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iwishicanbeagoodpianist · 3 years ago

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the Wifilcon and the Winter Router

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OC/Reader Summary: When Bucky learns that his neighbor has been stealing his wifi for months. Warnings: None A/N: I'm not a fanfic writer at all, this, like all my stories, are adaptations to fanfics. My original stories are not written in english, so this is also a translation. please do not repost my work

For an instant, Bucky thought that the knocking he was hearing was coming directly from his head, I mean, it wouldn't be the first time his mind played tricks on him, but he realized that the sound was actually coming, unluckily for him, from his apartment door. Oh no no no no no no no, I just got back from putting up with Sam for almost 6 full weeks, I don't need interaction with more people for now.

Bucky thought for a minute to ignore the sound, to wait for the person to give up and leave, anyway he didn't spend many days on this apartment, almost no one had seen him leave or enter the building and he had no contact with the neighbors, only with the lady on the 7th floor who once lost one of her cats, which ended up in Bucky's apartment, accidentally. Not that I found the cat in the alley and actually brought him to my apartment, it doesn't mean that I stole the cat, he was in the street by himself, I rescued him.

When the banging on the door stopped and Bucky thought he could breathe calmly again, a voice between altered and annoyed was heard all the way to the living room where he was sitting trying to overcome his third panic attack and fourth existential crisis of the day .

-"I know you're in there! I saw you coming in a few hours ago! I've been waiting for days for you to come back!"-

More out of instinct than anything else, Bucky pulled out the knife hidden in his right boot as he slowly backed away from the door. Do I really have a spy as a neighbor? Should I call Sam? Is he in danger too? Never mind now, you need an escape route Bucky, concentrate, third floor, window to the alley, 2 minutes max, the bike is parked far away, I'll have to run, but to where, rendezvous point, safe place, think....

- "for God's sake, open the door, I need you to pay for your fucking internet plan, I'm in the last season of my series and I need to know if Carolina died or not!"-

- "The internet?"- Between the andrenaline from escaping and the shock of not understanding what was happening Bucky spoke louder than an assassin, with over 60 years of experience, should have spoken. Oh, shoot.

-"Yes! Your wifi, I need it to finish watching my series"-

Whispering "wifi" to himself, Bucky tries to remember where he has heard that word before, this is what I get for never listening to Sam when he talks to me. But before he can continue his mental analysis of all the conversations with Sam about such stupid things as his favorite American Football team, the New Orleans Saints, that I remember, to how Antonio could possibly leave María on the last episode of the 6 o'clock telenovela of which Sam is a fan, his apparent "neighbor" spoke up again:

-"Jesus Christ, can you open the door? So we can resolve this like adults"-

Bucky resigned to the fact that he has given his position to the "enemy", walks to the door and opens it waiting for his death. Well at least if I die I won't have to listen to Sam again talking about Antonio and María. But on the other side of the door, there was a woman, who in her pajamas, very unthreatening but cute, was watching him as if he were a ghost but still with defiance in her eyes, in one breath she introduced herself and continued her speech about her complaint to Bucky:

-"As I was saying, I need you to pay for your internet"-

-"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you mean"- mumbled Bucky.

- "Good Lord"- To Bucky's surprise his neighbor, pushes him and enters his home, well not so much a home home, more like the headquarters of his secret club, of which he is the president, vice president and only member, the point is that it is his place, where he can (and wants to be alone), as she lives here. This must be a dream, maybe I hit my head too hard in the last mission and I am unconscious in the hospital.

Crossing the room, Bucky's unwanted visitor looks around searching for something while whispering the words "I see you are quite minimalist, but maybe this is too much, someone urgently needs to look for some inspiration on Pinterest". She stops abruptly in front of the shelf where, in theory, a TV should go, while shouting: "EUREKA", she bends down and picks up a white device which has two antennas and like a million little blinking lights, damn, that looks like something out of a spaceship, I'm being watched by aliens? I'm being spied on by Kree?

-"This is your router, this is where the internet signal comes from, which I need you to pay for so I can finish watching my series"-.

Bucky, still in shock for the third time in less than 15 minutes, as he processes the idea that perhaps Thanos' unknowing twin is spying on him for a second invasion of earth and revenge for his brother's death. He can only nod to his now more relaxed and happy neighbor.

-"Perfect, thanks! I need to check the food I left in the oven, I'll talk to you later"- and as quickly as she came she left through the same door, leaving Bucky with more doubts than answers, peeking down the hallway, he realizes that she is the neighbor who lives next door, to his right. When Bucky comes out of his initial stupor, still not fully understanding what is going on, he decides to take his cell phone out of his pocket and call his own personal Google to solve his doubts about this century: Sam Wilson.

-"Hey Buck! What's up?"-how does he always manage to sound so happy? focus Buck.

-"What the hell is a router and why do I have one in my house?"- somehow Bucky manages to formulate, although maybe his voice cracked a little on the last words.

-"That thing's been there for at least two months and you didn't even notice it? Have you even paid the bill?"-

-"You put this in here? Without telling me????"- maybe Sam is also a Kree? Who can I trust now? It's all a trap?

Listening to Bucky's accelerated breathing, Sam tries to explain to him slowly, that in this century life without internet is not life, but obviously as Bucky does not even know how to set the alarm on his own cell phone, he was in charge of buying the router and creating the contract with the company so that, the 106 year old man could have his personal network at home. He had given it the name but he had not given it a password so that Bucky himself could set it up later. "I am an excellent friend, I mean co-worker, if I may say so"

-"Sorry man, after all that happened, we got called for a mission and I forgot to tell you, do you have your laptop over there? I'll help you set up a password, so your neighbors won't steal your internet anymore"- and with that comment everything started to make sense in Bucky's slightly screwed up but functional mind about the events with his seemingly non-spy and harmless neighbor.

Meanwhile Bucky was trying to remember his own password to unlock the laptop in front of him, also courtesy of Sam. "Bucky, when you learn about online banking and that you can pay your rent, electricity, phone and everything with a click of your computer, you will thank me". It should be noted that Bucky hasn't used that laptop once, like a good 100 year old grandpa he goes to the bank to make his deposits and pay his debts, which obviously consisted only of electricity, water, gas and phone because the man had no idea that there was a device in his house that spit out internet, apparently only his next door neighbor knew this. Buck tells Sam how he thought his router was an alien device and how he thought his neighbor was a KGB agent coming to kill him. "Relax Buck we all have undesirable neighbors that steal our internet signal sometimes", well undesirable is not the word I would use to describe her but ok.

When Sam finally explains to him how to connect his computer to the internet, Bucky can finally see the name that his wonderful co-worker, not friend, because he could never be friends with someone so stupid as to think that the name "THE WIFILCON AND THE WINTER ROUTER" was a good name.

- "my god Sam, you're such an asshole!"-

-"HEY! That's a great name!"- Sam responds with as much indignation as possible, he's the best at naming everything from dogs to wifis.

- "I can't believe you're Captain America, I can't believe we're even friends"- Bucky really can't understand his luck to have friends, well, co-workers whatever.

- "Well excuse me but we're co-workers..."-

- "Well, take this call as my formal resignation, bye"-

-"Wait a minute Buck..."- Bucky ended the call, to finish -his self-imposed- punishment of listening to Sam Wilson talk for over an hour. At least I asked him how to use the bank's website to pay for the internet. Suddenly, without warning and without explanation, the memory of his neighbor is lodged in his head, her hair in a ponytail, her reading glasses, pink shorts, her sweater from some university of which he can't even remember the name because he was watching out for other things... that she wouldn't kill me obviously, he was watching out that she wouldn't pull a knife out of her back and kill me right there. The message on his laptop indicating that he can now set a new name and password to his wifi distracts him enough to stop thinking about his sweet and cute non-spy neighbor and how she would look with her hair down and her glasses off.

Still with the sweet feeling in his chest and the desire to see her again he writes as the new name of the wifi, while laughing:

"If you want free internet, you owe me at least one free dinner"

After paying the internet debt and closing the laptop, Bucky gets up hoping to find something edible in the kitchen, while leaning over to look inside his fridge and analyzing how bad it would be to eat a fried egg with pasta and sriracha, he hears again a knock on the door, but this time it does not cause Bucky the anguish and anxiety that caused him the first time, but quite the opposite.

-"Open the door Winter Router! I prepared chicken pot pie for dinner"-.

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pure-kirarin · 4 years ago

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Killer x reader (having a stressful day) English / French

Disclaimer : This will be in French and English. It was written originally in French and translated to english. I added the french version at the end of the post if anyone is interested.

A/N : こんばんは ! ♡ リクエストしてくれてありがとう~ @holykillercake san. This is my first time writing something both in English and in French. Alsooo, writing something for Pasta-husbando ! I hope that you will like it >o< I never noticed that Kirarin & Killer both have “キラ”, this explain why Killer’s hair is so healthy and shiny...Anyways~ 始めましょう !

-ENGLISH-

«- Relax. »

The moment his fingers touched your skin, your shoulders unclenched as if a weight or a burden had dropped off them. Your muscles were stretched to the limit; An underlying tension, no doubt, you were carrying the stress of a whole week on your frail shoulders. «- Y/N. » Just your first name, nothing else.

It was his way of asking you what was bothering you and you understood it. You were there, you had just come to his room, sitting on the sofa and there he is – as it has now became a habit – behind you, offering you a massage. Fairy fingers put pressure on your shoulders, fingers that could as well kill as take you to heaven. Never once you have felt afraid. His touch was comforting, familiar.

« -Don't worry. I just had a stressful day...The usual. You melted under his touch. You felt his fingers tighten at your remark and you could make out his thought pattern. -No Killer, nobody bothered me. You won't have to kill anyone. -I wasn't planning on killing anyone. You couldn't suppress a small laugh as you guessed his confusion. He was extremely protective of you, even if he hid it pretty well. Dear lord, just his presence was enough to put you in a better mood. -Yes, yes, of course. And what about the guy from last time ? » You reminded him of your last party, or rather, the party where you both had to babysit Kid once again. A man a little too drunk had taken advantage of the crowd to put an indiscreet hand on your lower back. Needless to say, Killer broke his arm without blinking – a reflex. To be fair, Kid would have reacted even worse, the redhead and you were like brother and sister.

His fingers reluctantly left your shoulders, he got closer to the large bookshelf, as big as one of the room's walls.

Killer was an avid reader, he had books from different origins. You were always in awe in front of his wide knowledge. When did he have all the time to read these books ? Certainly during nights of insomny. He came back and sat down next to you, in his hands, you recognized the book "A Thousand and One Nights", the cover was thick and decorated with a golden frame. You smile excitedly, you and Killer had this habit; whenever you felt bad or couldn't sleep, he would read you fairy tales. He had read dozens of them to you ; The Little Prince, Alice in Wonderland, the Tales of Hoffman. But your favorite was always “A Thousand and One Nights”. (Arabian Nights) This book cristalised your love. Whenever you couldn't sleep, you would join the man in his room and he would tell you, like Scheherazade, the astonishing tales. Before you even knew it, you had fallen under his spell. He patted his knees and you rested your head just there. His voice carried you to the sands of the east. A voice extremely gentle, mesmerizing. This intimate moment was enough to eradicate all your worries. One hand was carrying the book, while the other stroked your hair and cheeks in turn. His voice told you about the adventures of Sindbad, the famous sailor from Bagdad. He had bought this book from an old bookstore in Alabasta and it introduced him to the oriental beauty. When he finishes reading the tale you get up slightly and snuggle up in his arms. He circled your waist with his as you stayed there for a moment. -I love it when you tell me about the adventures of Sindbad. I feel like I'm seeing a side of you that no one else can access. -And that's true. You are the only one who wants to hear these stories. He strokes your hair. -All credit goes to you. You are an excellent storyteller. -And you are an excellent listener. » He smiled behind his mask, maybe if he took it off, you could've seen the rose-color that tinted his cheeks.

He appreciated how you cared about everything he said and everything he loved. You were the only person in the world he shared this with, who he could stand sharing all of this with. The stress of the day was now nothing but a vague memory. Only one thing was missing. You wanted to get closer. You wanted to look at him and kiss him. The adventures of Sindbad were not enough. « -I want to look at you... » You breathe out, your voice was no more than a sigh, a slight whisper that made him smile behind his mask. Smile that you don't see but that you could imagine. You didn't have to see him, you just had to pay attention to his chest rising with the rhythm of his breathing. You now knew how to decipher every gesture and the slightest variation in his voice. But it didn't stop you from wanting to look at him. You knew each other more than anyone, but you always wanted more. You wanted him entirely to yourself. You wanted him to lay bare his feelings just as you did, because he was your comfort zone and you wanted to be his. You sit, your slender fingers brushing against the hard surface of the mask. You feel his breathing stop. « -For me... » you add, insisting.

It wasn't the first time you'll see him without a mask, but could you be satisfied? He even kept it on in his sleep. Your fingers start caressing the golden locks. « For you. » He repeats, his voice was firm but penetrating. Coming from behind the mask, it was somewhat veiled. Someone else would never have guessed his hesitation but you? Easy task. You couldn't suppress a smile, one of a child that was promised a sugar cube. You were now sitting next to him on the sofa, wrists on your hips, catching your breath, eyelashes barely batting.

The mask was now resting on the armrest. Your eyes layed on his perfectly sculpted face and the purplish lips that you were dying to kiss. Did he hide his face, like Medusa hers, out of fear of petrifying you? «- Killer ... You are so...beautiful. » No need for words, a finger rested on your parted lips. Your gaze was enough, words were sometimes too overwhelming. His azure eyes shone behind a curtain of golden hair. You hesitate, a second then two, before coming to sit on his knees. He was surprised by this proximity but it didn't bother him since he put your hand on his chest. His skin was warm, his heart was beating considerably faster. He didn't say it, that gesture meant "I love you" and you knew it. - Thank you for being there for me. » Your face was inches from his. His lips barely caressed yours before kissing you fully as his hand rested on the back of your neck to deepen the kiss. Once again, the gesture spoke better than the words. I love you. I want you. I want you to give me all your stress, all your pain, I want to carry it for you.

- (Y / N) ... A sigh ... I lo- Suddenly, the door thudded open. You didn't have to look back, you knew, both of you knew who that was. -Killer! When are we gonna eat I'm sss---... Wait what, FUCK- - Can't you knock on the door for once? You grabbed a pillow and threw it at Kid, who was already turning around, embarrassed to have interrupted you. He disappeared as quickly as he had come, uttering a myriad of obscenities in his way. Killer buried his head in your neck, embarrassed to be found in this compromising situation, although it could have been way worse. You cursed Kid inside for interrupting you.

-Killer, what were you saying ? He puts his mask back on murmuring a « nothing »

-But I swear I heard you say it. You were going to say « I love you », right ? You teased

-If you heard it then why are you asking ? He was extremely thankful for wearing his mask at that moment.

-Because I want to hear it again ! -Too honest, you were too honest for his own good. -I love you. -W-wait I wasn't prepared ! You were now the one to blush. Killer wasn't the kind to express his feelings all the time and that openly, so it meant a lot to you.

« Cute » was all he thought of you in that moment. He got up holding you tight against his chest ;

-Well, I think that Kid is really going to throw a tantrum if he doesn't get to eat. You must be starving as well. Would you like to help me in the kitchen ?

-Of course I would. But first put me down. -I am scared that is out of the question.

He simply answers as he proceeds to hold you over his shoulder, heading towards the kitchen. - French -

«- Détends-toi. »

A l'instant où ses doigts entrèrent en contact avec ta peau, tes épaules s'abaissèrent comme si un poids ou un fardeau en disparaissait. Tes muscles étaient tendus à l'extrême ; Une accumulation de tension sans doute, le stress de toute une semaine.

« - (T/P). »

Juste ton prénom et rien d'autre.

C'était sa manière de te demander ce qui te tracassait et tu le compris. Tu étais là, tu venais tout juste de rentrer dans sa chambre pour t'affaler sur le sofa et le voilà qui -comme à son habitude- t'offrait un massage. Il avait des doigts de fée, comment des doigts pouvaient-ils aussi bien tuer que t'emmener au paradis ? Tu n'avais jamais eu peur de lui. Son toucher était réconfortant et familier.

« -Ne t'en fais pas. C'était juste une journée stressante. »

Tu fondais sous son toucher, sa présence derrière toi était rassurante. Tu sentis ses doigts se crisper à ta remarque et tu pus deviner son schéma de pensée.

«- Non Killer, personne ne m'a embêtée. Tu ne devras tuer personne.

-Je ne comptais tuer personne.

Tu ne pus réprimer un petit rire en devinant son trouble. Il était extrêmement protecteur lorsqu'il s'agissait de toi, même s'il ne le montrait pas. Bon dieu, rien que sa présence était assez pour te mettre de bonne humeur.

-Mais oui, bien sûr. Et le type de l'autre fois, on en parle ?

Tu ne manquas pas de lui rappeler votre dernière soirée ensemble, ou plutôt, une énième soirée où il fallait prendre soin de Kid. Un homme un peu trop alcoolisé avait profité de la foule pour poser une main indiscrète sur le bas de ton dos. Inutile de mentionner que Killer lui avait fracturé le bras sans ciller. Remarque, Kid aurait agit pire, le roux et toi étiez tout deux comme frère et sœur.

Ses doigts quittèrent tes épaules à contre cœur, tu le vis qui s'approchait de la grande bibliothèque qui occupait un des murs de la pièce. Killer aimait énormément lire, à vrai dire, il avait tellement de connaissances et il avait des livres de différentes origines. Tu étais toujours admirative devant son savoir.

Il revint et s'assit à côté de toi, entre ses mains, tu reconnus le livre « Mille et une nuit », la couverture était épaisse et ornementée d'un cadre doré. Tu souris avec excitation, Killer et toi aviez cette habitude ; à chaque fois que tu te sentais mal ou que tu n'arrivais pas à dormir, il te lisait des contes. Il t'en avait lu des dizaines maintenant ; Le petit Prince, Alice au pays des merveilles, les Contes d'Hoffman. Mais ton préféré restait toujours « Mille et une nuit ».

Ce livre représentait ton énamourement. A chaque fois que tu n'arrivais pas à dormir, tu rejoignais l'homme dans sa chambre et il te contait à la manière de Shéhérazade les contes étonnants. Avant même de t'en rendre compte, tu étais tombée sous son charme.

Il tapota ses genoux et tu posas ta tête là où il l'avait désigné. Sa voix te transportait vers les sables d'orient. Il y mettait tant de douceur. Ce moment intime était assez pour éradiquer tout tes ennuis. Sa main portait le livre, tandis que l'autre, caressait tour à tour tes cheveux et tes joues. Que tu étais chanceuse de l'avoir. Sa voix te racontait les aventures de Sindbad. Il avait acheté ce livre lors d'une escapade à Alabasta et était tombé sous le charme.

Lorsqu'il finit de lire le conte tu te relevas légèrement et tu te blottis dans ses bras. Il encercla ta taille des siens et vous restèrent un instant dans cette position.

-J'adore quand tu me racontes les aventures de Sindbad. J'ai l'impression d'accéder à un côté de toi que seul moi peut voir.

-Et c'est vrai. Tu es la seule qui veut entendre mes contes.

-C'est tout à ton honneur. Tu es un excellent conteur.

-Tu es une excellente audience. »

Il sourit derrière son masque et ne manqua pas d'en rougir. Il aimait comment tu t'intéressais à tout ce qu'il racontait et à tout ce qu'il aimait. Tu étais la seule personne au monde avec qui il partageait cela, avec qui il pouvait se permettre de partager cela. Le stress de la journée n'était plus qu'un vague souvenir. Une seule chose te manquait. Tu voulais plus de proximité. Tu voulais le voir et l'embrasser. Les aventures de Sindbad n'étaient pas assez.

«-Je veux te voir... »

Tu expires, ta voix n'était plus qu'un soupir, léger murmure qui le fit sourire derrière son masque. Sourire que tu ne vis pas mais que tu pus deviner. Tu n'avais plus à le voir, tu n'avais qu'à prêter attention à sa poitrine qui s'élevait au rythme de sa respiration. Tu savais maintenant déchiffrer chaque geste et la moindre variation de sa voix.

Tu le connaissais, vous vous connaissiez plus que personne mais tu en voulais toujours plus. Tu voulais qu'il s'offre entièrement à toi. Tu voulais qu'il mette à nu ses sentiments comme tu le faisais avec lui, parce qu'il était ta zone de confort et que tu voulais être la sienne.

Tu te redresses, tes doigts graciles viennent toucher du bout des doigts la surface dure du masque. Tu sens son souffle s'arrêter.

« Pour moi... » tu répètes, insistante. Ce n'était pas la première fois que tu le verras sans masque, mais pouvais-tu en être satisfaite ? Il le gardait même dans son sommeil. Tes doigts se perdent maintenant dans sa chevelure dorée.

« Pour toi. » Sa voix était ferme mais pénétrante. Venant de derrière le masque, elle était quelque peu voilée.

Une autre n'aurait pas pu deviner son trouble mais pour toi ? Tâche facile. Tu ne pus réprimer un sourire d'enfant auquel on promettait un morceau de sucre. Tu étais maintenant assise à côté de lui sur le sofa, les poignets sur tes hanches, le souffle coupé, les cils battant à peine.

Le masque reposait à présent sur l'accoudoir. Tu pus découvrir son visage parfaitement sculpté, ses lèvres violacées. Cachait-il son visage, comme Meduse ses yeux, de peur de te pétrifier ?

«- Killer...Tu es magnifique. »

Pas besoin de mots, un doigt vint se poser sur tes lèvres entrouvertes. Ton regard était assez, les mots parfois l'encombraient. Ses yeux azur brillaient derrière un rideau de cheveux dorés, ils étaient fuyants. Tu hésites, une seconde puis deux, avant de venir t'installer sur ses genoux. Il fut surpris par cette proximité mais elle ne le gêna pas puisqu'il vint poser ta main sur sa poitrine. Sa peau était brûlante, son cœur battait considérablement plus fort. Il ne le dit pas, ce geste signifiait « Je t'aime » et tu le savais.

