#This all happens on last day before summer break. we're out of session for two weeks now and you're just dropping these changes on us now?

[imagine-nerd]

The fucking disconnect is so real.

[vro0m]

vro0m's rewatch - 179/332

2016 German GP

Last race before summer break!

Okay so. Nico has been the fastest every session of the weekend. Apparently, he had an electrical issue on his first hot lap during quali but still managed to put in two good laps under pressure afterwards while Lewis made a mistake. So yeah no surprise he's on pole, Lewis ended up 0.107 behind him. Then it's Daniel, Max, Raikkonen, Seb, Valtteri, Hulkenberg, Perez and Massa. Lewis hasn't outqualified a teammate on this circuit since 08, btw. 

He's acting very chill during the parade, saying he doesn't have a strategy to go against Nico because he likes being spontaneous. He also agrees with Buxton that the RedBulls and Ferraris are closer than they've been to them since Monaco. 

For some reason, Seb has taken part in a "seat swap" with an ambulance driver. On a track. After giving each other advice, Seb gets to drive the ambulance and the ambulance driver gets to drive a Ferrari 488 gtb for a lap. The ambulance driver, in the Ferrari, does a 2.17:00. Seb gets impatient in the ambulance, it's not fast enough. He turns the sirens on. And he does it in 2.10:48 lol! 

Meanwhile Daniel is praised for his form during the season by the skysports journalists, although he seemed to have had a moment after Max won his first race for RB. And in parallel we're told of Kvyat's demise. He was out in Q1 and has given a honestly kinda heart wrenching interview during which he seems at a complete loss as to what's happening to him and he's obviously battling tears. Horrible. The journalists are questioning RB’s system that has a high turnover and chews and spits out young drivers at a high rate. Nothing has changed to this day. Brundle says that's also the system that gave him his chance to begin with so he "can't complain too much", because he’s an asshole.

In other news there was a strategy group meeting and here's what came out of it : from that weekend onward the stupid team radio ban was lifted ; quali sessions will be stopped in case of double waved yellows (remember the controversy with Nico?) ; from the next season, there will be standing starts in case of wet conditions after a safety car period at the beginning of the race (huhhhh? So they go for a few laps behind safety car THEN do a standing start??? weird af I guess we'll see if it really happens…) ; and they can't make changes to the car during red flags periods in races (this one must have been overturned since then). Simon also explains there will be no halo in 2017, actually. 

There's an interview with Max where he explains some of his overtakes to Anthony. Interestingly, we hear he's been getting a bit of heat from a number of other drivers, especially older ones, after some of his moves in the last race, that really pissed off Raikkonen. His position on it is “if it had been against the rules I would have gotten a penalty”. Brundle claims it's just what happens when "the new king arrives" and the same thing happened with Schumacher. Everybody agrees, including Max in his interview, that the move was on the limit.

Nico also gave an interview. Brundle says in Sochi he introduced him as the man who couldn't stop winning. At that point he'd won 7 in a row, and since then he's won 1 in seven races. He asks what's gone wrong. Nico says the opposition has had a cleaner run since then, especially Lewis, and that's who he should ask what's changed. "For sure. Something's changed with him," he chuckles. He's not worried, that's how it is in sports, it ebbs and flows. He feels great. The battle stays great. He's a bit frustrated about Hungary because he'd been better all weekend at everything except in turn 1 and that's what made the difference. It's down to details. He's talking so much jesus. He says he's got over it in a couple of days and he's ready to go again. It's his home race– second home race of the year. Brundle asks if he's watched that turn 1 and what he thought and he says of course you can tell in hindsight I should have done this or that but in the moment it's difficult. Brundle asks if he was more careful because they've made contact recently. No. Lewis was beside him and he couldn't shut the door. "Because if he's there, he's there." He says then it's up to him to brake later and go on the outside or something but Lewis braked much later and got it right. "You can see his car all over the place but he just managed to get the corner and… So, fair play."

Brundle says Lewis has tapped him on the track and poked him in the press conference in Hungary– Nico interrupts "what did he say? Oh yeah." Brundle answers anyway : about the double waved yellows. "Oh yeah yeah." – "Don't you sometimes just wanna–" Brundle continues but Nico interrupts again : "It wasn't a poke in the rib, it was just a… A bit of a…" he sighs, makes a face, "I don't know, a wrong picture that he gave. Which I felt the need to correct," he smiles. "Don't you get angry, doesn't he make you angry?" Brundle asks. "No, for sure no. Because I've learnt to make sure I focus on my job." He says all he thinks about is getting his job done and not what Lewis does. "That wouldn't be the right approach." Brundle reminds us he signed a contract for two more years, which means with the current year 3 potential championships. What is he gonna do to beat "this guy" and win a title? "Well you know he's a, he's a great driver so it's always gonna be a big challenge, and I never expect it to be easy against him but the challenge is awesome that's what I race for you know?" (I mean that's also the reason you stopped but I enjoy the tragedy of it.) "You know that better than anybody else, don't you? That you just love being up against one of the best out there, it's great because that's where the biggest thrill comes from when you know you've beaten a great opposition." Brundle says it sounds like he still thinks of himself as not as good as Lewis. "I'm not gonna say what I think in my mind I'll keep that to myself but don't worry I'm feeling good," he chuckles as Brundle tries to get him to talk anyway. He says he's excited to race here but he's also aware of the fact that he's beat him the last two years. So he needs to try to up his game to turn it around. Brundle asks if he thinks it feeds Lewis' confidence when he says he's the benchmark. "It's not my aim obviously to feed his confidence so… Let me know if he says yes, cause I'll change what I'm saying then." He chuckles. "Are you too nice a man to beat him?" Brundle asks. "That discussion is a bit strange," he says, and I agree. "3 races ago I was too mean a man, now I'm too nice a man, then it went back again to mean, it's like, I don't know where you're coming from." He's amused. He says he attacks as he needs to to win races.

Brundle asks what are his strengths and what are Lewis weaknesses, where does he see an opportunity. He shrugs, raises his eyebrows. "You give me some ideas. What do you think?" As Brundle thinks, he adds "maybe I can confirm them". Brundle says "I don't know, he has got relentless speed, hasn't he?" Nico says that's a known fact. Brundle continues : "In racecraft he seems like he's a bit stronger than you sometimes, you seem like you're– thank you for the question so I'll go through the answer." Nico laughs. Brundle claims Nico thinks about the weekend more and is more cerebral about the way he goes at it where Lewis is more instinctive (we've talked about how that's bullshit and probably racist before at some point). Nico jumps on the opportunity to say maybe the infamous yellow flags are a good example : he knew exactly what needed to be done to make sure it was safe but get the best out of the situation. Brundle says he got a bit of hate on twitter for saying he admired the move and his racing instinct– Nico interrupts : "but it wasn't instinct, it was prepared!" Brundle is surprised. Me too because it makes no sense, it's not like he could have foreseen it. He asks how he prepared for it then. He says it's just knowing the regulations. So he's just still on a campaign to defend that he obeyed the regulations and they don't say what Lewis said they do, I guess. 

Afterwards, Ted is talking with a journalist, Michael Schmidt, who apparently knows Nico very well. He asks him about who Nico is both as a driver and as a person. Schmidt says as a person he's very well educated, maybe too correct. Ted asks him to elaborate and he goes on saying that you need to only think about yourself in this business, all great champions do. They agree that Keke didn't care about anybody and Nico's different from his father. He repeats Nico is very well educated and a good driver "but I think he had to work very hard, to learn a lot, to drive a lot to come to the level whereas somebody like Lewis it's his natural talent, he doesn't have to work as hard to be as fast as Nico." I can't emphasise enough how much I hate this rhetoric. Prompted by Ted, Schmidt agrees Nico might be a little too soft, in some cases. He gives Hungary as an example, "Lewis intentionally driving slow" and adds "I think Nico would never do that." Arguable. To beat Lewis in the same car, Schmidt thinks Nico needs lucky circumstances, or maybe bad luck for Lewis, or Lewis "coming into a mood where he is distracted". He says if Lewis is in good shape and Nico is in good shape, he doesn't think Nico has any chance. 

Oh! We see baby Mick during the anthem! He was 17 then.

Anyway. Time for the formation lap. 

And they're racing! 

Oh holy shit. Lewis takes the lead, and he's followed by the two RedBulls into turn 1! What went wrong for Nico? Seb also overtakes Raikkonen, while Max has overtaken Daniel. Lewis has a solid lead very quickly into the first lap, while in the background we see Nico cutting on the grass as he tries to overtake Ricciardo. The Ferraris are battling it out closely behind. Now Nico is under pressure from Seb. At the end of the first lap, Lewis is 1.3 in the lead ahead of Max, Daniel, Nico, Seb, Raikkonen, Valtteri, Hulkenberg, Jenson, and Massa. Nico attacks Ricciardo again, they're wheel to wheel, Daniel has the advantage of being on the inside in the next corner and pushes Rosberg off a bit but not completely enough that it would be considered aggressive. Nico is told to remember the plan for the first 4 laps, but surely that plan was based on the idea he'd be leading, right? Meanwhile Max is told that Lewis has been told to look after his tyres (don't know if it's true) and so they will do the same for now. When we come back from the many, many start replays, we see a bit of front wing on the track. Shortly after we see it comes from a contact between Haryanto and Wehrlein. Verstappen complains of the rear tyres. 

It's lap 10. Lewis sets the fastest lap. He's 4.3 seconds ahead of Max, followed by Daniel +1.6, Nico +1.2, Seb +2.3, Raikkonen +1.4, Valtteri +4.2, Hulkenberg +2.1, Jenson +1.9 and Alonso +1.7. Verstappen pits and Mercedes also calls in Nico, rather than Lewis, in their attempt to try to catch Daniel. It's not a great stop for Nico, 3.5. Ricciardo pits, he's still ahead of Rosberg. Raikkonen complains of his tyres. It's hammertime! And Lewis comes in. He gets on softs, meanwhile Nico was put on a second set of supersofts. It's a good 2.5 stop. He's still in the lead of course. Raikkonen pits. Nico is told he's on plan B (lol). Lewis asks for the gap and is informed of everyone's strategy : Max and Nico on supersofts, Ricciardo on softs like he is, gap to Verstappen 5.8. Nico is closing on Daniel. On a replay we see an issue with Raikkonen's pitstop.

And it's lap 20. Lewis, Max +6.7, Ricciardo +1.3, Nico +1.6, Seb +4.7, Raikkonen +4.6, Valtteri +7.6, Hulkenberg +4.1, Jenson +4.3, and we never saw who was in P10 because we cut to replays. I feel like this is gonna be pretty straightforward and kinda boring to the end. Verstappen is unhappy with his tyres. Yeah really not much happening, those on the soft tyres have the better strategy. Massa pits and he's had contact in the first lap and he's been struggling since and they're now keeping him in for a looong time, checking the car. He leaves again. It was a 19.5 stop. Nico comes in as well. 2.6. Seb is complaining about blue flags as usual. Verstappen pits to cover Nico, while Nico was told to push hard. And he attacks Max! He pushed him wide! Max attacks back but can't make it. He's still very close though. Then slowly falls behind. Ohhh okay. On the replay it gets shadier. So Nico catches up to him on a straight and positions his car on the inside. Just as he does so, Max makes a slight move to cut him off, one of these twitches that he often does and are… Well… controversial?

It's too late to close the door on Nico so he keeps going straight instead and brakes further in the corner, then brings it in towards Nico who had to adjust his trajectory due to Max's move but also maybe somewhat purposefully takes the corner slightly wider than needed, and that's how Max finds himself off track.

As soon as the corner is done, Nico makes room for Max to rejoin the track.

Of course, on the radio, Max says Nico pushed him off. Yeah he did. Also you did try to cut him off lol. It's under investigation. For some reason Linkin Park is there.

Anyway all that happened on the 30th lap. Lewis, Daniel +11.5!, Seb +8.5, Raikkonen +2.7, Rosberg +2.4, Max +1.0, Valtteri +10.6, Hulkenberg +3.1, Jenson +7.3, and Magnussen +16.4. With this type of gaps it might get really really boring. Seb pits. Lewis is told things are kicking off and he should keep the pace up. Where, Bono? Where is it kicking off? Please tell me. Rosberg is attacking Raikkonen, so maybe he's right and then there's a second investigation for pushing someone off involving Grosjean and Magnussen. Raikkonen pits. And that's a 5 second time penalty for Nico! Oh and Ricciardo pits and gets the supersofts again which is extremely weird because they're not working well and degrade very quickly… Lewis pits as well 2.2, also on the supersofts… Nico is not happy with the penalty. "Can you explain to them that I was full lock on the steering wheel and I couldn’t steer more. And he moved in braking, that was the big problem. That’s completely not allowed." He's right about the moving under braking thing being very shady. It doesn't allow you to push people wide though. Crofty says Max did move and then realised Nico was there and stopped his move which is what I saw as well. Lewis is told he's on plan B and most of the field is. Basically they all went to a 3 stop strategy, which explains them being back on supersofts. Shortly after, the engineer reassures Nico : "You’re doing a really good job there Nico. Gap to Verstappen is 3.2. Remember everybody’s one a three-stop. You are P2 at the moment. So just need to pull that gap and it’s yours." Massa is retiring. Now Daniel is catching Max. 

On lap 40, Lewis, Nico +7.4, Max +3.3, Daniel +0.6, Seb +10.2, (Grosjean complains of smoke coming out the car), Raikkonen +3.1, Hulkenberg +19.3, Valtteri +1.3, Jenson +7.7, Alonso +3.2. Daniel overtakes Max, unsurprisingly. Of note, Daniel is on supersofts and Max on softs, and the opposite should be true after the next round of pit stops. Max says he even has understeer on this tyre. Daniel is told Nico is struggling a bit. He is currently very very fast. He's half a second behind. Seb is told to box but he refuses. Nico pits, serves his penalty, gets the softs. They waited more than enough, the stop lasts 12 seconds. Seb is told they need to box to undercut. "They're miles away! Who do you want to undercut?" Verstappen. Who is 8 seconds away. So it’s ridiculous. And then he's told to stay out. Max pits. Lewis pits. Raikkonen pits. As we thought Max is now catching Daniel very quickly. Ricciardo is told to push to make a gap to Verstappen. And he sets the fastest lap. 

It's lap 50. Daniel is closing rapidly on Lewis now, the gap being 7.4. Max is 2.5 behind, followed by Nico +4.9, Seb +4.3, Raikkonen +9.1, Valtteri +8, Hulkenberg +14, Jenson +11, and Alonso +4.8. As the journalists are saying, unfortunately for Lewis, now might be the time when he's thinking about turning his engine down to save it. Ricciardo is still gaining very very fast. 1.6 seconds in a lap. The gap is down to 6.5. Lewis is asking about Nico's best. 6.3. Lewis picks up the pace. He's also on softs while Daniel is on supersofts. The gap goes back up to 8.

Lap 60, almost done. Lewis, Ricciardo +6.9, Verstappen +2.5, Rosberg +6.0, Seb +8.8, Raikkonen +10.3, Valtteri +25.4, Hulkenberg +3.2, Jenson +11.4, and Alonso +3.6. Nasr is retiring but he can't even make it into the box, he stops at the beginning of the pitlane. Lewis reports some spots of rain on his visor. 

And it's the end of the race! 

Lewis wins. He's sharing the podium with both RedBull drivers. Nico is 4th, so Lewis leaves for the break with a 19 point lead. 

"Get in there, Lewis! Great work, mate. Beautiful start, fantastically managed. Awesome race, mate, well done." Lewis thanks everyone. 

Niki says Nico was unlucky and the RB did better than they thought they would. About the penalty he says it was on the limit and the decision is 50/50. He says Nico won't be happy to go into the break with Lewis ahead. 

Lewis is high as fuck, whooping continuously. He has a mohawk? He's jumping up and down. Happy about his start, waving to the grid girls "Hi ladies!" HIGH high. Like flying. 

He kisses his trophy and throws it in the air again. Good spraying. He and the Merc representative drink from their trophies. Meanwhile it's Ricciardo's first shoey and the journalists are very confused by the concept.

Some whistling by the crowd when Lewis salutes everyone in his usual manner. He was very happy about the race. It was pretty straight forward. He says he's proud to be here for Mercedes, he's been with them since he was 13. He says he didn't make any mistakes, stayed optimistic after a tougher day Saturday. 

During Ricciardo's interview, Lewis seems to be waving individually to each of his fans he can see in the crowd. Actually I think there's more Max fans than even Seb or Nico fans here. 

Lewis says he's gonna relax during the break and spend it with his dogs, and family and friends. (He says it in that order). He poses for a photo with both RedBull drivers. Then it's just the two of them as he leaves. 

Post race, Nico says none of the parts of the start were good and he didn't expect to be penalised for what he thought was a good battle. He says he doesn't care about the 19 points, the harder thing is losing the race the way he did. On the replays, Anthony shows images that seem to indicate that he indeed was on full lock and unable to turn more than he did, due to the fact that he braked late because of Max's move. 

Toto says a win is a win and they've won all races so far except the one they took each other out. Great record sheet lmao. He still calls it bittersweet. He says they don't understand what happened with Nico's start and lack of pace, then there was the issue with the pitstop. Apparently they had a stopwatch failure. Damon Hill asks how it is possible that Nico is doing great in quali but Lewis is still disappearing in the distance during races. He says it wasn't always like this, there's a human in the car and you need to feel comfortable in all aspects. He had an awful start, and got penalised. Simon asks if Lewis is going to take his new engine and hence the penalty in Spa. Toto says they haven't decided yet. They're trying to penalise him as little as possible. 

Lewis is still high af. He gets to the media pen jumping like a boy with a huge grin on his face.

He acts like he didn't know the gap is now 19 points but I don't believe him lol. "Wow is it that?" he says. "Holy crap I hadn't even realised. Huh. Awesome." He's completely deadpan. Then he repeats awesome with an only slightly more coherent body language, throwing his head back and closing his eyes. "Oh my god that's really good," he says still in the same conversational tone of voice.

Rachel comments it looks like relief. He says no it's not relief which boy what was it then. You just looked to the heavens hearing it. Either you're a bad actor or a bad liar. Maybe both. He says he didn't know and it's just nice, he was 43 points behind at some point. "What a day, what a great race from me," he says completely naturally.

"I wasn't expecting to be this strong as I was today." He had a great start, Pez has been working very hard on helping him get off the line better and more consistently. "And the work has really paid off so big thanks to Pez and all my guys in the garage" who struggled with him earlier in the year. He sighs. "It felt like we were all doing something wrong, (inaudible) we were just working hard." And it has finally started to pay off. It's a well deserved break. "My engine guys, my engineer Bono and Ricky, those guys are doing a fantastic job as always and… I'm just super, super happy with today, you know."

He says about the day before, when he "personally fails knowing better after his 23 years of driving" (again with the ‘I've been here for a long time’ thing) "you kick yourself and you hope to not do it again". He says that day feels the opposite because he delivered the way he was supposed to. He knew he had pace, he worked the tyres just right, he was never under threat from the guys behind, and no mistakes, he smiles wide, "which was really really nice, no lock up or offs or anything like that so, very very happy with that and…" He looks down and smirks.

"I'm not leaving you with any opportunity to ask me any question," he adds quickly and they laugh. "And lastly I just want to say a big big thank you to my fans, they've been supportive. Fans have turn up here in Germany and regardless of yesterday they've been like 'you're gonna win tomorrow you're gonna win tomorrow' and that positive energy those guys continuously throw at me and show through social media or letters or whatever it is means the world to me so big thank you to them I hope they all have an amazing holiday cause I'm definitely gonna have one," he starts bouncing again and giggling.

Rachel says she has one question if that's alright. "No, no, no," he says. "Just kidding."

She says he shared the podium with two RedBulls and we saw at the end they were pushing a bit and so maybe he had to take more life out of his engine than he'd have liked. How much of a threat does he think they will be in the second half of the season? He says there's a quota which you're able to use with the engine "and I was nowhere near it." He says he turned it down right from the early stages of the race to see if he could maintain and manage the gap to them that way and he was able to. He only needed to turn it up in the last stint when they started picking up the pace and he was looking after his tyres. The gap shrunk pretty quickly and when it got to 6 he thought it was enough, he chuckles.

So he went back to normal race mode and was able to match and then pull away a bit. He didn't need more than that. 

At the end of Ricciardo's interview, during which they watched some replays, they show that while that happened, Lewis walked by and tried knocking his cap off. 

Ohhh and extremely shady moment in press conference : Max said of his battle with Nico "I had to go off the track otherwise we would have crashed" and Lewis was sitting next to him with his head down hidden by his cap so he wasn't audible but Ted thinks he said "yep" and Max then said "yeah Lewis knows what I'm talking about" referring to their own Austrian incident. Like Max’s main racing skill isn’t putting his car in the way and forcing the others not to crash with him lol. Anyway.

