny slippers, ready to kicked start your day. You just felt really good and recharged from the long sleep. After washing up and making yourself a cup of coffee, you walk to the sofa and sat down, finding a comfortable position to plan how you should go about your day before having your best friend over tonight for dinner and movie.

While you were making plans, a suddenly feeling strikes you. Something doesn't add up, but you can't seem to put it into words.

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

It's 1PM. You're dressed in your ripped jeans and cute smiley sweater ready for some shopping therapy and groceries shopping for tonight's dinner. You grabbed a pair of your most comfortable heels and skipped out of your apartment. You were in a good mood, stress free and you know that's not normal but again you're not complaining. You're going to enjoy it while it last and so you thought.

As you were going down the long flight of stairs towards the bus stop, you were impressed at how you managed to go up these 'stairs of hell' with your swollen ankle last night. That's when you realised, they aren't painful anymore. You were pretty sure it was swollen before you fell asleep but they seem perfectly fine now. You also remember falling asleep on the sofa and not in the room.

So, how did I get to the room? When did I changed into the pj? Now, lots of thoughts are flying in and you couldn't much process or find an answer to them.  Are you that tired that you can't remember what you did?

 "Be careful!!" A loud voice snapped you back into reality and you can feel a strong hand holding on to your arm.

Facing the stairs down, you're pretty sure that you will get more than just swollen ankle if it's not for this person. You turned your head around wanting to thank your saviour but came to face with a white tee and strong veiny arms that is holding on to you. You tilted your head up trying to see who's this perfect fitting body belongs to and there, you saw a pair of small worrisome eyes looking at you.

 "Are you ok? Hurt anywhere?"  he asked worriedly.

At that moment, you couldn't seem to find a word as you were too focus on looking at this charming looking gentleman in front of you.

Let's be honest, ever since you start adulting, life has been a struggle of paying off bills and dealing with your work life. You hardly even have time for yourself, so let alone finding yourself a partner to add on the struggle with.

The only male presence in your life other than your dad, is your childhood best friend, Lee Minhyuk. Well, he's called your best friend for a reason. You have been in each other's life for more than a decade and you know each other all too well. Also, knowing that there will probably be no peaceful day ahead if you guys were to even try. You and Minhyuk can't even decide on a movie together for movie night without bricking for at least 30 minutes and ended up having to tossed a coin to decide. Which, you think it's probably going to happen tonight too. So, it has never really cross both of your mind about developing your relationship into anything else more than what you guys are.

You did met a few people, go for a few dates before but that was in collage when you had the privileged of time. All that just seems so long ago.

Right now, having come face to face with this charming guy, it is sure to activate your needs for a new male presence in your life. Not to mention, this gentlemen in front of you, his visual is… let's just say, he's totally your type. With your 'love struck' expression which you probably are showing now, he figured that you should be ok.

"Hi, I'm Hyunwoo." Waiting for your answer while holding on to you as you steady your feet. 

You noticed his expression changed to a shy and smiley eye, that would totally make anyone soft.

 "Hi" … "I'm y/n." Quite sure you sounded like a robot.

A red one to be exact because you can feel yourself blushing hard and the distant between the both of you and his perfume smell is not helping at all. You can hear him chuckled. His hand is still on your arms. His warm palm on your skin certainly have you feeling the butterfly flying wildly in your stomach.

 "Are you free for a coffee?" You blurted out of nowhere and a sudden realisation that you're thinking out loud, got you in panicked mode.

 "I mean… I mean you just saved me from the probability of cracking my head like an egg... so.. " pausing and cursing yourself for the lame joke. Now, you just want to dig a hole and hid.

He laughed. "I like that" not sure if he said that out of courtesy, just so your now red af face wouldn't burst. 

"and sure. I would love for a coffee with you, Y/n. "

You liked the way he calls your name. Like you never knew it could sound so sweet.

 After the awkward invitation, Hyunwoo slide his hand down from your arm. Holding on to your hand now, he casually walks down the stairs. Going one step ahead of you as he leads you down. He turned his head to looked at you and smiled,

"Now, you don't need to worry about getting your head cracked."

You're very sure at that moment, your face was in tomato red as Hyunwoo holds your hand and walk towards the nearby café.

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

"Do you stay around here?" You asked as the both of you set down on the sofa seating in the café.

"Yes, I just moved here recently and was exploring the neighbourhood. You stay around the area?"

"Yup. Not far from the 'stairs of hell'." Almost rolling your eye.

Hyunwoo let out an airy laughed "I totally know what you mean."

Taking the first sipped of his drink, he started making some sound. "Mmmm! Mmm! This is so good!"

His reaction makes you adore him. How can someone be so charming, gentle and cute all at the same time.

"Oh, what did you ordered?" you asked out of curiosity.

"Honey grapefruit tea! It's on the drink's special menu. It's so refreshing!" You smiled at him as he sounded so proud of his order.

"Do you stay alone?"

 That question was definitely out of nowhere.

 There was a short pause as you were a little startled by the intruding question. Hyunwoo probably felt that he might have make you uncomfortable, so he explained.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. Since I moved here alone, I just thought it would be nice to know people in my neighbourhood. But its ok! You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. I'm sorry for the sudden question." Looking apologetic and not sure if he sounded weird.

But somehow his explanation makes you feel comfortable enough to tell him, so you looked at him,

"It's ok, dont be sorry. And yes, I kind of stays alone. But I have this best friend of mine, that would come crushing every so often to check if im still alive. So i'm not sure if that counts." Again, cursing yourself for the lame joke but it's kind of true too.

Well, atleast your reply showed Hyunwoo some relieved as you can see the smile back on his face.  

"It would be nice if we could have…"

 Before you manage to hear finished his sentence, the whole place start to shake violently. You could hear someone calling your name very loudly, somewhere but you couldn't find the source. Scared as hell, you closed your eyes shut.

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

 When you opened your eye, you were in a dazed. Minhyuk is now on the sofa beside you and shaking you violently. You frowned, now back to your sense. You were quite sure if he were to continue shaking, you would have thrown up on him that instant.

 "Babe! Back on earth?! You scare the hell out of me!" "What happen to you?!" "I came into the apartment and the first thing I saw is your dead body on the sofa!" "I mean lifeless. I mean.." As Minhyuk went on with his chains of words, you rolled your eyes at him. You can totally see that small smirked on his face.

 You had given Minhyuk the password to your apartment on day one when you move in, as he was whining non-stop about it until you gave him the digits. Since the both of you are having movie night every other Saturday, so you though it did be more convenient to do so too. But Minhyuk always says, it's for your safety so he can come by to check on you and see if you're still alive and kicking. You just want to rolled your eye, knowing all too well it's for his own convenience, as he always comes over for free meals, if not when he wants to escape from his mom's nagging. But even so, you never really mind it because he would keep you accompany whenever nightmares start taunting you.

 "What time is it now?" you asked.

 "It's almost 7PM, y/n! And you are supposed to start cooking dinner at 6:30PM!" He shouted across the kitchen while getting you a glass of water.

 You took the glass from him while trying to figure out what just happened.

 "Are you having nightmares again?" Minhyuk asked with concern on his face.

 "No, it's not a nightmare. In fact, it was a good dream." You paused.

"Well, at least it is until someone starts shaking me so violently, I thought there was an earthquake." You said to him with a somewhat annoyed tone now. He pouted.

You stood up wanting to get a quick shower because you're still in your yesterday's work clothes but your ankle give way. Now you remembered that you had sprained your ankle and it's still swollen. You realised what was not adding up. You were dreaming, that's why it wasn't hurting earlier.

And that guy in your dream, Hyunwoo.

Who is he? Have you seen him before?

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

 It’s been a month since you dreamt of Hyunwoo and you were hoping to dream of him again but instead, the whole nightmare routine starts bugging you instead.

 Today, was no different as you find yourself fighting the tiredness to sleep. But after sometime, you finally can’t hold much longer and you fell asleep on the sofa. When you opened your eye and to your delight, you were at the same cafe, same sofa seat where you and Hyunwoo were at before.

 "Hey, your coffee." Looking up, you saw that smiley eyes that you were missing so much, right in front of you.

 "Hey.." You replied, fighting the urge to ask if he he's real. Afraid that it would break the spell to whatever is causing this dream.

 You decided to throw the thought to the back of your head, as you have been waiting for this to happen ever since that day, you tell yourself to enjoy it well it last. So, you turned your focus back on him.

 "How have you been?" You smiled while sipping on the coffee he got for you.

 "I'm good. And I've been thinking about talking to you again" That sudden confession caught you off guard.

 Has he been thinking about me? This is a dream, right? He's probably a reflection of what I've been wanting to hear from a guy.

Now you're very much convinced by yourself that all this are probably just in your head.

 The both of you talked for a while, enjoying each other's company. It felt nice talking to Hyunwoo and you were hoping to talk for a little longer but a loud ringing sound woke you up.

Lazy hand searching for the source of the dreadful sound, you grabbed the alarm and turn it off. Looking at the time, it's now 5AM and you know you are back at the harsh reality of work week. A sigh leaves you as you drag your heavy body out of bed.

 On the way to work, you can't help but be hopeful about dreaming of Hyunwoo again since the second time did happened.

 Indeed, you found yourself seeing Hyunwoo in your dreams for the third, fourth and fifth time in a spent of 2 months. It always happens at the same cafe. The both of you would be seating at the same sofa seat, drinking the same drinks. Even though, there's no knowing to when you will be dreaming of Hyunwoo but when you did, he never fails to makes you happy and recharged. You start seeing yourself looking forward to sleeping and dreaming again. Something that you use to love before adulting. Not to mention, nightmare have been less frequent and you were feeling better every day. It was a good sign for you.

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

 And today you're dream again, the sixth time. But you found yourself at a different setting. It wasn't the usual cafe or the sofa seat that you always sat on. It was a place you are not familiar with. It was someone's home.

 It was Hyunwoo's home to be exact. You can see his family picture framed up sitting on the kitchen's table. He was smiling so brightly in the picture and you can see where he probably gets his youthfulness from. You smiled because in front of you, stands a familiar back hovering over the stove.

 "Your mum look so young and pretty." you said while admiring his back view.

 He turned around sounded in agreement. Now turning towards you, you can't help but to admire this perfect looking guy, in his home clothes and combing his hair back with his hand. He wearing a white tee that hug his body perfectly, showing his chest muscles curve and broad shoulder and a pair of shorts that shows his long legs. Unaware of yourself checking him out so openly, he chuckled

 "Enjoying your view huh?" he says jokingly as he turns back to cook.

 You cough trying to hid your blushing face, "Ahem, are you cooking ramen?" "The legendary 'Hyunwoo's ramen'?" You giggled as you teased him.