«- Merci d'être là pour moi. »

Ton visage était à quelques centimètres du siens. Ses lèvres vinrent caresser les tiennes à peine, avant de t'embrasser pleinement tandis que sa main se posa sur sur ta nuque pour approfondir le baiser. Encore une fois, le geste parlait mieux que les mots. Je t'aime. Je te veux. Je veux que tu me donnes tout ton stress, toute ta peine, je veux la porter pour toi.

-(Y/N)...Un soupir...Je t'ai-

Soudain, la porte s'ouvrit en un fracas. Tu n'eus pas besoin de te retourner, tu savais, vous saviez de qui il s'agissait.

-Killer ! C'est quand qu'on mange je meu--...PUTAIN mais...

-Tu peux pas frapper à la porte pour une fois ?

Tu attrapas un coussin et tu le lanças en la direction de Kid qui se retournait déjà, gêné de vous avoir interrompu. Il disparut aussi rapidement qu'il n'était venu en prononçant une myriade d’obscénités.

Killer enfonça sa tête dans ton cou, gêné d'être découvert dans cette situation compromettante, quoique ça aurait pu être pire.

-Tu disais quoi, chéri ?

Il remit son masque tout en murmurant un « rien du tout ».

-Mais je jure que je t'ai entendu le dire ! Tu allais dire « Je t'aime », n'est-ce pas ? Tu le taquinais un peu trop pour son bien être.

-Si tu m'avais entendu, alors pourquoi demandes-tu ?

Il était extrêmement heureux d'avoir son masque sur le visage à cet instant précis.

-Parce que je veux l'entendre à nouveau. Si honnête, un peu trop pour son bien.

-Je t'aime.

-Qu-quoi ? Je n'étais pas préparée à ça ! Tu étais maintenant celle qui rougissait. Killer n'était pas du genre à exprimer ses sentiments tout le temps et ouvertement alors ça signifiait énormément à tes yeux.

« Trop mignonne. » C'était ce qu'il pensait de toi en ce moment. Il s'est levé tout en te gardant contre sa poitrine.

-Bon, je pense que Kid va vraiment causer un désastre s'il n'a pas à manger. Tu dois mourir de faim également. Tu ne voudrais pas me donner un coup de main en cuisine ?

-Bien sûr que oui. Mais tout d'abord...Est-ce que tu pourrais me poser à terre ?

-ça c'est hors de question. Il répondit simplement tout en te mettant sur son épaule et en se dirigeant vers la cuisine.

#Killer x reader #one piece x reader #one piece scenarios #one piece imagine #massacre soldier #one piece killer x reader

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adaodinson · 4 years ago

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Would she?

Here´s the second part of Would she? I´ve had some free time and got the inspiration to write it. And one thing, I mention a movie called “Wolfwalkers” during the story, I highly recommend it, it´s a beautiful and artistic but deep animated movie.

Again, I´ll leave the translations to the Spanish words and phrases at the end of each phrase.

Relationship: Marcus Moreno x Fem Mexican reader (it is in English and most of the dialogues are too, her being Mexican is more about the story)

Summary: You are having dinner with the Morenos for the first time and a feeling of both nervousness and excitement covers both yours and Marcus´ body.

Warnings: Age gap, reader is Mexican, some swearing.

Part 2

Part 3

You woke up at the feeling of a small certain creature jumping to your stomach and purring softly. You blinked many times trying to get used to the light of the day and spotted your cat Wolfie staring at you. You turned around to see the time and as you saw your clock, you basically jumped out of bed scaring the living crap out of your cat. You weren´t used to the way your furniture was arranged in your new apartment, so it took a few more seconds than usual for you to find the bathroom.

-Shit, shit, shit- you said acknowledging it was 2 in the afternoon and realizing you wouldn´t have time to do everything you had planned to do. You had bumped into Missy for the second time yesterday and she had quickly told you dinner would be at 7 the next day, since earlier she hadn´t told you at what time you would be expected.

You had offered to bring dessert and you had planned making your famous chocolate chip cookies (famous between your family and friends, obviously) but you were waking up insanely late and still had to go out and buy all the ingredients. You hurried to the store and the second you got back home you started with the dough. While the cookies were in the oven, you went to your room to decide what you would wear. It was a simple dinner, you had no reason to be this nervous but you were. You cursed at the feeling that strange man caused on you and wondered how you would be able to make it through the whole dinner without imploding in your seat in front of the nice girl and handsome guy.

A pair of jeans, black boots, a white blouse with long sleeves and no shoulders and your favorite leather jacket. Simple but perfect. You looked in the mirror with satisfaction. Sure you had some insecurities about your body and face, but you were working very hard on loving yourself as you were, and with all honesty, you liked how you looked on that outfit. You got the cookies out of the oven and took a shower. Once you finished, you put on a light makeup and got dressed. It was 6o´clock and you only had to put the cookies in a plate and wait till it was time to go.

Marcus had woken up pretty early, he was a nerve rack not only because he would get to talk to you that same day, but because he had to make dinner himself and had no idea how he would pull that off without setting his house on fire or ending up ordering food and plating it to make it seem he had made it.

He decided he would try to make something simple so that he could put more effort into it: a pasta and some salad. How hard could it be? He had been stuck in his mind for so long he didn´t realize it was almost 3 and he still had to buy what he needed, so he asked Missy if she was decent enough to go to the supermarket and got ready to go.

She joked around reminding him all the things he had done in the kitchen that deserved their own TV show for how unique and disastrous they were.

-That time when you broke the whole carton of eggs in the sink instead of the bowl, or when you were making pasta but forgot the water so it got caught on fire. Oh or when instead of vinegar for the dressing you used vanilla- She said not being able to hold back the tears from how hard she was laughing-

-Ha ha ha ha you´re very funny. But really, I need your help, I don´t want to mess this up- He said as he pushed the car through the fruit aisle.

-I will help you, remember I like her too, I don´t want her to have to move again because her crazy neighbor made some pasta sauce explode on her- They both laughed all the way back to the car after buying everything. Rushing back to the house they started preparing everything.

They took turns so that one could be cooking and the other getting changed and ready. Things looked pretty good, nothing smelled weird, the kitchen was still standing, no vanilla and vinegar had been mixed up. Everything seemed perfect, almost too good to be true.

It was time, finally. You hugged your cat and asked him to wish you luck. He just lovingly stared at you and you took that as a good thing.

You were carrying the cookie plate and your bag while you locked the door behind you. You looked at both sides of the street before crossing and in a matter of seconds you were in front of the Moreno´s house. You took a deep breath and knocked on the door before your fear could stop you.

A shorter head peeked through the door as the owner of it opened it. Missy received you with a bright smile.

-Hi! Welcome- she said as she moved from the door to let you in.

-Hi Missy, how are you?- you said as you walked inside. It was a beautiful house, not too big but with enough room for two to three people. It was simply decorated but with a clear style and it smelled amazing.

-I´m good, thanks. This is my dad- She said as she pointed at the tall man standing next to you that for some reason you hadn´t seen. You looked at him and you swear you had to swallow a freaking moan from how gorgeous he was.

-Hello, I´m Marcus- he said as he extended his hand for you to shake.

-Hi Marcus- you said and then told him your name as you reached out for his hand.

-Welcome to the neighborhood and to our house- he said with a small chuckle. God, he swore you were glowing. You seemed so perfect, with your bright eyes and precious smile. He though your name suited you perfectly and he just couldn’t take his eyes off of you.

-Thank you so much for everything, it has been pretty hard for me to settle with the small amount of time I´ve lived here, but it´s amazing to know already I have such nice neighbors- you had no idea where that came form but you thanked your brain for coming up with it and your mouth for being able to say it so well.

Both looked at you with the same smile shining in their lips. They were so alike in certain ways.

They showed you around the first floor and then guided you to the dining room where the food was resting ready to be eaten. It all looked amazing.

-This smells amazing- you said happily.

-I hope you like it- Marcus said with a hint of fear in his tone.

-Be glad if you do- Missy said with a smirk and Marcus hit her playfully in the shoulder.

The three of you sat down and Marcus served all of you a generous portion of red pasta and salad. You stared down at your plate and smiled for yourself. You all started talking about your day as you tried the salad. Missy shared some stories of how Marcus had failed in the kitchen before and you shared crazy stories about your family. Like that one time when you got stuck at a parking place because your uncle that happened to be about ten blocks away had kept the car keys and the place was about to close; or that time when your parents were still dating (you weren´t born) and your mom drove you dad´s car into a pool by accident. As you told that last story Marcus laughed so hard some of his drink came out from his nose just like Violet in the Incredibles 2. Missy and you laughed so hard your stomaches ached.

It was time to try the pasta. Carefully, you used your fork to grab some of it and put it in your mouth. You had expected it to be an only tomato pasta, apparently it had peppers too, but since you were Mexican you were used to spicy and you loved it. You thought for a second you hadn´t told Missy where you came from, so you guessed they liked spicy too.

-JESUS NOOOOO WHAAAT- you jumped so high you almost saw the lamp that hanged from the celling in front of you. You looked at Missy who stood up from her seat and basically ran screaming through the kitchen looking for water.

Marcus´ face was covered in red and he looked at you with a strange look.

-You want milk for spicy sweetie! I´m so so so sorry, how are you not dying?- he asked looking at you. Okay now you were quite confused.

-What?- you said.

-Well the pasta, I mixed up some of the tomatoes with peppers and it´s spicy as hell. I´m used to spicy because of my mom but Missy isn´t- he stared down at you with a disappointed look in his face, but also a puzzled one. Why didn´t you react like Missy? Why didn’t you spit out the disgusting thing he had made?

-Marcus- you said with a soft chuckle- I´m Mexican, I adore spicy food and I´m used to eating it too, I loved the flavor of your pasta, it´s amazing. I didn’t tell Missy where I come from, so I assumed you guys liked spicy too and that had been why you made it like this. I honestly love this pasta.

Marcus looked at you and he swore he would never let you go, even if it was just as a friend, he wanted you around.

Without thinking and letting his arms move on their own, Marcus reached out for you and trapped you in a hug. He was as shocked as you were, but even more when you locked your arms on his shoulders hugging him back.

-¿Hablas en serio?- (Are you serious?) He asked softly wanting to know if what you were saying was true.

-Claro que hablo en serio- (Of course I´m serious) You answered quietly with a perfect Spanish pronunciation and a hint of laughter in your voice. You both stayed like that for what seemed forever until Missy came back and coughed softly.

-Are you done you fools? Or do you have another plan for almost killing me and then celebrating with a hug?- She asked with a serious look at first, but breaking into laughter at the middle of the sentence. The two of you split not daring to look at the other one because of the embarrassment.

-I´m gonna go get changed because I spilled half of the water I used before SOMEONE decided to tell me milk was better for spicy- she said as she walked upstairs.

You took another bite of your pasta and smiled at the memory it gave you about Mexico.

-So- you said swallowing what you were eating- Missy told me your job keeps you away from her a lot, what do you do?- you asked.

Marcus hadn’t thought about whether or not he would tell you about his job. He now knew you didn´t know anything about the Heroics because you weren´t from around, but he also knew you would eventually find out and, honestly, he preferred to be the one to answer all the questions you could have rather that you looking it up.

-I´m what we call a Heroic, I basically fight to defend people when needed- You did not see that one coming. Some people had mentioned the Heroics and you had seen things about them in the TV, but Marcus being one of them… it was AMAZING.

-WHAAAT YOU´RE A HEROIC?- that came out way louder than what you had planned. He smiled and nodded.

-So you´ve heard about us?-

-Well of course, but you´re one of them?!- that was too much for you, this man was perfect- So you have like a superpower or what?- You said expecting him to laugh and saying you were ridiculous.

-Yep, I can control metal, basically- he said amused at your reaction.

-WHAAAAT you mean like Magneto?!-

He laughed out loud at your comparison and with a gaze he invited you to lift your unused spoon for a demonstration. You did as he asked and with all the surprise of the world, you saw the utensil leave your hand and land on Marcus´.

-NOOOOOO THAT´S SO COOL- you said, and without thinking you stood from your seat, ran towards him and grabbed his hand to examine it. You both felt an electric current run through your fingers as you touched, but trying to ignore that, you carefully looked at each one of his fingers and traced them in a gentle way that made him melt.

He sat quietly and let you examine his hands. He was dying on the inside though. He was so amazed by your reaction and he even let himself run his eyes through you now that you were busy. He saw your hair falling at your side, it looked so soft he felt the need to touch it but held back. He ran his eyes through your back and landed his gaze on your ass for a few seconds but he scolded himself and looked away. He turned his gaze back at your head and to your face. You were looking at him as if he was the most amazing piece of art you had ever seen, and his heart sunk at the sight. He traced your nose and your rosy cheeks, then your lips and subconsciously he licked his.

Missy had been observing you two for about five minutes and was between amused and consumed by a tender feeling. You were going to have an amazing long-lasting friendship, or if life smiled at the three of you, a beautiful and romantic relationship that she had already decided she completely supported.

She decided it was time to interrupt though, she would offer you to watch a movie as you ate the cookies you had brought, and she did.

-Okay I´m sure there is a perfect explanation for why you guys are like that, but instead of giving me nervous unfinished sentences, let´s choose a movie to watch while we eat dessert- Marcus and you both stared into each other´s eyes for a few seconds with clear embarrassment and slowly walked away from each other. You were already missing the other´s touch.

You all finished eating dinner, and after washing the dishes you decided to watch a new movie that came out called “Wolfwalkers”.

-Oh my God, these are amazing- Marcus said with a pretty surprised look in his face as he tried one of your cookies.

-They really are, wow- Missy responded with the same surprise as her father.

-Thank you guys, I´m glad you liked them. I love making them so anytime you want some just call me-

-We don´t have your number- Missy said quickly before any of you changed the subject.

-Oh that´s right- you said as you took the piece of paper Missy was handing you and you wrote down your number. Missy gave a discreet wink to her father while you were focused on your task and he just smiled at his daughter.

The three of you sitting on the couch, eating cookies and crying over the beautiful movie after an afternoon of laughing and hugging. It was perfect. You were dying to know what your future with the Morenos would be like.

#marcus moreno x reader #marcus moreno #marcus moreno fanfic #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #we can be heroes #marcus moreno x fem!reader

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honeymoonjin · 5 years ago

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Please note, these works are mine. I won’t accept any translations (sorry, foreign language army) or cross-posting on accounts that aren’t mine. If you see a work of mine on Wattpad, it is not me. Please let me know so I can get it taken down. If you see a work of mine on AO3 under any account that isn’t honeymoonjin, it is not me and please let me know. The banners are not made by me, they are made by the incredibly talented @jamaisjoons. Please do not read works marked with the crown ♔ for smut if you are a minor. These are intended for audiences 18 or above.

These fics are the b-side, my older works which I’m not as happy with as my newer stuff. I don’t want to delete them since some may still enjoy them, but I wanna start fresh with works I’m personally proud of on my main masterlist from now on, so these are the ones that didn’t make the cut.

♔ smut || ➴ angst || ✭ crack || ☯ fluff

〚 darlin’ 〛✭

❝ you’re an actress that needs to learn to ride a horse for your next role. jin’s the cowboy tasked with teaching you. ❞

〚 pine 〛☯

❝ you’ve been hiding your crush on your best friend jin for far too long now, but it turns out he feels the same. ❞

〚 transition 〛✭

❝ seokjin’s job as a grim reaper is to guide souls after they die, but you’re not interested in moving on just yet. ❞

〚 pasta la vista 〛✭

❝ in which you, a food critic, wonders how kim seokjin manages to stay in business, considering how terrible his food seems to be. alternatively, kim seokjin does not know how to flirt. ❞

〚 come dine with me 〛♔

❝ yoonji eating you out in the kitchen that is literally it. ❞

〚 daegu hold ‘em 〛☯

❝ yoongi loves spoiling his girl. you love having a sugar daddy. that’s called synergy. ❞

〚 baby fever 〛♔

❝ doctor min yoongi is your fertility specialist, but during the artificial insemination procedure he has some…unorthodox methods. ❞

〚 mi casa 〛☯

❝ when yoongi brings you home to spend the holiday season with his family, he finally realizes he’s in love with you. ❞

〚 curious ft kth 〛♔

❝ taehyung is unsure of his sexuality, and you and your boyfriend yoongi are only too happy to let him experiment with you. ❞

〚 땡 / ddaeng 〛✭

❝ when blackmailed by a sasaeng, you and yoongi decide to instead release a diss-track featuring audio from an illegally obtained video of the two of you having sex. ❞

〚 unravel 〛➴ ∙ ☯

❝ you just want yoongi to see himself the way you see him. ❞

〚 heavy 〛♔

❝ mafia leader hoseok is having problems with loyalty in his ranks. luckily, you’ll always be there for him to relieve a little stress when he needs it. ❞

〚 close enough 〛➴

❝ hoseok thinks you’re getting a little too close to the other members, and he’s sick of it. part two now available here! ❞

〚 us 〛☯

❝ amongst the publicity of being an idol, hoseok wants his proposal to be a private affair. ❞

〚 unwind 〛♔

❝ your boyfriend is about to give an important speech at the United Nations but isn’t handling pre-speech nerves too well. luckily, you know some ways to help him relax. ❞

〚 keyed up ft kth〛♔

❝ when your mutual roommate namjoon gets a little too strung out, you and taehyung offer to help relieve some tension. ❞

〚 hey mama 〛☯

❝ one-shot for mother’s day. you spend an evening in with namjoon and your two boys. ❞

〚 going up? 〛✭ ∙ ☯

❝ you didn’t expect to be trapped in a faulty elevator with the president of south korea, but it’s still preferable to having to take the stairs. ❞

〚 sick day 〛♔

❝ namjoon gets a week off work, but you don’t, and he’s starting to get a little frustrated. ❞

〚 tumble dry 〛♔

❝ when jimin overhears you confessing to jungkook that you want to ride his thighs, jimin allows you…on one condition. ❞

〚 radio silence 〛♔

❝ jimin wants to indulge in his exhibitionism kink on the grandest scale: while at the grammys. ❞

〚 appa 〛☯

❝ jimin comes home from tour to visit his newborn son for the first time. ❞

〚 breaking point 〛➴

❝ you don’t think you can continue being in a relationship with jimin anymore. ❞

〚 arrivals 〛➴

❝ things go wrong at the airport when jimin’s wife and daughter accompany bts on a flight. ❞

〚 keyed up ft knj〛♔

❝ when your mutual roommate namjoon gets a little too strung out, you and taehyung offer to help relieve some tension. ❞

〚 roomie 〛✭

❝ falling in love with your cell mate isn’t generally advisable. ❞

〚 confessions of love are best done sober 〛➴ ∙ ☯

❝ kim taehyung used to be your best friend in primary school, but he’s changed into a completely different person. while you drink yourself into oblivion at a party, he has something to tell you. ❞

〚 itty-bitty 〛☯

❝ after finally moving in with your just-married husband, you have some more exciting news to tell him. ❞

〚 curious ft myg 〛♔

❝ taehyung is unsure of his sexuality, and you and your boyfriend yoongi are only too happy to let him experiment with you. ❞

〚 green room 〛♔

❝ jungkook isn’t happy with how you acted while he was on stage. ❞

〚 high-rise 〛☯

❝ getting locked out on a rooftop when you’re meant to be going on stage in five minutes is less than ideal, but luckily Jungkook has his girlfriend to keep him company. ❞

〚 shark week 〛✭ ∙ ☯

❝ when you get your period while at a restaurant with your boyfriend and the rest of bts, you just want to grin and bear it, but jungkook seems determined to show off to his hyungs how supportive he is. ❞

〚 the name game 〛✭ ∙ ☯

❝ jungkook likes to think he’s a genius at coming up with baby names. you, his heavily pregnant girlfriend, would have to disagree. ❞

〚 roll credits 〛☯

❝ after a string of misfortunes and troubles, you find yourself crying your eyes out in a movie theater. luckily, the cute usher wants to make sure you didn’t miss the film. ❞

〚 the daily grind 〛☯

❝ jeon jungkook has a crush on the girl that comes to the coffee shop he works at, but she’s too invested in her studying to even give him a second glance. ❞

〚 makin’ monet 〛✭

❝ jungkook’s attention is caught by his roommate taehyung’s odd collection of fake paintings, and he’s determined to find the painter. part two available here. ❞

〚 love yourself: the collab 〛✐ ∙ ♔ ∙ ➴ ∙ ☯

❝ twenty-six authors, twenty-six songs. a collab me and @/jeonau created to celebrate the one year anniversary of lya. each song (plus four bonus tracks) has its own fic. ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: several, at least one of every member x reader

〚 roll deep 〛✐ ∙ ♔

❝ six one-shots, pornstar au. ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: one of each member x reader, yoonji x reader

〚 wouldst thou like to live deliciously? 〛✐ ∙ ♔ ∙ ➴

❝ jimin is sick of being a virgin, and the pressure of the first time with a girl, so he decides to summon a sex demon to get it over with. ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: jimin x reader, namjoon x reader, yoongi x reader

〚 cum!bts 〛♔ ∙ ✭

❝ in the newest run! episode, the members compete to see which of them can make you orgasm the fastest. ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: one of each member x reader

〚 sovereign 〛✐ ∙ ♔ ∙ ➴

❝ when you hear that your recently deceased grandmother left you her property in her will, at first you think that a dinky old cottage in the middle of nowhere isn’t going to mean much for you. but after spending a night there, you discover something far more valuable than the house itself: a hidden door that leads to another time, the same place but over 200 years in the past. in the late 18th century, there is a king who will die before his 21st birthday unless you can save him. will you help him, even if it means leaving your own life behind? ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: jimin x reader, jungkook x reader

〚 lost in translation 〛✐ ∙ ➴ ∙ ☯

❝ you decide to uproot your life completely and move to korea to help teach english at a primary school. ❞

⇥ season one masterlist here

⇥ pairings: none so far

〚 seven 〛➴ ∙ ☯

❝ life with seven boyfriends isn’t always a walk in the park, but you wouldn’t have it any other way. ❞

⇥ part one || part two || part three

⇥ pairings: ot7 x reader

〚 dul, set 〛☯

❝ work can be tough. at least you have two boyfriends to come home to. ❞

⇥ part one || part two

⇥ pairings: hoseok x reader x yoongi

〚 spotlights 〛✭ ∙ ☯

❝ a fully interactive (~50 parts, 21 different endings) bts fic. you’ve been seated next to bts at a televised award show. will you end the night with a boyfriend or with a disaster? each member has 1 positive ending and 2 negative ones. ❞

⇥ entry post here

⇥ pairings: one of each member x reader

〚 enjoy your stay 〛 ♔ ∙ ➴

❝ working the graveyard shift at a hotel isn’t the most exciting job in the world, but your coworkers are certainly happy to have you here. ❞

⇥ masterlist here

⇥ pairings: jin x reader, jungkook x reader

〚 런닝맨 방탄 - running man bangtan 〛 ♔

❝ you and the other seven members of the popular variety show running man celebrate your 100th episode by completing various missions. ❞

⇥ part one || part two || part three

⇥ pairings: taehyung x reader, hoseok x reader x yoongi

#bts masterlist #bts fanfic #jin x reader #yoongi x reader #hoseok x reader #namjoon x reader #jimin x reader #taehyung x reader #jungkook x reader #bts x reader #bts one shot #bts fluff #bts angst #bts smut

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 4 years ago

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Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 139

139

Cuba was loud. Loud and people everywhere. Lance had bugged him to call Shiro, his brother giving him a hard time for forgetting, but Matt had already called to let him know that he and Lance had a very... intimate reunion. Stupid perverted wolf. He was having a moment with his boyfriend, not some kind of scandalous tryst.