In his final interview, Brundle says Lewis didn't feel like he was leading after the previous race because he had to take the engine penalty. Does he feel like he's leading now? Lewis sighs, he's out of breath from the post team photo running. "I feel I'm closer to leading it." He never thought he'd come back from being 43 points behind to being 19 points ahead. "I just didn't give up. We just didn't give up. These guys have worked so hard. Both here and back at the factory." He's super grateful for his engine holding on as long as it is but they do have an engine penalty ahead. "The life that it's led and the laps that I've led with it," it's as good a buffer as he could get in these circumstances. Brundle says it seems like their car isn't as good in traffic (I think? His question was unclear.) Lewis disagrees as in not more than the other cars, there's a lot of turbulence in traffic. He doesn't think their car is more impacted than others but he might be wrong, he says. "Fortunately today I didn't have to be too much in traffic," he smiles. He says it was a bit gusty that day and when you get behind backmarkers you can definitely feel the car being unsettled. But it's not different from his previous cars. Brundle asks if at some point he thought "come on guys, where are you today?" Lewis smiles, then chuckles. "No it was never like that but I was never really under threat which is a really nice thing to think and to know." He told his team to tell him when he needed to pick up the pace because he was managing and he was able to turn the engine back up when he needed to. Brundle asks where he's heading for summer break. "It's gonna be the most amazing summer break all I can say is tomorrow I'll be on the beach sipping on pina colada, enjoying…" He breaks into laughter. "Enjoy the sun! Enjoying, I'll be smiling from ear to ear from today and from these last few races." Again he goes nostalgic, what is up with that in this season? – saying he's been with Mercedes since he was 13, it's his 49th win, he's happy he won on Mercedes’ home turf. Brundle asks if the 4th title is within touching distance. "I have every belief that it's possible to do it, I've got incredible support back in the UK but also around the world from many Brits but also people from different nations." He thanks them to the camera for their love and support. He says he doesn't feel like he could race with a full heart like he did that day if it wasn't for them.

[severevoiddragon]

D&D Story Time!

I run a D&D club for 12 11-15 year old boys. It's during term time (so nothing during holidays), but due to multiple factors I can't run it this half term, so a couple weeks ago was the last session for a good 3 months.

The party is currently in 3 groups, due to it's size. We have the 13-15 year olds (plus 2x 11yos) in one group, who are. amazing at the game. They know the rules, they are great at action economy. Im having to heighten the challenge for the monsters because otherwise they'll be lvl20 no probs. This group will be called the Mephits.

The other 2 groups are 3x 11yos, who I will dub The Hobgoblins, and 2x 11yos, who I will dub The Goblins. (These names are based on what monsters they were, or had been fighting) In the last session of the term, one of the Goblins was not able to come, so we just had one boy fighting 3 goblins. He was rolling so high that he was winning. Wow. I'm impressed. The Hobgoblins, however, could not even get a hit in.

And then, it happened. A failed roll and one of the Hobgoblins was unconscious. This wasn't the first character death at this table, though that one was from PvP. A story for another time. We will call this player A. Now, A was very eager and I had no idea if he would break down if his character died. This was his first adventure in D&D. So, he was rolling death saves for the rest of the day. The first roll. A fail. Oh no.

The Mephits, who were working out a puzzle, were trying to decide if they wanted to run and heal the Hobgoblins, since they were low, but the Mephits decided to keep going with their puzzle. They were too far away anyway.

Round 2 of death saves approaches. A success. I breathe a sigh of relief, but we're not out of the woods yet. I am not trained to deal with crying children. The Goblin is still winning against his goblins, I'm very proud of him. The other two Hobgoblins still fail to get any hits in. The Mephits continue with their puzzle.

Round 3. A fail. "EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!" A shouts, an exact mimic of the meme. I am getting worried. The Goblin continues to beat the goblins, and there is now one goblin left. One of the Hobgoblins gets hit. He goes down to 0. This was the same player who has had his character die before. I will call him B. I am getting very tense and trying to work out if there is anything I can do behind the scenes. There is not. The Mephits are now severely debating going to the others. Since they are in the other part of the dungeon, it would take at least 2 turns to sprint to the other side. One of the Mephits goes. He spends the next 2 rounds sprinting.

Round 4. The whole table is waiting. A success from A! A has 2 successes, and 2 failures. It is up to Round 5 to decide whether he shall live or die. B fails his save. At this point, while most of the Mephits are still doing their puzzle, the last Hobgoblin is still fighting, the Goblin is still fighting too, everyone is waiting to see if A and B will live or die.

Round 5. A rolls his die. We all watch. "ITS A NAT 20!" A yells. Everyone cheers. We have run out of time for the session, and must continue in September. I breathe a sigh of relief.

B asks if he can speed run his rolls. I allow it.

A success. Good.

And... A nat 1.

I feel so sorry for him, but he seems ok. "I get to make a new character sheet again, yayy" B says. He looks happy still. He now has all summer to think about his new character.

Idk what the point of this story is, but I felt the need to share the thrilling end to my D&D Club.

[soyouthinkucanwrite]

The money thing (part 1/2) - Daniel Ricciardo

It's always the little things, isn't it? The smallest stupidest things make almost no difference and then make all the difference in the world. They make everything special, but they also have the power to tear everything appart.

You and Daniel fight about money for the thousand time and he's had enough of it.

Warnings: super angst, but with a happy ending :)

Guys, this turned out WAY BIGGER than I expected, so I'm just gonna do a part 2, okay? Okay, thanks for understanding!

Song that inspired me: A list by HVOB

You and Daniel had been dating for a couple months now, having met through a common friend and hitting off almost instantly. You lived in Amsterdam and he, well he lived all over the world really, but his "time off" (meaning not racing) was spent between Monaco and London (for work), and Amsterdam now too, of course.

The changes were small and subtle at the beginning, like your weekends being spent traveling to meet him wherever in the world he was and consequently spending almost all your savings on plane tickets. You never complained to him (you planned on spending the money traveling anyway, so you didn't see the point), but didn't accept when he offered to buy your tickets, either. There's been some awkwardness around the subject but it usually died on its own.

*beginning of flashback*

"You’d have gotten here in time if you'd gotten the early flight like I told you" you remembered him saying that time you got in the paddock after the qualifying session had begun and couldn’t kiss him good luck.

"Baby, I told you. It was crazy expensive! Absurd even!"

"(y/n) for god's sake! What are we saving money for? I told you, you have my credit card number, I've offered to get you one, this is ridiculous, I can't believe I literally earn millions and my girlfriend wasn't there with me because the ticket was too expensive! I'll fucking fly you private if I have to!" he was almost yelling in his driver's room. You could only stare from the corner.

He took a deep breath running his hands through his hair. "Sorry. It's just... it was crap out there. I needed you" you grimaced at his words.

"Sorry. I really am..." you tried to approach him. "I'm here now?" you touched his arm. "It can't have been that bad, you're still on the top 10 and we both know what you can do from the 8th car..." you smiled at him.

*end of flashback*

He started to spend much more of his time off with you at your place, so you decided to get a place by yourself (having a roommate was great for company and splitting the rent, but having a roommate there while you guys just wanted some much-needed privacy was not working). Then there were more traveling to meet him, furniture for the new place, clothing for all the events (GPs or not), uber rides here and there... all of that without mentioning that you weren't being able to get the freelance jobs you used to get to make some extra money, so yeah, to say things were tight was an understatement. You tried to do all your shopping alone, so he wouldn't offer and you wouldn't refuse or be awkward about it, but Daniel seem to be glued to you whenever you were in the same city (not that you’re complaining).

He started to spend much more of his time off with you at your place, so you decided to get a place by yourself (having a roommate was great for company and splitting the rent, but having a roommate there while you guys just wanted some much-needed privacy was not working). Then there were more traveling to meet him, furniture for the new place, clothing for all the events (GPs or not), uber rides here and there... all of that without mentioning that you weren't being able to get the freelance jobs you used to get to make some extra money, so yeah, to say things were tight was an understatement. You tried to do all your shopping alone, so he wouldn't offer and you wouldn't refuse or be awkward about it, but Daniel seem to be glued to you whenever you were in the same city (not that you’re complaining).

The thing is, you always had trouble dealing with money. Sure, you liked to pay for your own stuff so as to not owe anything to anyone (especially boys), but it was so much deeper than that. Ever since a kid, you hated asking for money from your parents, and sometimes even the thought of buying stuff that was a bit more expensive made you sick. You couldn't explain why, you just felt guilty having so much and knowing that most people have never even seen that amount. It's not that you didn't want to spend it and save for the sake of it, you just didn't handle the idea of money very well. Needless to say, dating a millionnaire was bound to cause trouble in the relationship for you.

You were currently at his place in Monaco. It was the summer break and you had decided to spend some days just chilling at home, just the two of you - which you were glad since going out means hair, makeup, clothes, accessories, shoes... and, let's be honest, the kind of places he usually took you is not the kind of places you just throw something together last minute (the Instagram models and other driver's girlfriends looking you up and down were enough to make you think about spending money you did not have to hire a stylist or something like that). The whole situation was really stressing you out and you knew you would have to be honest with him eventually, instead of only dodging the subject and refusing most of his offers to pay. You tried to. You kind of tried. You suggested staying at home, in bed, most of the time, and he gladly agreed, but that strategy wasn't gonna work forever. You had to be honest with him. But at the same time, you knew what he was going to say and do, and the thought of him spending money on you, even if just by handling the restaurant bill, wasn't something you were much more comfortable with. Besides, it was only a matter of time before the "gold-digger" term starts to fly around in the small world that was the F1's.

You were laying on his couch, the Olympics playing on the TV but you were too busy overthinking the money thing to pay attention. Daniel was laying with his head on your lap, absently caressing your thigh and watching the TV. His phone went off and he moved to pick it up.

"Hello?" you watched as he answered the phone. "Hey mate, how's it going? Uh nothing, we're just chilling at home. Getting some rest... Yeah, I'm getting rested, you dirty-minded son of a bitch" you rolled your eyes while he laughed out loud on the line with someone. "Yeah, I know... the 19th is it? No, it's fine. Yeah, yeah. I'll be there. Alright, mate. Thanks for calling. Have a good one! Bye!" he hanged up and leaned in to peck you on the lips.

"Good news?" you asked him.

"Not really. Just wanted to kiss you" he shrugged, smiling. You smiled back and hugged him, pulling him in for another kiss. He was always so caring with you, always finding an excuse to kiss or touch you. You knew some people didn't like it, but you loved it. Physical touch was definitely one of your love languages.

"What's happening on the 19th then?" you asked him once you guys set apart from the kiss.

"Gotta be in London. Gonna run some testings and other boring race stuff..."

"Hum..." you hummed in understanding.

"You know what would make it less boring though?" he asked and you just looked at him, you already knew what he was going to ask you and it wasn't that you didn't want to spend every minute of the day with him, but you simply couldn't afford any more traveling, especially not in such short notice. "If you came with me. Huh? What do you say? A week in the Queen's land? Then we can fly together to Spa and after the race, I can go with you to Amsterdam. The next one it's the Dutch GP anyway, I'll just get there sooner" he laughed. It was crushing you, the man of your dreams was literally beaming at making plans with you, talking about spending the next few weeks glued together and you couldn't say yes.

"Dan, I have to work" you smiled sadly.

"Can't you work from distance? Or, I don't know, I mean... I know it's tiring, but you could come to London and fly home a bit early, then just meet me in Belgium?" great, his solution includes even more flying. And the thing is, you really didn't mind the flying. You always slept during the whole thing anyway, so you never got tired and the jetlag was minimal. You could work from distance, sure. Your boss wouldn't mind, as long as you got there eventually to check in on everything. But the whole logistics were just too expensive. There was no way you could afford it.

"I... sorry, I don't think I can" you said sadly and watched as his face dropped.

"That's fine, baby. I get it. I'm asking too much, all this traveling... don't worry about it" he tried to mask his emotions but you knew better. He knew you could in fact work from distance, so he was probably thinking the reason you couldn't do it was because you didn't want to.

He got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen. Meanwhile, you couldn't help but bury your face in your palms. This was so frustrating!

"You wanna go for a run or something? Maybe get something to eat?" he called from the kitchen, already moving on from the subject. You knew this whole thing was only gonna keep build up till he got tired of your excuses or you blowing up, probably the former, but you just keep going.

"Yeah, sure" you answered, getting up from the couch.

You and Daniel were both very active so going for a run, hiking, riding bikes, or whatever in the middle of the day was really routine for you. The Monaco summer weather was as beautiful as always and the sun was shining bright. You enjoyed the rest of your afternoon racing each other, kissing in the harbor, and just taking in the views, spending quality time together. Money wasn't even a thing in your bubble for a while.

"I'm getting hungry" he said on the way back home.

"Me too, and I'm super hot. I could go for a juice or something right now" you were all sweaty from the running, but you didn't care, he was too.

"You're always hot baby, I don't think juice gonna help with that" he grinned at you and you just rolled your eyes at him.

You passed by one of his favorite spots for food, nearby his place and he suggested getting some take-out, to which you agreed.

"Green juice, and a chicken wrap?" you tried to decide while the both of you waited in line.

"I'll never understand how you drink that"

"I've seen you drink that too, it's actually very refreshing"

"Because I'm forced to, I'm a high-performance athlete baby. But I'm on a break, so I'll have a coke, thank you very much" you laughed at him. He was holding your hand and tried to kiss you, wrapping his arm around you, you didn't dodge his kiss, you would never, but still laughed at the fact he wanted to kiss the sweaty mess you were right now.

"I'm gross, only you" you laughed.

"That's my baby, with no makeup she a ten" he rapped shrugging and grinning.

"Alright Lil Wayne, I know that one, don't even finish the verse" you laughed at him, making him laugh out loud, getting everyone's in the restaurant's attention.

"It's true, though"

"Sure..." You just shook your head smiling. Then you heard someone call his name.

"Hey! Daniel!" you both turned around to see Charles and Charlotte sitting in a corner, him waving at you two. You had met Charles a couple of times before but never spoke too much to him. They seemed to be leaving anyway, so they walked towards you guys, instead of towards the door.

"Hey mate, how's it going?" Daniel greeted him with a handshake. "Hey, Charlotte! You know (y/n) yet?"

"Hi! I don't think so, hi! How are you?" she greeted you smiling.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. Hi, Charles!" you said.

"Hey, (y/n). You're keeping him in line during the break? Char won't let me cheat my diet either" he laughed.

"Oh, that ship has sailed long ago! Daniel will just roll into the paddock if it's up to him" you laughed back.

"Hey! I think I've earned the right to some extra calories, we've been working out extra hard lately" Daniel said waving his eyebrows suggestively, making Charlotte giggle, Charles rolls his eyes and you go even redder than you were from the actual workout, while he just laughed out loud.

"I don't even want to know" Charles said. "Always great running into you mate" he was getting ready to say goodbye.

"Are we seeing you guys tomorrow?" Charlotte asked you.

"Tomorrow?" you asked her.

"Stefano's birthday" she said like it was obvious. Stefano Domenicali was the President and CEO of Formula 1, but you didn't know that yet - still, her tone made it seems like it was someone Daniel knew, so you just looked at him. He just rubbed his neck, looking a little embarrassed. "Oh, wait. Please tell me I didn't just said something I shouldn't" she looked at Charles.

"No, no. He invited me. Us, actually" Daniel reassured her. "I don't think we're going though, forgot to mention to you" he said looking at you.

"Uh mate, I wouldn't skip that if I were you. He didn't even invite all the drivers I heard" Charles said. "Maybe just stop by to say hello?"

"Stop by... a yacht... at the sea?" Charlotte said grinning at him. Daniel looked at you.

"You feel like going? It should be fun" he asked you.

"Sounds fancy... I mean, I don't mind if you go" you said.

"Common... I’m not going alone" he nudged you.

"I don't even have anything to wear, Dan" you told him.

"Oh! We can go shopping together!" Charlotte said and you had almost forgotten they were still there.

"Perfect!" Daniel answered for you. You could only imagine the types of stores she shopped.

"Tomorrow morning, then? Daniel can text your address to Charles for me? I'll pick you up!" she was being really nice about it.

"I thought you wanted to go today?" Charles said.

"That's when I thought I would have to go shopping with you, so I could use the extra time since you're the worst shopping partner ever!" she laughed at him.

"Burn!" Daniel laughed.

"His fashion taste is not the most reliable, let's face it" she laughed and kissed his cheek. "It's a date then (y/n)?" she looked expectantly at you. You didn't want to let her down, it was so hard to make friends with the girlfriends of other drivers, they were usually so... not nice. You could always just help her and find something to wear in your own stuff later.

"Yeah, sure! See you tomorrow, at 10?" you said simply.

"Perfect!" she beamed.

>>> end of part 1 <<<

[randomshyperson]

The Scarlet Witch Prophecy - Chapter 13 - The Sixth Year (Part Three)

My dear friend @abimess, I keep stealing your gifs and making updates without telling you. I hope you never get tired of it.

Summary: As the youngest daughter of Howard Stark, you have ordinary expectations for your years at Hogwarts. Little do you know what adventures await you when your destiny is intertwined with the legendary Scarlet Witch.

Warnings: +16. Adaptation of the Harry Potter Saga, Magical Thematic, Prophecies, Mentions of Violence, Torture and dark magic, Language (swearing and minor/major offenses), manipulation of will, Underage kissing, insinuation of smut with minors, Smut (overage), descriptions of death, aggression, obscurity, angst, fluffy, soulmates analogies. || Chapter Warnings: Magical torture with minors, cursing, angst, ptsd, derogatory thoughts and behavior, dark magic.

Chapter Words: 8.486 K

A/N> Yes, I've gone for a month without warning anyone, and yes that might go on, but at least i'm near ending this (I'm already writing chapter 21). Once I'm finished, I'll just programe tumblr to upload them all for me because i'm lazy. I hope anyone like this yet, i don't even know what i'm doing anymore. Good reading!

Series Masterlist ||  Read on AO3 || All Works Masterlist

Chapter 13 - Part XIII - The Sixth Year (Part Three)

Gossip really starts to irritate you when you go to lunch after potions.

"You want to say something to me, girl?" You charge impatiently when you hear the giggles behind you again, coming from a group of students sitting at Ravenclaw's table.

The group turns around with wry smiles on their faces, and you notice the editions of the Daily Prophet in the hand of one of the boys. It is Hope Summers, your classmate, who speaks first:

"We're just sharing some theories, Stark." She says in a provocative tone. "Some of us find it an interesting coincidence that just now that Mephisto is back, you and Maximoff are losing control of magic."

You frown.

"What are you talking about?" you ask in surprise, referring to Wanda, but Hope thinks you want her to keep mocking you.

"It's just suspicious that no one knows what happened to you in that dungeon, or at the ministry of magic." Hope counters. "And now you two are blowing things up, and we have a dark wizard on the loose."

"Fuck you, Summmers." You curse as you stand up, leaving the girl in shock at your aggressiveness.

The same auror from the first day stands in front of you as you try to approach Slytherin's table.

"Students must respect..."

But you interrupted his speech with a loud shove that sent him staggering backwards, and drew the immediate attention of several people.

You were seeing red by now, the man's wry smile only making you more irritated.

He drew his wand, but so did you. And the room held its breath.

"Put your wand away, Miss Stark." Warned the auror angrily, but you didn't.

Wanda stood up as she noticed the confusion, rushing to reach you, but the auror put his arm in her way.

"Now, miss." He warned again, and you grunted in irritation.

"Get your hands off her." You retorted, feeling your body fever with hatred.

"Stark." The man said, his arm reaching down to push Wanda back, and you exploded.

You didn't even finish thinking about the spell, the magic exploding out of your wand.

The auror masterfully blocked it, and you dropped your wand to jump on top of him.

It was a confusion of shoving, other bigger students pulling you away from the man and he away from you.

" Never fucking touch her again!" You warned snorting in anger, Thor Odinson stopping you from jumping on the man's neck.

"I just pushed her away from the line of fire, you crazy bitch!" The auror retorted indignantly and angrily. "Go to the headmaster's office now!"

"Fuck you!"

Thor pulled you out of the hall as the crowd of students whistled in celebration, excited about the whole fight. The auror was too busy dissipating everyone to follow you.

"Hey, hothead, calm down." The blonde warned as he released the grip of you by the courtyard. You grunted angrily, wishing you could break something.

"Fuck this school, fuck that asshole." You complained aloud, as Thor looked at you curiously.

"You have quite a rage, Stark." He comments, and you grumble in irritation.

But Wanda catches up with you the next moment, and she looks even angrier than you.

"What the hell was that?" she asks and you roll your eyes, running your hands through your hair.

"I think you are going to be fine for now on." Thor comments, smiling at the thank you Wanda says to him before leaving you two alone.

"So?" Wanda insists, arms crossed. You bite the inside of your cheek as you look at her.