 "Yes, I promised its the real deal."

 "Are you sure is that good?"

 "Oh yes, it's that good that you would want for more." feeling challenged as he places the ramen in front of you.

"Go on, have a taste"

 He leans in on the table, moving into your personal space as you took your first bite. You're trying to ignore his extremely close presence, not sure if it's the ramen or Hyunwoo that's making you all hot now.

 "How is it? Good?" Staring at you earnestly, waiting for your feedback.

 How am I supposed to concentrate and eating with him being so close?

 In all honesty, he looks so yummy you just want to eat him instead. You can't help but blush so hard at your own desirable thoughts.

 "Are you ok?" Hyunwoo asked as his hands feels your burning cheeks and his face just inches away from you.

 Your face now so close to his. You looked at his so kissable lips and a sudden impulse urged you to slid forward and kiss him. You retreat back and shut your eyes, hoping to wakes up so you don't have to face the embarrassment from your action. But you didn't. Before you know it, you felt Hyunwoo lips clashing back on yours causing you to open your eye in a shock. That impulse and innocent kiss had turned into a heated open mouth kisses as Hyunwoo move his hand behind your head keep you closer. You felt yourself heated up from the action. You want more. He pulls away after a while, only to carry you up onto the table as he parted your legs to stand between you. He latched his lips back on yours and you swear you're feel all sorts of sensational feeling with what he was doing. Hyunwoo slowly moves his hand with lazy fingers gliding all over your body leaving hot trials and tingling feelings to where ever he passes. You can feel the shiver up your body and the tight knot somewhere inside of you wanting more of him.  

He pulls you closer to him while moving down to your neck, giving you soft open kisses. You can feel his growing bulge pressing on your centre as he grinds up against you, cause you to make soft seductive moans that you never thought you're capable of making.

 "Hyunwoo.." You murmur as you arched your back.

 He tilted his head up to look at you, so done for him just from the kisses. You can see his pupils blown; eyes filled with lust. He wants you. Before you can think of anything, you shudder as you felt the sudden contact of his palm cupping your heated clothed centre. You moaned and that encouraged him to move further. He slipped his hand through the side of your shorts and pushing your panties aside. You hissed at him when he parts your folds and starts making circle at your swollen nub. You can't remember the last time someone had taken care of you like that and saying you were a moaning mess is an understatement. You moved your hand wrapping around his now fully grown budge, wanting to help him relief from the strain in his shorts. You can hear his low moaned when you start pumping him. He sounded so attractive, yet so sweet. Soon after, both of you were helping each other to chased your much needed high.

 "Baby.." the sudden pet name got you closer to your high " I can't…" you curled your toe and shut your eyes, preparing for the rush that was going to come through.

 But talk about bad timing.

 As you opened your eye as you found yourself lying on your own bed. You rolled over, face pressed down and you screamed into your pillow venting out your frustration. You need to settle your sexual frustration. Reaching down to your panties which is now soak with aroused. 

You sighed. "I want him." 

You find yourself craving for Hyunwoo. While thinking of him, you settle your needs with the fate of your own fingers.

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

 2 weeks went by after that heated dream you had. The seventh didn't come.

  "Just go to that damn cafe! It won't hurt anyone…" Minhyuk retorted over at the other side of the phone. Clearly annoyed at you talking about the cafe for the nth number of times over the months.

 You had told Minhyuk about all your encounter with Hyunwoo in your dreams. Maybe not all, you did leave the sixth encounter out to save yourself some teasing that you would for sure get from him.

 "I dont know. I mean they're dreams. I shouldn't let it bothers me so much." turning and twisting your hair on your finger while you talked.

 You have been thinking of going to that cafe ever since the first dream but you couldn't find a reason to go. You make your own morning coffee so you won't willing to spend that extra money on coffee outside. Work also got the best of you, so you go only between your work place or home. Your life it's so exhausting, so during weekends you just wants to stay at home do your overdue laundry and spend the rest of the day sloth-ing.

 Today, Minhyuk finally convince you to get out of your den and you both were planning to meet for lunch.

 "How about you go there and get me a cup of coffee before we meet?" Minhyuk suggested. Clearly taking advantage of your dilemma but, it works. You were more convince to pop by the cafe for a reason.

"You're one smart ass." you can hear his sinister laugh, knowing that he succeeded in getting himself a free coffee.

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

 "Hi, welcome!" The girl behind the cashier smile as you walk through the door. In reality, you have never noticed this cafe before, so let alone visit it, but it felt familiar. The interior and the seating were the same as what you could remember from your dreams. You look at the menu board for a while, even though you know you would probably get an ice coffee to satisfy your caffeine needs as you didn't have one in the morning. But you saw 'Honey grapefruit tea" on the drink’s special menu and without much thinking you ordered it along with Minhyuk's ice coffee. You set down at the same sofa seat that you and Hyunwoo had sat on in the dream, while waiting for your orders.

Your phone vibrates.

TheannoyingBFF: Hey babe! Please dont kill me!

TheannoyingBFF: Hyungwon car broke down and he needs me to find him

You: ...

TheannoyingBFF: I'll buy you dinner tomorrow

TheannoyingBFF: I PROMISE!

You: You better!

You: Be glad that I'm still at the cafe and not on my way

TheannoyingBFF: I'm sorry and I love you!

You: I would've killed you

You: along with hyungwon

TheannoyingBFF: Hope you will bump into him, so my sin can be off set *Praying emoji*

You: ...

You: Bye

 You grabbed your drinks when your order tag buzz and went back to the sofa seat. Having your plans cancelled and with no back up, you decided to stay in the cafe for a while. This cafe makes you smile. You were happy when you're there, so it naturally makes you feel good.

 You took a sip of the new drink and with an impressed look, you mumble to yourself “Waoh, it's indeed nice and refreshing."  Continue drinking, you stare at Minhyuk's ice coffee that is place in front of the empty seat, you thought to yourself how lonely this makes you look. Like you've been bumped or something and this makes you feel like cursing at Lee Minhyuk.

 'Ting Ting' the doorbell of the cafe rang. You didnt react to it as it has been sounding out quite a few times. While you continue to scroll through your feed, a familiar voice started talking.

 "Hi, is this seat taken?" Looking at you and gesturing at the empty seat in front of you.

 You looked up, couldn't believe by the person standing in front of you. You start looking around and find the cafe seat all packed, so you turned back to him "Erm.. No" while you kind of avoid looking at him as you try to calm your nerves and trying hard not to show that "love struck" expression.

 He smiled and thank you as he set down. You moved the cup of now showing two layered coffee away, so he can have his space.

After a minute or so, his order tag buzzed and he stood up to get his drink. Your eye followed him as he went over to the counter. When he got his drink, you notice the table at the far end were about to leave and you can feel a slight disappointment in you, thinking that he would move to that available seats. 

But to your surprise, you see him walking back towards you.

 "If you don't mind, I did love to seat here. Is that ok?" His requested makes you smile.

 "I don't mind. Please seat."

 Both of you were quiet for a while, looking at your individual phones when you decided to break the silence.

 "Do you stay around here?"

A sudden Goosebumps came to you as you asked the same question, at the same place, same spot.

 He looked at you and with a soft smile, not questioning or looking at you weirdly.

 "Yes, I just.."

before he finished his sentence, you were mumbling under your breathe, like you already know what he would probably say.

"..moved here recently and was exploring the neighbourhood."

 He now looked at you with wide eyes but somehow it doesn't look like he was spooked by you but rather a sense of realisation. Like you know his secret.

He grabbed your hand and rushed out of the cafe, bring you to the 'stairs of hell'. That very spot when he first met you.

 "Do you know this spot?" trying to search for an answer from you.

 "Yes" is all you say, as you're trying to process the situation here.

 He grins, showing his teeth and his eyes turned into a smiley eye that were so familiar with.

 "This is real right?" you couldn't help but asked.

Because at this moment, you were just confused and happy all at the same time. Hoping that this could be real and not wakes up to nothingness again.

 "It is." "Let's do this all over again." Not sure what he means by his words, you waited.

"Hi, I'm Hyunwoo. Nice to finally meet you." he stretched out his hand wanting for a handshake.

 You couldn't help but to smile and hug him instead. The guy that you have been thinking of, debating if he is real or just fantasy, is right in front of you.

 "Hi.. I'm y/n" you murmur as you can feel the tears that trapped in your eyes threatening to fall out.

 He hugs you back and you could hear him say "Thank you for finally going to that cafe."

You look up at him "Did you go to that cafe frequently, hoping that you could meet me?" You're certain your face is now showing that 'love stuck' expression as you ask that question.

 "Yes" is all he said as he held your arms and gave you a kiss on your forehead. 

That moment, knew you're the one that needs to buy Minhyuk a meal and you can't love him enough for giving you the reason to go to the cafe.

 "Shall we continue where we left off?" He whispered softly into your ears and turns to look at you with a goofy smile. 

You can feel your face burning as he reached down to kissed you on your lips.

 Having to experience ‘real dream’ yourself, you now truly believed your grandparents dreams and that some dreams really do come true.

[kiwi-stan]

Southern Belle

Evelyn has always done exactly what her overbearing parents want, until she meets Harry, their new gardener. I’m a little nervous to post this because I’ve never written OCs in fics before, but I wanted to describe her appearance more and didn’t want to do that with a self-insert so I figured I would give it a shot. There’s probably two more parts to this but I didn’t want it to get too long. 

Eve woke up to the sound of the lawnmower roaring right below her window. She rolled over to see the clock on her nightstand to check the time. It was just after 7 am. In the 19 years he’d worked for the family, Gavin had never mowed the lawn this early. He saved it for the middle of the day so he didn’t risk waking anyone up. She burrowed herself beneath the covers and tried to sink back into sleep, but gave up after about ten minutes. She crawled out of bed and started getting ready for the day. It was her first full day back from college for the summer, and she’d been looking forward to sleeping in and catching up on all the sleep she’d lost during finals week. After breakfast she would go outside and have a word with Gavin. 

Even though it was early, it was a weekday, with Eve knew meant that her father had already left for work and that her mother was at yoga, followed by tennis, lunch with friends, and meetings for her charitable cause of the month. She was alone for the day. Or at least, as alone as she could be in a house so huge it required live-in staff to keep things running smoothly. Eve pulled on an outfit her mother would never approve of, cutoffs and a Barnard T-shirt both purchased when she’d been away at school, and made her way down the spiral staircase into the marble floored entryway. She could smell maple syrup and bacon coming from the kitchen and entered the spacious room to find Joyce standing at the stove making breakfast. 

“Good morning.” Joyce smiled up at her and slid a plate of waffles, eggs, and bacon into a place at the counter. Eve pulled herself up onto one of the barstools and waited as Joyce set a glass of orange juice in front of her. “How does it feel to be back?” 