Lance didn’t talk as much as he thought he would. So Keith didn’t push it. He’d sent Shiro a proper message explaining Miriam had passed and that Lance needed a little more time before they’d be headed back to America. Matt had let Shiro know, but Keith felt like maybe that’d been Lance’s place to say. Shiro and Curtis sending their condolences. Each time Lance would point something out, Keith tried to take as many photos on his phone as he could, so Lance would have physical evidence to match his memories.

Stopping for lunch near the beach, Keith realised how screwed he would have been without Lance there to translate for him. Sure, there was English to cater to the tourists, but Lance made it look easy. Chatting away with the servers, swimming in the jumper that he was wearing. His boyfriend had already managed to get him new shoes. They weren’t shiny red converses with smiley faces on them, but they were sneakers because Lance simply rolled his eyes at the idea of boots in the heat.

Sitting across from his boyfriend in the cafe, Keith realising that Lance actually looked a little older. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but there was something there. Then again, he hadn’t seen his boyfriend’s face in the sun like this in far too long

“You’re staring”

“You’re cute”

Lance huffed at him. Keith couldn’t help how in love with Lance he was

“Can... can you maybe... not compliment me as much?”

“Nope”

His boyfriend huffed again. Did Lance think he was complimenting him to cover other feelings? Or was hating on himself so hard that he struggling to see how beautiful he was? All he had to do was look at Lance and he wanted to say nice things. The Keith from this time last year wouldn’t have believed it. He probably would have broken someone’s face had they suggested he’d be like this with anyone.

Forcing his attention to the meal, he wasn’t sure what it was. It smelt really good. Keith wasn’t sure about the beans, his diet didn’t consist of much outside green beans and baked beans. Baked beans banned because Shiro’s farts were no joke. Pointing with his fork, Lance explained what they were eating

“It’s Ropa Vieja. It’s very good. It’s mostly pulled stewed beef with veggies”

“I don’t think I’ve even heard of it”

“You missed out. Mami used to make a mean ropa. It’s like Cuba’s number one dish and she would come back and murder me if you didn’t try it at least once”

Lance was right, Keith’s eyes widened at the first taste of beef, scoffing down a second forkful. Lance seemed to find it funny enough that he laughed. An actual, proper, barking laugh where he scrunched his face up and people stared. Swallowing quickly, he got hit with the heat of the spices, Lance’s shoulders were shaking with laughter

“What’s so funny?”

“I told you it was good and you still looked like you’d come in your pants at the first bite”

“It is good... Wait, are you trying to say I make weird faces during sex?”

“You make very manly and sexy faces... but that face was gold”

Keith pulled his phone out his pocket, snapping a photo of Lance who sobered as he drew his brow realising what Keith had done. It’d make the perfect proof of life photo for Pidge

“Did you just take a photo?”

“You mocked my “oh” face”

“You have a many manly sex face. Just be careful with where you’re taking photos”

That was thing? Then again, there kind of seemed like a vague memory that maybe a thing

“I didn’t think about that. It was nice seeing you laugh, even it was at me”

He had no idea of the etiquette of Cuba, probably acting like the dumb America tourist he was

“It’s fine here. Mami and I came here a bit on the way too and from the hotel. On Wednesday’s they clear out the tables at night and they have dances”

“I bet Mami loved that”

“She did. We mostly shuffled on the spot but she said it reminded her of when Papi took her dancing. It’s weird when your mum gropes your butt”

“I bet she winked too”

“Yep. I wish I’d come back here sooner with her. I feel like I wasted time not”

“Nah, I’m sure she was happy. Oh, I better text Pidge and Hunk. Is there anything you want me to say?”

“Just tell them I miss them. I do... miss them I mean, but at this stage I’m not sure how to face them”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m here. Coran kept getting pushed out the way so Pidge could talk to me. He actually looked annoyed”

“He’s got a hard enough job. He paid for all of this. I mean, I know he used funds from VOLTRON, but that hotel isn’t cheap...”

“He did it because he loves you. I’m sure there’s plenty of funding, and I’m sure there’s things you haven’t cashed in on because you didn’t want to make a fuss”

“He did try to give me my blood for free... I feel better when I’m paying. More independent and not like a teen getting money from dad”

“See. There you go. This is like really good, can you make this at home?”

“You want me to?”

“Heck yes. Don’t get me wrong, Rome is like a food lovers paradise but pasta gets sooooo repetitive”

“You better make the most of it. There’s still a lot of dishes to try”

“What about going out for dinner? With Matt and Rieva?”

Lance fumbled his fork. Keith kicking himself but the words had slipped out

“I’m... I was really rude to them”

“I doubt they care”

“I care. I ran the first time I saw them”

Keith raised an eyebrow at the thought of a pregnant Lance thinking he could leg it from two werewolves. His boyfriend had zero chance

“Babe, they missed you”

“They’ll want to talk about what happened and I’m... telling you is...”

Right. Lance was still trying to tell him what he could, how he could...

“... telling you is because she saw you as her son. Telling them, I just... it’s harder”

“We don’t have to tell them the things you’re not comfortable with. If we have dinner, we can go after... but it’ll be a good step”

“What if they can’t forgive me?”

“The only person who can’t forgive you is you. Just put it in the back of your mind”

“I’ve been thinking about it too much...”

“I’m shocked you’d over think anything ever”

“Now you’re being mean”

“You still love me. Seriously though, this is really good. Can I help you make it?”

He was going to text Pidge but his food was too appealing. Shovelling down another forkful, Lance swallowed as he watched him, seeming a little flustered. Keith wished he knew what kind of expression he was showing the man he loved

“Uh. I guess... we should eat. We’re heading back to the hotel after this. I can’t seem to make it through without my afternoon nap”

“I’ve deprived you of your morning nap, haven’t I?”

“Yeah... and my morning self wallowing”

“I’m like the worst boyfriend ever”

“Nah. You’re pretty much the best I’ve ever had”

It took Keith a long moment. His heart filled with pride at the praise until he realised he was the only boyfriend Lance ever had. Lance chuckled when the realisation hit him, Keith kicking him lightly under the table. His boyfriend was a brat.

When Lance went down for a nap, Keith was shooed off to let him sleep. The cafe was the perfect distance back to the hotel for Lance to have processed eating and be needing to throw it back up. The vampire had eaten enough human food to rival Matt. Keith could keep up, though he tried. Everything tasted amazing, and all he wanted to do was bask in his food coma, then Lance had kicked him out because his hand had slipped a little too low rubbing his boyfriend’s belly. It wasn’t his fault he loved feeling the swell... Lance didn’t trust him to behave. Lance declaring his arse off limits.

Throwing himself down on the sofa in the living area, he was bored already. He’d messaged chat rather than just Pidge, then avoided checking the messages he got in reply. Shay knew he was in Rome for work, and that Lance was on holiday visiting family with his grandmother. Their chat looked rather sad. Shay had expressed her condolences, which Keith accepted on Lance’s behalf. He didn’t have much to do on his own. People were tiring, the noise reaching the hotel room through Lance’s still open bedroom door. If they were going out to dinner, he really should make the effort with Matt and Rieva. Lance was sleeping and he was sure the pair would let him know if Lance needed him back.

Doing what any normal person would do, Keith climbed over to their balcony, knocking on the back door rather than going out into the hall and all the way around. Rieva opened the door with a laugh

“We were wondering how long it’d be before you came over. Couldn’t take the front door?”

“Too much like effort”

“Fair enough. Come in. Mi casa es su casa. Matt, Keith’s here!”

Their hotel room was as nice as Lance’s, decorated the same, complete with clothes everywhere. Keith ignore the thin lace thong hanging off the corner of the sofa as he stood there with his hands in his pockets

“I know Keith’s here! I heard him!”

Matt was rubbing sunscreen on as he came out of his and Rieva’s room. The werewolf having either squeezed too much out, or accidentally burst the tube. The second option seemed more likely seeing it was in his hair. Rieva laughed at her boyfriend, walking over to him. Keith thought she was going to help with the mess until she drew a dick on Matt’s chest. Matt rolling his eyes at her as he smeared sunscreen across the outline to erase it

“Anyway, what brings you over? I didn’t think you wanted to be balcony buddies”

“Leave him alone. You know he only arrived last night”

“He did? Really... Hey!”

Keith snorted as Rieva slapped her boyfriend hard enough for Matt to double over

“Ignore him. I told him we’d go to the pool and he’s been acting like a hyperactive child since”

“Who says I’m not a hyperactive child in disguise?”

Rieva smacked him again

“It would explain so much. Anyway, how is Lance? We saw you two left earlier?”

Keith shrugged, it was really awkward standing there with lingerie just laying around

“About as well as can be expected. Convinced himself that he needs to be strong for everyone else. He’s worked himself up about being rude to you”

Matt huffed, giving up on rubbing in the sunscreen in favour of wiping it on Rieva’s arm. Both werewolves had new scars. Making a face as Rieva wiped sunscreen back on him, Matt sounded as chill as expected

“Lance is “bro-dude” for life. He gets the only free passes we give”

“We really do owe him so much. Garrison is such a lovely town. My boss even let me keep my job despite everything. Now we just need to turn Matt into a respectable member of society”

“I am pretty respectable... This sunscreen is awful”

“As awful as those dead things we found on the beach?”

Matt lit up

“I forgot about those! Hang on...”

Dripping sunscreen from his hair, Matt jogged back into the bedroom. Rieva seemed to know what was happening here.. he was sure he hadn’t missed a hint

“What’s he doing?”

Why was he questioning Matt’s action. He was weird as hell every day of the damn week

“You’ll see”

What was that supposed to mean? Matt calling out

“We found these last night. We thought something had washed up dead on the beach... like a whale or something because there’s sharks and the stench. Anyway, we thought you’d find it interesting”

Coming out with his red converses, Keith could have hugged Matt

“I thought I’d lost them!”

“You would have if we hadn’t been making sure you and Lance were okay. Rieva stopped me from rolling in them...”

“They’re new!”

“They still smell like your feet! And where is the thank you?”

“Thanks guys! Lance had to pretty much organise a new pair for me... you guys are awesome!”

“You’re lucky someone didn’t steal them. Don’t go leaving them around again”

Handing his shoes over, Keith really could have kissed Matt. Finally his stalkerish ways were beneficial

“I had to stop Matt from rolling on them last night. You can take the wolf out of the country, but that doesn’t make him civilised”

“I’m just happy he didn’t chew them... Any way, I wanted to know if you two wanted to go out for dinner with me and Lance tonight? It’s nothing special, and Mami is kind of... he’s still processing. He goes from not being able to say a thing to telling me all about their trip”

“We’d love to. Do you want to come down to the pool with us?”

He’d love to... but he should get back to Lance. Lance had had long enough to fall asleep and he wanted to show him the smiley faces on his shoes...

“I better head back, but I totally owe you for saving my shoes”

“You can pick up tonight’s drink tab...”

“Not with the way you drink. That bill would be higher than both sets of sneakers...”

Matt huffed at him, crossing his arms and channeling the most “Pidge look” he could... Failing on account of the sunscreen

“Cheapskate. Fine. Go back to Lance. We won’t be hurt that you’re bailing on us”

Pidge would have been much more aggressive, with more threats of “ankle biting” or “dick punching”

“It’s only until tonight... I know he’s been... well, Lance, but I’m glad you guys came down here to be here”

Rieva seemed to have “baby fever”

“We couldn’t leave him alone. Did you see how big he’s gotten!? I can’t wait to see the twins... he looks so cute!”

“Careful, babe. Keith might stab you if you make a move on Lance”

“I missed him! Plus werewolves love pups... I can’t wait to see the nursery... you are living in Garrison, right?”

“Oh. Yeah. That’s the plan. Shiro and Curtis are going to live in Platt...”

Matt rolled his eyes

“They should just move out to Garrison. Curtis is going to have fun with those horns of his”

Coran was going to have a proper look at Curtis when he returned. Breaking his horn had had affected his quintessence, now he had two... It was science and quintessence stuff above him

“Yeah. Anyway, thanks for this. I’ll just hop back over the balcony. See you guys later”

Lance was still awake when Keith came back with his shoes. Leaving them in the living area, Keith washed his hands then headed into Lance’s room, Lance raising his head to smile at him

“Have fun?”

“I thought you were sleeping”

“I heard you go...”

“I didn’t want to disturb you sleeping”

“It’s fine... they’re your friends”

Moving over to Lance’s bed, Keith pulled his shirt off before climbing under the covers in with his boyfriend. Spooning up around him, Lance rolled over onto his back, biting his lip as he did

“What’s up?”

“Nothing... just wanted to look at you”

Tucking back a stray curl behind Lance’s ear, he realised his boyfriend had a few small grey hairs. Lance had lamented the lack of grey in his hair...

“What’s wrong?”

“You’ve got grey hairs...”

He expected Lance to shoot up and rush to check. Instead his boyfriend nodded

“Yeah. I look a little older too... Coran pointed it out. He said it’s because so much energy is going into the pregnancy”

“Are you okay? Are the twins okay?”

“I... yeah”

Lance wasn’t telling him everything. He could tell. Gone was the Keith that didn’t pick up on social cues

“Babe, there’s something you’re holding back”

“If I tell you, you’ll hate me”

“That’s impossible. Is it to do with the bleed? Is there some kind of complication?”

“It’s... kind of Coran trying to work things out as it progresses. He said some things, that he’s only guessing... he said I might not carry to full term. That they could be born early. I mean, twins usually are. But another bleed could bad... like actually really bad. He did some genetic testing too... that was scary. A big huge needle right into the stomach...”

Keith’s heart was sinking. That didn’t sound like something people did when things were normal

“Was there something wrong?”

Lance’s hands went to his belly, his boyfriend cared more about his bump than he’d let anyone see

“It’s just a theory that I’m sick because these two are full human, with your blood type instead of mine. Despite floating around in me, feeding on my blood and nutrients and all that, they’re human. But that... could change. I mean, they really should be part vampire... it’s possible that my body could get too weak and start feeding off them... when they’re bigger... My body is kind of unique... I’ve been spending... a lot of time trying to eat as much as I can. You saw me at lunch. I’ve had pretty much no appetite since Mami passed, but I’ve been working hard for them... it’s so frustrating throwing everything back up when I’m trying so hard”

This was the kind of thing Coran should have told him... Coran had tried to talk to him alone. He’d been so desperate to get to Lance... he could have kicked himself. As it was, he didn’t know if the twins were from his weak pull out game or a dodgy condom. He’d never doubted paternity. Lance wasn’t like that... but he was pissed that Lance hadn’t told him this sooner

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because... because I’m trying so hard. I promise I am. I have fresh blood brought to me and I drink more and sleep more and I’ve been careful about not tripping or slipping...”

“Their my twins too. You have to stop taking everything on your own shoulders”

“You weren’t there! You weren’t! I know you couldn’t help it but you were gone and I had to cope the best I could!”

Lance rolled away from him, curling around his stomach as he started to cry. Keith didn’t want to not be there

“I couldn’t help it!”

“I know! I told you to go! And I hate that I did! I hated it! I wanted to go. I wanted to go find you but I couldn’t even be that courageous!”

“Yeah, well it wasn’t that fucking easy being away from you either! Matt and Rieva got hurt! People died! Lotor is now a fucking prince of a whole damn empire! We were being hunted by those loyal to Zarkon. Honerva turned her magic on Curtis! He nearly ended up dead! It was fucking shit!”

“How am I supposed to know this if you don’t tell me?!”

“I don’t know, how am I supposed to know if you run off with our twins and won’t even fucking face all the people that have been there for you!”

“Get out!”

Lance bellowing at him froze Keith. What had he done...

“Lance...”

“Get out!”

“Babe...”

Lance covered his ears, shaking his head

“No! Get out! Get out! Get out!”

“Look... look, okay. Okay. I shouldn’t have snapped, but... I can’t be there for you if I don’t know. I feel shit enough for all I missed”

“How could you think I’m not trying!? You left and everything fucking fell apart! I didn’t know if you were dead or had just run off with someone else!”

“What’s going on here?!”

Rieva and Matt rushed into the room. Rieva demanding to know. Lance was crying on the bed. Keith in tears too

“Lance, I think that’s enough. Keith never looked at anyone else. He was pathetic about missing you the whole time. If there’s something wrong with the twins, you really should have told him sooner”

Rieva growled at her boyfriend, eyes turning yellow. Matt shutting up

“Both of you need to go”

“Bu...”

“Go. You’ve upset him enough and I’m disappointed. Yes, Lance should have told Keith, but when has he had the chance? And when he does, everything turns straight into a fight. Can’t you see how much he’s hurting thinking about the twins? I’m upset that you guys would even consider him capable of hurting the twins”

Keith never said he thought Lance would... He was hurt he hadn’t been told properly. And angry again that Lance seemed so ready to give up on him... He’d never given up on Lance. Then again. He didn’t lose his mother last month and have to deal with his douche siblings

“I didn’t think he’d hurt the twins... but... I... I’m supposed to be the father. All I want is him to lean on me more. To be able to tell me these things, and not act like he’s protecting me by not telling me”

“How am I supposed to tell you I’m defective! That it’s not enough to be fucked up but I’m defective on top of it!”

“You’re not defective! There’s nothing about you that I don’t love!”

Rieva let out a level breath

“Matt, take Keith and go for a walk. I’ll stay with Lance until he calms down”

“But...”

But he was Lance’s boyfriend...

“I think you both need to cool your heads”

#once bitten twice stupid #oncebittentwicestupid #ashratherose

7 notes · View notes

sassy-pelican · 5 years ago

Text

Flower Tattoo

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Premise: Flowers show up on your body every time your soulmate is injured. Unfortunately for Y/N and Bucky, neither of them is very good at staying uninjured.

Prompt: (36) “You have flowers all over you all time. What the hell is your soulmate doing!” (bolded)

Warnings: language (this like a for sure thing now), fluff, angst (just a bit), allusions to abuse but no description, blood, mild violence and gore (canon typical), some nsfw, 18+, allusions to smut, brief sexual nudity

A/N: I wrote this for @jbbuckybarnes Writing Challenge 2020. Also, for the sake of this story, we’re going to pretend that the Avengers won Infinity War, and everyone is alive. I wrote this in third person because I’m switching the point of view every once and a while and this makes it flow better for me. This is what I picture the reader’s tattoo looking like. (The link doesn’t work on mobile no matter what I do, it does work on my laptop thought)

This is unedited (for the most part)

All of my translations are from Google Translate (ew I know) but I don’t speak anything but English and, well, it’s easy to access.

Solnyshko – little sun (Russian); Suka – bitch (Russian)

1938

Even at twenty-one Bucky still had yet to see a flower appear on his skin. His Ma had told him to stop worrying about it, saying that maybe he was one of the few people that didn’t have a soulmate. Steve said the same thing, and as hard as Bucky tried to hold onto that idea, he never could. Something about it didn’t seem right.

“Got another date tonight Buck?” Steve asks.

“Yeah,” Bucky sighs. “What about you?”

Steve stares at him flatly. “Buck, you know I don’t go on dates.”

“You should. There are plenty of dame out there that would love you,” Bucky reasons.

“I’m not you,” Steve says. “Girls don’t like me.”

Bucky stares at his friend, and at the small little flowers littering the parts of him visible. “Clearly someone is meant to. You’ve got flowers everywhere Stevie.”

“Well unlike you, I want my soulmate to feel special.”

“And unlike me you’re not gonna know how to talk to her.”

2018

Y/N’s nerves were on edge as Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff surveyed the room. Every potential recruit being scrutinized under their gaze. Unlike so many of the others, she refused to lower her eyes when they came closer.

“Obviously you’re all good,” Stark begins. “You’ve made it this far.” Natasha rolls her eyes, something Y/N’s fighting not to do as well.

“What Tony means,” she says, “is that we can only take a few of you from here and we need the best.”

“You’ll be going at lot of different types of missions if you do move on,” Tony continues, “so, we need to make sure you’re ready for anything.”

The next thing Y/N knows, one of Tony’s gloves is aiming right for her. Not thinking much about it she eyes it, hears it getting ready to fire and ducks just before a blast shoots from it.

“Good reaction time,” Natasha murmurs. “I expected more though.”

“With all due respect,” Y/N interjects. “I’ve found that the reaction with the least physical strain is often the wisest and the least expected on the field, and almost always just as effective.”

Natasha smiles. “L/N, right?”

“Yes.”

“I like you.”