"What do you want me to say?" You retort angrily.

"You just started a fight for no reason! Again!" She accuses. "Only this time it was with a wizard who could kill you. I want to know what's going on!"

"I don't know, Wanda!" You exclaim angrily. "Why does everyone expect me to have answers? I don't know! Do you understand that? It feels like I'm going to explode in frustration any second, neither you or Gamora seem to get it. I don't understand what's happening to me!"

"Because you won't talk to us!" She shouts back, just as annoyed as you are. "You're pushing everyone away! Even me! We can't help you if you don't talk to us!"

You grunt impatiently, turning around. There was a strange throbbing in the back of your head, a strange whisper. Like a voice telling you that no one was telling you the truth, that your friends expected too much of you, that Wanda didn't care...

This last thought made you sob. Wanda softened her expression immediately, taking a step toward you and touching your shoulder, but you pulled away from her touch as if burned, wiping your tears away quickly.

"Leave me alone, Wanda." You mutter between teeth. She hesitates, raising her hand toward you again.

"Please."

"I need some time from you." You insist, pushing her hand away, and walking away.

A part of your brain is begging you to go back and make things right, but there is a cloud of anger and irritation that keeps you walking.

//-//-//-//-//

You roll over in bed in discomfort.

Nightmares. Again.

It has only been five days since you had your fight with Wanda, and you are getting worse every day.

With Summers' teasing, you end up noticing other things too.

How the school really found the theory that you and Wanda were somehow related to Mephisto, because the minister had covered up what happened in the dungeons and in the ministry, and everybody thought it was strange that two students were showing an increase in magical potential with the return of a dark wizard.

Unlike you, who were failing considerably in any simple execution of spells, Wanda was demonstrating exceptional abilities. Kaecilius was more than willing to make her the face of progress at Hogwarts, you heard the gossip about bringing in reporters to share the news of the new direction.

You know that the only reason Wanda hasn't come after you yet was because you're running away from her like the plague.

And you couldn't even explain why.

You were also blocking out your real health condition from her. Just like you two practiced during the summer.

Besides hiding this from Wanda, you have kept your friends away too, isolating yourself from everyone else in search of a little rest, only succeeding in taking a nap when you are running away between classes.

And the detentions with Kaecilius keep increasing as you skip classes.

You begin to consider learning to write with a different hand, just so the bruise has time to heal, but at this point you don't even care about the scar anymore.

"You really must like pain." Loki teases wryly as you sit in an empty room, waiting for the aurors' shift change again after your detention.

You don't ask him what he's doing on that floor again, and he doesn't ask why you haven't spoken to your friends in two weeks.

"Sure, that must be it." You joke back, massaging your injured hand.

He assumes a pensive expression for a second.

"Are you sure you haven't been cursed by someone?" He asks, causing you to frown in shock and confusion.

"Excuse me?"

He gives a little chuckle, settling himself better against the wall.

"Everyone's been talking about you being sick." He says. "I heard some of the Ravenclaw people theorize that you became a werewolf over the summer."

You laugh helplessly, massaging your temples lightly.

"I guarantee that's not it." You say making Loki smile.

"If you are sick for no reason, it could be a curse." He says. "I wouldn't be surprised, the way things are."

"But how do I find out if I've been cursed?"

Loki takes a thoughtful stance.

"I don't know." He says. "But I'm sure you can learn that in the no longer reserved session of the library."

You laugh at the joke, but soon you both return to silence. When that hallway's shift ends, Loki sighs, getting up and helping you to stand.

"Still can't perform spells?" He asks, already drawing his wand.

"Only if I want to blow things up." You scoff making him laugh.

"Fine, I'll enchant you." He says. When you are transparent, he looks at you with an amused expression. "See you next Saturday, troublemaker?

"Don't worry, I plan on skipping DADA, maybe I'll be here tomorrow." You retort in the same tone before turning to leave.

//-////-//-//-//-//

It takes three more days for Wanda to finally corner you.

You are skipping class in an empty room on the seventh floor, trying to doze off, and almost fall out of your chair with fright when the door opens and Wanda comes in, looking annoyed.

You grunt impatiently, without lifting your face from the desk.

"I told you I needed time." You complain, but tense up when you notice the tears in her eyes as she moves closer to sit at the table next to yours.

" You want to break up with me?" She asks in a whisper and you raise your head immediately, feeling your chest tighten.

"What? What are you talking about?"

Wanda gives a humorless laugh at your expression. "Why are you acting like this is an absurd idea? You've disappeared. You've been avoiding me, not even talking to me anymore."

You shake your head quickly, feeling the urge to cry.

"I don't want to break up with you." You say. "I..I would never want to be away from you."

"You just said you need time away from me." Wanda retorts with annoyance, and you feel your stomach clench as she sighs. "I don't know what's going on with us. And I miss you, but you won't let me near you."

You are exhausted. So you cry.

You rest your head on your arms, and let your sobs fill the silence, hoping that the tears will take this bad feeling away.

It's Wanda's gentle touch on your back that helps.

"Babe, tell me what's wrong." She whispers to you, her tone concerned.

It takes many minutes for you to calm down. But when you do, Wanda holds your hand, kneeling on the floor beside the chair you are in.

"I can't do magic." You breathlessly tell her from crying, "And I can't sleep. I've been sick for weeks, and I'm angry all the time. Healer Cho doesn't know what's wrong with me, but everyone at school seems to have a theory about it. I think I'm going to suffocate, Wanda. I'm messing everything up. Between us, between my family, and at school." You sob as you finish and Wanda shakes her head, her hand coming up to your cheek.

"Don't say that." She urges. "You didn't ruin anything. Hey, look at me. I love you. Your sisters love you, your friends love you. We'll figure out what's going on."

Wanda hugs you tight, and you sob, shaking.

You want to believe her words, so you push the intrusive thoughts away, and believe it.

//-//-//-//

Wanda takes you to a door in that same floor you two were before, but you have never seen that door until that moment.

And you are very surprised to realize that it is a bedroom.

"How...?" You ask confused as she closes the it.

"Welcome to the Room of Requirement." She says with a smile, pulling you by the hand around. "We hold our Avengers meetings here." She counters and you frown.

"In a bedroom? Interesting choice." You comment and she giggles.

"No, my love." She says. "That's how this room works. It is charmed to meet your needs. That's why I asked you to come in first."

"Oh, that's pretty cool." You say looking around. Wanda smiles at you, and then you both reach the bed. "The room thinks I have to sleep?"

"I do too." Wanda retorts, pushing your shoulders gently for you to sit on the bed. "Go on, nice dreams."

You hesitate. "You gonna leave me here alone?"

Wanda denies with her head, pointing to the chair that probably just magically appeared next to the bed. You frown.

"Can't you sleep in the bed with me?"

She giggles. "We don't have much time for you to sleep. If I lie down, you'll want to kiss me. So I'll be sitting in that armchair, studying as I should." She explains seriously, and you pout.

"Stupid rules." You grumble moving your hands up to her waist. "Lie down with me."

"Babe..."

"Please."

Wanda sighs, then nods. You smile, quickly removing your shoes as she does the same. You quickly adjust yourself on the bed, opening your arms for her to lie on top of you, and she gives a little giggle before doing so.

"Are you cozy, sweetheart?" You murmur against her hair, and Wanda squeezes her arms around you.

"Yeah, your boobs are good pillows." She teases, making you laugh with reddened cheeks.

Your eyes begin to heavy quickly, fatigue catching up with your body relaxed by the comfort of the moment.

"Go to sleep, babe." Wanda whispers. "I'll be here when you wake up."

You smile with your eyes closed, surrendering.

It's the best sleep you've had in weeks.

The problem is that as soon as you start to wake up again, you are feeling sick.

You touch the emptiness in the bed, mumbling softly. When you open your eyes you find Wanda sitting in the armchair, the darkhold in her lap.

"Damn it, Wanda, this book again." You complain in a hoarse voice, but she just sighs.

"Why the attitude?"

"I hate that book." You grumble sitting up in bed, massaging your face lightly. "Why do you keep reading it anyway?"

"It's interesting." She says, closing the item to look at you. "Agatha really told me a lot, but there are also things I didn't know."

"For example?"

Wanda bites her lips, appraising you.

"Scarlet witches are forged, for instance." She says and you frown in confusion. Wanda sighs. "Many powerful witches, born scarlet witches, never got to fulfill their destiny because the forging didn't happen."

You straighten your clothes uncomfortably, pensively.

"What exactly does that mean?"

"What the headmistress did last year was my forging." She clarifies and you swallow dryly, feeling your stomach turn. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" you ask confused.

"Everything." She says upset. "I know we've talked about this, but it seems like all I do is cause you problems. With the bond, and with the forge. If Agatha didn't want my powers, she wouldn't have taken you to the dungeon and you wouldn't have suffered."

You poke at the knot of your tie, feeling yourself suffocate slightly. Wanda is speaking, you blink to focus on her words.

"I'm sorry, could you say that again?" You ask out of breath, sweating. You blink to find Wanda's concerned gaze on you.

"Babe, what's wrong?" She asks worriedly, her hands around your face.

You feel your head spin, and everything goes dark before you can answer.

//-//-//-//

You smell the scent of grass when you wake up.

Then you blink in confusion, getting used to your surroundings to realize that you are in what looks like a ward bed.

"Hey, all right, take it easy getting up, Miss Stark." Asked Professor Strange with one hand on her shoulder. In the other he held a potion that you imagined he had given you.

"W-what happened?" you mumbled confusedly, sitting up in bed. Only now did you notice Professor Munroe and Wanda standing in front of the bed, both with worried expressions.

"You passed out, but you're better now I imagine." Stephen explained gently, but you were still feeling very weak.

"Professor, she simply blacked out." Wanda commented in a tearful voice. " Don't you have any idea what's wrong?"

Stephen sighed, and then pointed at the chair, the darkhold.

"Where did you get that book?" He asked, and Wanda frowned, taking a step toward the chair in a defensive posture.

"What does that have to do with my question?" she retorted dryly, and Stephen looked at you one last time before standing up.

"There's a reason it's called the Book of the Damned, Miss Maximoff." He says."It damns its readers."

"That's ridiculous." Wanda retorted, crossing her arms. "I've been reading it for weeks and nothing has happened."

"Not with you."

Wanda hesitates, widening her eyes. And then she takes a step back, swallowing her cry as she reaches out to grab the book and hand it to Stephen.

She turns her gaze back to you, and lets the tears fall.

"I am truly sorry." She says with a mixture of guilt and shame before turning to leave the room.

You call out to her about three times, but she leaves and you don't have the strength to go after her.

"Damn, couldn't I have said that in a different way?" You complain angrily to Stephen, who just sighs, exchanging a look with Professor Munroe. "How come you two are here anyway?"

"It was Wanda." Professor Ororo replies. "She asked the room for someone trustworthy to help her with you. Then there was a door opening in the potions room. Stephen was there with me, and we both came."

"Great." You mutter annoyed, thinking about how you are going to talk to Wanda and convince her that you were not angry with her. "Would either of you happen to know how to make me better now?"

"Sure." Stephen comments by raising the book in the air, and with a wave of his hand, the item dissolves into several pieces until it is gone. "I didn't destroy it, if that's what you're thinking. I just put it away, to prevent something like that from happening again."

"Congratulations." You grumble wryly as you straighten up in bed, the same migraine from before is now weaker, but it's still there.

"You know, you had a better attitude when you didn't have a magical doom on your spirit." Stephen complains, causing you to frown, but Professor Ororo gives a chuckle.

"Thanks professor." You comment wryly, making him laugh. He sits back down beside your bed, and pulls out of the cover a small notebook.

"Now that Miss Maximoff has stopped reading the book, I suppose you will get better." Stephen says, making you sigh.

"You suppose? That's encouraging." You say moving to stand up.

"Where are you going, Miss Stark? You need to rest." Warn the professor, but you ignore him, and ignore the weakness in your body as well.

"What I need, Strange, is for people to stop lying to me."

"No one is lying, Miss Stark." Professor Ororo states next. "We really don't know the extent of the magic the darkhold carries."

"And why is that I imagine?" You sneer. "Because someone omitted the truth from you, and it's been passed down for generations, isn't it? Well, that's over now. Because we've finally studied everything in this place, including a book that condemns anyone who reads it." You exclaim impatiently, stooping down to put on your shoes. "If you two will excuse me, I'll figure out how to get better on my own. But first I'm going to explain to my girlfriend that none of this is her fault."

Ororo and Stephen are silent, but you wouldn't have been paying attention to anything they said anyway.

Soon you are up and out of the requirement room looking for Wanda.

//-//-//-//

She seems to have disappeared from the castle, so you must concentrate to use your instincts.

The hardest part is dodging the aurors, but you finally reach the astronomy tower.

You're a little out of breath from the run, but it's the image of Wanda standing on the edge, the sunlight in her hair that leaves you breathless.

"Hi." You say in a low tone, your hands in your pockets as you approach. She startles slightly, wiping away tears as she keeps her gaze forward.

"What do you want here?" she asks in a husky voice. You sigh.

"That you stop hating yourself and listen to me." You say and she lets out a short laugh.

"And what do you think you can say?" She questions turning her body toward you. "All I do is hurt you."

You shake your head, but Wanda lets out a tearful laugh.

"No you don't understand." She says. "Since I met you, you have only brought me good things. Affection, happiness, hope. You've been that kind warm feeling that I need on my worst days. Hell, you're even the memory for me to cast a patronus." She confesses with emotion, her face wet with tears. "But me? All I bring you is pain and suffering. And now I even bring sickness. This is wrong, I hurt you. You need to see this, and understand that we can no longer happen."

"Don't say that." You ask, reaching up to touch her face, wipe away her tears. "That's not true, Wanda. I love you, you make me..."

"Stop it." She interrupts with a sob. "Don't make it any harder than it already is."

"Please, Wanda, listen to me." You plead, resting your forehead on hers, your hands on her cheeks. "You make me happy, you are the only thing that makes me happy, I love you, please..."

Wanda kisses you hard, and you respond with the same intensity, both of you gasping into each other's mouths.

But then she is pulling away, thrusting you farther apart.

"I'm sorry." She cries, taking a step back. "We're over."

And she's running away again, and this time you don't go after her.

//-//-//-//-//

Without Darkhold's being consumed, you really start to improve in terms of physical health.

The only problem is the emotional ditch you find yourself in.

Gamora, Nebula and Mantis find you, again in the Room of Requirement, skipping class.

"My god this is worse than last time." Gamora remarks as she looks around at the mess of junk food and pillows. The room had been transformed into a "comfortable place", which basically had the appearance of a living room, with several soft armchairs, and lots of unhealthy food. "Why did you guys break up this time?"

"Please don't talk to me." You grumbled, your voice coming out muffled because you were lying on two soft puffs, your face buried in the pillow, your hand inside a bag of muggles snacks.

"I bet you five bucks they'll be back together before the end of the month." Nebula commented and you sniffled against your pillow, hearing a noise that sounded like Gamora hitting her sister.

"We talked to Wanda." Mantis said. "And with Professor Stephen, too. We're sorry about everything, but have you decided you're not going to study anymore?"

"I don't care about school." You grumble against the pillow. "Leave me alone, I want to cry."

Nebula gives a short laugh, and Gamora elbows her.

"Stop hitting me, you crazy." Nebula complains loudly, moving away from her sister to approach you, taking the bag of snacks you have, and making you complain softly. "And you stop being such a drama queen. Aren't you two like soul mates or some shit? It's just a fight, you'll work it out. You're acting like you've never broken up before."

"Your sensitivity is admirable." Gamora scoffs, pushing her sister away to sit next to you, stroking your back until you look up at her. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

You feel the urge to cry arise again. "Wanda thinks she is bad for me." You say. "And she doesn't want to be with me anymore, and I want to die."

You start crying again, stuffing your face into the pillow as Gamora strokes your hair.

"How did this happen anyway?" Nebula asks, confused, chewing on salty snacks."You barely slept at home over the summer to be with her, and now you guys are breaking up. It's hard to keep up with this relationship."

"Merlin, Nebula shut up." Gamora asks impatiently, and her sister raises her hands in surrender with an ironic expression. You want to scream against your pillow, but all you do is try to control your crying.

"You can't keep disappearing, sweetheart." Gamora says as she runs her hands through your hair, trying to calm you down. "Kaecilius has already noticed. He's trying to figure out where you're going, and eventually he'll figure it out since you can't stay here forever."

"Maybe I can." You mumble making Gamora laugh softly.

"Come on, I'm sure you miss a decent meal." She says. "Why don't you join us for lunch?"

"I can't sit at your table."

"Who said anything about a table?"

This is how you end up on the edge of the great lake, at a picnic.

Mantis gets several dishes from the house elves, and since lunch is a free social hour, nobody seems to mind that you are eating outside.

Your sisters are not the only students who, over time, have learned ways around school rules.

You grumble slightly as you feel the sun on your face, but lie back on the grass, closing your eyes.

Your mind wanders back to last summer immediately, the memories of Wanda, and you feel horrible. You just want her back. And then you swallow the urge to cry again to accept the juice Mantis offers you.

"We wanted to tell you that we've found a way to help you, too." Gamora says after a moment, causing you to raise your eyebrow. "About the darkhold, and the eternal damnation thing."

"Light topic." You sneer, throwing your arm over your face. The day is hot. "I appreciate the help, of course."

Gamora giggles. "Merlin, I had forgotten how grumpy you get when you're upset."

"I'm not upset, Gamora." You retort angrily. "I'm frustrated."

"Sexually." Nebula sneers, making you grunt in anger, but Mantis holds back a laugh.

"What's your problem with my feelings lately?" You accuse the girl with irritation.

"Not everything is about you, you know." She retorts and you sit up quickly, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Nebula laughs, rolling her eyes. "In case you haven't noticed, there's a war going on." She says. "We're all stressed and scared. And the three of us have been in the same classes as you, having to watch the same things. But you only have time for Wanda. And now you've broken up, again, because there's some mortal danger, again, that she's caused for you. So, I don't know, but maybe she is right to break up. Ever since you guys started dating everything has been about her, and the trouble she causes!"

"Fuck you, Nebula!" You exclaim angrily, advancing against the girl in front of you. Gamora and Mantis quickly separate you.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Gamora shoves you. "Were you really going to hit her?"

"Fuck this." You curse angrily, taking a step away. "I didn't ask any of you to come after me. I don't need you. I just need Wanda. Fucking leave me alone."

You turn back to the castle, cursing the wild on your way.

//-//-//-//

Loki is the only friend you have now.

You wouldn't call him a friend exactly.

Kaecilius has put you in detention for three days a week, including Saturday, but mostly you just clean the castle. But when he takes you to the seventh floor, and makes you scrape sentences against your own skin, you don't worry about being alone anymore, because Loki is always on that floor.

It takes a week for you to tell him about the requirement room.

" You could have mentioned it earlier, we would have stuck around here." He comments without sounding upset.

Soon it doesn't take long for you two to start seeing each other even when you're not in detention.

You are not surprised that Loki also skips classes, he has always been quite mischievous, but the reason is different from yours.

He knew dark magic. Much more than you or your classmates. And he has no interest in practicing it in class.

"It's stupid." He comments as you are sitting in the armchairs. "Most people will never have the courage or willpower to cast a death curse. It's useless to learn."

"Is that the only reason you don't agree with the teaching at Hogwarts now?" You ask in surprise, setting up the chessboard for yourself as Loki shrugs his shoulders.

"I feel like you're judging me, Hufflepuff." He sneers but you smile, rolling your eyes.

"Honestly, I don't give a damn."

And you really didn't care.

Wanda was avoiding you in the halls, and you were doing the same with your friends and family.

When Iron delivered the mail to the Slytherin table, including Nebula's birthday presents, you wanted to throw up, but all you did was walk away from the Hufflepuff table toward the requirement room.

Without the darkhold, you didn't feel sick, but the anger didn't go away.

Your magic hadn't stabilized, and you were failing at everything, but you couldn't bring yourself to worry about it.

Erik wrote to you, commenting on the importance of you and Wanda practicing magical balancing together, and you burned the letter while crying on the carpet.

And at this rate, time went by.

It was almost the middle of the school year when things started to take a turn for the worse at Hogwarts, and in the wizarding war as well.

Mephisto is getting stronger, and the order is losing. And Kaecillius must be under some pressure from the ministry, maybe for answers from organizations like the Avengers, which are forbidden, because his detentions get too horrible.

It is Saturday again, and you drag yourself to the room where you are supposed to fulfill your detention, but unlike the other days, Kaecillius locks the door.

You only notice because he seems tense and distracted, and there is no feather or book.

"Professor, what will my punishment be today?" You ask confused, and he is nodding to the center of the room as he stands in front of the desk, a few feet from you.

"Miss Stark, today I want to ask some questions and I expect honesty." He declines as he turns to you.