Eve smiled up at Joyce. With her father always working and her mother always off with friends or getting her hair done, Joyce has basically raised her. She’d been hired as a live-in housekeeper, but once Eve had been born her duties had shifted to being more like a nanny. Now that Eve was older, she was primarily a housekeeper again, but Eve still considered her as a close friend and confidant. “Alright.” Eve said carefully. “A lot has changed though. Since when does Gavin cut the grass this early?” 

Joyce studied her. “Your parents didn’t tell you? He retired. Your father hired someone else. A young man. He’s been here for about a month. He likes to do it first.” 

Eve had spent a grand total of 20 minutes with her parents the previous night before her parents headed off to some dinner fundraiser and she collapsed into bed after a long day of traveling, her father spent 10 minutes criticizing her for finishing the semester with a 3.8 instead of a 4.0 and her mother manager to insult her appearance 3 times, so it wasn’t surprising that there were things they hadn’t told her. Seeming to sense that she’d touched a nerve by bringing up her parents, Joyce quickly changed the subject and began peppering Eve with questions about what college had been like. 

Eve finished her breakfast and Joyce swept the dishes away. The lawnmower was still roaring outside and she found herself growing increasingly annoyed with the sound. She tugged on shoes and headed outside with the intention of telling the new gardener to knock it off. The yard was so expansive that even though he’d been working for an hour, he was still only about halfway done. Eve tried yelling a few times to get his attention, but when that didn’t work she marched toward him and positioned herself directly in his path. He swerved around her. Eve watched him for a few moments to determine his path, then positioned herself so she was blocking his way again. He swerved around her again. This went on a few more times until he finally gave in and turned the lawnmower off. 

“Can I help you?” He asked. Although she’d lived in Atlanta her whole life, Eve’s parents and most of their social set had been educated in the Northeast. No one she knew had a true southern drawl (they’d kept Eve from developing one by hiring a nanny from the Midwest and docking Eve’s allowance anytime she dropped a g). His accent was straight out of Steel Magnolias. 

It took Eve a few moments to get her bearings. Now that he’d stopped moving and she could get a good look at him, she could see that he was much younger than Gavin had been, probably about her age. And cute. Very cute. Messy dark hair covered by a ballcap. Tall. Great body. And he was working without a shirt on. She tore her gaze away from his toned arms to look him straight in the eyes, which turned out to be a mistake since they were startlingly green and kept her tongue tied for a few seconds more. Finally getting a grip on herself, Eve drew herself up to her full height of five foot two and crossed her arms, trying to look as imperious as her mother did when dealing with “the help”. Then she realized she didn’t really want to resemble her mother in any way and she let herself slouch. “Um yes. I live there,” She pointed to the massive house. “And I don’t know if Gavin, the old gardener trained you or anything, but he always used to wait until the afternoon to cut the grass. You know, so people can sleep.” 

A smile slowly spread across the gardener’s face, which of course just made him look even cuter. “William mentioned that he had a daughter,” Eve bristled. Everyone who worked for her family called her parents Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, and she was Miss Montgoemery to everyone but Joyce. It felt weird to hear someone calling her father by his first name, and she wasn’t sure if she liked the blatant disregard for authority it showed. “He didn’t mention she was hot though.” He continued, letting his gaze slowly rake along her body. 

Eve felt her jaw drop. She knew that, in theory, she should be flattered. One of the best looking guys she’d ever seen in her entire life was hitting on her. But this wasn’t the kind of flirting she was used to. After attending a private, all-girls school her entire life, most of her interaction with guys had been at formal dances and parties, where even the teenagers properly asked women to dance, avoided wandering hands, and grinding was strictly forbidden. “My name’s Evelyn. Or Miss Montgomery.” Eve rarely used her real name, but something about this guy made her want to act more formal, to put more distance between herself and him. 

“Harry,” He waved a hand to indicate the yard. “Anyway, I’m trying to get this done before it gets too hot. It’ll be boiling by the afternoon.” 

“I was trying to sleep.” 

“It’s,” Harry made a big show of checking his watch, a big ugly Timex. “8 am. Most people have to work and they’re up by now. We can’t all just live off our parents, Miss Montgomery.” He said, giving her the look-at-this-spoiled-little-rich-girl look she’d been getting her whole life. 

Eve felt like she’d been slapped. Even though most of her friends had parents who were just as wealthy as her, she’d been judged as the spoiled rich girl her whole life. And yes, she did have just about every material thing she wanted. But she would have traded that for a less lavish lifestyle and supportive parents any day. Being misjudged by people she didn’t even know and who never would understand her life never stopped stinging. 

She knew that he was just waiting for her to threaten to tell her father about the interaction. He probably had a joke about running to daddy when things went wrong or throwing a tantrum to get what she wanted at the ready. Eve refused to give him the satisfaction. She whipped around marched back into the house without another word. 

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

Eve spent the next few days avoiding Harry, barely seeing her parents, and waking up before 7 am to the sound of the lawnmower (he started it earlier and earlier every morning. Eve suspected it was just to annoy her). When she had been home for a week and had spent a grand total of twenty minutes with her parents, Eve walked downstairs one morning to find her mother standing in the kitchen, correcting Joyce’s omelette-making technique. Eve glanced down at her cutoffs and tank top and wondered if she had time to run upstairs and change. Her mother saw her before she even had a chance to make a move. “Evelyn! There you are. I’ve got to run to breakfast with the girls, but I wanted to tell you that we’re having a welcome back dinner for you tonight. We’ll eat out on the patio.” Her mother looked at Eve’s outfit and wrinkled her surgically-corrected nose. “Please wear something appropriate.” She said in place of a farewell before breezing out of the house. Joyce gave Eve a sympathetic look as she slid the omelette in front of her. She’d been witness to enough family dinners to know that they were rough for Eve. 

Eve spent the morning sulking and started getting ready for the dinner around 1 in the afternoon. She went through a complete self-care routine, shaving, exfoliating, moisturizing, then blow-drying and curling her hair. While both her parents had perfect golden hair, Eve’s had somehow come out a more reddish-blonde. Her mother had been trying to convince her to bleach it for years, but Eve refused. By the time she’d finished her makeup and dressed in a black shift dress and black heels, Joyce was tapping on her door to summon her down to dinner. Joyce escorted her out to the patio, which Eve had to admit looked beautiful. Harry was good at his job and the flowerbeds nearby bloomed and the hedges were neatly trimmed. The table was situated near the in-ground pool, which gleamed beneath the safety lights. The table was settled beneath a string of Christmas lights and a vase full of red roses sat at the center of the table. Her parents were already seated around the table, her father in a suit and tie and her mother in a long black dress, looking like Barbie and Ken.

Eve had only been sitting for a few minutes and Joyce hadn’t even brought out the first course when her father started talking. “I hope you’ve enjoyed your first week back at home, Evelyn.” 

“I did, daddy.” She said, sensing that the conversation was about to take a turn. 

“Good.” He nodded approvingly. “Now that you’ve had a little time to relax, you’ll need to start preparing for the next school year. We’ve hired a biology tutor who will come every day to help you.” 

“Daddy,” Eve began to protest but was interrupted by Joyce arriving with the salad. She knew better than to argue with her parents in front of “the help”. 

“Give Evelyn a little extra please.” Her mother spoke up. Joyce shot Eve an apologetic look, but knew better than to argue with her employer. “And no dressing for her.” 

“Mother-” Eve began. 

“Evelyn.” Her mother countered, with a look telling her not to argue. Eve bit her tongue. Once Joyce had walked away, her mother continued. “I think you gained weight while you were away at school. You’re not eating that dorm food are you?” 

“Only when I don’t have time for anything else.” Evelyn admitted. Truthfully, she’d spent most of her days eating in the dining hall on quick breaks from studying. She was grateful that her parents didn’t really keep an eye on her meal plan. “But I’ve mostly been using the food budget you gave me to find places in the city.” Eve had spent most of her weekends eating her way through the city. She realized pretty quickly that since her father paid the credit card bill, her parents could see where she was eating, but not what. She had to be careful to find places where there were lots of options, knowing that eating a place that exclusively served burgers would earn her a phone call from her mother and a lecture about her eating habits. But aside from that, she’d been having a good time with her parents not controlling her diet for the first time ever. She’d been careful to keep working out to keep her weight fairly static to keep her mother’s comments at bay, but evidently that hadn’t been enough. 

“While you’re here I’d like you to get back down to a two. Maybe you can start coming to yoga with me. We can’t buy you new clothes if you keep going up a size.” 

Eve caught herself before she rolled her eyes. That gesture was the thing her mother hated most in the world and it would surely earn her a lecture. Her family owned the largest house for miles and the residence itself employed more people than a few local small businesses. She could walk into Neiman’s and buy the entire store if she wanted to and not even make a dent in her father’s bank account. “I still am a two mother. We bought this dress three years ago remember? It still fits.”

“It looks tight.” 

“It’s not.” Eve said, though she’d had a bit of trouble getting the zipper to close and she could feel the fabric straining a bit at her hips. She flashed back to hitting up some thrift stores in New York over the winter when she’d found that some of her clothes didn’t fit (paying cash of course). Maybe she had gained weight. But it wasn’t that much. 

“Yoga sounds like a good idea,” Her father spoke up suddenly. “You could go with your mother then come home and work with your tutor.”

“Daddy, it was a high A minus in one class. I was just a few points away from an A but the professor wouldn’t bump me. She told me she never does. I told you that in my email.” 

“Evelyn, I know, but I want to see all As next semester. A tutor can help with that.” 

“Daddy, it’s summer.” Eve knew she sounded a bit whiny, even she recognized that. But she’d been the last 8 months free from her controlling parents. Slipping back into being the obedient daughter she’d been before wasn’t going to be easy. 

“Evelyn, eat your salad. We’ll talk about this more later.” Her mother broke in, making it clear that the discussion was over for now. Eve ate her dry salad in silence while her parents rattled off a list of events and activities they wanted her to attend with them during the summer. 

It went on like that for another hour and a half. Eve’s father spent the soup course rattling on further about boosting her grades. Her mother spent the whole main course (after instructing Joyce to give Eve a smaller portion than normal) telling Eve how should could fix her makeup, and how to dress in more flattering styles now that she was a little bigger, and if she was sure she didn’t want to bleach her “awful red” hair. By the time Joyce brought out dessert for her parents (her mother had said that Eve didn’t need any) Eve was looking to make a quick escape. 

“Joyce,” Her mother said before she could walk away. Eve watched longingly as her mother stabbed a piece of chocolate cake with her fork. Joyce’s chocolate cake was legendary. 

Joyce whirled around. “Yes, Mrs. Montgomery.” 