Hours later, too many for Y/N to count, sweat dripping between her eyes, and already two recruits down, Stark calls it a day. Never has she ever felt such relief. “L/N!” Natasha yells from across the training room.

“Yes?”

“You’re on the team.”

“Excuse me?”

“You did the best out of everyone today,” she says, “and I think you’d mesh well with everyone.”

“Thank you, but shouldn’t I continue with everyone else?”

“No,” she replies. “Start packing your things. You can move into the tower next week.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone was welcoming, although Tony had informed her that the Cap Trio – who she later learned were Steve, Sam, and Buck – were away on a mission and they were the ones that were hard to impress.

“Fuck girl!” Natasha says as Y/N enters the gym. “You have flowers all over you all time. What the hell is your soulmate doing!”

“Something stupid probably.”

“I never asked what the tattoo was about.” Natasha says, her question still unspoken.

“I was born with flowers around my shoulder and upper arm. Figured my soulmate was a litter older and had a scar there. I just made it darker and added to it over time.”

“You were born with it?” Natasha asks.

“Yeah,” Y/N says. “Apparently it freaked my mom and the nurses out when I was born. I’ve always thought it was pretty. Of course, I doubt my soulmate is fairing much better, not with the bruises you keep giving me.”

Nat smirks. “True, still I think it’s weird that you were born with flowers.”

“So does everyone else.”

“Nat says there’s a new recruit at the tower,” Steve says. Sam barely looks up from his lap, head still drooping. Bucky however, his head spun as he looked to Steve.

“Do we know who it is?”

“She said her name was Y/N L/N,” Steve chuckles. “She was apparently the only one to duck when Stark shot his blaster.”

“Good tactic.”

“How old is she?” Sam asks.

“You don’t ask a woman her age,” Bucky snarks.

“Just makin’ sure she’s legal.”

Steve gives him an incredulous look from the pilots’ seat. “Of course, she’s legal! Nat wouldn’t let a kid join.”

“Um, need I remind you of Parker?”

“He’s got you there Stevie.”

Sam looks over to Bucky. “The flowers still showin’ up?”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “They’re everywhere. I’m a little worried about her. This woman gets a lot of bruises.”

“Kind of reminds me of me and Peg,” Steve comments.

“It does me too,” Bucky replies. “Although, I think even you had fewer.”

“What do you think she does anyway?” Sam asks.

“It’s gotta be something like us, either that or she’s an extreme klutz.” Bucky doesn’t bother saying the other thing running through his mind, doesn’t need too; Steve and Sam know what he’s worried about.

“I’m sure she’s fine Buck.”

“I hope so.”

Natasha look up from her phone and glances at Y/N. “They’re on their way back. Do you want to meet them at the hanger?”

“Is that the best idea?” Y/N asks. “They’re all fresh from a mission and I don’t want them to feel pressured into being sociable.”

“It’ll be fine, but if you want to wait then that’s fine too.”

“Do you think they’ll be hungry?”

“They’re men, two of which are super-soldiers. They’re always hungry.”

“How does ravioli sound?” Y/N asks, hoping to do something nice for everyone after their mission.

“Perfect as long as it’s cheese.”

“I can do that.”

Getting up to start the pasta, Y/N decides that food is always the best welcome. She might be the world’s best chef, but she knows her way around the kitchen well enough that she can feed three men she’s never met; at least she hopes.

Steve smiles when he sees Nat waiting for them in hanger. “No new recruit?” Steve jokes, Natasha just smiles.

“She thought it might not be the best idea to force you three to be sociable right after a mission.” Natasha eyes the two other men, sluggishly walking over to Steve. “She’s in the kitchen making ravioli.”

“Cheese?” Bucky asks.

“I made sure.”

“You’re the best.”

Steve slams his hand on his chest, Sam following suit. “I thought I was the best!” Steve mocks. Bucky smirks.

“Nah, you’re just a little punk,” he looks over to Sam. “And you, you’re punk two-point-o.”

“I take offence to that,” Sam says.

“You were meant to.”

“Nice tattoo,” a strange voice says from the entryway into the kitchen. Unfortunately, Y/N jumps like a scared kitten.

“Jesus Christ! Don’t scare people like that!” Y/N yells, pointing at her offender with the spoon cover in marinara sauce.

“You looked easy enough to scare,” he says. “I’m Sam.”

“I figured that out,” she says. “Nat warned me about you scaring everyone for fun. It didn’t seem to prepare me though.”

“It sure didn’t,” he laugh. “I’m sure the two super-soldiers will be here in a minute. Had to shower and all that.”

“Must take long showers,” she mutters.

“Bucky does, Steve just doesn’t want him to come down alone.” She nods but refrains from saying anything. “Go on, say it.”

“It sounds to me like Steve might coddle him a bit much,” Y/N comments. “If he’s well enough to go on missions with you guys, he sure as hell is going to be well enough to meet the new girl making food.”

“I’ve been telling him that for months kid, doesn’t do a damn thing.”

“Fix yourself a plate, this is buffet style tonight.”

“My kind of food,” a new but familiar voice says from the doorway.

“I think a buffet is just about everyone’s style Cap.”

“Don’t need an introduction then,” he mutters.

Y/N rolls her eyes. “Your face is plastered all over the news Steve, I doubt there’s a person alive that doesn’t recognize you.” She turns to the other man, “and you must be Bucky.”

“In the flesh,” he pauses, “and vibranium.”

“I’ll certainly know who to ask when I can’t get jars open that’s for sure.”

“She doesn’t even know you five minutes and you’ve already got a new nickname,” Natasha says, smiling as she pushes past the two soldiers. “I’m gettin’ mine first, you two eat everything.”

She felt a pull to Bucky but wasn’t sure why. Even after only weeks, she was the only one he allowed to snuggle up next to him on movie nights, the only one he would let into his room besides Steve or Sam. Y/N was almost the same way. Now that he was here, she very seldom found herself seeking out Nat or anyone else for comfort, she always went to him.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you two had a thing going,” Wanda comments one morning, Y/N’s bedhead at its worst, eyes still not completely open.

“Mmmm,” she grumbles, “what makes you say that?”

“You’ve come out of his room three nights in a row.”

“It’s just nightmares.”

“He didn’t sleep with Steve when he went to comfort him,” Wanda points out.

“She’s got a point,” Nat says. “The two of you are practically joined at the hip for people who met only a few weeks ago.”

“It’s not that bad!” Y/N counters. “Besides, I haven’t had enough caffeine to have this conversation yet.”

“If you say so,” Nat says, smirking over the steam of her cup.

It happened before either of them could react. The guard both Y/N and Bucky thought dead turned out to have a bit of life in him. The sound of the shot echoed in the deserted hall, filled with dead Hydra agents. Y/N screamed. One faltering shot to the guard and she fell to her knees.

“Y/N!” Bucky screams. Pressing a finger to his coms he shots for medical, all Y/N can seem to do it stare at the blood seeping from the hole in her abdomen.

“Fuck,” she growls, trying her best to sit up.

“Don’t move!” Bucky shouts. He glances at it and goes pale. “Shit, okay.” Throwing his guns on the ground he starts to peel off his tac-gear before ripping the undershirt off. “Doll, I gotta cut this off you,” he mutters.

Blinking harshly, she nods. “Do what you gotta do.”

His metal hand pulls at the fabric of her gear and rips it, exposing her bleeding stomach and black sports bra. Bucky immediately presses the remnants of his shirt to the wound, “I’m sorry Y/N.”

Barely opening her eyes, she looks at him an winces. “It’s okay Bucky.” Her eyes fall to his bare torso and she gasps. “Bucky.”

“Yeah?”

“L-look,” she hisses when he presses down a bit harder, “at your stomach.”

“Doll I don’t see how that is going to he-”

“Please.”

Reluctantly, Bucky glances down at his exposed stomach and his eyes go wide. “Let’s get you on the jet.”

Loud footsteps ring as he goes to pick Y/N up. Without thinking much he reaches for his rifle and points at the doorway. “Woah! It’s just me Buck,” Steve huffs.

“Get my stuff. I’ve got her.”

Steve pales. “Is she gonna be okay?”

“If we get to the jet in time.”

Steve’s eyes blow when he sees the flowers on Bucky’s stomach. “Buck.”

“I know. We’ve got to go Steve,” Bucky says. “She has to be okay.”

The beeping is what wakes her, not the intermittent squeezes of her hand, nor the yells of the doctors and nurses while she was transported. Even so, Y/N doesn’t open her eyes, she can tell the room is bright.

“You’re awake,” Bucky comments when he feels you squeeze his hand.

“Yeah,�� Y/N mumbles. “I guess everyone knows huh?”

“Yeah, they do.”

“I’m sorry we found out like that,” she says.

“I’m sorry you were born with flowers,” Bucky mutters. “And that you have me as soulmate.”

“I’d argue with you, but I don’t have the energy,” turning her head Y/N opens her eyes a bit. “Raincheck?”

“Sure.”

“Bucky?”

“Huh?”

“How long have you been here?”

“Since you got here,” he looks down, “which is about three days.”

“You look like shit.”

“Thanks,” he laughs. “So do you by the way.”

Y/N glares at but it doesn’t hold any fire. As soon as she starts to laugh, she winces, the muscles in her abdomen protesting their use. “Don’t make me laugh.”

“Sorry,” he replies. “Raincheck?”

“Sure.”

It had been a month, and while Y/N was still sore when she moved the wrong way, she was healed from the gunshot almost completely. Much to her dismay however, she still wasn’t cleared for active duty. She was cleared for activity though, which made her days much harder.

“You know,” Bucky says from the doorway into the gym, “you shouldn’t be doing that.”

“Bucky, I’m bored out of my mind!”

“And you were shot!”

“A month ago!” Y/N yells.

“And you still wince when you twist the wrong way,” he points out.

“Maybe I’m just getting old,” you tease.

“I’m old,” Bucky argues, “you’re still recovering.”

“I need to do something Buck. I’m losing my mind here while you all go on missions and leave the fucking compound.”

“Why don’t we go on a date? I can take you to that Italian place Tony raves about.”

“Would you?”

“Yeah. We’ll call, make a reservation and everything.”

Less than twenty-four hours later, Y/N stands in front of her mirror, Pepper behind her, and can’t help but question her choice. “Are you sure this is fancy enough?”

“It’s fine. The place might be fancy but isn’t that fancy. This will fine.”

“What’s Bucky wearing?”

“Something that will match.”

“That’s helpful.”

“Wasn’t meant to be,” Pepper says smiling. “It’ll be fine.”

“I hope so.”

Despite knowing that everything will be fine, Y/N can’t help but feel nervous. It was her fist date in a long time, not to mention her first date with her soulmate. The added pressure for it to be perfect is almost too much. “He won’t care,” Pepper says, interrupting her thoughts.

“What?”

“He won’t care if it’s perfect or not, all Bucky is going to care about is that you’re there with him.”

“I know, but I still want it to be perfect.”

Pepper shakes her head, already exhausted with Y/N. “Are you always like this?”

“Always like what?”

“A worry wort, a person that is constantly overthinking things, you name it.”

“I take offence to that.”

“Good,” Pepper snarks. “Now get your ass downstairs and meet your man.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Don’t call me ma’am.”

Y/N smirks. “Yes sir,” she says, mock saluting her.

“I’m going to let you fend for yourself next time.”

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to Y/N that the minute her and Bucky stepped into the upscale Italian joint, she froze up. Truth be told, she wanted to freeze too. It was far fancier than Pepper had led her to believe. As much as she appreciated the effort, she knew both her and Bucky would bee more comfortable in a hole-in-the-wall pizza place.

“Reservation?” The hostess asks.

“Yeah,” Bucky replies, “should be under Barnes.” She checks over her list and smiles. “Right this way.”

Stiffly, Y/N and Bucky follow the hostess. “A server will be by shortly.”

“Thank you,” Y/N mutters before pulling out her chair, seconds before Bucky’s hand reaches out to just that.

“I was going to do that,” Bucky says under his breath. Y/N’s shoulders droop, the thought not crossing her mind.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so used to getting my own chair,” she smiles. “Next time?”

“Thank you.”

Glancing at the menu, Y/N sighs. “Um, Buck, can you read this?” He furrows his eyebrows before opening his own menu.

“Oh,” he says. “Is this all in Italian?”

“I think so,” she replies, staring blankly at the words she can’t read. “Do you know Italian?”

“Wasn’t one of the languages Hydra thought I needed to know unfortunately.”

“There’s not even any pictures so we can go off that.”

“Nope,” he mumbles. “It seems similar enough to Spanish though, maybe that will help?”

“Right,” she mutters. “Oh! I recognize spaghetti.”

“Cinque ziti di formaggio looks like five something ziti,” Bucky says.

“Five cheese ziti. I love that,” she replies. “Ravioli al formaggio is probably cheese ravioli and ravioli di carne is most likely meat.”

“Makes sense.”

“So, what are getting?”

“Probably just the spaghetti, with meatballs of course. You?”

“Of course. I’ll probably get the cheese ravioli, it’s simple.”

Minutes after the food is set in front of their faces, she hears the whispers. She knows Bucky is trying to ignore them, but since he can hear them clearly, it’s hard. “Bucky, we can leave.”

“No, I want you enjoy your dinner.”

“I won’t enjoy it if you’re miserable.”

“I’m fine Y/N.”

“You are not. You can hear every words they’re saying, and it bothers you.”

“I’m used to it Y/N.”

“You shouldn’t have to be!” She knows not staying as quiet as Bucky would like but it’s far quieter than she wants to be.

“Do you need anything else?” The waitress is kind but even she can feel the tension rolling off Bucky.

“Some more water would be lovely,” Y/N replies.

“Y/N, just leave it.”

“What is that man saying Bucky?” She can see the man eyeing him, whispering loudly to his wife across the table.

“Nothing that isn’t true.”

“What is he saying?”

Bucky sighs, shoulders dropping in defeat. “That I’m a killer.”

Without missing a beat, she stands, Bucky trying to grab her, frantically whispering for her to sit down. “I will not sit down!”

“Y/N, please.”

“No,” she states. Approaching the table, she squares her shoulders. “Do you have a problem Sir?”

“Yes, I do,” he says. “That man is a murder and he’s sitting in a nice restaurant!”

“That man,” she starts quietly, “is the longest serving prisoner of war in history. He has been through things that you wouldn’t dream up in your worst nightmares. And in case you’ve forgotten, he’s been acquitted.”

“He’s a killer!” The man’s wife has the decency to look uncomfortable, but not enough to make her say anything. “He deserves to be locked up!”

“He deserves the same respect you give to any veteran.”

“Most veterans aren’t murder’s,” the man argues.

“What do you think happens in a war! People die! People get killed! Soldiers kill! He didn’t have a choice.”

“Everyone has a choice!”

“No, they don’t. And I pity that you can’t understand that. I pity your wife that she has to live with such an unsympathetic and nonunderstanding person.”

“You both deserve to go to hell,” the man spits.

“Perhaps,” Y/N replies smiling. “But we’ll see you there.”

“How was it?” Natasha asks. Y/N doesn’t get the chance to reply before Bucky is racing off without so much as a goodnight. “That bad?”

“It wasn’t terrible. The food was amazing. People are just asshats.”

“What happened solnyshko?”

“I may have gotten into it with a man over Bucky and now he’s embarrassed.”

“Go to him,” Nat says.

Y/N doesn’t argue with her, walking briskly to Bucky’s door. Tentatively, she knocks. “Bucky? Can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

Pushing open the door she sees him hunched over himself on the bed. “Why did you do it?” Bucky asks.

“Do what?”

“Stand up for me.”

“Because you deserve someone who does. That man had no reason to hate you so strongly.”

“He was right.”

“He wasn’t.”

“Yes, Y/N! He was!” She’s never heard Bucky yell before, and no matter how much she doesn’t want to admit it, it surprises her.

“Why are you so hell bent on thinking the worst of yourself! Can’t you see that you aren’t the monster in this!”

“I am a monster!”

“You were a VICTIM!” Y/N’s breaths come in shallow pants. “Why can’t you accept that who you see in the mirror is not what I see?”

“What do you see?”

“I see someone with a kind heart,” she steps closer. “I see someone who was forced to become a fighter instead of a protector. I see someone who had their goodness exploited,” Y/N whispers, brushing her hand over his shoulder. “I see someone who was broken and is still in the process of gluing themselves back together.”

Leaning forward, Bucky buries his face in her stomach, arms circling around her tightly. She can feel him crying more so than hear him; can feel the dampness starting to form on her clothes. Her hands find his hair, running smoothly through it as she lets him sob.

“It’s okay,” she mutters. “I’ve got you.”

The slight tightening of Bucky’s arms is what wakes Y/N first; his whimpers are what keeps her awake. She thought the nightmares were getting better, but it must’ve been the incident that brought memories back.

“Bucky, wake up.”

“No,” he mumbles, eyebrows furrowing. “Stop.”

“Bucky!” Y/N says, combing her fingers through his hair. “Shh, it’s just a nightmare. It’s not real.”

“Please!” He screams this time, his arms tightening almost painfully. She can feel the dampness starting to accumulate on his shirt.

Bucky shoots up, bringing her with him when does and looks around, panicked. As soon as he realizes he’s holding her, he runs. Y/N’s heart breaks as she looks at him curled in a ball, back against the wall. “Bucky?”

“Please don’t hurt me.” Ver seldom does he ever get nightmares he can’t come out of, but it seems this is one of them. Slowly, a single tear rolls down her face.

“I’m not going to hurt you Bucky.”

“Everyone hurts me.”

Approaching him slowing, hands help up in surrender, Y/N crouches down to his level. “I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. I want to help you.”

“They all want to help me.”

“No one here will hurt you,” she tries to reassure. “Do you think you could get into the tub, take a bath?”

“Why?”

“Because I want to give you clean clothes and if you’re all sweaty, they won’t be clean,” Y/N explains.

“Will you be there?”

“Only if you want me to be,” she says. “Would you like some water?”

He doesn’t answer, only stares blankly at her. Her heart sinks. He can’t answer, has been trained to never give in to a request, not one that pertains to him. “You can speak freely here Bucky. I won’t hurt you.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes, I promise I won’t ever hurt you. Now would you like some water?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’m going to go get you some water, will you get into the bath for me?” He nods, almost not enough for Y/N see.

She sees Steve in the hall, already making his way to Bucky’s room. “What happened?” Steve asks.

“He had a nightmare. I’m getting him some water.”

“Should I go in?”

“No, he’s,” another solitary tear escapes. “He’s didn’t come out of it. He’s still there Steve. He won’t know you.”

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“So am I.”

Sweat dripped down her face as she crouched down on the mat. It’s the fourth time Natasha had knocked her on her ass, something she isn’t proud of at all. “You’re distracted solnyshko.”

“No shit,” she gasps.

“Just stating the obvious.”

“You’re a suka sometimes, you that?”

“Only when I need to be,” Nat says. “But really, what’s going on?”

“Ever since we went on our date, the nightmares have come back with a vengeance. Most nights I have to wake him up, and when I do, he’s almost always still there. He’s Bucky, from the early days, when he was first captured.”

“You’re tired solnyshko, you need to rest. No amount of training is going to help you right now.”

“I need to stay in shape, I need to keep up with my routine.”

“You need to sleep. Alone,” Nat replies, voice holding a finality even Y/N doesn’t feel like challenging at the moment.

“Fine.”

“Good,” she nods. “I’ll wake you up in three hours.”

Bucky knew he was dragging you through the mud, keeping you from what you needed. He didn’t know how to stop. The incident at the restaurant affected him for than he cared to admit. Old memories, old nightmares he lived through keep coming back. Sleep just makes it easier for them slip through.

“Barnes, we need to talk,” Natasha says from the doorway.

“What happened.”

“Y/N’s distracted, worried about you.”

“What do you want me do Nat! I can’t just turn the nightmares off!” She levels him with a scalding stare.

“That’s not what a meant and you know it. I think you need to start talking to someone again.”

“I don’t need to go to another goddamn therapist Natasha. I just need to sleep.”

“Even if you don’t do it for you, do it for her.”

Bucky held Y/N hand tightly as he stared down the outside of the intimidating building. He knew Nat was right. He needed to do this; it doesn’t mean he wants to. “You can do this James,” Y/N reassures.

“I hope so.”

“I’ll go with you if you want.”

“It’s just, it’s been so long since I needed to come it feels daunting.”

“I know.”

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too.”

Without warning he turns and grabs her face, slamming his lips against her in a needy and emotional kiss. Y/N brings her arms slowly around his neck, pulling him down to her. The pads of his fingers trail down her neck, over her arms and find themselves stopping at her waist. It’s there, in the daunting therapist’s parking lot that the two of them realize that they need each other; more than they will ever admit.

Two Years Later

His hands roamed her back with practiced ease, teasing the buttons of her dress just enough to drive Y/N crazy. Her own hands found their way to his shoulders, trying to pull him impossibly closer.

“Stop teasing me James,” Y/N moans, his hand closing over her knee and pulling it over his hip, grinding against her.

“You first,” he groans.

“Fine,” she grumbles. With equally as practiced hands, she slips the jacket off his shoulders, the buttons of his shirt soon being torn open and discarded without care.

“That shirt was expensive doll,” he mutters, lips finding the sweet spot on her neck.

“I don’t care.”

“I don’t either,” he moans. The buttons of her dress are carefully undone, as much as Bucky wants to feel her skin, even he doesn’t want to feel her wrath. The fabric the dress pools at her feet, leaving her almost bare before him.

“You’re over dressed,” Y/N mutters, fingers closing over the button of his pants.

“You aren’t,” Bucky says appreciatively, eyeing the swells of her exposed breasts, the tiny lace number she says is a bra doing nothing to hide the peaks forming.

“You gonna touch?”

“Fuck yes,” he groans before his fingers are rolling the nubs between them.

“You guys could at least wait until the honeymoon!” Natasha calls through the closed door, both Y/N and Bucky’s faces burning.

“Ready to leave yet Mrs. Barnes?”

“We’re finishing this first,” Y/N replies. “Everyone will just have to wait; I need to fuck my husband.”