You hiss softly, putting your hands in your pockets.

"Shoot."

Kaecillius doesn't even mind your lack of formality, looking at you with an impassive face.

"What is Mephisto's location?"

You choke in surprise and disbelief. "Excuse me? Why do you think I know that?"

"The ministry has reason enough to suspect that the Order of the Avengers is nothing more than a cover for the death walkers.Your brother, whom I had suspected of being part of that order of delinquents, is no longer at Hogwarts, but you will have to serve." He speaks and with each word you become more outraged. "Now answer me, where is Mephisto?"

" Did you just fucking call my brother a delinquent?" You mutter incredulously. "I have no idea where Mephisto is, what's your problem?"

But you widen your eyes when the professor draws his wand, and you barely have time to swallow dry before the spell hits you in the chest.

It's the cruciatus curse. You know the second it hits you. The sharp pain fills every cell in your body and you scream, not having the strength to stand or with your eyes open, hugging yourself.

"We must not tell lies, Miss Stark." Kaecillius says as soon as he stops enchanting you, the pain disappears in the same instant, but you continue to tremble.

In complete shock and fear, you sob.

"I will ask you again, where is Mephisto?"

You let the tears flow, and shake your head. "I don't know, professor."

Kaecillius lets out a sigh of disappointment. "Some cases are more difficult than others." He comments somberly, taking a step toward her. "Did you know that the record for enduring the Cruciatus curse before madness is six hours? Incredible, isn't it? It happened during the first war, with a muggleborn. You're a half-blood, maybe you can take longer"

He has a devilish grin as he finishes, and you clench your jaw at the threat.

"I don't know where Mephisto is." You repeat, but the professor points his wand at you again.

"My bet is seven hours."

And then the pain returns.

You don't know how long you stay in that room.

But it is long enough for your consciousness to begin to fade. The pain gets so severe that it gradually fades away. You begin to gasp breathlessly, not even able to scream anymore.

Someone help me. Please, help me. Help me. Wanda.

Between the tears you see the floor of the room, and between a twinge of pain, a red light. And everything is dark again.

//-//-//

“Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Warcraft and Wizard is arrested in flagrant by aurors from the ministry of magic this week, full coverage on page..."

You blink confusedly, your eyes getting used to the clarity, while the headline of the Daily Prophet was the first thing your vision caught.

And then you shifted in bed, realizing that you were in a hospital room , and whoever was reading next to you put the paper down when they heard you, and you could behold the curious look on your brother's face.

"Tony?" you whispered confused, and he smiled as he stood up quickly, the newspaper forgotten on the armchair.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked as his hand reached for the loose strands of hair on your face and put them back. "You scared the hell out of me."

"What happened?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"

You thought, and then sighed, closing your eyes for a moment.

"Kaecilius."

Tony bit his lip nervously before speaking.

"I'm sorry." He said, lowering his hand to his own. "I came here as soon as I got the howler from Professor Strange, but honestly, I didn't even need it, because all the newspapers are talking about it."

"What...?" You started in confusion, but Tony hurried to explain.

"Wanda found you, Y/N." He told. "She, well, wasn't exactly happy about the whole thing. I think she lost control. Kaecilius is lucky to be alive if you ask me. She almost destroyed the seventh floor, it was a huge mess. And then the aurors interfered, and soon there were reporters everywhere. I guess now everyone knows she's a scarlet witch."

You widened your eyes, straightening to sit up and grumbling a little in pain. Tony looked at you with concern, asking you to take it easy, but you were already asking about Wanda.

"She's at the ministry of magic." He clarified. "Kaecilius is going on trial for torturing a student, and she will answer for putting everyone in danger."

" What?" you ask incredulously, and Tony sighs.

"Yeah I know it's unfair." He says. "But the minister of magic seems to be looking everywhere for people to blame for his lack of control. The problem is how much of that information will get to Mephisto. The whole ministry seems to be full of walkers."

You ran your hand across your face, frustrated.

"I'm so tired, Tony." You confess in a whisper. "It feels like everything is falling apart around me, and things are only getting worse."

Tony squeezes your hand. "I'm sorry, I really am. This whole situation sucks, and I wanted to help you. I'm trying, sister. I haven't been talking to you as much as I should, but I didn't want you to think you're alone. I'm working on breaking the bond. To free you and Wanda from the prophecy, and the wizarding world from dangers like Mephisto. I'm sorry I haven't been by your side."

You swallow your cry, and nod, trying to smile at Tony. He reaches up to hug you, and you gasp softly, taking a few seconds to relax and let the tears flow.

When you calm down, Tony tells you that he is going to get a Mediwizards to check your situation.

You lie down again, sighing softly. The memories come back with full force, and you choke softly, feeling your body tremble.

It's as if you can feel the curse again, sense the pain on your skin. Opening your eyes and shaking the memories away, you swallow dryly and reach for the glass of water on the nightstand.

You just want Wanda by your side telling you that everything is going to be okay.

//-//-//-//-//

You stay under observation for two days.

Doctor Hank makes a joke about you enjoying St.Mungus more than you should since you keep coming back, but Tony doesn't laugh.

Then you' re going back to Hogwarts by train, because the doctor thinks you shouldn't use magical means of transportation for a few days, and it's weird to take the empty express, but as soon as you arrive at the station, Gamora and Nebula are waiting for you with boxes of candy bought in Hogsmeade, and tight hugs.

You are not surprised by the stares you receive from the other students, but you ignore them as your sisters escort you around the castle to the Hufflepuff communal hall.

"Did you get to talk to Wanda?" Gamora asks as soon as you sit down on your bed, sighing with exhaustion from the train ride. The mention of the other sorceress' name doesn't help.

"Not yet." You say. "And I wouldn't be surprised to hear that she's ignoring me."

Nebula exchanges a look with her sister before sitting down on Mantis' bed, who is hugging her knees and looking at you.

"Honestly, I just want to finish this year without any more problems." You confess as you take off your jacket. And there is a moment of silence before you swallow dryly. "I also wanted to apologize to you guys."

Gamora frowns slightly, but says nothing. You take a deep breath.

"I know I was under the influence of an evil book, but that was still no excuse for treating you guys like that." You begin. "Tony told me about how things are in the wizarding world. Everyone is going through something, and it was selfish of me to think that only my problems matter. I'm sorry."

"Really, Y/N, it's okay." Nebula says, surprising you a bit. "We were all stressed, and well, I think an evil book is a pretty fair excuse." She jokes, making you smile. "Maybe things will get a little better now that Strange is the director."

"Oh, that's right" You comment just then remembering the things Tony updated you on while you were at St.Mungus. Like Kaecillius' resignation, and the position being passed on to Professor Stephen. "But honestly, I won't be at peace until I hear from Wanda."

"The trial isn't until Friday. And the way things are going, we won't get any news until it's over." Gamora warned as she sat down on the bed next to you. "I think the Maximoffs are probably too busy to write."

"What do you think will happen to Wanda?" You ask as you tug at the loose strands of the comforter. Mantis sighs lightly.

"I don't have a good feeling about things, Y/N." She confesses and you frown in concern. "And the stars never lie."

"Thank you, Mantis." You mock softly, and Gamora runs her hands through her hair.

"Let's not be pessimistic, okay?" she says. "Maybe the predictions are about, I don't know, the school finals? It doesn't mean something bad is really going to happen."

You grumble unhappily, grabbing a pillow and sinking your face into it. Gamora strokes your back.

"I'm sure things will work out, Y/N." She says. "Wanda will write as soon as she can."

"Do you guys think Kaecilius will be sent to Azkaban?" Nebula asks next, making you raise your head curiously.

"I wouldn't be so sure." You grumble. "I was actually surprised that he was put on trial at all."

"Well, with the whole mess that happened, it was bound to happen." Gamora said. "More than half the school became aware that he used the cruciatus curse on you, and then the daily prophet. And I didn't even know they were in the castle."

"It was because of Wanda really, wasn't it?" Mantis added. "Kaecillius caused his own ruin. He called the journalists to show what he called progress and decided to torture a student while they were in the castle. Then Wanda destroyed the entire floor and the next morning his arrest was all over the pages."

"I'm just really outraged to know that if no one had seen it, he would probably still be at Hogwarts." Gamora says angrily, and you sigh, agreeing as well as the others.

"Well, you must be hungry, shall we go to the great hall? It's almost dinner time." Gamora comments next, pulling you by the hand. You grumble softly, but agree, and soon you are leaving the communal hall to join the rest of the students.

//-//-//-//-//

You are tapping your fingers gently against the desk as you wait for the History of Magic class to begin.

It is Friday, finally.

You have barely slept because of anxiety about news of Wanda's trial.

Things at Hogwarts have changed a lot this week, all because of Strange's administration.

He restored the old classes, banned the teaching of dark magic, the scandal at the Daily Prophet being enough of an argument that the Minister of Magic no longer had a defense over this kind of teaching at Hogwarts. The restricted session of the library was also put back, and the seventh floor was off-limits because of the destruction Wanda caused, and you unfortunately lost access to the Requirement room.

Mantis was writing what looked like a lunar calendar for the divination class while Professor Okoye didn't arrive, and you started whistling distractedly.

And then Thor Odinson was poking you in the back to get your attention, and you turned around in your chair.

"Hi, Stark, what's up?"

"Fine." You grumbled suspiciously. "Can I help you with something?"

Thor looked almost unsure. "I was just wondering if you know of anything going on with Loki."

You frowned. "Excuse me?"

"I mean if you know if he's sick or something." He explains. "We had a fight, and well, he's not talking to me. And I've noticed that you guys have been kind of close lately, and I was curious if you knew anything and..."

"No, Thor, I'm sorry." You interrupt with a sigh. "Maybe you should ask him that."

Thor assumes a sad expression. "I would, but he's ignoring me. I think it might be about our mother."

You make a confused expression, and Thor looks surprised.

"Our mother, she...died earlier this year, Y/N." Thor counters, and you widen your eyes. "Our family is a name of reference against Mephisto. With the war, the walkers came to our home. She was there while we were here, and Dad was at the ministry."

"I'm so sorry, Thor." You whisper to him, still shocked by the information. He shrugged.

"I thought Loki told you."

"We don't talk about things like that, I guess." You say. "Sorry, I wish I knew how to help you."

"No, it's okay." Thor says with a sad smile. "You being his friend this year is more than enough. I don't like seeing him all alone out here."

You nod lightly, settling into your chair as you notice the teacher entering the room.

Mantis exchanges a look of understanding with you, having overheard the conversation even if accidentally, but she says nothing, and soon you are hearing about the witch hunt in the United States, and you try to focus on that rather than curiosity about how Wanda's trial is going or Loki's current emotional state.

//-//-/-//-//-//

As soon as lunchtime begins, you join the Slytherin table, where some of the students have placed a radio on the table, equally with other students from the other houses, to listen to the trial.

You are not surprised that a student's trial is such an interesting topic for everyone, but after the school started talking about Wanda being a scarlet witch, and the theories circulating around the halls, it was to be expected.

So you sit back while biting your fingertips and listening.

"And now directly from the Ministry of Magic, the trial of seventeen-year-old witch Wanda Maximoff, daughter of legendary witch Erik L-"

Your attention is slightly diverted from the narrative when loud laughter catches your ears.

They are Gryffindor and Slytherin students, exchanging coins. You don't need to hear the conversation to know they are gambling about the trial, the mean laughter and glances in the direction of you and your sisters are enough.

And as if she could feel your growing fury, Gamora touches your shoulder gently.

"Just ignore them, Y/N." She urges and you clench your jaw. " Everything is going to be okay with Wanda."

"I hope you're right, Gamora." You grumble, turning your attention back to the radio.

The narration of the newspaper is generic, and you discover that the audience has been closed off to the reporters.

You take a deep breath, concentrating.

No strange feeling, so Wanda is safe.

You wonder if Erik and Pietro are by her side during the whole thing.

It is only at the end of lunchtime that you have the result.

"It's amazing how things unfold in the ministry this afternoon." Counted the reporter with almost excitement. "After a unanimous vote, the witch Wanda Maximoff was found guilty of endangering her fellow students by not registering as a scarlet witch to the ministry of magic, after it was proven that her father, the sorcerer Erik Lehnsherr knew of her condition, as well as the affiliation with the criminal, Agatha Harkness was also mentioned. The ministry finally decided on Wanda Maximoff's expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding"

You felt your stomach plummet.

And everything became a little muffled around you, a soft whistle in your ear. You think Gamora and Nebula were calling for you, but you were getting up, feeling the room getting too small.

Stumbling out, you loosened the knot of your tie, finally stopping in the courtyard as you leaned your body against a pillar.

Wanda had been expelled from Hogwarts, publicly exposed as a Scarlet Witch, and tried as a criminal. You wondered if they would break her wand. Banned wizards led horrible lives.

Your sisters and friends caught up with you quickly, and you let them hug you.

In a few minutes Director Strange is catching up with you as well, and you release Gamora's grip to talk to him.

"Professor, I need to..."

"You cannot leave Hogwarts, Miss Stark." He interrupts with a wave of his hands and you frown in confusion, ready to protest but he is already speaking. "Tony sent a patronus as soon as the results came out, he already figured you'd want to see Miss Maximoff. The ministry is a mess, and Wanda will be staying with her father there for the minister's final decisions. You should stay here, where you are safe."

"That's not fair!" You squawk angrily. "Wanda needs me, I must-"

"She needs you to be safe." He interrupts again seriously, and then lowers his tone slightly as he notices the curious looks of the surrounding students. "Be rational, Miss Stark. Now that the Wizarding community knows the nature of Wanda's powers, how long before Mephisto has enough information and discovers your identity as protector."

You swallow dryly, clenching your fists begrudgingly. Stephen is right. You look away, and he sighs, placing his hand on your shoulder.

"Wanda will be fine, even without her NEWTS, she is an extraordinary witch." He says. "And the year is coming to an end, soon you will be able to see her again."

"She needs me now." You grumble annoyed, turning away from the professor's touch. He looks at you for a moment and then clears his throat.

"I'll see what I can do, Miss Stark." He says."In the meantime, focus on your studies, and be careful."

You frown at Stephen's words, but he is already turning and leaving before you can ask.

As you turn to your friends, Gamora has a worried look on her face.

"Are you okay?" She asks, and you sigh, agreeing to hug her again as you mumble no.

"I can feel how upset she is, Gamora." You grumble against your sister's shirt, wishing you could hug Wanda now. Gamora squeezes you against her arms, and you thank her for her intention even if it isn't enough.

The next few days are like a blur for you.

Many letters arrive, as do many editions of the Daily Prophet.

When the picture of the day Wanda's wand was broken comes out on the front page and you see her tired face, you have to run out of the common room to keep from crying in front of your colleagues.

Everyone writes to you, even Carol, everyone but the Maximoffs.

It is frustrating, and honestly, it breaks your heart in many ways.

The news of a Scarlet Witch after a century is almost as bombastic as Mephisto's return, and you're not surprised that many of your colleagues would start to comment on the possibility of Wanda working with him or against him.

It's overwhelming how everyone talks about her, but all you can feel is how much you miss her around the castle, around you.

You couldn't even remember that your magic is stable, and with everything that has happened, you haven't had time to figure out how to fix things.

Stephen tried to help, but he didn't know what was going on. At least the theoretical part of magic you were able to master, and you hoped to get at least an acceptable score in some subjects.

Only almost a week and a half after the trial, Professor Strange interrupts the potions class to talk to you.

Ignoring the curious stares and whispers of your classmates, you ask Professor Munroe to excuse you, and leave the room.

"What is wrong, professor?" You ask curiously as you close the door, watching Stephen with his hands in his pockets.The dungeons feel emptier without the ministry aurors around the castle.

"Saturday, in the Astronomy tower, nine-thirteen at night." He says as he hands you a small gold key, causing you to frown in confusion. "You will have exactly one hour, Miss Stark. Not a second more."

You stare at the object in your hand, and understand. A portal key. To Wanda.

"Thank you, Professor." You say, and Stephen nods before leaving.

You turn back to potions, the object in your pocket. You could barely contain your anxiety.

//-//-//-//-//-//-//

Tag list> @imapotatao / @aimezvousbrahms/ @ensorcellme/ @helloalycia || @mionemymind / @abimess / @stephanieromanoff / @yourtaletotell / @tomy5girls / @justagaypanicking / @thegayw1tch / @idek-5 // @myperfectlovepoem // @helloalycia // @ENSORCELLME // @AIMEZVOUSBRAHMS // @drpepperobsessed // @sighsam // @olsensnpm // @sxfwap // @table57 // @madamevirgo // @causeitswhatjesuswouldfreakingdo // @emptysince18x // @xastrydx || @yuhloversxx || @ymzki-haruki || @wouldirunofftheworldsomeday || @lostandsearching || @lezzzbehonesthere || @musicinourlips || @chaekhan || @diaryoflife || @nervoustrack || @aquamarinescarlet || @cristin-rjd || @idamaemann || @fortunatelynerdylight || @iliketozoneout || @blackwow34 // @tiny--freak || @spongebobtentacles || @cyberbonesworld ||

A/F/N> Place your bets for my next comeback (a week, a month or tomorrow?). If I delete the blog, and you're in love with this story for some reason I don't know about because there are so many better things to read, know that I'll post everything on AO3 if I ever do.

[gureumcity]

my last love

💌 pairing: lee hyunjae x reader 💌 genre: oneshot, dad!au, fluff 💌 word count: 10.3k 💌 author's note: hyunjae being a dad just reminds me of the little kid from the d.d.d. dance thing because of how he cried after since he won’t be able to see jaehyun anymore. i found that so adorable and i searched him up a while ago on insta. he’s already so grown up. he looks like a young actor. anyway... i hope you enjoy my first oneshot! also name's gonna be hyunjae because i feel like we're more used to his stage name.

[ dating lee hyunjae was the best thing that ever happened to the both of you but when things don't work it, everything falls apart. what happens when years later, he shows up in your life again successful with his career, which is the main reason to your breakup, but still in love with you? ]

it's funny how the world works. god gives you the thing you've wished for most and then reminds you that he has full control of your life by taking it away for a split second. what hurts is that a second to god, seems like years to humans.

if anybody asks you what memory remains as the best time of your life, you'd answer your first love. lee hyunjae wasn't some boy you could start hating just because he broke up with you. lee hyunjae was your high school sweetheart. he held good standards at school, at home, and always did the best for you. so no, he wasn't some guy you hated after just a breakup. you hated him because he left you with the best gift in your life but never stayed to be a part of it. it was the summer before graduation. the both of you were supposed to go on a date because you had something to tell him. a surprise, one would say. but little did you know, he had something to share too. polar opposites, in fact. one could change your life for the better and the other would ruin it.

the first day of summer vacation. you could never forget that date. a picnic made for just the two of you as you sat down on the soft fabric and pulled out cute bento boxes you spent the night before making. you never saw it coming. not with the smile he had on his face when he was with you. not with all the flirty gestures he threw at you from habit. not with the way he stared at you as if you were the only thing he cared to see in the world.

he dumped you. at least that's the only way you saw it back then. he had a dream. a dream that was more important than whatever the two of you shared, which clearly did not mean much to him. at the time, you held grudges; why would he tell you that he loved you if he was going to break up with you? why did he kiss your cheek when he wanted to? why the hell did he plan the date?

it's been years now and that mentality of yours grew, allowing you to see this all in another light. you were young. you were naive. he was young. he was naive. and to be quite honest, both of you deserved to pursue your dreams and if that meant having to be with the right person at the wrong time, then so be it.

hold on. forgetting one important thing here, aren't we? what was your surprise that day? you had gone to your annual check up to the doctors. and they surprised you with a congratulations. you were pregnant. like any other young girl, you were terrified and you expected him to be the one to support you most.

either way, your parents and friends helped you out a lot.

you didn't mean to still be so in love but when you heard you were having a boy, the first name that popped in your head was seojun. back when hyunjae and you were joking around how cute kids were and if there were any in both your near future, you'd want to name him seojun. you ended up never thinking of a girl name because you got distracted with him dropping ice cream on his shirt. he was cute in that way.

hyunjae, on the other hand, came back from his abroad sessions and became successful. he took big responsibility within his company, something you wished he had done for you years back. the first year after the breakup was the hardest as he couldn't ever get you out of his head. although, at one point, he just got too busy to think about you. it was bound to happen. if his career meant as much as breaking up with you, he wanted to make the best out of it.

he knew nothing about you and you knew nothing of him. he was oblivious to the fact that he had a kid of his own in this world.

seojun was a handful, which was expected. he was a little boy, after all. so any type of romance was pretty much limited to little to none for you. you hear from a lot of people how it would be healthier for seojun to grow up with a father figure by his side but it was hard to do that when not anyone could make your heart flutter. a year after your breakup, you met younghoon. he was someone who never questioned anything in your life which is why it was easier to open up to him first. he's been there with you since day one of your motherhood.

today was one of those days off to hang out with your friends. you usually let yourself have a day in a month nowadays. the first two years with seojun, you never took a break with your job and taking care of him but after seeing you so overworked, your parents adjusted their work schedule and decided to let you have few days off while they took care of seojun. kevin was supposed to come first because he had something to buy and wanted to buy it before all of you plan to go somewhere else. then, the two other boys would join the both of you.

after hyunjae moved to the states, you met all your friends at an art gallery through a tour. you were in pain from all the walking and younghoon noticed, stopping his friends to come talk to you. you sat there for so long that eventually all of you lost the tour guide. you felt so bad so you offered them a drink at a nearby cafe, in which they accepted.