“Be in the kitchen at five thirty tomorrow morning. Evelyn will be going on a diet and I need to discuss meal preparation with you.” 

“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery.” She hovered for a few moments longer, shooting Eve an apologetic look.

“You’re dismissed.” 

Before Joyce had even entered the house, Eve spoke up. “Can I go to my room now?” She was feeling drained from two hours of being criticized by her parents and being unable to retaliate. 

“Evelyn, you know it’s rude to leave the table while people are still eating.” Her father said. 

If she’d had more energy, Eve might have commented that it was also rude to eat in front of people, but she was too tired to fight back. She zoned out as her mother rattled on about the city’s eligible young men that were back from college for the summer and how Eve should try to make plans with some of them. If she was lucky, her mother said, she could go off for her sophomore year in a relationship, date for three years, and be in the perfect position to get married right after graduation. Eve made little humming noises of agreement, though she’d secretly promised herself that she would get married before 30 over her dead body. When her parents finally finished eating and said that they were ready to retire for the evening, Eve was up in her room almost immediately. She kicked her shoes off and threw herself down on the bed, too tired to bother with showering or undressing, though she knew if her mother could she her she’d say something about Eve getting a face full of makeup on her clean white sheets. Thinking about her mother made her head hurt, so she rolled onto her back and tried to push that thought out of her mind. 

Eve was just starting to feel some of her strength come back when she heard something tapping on her window. She ignored it, figuring it was just the wind or a bird. When it happened again, she sat up. Her room was on the second floor, meaning no one should be able to reach it. She got up and walked over to the window to investigate. Harry was standing just below her window, illuminated by the pool’s safety lights. As she watched, he threw a pebble at her window. She waited for the little stone to tap the glass before pushing the window open. “What are you doing here?” She didn’t have the energy to chase him away. 

“I just wanted to see if you were okay. I heard some of what your parents were saying and-” 

“You were eavesdropping?” She whisper-yelled down to him, fully aware of the fact that everyone else in the house was asleep. “Hold on. I’m coming down there.” She said, aware that this was probably heading into argument territory and not wanting anyone to overhear her arguing with the gardner at almost 10 pm. Eve closed her window and opened her bedroom door. As expected, the entire house was quiet and dark. Not bothering to change out of her dress or put on shoes, she slipped out of her room, down the stairs, and into the backyard. Harry was standing there waiting for her, somehow looking even cuter than he had when she’d first seen him. His hair was tousled, like he’d gotten out of bed just for this, and he was wearing basketball shorts and a Hawks T-shirt (Eve’s mother had forced her to learn about all the area sports teams as potential conversation starters with local boys). 

“I wasn’t eavesdropping.” He said before Eve could even question him. “I’m living in the guesthouse,” He pointed to the small structure not far away. “I had the windows open and y’all were talking kind of loud. I was going to close them, but I-” He cut himself off. “Can you sit down actually? This is kind of a lot to explain.” 

Eve settled herself on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. She was annoyed that he’d been listening in a private conversation, and a little humiliated that someone had witnessed her parents berating her. But she wanted to hear his explanation. And, a tiny part of her was happy he’d come to check in on her. No one had ever done that before. “Okay. Explain.” 

Harry sat down next to her. “Okay. So this is kind of personal but my family, it’s just me and my mom and my sister. We don’t have a ton of money. It’s why I’m working here right now. I should be starting my second year of college.” Eve smiled a bit in spite of herself. Her assessment of him being about her age had been right on the money. “So when I got the job here and I saw this big house and a couple living there and they look like Barbie and Ken and she’s the perfect socialite and he’s some super high up guy in business and they have this daughter who also seems perfect, I just think everything in their lives must be flawless. So when I heard you fighting with your parents tonight it was just like of like ‘Okay things are kind of fucked up with them too.’” Eve cringed a bit. She wasn’t used to people swearing freely like that. Her mother didn’t think it was proper and had once actually washed her mouth out with soap when she’d used a curse word. “So I kind of liked seeing that, the whole everyone has problems thing. And because I liked it I kept listening. But I guess the conversation was personal. I mean, I know it was. I shouldn’t have listened. I’m sorry.” 

Eve shrugged. Most of her friends had similar relationships with their parents, but for some reason they all always pretended like they came from perfectly happy families. She tried to keep up the charade too. It would be kind of nice to have someone she didn’t have to pretend around. “It’s okay.” She bit her lip nervously as she looked at him. “You heard everything though?” 

“From when you sat down to when y’all left the table. Sorry.” He said, looking at her sheepishly. 

Eve sighed. “I just, can you not-” 

“I won’t tell anyone.” He finished for her. “And the whole thinking your life’s perfect thing, I guess that’s why I was so mean to you the other morning. I wanted to apologize for that too. You stormed outside of that huge house and were complaining to me and I just thought ‘This girl has everything in the world she could want and she’s still whining’ so my first instinct was to be a dick. But I realize that’s not the case now. I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I was kind of overreacting..”

Harry got to his feet. “Stay here for a second. I have something for you.” 

Eve sat alone for a few moments, swirling her feet in the pool and watching the water eddy around her toes. Harry sat down next to her again, this time carrying a box of Twinkies. He held one out to her. “Since you didn’t get dessert.” 

Eve accepted it. “Thanks.” A Twinkie didn’t really measure up to Joyce’s cake taste-wise, but it was almost as good. Eve had almost never been allowed to have Hostess snacks when she was a child, so she associated them with more lenient relatives and her roommate back at school. She tore it open and bit into it, feeling the sugar and artificial preservatives hit her system. It tasted like heaven after the rabbit food dinner she’d eaten. 

“I’m a twenty year old single guy living alone so my house is basically junk food city. If you’re ever craving something, just come to the guest house. I can hook you up.” 

“Thanks.” Eve said again, half thanking him for the offer and half thanking him for not directly bringing up her diet. She took note of how he’d conveniently mentioned the fact that he was single.

“So,” Harry tore open a Twinkie for himself. “You never answered my original question. Are you okay?” 

“Oh!” Him first appearing beneath her window seemed like it had been forever ago. “Yeah. I guess. I’m used to it.” She said truthfully. She was so used to her parents’ insults that she’d grown almost immune to them, like she’d developed an exoskeleton. 

“That happens a lot?” Harry asked, frowning. 

“Oh yeah.” 

“Your whole life?” He sounded upset now. 

“Since I was like twelve maybe.” Eve said, thinking back. Her parents had never exactly been nurturing, and her mother had always fussed over her looks, but middle school was when the real pressure had started. She felt a little on edge. She didn’t talk about this with anyone really, and she hadn’t planned on talking about it with anyone. Talking about it with a virtual stranger who was not a licensed psychiatrist was unprecedented. “From how you’re reacting I’m guessing that’s not what your family is like.” 

Harry shook his head. “No. Not at all. Like, when I was a kid I would fail a spelling test and my mom would still put it on the fridge. When I brought home Cs in high school she would just smile and say that she would help me so I could do better next time. She felt awful that she couldn’t pay for me to go to college even though I probably wouldn’t have gotten in anywhere good with my shitty grades. When I told her I got his job she was ecstatic and I was like ‘Mom it’s just cutting some rich guy’s grass.’”

Eve laughed, which felt good after the night she’d had. She felt Harry watching her, letting her know that had probably been his goal all along. She was careful not to let her face fall when she thought about how different his life was from hers. She wondered what had happened to his father, but knew that despite the bonding they were doing they weren’t to that level. She’d been raised not to pry into people’s personal lives until you had a close relationship with them, and certainly not the second time you had a conversation with them. 

They were both quiet for a few moments until Harry spoke. “Evelyn?” 

“Call me Eve. My parents are the only ones that call me Evelyn. And you can guess how I feel about that.” 

“Eve, you know nothing your parents said is true, right? I mean, a 3.8, my mom would throw a party if I got grades like that.” He hesitated for a few moments and Eve could see his cheeks turning pink even in the dim light. “And I like your hair how it is right now. And your body looks really good how it is now. Not that I was just like staring at you, but you look great in this dress. You don’t need a diet or to lose weight or anything. I meant what I said that first morning about you being hot. Though I wish I hadn’t phrased it that way.” 

Eve smiled, letting the compliments sink in, feeling like rinsing the salt out of a wound after a few hours of being insulted. “Thanks. I think deep down I know they’re not right, but I hear it so much sometimes I start to question that.” She said slowly. She hadn’t even realized that until Harry had brought it up. 

“If you ever need someone to talk to I’m here,” He pointed to the nearby guesthouse. “Literally. In addition to being a junk food connoisseur I’ve been told I’m very good at giving pep talks.” 

“I might take you up on that. Thanks for listening to me. And thanks for checking in on me. No one’s ever done that before.” 

A sad look flickered across his face and Eve got the feeling that things were done very differently in his household when someone was upset. “Do you want another Twinkie? You can hide it in your room somewhere and eat it the next time you need a pick me up.” Eve accepted one gratefully. “And I meant what I said. Anytime you need to talk to someone just come bang on my door. Or come throw rocks at my window or something.” He said with a little smile. He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before getting to his feet. “Good night, Eve.”

f“Night.” She said, watching him walk back to the guesthouse as her cheeks turned red.

[homesweetsewer]

Consolation Prize: Part 2 (Donatello x Fem Reader)

Hello! Finally got around to posting Part 2 (yay!). I’m thinking this is going to have 2 more parts to it...my muse willing. I also wanted to say that I’m horrible about checking my inbox so if you’ve sent me a message, I promise I’m not ignoring you. I’m slowly sorting through what’s in there and you are not forgotten. Gonna go ahead and link the rest of this little series since quit a few people told me it helps them navigate and I’m all about being user friendly!

Harmless: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Radiant: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Consolation Prize: Part 1

“I think that should do it for tonight.” Donatello pushed away from the workbench and stood from his chair to stretch his long legs. “We’ll need to test the final compound and work on creating an efficient delivery system, of course, but it should neutralize both the acid and base properties rendering the chemicals useless.” 

“And prevent the contamination of the city’s water supply.” A smile stretched April’s lips as she beamed up at him. “Don, you’re a genius.” 

“That’s the rumor,” the ninja joked as he rolled his shoulders, relieving the kink in his neck from being bent over for so long.  

April laughed and stood as well, stretching her slender body in an attempt to relieve her own aches and pains. She looked up at the turtle from beneath long eyelashes. “Seriously, Donnie, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me with this. I know you probably have a million other things you could be doing instead.” 

“I’m happy to help. Besides,” Donatello shrugged, “that’s what friends are for, right?” 

“Right,” April’s smile took on a sad edge. “I’m glad we’re able to do this,” she softly stated. “You know...after everything.” 