His fingers trace the flowers on her shoulder lovingly. “I still love these you know,” he says.

“And I do too. I’ll always love them.”

“Even when you’re old a grey?”

“Even when I’m old and grey.”

They don’t care about the groans of protest from Natasha from the other side of the door as Bucky seals his lips against Y/N’s again, pressing her bare back against the wall.

Everyone waits as Natasha returns. “The newlyweds started the honeymoon early.” The collective groan drowns out the loud moan coming from down the hall.

#jbbuckybarnesBirthdayChallenge #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes fanfiction #soulmate au #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes

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adoremp3 · 4 years ago

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Such Great Heights — Part four: Had

“Oh, please. We both know how this goes.” Kimber rolled her eyes. “We’ve all seen Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached. There’s no going back from here, H.”

“And we’ve all also seen Just Friends and 13 Going on 30, Kimmy. You and I are living the biggest cliche of all and seem to be doing just fine,” Harry replied with a slight tug on his lips.

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Lugging herself through the front door, Kimber was ready to collapse on the couch and eat her weight in chocolate. Or pasta. Or pizza. Or whatever was already in the fridge because she was not in the mood to cook anything. It had been another long day at work, and they were in the works of a new campaign, so Kimber had to constantly be on her toes and check in with what was posted on their social media profiles and what the response was.

Kimber kicked her shoes off just inside the door, ignoring the fact that Harry told her on many occasions that maybe her bedroom was the best place for her to do that, and made her way into the lounge with her handbag still held high on her shoulder. As she turned the corner, she walked right into Harry.

“Jesus Christ,” Kimber grumbled, jumping back as she blinked and double-checked neither of them had been hurt. “You’ve got this massive house, yet you must be right under my nose at all times.”

“Lost time to make up for, remember?” Harry said as his lips tugged into a cheeky grin, one that Kimber could never help but reciprocate whenever she saw it. Sometimes she hated that Harry had that kind of power over her.

“Mhmm, okay.” Kimber pulled her handbag off her shoulder as she rounded the corner, setting her bag down on the floor beside the couch she flopped on. “Please tell me I don’t have to deal with any more idiots on social media ever again. I’m sick of them.”

Harry laughed, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned up against the wall. “Pretty sure if your customers heard you say that—or even your boss, for that matter—there would be an awful amount of unhappy people out there.”

“They deserve it after all the stress and frustration they put me through,” she replied, letting one arm drape across her forehead. “Okay, I mean, that’s probably a bit dramatic, but some of these people online have really been testing me this week. Like, this one person literally DM’d us today—our main account, not our customer service account, by the way—asking if I could translate the site into Russian for her. I mean, I get the whole language barrier thing, but there’s a bloody option on the side of the website to change to whatever language you want! God, what would the point of even shipping internationally be if we couldn’t even reach non-English speaking countries?” Harry let out an amused chuckle at that, resulting in Kimber peeling her arm back just enough for her to glare at him. “Don’t you start, mister. If I have one more person asking in our replies how long their order will be, even though the bleeding tracker is on their order history page and the order confirmation email they would’ve received, I am personally going to take it out on you. Haven’t decided how yet, but you should watch out and maybe start wearing a cup.”

Harry looked mortified, his lips parting as he crossed his ankles and covered one hand over his crotch. “I’m not so sure I’m proud of you taking this job anymore if this is the kind of behaviour I have to put up with,” he said, furrowing his brows.

“Yes, well, deal with this shit on a daily basis, and then we’ll see if you’re still sane.”

“Need I remind you of who I am?” Harry pointed out. “I don’t like to play this card often, but I am Harry Styles, remember? I literally deal with the scrutiny of media and backlash from my supposed fans daily, y’know.”

Kimber began to regret being dramatic, even if it were for just a moment. Of course, she knew who he was and what he had to put up with—she saw it firsthand and even copped a lot of backlashes herself. “All right, you win,” she replied with a sigh. “But just this once,” she added as she pulled her arm from her face completely, rolling onto her side to actually take in the boy she was talking to. He wore his favourite Gucci trousers and boots, while on top he wore a shirt Kimber hadn’t seen before, but knowing him, it was probably Gucci as well. “You look fancy. Going somewhere?”

“Yeah, was just going to meet Olivia,” he said like it was the most casual thing in the world. But given how the prior couple of weeks were spent, there wasn’t anything casual about it at all.

When Kimber had spotted Olivia in the kitchen that morning, wearing nothing but one of Harry’s shirts and a pair of knickers, she was in complete and utter shock. She expected maybe Lillian to have some kind of romance blooming with him, considering their suspiciously friendly nature during the party, but she definitely did not expect Harry to actually spend the night with Olivia. It wasn’t as if she was an awful person or anything, Kimber was just surprised more than anything. She really did not see it coming.

“Oh, shit,” Olivia had said, her eyes widening in a way that Kimber couldn’t ever forget—she hadn’t anticipated Kimber finding out that way, it had seemed. Harry said something quite similar when he walked in not long after wearing only his pants. After Olivia had left, awkwardly saying goodbye to Kimber in the process, Harry tried to explain the situation although Kimber wasn’t so sure she wanted to hear it. Apparently, after putting her to bed, Olivia and Harry ended up sitting down and talking for quite some time, then with a few more drinks inside them, one thing led to another, and the rest was history—or so Kimber wished it would simply be just that.

Since then, Olivia had spent the night a few more times as well. Harry tried spending the night at hers the week before, but leaving her building without being spotted quickly became quite an issue after word got out about Harry Styles potentially being in the area. Olivia going to Harry’s house was much more practical, though Kimber just did her own thing and pretended things weren’t happening down the hall from her. She liked life a whole lot better when she could pretend things didn’t exist.

“Olivia and Harry, huh?” Kimber pondered out loud, sitting up on her elbows a bit. “That’s a thing now, is it?”

Harry shrugged. “I mean, it’s sex more than anything.”

“Oh, please. We both know how this goes.” Kimber rolled her eyes. “We’ve all seen Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached. There’s no going back from here, H.”

“And we’ve all also seen Just Friends and 13 Going on 30, Kimmy. You and I are living the biggest cliche of all and seem to be doing just fine,” Harry replied with a slight tug on his lips as he pulled his phone from his pocket, checking something and sliding it back in. Meanwhile, Kimber had blinked about fifty times the normal amount and was too busy trying to process what he said. “Right, she’s ready to be picked up from the gym so I’m off. There’s some food in the microwave if you want it, otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow sometime if you’re not up when I return. Bye, Kim!”

Kimber barely had time to say goodbye before Harry was out the front door, leaving Kimber feeling extra small inside such a big house. Their whole exchange seemed such a blur to her, though her mind couldn’t help but wander to his comment about them living the biggest cliche. It wouldn’t have been the first time someone insinuated the possibility of them being something more.

***

When Kimber was seven years old, there was this one girl in her class that she considered to be her best friend. They spent many times in the schoolyard playing games and talking about their favourite dolls and toys, and they also spent many hours at each other's houses—laughing and giggling as they ran around outside, eating meals cooked by their mothers, groaning and moaning about the homework they were made do, and planning the tricks and twists they would pull on a boy in their class they didn’t like. At that point, Kimber still considered boys to be icky. It was funny how things always turn out.

Kimber couldn’t have been happier to have found a best friend in this girl, hoping to one day live together in a house with no grown-ups and rules and they could eat all the chocolate in the world. But that dream was ruined the second the girl's father had been offered a job in Leeds, the family packing up and moving across the country not long after, leaving Kimber by herself and without the best friend she thought she would have forever.

Going to school was a nightmare for Kimber after that. Everyone already chose their best friends and who they were going to live together with when there were grown-ups, and it was a sad reminder to Kimber of what she had lost. She didn’t have a best friend anymore. Really, she wasn’t so sure she had a friend anymore.

During lunch one day, Kimber was sitting under a tree on the field, watching all the little and big kids playing and having lots of fun with their friends. Jealousy was the biggest emotion she felt, but it only took two seconds for that to switch to surprise as she felt someone tap her shoulder. To her surprise, it was Harry. She had seen him many times since she had first met him at Mrs Finchurch’s funeral—their parents developing a friendship had been the main reasoning behind that—but they would go through phases when they wouldn’t talk all that much. Boys were icky and gross, even those who were named Harry and who Kimber’s mum promised were just fine.

Harry smiled at Kimber at that moment, his missing front tooth taking the show, but it was a smile she knew she could never forget. He told her that she could play with his friends, saying that his friends were nice and wouldn’t leave her as her other friend did. But Kimber didn’t mind if they did—the only person Kimber cared about leaving after that was Harry. As long as Harry was around, she knew she would always have a friend.

Asking whether Harry could come over to play was nerve-wracking for Kimber the first time she did it, not wanting to make it weird because usually whenever Harry came around, it was because his mum was visiting. But seeing as it would be just Harry, and Kimber was the one initiating it, she wasn’t so sure how her mum would take it. As it turned out, Ashana was thrilled that Kimber found a proper friend in Harry. She couldn’t have decided on a better friend for her daughter than little Harry Styles himself.

“He’s a good boy, you know,” Ashana told her one night when she was in bed, Kimber curled up beside her.

“I know, Mummy,” Kimber replied.

“And I think he’s going to be a very good boy for you one day,” she added, and though Kimber hadn’t understood what she had meant back then, it was a memory that still sat in the back of her mind and she swore it got more and more vivid whenever she thought about it.

***

Sitting at the kitchen table, Kimber stuck her fork into a piece of chicken and left it the second her phone let her know of a new message. It was from Max, of course, and they had since moved on from their little confrontation a few weeks prior. Though Kimber knew Max claimed to forgive her, she wasn’t quite so sure he actually had, but in order to try and make things right again, she made sure to never bring up Harry. It hadn’t taken long for her to realise he was quite the touchy subject.

Max had asked how her day was and what she cooked for dinner, which she replied with her honest answer immediately: Wasn’t actually shit today so I guess that’s something. And I cooked up some chicken and veggies. I know, I’m boring as hell.

As she clicked the send button, Harry walked around the corner. “Mm, thought I smelt something delicious,” he said with a smile spreading across his lips.

Kimber raised a brow at the sight of him. “Are my eyes deceiving me or is Harry Styles actually home?” Kimber asked, holding her hand to her heart and being the melodramatic person she really was.

“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” Harry replied dryly, slugging his jacket off as he hung it on the back of the chair opposite her. “I know I’ve been a shit flatmate recently, but I have a good reason.”

“First of all, let’s call me a housemate and not a flatmate because, I mean…” She gestured her hands around her, letting Harry make the realisation for himself—his house really was far from a flat. In fact, his lounge room alone was almost the entire size of the last flat Kimber lived in. “Second of all, I know, I know,” she added, waving her hand at him. “If it’s not meetings for your next album or whatever, it’s magazine stuff, and if it’s not magazine stuff, you’re sticking it in Oliv—”

“Kimber!” Harry cried.

She shrugged, stabbing her fork back into the piece of chicken again. “It’s not exactly a lie, though, is it?” Harry’s parted lips of horror were enough of an answer for her. “Also, I wasn’t sure how late you’d be, so I stuck some food for you in the microwave to keep it warm. But I’m also lazy, so you’re going to have to fetch your own food from the kitchen.”

Harry scrunched up his nose. “But I just sat down,” he whined.

“You’re rich and famous, H. Hire someone to do your dirty work.”

He frowned, the thought alone most likely exhausting him. “How about I just hire you?”

“You make me sound like I’m some kind of prostitute,” she replied with a laugh, shoving a piece of chicken into her mouth.

“Ah, but you’d be the classiest of them all,” Harry said, grinning cheekily.

“I’d be a damn expensive one, that’s for sure.” Kimber set her fork back down on her plate as another message from Max came through, this time telling her he wished he could be there to make her feel better. That’s when Kimber got a bright idea. “Hey, Harry…” she drawled out, which was enough for him to glance up at her with narrowed eyes—he knew she wanted something with that tone. “I have a question for you.”

“And I may have an answer for you. Will try and make it a good one, but I make no promises,” he replied, sitting forward in his chair and clasping his hands together.

Kimber followed suit, pushing her nearly empty plate to the side and copying his stance. “How would you feel about a visitor this weekend?”

“A visitor?” He raised a brow. “Tell me more.”

“Max.”

Harry blinked. “Max?”

“Yeah.” Kimber nodded. “Tall guy, dark hair, answers to ‘my boyfriend’.”

“Didn’t realise things were so good between you two again,” he replied, shifting his hands from being clasped together to twisting one of the rings around a finger on his right hand.

“It’s been a couple of weeks, H,” Kimber reminded him. “We’ve had plenty of time to sort things out, y’know? Besides, I figured actually seeing one another in person would really help us out a lot.”

Harry didn’t look that convinced, but he nodded slowly anyway. “I mean, sure, if that’s what you want.”

“This is your house, Harry,” she said, reaching out across the table to clasp her hand over his reassuringly. “If you don’t want him here, then say the word. It’s why I asked you first.”

His eyes followed where her hand sat on top of his, brushing her fingers against the back of his hand and against his cross tattoo—it reminded him of the first time she saw it, her fingertips soft against the fresh ink and sending goosebumps up his arm. “No, it’s fine,” he said eventually, flicking his eyes back up to her face just in time to see a smile spreading across her lips. “He’s your boyfriend, Kimber, and you’ve not seen him for nearly two months. I would be an idiot to deny you of that. And, quite frankly, a really awful friend.”

Kimber squeezed his hand as she grinned widely, ecstatic that she got his permission—it wasn’t like she felt the need to be under his control and he had to tell her what to do, it was more about common courtesy because, in her mind, she was still a guest in his house and guests do not simply invite random people over for the weekend. “Ah, you’re the best!” she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair. “I’ll ask him later when we FaceTime, but the least I can do now is fetch you your food,” she added as she made a beeline for the kitchen, but pretended not to notice the way Harry let out a loud sigh the second she was out of the room.

***

“My head officially hurts. It’s time to finish up for the week, I think,” Lillian said, as she flopped back on her desk chair, sighing loudly enough for the people around her to hear and chuckle to themselves.

“It is nearly five,” Kimber pointed out.

Lillian sat up a little straighter and grinned. “Perfect! By the time I shut down all the open software on the computer and, y’know, the computer itself, it’ll be time to leave,” she informed Kimber, rolling her shoulders a little and placing her fingertips atop the keyboard.

“You’re a wise woman, Lillian Giles.” Kimber laughed, ready to do the exact same thing.

By the time she did exactly that, it was time for everyone to leave for the day—some stayed a little later on Fridays, wanting a breather and cooling down after a long week, and sometimes Kimber was one of those people, but not this week. She had very exciting plans to attend to. It took her all of two seconds for her to shove her essentials into her handbag and wave a quick goodbye to Fearne and Gale on the way out, but Lillian and Olivia met her at the entrance, so the three of them left together.

“Any plans for the weekend?” Olivia asked them both, smacking her lips together after a quick lip balm application.

“My sister wants me to babysit the twins again, but other than that, not really,” Lillian said as she shook her head. “But we all know what Kim’s getting up to,” she added with a cheeky smirk as she nudged Kimber’s shoulder. “Or should I say…what she’s getting down to.”

“Lillian!” Kimber cried, but she couldn’t help the smile that pushed through—it wasn’t as if Lillian told a huge lie or anything. Kimber suggested Max visit her during their FaceTime call like she told Harry she would, and he instantly beamed and said it was the best idea she had ever had. Ever since then, they talked about all the things they could do while in London, all the sights they could see, but Max had been super cheesy and said the only sight he truly wanted to see was Kimber herself.

Olivia stopped on the road, ready for them to go off in different directions, and the two other girls followed suit. “What time’s Max supposed to arrive?” she asked, pulling the strap of her handbag up higher on her shoulder.

“He was leaving as soon as he finished work, so he’ll probably get in around seven,” Kimber explained. “Or maybe a little later, depending on traffic.”

“I’m sure it’s nice that Harry’s getting out of your hair for the night, then,” Olivia said, her lips pulling into something that Kimber really didn’t like. But, to be fair, she wasn’t sure she liked anything Olivia said when it came to all things Harry Styles. It wasn’t as if Kimber hadn’t heard anything in the past about his sexual endeavours, but it was different hearing about it from someone she called a friend. It was a whole new situation for her that she wasn’t all that comfortable with, especially whenever Olivia brought up Harry around the office or even when they were in public.

Kimber wanted to roll her eyes the second Harry was mentioned again, but she then furrowed her brows when the realisation of what was said hit her. “Wait, out of my hair?” she asked. “Harry’s not gonna be home tonight?”

“Oh.” Olivia pursed her lips together, her eyes flickering to Lillian for a second as if she had the answer—she didn’t and she looked almost uncomfortable standing there. At least that was a feeling she and Kimber had in common. “He’s spending the night at my place so you and your boyfriend can have some alone time… Did he not tell you that?”

“I, uh—I’m gonna head off,” Lillian piped up, smiling at the two of them before bidding her farewell and heading off around the corner. Kimber knew that Lillian would probably message her later and see if everything was okay, but confrontation had never been her strong suit. But then again, was it anyones?

“Kimber, I’m so sorry,” Olivia pleaded, placing a gentle hand on Kimber’s wrist she wasn’t sure she even wanted there. “I thought Harry told you he was coming over.”

Pressing her lips together in a tight line, Kimber forced out a smile. “It’s fine,” she tried to brush it off, though it was a complete and utter lie—she only hoped Olivia didn’t see through the facade. “Harry must’ve forgotten to mention it to me.”

“Yeah, he must’ve,” she replied. “I’ve, uh—I’ve gotta go if I wanna make it to the station on time, but we’re, um, good, right?”

Kimber blinked. Were they good? Was Kimber even upset with Olivia? Did Olivia think Kimber had a reason to be upset with her? So many questions and yet no answers in Kimber’s mind. She wasn’t sure what to make of the situation, she was still trying to figure out why the concept of Olivia and Harry didn’t entirely sit right with her, so in the end, Kimber just forced out a smile. “Yeah, we’re good,” she told her. “No issues here at all. I’ve got a boyfriend to see and you’ve got, uh—you’ve got a cute boy to spend the night with.”

“And do naughty things with,” Olivia said with a grin. Kimber clenched her jaw at that. “But I should definitely head off now. I’ll probably talk to you over the weekend anyway, but see you Monday, yeah?”

Forcing an even bigger grin this time, Kimber gave her a sharp nod. “If I want money to live, I’ll be here,” she said with a laugh.

Olivia waved her goodbye and set off down the path, while Kimber took a few seconds to blink and gather her thoughts and feelings—not that she even knew what they were, but all it took was a few seconds for her to remember she had to get home in time to ensure everything was ready for Max’s arrival. That alone was enough to put a genuine smile on her lips. Kimber tried not to think about things after that, because they would only ruin what she hoped would be an incredible weekend.

***

Kimber forgot how much she loved waking up beside Max until she finally had the chance again. Not seeing her boyfriend for two months really put a strain on their relationship, but after seeing him again, being able to kiss him and hold him, it was as though they hadn’t spent a single moment apart.

“I missed this,” Kimber murmured as she curled into Max’s side, one arm draping across his body as he had his arms around her.

“I missed you,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And I missed what we did last night,” he added cheekily.

Kimber’s lips tugged into a smile. “The first or the second time?”

“Hmm,” he pondered for a moment. “Not sure… But maybe the third time’s the charm?”

“Max!” she cried, even if she couldn’t help but think about it as well. Spending so much time with Max when she was on campus meant she was able to have sex most days of the week if she really wanted to, but being without her boyfriend for weeks, it was safe to say there were a lot of orgasms to make up for. Sure, she got herself there on the odd occasion, but it was still no match for what Max could do with his fingers. That was something Max agreed with, though Kimber had no doubt in her mind he wanked one-off more often than she did. A few dirty messages, and the odd photo, were solid proof of that.

“As if it’s the worst thing you’ve ever heard,” he mumbled into her ear, reaching around the front of her body so he could put his hand on her breast. There was only the sheet covering their top halves by that point, having not put their clothes back on before they fell asleep, and Kimber knew without looking that her nipples were already beginning to harden. If asked, she would definitely have blamed the cool air, but she needn’t be asked because Max was pinching and flicking her nipple within seconds and her cool air theory went down the drain.

Kimber tilted her head back so she could glance up at Max, finding that cheeky twinkle in his eye that she quickly learned what it meant all those months before. She pressed her lips up against his seconds later, their lips moving together as one, and it didn’t take much longer for things to heat up even further. Kimber grabbed his hard length at first, pumping him as he continued to grow harder until eventually he couldn’t take it anymore. A condom was on not long after Kimber straddled Max’s lap, and they both soon learned that the third time really was the charm.

It was nearly ten by the time they wandered out to the kitchen for food, a much later start to the day than Kimber originally wanted—she had plans to go sightseeing with Max, but his plans mostly involved staying in bed with her. In the end, they decided that they would head off to bed early in the evening, watch some Netflix and see where things went from there. Of course, Max made a comment about “Netflix and chill,” but Kimber couldn’t deny that was probably what was going to happen anyway.

“Went and bought stuff for that breakfast scramble you li—oh,” Kimber cut herself off as she walked into the kitchen, finding Harry standing beside the kettle with a cup of coffee he was stirring on the bench. “Good morning, H,” she said slowly, unsure about how a conversation between the two would go. By the time she got home from work the night before, Harry was on his way out the door and barely said two words to her—Kimber may have also sarcastically thanked him for telling her of his plans himself, but that was as far as things went. There was still this mild tension between them at the time, so Kimber wasn’t sure whether it had all eased out overnight.

“Oh, uh…morning, Kimber,” he said, taken by surprise as he looked up at the both of them. “And, um, Max.”

“Yeah, morning.” Max didn’t seem to care for pleasantries, only wrapping an arm around Kimber’s waist as he murmured, “What about this breakfast scramble?” into her ear.

Kimber pulled away from him with a grin, ready to set off to make breakfast for the two of them, but it was not before Max grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her in close enough so he could press his lips up against hers in a quick kiss. Suddenly, Kimber didn’t feel so comfortable around him anymore. She only hoped Harry didn’t notice.