"y/n!" you hear the familiar voice and turn around to see a figure behind your glass plated door. you chuckled to see kevin knowing at the door frantically.

"i'm coming!!," you ran over to the door, leaving behind the tea you were making. as soon as the door opened, kevin made himself comfortable. "hello to you too." you chuckle at him sitting down on the couch.

"you're not even dressed?" kevin's sarcastic words made you scoff. "thanks. i had to take seojun to my parents' house." he chuckled at your retorted voice before helping you clean the kitchen. a few minutes later, you went to go get proper clothes to go outside before heading out to the car with kevin. he helped you coordinate your outfit. and the fact that you were a fashion designer too? yeah, kevin didn't care. he'd help you in any way he could. he was very much appreciated.

"i think it looks cute.." he mumbles, complimenting his own work. afterwards, you both get into your car, driving off to the mall which was the meeting place you all set. once you arrive, you see younghoon sitting on the bench by olive young (sephora basically).

"hey y/n!" you wave your hand as he gives you a hug. "can you take y/n to the baby store again? i gotta go pee." kevin cuts in between. younghoon chuckles with a nod before kevin goes running off to the bathrooms.

as soon as you enter the store, you received a few concerning looks which you've grown to get used to. it happened a lot in korea since it wasn't very common to give birth so early. when younghoon sees you grabbing at your sleeve, he takes off his jacket. he's known you long enough to know that when you did that, you weren't cold. you were trying to cover yourself no matter the little amount of skin you were showing. he placed the jacket around you, causing you to look up at him. "you okay?" you nod your head, grabbing a few bibs and new bottles. you wanted to get out of there as soon as possible so you quickly rushed to the cashier. everyone besides you knew you spoiled seojun because you were trying make up for the missing father.

once younghoon noticed how you were trying to rush out of there without explaining anything, he held your hand. "y/n.. i know you're not okay. may i remind you i've been there for you when you gave birth and then you came to me crying because you forgot you still had periods after giving birth? now going down the aisle to buy those tampons.. that was embarrassing." you chuckle at his attempt to cheer you up, which it did, and quickly paid for your stuff before following him out the store.

"i'm okay, hoon. and thank you for that day, although you did text me if the sizes meant how much i weighed."

"hey! in my defense, how was i supposed to know?" you both chuckled at the memory before seeing kevin and chanhee talking to one another by the bench from before.

"y/n! how's seojun?" you smiled at the child lover in front of you. "good to see you too.. seojun's doing great. he's really picking up a lot of words. not to brag or anything, but i think my kid's a genius." they all chuckled at your motherly pride coming out.

"okay so about today's plans. i was thinking the festival. it's open for a few more weeks but it's been a few days now so it shouldn't be too crowded." chanhee offers, being the group's social one. but before you could answer, you felt your phone ring. you excuse yourself to pick up the call only to have your mom telling you that seojun wouldn't stop crying and wanted to see you. you end the phone, walking back, only to tell them mother business calls. they all understood but felt too bad to discuss today's plans in front of you.

"hey i'll be fine. maybe i can make it later but we'll probably be in different places by then. i heard jacob and sangyeon's coming too, right?" younghoon nodded his head before looking at you with a worried face. "i promise i'll be fine. go have fun. just someone take kevin cause i was his ride here."

"can't stop a mother from wanting to be with her son. have fun." you smiled at kevin's words and nodded.

chanhee ushered all of you to move along out to the parking lot. you separated with them and drove over to your parents' house. knocking on the door, you smiled as you had the toy you bought for seojun.

"mommy!" you hear as soon as the door opens. "hi baby! how was hanging out with grandpa and grandma?" you said, eyes shimmering in joy.

"grandpa and i were watching tv and he had his mom with him but i didn't. so i cried.." you chuckled at his dried tear stain on his cheeks. "well mommy's here now so everything's better, right?," he nodded his head, wrapping his arms around your neck. "you're such a big boy, hmm? you stopped crying all by yourself? good job.." you complimented him as he nodded before whispering "and grandma gave me cookies.." you looked up at your mom, who was brave enough to give a three year old cookies.

"really, mom?"

"what? he seemed hungry."

"and you chose cookies out of all things?"

"okay. well, at least, i brushed his teeth after." she said, making you smile at her. you picked up seojun in your arms and kissed his cheek. "i'm taking him to the festival today."

"i'm sorry. you were on break today.." your mom apologizes but what kind of mistake is getting to hang out with your little man instead. you tickled seojun, which caused him to let out a very familiar laugh. he's got hyunjae's laugh. that awkward, cute laugh. you didn't hate it though. it felt nice to see hyunjae in him sometimes. it hurt from time to time but you felt happy that you had a mini version of him in your life.

there were certain nights you thought of how things could have been different. if hyunjae hadn't been nice enough to let you go instead of making you wait the years he studied abroad. if you had delivered the news before he did his. if hyunjae and you had just figured things out. seojun reminded you of all the nostalgic memories the two of you shared. it really wasn't fair. how amazing it felt when he was born but how painful it felt without hyunjae.

lots of people say everyone remembers and should remember three loves in your love. your first love that gives you puppy like flutters doesn't last. your second love that brings pain in different types of forms yet feels most committed and passionate. your last love that'll seem like it lasts forever and does. but in your case, where did hyunjae even fit? first love? of course. the one that brings pain? yeah.. and did it feel like your last love, one that you wanted to never end? honestly, yes.

once you reached the festival, you made sure you had some snacks and juice for seojun in your bag. as soon as you entered, seojun's eyes spots the bounce house. luckily, there was one with a smaller kid capacity so there was a lower chance of him getting hurt. you got him a turn before getting a call from younghoon. you answered, not breaking your attention on seojun. he'd asked if you made it to the festival and you told him that you had with seojun. you loved seeing that he could have fun by himself so much that you didn't hear younghoon talking about some other friends with him. "hello? earth to y/n?" you chuckle as he tells you where he is. "i'll be there in a few minutes." "no. wait. did you hear what i sai-" you end the call because you saw seojun climbing out of the bounce house.

"was it fun?," you ask, seeing him smile. "good.. how about seeing younghoon?" you offered. seojun had taken a liking on younghoon since he was one of the few men around in his life. he nods his head so you pick him up and walk towards wherever younghoon instructed to go. when you came across a corn dog station, seojun tugged at you. "can i get one of those?" you sighed, knowing he could at least eat the sausage but you didn't want him to love it or else that's all he'll want. but it was a festival. what the heck? why not? you walked over to the station and asked for just sausage in a plate. it didn't take long, fortunately, so you walked with seojun still in your arms, trying to pick at it to be bite-sized.

"yo y/n!" you hear kevin's voice so you turn around to see a few guys. you walk over and place seojun onto the ground, staring down at him as he held your hand. as soon as arrive, you give seojun the sausage. "okay don't eat and walk at the same time, remember. make sure you chew each bite instead of shoving them all.. got it?" he nods his head before taking the plate with your ripped piece. when you look up, your eyes connect with someone who you haven't seen in years.

"oh my god." you blurt out. "what? are you okay?" younghoon says, worried. he walks over, taking off his jacket and covers you. "no.. it's not that," you awkwardly laugh before looking up at the person in front of you. "so umm.. who are these guys?"

"oh. so that's changmin. chanhee knows him so he got his friends to come over. you already know sangyeon and jacob. then that's ju haknyeon, lee juyeon, kim sunwoo, sohn eric, and lee hyunjae." you smile at each one of them as they gave you a small wave until you spotted the boy directly the one closest to you again.

"anyway. they just called our number. we're up next for the maze. you wanna come with us, y/n?" you shook your head as sangyeon asks. you don't know exactly how they got jacob to go but you chuckled when he held hands with chanhee, only to get a smack on his shoulder.

"i wanna go try this one but hyunjae here, ate something weird before so he wanted to sit this one out. he'll watch over you, okay?" you could do nothing but nod as your best friend disappears into the line. you look to the side to see seojun still eating his food. you take his hand and lead him to sit on the little wall hyunjae was sitting on.

"y/n?," your shoulders tensed at the voice. "c-can we talk?"

"i think you're talking right now." you didn't mean to be so spiteful but this was just so sudden. all those days lying in bed, imagining all the scenarios of bumping into him one day, gone to waste. you were so speechless, only mean remarks came to mind.

"it's been a while.. hasn't it?" you couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh. "mhmm.." you grabbed a juice from your bag, handing it to seojun. the silence was suffocating you until one of the people in the toy station came walking. "here.. for the little boy." he says, handing a cool toy to seojun. you smile at his eyes glistening but glancing over to you for permission. you softly nod. "say thank you, seojun." you say as seojun stands up and bows. "what a polite child. seems like you guys are doing a good job." you chuckled awkwardly to see hyunjae frozen in his spot. he didn't mean to bombard you with questions but he had too many thoughts running through his mind right now.

you never would have thought, out of all places, you would meet again at a time and place like this. you watch as he observes seojun.

"is he.. yours?", hyunjae spoke, looking over to seojun, who wasn't even paying attention to you. seeing him peacefully playing with the toy, you look back towards hyunjae. you nodded your head, causing hyunjae to exhale a soft sigh. "are you married now?"

"no." how could you be?

"so." you both say in unison, causing you to blush.

"oh.. you go."

"no.. ladies first."

"what a gentleman..," you said, trying not to sound so snarky. "i guess.. how's everything? your life? your... career?" you were curious and who could blame you? after leaving your heart broken with no other reason than 'i just don't want to make you wait', you couldn't help but question everything you did.

"well, i opened up a company. i got back a year ago and settled in seoul," you nodded your head, trying to ignore the awkwardness. "how about you?"

"i started fashi-"

"mommy.. i'm cold." you looked over to hyunjae before sighing.

"sorry.. hold on," you grabbed his jacket and helped him put it on. "are you warmer now?" seojun takes your hand in his and flashes you a smile. "thank you, mommy."

"he's mine....", hyunjae stopped himself for a second, seeing seojun laughing. "isn't he?," he questioned. you didn't know whether he calculated the estimated age to when you two were dating or he just saw certain features of himself in seojun, but you knew he was well capable of both. you ran your hands through seojun's hair and sighed, slowly nodding your head. "and you didn't tell me this because?"

"we broke up the day i was going to tell you." hyunjae was more than guilty from your words, biting his lip.

"i'm sorry, y/n. i never meant for this to happen. i swear if i knew.. i would have been there for you. why didn't you text me? i didn't block you or anything. in fact, i assumed you would have at least call me and cuss me out or something. but after that night, you didn't call or text me. i didn't know what to do. i just-"

"hyunjae," he looked at your soft smile. "i'm okay.. no. i don't have a boyfriend. and no. i haven't been dating. but i'm happy.. i'm more than happy just to raise my son. or.. i guess. our son." you stopped your words as you see seojun walk over to hyunjae.

"daddy?" you had no idea how to respond to that. you didn't want to lie but you also couldn't tell him yes. you didn't even know hyunjae's lifestyle and how busy he would be.

"yes. i am your daddy. i'm sorry i missed your first few years of life.. you've grown up well," hyunjae says, bending down to seojun's height. "you said your name was seojun.. right?"

"yeah.. seojun." hyunjae looks up at you with a teasing smile as you scoffed at his behavior. "i had to. it was a cute name. and it stuck to me," you were surprised he still remembered. you see the other guys laughing and on their way back. "hyunjae.. can you talk any other day?" he nodded his head but before you could say anything else, younghoon's picking up seojun.

"what's up, little man?" he says as seojun giggles. you didn't miss the look on hyunjae's face as his eyebrows furrowed.

"how was the maze?," you asked as the boys all talk over themselves about how fun it was. "well i got absolutely nothing from that.. but i'm glad you had fun." they chuckled as they started to take small turns introducing themselves to seojun. you were worried he might not be able to remember so many names but it was worth a try.

"hey, how about we trade phone numbers?" eric offers. "all of us? that's too many. why don't we just have chanhee do it? he knows all of us here anyway. right, bestie?" changmin says, annoying chanhee with his sweet voice. "mhmm.. sure. why not?," he says rolling his eyes but ends up pulling out his phone anyway. all of our phones let out notification sounds. "you're welcome."

you feel seojun tug at your jeans. "i'm sleepy.."

"do you need a ride?" younghoon offers. "no, i drove here. does anyone else need a ride back though? he's probably going to sleep in the car anyway so i can drive a few of you around since i smell alcohol." you said emphasizing the word while looking at sangyeon.

"changmin and i are sober. so who are we gonna split with? if we don't fit all of us then, we'll have y/n take the others." jacob says as you nod your head, waiting for all of them to decide. you picked up seojun and patted his back, hoping he falls asleep. "okay we can't fit two people."

"i can take hoon and someone else home."

"what about hyunjae? he lives near us." younghoon says as you eye hyunjae. it was funny how much you trusted younghoon but never got to tell him exactly who seojun's father was.

"sure. why not? i'll take these two back then. goodnight, everyone." you say cheerfully but in a whisper as seojun has managed to fall asleep.

the drive back home wasn't as awkward as you'd expected since seojun sleeping made an excuse for the silence. younghoon looked after seojun in the back as hyunjae sat next to you in the passenger seat. "drop me off first cause i'm closer." you nod as you stop in front of younghoon's house. he walks over to your side and gives you a small kiss on the forehead. "goodnight, y/n.." you watch him enter his house before driving off again.

"so where do you live?" hyunjae gives you a number only to realize he was only two blocks away. all of you lived in the same community and you never noticed?

"you can come over at 6 during the evening tomorrow if that's a good time for you and we can talk," you watch as hyunjae looks at the back seat of your car. "i'm sorry.. for everything." you chuckle with a nod.

"i'll see you next time, hyunjae.."

——————————

when seojun woke up the next day, you heard him crying. you assumed it would be one of his morning bawls but once you see him sitting up in his bed, using his blanket as a tissue, you ran to him. "hey baby.. what's wrong?," you waited until he calmed down and placed him on your lap. "hmm?"

"why did daddy leave? why is he back now?" you choked from his question. never.. not even once had seojun ever asked you about his father. he just always grew up without knowing much of the meaning of a father. but, you had a father and so did many of seojun's fellow classmates. it was inevitable for him to eventually learn the word.

"baby.. h-he was very busy... with work. but he loves you.. very much. and i know he would have wanted to spend a lot of time with you," you sighed, watching as he pulled at your clothes. "how about this? you can hang out with him next time." seojun nods his head frantically at your idea and smiles with cute dimples above his lips, his left side, a little deeper. even that was from hyunjae's genes.

you hear the bell ring as soon as seojun is dressed. your mother is at the door and you let her enter with seojun in your arm.

"hey. how was the festival?", your mom asks you but as soon as she sees your blanked out face, she knew something is wrong. "sweetie.. can you take seojun upstairs?" you see your father parking his car in the garage and heads upstairs with seojun in his arms.

"i saw him.."

"who?"

"hyunjae." your mother gasps, gathering her hands in front of her mouth, shocked. you nodded, still trying to believe it yourself.

"well how was he? are you okay?" she walked you to the couch, where you both sat down.

"he was in good condition. he looked happier and brighter," you looked down at your hands, remembering the way he smiled when he heard seojun's name. "and he knows seojun is his." your mother calmly pats your back as she observes your expression. as a mother herself, she knew how her own daughter would feel. but to her surprise, you didn't seem hurt. you seemed rather relieved.

"what did you say?"

"he told me to meet him at 6 tonight to talk things out. i don't know what's going to happen but we'll see," your mother was more in shock than you were and that made you giggle. "i'm alright, mom." your reassurance made your mother nod and smile.

"you're gonna be just fine. i trust that you will do what's best for seojun and for you. but whatever happens, you know i'm always here for you." you nodded your head at her words and hugged her. "thanks mom.." you let out, a small tear rising up. "anything for you."

later on, that evening, you dressed up to go over like hyunjae had asked you to. you decided to just walk there since it wasn't too far. you were surprised when you got out of the car. the buildings were humongous and they were luxurious as well. you didn't really get to look around yesterday since you were a little out of it.

the door was opened by someone else when you knocked. "chanhee?," you were greeted by other people around hyunjae. "um hello? am i interrupting something?"

"guys. this is the y/n."

"hyunjae. they already know me. i uh- thought we'd be. alone?"

"look y/n. i'm sorry. they came barging in and..," you looked over at the six boys and back to hyunjae. "they know.."

"know what?" all of them look over to you with pitiful eyes and you knew what he was talking about. hyunjae walks over to you and holds your hand. "they already knew the whole thing. just not that it was with you."

"is that why you introduced me as "the y/n"?," he nodded his head before all of them walked over to the other room. "so.."

"there's a room to your right. it's the living room cause i didn't know if you'd be comfortable in a uh... in a bedroom." you nodded your head as you followed him. you didn't have time or the focus to pay attention yesterday but he got taller. and more toned. settling down, he offers you a drink from the counter so you smile, nodding your head before you both sit down across from each other. it was quite obvious to you how hyunjae was nervous. you were too but you were just better at hiding it.

"hyunjae. i'm okay. if you're worried about that. if you want, i can start and-"

"no. i have some things that i've prepared to say. things that i've been meaning to say to you before you changed your number and uh.. i'm afraid i'll miss my chance if i don't say it now." you nodded your head, completely understanding him. from the looks of that, he hasn't changed much and you felt happy about it. maybe it really was because you matured but now, you don't have this tingly feeling anymore like you did back in high school. back then, everything he did made you flutter.

"alright.."

"i want to apologize for that day. i think it's okay for me to say this now and i don't know if it'll change anything as of right now. but that day.. i didn't break up with you because i fell out of love with you. i did it because i knew how long it'd take to study abroad. we were gonna have different time zones and once they give me a higher position, i wouldn't be able to visit korea every now and then. i know this seems like an excuse but i swear. i didn't mean to hurt you. i had at least hoped you would stay in contact with me, whether to tell me i was a jerk or to say that you still loved me and you were hurt or maybe even about you moving on. i know it was selfish to think i could have both. i'm sorry about that... but i'm glad we somehow managed to see each other again cause i've been thinking about you. especially these days. i know it may seem like i left and forgot about you. trust me. i wanted to tell myself that you'd be happier and better off without me but it only made myself regret the way i handled things even more. by the time i decided to check up on you, i had no way to contact you. i just want you to know that i did try to fix things. i know it's sudden and you might have already moved on but.. i still love you. is there any way i could be a part of your life again? whether or not we date, that's something different. but.." you took in all of his emotion filled statements and smiled, the more he explained things. you felt relieved for his comforting reasons for everything and looked up at him once he finished.

"hyunjae.. i want you to know that i never resented you after you left. yeah, i locked myself in my room for a day. but I had seojun so i did the best for the both of us to raise him in my womb. i know you.. enough to know that you probably blamed yourself for everything. and me moving and changing phone numbers wasn't because of you. i changed companies so i had to change my address and number. and hyunjae.. i never wanted you to think that any of this was your fault. i'm happy right now and you're right. i don't know if we can get back together but seojun seemed to like you. if you really mean it, we can hang out a few times. for seojun, of course. we'll see where it goes from there but i can't guarantee you that we'll be the way we used to be." you did your best to describe things in the nicest way possible. even though you still had feelings for him, it just wasn't the same anymore.

"yeah. for sure. we can schedule something. i'll make some time. whenever you want.. i just want to make it up to you. i'm happy with the way i am now, with the guys. but i don't know if it was worth leaving you." you both sigh at the same time, causing you to laugh.

"i'm happy that you're happy. but we'll take it slow. i think that's better for all of us. i'm only doing this for seojun right now so just don't have high hopes."

"i understand.."

——————————

as soon as you reached your house, you started thinking about how everything went and realized you barely took the time to greet the other boys. you hated that you didn't notice how rude you came off as. but when you see seojun, you see the face of your ex-lover, the father of your child. after everything that you have gone through, you'd be more than happy to include him back in your- seojun's life, it still was a lot to take in.

"so.. did everything go okay?" you heard your mother by the kitchen waiting with two glasses of wine. you walked over with a smile as she slowly slid one to you. "where's dad?" she glares at you for not seeing the effort she put in to comfort you and offers the drink with a push. "your father can handle seojun for tonight. i think we can fill him in later." you sigh as you start to explain what went down the past hour at hyunjae's house.

once you were finished, your mom blinks, a little startled. "well i'm glad you were able to talk things out." you nodded your head because she was right.