“Yeah,” the bespectacled turtle quietly answered, a soft smile of his own gracing his lips. “Me, too.” 

April didn’t need to elaborate. They hadn’t really talked about it, but Don knew exactly what she was referring to. He wouldn’t lie. He’d been hurt badly when he’d learned months ago of the woman’s relationship with Casey. At the time, he’d believed himself to be in love with her, hanging on her every word and action as if her very presence gave him life. The crush he’d had on the woman felt so silly now...embarrassing, really. Looking back, he could see that what had transpired between them, despite being a painful lesson, had actually been a blessing in disguise. If it weren’t for his heartbreak, he would have never found the amazing gift that had been staring him right in the face the entire time. 

You. 

He had a girlfriend...an incredible, beautiful, funny, intelligent girlfriend that he loved more than anything else in the world. Sometimes he felt like kicking himself for not realizing what you meant to him sooner, but then you’d smile at him or take his hand in your own and his heart would feel like it would want to explode right out of his chest and he’d forget about everything else except for you in that moment. The two of you just seemed to click so perfectly together, moving from friends to something more with surprising ease. You were able to see beyond the green skin and shell, down deep to who he really was and you loved him regardless. Him! How on Earth had he ever gotten so fortunate? His smile grew at the thought. 

“You seem really happy,” the woman observed. “Things must be going well?” 

“Things are great. I am really happy,” Donnie quickly confirmed. He gushed, a giggle escaping from his throat, “She’s...she’s amazing. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe it. She could have literally anyone she wants, but she still chose me for some reason.” 

April made an amused sound. “She’s a smart girl. She knows a good man when she sees him.” 

“Heh...” Donnie shook his head and looked away, embarrassed. “Uh...what about you and Casey?” 

“You know.” April smirked and gave a half shrug. “Casey is Casey.” 

“Ah,” Donatello wasn’t sure exactly how to respond and so merely nodded. To be honest, it was still a bit of a sore spot where his pride was concerned and he was glad she hadn’t gone into detail.  

April sighed and stepped toward the turtle. Without warning, she wrapped her arms around him, ensconcing him in an embrace to the best of her ability with her cheek pressed against his plastron. “You’re a great guy, Donatello, I mean that. I’m happy for you...both of you. You deserve it. You all do.” 

“Um,” the ninja stiffened slightly and patted her on the back awkwardly. Now that his feelings towards her had changed, it felt weird being so close to her. “Thanks, April. That means a lot coming from you.” 

April lingered for a moment longer before pulling away and looking up at him with an almost melancholy expression. “Well...I guess I should probably get out of your way. Thanks again, Donnie. Enjoy the rest of your night.” 

“You’re welcome,” Donatello replied softly as he watched the woman turn and slowly make her way out of the lab. “You, too.” 

He stood there for a long moment after she left, a low hum emanating from deep in his chest as he turned the interaction over in his mind. He was glad that he and April were still able to work and spend time together as friends after all that had transpired. He’d been hurt and angry at her for a while, yes, but those feelings had faded once he’d had a real opportunity to sit down with himself and examine them. He still cared for her, but the giddy feeling of butterflies he’d once had whenever she was around had been replaced with a warm feeling of friendship, which he was thankful for. He could think clearly in her presence now and truly appreciate all she’d done to help his family. April was good people. She had a place in his heart, but it wasn’t exactly what he thought it would be. That space had been perfectly filled by another and he couldn’t have been more at peace with it. 

He was a logical turtle. He put more stock in science than he did fate or destiny, but he couldn’t help feeling that everything had worked out as it was meant to. He’d been entirely truthful when he’d said he was really happy. He couldn’t imagine anything more satisfying or fulfilling than being in a romantic relationship with his best friend. You’d both decided to take things slow and he was perfectly okay with that. He’d never been in a relationship before, he was a turtle after all, and he appreciated the time to feel things out and get them just right. This was previously uncharted territory for him, for the both or you, really, but he couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather explore it with. He had plans, so many things that he wanted to do and experience, and he wanted to do those things with you, if you’d allow it. 

Speaking of which... 

Donnie’s eyes drifted toward the clock mounted on the wall and his eyes immediately widened behind his tortoise shell frames. An undignified squeak escaped from his throat as he bolted for the door. “Oh, no…no, no, no…”

The ninja burst out of his lab to find the lair more or less deserted. The lights were dim and the television silent. Muffled snores emanating from the couch reached his ears. He crept forward to peek over the back to see Mikey shell up, sleeping peacefully with his face buried in the cushions. Moving silently so as not to disturb his youngest brother, he crept toward the kitchen to find his older brother carefully rearranging the fridge in order to accommodate the evening’s leftovers.

Don cleared his throat, “Raph?” 

“He lives,” Raph responded gruffly as he rose to his full height and turned to look at his brother. He inclined his head to the cardboard box he still held in his hands. “We saved ya some pizza.”

“I’m not…” Donnie shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”

“Suit yourself,” Raph shrugged and shoved the box into the space he’d cleared in the refrigerator. “Its there if ya change your mind.” 

“Where, uh,” Donnie stuttered. “Where is everyone?”

“Where do ya think they are?” Raphael scoffed and slammed the refrigerator door and moved to shoulder his way passed his brother and out of the kitchen. “Its after 2 AM, genius.”

Donnie hurried after him. “I know, but…”  

“If you’re askin’ about your girl,” Raph guessed, “she left over an hour ago. Leo was feelin’ all chivalrous and walked her home for ya. Ya know, since ya stood her up and all.”

“What?” Donatello squawked in indignation. “I didn’t stand her up!”

“Yeah?” Raph turned to look at his brother, one brow raised. “What do ya call it then? This ain’t the first time you’ve flaked out on her. You didn’t see her face after she sat here all night waitin’ on your sorry shell to remember she was here.”

“I-I was working,” the purple masked ninja defended. “I lost track of time!” Then, he added forlornly, “she didn’t even say goodbye…”

Raph looked pointedly at the other turtle. “Said she didn’t think you and April wanted to be bothered.”

“Bothered?” Donatello looked helplessly at his older brother. “Why would she even think that? She’s never a bother!”

“That’s not the impression she got. Look,” Raph shook his head and turned to continue his trek through the lair, “ya got a good thing goin’ here, Don. Ya don’t think any one of us would give our right arm to be in your shell? Ya got a great girl and she thinks the world of ya. I hate to see ya screw that up.” 

“Wait,” a look of alarm settled over Donnie’s features. “You think I’m screwing things up?”

Instead of answering his brother’s panicked question, he stopped at the couch and balled his fist, knocking on Michelangelo’s shell. “Get up, Mikey,” he ordered. “Go get in bed.”

“Mmmkay…” the youngest turtle roused slowly, allowing his much larger brother to practically lift him from his reclined position by the rim of  his shell and set him on his feet. Bleary eyed, he moved almost zombie like in the direction Raph propelled him in with a careful shove. “G’night, bros…”

“Raph!” Donatello demanded, “what do you mean I’m screwing things up?”

Raphael sighed and held his hands up in a defensive manner. “All I’m sayin’, is that it ain’t a good look.”

Exasperated, Donnie demanded, “What does that even mean?”

“It means,” Raph started, “that all the movies and books I’ve ever seen have taught me that girls don’t like it when ya repeatedly blow ‘em off to go hang out with your ex.”

“My ex?” Donatello looked confused for a moment before what his brother was getting at dawned on him. “You mean April? April isn’t my ex anything,” the tall terrapin insisted. “We were never together! Nothing ever happened! She knows that!”

“Not for lack of tryin’,” Raph pointed out. “Do ya remember how twisted up ya got when ya thought she was ghostin’ ya?”

Donnie swallowed hard, nodding. “Yeah…”

“Now imagine,” Raph painted the picture, “that instead of sittin’ at home alone, worrin’ about ya, she was holed up somewhere with some guy she never stopped talkin’ about and fawnin’ over to your face. How would that make ya feel?”

Donatello felt like someone had punched him in the gut as what his brother was getting at hit him full force. “But,” the purple banded ninja shook his head, “she knows April and I are just friends. I’d never do anything to betray her trust like that. She’s not just my girlfriend…she’s my best friend. I love her. She knows that.”

Raph eyed the other turtle skeptically. “Does she?”

“Yeah…” Donnie answered hesitantly, now feeling unsure under his brother’s heavy gaze. “I-I think so…”

“Ya think so?” Raphael shook his head. “Ya better make damn sure that ya know so. A girl like that…she’s got options and they ain’t limited to mutant freaks. She doesn’t have to be slummin’ it down here in the sewers with your scaly ass.”

“Seriously?” If Donatello wasn’t panicked before, he was now. He could feel the color drain from his face and his heart begin a furious gallop in his chest at the thought of losing you. “You think she’ll leave me?” 

Raph shrugged, obviously done with the entire conversation.

Fear gripping him, Donnie asked, “what do you think I should do?” 

“I’m a turtle, not an advice columnist,” Raphael deadpanned as he moved off toward the room he and Mikey shared. He called back over his shoulder, “you’re the brainiac, you figure it out. I’m goin’ to bed.”

Donatello was left standing alone in the middle of the darkened lair, his eyes glassy with unshed tears and his heart breaking over the thought of losing you. His brilliant mind whirred at a million thoughts a minute, all swirling around how foolish he’d been lately when it came to you. Now that he thought about it, all the signs were there. He’d done it again. He’d taken you for granted. He’d let himself get sucked into another project, with April of all people, and hadn’t really considered how you’d feel about it. Relationships were so new to him that, honestly, it hadn’t even crossed his mind that you’d be upset. 

He berated himself. How stupid was he? Of course you’d be upset! He knew he would be if the roles were reversed. He couldn’t lose you. He wouldn’t let that happen. You meant everything to him. You had to know how much he loved you. He’d make sure of it. 

He checked the time and sighed. It was late. Too late to call you now or slip out and go to your apartment. He didn’t want to disturb you should you be sleeping. He’d already done enough damage for one evening and didn’t want to make things worse. 

“I’ll call her first thing in the morning,” he promised himself. “I can fix this. I know I can. It’ll be fine.” 

At least, he hoped it would be.

[thetokenmuggle]

The Sleep Over PT 1

M Included : Jane, Minah, Sungjae, Tyler , Daniel, Milo, Charlie, Astrid , Minjae. Oli  Mentioned : Tara, Mark, Ella , Suho 

“Daddy, is it one o’clock yet?” Charlotte asked from her seat at the kitchen counter, her coloured pencil tapping against the counter impatiently. “I can’t understand that old clock,” she said pouted glaring at the old grandfather clock in the corner of the kitchen.  M chuckled moving to lean down beside his daughter. 