“So, what’s going to be in this wondrous breakfast scramble?” Max asked after he pulled back from Kimber, his lips pulled into a slight grin that Kimber couldn’t decide whether was evil or not.

“Um, I got some chorizo and spinach,” Kimber said, stepping back slowly and making her way towards the fridge. She couldn’t help but notice the way Harry watched her every move cautiously, leaving her to feel even more uncomfortable than she was seconds before.

“It’s a really good one,” Harry piped up, leaning back against the bench and folding his arms across his chest. “Kimmy’s made it for me a couple of times already.”

If the ground wanted to swallow Kimber up whole, she wouldn’t say no to that. Or maybe she would, because leaving Harry and Max alone didn’t seem like the brightest idea. Something began to bubble up inside her, slowly making its way through her body, and she wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but she could tell already that the end result wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Maybe I’ll have something different, then.” Max stood up a little straighter, folding his arms across his chest in a similar fashion.

“No need to, mate,” Harry said, his tone anything but warm and welcoming. “Mine also had kale, so don’t worry, you’re still getting your own Kimber van der Berg special.”

Kimber clenched her teeth together as her eyes flickered between the two, a little worried about what was going to happen—if anything was going to happen. She knew Max could be standoffish at times, and even a little too protective sometimes, but she had never seen Harry like this before. Max wasn’t the first romantic partner in her life Harry had met, but Max was certainly the first Harry was acting like a dick around. She thought about asking Max to fetch something from her room so she could ask Harry privately to play nice, but that was soon forgotten when she remembered he hadn’t even spent the night and was back rather early—if neither Harry nor Olivia had anything to do during the day, Harry never made an appearance at least until after lunch. He liked to exercise or work in the morning as it was when he felt the most motivated.

“Wait, I thought you were at Olivia’s?” Kimber piped up, moving the conversation along and praying the tension in the room eased even the slightest. She did notice the way Max still stood tall beside her as if he needed to be the bigger man in the situation, but Harry softened a little, and, for that, she was entirely grateful.

“Yeah, I was, but Liv had to meet her mum for breakfast,” Harry said, returning back to normal as he picked up his mug and took a sip of his coffee.

Kimber raised a brow. “Had to?”

“I mean, she probably could’ve said no, but like most people, I’m sure it’s nice to see their mother,” Harry replied as if it were a complete mystery to him as to why Kimber was so phased about it, which was proof to her that Olivia hadn’t opened up to him yet. Maybe they weren’t as close as she led her to believe.

“Wait, who’s Olivia?” Max piped up, raising a brow as he glanced between him.

“Harry’s gir—” Kimber cut herself off, realising her mistake. Olivia was not Harry’s girlfriend, he made that clear multiple times over the previous few weeks. “I mean, she’s, uh—”

Harry rolled his eyes. “A girl I’m sleeping with,” he finished for Kimber honestly, unable to listen to her ramble for another second. “So, yes, by the way, I’m kind of involved with someone, in case that’s what you’re worried about.”

Max blinked. “No, I, uh—okay. Good to know.”

Kimber was ready for the ground to swallow her up whole again, but Harry then chose that moment to excuse himself because he had a call to make. She knew he didn’t have a call to make, though; he sensed the tension and, well, the daggers Kimber was probably unknowingly sending him. It was times like these that Kimber was glad Harry knew her well.

“So, breakfast?” Kimber asked with a smile as she turned back around to Max, hoping that he got the hint and moved on just like Harry. He seemed a little on edge at first, like there was more he wanted to say, but he kept it at that and just smiled in return. His stomach was rumbling and so breakfast was a must, especially if his gorgeous girlfriend was involved.

***

By the time breakfast came and went, Kimber showered, and got herself ready, it was nearly noon. Kimber and Max left the house with every intention of being tourists for the afternoon, but a spot of bad weather put a damper on things. She tried to act like it didn’t bother her, especially when Max said it was perfectly fine and he expected it, but she couldn’t deny how awful she felt about it not being a perfect day. Maybe she thought a perfect day would fix any issues in her relationship, but either way, her mood became drastically worse as the day went on.

Lunch was at a small cafe she liked to frequent in the past just after half one, but her meal hadn’t been quite right and, to her, it just seemed awfully fitting. Max’s seemed to be fine and offered her some of his, but Kimber shook her head and said not to worry. On the way out, she slipped in a puddle, but thank God Max was there to catch her fall—and, yes, he did make a cheeky comment about her falling for him. It was moments like those that Kimber really cherished the most. Max may be a jerk to her sometimes, but when he was sweet, it made her heart melt and she remembered all over again why she fell in love with him in the first place.

Their sightseeing was cut even shorter when it began to storm outside, thunder and lightning being the real damper on their day. But Max told Kimber over and over again that it was fine because as long as he was with her, he was already having a great day. Cheesy, sure, but again it made Kimber’s heart race.

Kimber and Max walked in the front door of Harry’s house just after five in the evening, ready to head up to her room and order some takeaway to share—probably pizza—but got their own little surprise when they found Harry on the couch with Olivia. They weren’t exactly caught in a compromising position or anything, but if Olivia’s smudged lipstick and Harry’s strategically placed pillow were anything to go by, they very well almost had.

“Shit, uh—hey, you two,” Kimber spluttered as soon as she saw the two of them, stopping in her tracks.

Harry looked absolutely mortified from his spot on the couch, which Kimber had a feeling was a place he wasn’t going to move from any time soon. “Didn’t, uh—” he paused to clear his throat. “Didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“Clearly,” Kimber replied. “And I, um, didn’t expect you here either, Olivia,” she added, glancing over at her friend who sported very pink cheeks.

“Yeah, it was kind of, uh, a spontaneous thing,” she informed Kimber, clearing her throat also. “But you must be Max,” she added as she stood up and stepped a little closer to the two, though not before straightening out her shirt a little. “So nice to finally meet you.”

Max, who barely moved an inch since they walked inside, stepped forward and greeted Olivia with a smile Kimber knew was nothing more than fake. “You too,” he said, then placed his hand on the small of Kimber’s back. “Ready to go on up now, babe?”

Kimber furrowed her brows as she glanced up at him. “Don’t you want to meet my friend?”

“I’ve said hello,” he said with a sigh.

“Technically, you didn’t,” Harry piped up from the couch, which was enough for Kimber to widen her eyes as she glared at him—she did not want another repeat of the morning, especially when they were in the presence of a guest.

“Fine,” Max said through gritted teeth. “Hello, Olivia,” he added with a forced smile, then glanced back down to Kimber. “Now, can we go?”

Olivia looked as though she felt the same way Kimber had only hours before, ready for the ground to swallow her up whole. Kimber felt bad for her, especially since it was Kimber’s boyfriend that made her feel that way. Harry must’ve sensed it as well because out of the corner of her eye, Kimber could see the way he furrowed his brows and frowned, lips parted and ready to have a few choice words to say. Before he did, though, Kimber spoke up.

“I’ll meet you upstairs in a few minutes, Max,” she said, then held out her handbag. “I just want to show Olivia the bracelet from the Camden market you got me first.” Kimber grinned at him, hoping he bought it—he did, or at least he pretended to, and placed a quick kiss to Kimber’s lips before rounding the corner to head upstairs. As soon as he was gone, Kimber swore there was a collective breath of fresh air between them all. “Olivia,” she said, turning to her friend, “I am so sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

“He’s a twat, that’s what,” Harry scoffed from the couch.

Kimber could feel that same feeling from earlier beginning to bubble inside of her. Maybe it was anger, she wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, it was about to erupt. “Do you really have to be such an ass, Harry?” she asked, placing one hand on her hip.

“You’re asking that to the wrong person, Kim,” he replied, sitting forward on the couch.

“No, I’m really not.” Kimber’s voice held a harsher tone, one that she couldn’t even remember the last time she used when it came to Harry. It wasn’t often that she felt angry at him, but his behaviour was not how a good friend should act around a significant other.

“Fine, I’ll admit it,” he said, resting his hands on his knees as he glared up at her. “I’m an ass, whatever, but your boyfriend needs to admit it as well.”

Olivia, who really did look as though she wanted the ground to swallow her up, started to back away slowly. “I’m just gonna, uh—I need a drink,” she said awkwardly before pretty much making a run for it towards the kitchen.

“Why do you say it like that, huh?” Kimber asked Harry, ignoring Olivia’s departure.

“Say what?” Harry raised a brow.

“‘Boyfriend’,” she told him. “Why do you say it as if you’re spitting out a bad taste?”

Harry laughed. “Funny you mention it…”

Kimber grit her teeth together as she squeezed her eyes shut for just a second, praying that a confrontation with Harry really wasn’t about to happen—except it was, because he needed to be put down a peg or two. “I’m serious, Harry,” she said, taking a step back to lean on the wall. “Max is my boyfriend. I love him. Why can’t you respect that?”

“I’ll respect it the day he respects you,” Harry responded, leaning back on the couch again.

“He has his moments, sure, but—”

“He’s an absolute wanker, Kimmy,” Harry interjected, running his hands through his short hair. “I try to be nice to him, but he’s not throwing anything back at me, so what’s the point?”

Kimber blinked. “He’s my boyfriend, that’s the point.”

“What do you even see in him?” he asked honestly. “He seems to have this hold over you that I really don’t like, and you’re better than that, y’know? I just—I don’t get it, Kim.”

“And that’s why he’s my boyfriend and not yours,” she replied, folding her arms across her chest as she tried to ignore the bubbling inside her from making its way up her neck. At this point, it was definitely anger and frustration. She knew Max wasn’t perfect—hell, nobody was—but she still didn’t understand why Harry couldn’t just respect her and her relationship. “And he has a lot of redeeming qualities, might I add. He makes me laugh, he knows when I’m upset and just what makes me feel better, he is loyal and honest, he doesn’t—”

“Respect you?” Harry cut in, raising a brow.

Kimber squeezed her eyes shut again, willing away every curse word in her mind she wanted to throw at her so-called friend at that moment. “Stop being such a fucking dick, Harry. Seriously,” she settled with instead.

“I’m just being honest with you, is that so wrong?” Harry asked it so genuinely that Kimber had to stop and think for a moment before realising that, yeah, one of her closest friends bitching out her boyfriend did seem a little wrong. But before she could speak up about it, Harry sighed and glanced up at her with a look in his eyes that she had only seen a few times before—when he was truly worried about her. “He treats you like dirt, Kimmy. I’m not saying this to be an ass, but he—and, I mean, you deserve the absolute world, y’know? Do you really think he’s going to give you that?”

Max had been Kimber’s boyfriend for a little under nine months, though they had an arrangement beforehand that was mostly about sleeping together until they mutually developed feelings for one another. And during all those months, there were talks about a potential future ahead of them. Max studied creative writing and could take his degree with him wherever he went, and if that meant going where Kimber went, then who was he to deny that? But alas, after they graduated, he managed to snag up a job locally and Kimber didn’t—not that she really applied anywhere locally, because London was her dream.

On a few occasions, they did have the serious talk about what they wanted one day—marriage and children specifically. It was mostly their own personal futures and not ones they planned together at that point, though Kimber couldn’t deny the twinkle in Max’s eye when she announced she always pictured having a daughter first, who would, of course, be named Ava. She always liked that name.

She never really admitted it to anyone, but there was a point where Kimber really saw herself having a future with Max, whether in London or otherwise. But after their constant back and forth and Max’s latest habit of acting as though he had control over their relationship, Kimber wasn’t so sure what she saw in her future anymore. She hoped that the weekend together would salvage their relationship, but it only continued to bring out the worst in Max—and, seemingly, Harry as well.

But Harry wouldn’t get the gratitude of knowing that.

“Would I really be dating someone for this long if I didn’t think so?” she asked, her eyes hard on Harry as a fire burned behind them. “You can say all the shit you want about him, but at the end of the day, this is my life, Harry, so you need to back the fuck off.”

Harry blinked a few times and parted his lips, as if he had plenty more to say, but didn’t do anything in any form of a reply except to nod his head in the end. That was all Kimber needed before she set off upstairs, not so much as giving Harry a goodbye, and planned to not leave her room again as long as Harry was home.

“There you are. Was just about to go look—woah, hey, you okay?” Max began to say but changed up his wording as Kimber walked in her room, shutting the door behind her and throwing her handbag on her bed.

“Yeah,” she said, though it was almost as big of a lie as telling Harry she still pictured a future with Max. “I’m just cold and tired. Can we just cuddle in bed for a while?” Kimber asked as she crawled onto the bed beside Max, wrapping her arm around his body.

“Of course,” was all he said before he curled one arm around her, pulling her in close to his side and leaving Kimber alone in her thoughts as she stared at the blank wall.

The weekend was supposed to be perfect, it was supposed to fix everything that was broken, but it had only gone and done the exact opposite. Nothing was fixed, everything seemed to be much worse, and the longer Kimber laid with her head on Max’s chest, the more she realised that it wasn’t just anger and frustration building up inside her. It was confusion and uncertainty as well. The mix of emotions only swirled around her body as time went by and she allowed them to consume her until she hadn’t realised tears were beginning to well in her eyes. She knew the second Max realised she was crying he would want to know what was wrong—he might have even gone straight ahead to blame Harry—but Kimber didn’t want that. She didn’t want to be asked what was wrong when she couldn’t even answer the question herself.

Instead, Kimber mumbled a quick suggestion to put on one of her favourite films, pretending that the second it got emotional and sad, that was the reason for her tears. Max seemed to believe that, cuddling her tight and wiping away her tears, but Kimber knew the truth, and that was how fucking messed up life could be when things didn’t go to plan.

***

The weekend flew by before Kimber could even take another two seconds to breathe and was then back at the office building the following week not long after. Fearne and Lillian were all kinds of curious about how the weekend had gone, but Olivia barely spoke a word and hadn’t mentioned at all what happened the day she was there. Kimber wasn’t sure whether it was because confrontation wasn’t a favourite topic of hers and she just wanted to avoid it at all costs or whether she was embarrassed about being almost caught in a compromising position with Harry, but whatever the case, she was thankful she hadn’t spilled the beans.

Kimber just told her two nosy friends that they explored the city Saturday afternoon but spent a good majority of the rest in bed together, which was enough to keep them going for a little while longer. Of course, they made a remark here and there about the eventful weekend Kimber had gotten up to, though they meant it in nothing but a sexual manner, but Kimber couldn’t help but notice the way Olivia always looked away or became very interested in her computer or food the second they did.

By Wednesday, Kimber finally found the courage to speak to Olivia about what happened on the weekend. Olivia straight up told Kimber that nothing happened if she wanted nothing to have happened, which kind of took Kimber by surprise that that was her choice of words, but she just reassured Olivia that it was fine. She tried to tell her that Max was just having an off day and she was awfully sorry about it, which Olivia claimed to believe and said she understood, but Kimber couldn’t help but wonder if she thought something different entirely. Maybe Harry said a thing or two about Max behind their backs.

As for Harry, Kimber had barely spoken two words to him since Saturday. It made it hard when they lived in the same house together, but Harry kept himself busy with preparations before he set off to LA for a month or so to write and record his next album. He had people to see before he left, he had plans to finalise for the Another Man magazine photoshoot and interview, and he was back and forth catching up with friends and family while he still had free time. Kimber, on the other hand, spent her days at the office, and then barely left her bedroom except for food whenever she was home. Netflix became her new best friend.

Come Thursday, the night before Harry was to head off to LA, Kimber was on her bed, debating whether she should try and make contact with him before morning. She didn’t know what time his flight was, but she knew he preferred flying either early in the morning or late at night to avoid a rush of people at the airports. Instead, she had an empty bowl that was once filled with pasta beside her and her laptop on her lap, watching a film she had barely even paid any attention to. She was also messaging Fearne, Lillian and Olivia in their group chat, helping Lillian decide what to wear the following day for a date her mum set her up on, which she was very reluctant about partaking in in the first place. Olivia encouraged her to go because she hadn’t dated in a while and that was enough for her to finally agree—but her messages were barely a few words long and quite sporadic. Unlike Lillian, who sent a new message every few seconds it seemed.

Kimber was in the middle of reading a screenshot of the conversation Lillian sent between her and her mum, which detailed when and where she was supposed to be on said blind date when there was a knock at her door. Taken by surprise, it took her a few seconds to realise what happened, then she called out, “Come in!”

As Harry walked in, wearing his joggers and a plain white tee, Kimber could have cried on the spot. “Truce?” he asked, holding up a plate of pancakes.

Kimber couldn’t help the smile that pulled on her lips as she nodded. As much as she didn’t agree with things Harry said and as much as they still needed to talk things out, she couldn’t deny how happy it made her that he was willing to try and make things okay again before he left. She wouldn’t see him for weeks and that worried her because she became so accustomed to seeing him every day, so it just felt nice that those feelings weren’t one-sided. It warmed her heart that he didn’t want to leave without at least trying to make things better between them. And, most of all, Kimber liked that Harry was the one that made the first step. It showed her that he was willing to both give and take because, at the end of the day, their friendship was more important than anything else.

“Yeah, truce,” she said, reaching her arms out and making grabby hands. Harry held out the pancakes closer to her, assuming that they were what she was going for, but she shook her head. “No, you idiot, I want you,” she said with a chuckle.

“Oh,” Harry replied, his cheeks flushing pink as he placed the plate of pancakes down on her desk. He barely made it to the side of her bed before Kimber wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug she didn’t realise how badly she needed. Following suit, Harry pulled her in close, his thumb rubbing back and forth against her back as he nuzzled his face into her neck. “I know it’s been weird between us,” he said after a while, his warm breath hitting her skin as he spoke. “But I’m going to miss you a lot, you know.”

Kimber could feel her heart warm at that. “’M’going to miss you a lot, too.”

“Yeah?” Harry asked as he pulled back, biting down on his bottom lip.

“Yeah.” Kimber nodded. “Who’s gonna make pancakes for me when you go?” she asked, her lips tugging into a cheeky smirk.

Harry pouted his bottom lip as he frowned. “Is that all I’m good for, huh? Guess I’ll just take them back downstairs to keep for mys—”

“No!” Kimber cried, shaking her head and pouting her bottom lip like a child. “My pancakes.”

Harry grinned so widely and wonderfully. “Good thing I made them especially for you, then,” he told her, poking her nose as he climbed back out of her bed and fetching the plate from her desk. “Couldn’t carry all the extra toppings, so I hope just jam and cream is okay,” he said as he sat back down on her bed, but furrowed his brows as he glanced back up at Kimber and the way she was staring at him. “What? Don’t tell me you actually want the other stuff, because I swear—”

“No, no,” Kimber interjected, shaking her head. Her mind may have been a whirlwind of emotions, still rather intense and overwhelmed from the weekend, but having Harry beside her again was enough to make her forget her worries so long as he was around. “I was just—I’ve missed you.”

“Missed?” Harry raised a brow as he emphasised the last two letters of the word. “I’ve not gone anywhere yet.”

Kimber frowned. “You know what I mean.”

At that, Harry nodded as his lips pulled into a warm and genuine smile. “Yeah, I do,” he said, then honestly added, “And I missed you as well. Kinda weird not talking to, or even seeing, my best friend every day.”

“Best friend, huh?” Kimber’s lips tugged into a smirk, though she couldn’t deny the warmth radiating inside her just from hearing Harry call her his best friend. She hadn’t had many friends in her life, seemingly always being the odd one out in whatever group of friends she had at the time, but Harry had always remained that one constant friend in her life. Maybe even after they lost contact here and there, only to pick it right back up a few months down the track, he had always been her true best friend.

Harry narrowed his eyes. “I’ll take these pancakes back downstairs, Kimberly. Don’t test me.”

“Fine, fine,” she said with a chuckle, then this time made grabby hands for the pancakes. “Now, gimme the pancakes, Harold.”

For the rest of the night, the two laid on Kimber’s bed eating pancakes and watching Stranger Things. Harry hadn’t seen it yet so Kimber told him it was an absolute must, but she couldn’t deny how amusing it was when he got creeped out at certain darker parts of the show. After a few episodes, they decided on something much lighter. 27 Dresses was the film of choice, though Harry barely made it halfway before he fell asleep. Kimber, not wanting to disturb his slumber, turned off her laptop and slid underneath the sheets beside him, facing away from him as she got comfortable and soon drifted off to sleep.

By morning, Harry’s arm was draped around her body and his face buried in her hair.

—————————————————

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yoimeta · 5 years ago

Note

Hi everyone! I noticed recently that the "KAZAKHSTAN 101 OR HOW TO OTABEK" post seems to have been taken off of tumblr? The author's whole blog seems to have been wiped. Do you know if this is archived anywhere? Is there a mirror, say, on Ao3?

Hello!

Thankfully, I managed to find what I believe is the original post. Here it is! The post is archived in plain text under the cut.

Hope this helps!

- Ji

Source: @sawyer-aik

KAZAKHSTAN 101 OR HOW TO OTABEK

THERE YOU GO YURI ON ICE FANDOM.

Disclaimer: this is in no way a fully comprehensive guide. This is just me trying to put together basics for people who are unfamiliar with Kazakhstan/Kazakhs to start their writing/research.

I am an ethnic Kazakh female, citizen of Kazakhstan, Almaty, bisexual, upper middle class, currently in college in the US. My experience is in no way representative of all kazakhs and Kazakhstan citizens. However, I think it’s pretty close to Otabek’s.

This is really, really long and kinda convoluted, but if you can bear it –– welcome!

Name: Many people have talked about Otabek’s name. This is how you shorten it –– “Bek”, “Beka”, or “Beks” if you wanna be really familiar and laid back.

Kazakhs don’t have middle names, we have patronymics. They are formed like this: the father’s name + ‘uly’ if the child is a boy or ‘kyzy’ is the child is a girl. For example, Otabek’s childrens’ patronymics would be Otabekuly and Otabekkyzy.