"well that was fast. i got him right to sleep this time.", you hear your dad walking down the stairs with a satisfied grin on his face. "hey kiddo.. how'd it go?"

"for the first time in four years, i just had the most honest conversation. he knows about seojun and wants to be a part of his life." you carefully watched your dad's reaction as he could be harder to grasp the situation than your mom since he was more sensitive to whoever hurts you.

"i'm glad he's taking responsibility to be a part of seojun's life. but are you sure you want him back in your life? whether you like it or not, he's going to just barge back in. there's no other choice. he has half the right for seojun." you hated that he was right. you were unsure with all this. "i think i can let you figure that out on your own. i'm sure you're just as confused.. we'll be here for you. we love seojun with all our hearts and i trust that you'll make the right decision for yourself. either way, whatever you choose, we'll support you all the way." you broke into a smile at your father's comforting words, a little similar to your mother's. but what mattered was they both loved you and have supported you all throughout this bump in the road.

"aw, dad.."

"just looking out for you, buddy.." he pulls you into a hug before you look over to your mom. "go check seojun. we let him take your room so just sleep there with him." you walk up the stairs, to the room. opening the door, you see your son quietly and peacefully sleeping. you were lucky to have a kid like him. maybe it was best for seojun to formally meet his father. the only thing that worried you was hyunjae not being able to be there constantly when he was needed. he didn't have the best record for staying.

——————————

spending your sunday at a water park with seojun seemed like the best way to end your vacation. you made sure to pack everything you needed. but before you could call for seojun, your phone rings.

"i heard you saw him yesterday. why didn't you tell me it was hyunjae?" you could hear a worried, kind of panicking voice. "well.. i didn't know you knew him. it's not like i can bring it up in a conversation. oh hey, by the way the secret baby daddy's name is hyunjae. thought you'd want to know."

"well there's no need to be sarcastic.." you chuckled at his pouty voice. "how did you even know? wait.. let me guess. my mom?", the silence on the other end was loud enough. "good to know my own mother can't keep her mouth shut." younghoon's chuckle fills the speaker before a sigh. "why don't you try asking him to hang out with seojun today?"

"i'm going to the water park today." you swear you heard a squeal of a high school girl. "even better! don't call me today and make sure you stay safe but most of all, have fun!" you look for hyunjae's contact name and come across his nickname "jae". you heard the call ring two times before it's picked up. "hello?" you cleared your throat. "um hey.. it's y/n. are you busy today?"

"no. why? is something up?" your throat had gone dry. "i was just wondering if you'd like to hang out.. with seojun. if you really meant spending time with him." some rustling noises were heard on the other end before pants. "i'll be ready in ten minutes." you chuckle at his response. "okay.. i'll see you soon then." after the call ended, you headed up the stairs to see seojun dressed.

"seojun.. how would you like to see your daddy today, hmm?", almost immediately, seojun nods his head, which was a relief on your end. "alright.. good. i think you'll see him soon."

"he's here!" seojun says, hearing the doorbell ring. you watch seojun hugging hyunjae's leg. you couldn't help but break into a big smile before clearing your throat.

"yes! here i am." hyunjae says and picks up seojun. although the sight of them was everything you'd ever dreamed of, you were still worried of all that would happen.

all of you leave the house and to your car and you couldn't help but space out. "do you want me to drive? if that's fine with you.." hyunjae offers as you buckle seojun's seat belt. taking out the car key from your pocket, you hand it to him. "sure. why not?"

once all of you were on the road, he clears his throat, a bit nervous. "you don't know how happy i was when you called me today.." you nodded your head, not knowing how to respond. "i don't really know what's going to happen to the both of us from now on and we do still need to figure things out... but i do want you to know that i think it's a great idea you want to be here for seojun. and you know.. about what you said yesterday.. i never stopped loving you either. what you did still hurt and i went through a lot, especially with raising seojun on my own. i hope you understand that it won't be the same anymore. at least not for a while." hyunjae nodded at your words, taking in every sentence seriously. "i know, y/n. i don't expect you to just come running back to me. i know what i did back then, was childish and stupid. but I'm here now, to make it up to you. so take your time and think about things. i'm not gonna be pushing you or anything."

after a while of seojun calling out different colors outside the window, you reached the park. taking out your wallet, hyunjae stops you. "no. i'll pay." you watch as he takes his wallet out as well. "i invited you-"

"y/n. i think i owe you more than three tickets to a water park. please just let me." hyunjae's stare was intimidating enough for you to shove your wallet back in your bag. as he finished paying, you sat down seojun at a bench and got him ready with sunscreen.

"thanks.." you said as hyunjae catches up to you and seojun with the tickets. he nodded his head with a smile. seojun reached for hyunjae's hand, making hyunjae blush. this was hyunjae's and seojun's first memory of them together. it felt weird but you were happy.

"mommy and daddy are finally together. do you love each other?" seojun's question made the two of you look at each other. where did he even learn those words? you chuckled awkwardly. "hmm?"

"mommy always says she loves me. do you love me?" he asks, looking at hyunjae. "of course I love you.."

"and do you love mommy?" you couldn't help but expect an answer even though you'd much rather have a mature conversation between the two of you than your son asking all the questions for you. yeah, you heard the words last night but it felt.. different. "yeah. i do love your mom, seojun." you eyed hyunjae with wide eyes before you cleared your throat.

"what about you, mommy?"

"what about me?"

"do you love daddy?" you chuckled as he looked up to you with sparkly eyes. you changed your view up towards hyunjae and you could see he was doing the same. anticipating your answer.

"yes, baby.. i do.", you saw the way hyunjae's eyes lit up and to your surprise, you felt your heart tingle. it's been a while since it's felt like that. "and we both love you.." you heard a giggle in return before reaching the water slides.

hyunjae was always good with kids. you remember him playing with his younger cousins and their friends at the park. so that's why when he had easily bonded with seojun and the other kids, it was no surprise to you. no later than thirty minutes, he had kids asking seojun to play together and go on the slide with him. you were happy, seeing seojun enjoying the water park.

"mommy! look at me! daddy's carrying me!" you hear and see seojun on hyunjae's shoulders, getting a little worried.

"yeah, that's right.. is it fun?" you asked and waved to seojun. he nodded and wrapped his arms around hyunjae's neck cutely. you smiled at the cute scene in front of you. you walk closer to them to take a photo of seojun but when you see a kid bump into hyunjae, you grab onto him. you didn't want him to lose his balance from it and unconsciously wrapped your arm around him. with an awkward laugh, he carefully placed seojun down. while he runs off to play again, you couldn't get your eyes off hyunjae. you couldn't help it. there was a reason you fell in love with him.

"what?" you looked away, startled from his question. "it's just... can i ask something?", you watch him nod curiously. "why'd you leave that night without actually telling me everything? you know I would have understood. i just feel like you could have explained it to me instead of just leaving me." now that he knows what had been bothering you, hyunjae pulls you into a hug. it's the first time he's touched you since the day you broke up.

"i'm sorry.." he whispered as you placed your hands on his chest. you turned to your side and see seojun. he was still having fun, splashing around with his new friends. you pulled away from hyunjae, realizing you were in public.

"thanks for coming today. really.. i think it means a lot to seojun."

"you know.. you keep saying me all this is good for seojun. what about you? cause if this isn't okay for you, i'm not gonna push it." hyunjae looked at you with worried eyes. he wanted everything to be good with you. he couldn't afford to make another mistake with you. not after seeing you at the carnival and falling in love with you all over again.

"i'm okay with it.. i guess i just need some time to figure things out."

——————————

"mommy.. when can i see daddy again?" seojun's question caught you off guard as you emailed a client.

"would you like to see him again?" he nodded his head so you took out your phone and pressed the facetime button, handing the phone to seojun, causing him to giggle with the phone ringing. you pulled out your computer, glad it was connected to your phone and messaged younghoon about meeting up later today.

you got up from your seat and walked upstairs to see hyunjae smiling on the screen of your phone as seojun's legs swing in happiness. noticing you there, seojun waves his hand.

"mommy.. he said i can come over and play with his friends today.."

"is that so?"

"only if that's okay with you.." you look at hyunjae and smile.

you saw just in time as younghoon responded that he was free so you smile at seojun. "well i'm leaving soon, so i can drop him off on the way." you see the two boys nod in front of you so you chuckle.

"okay okay.. i'll be there in an hour and a half or so. is that fine?"

"yeah. that's fine."

just as you said, you set out an hour later and knocked on the door. "hey y/n. it's nice to see you." eric says, seeing you walk in.

"we've met before, haven't we?", haknyeon says in a teasing tone, instantly walking over towards seojun who was still holding your hand. "can I?" you nod at his pleading eyes before he picks seojun up. he starts to make funny faces, causing seojun to laugh.

"well they will play with seojun while i can get you something to drink? if you're able to stay a bit." changmin offers and you smile, nodding your head.

"that'd be great.." you watch seojun go with hyunjae upstairs before eric takes your hand towards the main room. changmin takes a cup from the cupboard and pours in some tea. "so are you going on a date?"

"i'm sorry?"

"unless you just always dress like that, you have dressed to impress." sunwoo asks you and you smile at the compliment.

"i'm just meeting up with a friend.."

"must be some special friend." juyeon pipes up, lowkey checking you out. "umm. can we not mention any of this to hyunjae? the guy really is just a friend and i don't want him getting the idea that i'm looking to date." they all nod as you sipped your drink awkwardly.

"so uh.. i hope you don't mind me asking but. why don't you date?", you frown at eric"s question. "i know you're busy being a mom but. you know.. hyunjae hasn't been a part of your life for four years now. it's weird to think a pretty girl like you doesn't catch any guys.."

"no, it's alright. umm.. hyunjae did leave but there was always just a part of me that liked the idea of just me and seojun. you'll know once you have a kid but. when you become a parent, you start to view the world differently. it just felt like i didn't need a man to take care of seojun."

"that makes sense.. i guess moms have some kind of power when it comes to their kids." changmin's word made you smile.

"i'm happy for you." sunwoo says, sweetly. all of them knew so much about you. you just assumed hyunjae had talked about you but it felt strangely nice. having someone other than your friends care for you in a fond way.

"it's great that you're independent but i want you to have a proper family one day. someone who makes seojun happy. someone who makes you happy." haknyeon says. you blush, seeing all of them so thoughtful and kind.

"thank you guys.. i mean it.", when you feel your phone chime, you knew you had to go soon. "oh. i guess i have to go but we can talk soon."

when you reach the cafe, you see younghoon with both your orders. you thank him with a small gesture and clear your throat. "so what has been bothering you?" you already knew what younghoon was asking.

"i don't really know how to react to hyunjae appearing like this. i mean. of course i'm happy that seojun gets to meet his dad but you know.. he's been missing out on all his life and you were there when he broke up with me. it's really hard to just ignore how much i suffered back then to let him back in our lives. i want to. for seojun. you know how i've been trying to work out my love life these past few months and now, he just shows up like this. what should i do?" younghoon listened to you carefully and held your hand, sighing.

"i think that.. you need to understand how you feel. no matter the circumstances, i think your feelings matter most. like do you still love him?" you almost choked on your boba, hearing that word.

"i mean. of course i do. maybe not in the same way as before but i still love him. it's not like i can just forget him. well.. it's not how it used to be and-"

"y/n.. this is what you should figure out first. seojun's going to know sooner or later once he grows up and i don't think he wants a mom who can't sort out her own feelings. if you want to start another romance with some other guy, go for that. but if you want to work things out with hyunjae and try to see how everything would lay out, then do that. but you can't just keep using seojun as an excuse for your decisions. he's not some wall you can hide behind." you hated that younghoon was right. he always was. you owed it to him to finally figure this whole situation out. you were always on the receiving end of advice and although to younghoon, you've had plenty of times you'd repay that back but it felt to you that the deserved more than what you could ever offer him as a best friend.

"thanks hoonie.. you really are the best to talk about things. i'll let you know about how it goes. now go get back to work. i know you're on break right now so. i'll see you around." younghoon nodded, pulling you into a hug.

"you deserve the best, y/n.. i mean it." you pat his back, chuckling before you both parted ways. you waited in the cafe, watching others go on with their lives as you think about how hyunjae could stay in your life. you've fallen for him before. you could again.

when the door opens again, you fiddle with your fingers. "how are they?"

"they're having a party up there. go see for yourself." you giggled at the thought of the two boys acting like kids. you knocked on their door to reveal seojun dancing to a song played on the speaker. you watched until he noticed you standing by the door, admiring how cute your son looked.

"mommy!", seojun cheers, as soon as he sees you, and runs over, giving you a big hug. "can daddy stay over tonight?!"

"what?" you were confused as to where he got that idea.

"i want to stay with daddy more." you smiled as hyunjae bent down to his height, holding his shoulders.

"hyunjae.."

"why don't mommy and i talk about it first? you can stay here with eric hyung to keep learning the dance. alright?" he nodded his head, agreeing as the both of you stepped out for a second.

"hyunjae. i want this to work. trust me. i do. more than anything but it's still too much too fast. seojun sleeps with me. i have a guest room but it's not like seojun's gonna let you sleep out on your own-"

"okay first of all.. calm down. i'm only asking for a night. not a lifetime. if you're worried, both of you can stay here. i'll have the other guys sleep here too and we can make a big sleepover. maybe even a movie night.", hyunjae waits for your answer. "come on.. i want to spend time with seojun. i owe it to him. to you.. please.." you felt bad about hyunjae feeling like this so you eventually nodded. you really did want the most for seojun. seeing your approval, hyunjae grinned and opened the door to notify seojun. one thing led to another and you were driving back home to get some clothes and things for you and seojun. hoping you weren't too much of a bother, you decided to cook them dinner.

"woah! this is great, y/n.. i didn't know you could cook too." juyeon said, surprised to see your cooking skills. you blushed at the comment as haknyeon nods in approval as well. "yeah. she's always been good at that." hyunjae's sentence made you blink as all the other boys cleared their throats, feeling like they’re interrupting something.

after cleaning up the kitchen, you walked up to hyunjae's room to set up some of seojun's stuff. on your way out, you bump into sunwoo. "oh hey. you're already finished?"

"it was really good, i wanted to stuff myself with it if i hadn't had such a big lunch today." you chuckled, seeing him exaggerate his body expressions.

"that's good to hear."

as you gather your own belongings, sunwoo speaks. "you know... what you do for seojun. i think it's amazing. i see how it is to be a mother and it's really not easy." your cheeks felt warm from the compliment. "you actually don't know how much that means to me.. thanks."

for the rest of that night, the boys respected your space and let you do your thing.

——————————

"cooking again? i feel like i'm in heaven.." juyeon says at the smell of the kitchen. you were the only one who knew what to feed seojun anyway so you decided to just cook them breakfast. it wasn't like they wanted to be dragged into this mess either and despite knowing you for only a few weeks, they were sweet and kind.

"i gotta cook for a living. i have a kid, you know.." you quickly got the stuff ready and started cooking as haknyeon helped you. or didn't? you swore you had a few more pieces of the meat. but your thoughts were dismissed when you hear a few mumbles from a tired looking hyunjae. his eyes were barely even open before he headed for the coffee machine, which was conveniently next to you. he walks close to you to get the water so you move out of the way, looking up at him. he leans in and gives you a soft kiss on the forehead. "did you sleep alright last night?" he said to you as he leaned his hand onto the top of the stand. you nodded your head, still kind of shocked he had kissed you. "you?"

"i slept great. seojun kept asking me to bring you in too so we can all sleep together but i sang a song to him and it got him to sleep.", you smile, hoping to check in on seojun once you had something to feed the boys. "and uh.. sorry.. about the kiss. old habits.." you chuckle as you continue to cut the vegetables. old habits from years back? you knew he knew what he was doing but you didn't exactly hate it.

when you got juyeon to go wake up the others, in no time, the boys were sitting and getting ready to eat. after you see them start to devour your dish, you giggled to yourself and headed upstairs to check in on seojun. you open the door slowly, hoping not to make much noise.

"mommy?" you hear a small voice say but he doesn't seem fully awake to you. you had to find out the hard way that when he is woken up when he is not ready to, he makes a huge fuss over it. it was actually quite cute to you because it was the same with hyunjae. he was never a morning person. although neither were you. up until you became a mom, you hated waking up early. whenever hyunjae woke up earlier than usual, he liked to just spend the first few hours in bed with you. you lean your head on the frame of the door, admiring your son's features. god, he looked just like hyunjae. you couldn't help but smile. just then, you feel an arm around your shoulder.

"how is he?" you look up to see hyunjae, relieved that he was caring enough to ask. "still sleeping.. i wonder where he got that from." you both chuckle, reminiscing all those memories. you didn't notice his stare on you as you watch seojun's small hands clench the blanket cutely and lips pouting so naturally. it was too adorable. "you're still so beautiful." hyunjae says to you, causing you to blush. you look up at him and lean into him. you feel his arms wrap around you as you slowly watch seojun move around in his sleep. hyunjae was here. he was the love of your life. even on the day he left. and even now, things still haven't changed.

when you hear hyunjae's heartbeat against your ear, something inside you clicked. something you'd felt was missing for all these years. you hesitated a bit before you placed your lips on his. before you could even think of your decision, he had already placed both his hand on your waist and pulled you closer. your noses touch as you softly let go, faces still inches apart.

"i love you.."

"hyunjae..", you were slowly tearing up as you tried to think of the right words. "i don't know what i was thinking. there is nothing to consider. you're the father of my child. of our child. that baby in there is my only treasure right now and you're the one who gave me him. i have watched him grow and i have never once regretted having him. all these years, i've felt so lucky to have a mini version of you that i got to keep on my end," hyunjae listened carefully to your words. his eyes sparkled as he did so, wanting to do nothing but hug you and tell you that none of this was your fault. that what he did was stupid and he only wants you to be happy. "i once loved you so much that i'd do anything for you. and i know i can again. i'm sorry for being so confusing and doing this push and pull game with you. i never should have been so childish about this. seojun would be more than happy to know if you and i got back together.. that is.. if you still want to."

"if i want to? y/n.. there is nothing more that could make me happier," he pulled you into another sudden kiss, softly letting go before wrapping his warm embrace around you. "i will do everything to make you guys happy. it is, from now on, my number one priority.."

"and about your job?"

"still my number one priority. i want to be there for you guys from now on. i know there's a company that goes along with this but i mean it when i say i'm here when you need me to be." his comforting words made you feel safe, knowing he was going to be by your side from now on.

"i know you'll be a good father.."

"you really think so?"

"i know so."

"if that's the case, i'll pay for your rent and everything from now on. in fact, i'm moving in. we can get married and we-"

"woah.. woah. easy there, buddy. don't get too ahead of yourself there. i don't mind the rent part but marrying. it'll take at least a few months." with a sigh, he holds your hand. "okay... as long as i get to still be with you. now get ready to invite everyone to our wedding." he smirked, finding your glare amusing.

"hyunjae!"

"i'm kidding.." hyunjae laughs as you both heard the bed creak. your son was running over, almost bumping his body against yours. you pick him up with a kiss on his cheek.

"did you sleep alright?"

"mhmm.. but next time, i want you and daddy to sleep together." he says, as you let him down onto the floor. you blushed as you already knew that smirk that was plastered onto hyunjae's face.

"this kid knows what he's talking about." he teased you so you smack his chest.

lee hyunjae wasn't some boy you could start hating just because he broke up with you. lee hyunjae was your high school sweetheart. he held good standards at school, at home, and always did the best for you. so no, he was a guy you loved even after a breakup. and you loved him because he left you with the best gift in your life and managed to come back as if nothing had changed.

he was your first love. he was your second love. and he was your last love.

[karlajoyner]

Worst Enemy (Charlie Gillespie x Reader)

A/n: Sorry this took so long! I just wasn't sure how I wanted to go about this request since I haven’t read that much smut lately to be fully inspired. I read a lot of 5 seconds of summer smut to say the least. Calum Hood smut to be exact and my fingers couldn’t stop typing after that.😂 But I hope you guys like it! Please let me know if you do! Don't read it if you just want a normal imagine. Some normal ones coming soon. Also I have an upcoming announcement after I hit 150 followers!

Requested by: irwindshield (Wattpad)

Warnings: Super Smutty (18+)

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"And action!" Kenny shouted.

I scowled at the boy in front of me who looked just as mad as I was.

"Seriously Luke your gonna tell me that you and Julie don't have anything going on"

"Y/c/n I already told you we don't! Isn't that enough?!" Charlie spoke standing up from his seat on the couch.

"No it's not. Not when you spent all weekend writing love songs together"

"It was one song and it wasn't about each other"

"One song still means something"

"Why does it even matter to you I'm single now? Isn't that what you wanted? To be free well now you're free to be with whoever you want or did you forget what happened with Reggie?"