“Not quite love,” he said. “You see you need both hands of the clock to be on the one,” he explained. “And what is the rush? Are Mummy and I not enough for you anymore?” he asked. 

“Daddy there are no hands-on that clock, what are you talking about?” Charlie said shaking her head. “And yes you are,” she said sound far too tired for a three-year-old. “but mummy and Milo have gone to the shopping and you said i can’t go on the jumping castle until one,” she said pouted waving her pencil at him. “Plus I haven’t seen my friends since Thursday,” she sniffed. M bit back a chuckle, it was only two days but he was sure to Charlie it felt like a lifetime. She couldn’t go to daycare yesterday because she had a bad case of the sniffles. “I don’t even know what happens with Miss Barrett and Mr Jackson!” she exclaimed dramatically. 

“What is happening with Miss Barrett and Mr Jackson?” M asked brows furrowing in confusion. 

“I don’t know,” Charlie huffed. “Astrid said she will tell me, once she did i will tell you,”  Charlie said. M tilted his head actually laughing this time ruffling Charlie’s blonde hair as he stood up causing the three-year-old to huff as she tried to fix her hair. 

“Okay well you tell me as soon Astrid tells you,” M said seriously. Charlie nodded a soft i will coming from her lips. “Now i am about to start making the cupcakes, how many of your friends are coming over again?” he asked her, pretending not to know who was staying over tonight. 

“Well let’s see, there is Oli, Ella and Astrid but no Minjae because he is a baby and according to Astrid, he is no fun all he does is cry -” Charlie listed innocently. M frowned as he grabbed the baking trays, he didn’t know Astrid was having trouble adjusting to being a big sister, from what he could recall Astrid was always so excited about Minjae, in fact, he remembered her running excitedly to tell him all about her new baby brother. “And then there is Milo and me,” Charlie continued pointing to herself. “So i think you should make elf-even,” she said holding up ten fingers..

“Eleven,” M corrected her, “And i think i might just make twelve in case,” he said looking over at his daughter who nodded in agreement, happy with what he said. Her attention fully turned back to her colouring. M smiled softly giving her once last glance before beginning his search for ingredients.

“It looks like someone has been busy,” Jane said appearing out of nowhere with Milo and several shopping bags in tow. M was lucky he wasn’t covered in cake batter because he’d be lying if he said he didn’t jump at her presence. Taking a deep breath, he slid the cupcakes into the oven. Standing up and stretching his back out, glaring playfully at his wife who was grinning cheekily at him. She knew he wasn’t the biggest fan of that apparition thing that all the wizards in his life tended to do. Honestly how hard was it to just walk through the front door? 

“Don’t give me that look,” Jane pouted. “It’s almost one,” she as she walked over to the counter placing the shopping bags down. “And how are my babies?” she asked leaning down and kissing the top of Charlotte’s head. Milo who was following behind her scoffed muttering they had no babies in the house. 

“I’ve been colouring,” Charlie exclaimed holding up her picture. “Lookie,” she said. “Here is Milo,” she pointed to a blue scribble, “Maman,” she said pointing to a yellow scribble, “Daddy,” she said pointing to a green scribble “And then me,” she said pointing to a pink scribble. 

“It’s beautiful,” Jane said with a soft smile. “We have an artist in our mist love,” she said to M. “It’s so good i am just going to stick it on the fridge,” she said taking the paper off Charlie and sticking on the fridge right next to Milo’s picture of a puppy. 

“Our fridge is going to become the next Lourve soon everyone will want to come and see the great art off Milo and Charlie,” M proclaimed dramatically. “How much do you think we should charge them?” he asked looking at Jane who hummed. 

“Art like this is priceless M, how could you even think of charging people to see such culture?” she joked. 

“Mum, Dad, you are being weird again,” Milo said seriously. M and Jane both looked at him scandalized. He was saved from being questioned about how they were weird by the doorbell ringing.

“They are here,” Charlie yelled happily jumping off her chair and racing towards the front door, Milo followed after her excited yells could be heard. 

“So this is going to be our life for the next few hours,” Jane said patting M on the back. “Think we can survive?” 

“Course we can,” M said. “You and me together, it’s an unbeatable combination,” he said wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in.

“Uncle Sungjae!!! Aunty Minah!!” They heard both of their children call out excitedly. 

Pressing a soft kiss to Jane’s forehead. “Think we should go save them?” he whispered. Jane hummed pretending to think about it before muttering a suppose so. M laughed grabbing her hand as they began to walk out to the hallway finding Sungjae, Minah and baby Minjae effectively rounded up by three toddlers. Milo and Charlie were busy telling them about their weeks and anything else that pops up in their little minds. Astrid stood to the side looking less than impressed. 

From beside Jane let out of high pitch squeal before racing forward. “Is that my little cutie?” she cooed as soon she got in front of Minah. M noticed Astrid scoffing rolling her eyes, M’s nose scrunched noting that he should have a conversation with his goddaughter later today. “You come say hi to Aunty Jane,” she said taking Minjae off a slightly pouting Minah. “Come in, come in,” Jane said as Minah, Sungjae and Astrid moved inside. 

“Come on Astrid, we have a jumping castle,” Charlie said excitedly, linking arms with her friend and dragging her towards the backyard. Milo following them after them singing out about how he can jump higher than both of them.

“A jumping castle?” Sungjae asked, eyebrow cocking up in amusement as he looked over at M. “It’s going a little far don’t you think?” he said teasingly. “And it looks like i won’t be going anywhere for a little since your wife has hijacked my son,” he said nodding to their living area where Minah and Jane were both cooing over Minjae.

“Yes and what of it?” M said with a shrug. “And should you be talking considering you created an entire toyline for your daughter’s first sleepover,” M pointed out as Sungjae’s nose scrunched up. “And yeah might as well get comfortable because it’s going to be a while,” M said watching as Jane and Minah made themselves comfortable in the living room. “Is that Astrid’s things?”  M said gesturing towards the Chanel backpack in Sungjae’s hand. 

“Oh yeah,” Sungjae said seemingly forgetting that he was even holding it. “She packed it herself she is very proud,” Sungjae said. It sounded like someone else was pretty proud of her to. “Also i am not meant to tell you but she might have snuck a few snacks in there but that is only in case Uncle M and Aunty Jane try to make her eat apples or any apple-based dish,” Sungjae chuckled. 

“You dibber dobber,” M joked. “And thanks for the warning, Jane doesn’t want them to have to much sugar before bedtime- “ M said. He could only imagine what it would be like to try and put 5 kids hyped up on sugar to bed. Nope he would not be subjecting himself to that. “Here,” he said reaching for the bag.”I’ll take that up to Charlie’s room, You can go stop my wife from inviting Minah and Minjae to stay the night,” M said watching the way his friends contorted in a look of disgust. 

“Astrid would probably wipe Aunty Jane completely if she did that,” Sungjae said as he handed M her backpack. M frowned about to ask Sungjae about how Astrid was really doing with becoming a big sister when there was a loud knocking on the door. 

“I better go -” M started to say, he knew Jane wouldn't really want to leave Minjae, anytime after she had seen the little boy she had come home pouting whining about M’s best friend was so mean and didn’t let her have any one on one time with Minjae (the few times M had been there it was more Minah who wouldn't let go of her son) but was interrupted by the over timer ringing out loudly. “Crap,” M said. 

“New plan you answer the door and i get the cakes out of the oven?” Sungjae suggested as M nodded muttering a quick thank you as he raced to the door only to almost crash into his wife. 

“What’s the rush?” Jane chuckled, eyebrow cocked up in amusement. “And nice bag,”  she teased pointing to Astrid’s backpack that was hanging off his shoulder.

“I just figured you’d want to spend some time with Minah and Minjae before the rest of the kids show up,” M muttered looking down sheepishly. 

“You are so cute,” Jane said wrapping her arms around M neck and pulling him down for a kiss. 

“Yes M is very cute, open the door,” A deep voice called out behind the door, ruining the moment entirely. Jane rolled her eyes muttering of course it’s them. M sighed giving her a sympathetic smile as he moved to open the door. 

“Hello Mr M and Mrs M,” Oliver greeted Jane and himself. “Oli made you these to say thank you for letting Oli stay tonight,” he said handing M a container of what looked like choc chip cookies. Jane moved coming to stand beside M, smiling down at the young boy before looking up and narrowing her eyes at his father’s. 

“Why thank you Oli,” M said with a small smile handing the cookies to Jane. “You didn’t have to back us cookies though we are happy to have you here,” M said the younger boy who beamed. “Milo, Charlie and Astrid are in the backyard playing on the jumping castle,” M said, smirking as the younger boy's face lit up and he began to vibrate on the spot. 

“Daddy? Appa?” Oli said, turning to his fathers looking for permission. “Can Oli go on the jumping castle too?” he asked before pouting. “Oli means can Oli go on the jumping castle too pleabes?” he asked sweetly. Jane leaned her head on M’s shoulder a soft aww escaping her lips. Daniel nodded as Oli grinned, “Where is the backyard?” Oli asked.

“How about i show you,” Jane offered, crouching down so she was on eye level with Oli who eyes darted back to his father’s unsure. Tyler nudged Oli forward a little giving him an encouraging smile. “You can tell me about how you made these yummy looking cookies,” she said holding her hand out. Oli nodded reluctantly, slipping his hand into Jane’s. 

Silence fell over the three men as the watched Jane and Oli walk down the hallway.  “If you both have time you are more than welcome to come in for a bit,” M offered Daniel and Tyler, “Minah, Sungjae and Minjae are here though -” he said trying not to laugh at the way Daniel’s face soured. 

“Oh we are bu-” Daniel started to say but was cut off by his husband 

“I suppose we can stay until Ella and Tara show up,” he said as Daniel glared at him. “Plus we need to explain some base rules when it comes to Oliver,”he said stepping into the house. M nodded, so far Oli had only gone to sleepovers at Mark and Tara’s so this was a big step. He was proud, he knew he shouldn't be but it was nice that Tyler and Daniel trusted Jane and himself to look after their son. 

“We got your list,” M said, a few days that had got an email with a very detailed list of rules when it comes to Oli. “But that is fine,” he said. He knew how nervous he was the first time Milo stayed over at a friends house. “Is that Oli’s bag?” he asked gesturing to a rather large Gucci backpack with an adorable dragon key chain. “I was just going to take the kids bags up to their rooms so if you want i can take it off you,” he said to Tyler who raised an eyebrow before grinning and handing it to M.

M’s eyes widened as he felt the weight of the backpack, seriously did those two pack their entire house in this bag. He looked over to see Tyler smirking at him as he stepped into the house. 