About Almaty and almatinians: Ok I’m so happy Otabek is from Almaty, I really don’t know much about life in other cities or rural areas. Almatinians rarely do. Comparing Almaty lifestyle to the rest of Kazakhstan is the same as comparing NYC to the rest of America –– it’s not representative of the quality of life in the country, like, at all.

Almaty has 2.5+ million population, and it grows every year. It’s a cultural and economic centre of the country. Apples originate from Almaty (!!!), hence the name from “Alma” –– apple. Almatinians are usually stereotyped as fast, brash and snobby –– kinda like New Yorkers, right? Almaty is much more tolerant and progressive, and also more ‘Western’ than the rest of the country in terms of mindset. Almatinians kinda look down on non-Almatinians, and really dislike the capital Astana because of all the funding and attention it gets.

Almaty has a great ethnic diversity –– main groups are Kazakhs, Russians, Uygur, Koreans, Germans, Jews, Uzbek, and many more. Though stereotypical jokes are generally acceptable, outright hate and discrimination against an ethnic group is not tolerated. Many foreigners visit here for business –– mostly Americans, Western Europeans and Chinese.

Almatinians love: coffeeshops, mall sales, cool cars (Hello Otabek’s motorcycle), smoking hukkah and vaping. They are usually concerned with status and try to show off their wealth. You can see people of all kind of different style and background in Almaty, fashion shows are held there, contemporary art and indie-music congregates there, along with all kinds of fancy ass crowd. It is a really interesting and kinda exhausting scene, especially if you are young and wanna have fun.

Language, culture, food, etc.

As an Almatinian Kazakh, Otabek is definitely fluent in both Russian and Kazakh, and probably has a very good grasp on English. He is a master of shala kazakh. Shala kazakh is a magic language that only city Kazakhs are privy to. It’s basically a wild mix of kazakh, russian and some fashionable english slang thrown in there. It’s usual for me to start a conversation with “OMG bro” and then kinda pull my speech together, substituting kazakh and russian words with each other and pepper it with “cool”, “ok” and other english exclamations. It’s not grammatically correct and is kinda lowbrow, but we all do it. Yes, even our parents. This is how Otabek sounds when he is talking to someone from home. Terrifying.

Nuclear family: City Kazakhs usually have two or three kids. That’s less than people have in rural areas. Children are important in Kazakh culture because they carry the family’s bloodline and history, especially boys. If you headcanon Otabek as having brothers and sisters, you are probably right! His family should be at least sort of wealthy to afford all the expenses of having a professional athlete for a child. Otabek has an expensive bike and his clothes look high-end –– he is definitely not poor.

Family in general. Kazakhs are close, VERY CLOSE to their family. Mind you, family is not just parents and siblings but also your grandparents, aunts and uncles and like all 173 cousins and nieces and nephews. Everyone is ridiculously involved in your life, always there with advice and complaints. You stay connected to your parents when you move out, when you get married, when you have kids, when you DIE. When Otabek misses the weekly skype dates or check-in phone calls, HE IS SHAMED SO HARD. Do you know grandma is worried about you, think about how old she is! Otabek’s relatives brag about his achievements like they moved him up the career ladder personally, with their own two hands. There’s nothing Otabek can really do about it tho he gets annoyed

Food: city Kazakhs have a very diverse cuisine. Traditional kazakh food is like 50% batter and 50% meat and takes long ass time to prepare so we reserve it for the holidays. My family loves fish, russian dishes such as borsht and blini, Uzbek lagman, Korean kimchi tho we try to avoid pork. And it’s not like we choose one day as a “Russian cuisine day”, we just kinda??? Deside to have some borsht today?? Almaty has lots of different restaurants, almatinians love sushi, pizza and pasta, shashlyk, all kinds of experimental foods and trying new things. Kumys –– mare’s milk –– is one of the things you should try in Kazakhstan as a turist, but I know many kazakhs who have never had it or don’t like it. They say it’s really good for you tho.

Holidays: ethnic Kazakhs in Kazakhstan celebrate: birthdays, New Years, Eid al-Adha which we call Kurban Bairam, Independence Day on December 16th and Nauryz on March 22nd. Young people kinda have get togethers on Halloween because it’s fun and a reason to hang out. Nauryz is one of my faves, it’s a pagan holiday of coming of spring and new life. On Nauryz, Almaty is adorned with flowers, yurts and giant swings are set on the city square, people wear traditional clothing and dance and play and eat a lot. My family also ended up celebrating Eastern Orthdox Christmas and Easter because each year our Russian friends invite us to hang out and celebrate with them, lol.

LGBTQIA+

Main principle is “Don’t ask, don’t tell”. General conflict avoidance protocols are in place. I personally know like 3 LGBT friendly hubs/clubs in Almaty. Nobody explicitly says “gay clubs” but people just kinda know what and where those are. There are get togethers and meetings you can attend to meet people, you can hang out with your significant other in public, hug, hold hands and no one would probably say anything. Colleges and universities are generally safe places, many of my friends are out in their college and don’t face any trouble. PDA will be frowned upon, but all PDA is generally frowned upon in Kazakhstan, even hetero. Feminist and sex-positive initiatives try to educate the populace and break the status quo, and are doing really well but the government’s disposition is homophobic. If your family is religious or traditional, they probably wouldn’t go as far as disowning you, but will probably pressure and guilt-trip you. LGBT+ youth generally plan to move somewhere else or just not settle. All of this is Almaty situation tho. Being LGBT in rural area is much more dangerous.

THE BEST PART: VOCABULARY

Ok this is what I find to be the easiest way to explain Kazakh to English speakers: think Turkish but written in cyrillic, with words borrowed from Arabic and Russian.

Endearments:

zhanym, жаным: my soul. Zhanym is everything to a Kazakh. You can use it for your family, friends, SO, I called my laptop zhanym today. It can be flirty, it can be serious. If you need Otabek to be affectionate with someone, use zhanym.

ainalaiyn, айналайын: really hard to translate but something like my precious?? Usually used towards small kids, but also if a Kazakh finds something really cute.

altynym, my golden baby. I love this one for obvious reasons, lol, hi, Otabek.

Mahabbatym, махаббатым, my love +

Suiktim, сүйіктім. my love, my dear. Kinda old fashioned but really romantic. I can see Otabek using this, but he will be teased and called an old sap if he does.

Kazakh have a lot more endearments, but most of them are for children.

Basic interaction and exclamations:

Iya. Ия. Yes.

Zhok. Жоқ. No

Rakhmet. Рахмет. Thank you.

Keshir. Кешір. Sorry.

Salem, Сәл��м. Hello. A familiar greeting.

Sau bol, Сау бол. Literally “Be well” but actually means goodbye. Pretty familiar too.

O Kudai, О Құдай/O Allah, О Алла! Oh my god, obviously. Used in all kinds of different situations.

Oibai, Ойбай! How does one explain oibai. When a friend jump scares you, when you receive bad news, when you check your bank account –– oibai!

Abai bol, Абай бол. Be careful, is what your mom tells you when you go out.

Expletives and Swear Words. Yeeaaah the juicy stuff.

Zhyndy, Жынды. Crazy. If someone is being stupid or inappropriate, you call them zhyndy. When you tell a dumb joke at the familty table, mom smacks you upside the head and hisses “Ooooi, zhyndy!” When Jean-Jaques is acting a fool and makes out with his reflection, Otabek rolls his eyes and mutters “Zhyndy”.

Akymak. Ақымақ. Idiot. When someone is just dumb and not worth your time.

Ittin balasy. Иттің баласы. Child of a dog. It can be as harmless as “you pup” and as offensive as “son of a bitch” depending on the situation.

Kotindy kys. Көтіңді қыс. Squeeze you ass. God I love this one. When someone being an obnoxious wannabe, tell them they should squeeze their ass and check themselves.

Jean-Jaques: I am gonna be the King of the Grand Prix!

Otabek: Kotindy kys.

Shygasyn ba?! Шығасың ба?! You wanna go bro?! Ohh, someone is gonna catch these Kazakh fists.

Sigil. Сігіл. Basically go fuck yourself.

Sheshen ahmy/Sheshen sigem. Шешең амы/Шешең сігем. Your mother’s c*nt/Imma fuck your mother. REALLY FUCKING OFFENSIVE. Say this to a Kazakh if you have a death wish.

——————————————————————————————-

AND THEEEEEEERE YOU GO.

Again, this is just the basics. Do more research and talk to as many Kazakhs and Kazakhstani people as you can. We are a different but usually an interesting bunch. Thanks for your attention, Sawyer out!

#yoimeta #solosvejs #answered #Otabek Altin #yoi meta

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nonnareviews · 5 years ago

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Nonna Pina Reviews: Spider-Man: Far From Home

Warning: I’ve been told that people get very sensitive about movies made by this company, which is why I tried to keep this piece as spoiler-free as I could. However, I’m only human and there might be a spoiler or two. Reader discretion is advised.

Nonna Reviews: the Spider Boy and Fishbowl Man go very far away

Are you a malnourished fifteen-year-old with very sticky hands and the fate of the entire world resting on your 20cm wide shoulders?

Have you ever almost accidentally murdered one of your classmates with highly advanced machinery that should never end up the hands of a literal child?

Has your high school science trip that has absolutely nothing to do with science ever been highjacked by a man in an eyepatch and a guy with a fishbowl over his head?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, “Spider-man: Far From Home” is just the movie for you. Also, congratulations! You’re my grandchild now.

I’m looking at you, Thomas Hollandaise. I’ll feed you so much pasta e patate you’ll reach the weight of a healthy adult moose in no time.

Seriously, though, the kid doesn’t eat enough. I don’t think we ever see him eat in the movie. Which I find hardly believable. You’re telling me that this spaghetti-looking child visited Venice, of all places, and no Venetian grandmother tackled him and forced him to down a kilo of fried fish? Inconceivable.

I do feel for the boy, though. He’s half a globe away from everything he knows and loves and someone just randomly decides that he and all of his friends have to die. And that’s two people. Two whole people. That’s his entire friend group. He should come to my prayer group. Lots of good, young Christian boys and girls join us, you know?

Also, how does everyone magically speak English in Venice? The kid just walks into this comically small shop and says “I need this” and the vendor is just? “Ha! Yes, my dear child, I have just the thing”? Have these people ever been to Italy? And “Mysterio”? Did something get lost in translation? “Mystery man” is “l’uomo del mistero” in Italian. Where exactly did that second ‘i’ come from?

Other than that, I really liked the way the film made a commentary on the reality of the movie industry while literally being the movie industry. It really makes you think about what it would be like if, say, I were really a nineteen-year-old creating a persona far enough from her own to allow her to comment on gen. Z society while losing the bias that comes with being part of it. And what if this persona were really the ultimate stereotype of an older Italian woman so that she could comment on the dangers of stereotypes in our daily lives? Outrageous, I know.

With that said, since spider-man begins his superhero career after being bitten by a radioactive spider, it is with great pleasure that I will now follow his example and present to you my super alter ego: Toddler Woman.

She provides affordable baby-sitting services and guarantees no casualties if your child should ever swallow a Lego brick. Or a radioactive spider.

Lastly, promise you’ll all eat more than Peter does or I will personally show up at your place at 3am and force feed you an entire bowl of carbonara.

Your super-grandma,

Nonna Giuseppina Antonelli, Europe, Italy, Naples

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nifflersfancy · 6 years ago

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Runaway Groom - Part 6 (Just Returning Something To Sirius)

You can read it here on AO3!

Here’s Part 5 (Chapter 5 - Consider It Done, You Wanton Sex Goddess) Part 4 (Chapter 4 - Like I Would Grace Your Brothel With My Presence), Part 3 (Chapter 3 - Speaking of Bastards), Part 2 (Chapter 2 - Listening To Pink Floyd Alone) and Part 1 (Chapter 1 - And I Just Want A Million Pounds)!

The feeling of a warm body pressed up against his shifting was the first thing that Remus noticed as he woke. His brows furrowed slightly, not yet opening his eyes as he felt the weight shifting against his chest. "Rem.." A croaky voice murmured against his neck. Remus hummed in response to show that he was awake. Well, awake-ish. "Someone's at the door." "You're dressed." Was all Remus mumbled in response, although tightened his previously limp grip over Sirius' waist. "Your flat. Your door. Probably for you." Sirius responded. Remus knew that he had a point but he was far too comfortable. "They'll go away in a sec. Just sh." Remus grunted, burying his face further into the crook of Sirius' neck. "Stop arguing over who's opening the bloody door and just get up!" James' voice boomed through the door.

They both groaned but reluctantly got up. Remus slipped on a pair of black tracks and chucked Sirius a jumper to wear as well as his boxers. It was such a shame to do so as Sirius really did have a wonderful body, now with several more tattoos than he had had when he first arrived. He had been living with James and Lily for almost seven months now and he and Remus had celebrated their four month anniversary the day before. It made Remus feel a bit silly but it was a big deal to Sirius and made the other man happy so Remus agreed. "We're coming!" Sirius groaned, pulling his hair up into a messy bun, hoping that it would disguise his sex hair. Remus left the room first and merely shook his head with a grin as Sirius slapped his arse in passing.

"Nice hickeys, mate." James smirked upon seeing the door open. Remus rolled his eyes and leaned tiredly against the door. "Good morning, James. I'm fine, thank you for asking." Remus responded sarcastically, hearing the kettle start up beside him as well as the clinking of mugs and spoons as Sirius prepared them both a cup of tea. "Just returning something to Sirius. Apparently he forgot it when he left Paris." James said vaguely. Now that Remus looked at him properly, James appeared to have just woken up, his hair as messy as ever and only wearing pyjamas. He felt a presence beside him and glanced over, seeing Sirius stood there with a frown. "What do you mean?" He questioned, tilting his head to the side slightly, something which Remus had quickly realised that he did when he was curious or confused. James stepped to the side and another man took his place. Remus hardly got to look at him before Sirius threw himself at the other lad, hugging him tightly and speaking rapidly in French. It wasn't often that Sirius spoke in French anymore so Remus was unable to suppress his shiver, ignoring James as he laughed softly at Remus' reaction. They spoke back and further for a few minutes, eventually pulling out of the hug, although Sirius kept the other man within arms reach, keeping his hands on his shoulders as he looked at him. Now that Remus had the chance, he observed the newcomer and realised that he must have been a relative of Sirius'. Most likely a brother. He remembered that Sirius had a brother - although he was a very touchy subject for Sirius so Remus knew very little about him. Remus also noticed that he was in a similar state to how Sirius had been when he first arrived. He wore a casual but clearly expensive suit, which was torn at one of the sleeves. There was dried blood around his nose and his lip was split. It wouldn't have looked too bad if there wasn't a large amount of dried blood on his previously white shirt. Clearly he had stopped bleeding, although it looked like it hadn't been long. "This... Ah, this must be James, yes?" It was now clear that Sirius' English was a lot better than his brothers. "Yes, yes." Sirius spoke, although his accent was stronger now. Whether it was from being around someone else with an accent or just because he had just been speaking French, Remus didn't know. But if it was Regulus' influence then Remus would be willing to let both of them move in with him. He just managed to hide his shiver this time. "Yes, this is James. James was my best friend in Hogwarts. And this is Remus, my boyfriend. Remus, James, this is my brother, Regulus. He went to a school called Beauxbatons in France. My parents didn't want him to turn out like me so they sent him to a boarding school. When they moved me out of Hogwarts, I went to Beauxbatons as well." Sirius explained. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Regulus." James spoke, sending him a warm smile that Remus knew could calm anybody on their worst day. "Yes. Yes, likewise. It is a pleasure to meet you also." Regulus nodded, reaching out a hand to James. the other lad appeared confused by the formalities but shook his hand firmly. It was clear that despite being brothers and being raised by the same people, they had very different upbringings. Although it was most likely that they had the same upbringings but Sirius just didn't listen and rebelled. "Nice to meet you, Regulus." Remus said, doing the same as James by shaking his hand and giving him a warm smile that would let the younger lad know that he was safe with them.

“You as well.” Regulus nodded, releasing Remus’ hand and then stepping back into the safety of his brother’s side.

---

It didn’t take long for Regulus to get settled, seeing as he didn’t have many belongings with him. He would be staying with James and Lily for the time being until he and Sirius could get their own flat. It would be a struggle, money-wise but they couldn’t live off of the others forever.

Whilst Regulus now had Sirius’ old room, Sirius was going to be staying with Remus. He basically lived there anyway and slept there almost every night so it was no different to usual but it just felt like a step ahead. It was exciting but scary.

After Regulus had showered, changed clothes and had something to eat, he seemed a lot more relaxed. Both couples, as well as Regulus and Peter all ate dinner together, a simple pasta dish that James had made, they had settled down to watch a film.

They had put on Love Actually, a classic that everyone knew and loved. They had even put French subtitles on it so that Regulus could keep up easily. By the time the film finished, Regulus had fallen asleep beside Sirius, Peter had gone home and Lily had already retired to bed.

“Reg? Reggie, come on. Va te coucher, petit frère.” Sirius murmured softly, smiling warmly as he saw Regulus;’ eyes open, blinking and furrowing his brows in sleepy confusion before he relaxed, clearly remembering where he was. “Je viendrai ici le matin pour le petit déjeuner. Du repos.”

He knew that Regulus’ English would be terrible in his sleepy state so it was easiest to speak French to him. Twenty minutes later, Regulus was tucked up in bed, as was everyone else. Feeling like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, relieved beyond words to have his brother back with him, Sirius got into bed beside Remus with a smile on his face.

“Look at you, you can’t stop smiling.” Remus mumbled, wrapping his long arms around Sirius’ waist and pulling him closer. Sirius could tell that he was exhausted and on the verge of falling asleep. He smile fondly and lovingly stroked Remus’ hair back.

“I’m happy, mon amour. So, so happy.” He saw Remus grin sleepily at the nickname that he often gifted Remus with and it made him chuckle softly. “Sweet dreams.” He whispered a few seconds later but it was pointless. Remus was already asleep and Sirius followed mere minutes after.

[TRANSLATIONS

“Va te coucher, petit frère.” - “Go to bed, little brother.” “Je viendrai ici le matin pour le petit déjeuner. Du repos.” - "I will come here in the morning for breakfast. Rest." “Mon amour.” - “My love.”

Again, I do not speak French so if any of these translations are wrong or sound wooden or anything, please let me know in the comments!

This has not been edited because I am a useless sack of shit. Sue me. (I'm kidding, pls be nice. although I wasn't kidding about it not being edited. It hasn't even been double-checked. Maybe I am just super lazy)

I got so many lovely comments and messages about this the last time so I have decided to continue this! Thank you to everyone, you're all worth your weight in gold! My ego is satisfied but that doesn't mean don't continue to comment lovely stuff bcos I need it!

I have not had a loving relationship in many moons but this was my attempt at fluff. I apologise.

Taaaagging: @holy-shit-its-wolfstar @rosielupin @nagemeikenu @grey-mae@blitheringmcgonagall @psychedelisch because they asked

If any of you have changed your minds, let me know! And if anyone else wants to be tagged in future updates, also let me know!]

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nyappyforeverbr · 5 years ago

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100 Questions&Answers: Yuuki MEMORIAL ARTIST BOOK

In addition to several photos AN CAFE Memorial Artist Book also brought an interview and a special questionnaire of 100 questions with each of the 5 members. Here is the translation of the 100 questions with Yuuki’s 100 answers.