"Nothing happened with Reggie. We were joking around. It's not my fault your jealous!" I shouted in frustration.

"Look who's talking" He said getting up in my face. Both our chests heaving in anger as we stared at each other angrily.

"You know what Patterson even when we're both dead I still regret ever falling in love with you all those years ago" I spoke through gritted teeth. I turned around dramatically to walk away, only to have Charlie grab me by the wrist and spin me around. Our faces now inches apart.

In aggravation he crash his lips onto mine shoving his tongue into my mouth. I huffed wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him closer. We both fought for dominance as his hands found their way around my waist lifting me up in the air.

I got so caught up in the heated make out session I almost didn't hear Kenny yell for the end of the scene.

"Cut!" He shouted Charlie immediately letting me go. I scoffed pushing myself away from him to see his hair disheveled, his lips plump, and smeared with my red lipstick. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I wanted to finish what we started now. But I couldn't do that when the insanely hot actor I wanted to push me up against the wall also happened to be my worst enemy.

"That was great guys!" Kenny said walking towards us.

"We might reshoot tomorrow if we have time since this is a kids show and that was a little too not kid friendly. Maybe hold back on the tongue"

"You got it Kenny"

"It's already late enough thank you two for staying back tonight we really had to get this in. Have a good night!"

"It was no problem. See you tomorrow" I smiled at our director as he walked away. I turned back to the boy beside me glaring at him.

"Well that was shitty. He's right you use way too much tongue. It was like Niagara Falls" I spoke using hand gestures. I watched the brunette roll his eyes in annoyance making me grin. Turning back around I began to walk back towards my trailer deciding to just turn in my costume tomorrow. Like I had done so many times after shooting until the am.

"You know I've had plenty of people who think my kissing is amazing" Charlie spoke walking a few feet away from me seeing as his trailer was right beside mine. Unfortunate perks of playing love interest who broke up in the show.

"I hate to break it to you Charles but they lied"

"Shut up. I'm done with your shit for the day"

"You know if there's one thing I hate more than having to shoot a scene so late it's having to shoot it with you Gillespie"

"Yeah well it's no fun for me either. I mean having to make out with a fucking jerk and act like I'm in love with her. Isn't exactly the highlight of my year!" He whispered shouted making sure no one heard us. It was late and the very few people who stayed in their trailers were probably dead asleep due to how long filming went on today.

"Not for me either! Why do you hate me so much? I swear I tried to be fucking nice to you when we met"

"Please you were anything but nice" He argued making me facepalm.

"You fucking liar! I introduced myself. I stuck my hand out for you to shake and you completely denied it. If anything you're the prick and the asshole!" I shouted reaching the outskirts of my trailer.

Suddenly I felt my body collide with the cold vehicle behind me and a cold hand landing on my mouth. My eyes widened looking up at the man in front of me who's chest was heaving.

"You wanna say that to my face y/l/n" He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Look we both promised that we'd keep this little feud between us a secret for the sake of the show and our cast mates. So if you don't shut that big mouth of yours we might just get caught" He whispered making me roll my eyes.

Finally coming back to my senses I removed his hand from my mouth, looking him straight in the eyes.

"You fucking prick" I repeated myself seeing what he would say next. But he didn't say anything. Not a word.

I watched his face closely as his eyes flickered to my lips. He slowly leaned forward hesitant on his actions. Rolling my eyes I took initiative, smashing my lips onto his. I let out a breath as he lifted my leg up to pull me closer. Nearly letting a moan escape as I felt his hard on press against the front of my jeans.

"Can't even fucking make the first move. How fucking dry your sex life must be" I panted teasingly as we pulled away.

"Shut the fuck up" He whispered pressing his lips to mine once more with such a force. I immediately kissed back realization hitting me. We were in the middle of a parking lot filled with trailers.

I pushed him away taking his hand leading him to my trailer that wasn't too far. He complied following closely behind. Pressing his body into mine as I unlocked the door as quick as possible. I stepped into the trailer switching on the dim light. I bit my lip turning around to finally face Charlie who stood there with his beautiful blue eyes darkened with lust.

"Are we really gonna do this?" I asked leaning on the counter in the small kitchen area.

"I don't know. I-I mean we don't have to if you don't want to. We could just leave it here if that's w-what you want"

"Well what do you want?" I asked raising an eyebrow. I watched as his body shifted uncomfortably as I removed the jean jacket on my body leaving me in a silky satin cami.

"I really wanna fuck you" He responded biting his lip. My stomach filling with butterflies getting the response I was hoping for.

"Then do it" I stated watching as he made his way towards me. Crashing his lips onto mine. I let out a huff as he lifted me off the ground and pushed me onto the counter roughly. My back hitting the wood behind me forcefully.

"Seriously?" I panted pulled away from the kiss first.

"Sorry" He muttered sheepishly before diving into my neck. Finding a spot to suck on. I craned my neck allowing him more access not even caring that I'd have to deal with the makeup team tomorrow.

Before giving it a second thought I pulled off my top tossing it across the room leaving me in a teal Lacey bra. The same color of the cami I was wearing.

"Holy fuck" Charlie whispered most blankly admiring the view. I let out a giggle tugging at his shirt as well signaling I wanted it off. He quickly got the message.

It was my turn to drool seeing his tightly toned abs turning me on even more than I already was. I was knocked out of my trance by Charlie kissing me passionately once more. My eyes fluttering shut, pulling the hairs on his neck. Our tongues now fighting for dominance.

His hands moved away from my waist to my back. Unhooking my bra from my body. We shifted slightly, the material being flung across the room. Within seconds his hands roamed my body freely once more. A groan escaping my mouth as his lips moved down my neck.

Until eventually settling on my nipple. My core was now throbbing in anticipation of his next moves.

I bit my lip trying to keep quiet but at the rate his hands were moving it was nearly impossible. I watched as he moved down my body. Undoing my jeans quickly.

I whimpered as Charlie spread my legs apart. Toying with the thin fabric of the panties I was wearing. Feeling myself getting wetter by the second I grasped onto his hair. "Fuck Charlie please" I whined as he began to place kisses up my thighs. Each one a little longer than the last.

"Please what?"

"Don't make me fucking ask again Gillespie. I don't beg" I spoke pulling him harder from his hair. Forcing him to look up at me.

He growled at my actions ripping apart the fabric and tossing it off to the side.

My back arched feeling his slender fingers enter me. A loud moan escaping my lips as he skillfully pumped his fingers in and out of my entrance.

I bit my lip tightly opening my legs wider to give him better access. Only to feel the feeling of pleasure leave my body.

"What the fu-" My words were cut off by Charlie grabbing me by the thighs. Pulling me closer to the edge of the counter.

"Holy shit" I moaned as he dipped his head between my legs to attach himself to my now sensitive cunt. Sucking on it harshly with no hesitation. His tongue moved around so effortlessly. I threw my head back as my fingers entangled into his hair wanting to feel him now more than ever.

"So fucking good" He groaned pulling away to add two fingers. Doubling the satisfaction. My lips parting to slightly as my eyes screwed shut.

"Charlie I'm s-so close" I muttered feeling his fingers spread up. Within seconds he sent me over the edge. Pleasure coursing through my body. I panted loudly attempting to steady my breathing. Watching as Charlie stood up. Lifting his glistening fingers up to his lips sucking off every last drop of cum that coated them. I let out another moan at the sight feeing myself getting turned on again.

"You okay?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me. I giggled seeing his already plump lips swollen.

"Perfectly fine Charles" I spoke wiping off my juices running down his chin with a towel nearby.

"A thousand times better now actually"

"I'm glad to hear you say that baby. Cause I'm not done with you" He whispered holding me firmly by the waist.

"Oh really?" I asked raising an eyebrow at the boy.

"Well unless you wanna wait until tomorrow after our first date"

"First date? Are you asking me out?"

"So what if I am? You got a problem with it y/l/n?"

"Nope. No problem here. Well except for the fact that I'm all dirty and sweaty" I said running my fingers through his messy hair.

"Well that just won't do for my princess will it? Round 2 in the shower?" He questioned making me laugh.

"If you think you can make me cum again then yes" I laughed pulling him into a passionate kiss.

"Oh I know I can" He mumbled into my lips before lifting me off the counter. I giggled as he walked to the bathroom in the back of the trailer. The small confined space making me realize just how hot he actually was. It was. I balanced myself as he put me down to turn on the water. I began to set it at a warm temperature, Listening as Charlie stripped himself of the rest of his clothes from behind me.

"Your so beautiful" Charlie whispered wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

"Mmm you weren't saying that last week"

"I wasn't saying it but I was thinking it" He spoke as I felt something poking me from behind.

"You think about me?" I asked turning around to face him.

"A lot" He responded as I walked backwards. The warm water hitting me from above for a split second before my back hit the cold wall.

"Good" I responded as he pinned me up against the wall.

I huffed as his large hands grabbed me from behind my thighs. Wrapping my legs around his waist. Our make out session getting more heated by the second. Pulling him closer wanting nothing more than to feel him inside of me.

He was quick to line himself up to my entrance. Entering me slowly.

"C-can I move?" He asked after a moment. I nodded thankful he let me adjust to his size.

Within seconds we both were a wreck as he pounded into me. A string of curse words leaving our lips as the warm water fell over us.

I moaned as he hit my g-spot. My legs becoming weaker the faster he moved. I felt familiar knot forming at the pit of my stomach as he let out a noise of disgruntlement.

"Fuck baby I'm almost there"

I nodded along. Not daring to attempt to form any words. Both of us reaching our climax one after the other.

"We should do this again sometime. You know after our date" He grinned placing me down gently.

"I agree" I spoke moving under the water. I sighed contently as his arms wrapped around me from behind. His lips grazing my skin as he place chaste kisses upon it. A small smile forming on my face.

As much as this was the end of our little feud it also a new beginning to a new relationship.

————

Up Next: Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Sacha Carlson x Reader

Booboo Stewart x Reader

Send in your requests!

[getitinbusan]

10 years with Jungkook

California

You met Jeon Jeongguk in the summer of 2012. Two kids brought together by a calling to California and a chance at making it big. Best friends from the start, what happens when only one of you becomes successful? Do you ever forget your first love? 

Childhood friends to lovers, angst and smut.

Words:  4600

Warnings: 18 plus smut. Oral F, Sex MF, Swearing. Pretty Mild for me. This is a previously posted fic that has been updated and reworked.

It was a rare rainy August day in California. The heavy drops created a sad melody on the window as you put the dishes away. Tired and lonely, the feeling in your gut kept nagging at you, maybe it was time to give up. 

The savings account was drained, there were no jobs to be found and  this was the second month of falling short on rent. Surely it would only be a matter of time before your roommates would stop exchanging house cleaning for money. 

Hanging the threadbare towel over its hook you stood in the kitchen, your mood mirroring the dim light of the afternoon. Feeling frusterated and stupid, it had taken you way longer than it should have to realize that in LA, you were nothing. Not pretty enough, rich enough, skinny enough or talented enough to ever make it big. So this is how the great Califonia chapter of your life would end, not by choice but necessity. 

Gathering up the mail that was strewn across the countertop, you shuffled through it sorting its priority. Junk mail, bills, personal…one in particular standing out. Your heart began pounding as you took in the details.

The penmanship was nice, black ink on an unassuming envelope. But it was the stamp that caught your attention. It was sent from Korea.

Flipping it in your hand you examined the torn top. The letter, having been read, was cradled back safely inside. Addressed to your roommate a frown crept onto your face. Why wouldn’t he write to you?

It was a ridiculously hopeful notion but you widened the envelope and inhaled trying to find a trace of his fragrance, something, anything to trigger a happy memory. Cool California nights were the best excuse. How many times had you borrowed his sweaters just to have his smell on you?

You missed him. It had been a year and a half and you couldn't help but once again ponder the nagging question that always crept back. If you hadn't forced him to break the rules would he still be a part of your life? 

It was too tempting to resist, your fingers pinched the paper inside of the envelope and pulled it free. 

I’m feeling low, I don’t know who I am, only who I’m supposed to be.

What would life be like if I had stayed in California? We could all be roommates, hanging out and having fun, going to the beach on weekends.

Does she even think about me?

It sounds greedy that with how much I have right now, it’s not enough. I would give anything to wake up in bed beside her everyday. I want more than anything to be able to talk to her about these things but I can’t. I’ve made the mistake of trading her for fame and now I’m destined to keep her at an arm’s length so she’ll never know the price I paid.

How does she even see me? As an Idol? As the boy who abandoned her? Has she forgotten the good days we spent together?

I’ve been wrestling with myself, whoever that is. I wish I could be the teenage boy from that long ago summer again. I wrote this song thinking about it…

~When I see you smile in the screen

You’re good at everything

You’re just perfect

Feels like I've never been you

Do you even see me?

Do you know who I am?

Or how do I look now?

You don’t like me like that

I want to be your decalcomania~

I’m afraid I may not get back for a while, please write. Your friendship and thoughts of her are the only things that are keeping me tethered to some semblance of reality.

JK

Clutching the letter to your chest, your mind took you back to that day. 

"Decalcomania, the art or process of transferring pictures and designs. Making a copy of the original on a different medium"  

Reading the description on the wall you’d both stood laughing at the piece's strange name, Decalcomania. The gallery visit felt like lifetimes ago but you still remembered clearly. You remembered, not because the piece had struck you as particularly special but because that's where you had decided that Jeongguk's laugh was the best sound you'd ever heard.  

California had lured you into its promise when you turned 14. Having been accepted to an  intensive dance program at The Movement Lifestyle Studio you packed up and headed West for the summer. 

It was July and it was hot, the dancers stepping off the bus one at a time took their places in the studio.

Looking around there were so many older kids, you were probably one of the youngest. Calling out names they put you into groups, it appeared to be by age so you made your way across the unfamiliar wooden floor to the tiny gathering of teens in the darkened corner.

Shy introductions were made as one more member was ushered over to where you had congregated. “This is Jeongguk.” 

He had the cutest smile and barely spoke english but his eyes twinkled like the constellations. Immediately drawn to each other you became fast friends.

Absolutely exhausted by the end of the first few days he quietly knocked at your door.

He was homesick and lonely, used to being surrounded by his six members, he couldn’t sleep well without someone beside him. You let him crawl into bed with you, you were 14 and it was innocent. 

Inseparable, days and nights were spent side by side, the others began referring to you as the twins. It was the best summer of your life but like every boy meets girl summer story, it had to come to a close. Promising through tears to keep in touch and stay friends you went your separate ways. 

Jeongguk would send silly videos of his practice sessions, goofing around with the other members.  He’d facetime and text but he always loved to send handwritten letters.

They lived in a box under your bed and contained stories of how hard he was working to become an idol. He always signed off with, "I miss you,” and a few lines of lyrics he’d written.

You didn’t know then how important they would become, the only tangible piece of him you could still hold on to.  

Whenever he came back to America you did everything you could to see him. You always found a way to get to the small tour stops whenever they came through. 2015 was the first, then KCon in 2016, but 2017, it was different.

Facetiming you with the news that they were bringing the Wings tour to NY, Chicago and Anaheim, he asked if you’d be part of the dance crew. How could you turn down two weeks with Jungkook the hottest new K-pop Idol? They were getting bigger, more popular and their lives were changing rapidly.

He had strict rules, girls were completely off limits. No talking, no hugging, no smiling at one another, any little thing could be easily misconstrued by the fans. Everything had to be done in secret. Jungkook would sneak you into his hotel room where you would spend your nights together catching up. The boys would bring you in food and cover for him while you both stayed locked away out of sight.

While happy to be with him, you could tell there was an underlying sadness he was holding on to.

"I wish I could go and explore the city with you like we used to," his voice trailed off.

You were laying in each other’s arms cuddling on his bed.  Leaning over he kissed the top of your head.

"All I really want is to take you on a proper date."

You snuggled closer into his side as he exhaled deeply, releasing his secret. 

"I’ve been waiting so long to become someone, a man worthy of your affection. Now I’m stuck. I have everything I wanted and I’m not allowed to share it with you."

His arms gripped you tighter.

"I’m sorry, this is a terrible confession. I don’t expect you to love me back, not under these circumstances, I just need you to know, you’re the only girl I’ve ever loved and there won’t be anybody else, ever." 

Every bit of his confession, every moment of that last night in the hotel room had stuck with you to this day. The words of a 19 year old boy whose life had become bigger than the feelings of two people.

He'd left in the morning without knowing. You were a coward, too afraid to tell him you loved him too.  

LA became your home right after they left Anaheim. Focused on your dancing, if you became good enough, maybe you could join the tour with him. 

A letter with a big bouquet of flowers arrived a few weeks later. 

"Congratulations on your new house in LA!

I hope that all of you are getting along as roommates, it’s hard living with others sometimes.

Last night I dreamt that I was there with you and all of our friends. We were having a party on the beach and we sat together watching the sunset.

Do you remember after practice when we would skateboard as fast as we could to the ocean so we wouldn’t miss the colors?

Maybe one day my toes can feel the sand there again.

I miss you, I miss me… the me I am when I get to be with you.

We're coming back in October for a few days and I’m hoping I can see you, I’m lonely already.   

Jeongguk

~Won’t you please stay in dreams

I can hear the sea from far away

Across the dream, over the bush

Go there where it becomes clear

Take my hands now

You are the cause of my euphoria

When I’m with you, I’m in utopia~

By the time The AMAs came, the plan had been finalized. You would steal Jungkook away so that you could take him on your first real date.

Having enlisted Namjoon to help, he was your inside man. The boys, happy to help finally get you together, would cover for his whereabouts with management. The day before the awards they were only scheduled for styling, as long as he wasn’t late for the press rounds the next afternoon your plan could work.

It was Namjoon’s job to get him out of the building. Telling him to follow his lead, Joon convinced the managers that Jungkook must have eaten something bad for lunch. Claiming to not feel well, he was whisked away to meet you at the hotel’s back receiving door. 

Sitting in the shiny red rented convertible you tossed him a pair of sunglasses. What you wouldn’t give now to see that smile again.

Barely giving him time to get in you’d sped away heading straight for In And Out Burger.

"Kookie, I hope you’re ready for the best day of your life! We’re going to eat until we explode, drink and party at the beach and then, instead of returning you to your fancy 5 star hotel you’re staying the night in my crappy little house with a tiny uncomfortable bed!!"

He laughed, that perfect laugh. It was so pure and honest, thinking about it now made you sad. Was that the last moment he'd gotten to be his true self? Jeongguk the man not Jungkook the personna? 

Knowing you only had one day to give him everything, one day to show him you loved him, you tried to make the best of it.

Picking up the food Jungkook held onto the red and white bags in the passenger seat, sneaking his hand in to steal fries when he thought you weren’t looking. If you weren’t sure you were in love with him before you you certainly were now.

Pulling up beside the tree on the beach he was stunned, "Ahhh Jagi, I can’t believe you brought me here."

Happy that it meant as much to him as it did to you, you both sat on the branch and ate. Two blocks from the old studio this used to be your escape. Every break you’d make your way to the tree for some time alone, together. 

With the burgers done he turned to you and smiled. It felt like he wanted to say something, but stupidly, you'd cut him short leading him back towards the car.

Making your way through your checklist you brought him back to where you'd first met. The Movement studios students were starstruck when he walked in. After insisting that he teach some choreography, he reluctantly led the class.

Your eyes were glued to him as he moved in front of the mirrors, no longer that awkward teenager but a full grown man mesmerizing you with his every move.

Getting back to the car he stopped you before you reached for the handle. Putting his arms around you he pulled you in close. But again, you resisted him. 

"You stink Jungkook, our next stop is the ocean."

You remember pulling away. How stupid you were, you should have held on to him longer. Reaching into the back seat you revealed a pair of swim shorts and a towel. He looked disappointed that you kept interrupting his attempts at intimacy. It broke your heart but you had a plan and limited time to execute it. 

The Ocean was chilly but the wind was warm, he came out of the change room with the shorts on but still wearing his shirt.

"Kookie, this isn’t Korea, you don’t have to be so modest here. Plus, you should grab some sun, you may not believe it but when your skin is sunkissed," you grinned, "you look really sexy."

He raised his eyebrows and quickly removed the shirt at your request.

Running into the water you splashed and played and he took great pleasure in picking you up and throwing you as far as he could.

The sun was getting ready to set and you wanted to dry off before the cooler air set in.

Leading him back to the shore you both laid down on the towel. He put his arm around you and you cuddled into his side.

"My god Guk, look at your abs!"

He blushed like crazy as you traced the muscles on his stomach.

"Stop, it tickles," he giggled.

But you didn’t, you kept tickling him until he held you so tight you couldn’t move. He had you pinned, flipping you on your back he shook his wet hair flinging water droplets all over you. Pleased with himself he leaned in closer to you, his eyes asking for permission to kiss you. As the gap between you got narrower you could hear his name being shouted and footsteps running closer. He flopped onto his back and sighed as your roommates and friends piled on top of him.