“We weren’t sure what you had here so we covered all bases,” Daniel explained as he followed his husband into M’s home. M took a deep breathe as lugged the bag in, at least he was getting his arm workout in for the day. “Minah is in the living room and the last time i saw Sungjae he was in the kitchen,” M told the pair. “I’ll be right back,” he said to them as he moved towards the stairs. “Make yourself at home,” he said.

He didn’t stay too listen but the two started bickering among themselves, about what M didn’t know and he wasn’t sure what he wanted to know. 

---

When M came downstairs he didn’t expect to find Astrid sitting at the counter, head in hands, eyes glued to the freshly baked cupcakes. “You aren’t planning on eating them all?” he asked as Astrid jumped up swirling around to glare at M. 

“No,” Astrid huffed. “And you shouldn’t sneak up on people Uncle M,” she said, shaking her head disappointedly. . 

“You’re right,” M agreed, coming to sit on the stool next to her. “So,” he said, nudging her lightly. “What are we doing?” he asked, stretching his arms out in front of him.  Astrid let out a huff in annoyance. 

“Okay you don’t want to talk about it,” M said softly. “Have you seen Oli yet?” he asked, changing the subject. “His dad’s dropped him off just before,” he said. 

“I did,” Astrid nods,”We played for a little bit but -” she sighed. “Uncle M, i think i am having a midwife christmas,” Astrid said shaking her head. M bit the inside of his cheek to stop him laughing, it was clear that his goddaughter was going through something but there was something inherently hilarious about a three-year-old claiming they were having a mid-life crisis. 

“Midlife crisis sweetie,” M corrected. “And why do you feel like that? Has something happened?” he asked, Astrid frowned sucking in a deep breath. M eyed her carefully reaching over to rub soothing circles on her back. “It’s okay,” he said softly.

“Minjae happened,” Astrid huffed. “I thought having a little brother would be fun,” she pouted. “But he never plays with me, all he does is cry and eat and he is all smelly,” she ranted. “Maybe if he was a little sister it would be better -” she says. “Charlie is Milo’s little sister and she is awesome,”  she pouted.

“Wanna know a secret?” M said, grinning as Astrid nodded enthusiastically. Astrid was a great lover of secrets but a terrible keeper of secrets. “Don’t tell anyone but everyone used to a smelly baby who eats and cries all the time,” M whispered. Astrid’s face morphed into an all too familiar frown. “Even you,” M said.

“No,” Astrid huffed. “I was not,” she said strictly.

“Yes you were i even have proof,” M said as Astrid brows furrowed and eyes narrowed as she glared at me. “Once upon a time, a long long time ago, about three - almost four years, a wise king named M and his beautiful queen Jane were at home in their castle playing with a baby prince Milo waiting for princess Charlotte to arrive when there was a loud knock at the door,”  he said dramatically. “It was lord Sungjae and his wife with their new baby daughter lady Astrid,” he said.

“No i should be the princess, why are you the king my daddy should be the king,” Astrid ranted.

“My house, My story - I’m king, “ M said childishly sticking his tongue out at Astrid. “Anyway lady Astrid was adorable, not as adorable as Prince Milo of course,” he said making Astrid poke him. “But very very cute,” he added. “But no matter how cute she was, she was still a baby so she hadn’t learned to do all the cool stuff,” he said sounding disappointed.  “But as time went on Lady Astrid grew into the amazing little lady sitting next to me,” he said.

“Uncle M , don’t take this wrong but that was a terrible story,” Astrid said rolling her eyes. 

“How else could i take that?” M asked with a laugh. “The point is look at how great you turned out with no helping now think about it if you help Minjae out when he grows up how cool he will be,” he said. 

Astrid turned, fingers tapping against the counter as she hummed. “So you are saying i should train Minjae?” Astrid said. M opened his mouth to tell her that wasn’t what he meant. “I suppose i can do that, he is cute sometimes -” she said more to herself. “And if i have Minjae on my side i will be unbeatable. He can handle Mummy while I deal with Daddy,” she said. 

M tilted his head this conversation didn’t go exactly the way he had planned but you know what he was going to count this as a win. “Sure as long as you don’t use your power against your favourite uncle,” he said pointing to himself. 

“Well my favourite Uncle would let me have a cupcake now,” Astrid said spinning back around. “Uncle Woo would and Uncle Suho would bring me a whole bakery,” she said in a sing-song voice.

“That’s because your Uncle doesn’t know how to cook,” M said with an eye roll. “Plus i am the king of this house so i declare that i am your favourite uncle,” he said huffing proudly ignoring Astrid’s that isn’t how it works Uncle M. “Now where does Lady Astrid want to go? Back to Prince Milo and Princess Charlie’s jumping castle?” M asked standing up and holding his hand out. 

“Hmm i will but first i am going to say bye to Minjae and get Mummy and Daddy out of here before the embarrass me in front of Oli and his dad’s.” Astrid said with all the nuisance a three year old could muster. M chuckled, Sungjae and Minah were going to have fun with her when she grows up. 

[marvelsswansong]

can i get an angsty one #36 from the blurb list with bucky, please? reader has an asshole of a boyfriend and bucky’s just tryna look out for her but is also secretly in love with her? thank u so much ily ^_^

36: “I could treat you better.”

WARNING: abusive boyfriend, shitty & unedited writing

‘Are you coming for movie night today?’

You felt your lungs freeze in fear before anxiously typing back a response to Bucky.

‘Uh… Was that today?’

‘Yes. Can you not make it?’

You weren’t sure how you were going to get out of this one- you never missed a movie night before. And since it was a team required activity done only once a month, per Tony’s rules, you had to have a “really fucking good reason” to not make it to one.

But you couldn’t tell your teammates the truth.

The truth about…. Earl.

You took in a deep breath and typed back a response, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible.

‘No I definitely can! I just have a lot of errands to run, so I might be an hour late.’

Bucky’s response came almost immediately.

‘Alright. Look forward to seeing you, doll.’

Your timing had to be perfect. 

You had to arrive home by six, cook Earl dinner and get him out of the house by six fortyfive, arrive at the Avengers tower for movie night at seven and return home no later than at eleven pm. You repeated the plan in your head as you took the taxi back home, breathing a sigh of relief when you saw that it was five fifty.

“Where the hell were you?” snapped Earl, slamming the door upon entering. You kept your mouth shut and shrugged, continuing to cut the vegetables in front of you.

“I had to go out grocery shopping for your dinner.” you replied effortlessly, hoping that he wouldn’t see through your lie.

Thankfully, he only grunted before sitting in front of the couch, his feet up on the table and his hand reaching over to open the beer bottle. He was quiet tonight, which was rare, so you glanced at the clock once more before quickly putting the lasagna in the stove. 

“Dinner’s ready.” you called out, pouring him a glass of water as he walked over.

He ate quickly and forced you to give him a goodbye kiss before taking his coat and exiting the door, telling you that he would be back by eleven. The moment you heard his car drive off, you ran upstairs and changed into something more casual before grabbing a taxi to the tower.

“Hey, you made it!” called out Tony, looking up from his chair.

The rest of the group greeted you as you took off your coat and hung it on the rack. The only open seat was next to Bucky, so you sat down next to him on the leather couch and tried to ignore how close your bodies were from touching.

“I’m so glad you were able to come, doll.” whispered Bucky, leaning over.

“Want some snacks?” offered Sam loudly, holding up a packet of sour gummies and a bowl of popcorn from the floor. You thanked him quietly before taking the bowl and placing it on your lap.

“Can I have some?” asked Bucky, gesturing to your popcorn. You nodded and held up your bowl, causing your fingers to brush against his when he reached over. You prayed that it was too dark in the room for him to see the nervous expression on your face and returned your attention to the movie, determined to get Earl off of your mind for a while.

About an hour into the next movie (which Natasha chose with no debate from the others due to the stern glare she gave them), you could feel yourself getting tired and leaned backwards onto the couch. Your neck was at an awkward angle but you were too exhausted to care, falling asleep within seconds of closing your eyes.

Bucky diverted his attention from the screen when he noticed that you were being more quiet than usual, only to see you sleeping in an obviously uncomfortable position. He hesitated then reached his arm out to pull you closer towards him, allowing your head to rest on his shoulder. 

Smiling at the incoherent murmur you gave him, he also took off his jacket and draped it over you so you wouldn’t get cold. Steve gave his best friend a knowing look and Tony only smirked at the sight, causing Bucky to blush and pretend like he was invested in the movie once more.

Bucky didn’t move until the credits rolled and the lights came back up, revealing a content Sam, confused Bruce, amused Thor, sleepy Steve, annoyed Natasha and somehow already drunk Tony.

“Are you gonna wake her up?” asked Sam teasingly, motioning to you.

“Just ask her out already, old man.” sighed Natasha, getting up from her seat.

“Yeah, it’s getting painful to watch you practically drool over her.” slurred Tony.

Bucky rolled his eyes, choosing to ignore his friends’ comments before shaking you awake. You opened your eyes slowly before letting out a loud yawn, clearly still tired.

“W-what time is it?” you asked sleepily, burying your face back into Bucky’s shoulder. 

“About midnight.”

Your eyes flew open and you stood up immediately in panic, marching over to where your coat was hanging and digging out your cellphone. Your dreaded fears were hitting you in waves as you turned on your phone to see eleven missed calls and thirty messages, all from Earl.

Shaking, you opened your phone and began to read them.

‘I’m home and I don’t see you anywhere.’

‘Did you go out?’

‘Where the fuck are you?’

‘You are starting to piss me off, (Y/n).’

‘Why aren’t you answering my fucking calls?’

Each text you read from him was more violent and frightening than the previous one, and it took everything in you to burst into tears on the spot. Tucking your phone back into your pocket, you slipped on your coat and began rushing towards the elevator, only to be stopped by Bucky.

“Hey (Y/n), why are you in- Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, seeing the tears gathering in your eyes.

You sniffled and blinked the tears away, frantically nodding.

“Y-yeah, I just um, have to get home before-” you said as you continued making your way down the hall.

Bucky followed closed behind you and stepped in front of you once more, blocking your way.

“Before what?”

You closed your mouth, realizing that you had said too much. Feeling the dryness of your throat, you took in a shaky breath and tried to slip past him. But Bucky just gently grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you backwards.

“Before what, doll?”

“Before Earl gets mad.” you whispered, finally telling Bucky the truth. You diverted your gaze to the floor in shame, feeling the hot tears rising back up to your eyes.

“And what happens when Earl gets mad?” growled Bucky, realizing that his suspicions about your boyfriend being a complete asshole who didn’t deserve you were true. 

“He…. He takes it out on me. He throws things and yells at me and he gets… violent.”

Bucky felt anger immediately coursing through his veins, his hands suddenly itching to hurt this asshole and teach him a lesson. Breathing deeply, he pushed away his anger and pulled you into a hug when you started to sob uncontrollably. His heart broke at the sight of his girl crying and he pressed a kiss onto your forehead, murmuring sweet nothings into your ear. 

“Don’t go back to him. Stay here.” said Bucky, pulling away from you.

You let out a week laugh at his suggestion.

“I live in his house, Buck. My things are there. I have no one else to turn to if I leave him.” 

Bucky shook his head in disagreement.

“You have me.”

You looked up at Bucky in surprise, not expecting him to say such a thing.

“I could treat you better, doll. But more than that, I love you and I will protect you from anyone and everything. Stay here with me, doll. You can move into my room, away from Earl.”

You felt a single tear slip out of your eye as you spoke.

“You love me?”

Bucky gave you a small smile, lifting your chin up and brushing the stray tear from your cheek.

“I do.”

You tentatively pressed your lips onto his, tilting your head back and tasting the saltiness of your tears from crying. But you couldn’t care less, because you could only focus on Bucky- his warm touch, his comforting aroma, the sweetness of his lips. When you pulled away, Bucky laced his fingers with yours and looked into your eyes.

“Does that mean you’ll stay?”

You nodded with a smile.

“Yes, I will.”

BONUS SCENE (cause Earl is a dick and deserves to get his ass handed to him):

Earl woke up with a loud groan upon hearing the heavy knocks at his door, jolting him awake from his usual schedule of drinking beer in front of the television until mid-noon. Annoyed, he turned off the football game and walked over to the door, wondering who it could be.

Realizing it was probably you, a smug smile spread across his face as he swung open the door.

“Finally you came home, bitch-”

The rest of the sentence died in his mouth when he saw the Avengers standing in front of the door, fully in gear and with murderous looks on their faces. 

“You’re Earl, right?” asked Tony, causing Earl to slowly nod in fear.

“Great.” replied Bucky, cracking his knuckles.

“We have to talk.”

a/n: woAh two things: 1) the asshole bf’s name is Earl because of Waitress the musical, ugh I love that show and 2) I hope this wasn’t too “off” the request? Idk, I think it still worked out and adhered to the request but maybe the anon wanted it to be more of a secret that Bucky loved the reader??? idk idk idk

regular taglist: @wantyoubackpeter @platonic-plots @superwholockwannabe @cardboardben123 @xxmizzlexx @xdsockmonkey @princess-unicorn124 

[xxfanfiction-emo-trinityxx]

Babysitting - Patrick Stump x Reader

Request: Reader is babysitting Patrick’s nephews and they get to talking at night before she goes, they fall in love and it’s fluffy? 💕  

Word count: 1 715

A/N: sorry for the unannounced mini hiatus. Life did some stuff, so I was too distracted to post. Also Happy Birthday to the amazing Patrick Stump!

“No, no, no,” you whined, “give it back!”

The four year old boy who had stolen your beanie giggled gleefully, pressing the piece of clothing to his chest, and ran out of the living room.

“Catch me,” he laughed, his small, bare feet toddling over the cold tiles of the hallway.

You shook your head, a fond smile on your face, and got up from the floor, following the boy.

“Oh no, where did Steven run off to,” you wondered out loud, pretending not to see the child who had hidden behind a chest of drawers, “Carl have you seen Steven?”

The two year old laughed and shook his head.

“I think we lost him,” you exclaimed, walking past Steven’s hiding spot, consciously looking the other way, “Shall we search for him?”

Carl cheered and waddled over where you were standing so you would pick him up, which you did immediately, lifting him onto your hip.

Just when you turned to the bathroom door, pretending to search that room for Steven, you heard keys in the lock of the front door.

Confused you walked back to the door, watching as a young man, about the same age as yourself, slipped into the house.

“Ahm, excuse me,” you wondered, drawing the man’s attention to you.

Big blue eyes met yours, and grew wide with confusion.

“Patrick!”

Steven stormed out of his hideout and past you, jumping at the man, who caught him surprised. Carl on your arm also started wriggling, so you put him down to the floor, and he ran as fast as his short legs allowed him over to the man, wrapping his arms around his leg.

“I’m sorry, I know I’m late, John asked me to be here by five and now it’s five fifteen…”

You furrowed your brows.

“Excuse me, who are you?”

“That’s Patrick,” Steven said, as if that explained everything.

“I’m their uncle,” Patrick added, putting Steven down, and ruffling Carl’s hair.

“Oh, I see, sorry. I’m (y/n), the neighbor, Melissa asked me to babysit for tonight,” you explained, “seems like they wanted to play it safe.”

Patrick laughed quietly, a deep and lovely sound, as you found yourself admitting.

“More likely that my dear brother forgot that Meli already asked someone,” he shook his head smiling. “If you want, you can go home, I can take them from here.”

“That’s-“

“Nooo!”

The two boys immediately protested at the proposition Patrick had made.

“You both stay,” Carl explained seriously.

“Or we’ll tie you up! Like the pirates!”

You raised your eyebrows at Steven’s excited exclamation.

“Now that’s serious business,” you noticed, nodding carefully, “I’m afraid I have no choice but staying.”

The boys cheered in victory, immediately making up plans what the four of you should do now. Steven grabbed both Patrick and you by your hands, and pulled you into the living room.

Following his younger nephews, Patrick found himself admiring the soft smile on your face. You were fond of the two kids, this much was pretty obvious, and you were really good with them.

The next hour was spent by the four of you running around the giant living room like maniacs, pretending to be dinosaurs, or was it wolfs? it changed so many times that you lost track of what animals all of you pretended to be, but it was great fun none the less. Patrick knew many things about nature, and explained, while trying to escape Carl, that dinosaurs most likely had had feathers, instead of scales. He knew many more fun things as well, like how big a Blue Whale was, or how old the oldest tree on earth was. He left no question unanswered, obviously enjoying the children’s curiosity.

When all of you were out of breath, and the clock stroke six, you moved into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Melisa had showed you where you could find the ingredients for a noodle-vegetable soup, so the boys quickly went to washing carrots, leeks, kohlrabi and several other vegetables that Patrick and you quickly cut into small pieces. When you put the pot with the water for the soup on the stove, the boys insisted on getting stools, so they could watch how the water started boiling slowly, and how the vegetables and noodles started dancing around in the bubbles.

Soon the soup was almost finished, so Steven and Patrick set the table up for the four of you, while you seasoned the soup, Carl watching you wide eyed.

Over dinner, the two boys excitedly told you all about their adventures in kindergarten, about their friends, and about their grandparents’ cats.

“What do we do now,” Steve asked happily, once he had finished his soup.

“How about…” you shot Patrick a glance, who was listening carefully to you, interested in what you would suggest, “we load the dishwasher, and then you go brush your teeth and put your pjs on?”

The two children were already starting to complain, not wanting to go to bed that early, but you lifted your hand, asking them to be quiet before you continued.

“And then we can build a pillow fortress.”

Their eyes immediately sparkled, and they jumped up, trying to get the dishwasher loaded as quickly as possible, so they could start building their fortress.

Patrick shot you a wide smile when you looked over to him, checking if he was okay with it. You smiled back and went to help Carl with his plastic plate.

After the dishwasher had been loaded, and Patrick and you had helped the boys brush their teeth, they quickly dressed in their pajamas. The two had separate rooms, but because Steven had a bunk bed, Patrick had suggested that the room under the bed, which was already containing a small sofa, would be the perfect base for your pillow fort.

And so you went to work. Patrick and you found a bed sheet that you stretched between the railing of Steven’s bed and the desk, so you had a bigger cave. Chairs and blankets around the sides added walls, and then you carried all the cushions, pillows and blankets you could find in the rooms of the two kids into the cave, creating a cozy space that was only lit up by a small lamp that projected stars against the sheet you used as a ceiling.

When all of you were settled down, Carl asked Patrick to tell a story, and he obliged happily. He made up stories about knights and dragons, and frogs and dogs, and the stars and fireflies. In the beginning his voice was loud and excited, pulling not only Steven and Carl but also you into the story he told with so much joy, but after a while, his voice got calmer, quieter, as the boys started to doze off.

You were certain the two were already asleep, but Patrick kept talking for a little longer, before he eventually stopped.

He looked over to you, smiling as he noticed how Carl had curled into your side. Patrick lifted his hand, and motioned to the exit of the pillow fort, and you nodded. Carefully, not to wake him, you shifted Carl’s head off of your arm, and shimmied away from him. Patrick and you used two of the blankets that had been lying at the other end of the fort, and covered the sleeping children, making sure they would not get cold.

After you had successfully climbed out of the fortress, and left the room, a very slow and nerve wrecking process, you giggled quietly, following Patrick into the living room, where you both sat down on the sofa.

“You’re really good with kids,” he complimented, giving you a soft smile.

“Thanks,” you answered, hoping the dim light in the room would not allow Patrick to see your blush, “so are you.”

Patrick smiled a little wider, and nodded thoughtfully.

“So, what do you usually do,” he finally asked, desperate to keep a conversation going.

~*~

It was almost midnight, when a key in the lock of the front door announced the return of Steven’s and Carl’s parents. The two were surprised to find both Patrick and you in their house, but laughed it off, happy that the two of you had had a nice evening. They asked if their sons had been good, and you told them about playing dinosaurs, cooking, and building the pillow fortress.

“Thank you again for looking after them,” Melissa smiled as Patrick stepped out the door into the cool night.

“You’re welcome, any time,” you smiled, and Patrick nodded enthusiastically, before the mother closed the door behind you.

“Sooo,” Patrick began. You were now standing on the pavement in front of your parents’ house, and if his hesitation to say good bye was anything to go by, he was at least as reluctant to leave as you were.

“I had a great time,” you giggled, wrapping your arms around your body.

“Me too,” Patrick admitted, “listen, I was wondering… would you like to go out some time? I mean, like a coffee or something?”

Surprised you looked up at him. He was nervous, his hands shoved in his jeans pockets.

“Sure,” you smiled, immediately causing Patrick to relax. “I can give you my number, if you like, then we can decide on a time?”

Patrick nodded, and you quickly typed your number into his phone, making sure to read it again before saving it, so he did not end up with a wrong number.

“So, I’ll text you,” Patrick grinned, unable to tear his eyes off of you.

“I’m looking forward to it,” you answered, smiling yourself.

Quickly, before your brain could feel any embarrassment about it, you leant forward and pressed a chaste kiss on Patrick’s cheek, before turning away, and running up the steps to your front door.

When you had unlocked it, you turned around, finding Patrick looking at you, a dreamy expression in his eyes. You lifted your hand and waved him goodnight, and he returned the gesture, before you closed your door.

You had just taken off your shoes, when your mobile vibrated, announcing it had received a new message. You unlocked it and read the text displayed.

“I didn’t really say good night. Good Night! – Patrick”