Eating, drinking and catching up with everyone you watched each other from across the bonfire. Moving from person to person he slowly made his way back to your side.

"Welcome back." Running your hand through the back of his hair, it was now or never. 

Pulling him closer your lips finally met in the way they were destined, soft, slow and full of love. His hands instinctively moved to cup your face as the world stopped around you.

"I love you," you whispered.

Nose to nose he smiled at you and it was the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen.

It didn’t last long, his phone started going off incessantly. The managers knew, you’d been careless, photos and videos of him from the studio had been posted online.

"I’m so sorry Jungkook, I didn’t mean for you to get in trouble."

His eyes turned hungry as he grabbed your hand.

"You promised I wouldn’t be going back to my hotel tonight, let’s get out of here."

If he was going to get in trouble anyway, why stop now?  

The drive back to your place was quiet, adrenaline and hormones flowing like electricity through you both. The time for smiling was over as the seriousness of the situation lingered in the air between you.

It wasn’t just being in trouble or being caught, but the fact that you both knew what was going to happen when you stepped into your bedroom. One act that would change everything between you, it held the power to change the dynamic of your relationship forever.

Leading him to your room you closed the door and stood staring at him as he sat on your bed. He raked his fingers through his hair before he spoke.

"I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than to be able to make love to you. BUT I also know that when I leave I’m not going to get to see you again for a very long time." His head hung low. "Management is going to do everything possible to keep us apart and that won’t be fair to you. I think that maybe we should just let our happy memories of today be enough, I don’t want you to regret anything. " 

Walking closer you stood between his legs and he wrapped his arms around your waist.

"The only thing I'll regret is never getting to experience all of you. I can’t live not knowing how it feels to be totally yours even if it's only for one night."

He rested his head against your chest, "You’ll always be mine."

His hands traveled to the hem of your shirt and his fingers ran over the soft skin of your stomach. Undoing the button of your jeans he slowly slid them down your legs and you stepped out of them. 

Standing up he lifted the thin fabric of your shirt over your head and you stood before him waiting as he took his off too. Unclasping your bra he sighed as he looked at you taking in your shape, his fingertips hovering over your hard nipples.

"I’ve never done this before," he confessed.

"Me either," you whispered. "I've only ever wanted it to be you."

More relaxed he let his mouth start exploring your body. You were goosebumps and shivers beneath him as his tongue found it’s home between your legs.

He was soft and careful, placing his lips over your clit sucking it in delicately until your moans couldn’t be contained any longer. You could feel his eyes burning into you as he watched in awe as his finger slid inside you.

"It feels good Kookie, please…"

You could feel his mouth stopping to smile before he picked up speed. Moving your hips to eagerly meet his mouth you were unravelling quickly.

"The way you taste is better than anything I had imagined."

Devouring you in sessions between his words of adoration you came hard on his tongue. 

"I'm really regretting running you all over town today when we could have just been here...doing that.. " You were out of breath. 

"I was worried that I wouldn't be any good." He grinned at you pleased with himself. 

Moving up to where your head lay on the pillow he pushed the dampened hair off your face, "Are you ok? Do you need anything?"

He placed his forehead against yours.

"I just want you. I need you to know I'm yours, forever. 

Rolling a condom on he moved slowly to line himself up with your entrance.

"Tell me if you need me to stop okay?"

He pushed carefully, slowly stretching you around him. Watching intently for discomfort he froze when he saw the tears welling in your eyes.

"Shit, I’m so sorry, let’s stop, I didn’t mean to hurt you." He was apologetic as he thumbed away the tears.

"No," you delicately kissed his lips. "I’m okay… I’m just so happy, so overwhelmed with how much I’m feeling right now."

He smiled down at you, pressing his body closer he gave another push until he was fully inside. Your bodies fell into a beautifully choreographed rhythm until Jungkook was so lost in pleasure he began to move at his own pace. Quicker and deeper he moved until he finally spilled into the condom. 

Laying together in euphoria you kissed, and kissed, and kissed until you finally found sleep while wrapped around one other.

Every few hours he’d wake you up. His hands running over your body checking to make sure you weren't just a dream. You’d made love each time, everytime better than the last.

It was 9 am when he caressed you awake once more.

"I have to leave soon. I don’t want to." He spoke in whispers nestled into your neck. "Please tell me to stay."

Your heart broke at his words. "If I ask you to stay, I’m selfish, you’ll always wonder if you made the right decision." The tears came, knowing you had to do what was right. "If I tell you to go, your dreams come true… ” your voice trailed off.

"And I’ll always wonder if I made the right decision,” he finished. 

Your phone started ringing and you knew time was up.

It was Joon, "I’m outside. Sorry, I held them off as long as I could. I told them that I’d come get him so you could at least have time to say goodbye."

Your tears fell out in heavy ugly sobs, "Okay, five minutes… and Joon… thanks, I know you’re probably in trouble too."

Hanging up you turned back, Jungkook was already out of bed with his clothes thrown on. He stood with open arms bravely waiting. 

"Thank you for yesterday I'll never forget it."

Laying your head against his chest you took a moment to listen to his heartbeat. You could hear him sniffle and knew he was crying too.

You flashed back remembering that night long ago when he came to you homesick, holding you so he could sleep while he tried to hide his tears. There was a knock at the door and Namjoon’s voice broke through the moment.

"We’ve got to go Jungkook."

Stepping away you’d left his shirt soaked in tears, handing him his sweater he pushed it back towards you. "You keep it."

He kissed you one last time before opening the door to reveal Namjoon's weary face. His Hyung put his arm around his shoulder and led him to the car.

Turning one last time he looked back, his eyes were filled with tears as he gave a small wave before getting in the back of the big black sedan. 

For months you pretended that management was the only thing keeping you apart.

You held on to that silly notion until May when they were coming for the Billboard awards. For weeks leading up you waited for a message, a secret meeting arrangement, but you got nothing. His image was all over the TV and his voice echoed through your empty heart. Then, just like that, it was over and he was gone again. 

Now, here you stood in your kitchen, his letter bringing him to the forefront of your mind and opening old wounds.

He was just as sad as you but what could you do? 

Picking up a pen you began writing… 

I shouldn’t have done it but I read it in your letter

You said to a friend that you wish you were doing better

I wanted to reach out but I never said a thing

You don’t ever have to be stronger than you really are

And honey, you don’t ever have to act cooler than you think you should

You’re brighter than the brightest stars

You’re scared to win, scared to lose

I’ve heard the war was over if you really choose

The one in and around you

You hate the heat, you got the blues

You’re changing like the weather, oh, that’s so like you

I’ll pick you up

I’ll catch you on the flipside

If you come back to California

We’ll do whatever you want, travel wherever, how far

We’ll hit up all the old places

We’ll have a party, we can dance till dawn… 

Y/N

October came again and a chill was in the air, the smell of the ocean hit your nose and you stopped to take it in.

Bundled in Jungkook’s hoodie you threw your bag over your shoulder and began your walk to work. You'd gotten lucky, Movement had hired you just as you were about to give up and leave California. Filled with hope and excitement a new intensive program was scheduled to start today and you were going to meet the future superstars of the dance world. 

Memories flooded your mind as you made your way through the familiar neighborhood. It still hurt, but things were beginning to feel happy again. Writing the letter had given you closure, he knew how you felt and beyond that there was nothing else you could do.

Opening the heavy door to the studio you caught a familiar reflection moving in the mirror.  Chalk marker in hand he was writing something, It couldn’t be?

Hearing the door click back into place he turned to face you.

"Hi."

He walked towards you slowly. Unsure of what your reaction would be, he approached with caution.

"Hi."

You were breathless, in the months of not seeing him he’d only grown more handsome.

"I can’t change what happened… and for the rest of my life I’ll be sorry for all of the time we missed."

He was getting closer.

"But I can’t take another day not knowing if I can fix this… somehow…"

He reached for your hand but you pulled it away. His head fell in disappointment.

"Jungkook, I can’t listen to this… look at me."

Reaching for his chin you pulled his head up until he was facing you again.

"I refuse to listen to you apologize for something that is out of your control. Your life was decided before you met me and I am nothing but grateful that I got to appear in some part of your story."

He tilted his head and pressed a small kiss into the hand that was still holding his chin.

"God I’ve missed you." He wrapped his arms tightly around your waist.

"How long are you here? I’ve got to teach class.. It’s the first day but I’d love it if we could catch up?"

He laughed at you and your knees buckled at the sound of his happiness.

Taking his chance he pressed his lips to yours and you could feel the smile forming on his face.

"I’m your private lesson Jagi, I’ve booked you for the next two weeks."

Taking a step back you had to ask, "How Jungkook? What will you be giving up?"

Pulling you back to his embrace he began to dance with you.

"There is no more giving up, on anything. Our contracts were over and I only had one thing I wouldn’t negotiate on, that’s you." 

He guided you to look at the mirror.

"I wrote you something."

~Please call my name one more time

I’m standing under the frozen light, 

but I’ll walk step by step towards you

Still with you ~

"I promise I’ll never let you go again."

[irepookie]

Wake up Call, Infinity Ch.3

Summary: QUEEN AU WHERE ROGER (ROWAN)IS A19 YEAR OLD SINGLE DAD TRYING TO FIND A PLACE IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC

WARNINGS: iNTENSE FLUFF AND SOME SWEARING

Chapter 3: Row has to start stepping out of the bubble him and his daughter have been living in while in the safety of the hospital, and break the news to his best friends. 

John- Rick

Fred-Len

Bri- Terry

Rog- Rowan

When Row had hung up on Len mid sentence, the boys had been confused. Then again, he was at his mom's house and they had heard her infamous shout of <<ROWAN EUGENE QUEEN>> that always preceded an argument, so they let it go. But then he didn't turn up to rehearsal, or called back for the rest of the afternoon. Or the following afternoon. Or for rest of the week. And that was unlike him. He always called back. (Well, most of his former one night stands would disagree with this). Let's just say he always called his band mates back. Sometimes drunk, at 4 AM, Thus leaving  a wakeful Terry with 2 hours to spare nothing to do but to start revising for whatever exam he had ahead.

So, when they didn't know of him, they went directly to the village's police station, to see if he was locked up, and if not, to report him missing.

"What if we ask Gina?" Rick suggested

"I'd rather check the morgue first, thanks" Len said.

"Well, what else can we do? Huh?"

"Audition new drummers"

"Seriously boys. Let's go."

They knocked on Row's childhood home. Gina opened, with messy hair, a dressing gown and slippers

"Oh, hello boys. He ain't here" she took a drag of the 4th cigarette she had smoked that day despite it only being 8:30 AM.

"Where is he?"

"He isn't at home?"

"We've checked and there's no track of him. We haven't seen him in 7 days"

She sighed "in the hospital, I think. If he hasn't left already"

"Hospital?" All three said simultaneously

"What happened?!" Len added

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

She smiled, mockingly "Wow, father of the year isn't so sure after all"

"What?"

She laughed bitterly. If he hadn't told his best friends yet, it maybe meant he was reconsidering the whole thing. Maybe common sense had hit him after the first stinky nappy.

"You know what? Come in."

"Oh we were actually in a rush..."

"You wanna find him or not? Come in, I don't bite

"Alright" all three musicians entered somewhat awkwardly in the house where so many sleep overs had taken place, back in the day.

She led them to the kitchen, where the phone was, and dialed.

Callie was the closest to the phone "Row? Yes, I'll get him"

She made her way to the room where the Prune had been moved in the previous evening, due to her favourable evolution and the need of free incubators.

She grinned at the scene: the 6 day old infant was dozing against her dad's bare chest, supported by his hands -which seemed huge in comparison to her small figure-. His eyes were closed, but Callie could tell he was awake as his left hand was stroking her head. It was adorable, and they seemed at such peace -poor Row had spent his first whole night on night watch and was exhausted-.

"Row" she called softly

He opened his big blue eyes in acknowledgement.

"You have a call"

"A call? From who?" He whispered back, before looking down at the baby to make sure she was asleep

"Didn't say. But she was kind of irritated"

"Oh, that's mom then" he smiled sarcastically, but didn't move a bit.

"You aren't gonna get on the phone?"

"I don't know. She doesn't deserve our attention does she?" He cooed

"How bad can it be?"

"You don't wanna see my bad side. And I don't ever want her to see it either"

Callie smiled "Go. I'll stay with her"

He groaned in annoyance. He was so comfortable, and he didn't want to get up.

"C'mere darling" he mumbled, detaching his daughter from his lap and carefully lying her on the cot

He exited the room and walked to the phone "What?"

"Row! Where are you?" The three voices of his best friends greeted him from the other side

"Oh, hi guys I... How did you get this number?"

"We're calling you from your mum's. She says you're in hospital" Terry's soft voice said worriedly

"You've gone fucking AWOL! Where are you man? We're worried as hell" Len scolded

"Oh yeah, hehe been..."he scratched the back of his head "been pretty busy" He glanced in the direction of his daughter's room, where he saw Callie readjusting the yellow teddy bear he had bought her the second day.

"Busy? With what?" Rick inquired

"It's... It's a long story."

"Well we've got time"

"Shouldn't you be in uni?" Row said in hopes they'd have to run into class

"It's Sunday, Row!"

"Oh is it?" He had lost track of time, honestly

"C'mon! Spit it"

He sighed "Alright, huh..." He tried to think of where to start. He couldn't really think much tho; his brain was pudge at that moment. "I met a girl in..." He counted nine months back from February "June?" No wait Piper was premature so it could be July or... Then it hit him. "No, remember that afternoon when we set up that Live Aid session in your parents backyard, Len?"

The boys nodded. July 13th. How could they forget? It had been dubbed the best Summer Party of 1985 in town. The four of them had tried to get tickets, but they couldn't even afford a ticket to London in the first place. And so, They watched the whole show with four TV screens around the yard instead, and the whole village had joined them, arguing on which performance had been the best.

Of course, all four members of Symbols agreed that it had been Queen.

"But they signed up late" someone said 

 "Yea, they came late to the party" another agreed. 

"So what? They rocked the party! You just say that because you like U2 better"

 "Like you prefer Queen!" 

 "But we've got a point! Regardless of how much we like them, they were, objectively, the best performance" /

"Objectively? Bullshit!" Anne Williams snapped "They played the same shit they always play! And Bono was a true gentleman, helping that girl who was getting crashed by the crowd."

 "Yea, I'm sure Freddie wouldn't have given a shit, so full of himself and his teeth up his~" /

Dennis Phelps couldn't finish his sentence as a  someone tossed him a Converse, which hit his head. A young woman, with Bowie-like orange dyed haircut approached, with  a bare left foot and the matching shoe on the other 

 "You know nothing about putting up a good show then. Also, you mess with Freddie Mercury again and next time the shoe will be stuck up your ass" she told Dennis, retrieving the item "I mean, it's clear who I'm rooting for but Queen really did what had to be done. Geldof told them all to play the hits, because that's precisely why they're hits: they work. Other artists, like your boyfriend Bono and his band played new material, as if this was their concert. And it's not. Even though they signed up on time and whatever. They took a risk, crowd didn't know the song, they lost interest. But Queen had common sense: they played the hits, the anthems, and people connected with them. And it's not about Freddie or him hypnotizing Wembley. It's having some common sense. And not even you two knew the lyrics of U2s new song. So shut the hell up"

Row had liked her instantly. That's a girl who knows the stuff.

They exchanged a smile, a wink and a complicit nod

"We must join our forces to help out our friends under pressure, don't we?" She said

"Oh yes, Bowie girl." Terry remembered

"Yep."

"So what's with her?" Rick said

"Well, that.. she..." He cut himself off when a cry echoed in Pip's room "Gotta go, guys. I'll call you back"

"No! Row!" Len said, but the line went dead

"Shit"

"What happened?" Gina, who had watched the scene from the door frame, -and was about to finish her 6th cigar in a row,- asked

"He rambled about that Live Aid day, and a girl he met there"

"Did he say her name?"

"No. He had to go suddenly. It's all weird"

"Yea, well... Life is weird, boys"

"I don't understand. What's going on? Can't you tell us, Mrs. Queen?"

"Oh no. No. It's not my story to tell. Nor my business. I tried my best, but that stubborn bastard didn't listen. I'm sorry" she said

"But is he okay?" Len asked, concerned

Gina grinned, at how despite it all, the four boys would stick up with each other to the end of the world "Yes. He's fine."

"Row, are you okay?" Callie said, as the drummer wordlessly took the bundle from her

"Yes, yes. Why wouldn't I be?" He said, sitting with the fussy baby

"You're a bit pale"

"Oh I... Nothing. Just... I'm nervous honestly. Because we're about get discharged and I'm gonna be alone with her and I'll have to dad around all by myself and... And everyone will know..."

"Know what?"

"About her"

"And is that a problem?" Callie crossed her arms

"No, I mean... No, of course not. But everyone will ask questions and judge me and... I'm worried I will end up believing them more and fuck it all up"

"Believing what?"

"They'll start telling me it's a mistake, that I'm gonna screw everything up and that I won't be able to be a good dad and I'm afraid it will become true"

"So you're saying that how people think of you is gonna affect the way you... How you called it? Dad around?"

He nodded "Well, answer me these, will you? Have you, in this moment or at any point during these seven days, thought you are making a mistake?"

He looked at the tiny bundle and shook his head.

"Are you willing to always do your best for the shake of Piper?"

He nodded, noticing he was unconsciously rocking her back and forth.

"Then what's the problem?"

"Look I haven't exactly been a role model in... Well anything. One thing my mom's proud of is that I'm not into drugs. Everyone who has a daughter in the block hates me. So how am I supposed to raise one?"

"Exactly how you've been doing the last six days"

"Yes but I have you guys. And the medics, and the equipment. But there I'll be all alone"

"You will never be alone. You have the friends you've told me about. And your mum...Maybe the little darling is gassy"

"Oh stop about my mum" he carefully changed the Prune to an upright position and began to rub circles on her back without even hesitation. Wow he was actually getting a hold on the burping stuff.

"Yes. Your mum will eventually come to terms with the lil'raisin. I'm sure." She said, whist handing him a muslin to place on the baby's range of accuracy

"Oh you don't know her"

"I know she's a mum. Your mum and mother's rarely ever turn their backs on their children for good"

Row looked at the baby, then raised an eyebrow at Callie

"I said it's rare. There are obviously exceptions" she said "And believe me you're better off. Also, she did call. That's gotta Mean  something"

"I didn't speak with her. Just the band. They were at her place, yeah but... I don't know. I'm not gonna beg on my fucking knees..." He was interrupted by a burp I his ear. Damn, that was a big one. He'd need 2 beers to produce such a loud one.

"Easy, tiger." He laughed "Goddamn it, where did that come from, huh? You're unbelievable" he praised, while getting the muslin out his shoulder and handing it to Callie

"And a neat one too. 10/10." She chuckled

"Atta girl. That's my lil'raisin. Yeah, good girl" he cooed, bringing her to face him, before she started fussing and he nested her again on his chest "Aw, don't cry honey. Please. You're alright. C'mon" he begged. She settled down quickly, and he sighed in relief.

"The point is, that here is like... I feel safe, you know? It's like another world. Another life. And now I have to fit her in my every day, and be in charge and stuff, and... I'm not sure I'm ready"

"Parents are never ready to take them home. Not even those who had 9 months of preparation, and parenting classes, and a nicely decorated and supplied nursery. No one feels ready. But nerves are good. Nerves mean that you care. Worrying and doubting about your ability to be the dad your child needs is precisely what's gonna make you raise your game. Just one last question: are you 100% that you love that lil one with all your heart?"

He looked at his daughter, who had gone back to sleep with the rambling of his voice, as his hand still caressed head and grinned "Hell yeah" Otherwise, how could he explain the way his chest seemed to be holding two hearts whenever she was in his arms? Or how, when he had to leave for the night it felt as though both those hearts were ripped away from him? Or how else could he have turned this goddamn sappy? Yep. That was the proof.

"Then that's all the two of you will ever need. She won't care if you two are rich or live in a cardboard box, or if she wasn't in your initial plans, or that she doesn't have a mom. As long as you love her and make her feel like it."

He nodded, and rested his lips on her soft scalp.

"Right, I Gotta get to another patient. Call'em back."

He stood up, this time taking his Prune along, and went to the corridor where the phone was. Making sure her head was safely cradled along with the rest of her small body on his left arm, he tucked the phone between the right shoulder and neck and dialed their shared place's number

Rick picked up "Yes?"

"I'm a dad" he said simply, and waited for his reaction. 

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I’ll post the picture separately in order to preserve my goddamn sanity cause Tumblr is being a pain in the arse!!!!!

How do you guys do it? Am I the only one who needs 5 bloody tries to post this things?