Translate: Japanese>Portuguese by Hiyori Portuguese>English by Shiro 001 How many sushi can you eat? 15 002 Which sushi's ingredient do you like? Breaded shrimp, tuna, corn and salad 003 If you have to eat something until you die, what it would be? Mochi 004 Which kind of lamen do you think has the strongest flavor? Tenkaippin 005 What do you in like in a hot drink? Bergamot Orange by Earl Grey 006 Which mixture do you think most matches rice? Shogayaki 007 What flavor of chewing gum do you like? Blueberry 008 What flavor of candies do you like? Milk-based 009 Soba or udon? Udon NOTE: Soba is a pasta made from buckwheat and udon is made from wheat only 010 Of your whole life, what was the most painful experience you've ever faced? (referring to physical damages) When I fell in the show 011 One part of body that demonstrates more confidence? Nose 012 What do you think about old times? Sloth 013 If you had won 100.000 yen what you would make? (Around 900 dolars) Renovate the furniture of the house 014 And about 100.000.000 yen? (Around 900.000 dolars) I would buy a house for me and my family and put the rest into the savings 015 I know this is kind out of reality, but if you could have a wild animal, which would be? I would be the capybara, they are very cute 016 To Cook, wash clothes, clean the house. Which one do you do better? Cook 017 If you were going for a walk with your girlfriend, where would you go? Hot Springs 018 Where would you spend your last days of life? (If you were an old man where would you want to live?) and why? Somewhere in a countryside, I think because I would have more social contact and I would do an exchange program 019 Is there anyone you consider to be the strongest person in the world? Of course it’s the candies 020 An anime character, manga, etc. that you consider to be the strongest?Deadpool 021 If you could turn into some anime character or something like this, who would you choose? The spiderman 022 First CD you bought? The album of Morning Musume 023 Your preferred winter song? “Yuki no Hana” 024 Your preferred xmas song? Meri Kuri 025 Forgetting that you were part of a band, if you were about to start one, what would it take? And why? A bass, they play fast and I can barely hear 026 And what would be the name you would choose for the band? Sweet Sweet 027 If you went to a desert island and could only take three things, what would it take? 1. Survival Knife2. Solar battery3. Cellphone 028 Do you know how to swim? Yes 029 Something you would never want to happen? Bungee jumping 030 If you were a child, how would you like to be called? At that time I seriously wanted to change this, something like Ramune, I even thought in DQN 031 Do you speak when sleeping? If yes, talk about something already happened to you.For now there is no information to prove this 032 If it was your last day of life, what would you do? I would like to stay with the person I like 033 What was the longest time you could stay awake? I guess it was about 60 hours or less? 034 If you could become someone important in history, who would you be? I don't admire anyone in particular... 035 Do you use a lot of emoticon on LINE? Have you been using LINE lately I’ve been using! The emoticon is Tsukkomi Kuma 036 What's the biggest lie you've ever told? "Hm? This? Afro? Yes Yes! It's my natural hair!" 037 Write the kanji that you think represents 2019 and why? 探 Because I'm looking for my new “me” NOTE: kanji's meaning is: to feel around for; to fumble for; to grope for; to search for; to look for 038 The most expensive thing you bought this year? On Kanon's birthday, I bought him an automatic machine to prepare several types of egg NOTE: If you’re interested in know how this looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk0dfEiiBS8 039 The most convenient thing you bought recently? A cardcover for the Suica card, I bought this year NOTE: Suica (スイカ Suika) is a rechargeable contactless smart card, electronic money used as a fare card on train lines in Japan. 040 A number from 0 to 9 that you like more than others? 04 41 Your longest finger without the middle finger, is it your index finger? Ring finger? Or are they both the same size? Ring finger 042 The word you most speak? “I don’t know, but…” 043 At what time do you think "I'm being bourgeois"? When I prepare a dish and the ingredients are all very expensive 044 If you could have powers, which one would you choose? Power to make barriers 045 If there was a magic word that said things would happen, what would it be? Oh, yes! 046 If you have to choose a follow up for the curry what would it be? Cheese 047 Some kind of punishment game you'd like to avoid? Need jump from somewhere high 048 Do you like of a specific hour? Why? The night. Because I prefer night-time habits 049 How much would you pay for a T-shirt? 2.900 yen (Around 27 dollars) 050 Tell something you would say to you 10 years ago.Are you living!? Are you happy with this!? 051 If it was 50 years ago, what would you be doing? I would be happy... I guess? It would be all right... I guess? 052 How could you imagine yourself 10,000 years ago? I think the language would be completely different... 053 What is the first impression you have of each member of An Cafe? Miku: A handsome guy; Takuya: A reserved stylish dandy; Kanon: Ha? He scares me? He scares me?; Teruki: has a high voice 054 If underwear could have another name, what would you call it? “what you wear underneath” 055 A live that you can not forget? The first live in Shinjuku 056 During those 15 years which member has changed the most? I would not say one in particular. Other than me, if it's just about them, I think their feelings have changed. 057 Do you prefer the traditional breakfast or bread? I don't eat breakfast 058 A teacher you always remember? He was a teacher who was always angry 059 The most fun song in a live? "Darling” and “Hatsumitsu + Lemon = ?” Look like happy songs to me 060 Where do you most like to do a live? Shinjuku Reny 061 A thing you most buy at a convenience store? Jasmine tea 062 If you were not an artist, which career would you choose? A confectioner ... I guess? 063 Which city goes through your head before a live? After I joined An Cafe,, the first city we come back, Kagoshima 064 A stationery item that you like? Ruler 065 An electronic device that you like? Electric oven 066 A person you think is erotic? A friend from high school age 067 What do you think of the vocaloids? Incredible. They are conquering the world, no? 068 A TV show that you like? Ame Talk 069 What's the first live you've been? Precisely in Bou's last live 070 How many pairs of shoes do you have? I think about 3 pairs 071 What is your average time in the bath? 30 minutes, I think 072 A mobile app you liked right away? LINE 073 Do you use a computer for what purpose primarily? I want to use at the same time I use my cell phone 074 What have you found funny lately? Those funny things that happen on TV 075 Who would you most like to meet? My best friends of long time ago 076 When you were a kid, who was your superhero? It was a Power Ranger (I just can't remember which one) 077 The flavor of Umaibo that you like? Mentaiko (Pollock roe) NOTE: Umaibō or "delicious stick" is a small corn cylindrical snack from Japan. 078 An entertaining artist that you like? Tokyo 030 79 First time you did a makeup? After I joined An Cafe 080 Talk a little bit about your first live. I didn't understand very well what I could do and always was standing without doing anything at all (lol) 081 Do you prefer night or day? Night! 082 When you can't sleep what do you do? I watch lives about games 083 Not counting your part in the band, which musical instrument do you like? Guitars, because they're so stylish, no? 084 The oldest memory you have? When I was a kid, I asked them to buy me a gumball machine 085 What color do you like? Black and white 086 What is your favorite mascot? Kanon 087 Where do you usually buy your clothes? GU! 088 Are there any manga or magazines that you buy frequently? One Piece 089 How long you already waited for a person who did not show up? I calculate the exact time of things, so it was about 3 hours and 24 minutes 090 How many times can you do sit-ups? Lately I'm not counting, so I don't know... 091 At this exact moment how much you have in your wallet? When I saw it was 534 yen (Around 5 dolllars) 092 Which Cocoichi curry do you think is the most spicy and the topping? Level 2 and cheese topping NOTE: Cocoichi is a Japanese restaurant franchise specialized in curry 093 Subject at school that you was better? Physical education and music 094 Subject at school that you was worst? Apart from those I’ve mentioned now... 095 What do you do before each live? I get worried about the setlist and keep reminding myself over and over again 096 What is the essential item for a live? Cell phone and recharge batteries for backup 097 Are there any objects that you can not throw away? Things that make me have memories, even just a little bit, I can't throw it away 098 What do you usually buy at McDonald's? French fries! 099 What do you use at bedtime? For over 1 year I have been wearing a jersey shirt 100 Leave a message to Caffekos. Thank you very much for your support! From now on I want us to continue living supporting each other!

#an cafe #antic cafe #an cafe yuuki #an cafe memorial artist book #an cafe interview #an cafe translate #an cafe q&a #visual kei #jrock #oshare kei #rockstyle #an cafe keyboard #keyboardist #harajuku #Harajuku Fashion #japanese #jpop #cafekko #nyappy

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hunterartemis · 6 years ago

Text

The Assistant: Chapter 4: Employee of the Month

Chapter Summary: a brief history of our heroine’s previous job.

Chapter theme: Dance of the Hours, by Amilcare Ponchielli :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ILbnHhAzk

word count: 1329 (approximately)

At the end, they didn’t have to endure Newt’s three day old lamb stew, because Maxine politely told Newt, (by politely I really mean exclaiming “eh bon putain”* after taking the first sip) that the stew wasn’t edible anymore.

“Mr. Scamander... I am surprised that you are even alive and healthy after this...” Maxine looked at Newt incredibly, after waving away the stews towards the kitchen counter and got up from the table and went to the hob.

“Miss Page, I really appreciate if you not—we could just go to Leaky Cauldron--” Newt turned himself around to face her, while remaining seated, but Maxine already got out all the ingredients.

“Let’s see... c’est la, c’est la*...” she mumbled along and waved her wand around swiftly, much swifter and crispier than Queenie, in Newt’s opinion. When Queenie made food, it looked like she was conducting a symphony; Maxine looked like a loony artist waving around his paintbrush at random spots, and within a minute, a three course meal was on the table.

“Eh voila... Je présente vous votre diner*.” Maxine sat down as the dishes slowly plopped on the table. Newt and Theseus looked at the dishes curiously and before Newt could reply Theseus spoke.

“What the hell are these even? I never saw any of this in my life!” Theseus exclaimed with half impressed and half annoyed manner.

“As admirable as your patriotism is, but this is gentlemen... this is the real food.” Maxine said proudly, “Navarin, Poulet a la moutard with pasta and chocolate mousse.”* Newt looked at the Navarin with surprise,

“That looks just like my lamb stew...”

“It is... only better, added some seasonings and reversed the aging process...” Maxine said, “How do you think restaurants work...”

“That’s incredible, but I want some English food...” Theseus commented sourly, and Newt frowned at him. “You Brits!” Maxine said with an undiluted French accent, “you go one spend your cabbage* at French Restaurants but when it is right in front of you, you act like a bunch of ponce.”

“Let’s not go there shall we... ” Newt said sternly and dived in. with him Theseus did too, and Maxine smiled covertly at how Theseus was blown away despite himself as he took the first sip of the navarin.

“Told you....” Maxine said triumphantly.

“We are digressing from the point... Miss Page why were you fired?” Newt asked rightaway.

“That escalated quickly...” Theseus took a break from the Navarin and rolled some linguine on his fork, dipped in mustard sauce, while chewing the lamb.

“First of all...” Maxine answered after gulping her stew, “it was not my fault that I was fired. Practically I am the victim here...”

“Oh yeah... tell that to your Head of the Department...” Theseus said a little bit too excitedly and his pasta slipped from his fork.

“Okay, my respected Head of the Department, it was your fault that you denied my suspicion and did the covert operation anyway, which belly flopped, and the budget of our respected department was cut... and that includes my pay.” Maxine stabbed her fork on a chicken thigh.

“I need facts not rants Miss Page...” Newt calmly took a bite of the potato.

“She called Travers an asshat--” Theseus said,

“—for assigning the operation in the Père Lachaise” Maxine replied.

“—it would have been overlooked...” Theseus exasperatedly continued, despite Maxine’s interruption, “if not for her other questionable actions.”

“What questionable actions?” Newt looked at them with curiosity and alarm.

“How should I put this...” Theseus sarcastically added, “She is called the Peeves of the Ministry...”

“Oh, that’s just childish... and only you call me that” Maxine huffed and stuffed herself some linguine.

“Oh yeah? What about the time you pulled one with Carr ...” Theseus turned towards Newt, “it was when you went off to New York, Lucian Carr... that blond fella from our dep—well, you tell him what you did.” Theseus excitedly smashed his carrot and severely looked at Maxine, who shrugged casually.

“He annoyed me. He was flirty and obsessive, and apparently no female has ever said no to him...” Maxine answered while looking at Newt, “and you know what he said when I said he is not my type... “but you’re French? aren’t you supposed to be, you know... liberal” quell salaud*....”she hissed while twirling her linguine.

“So I gave him what he wanted...” Maxine smiled mischievously. Perhaps she was waiting for any of the brothers to raise a voice for what she did for an added drama, but it didn’t happen. Only Theseus frowned, “and you mean?”

“I think you know it better don’t you, since it was you who demoted Carr?” Maxine said, and Theseus impatiently bit his lips, “I think he had some quality phrases for you written in the report...”

“It seemed...” Theseus said unenthusiastically, “Whoever tried to read anything written by Carr would be insulted... but Carr vehemently denied that he wrote anything like it... but later, I found out he was innocent, and could do nothing about it because of the scandal”

Newt said nothing and looked at them quietly.

“We thought she would stop here, but no... She does it again... this time Travers.” Theseus was fuming with rage, “in the middle of one day, he collapsed on the floor, moaning and whimpering. We couldn’t understand what was going on so we took him to St. Mungos, and three minutes later the healers came out of the Emergency room swearing at us...” Theseus was waving his fork around while he spoke.

“Yes I heard about Travers having a heart problem recently and this was a top secret within the Auror department, but I don’t see how Maxine could be responsible--”

“It wasn’t heart problem...” Theseus said it ominously low, “Travers was—he was—according to the healers, he hexed himself to have--”

“To have what?” Newt asked, and Maxine was awfully quiet.

After a long awkward pause Theseus mustered the courage to utter the word “... spontaneous orgasm...”

Newt choked on his pasta and started to snicker, Maxine enthusiastically said, “See, it’s funny... and then there’s you who have to make everything a conspiracy theory... besides, I did you a favour, after that he was mild for week...”

“And what about Veritasereum in his morning tea...?”

“His heart is heavy... he needs muggle Catholicism*” Maxine wiped the last bit of sauce of her plate and wiped her face in the napkin, “besides, how else would you know how much he hates you”

“But if no one could prove it...” Newt interrupted the argument, “how did you know it was her...”

“I just knew okay!” Theseus mouthed casually, “only she is stupid and mad enough to pull these... other people have jobs to protect, but not her...” and then his voice escalated to a more annoyed and angry tone “oh how I curse the day I chose you for my intern... and by Merlin’s pants I curse myself to have sworn to protect you from any blames or accusation put on you rightfully for your antics, just because you were a little above average than the dimwits I had the misfortune to work with...”

The table went awfully quiet. Newt nervously looked at Maxine whose face was unreadable and then he veered to Theseus and he knew what he was thinking, he was regretting the words he said to this beautiful young lady. Both of the Scamander brothers had an old fashioned sense of chivalry in them, Theseus more than Newt and he knew, his elder brother was suffering under his own conscience. But when he thought someone is going to cry or apologise, a small voice broke the silence.

“Thank you for the compliment...” Maxine broke into the chocolate mousse and continued to eat it while the brothers stared at her cool temper with a flabbergasted face. After finishing her food, she stood up, wiping her face and getting into her La perse* coat and gauntlet gloves. “Now if you’ll excuse me gentlemen, I need my beauty sleep. Bon nuit...” she threw some floo powder into the fire from Newt’s mantelpiece and disappeared into the emerald whirl. Newt and Theseus were still in their stupor.

“I think she might be the best assistant I have ever had...” Newt added with crooked smile while nibbling his spoonful of mousse, while Theseus frowned at him. Newt caught a glance at Theseus, who shook his head and smacked Newt at the back of his head.

“eh bon putain“ (literal: oh good whore) a French slang for “oh fuck”.

“C’est la... c’est la“ translates this “here’s this, there’s that“

“ Je présente vous votre diner “: I present you your dinner.

Cabbage: 1920′s slang for “cash”

Navarin is a heavy and rich French lamb stew. This takes place approximately six months after Paris 1927, which makes it Fall/early winter which is a favorite time of eating the stew. The stew is eaten in a flat plate with pieces of large vegetables and meat on top and about three-five big spoonful of liquid at the bottom. Maxine had to work a little harder because British cook their meat a little longer than the French.

Poulet a la moutard with pasta: Chicken cooked in Mustard sauce, served with Pasta. Yes, French do eat pasta, they are called “pate”. Lamb is usually topped with Dijon Mustard in France (unlike Britain where lamb is served with Mint sauce) so instead of topping, Maxine chose a continuation of taste.

chocolate mousse: we all know what it is... XD

quell salaud: French for “what a bastard!” despite having educated impeccable etiquette and table manners (as a French), Maxine is getting away with her swearing because the brothers cannot understand her.

Muggle Catholicism: she meant by confessing what was pressing in his heart

La perse coat: it is a longline shapeless coat with crushed velvet collar. It rose in popularity in the 1910′s Parisian socialites, and became popular all over Europe and America in the 1920s.

tags: @my-current-fandom-is

#theseus x oc #theseus x reader #employee fanfiction #boss and secretary #1920 #dinner scene #argument turn on #french food #theseus scamander x oc #theseus scamander x reader #newt x reader #newt x oc #newt scamander x reader #newt scamander x oc #cog fanfiction

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tsukiprotranslations · 6 years ago

Text

[Translation] VAZZROCK BI-COLOR SERIES VOL. 9 - emerald Drama Track 1

Here’s the translation to Reiji’s first drama track~! I hope you enjoy his usual banter with Ayumu lolol

Thank you again to @ryuukia for sharing with me ^^

※ Please don’t re-post the English translations without permission.

Under the cut, enjoy~!

Track 1: [ちょっとは距離を縮めよう] “Let’s shorten our distance just a little”

[0:00]

REIJI: (sighs) Tomorrow’s an event with Ayumu, huh.

REIJI: It’s at the outdoor stage where we had rehearsals then, right?

REIJI: It’s been a while since I last had an outdoor event.

AYUMU: It’s the first time for me.

REIJI: A sitting event?

AYUMU: No, a standing one.

REIJI: Don’t tell me… The kind of event where there’s free admission?

AYUMU: The tickets were sold beforehand. I heard that it’s so the stadium wouldn’t be so packed even if it’s a standing event.

REIJI: Oh, is that so? The stage itself was kinda huge too, huh? I thought so during rehearsals.

AYUMU: It just seemed like that because there were no people.

REIJI: We won’t be changing costumes until the last part, right?

AYUMU: Yeah. It was decided so that we could maximize the time we’re standing on stage during the duration of the event.

AYUMU: Didn’t the manager tell you this yesterday?

REIJI: I was just confirming it. Oh, are there other things you’re curious about?

AYUMU: Let me see… What should we do if there’s an encore?

REIJI: Ah, we haven’t decided that yet? Well, I kinda wanna do all that I can but outdoors is…

REIJI: We have to mind the weather and when it becomes dark.

AYUMU: That would probably be the problem. huh.

REIJI: What’s tomorrow’s forecast?

AYUMU: Cloudy with a chance of rain.

REIJI: Ah… It’s ‘cause you were too excited.

AYUMU: Don’t make it my fault!

REIJI: I mean, all of your solo events have had accidents, right?

AYUMU: …! Wh-what about you then?

REIJI: Me? In my case, it was… mostly cloudy?

AYUMU: Alright. If tomorrow’s cloudy then it’s your responsibility.

REIJI: (scoffs) Isn’t that better than the rain though?

AYUMU: But isn’t cloudy weather cold?

REIJI: No, man, rain is even colder!

AYUMU: In the meantime, if the weather’s bad, the equipment will get wet and an encore would be impossible.

REIJI: We’ll get wet too, you know?

AYUMU: You love being drenched, right?

REIJI: Eh? What’s with that idea?

AYUMU: I watched your drama the other day and you fell into the pool.

REIJI: Eh? You watched that? Anyway, it’s not like I fell because I wanted to.

REIJI: It’s only ‘cause of the role and the story, okay?

REIJI: It’s not like I particularly like getting drenched, got it?

REIJI: Since we’re on the topic, aren’t you the one who’s always drenched? You dumb rain man. (1)

AYUMU: How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not a rain man?

REIJI: Just admit it already! Oh~! How about making it your charm point then?

AYUMU: What part of that will make it my charm point?

REIJI: Not getting phased by the rain could be your charm point, y’know?

AYUMU: … I guess it could be welcomed.

REIJI: (scoffs) Don’t start daydreaming now!

AYUMU: In any case, the event is tomorrow. It’s necessary that we clarify everything before the appointed day.

(Ayumu sneezes)

REIJI: Oh…

AYUMU: What?

REIJI: Ah, no… It’s nothing.

[03:10]

(Ayumu stands up from his chair)

AYUMU: (in a matter-of-fact tone) What time do we have to get to the arena?

REIJI: 12.

AYUMU: What time do we leave here tomorrow?

REIJI: 11.

AYUMU: What time will you wake up?

REIJI: You’re even gonna ask that? I’ll wake up so we’ll make it.

AYUMU: Your “making it on time” is more like “barely making it”.

AYUMU: You’re doing an event with me tomorrow so be there with 10 minutes to spare.

REIJI: (laughs) Yes, ma’am.

AYUMU: Who are you calling “ma’am”?

(Ayumu sneezes again)

REIJI: Hm… Ayumu… Do you have any allergies?

AYUMU: No. Why are you asking me that?

REIJI: “Why,” you ask… Well—never mind…

REIJI: Is there anything else you wanna confirm?

AYUMU: I wanted to confirm the general event but…

AYUMU: Then, could we run over it again—

REIJI: (suddenly interrupts Ayumu) Alright! It’s getting late~

REIJI: Meeting’s over~!

AYUMU: Hey, don’t just end it on your own!

REIJI: Is there still something you need, Mr. Worrywart, Ayuku-kun?

AYUMU: I don’t need anything. You should at least be a little worried.

REIJI: Sure, sure~ Sorry for not being all worried.

REIJI: Anyway, let’s go eat.

AYUMU: I got it.

[04:37]

AYUMU: But… Is it necessary that we eat together?

REIJI: You see? We’ll be doing an event together tomorrow. Don’t you think we should at least close our distance a little?

REIJI: Eating together is exactly for that purpose.

AYUMU: (scoffs) You’re too naïve. Do you really think that people will get close after eating together once?

REIJI: That… Is that something to be so triumphant about?

AYUMU: Never mind that. There’s nothing wrong with eating together.

AYUMU: Let’s go.

REIJI: Alright~! Well, since we’ll be doing an outdoors event tomorrow, let’s just cook something today.

AYUMU: Eh?

REIJI: My room or your room, which do you prefer?

AYUMU: …! Are those our only choices…?

REIJI: Where else would we go?

AYUMU: If possible, my room isn’t…

REIJI: Ah… My room’s full of stuff right now~ It’d be a big help if we could use Ayumu’s room but~ How about it~?

AYUMU: No, uh…! My room is in a horrible state, too so…

REIJI: I don’t really mind it though~

AYUMU: I do! If you don’t mind a disastrous room anyway then why not use yours?

REIJI: I didn’t say that it was disastrous. But, y’know? I’ve never been to your room before.

REIJI: I feel like I should visit at least once for our friendship’s sake.

REIJI: Or maybe…

REIJI: You’re hiding something~?

AYUMU: It’s a normal room.

REIJI: Then~

AYUMU: Let’s go to your room!

REIJI: O-oh…! Y-you’re direct for once…

REIJI: Do you want to come to my room that much~?

AYUMU: No, not at all.

REIJI: You’re really not honest. Then, I’ll go to your room next time. Today, mine will do.

AYUMU: … Is that so? Thank you.

REIJI: In exchange, bring some plates with you, got it?

AYUMU: Plates?

REIJI: The other day, I was thinking of remodelling so my stuff aren’t really organized.

REIJI: That’s why my room’s kinda empty right now.

AYUMU: I thought you said it was full of stuff?

REIJI: Ah… That’s well… Going with the flow?

AYUMU: You… You were teasing me, weren’t you?

REIJI: A little bit? I kinda wanted to poke fun at you~

REIJI: I think that’s a talent on its own, don’t you~?

AYUMU: (sighs) I take back my thank you from a while ago.

[07:24]

(door opens)

REIJI: Now then… What should we eat?

REIJI: That Ayumu’s pretty picky…

REIJI: Oh! Tomato? If I bring this out he’ll leave for sure.

(doorbell rings)

REIJI: Ah, yeah!

REIJI: He got here faster than I thought.

(Reiji opens the door)

REIJI: Hey, sorry for the wait.

AYUMU: Is this okay? (Ayumu hands him the plates)

REIJI: W-wait…! Y-you… How many did you bring?

AYUMU: It’s a set of six. Don’t break them.

REIJI: No matter how you think about it, six plates is unnecessary…

AYUMU: Don’t hesitate to use them. I’m coming in.

(Ayumu closes the door behind him and walks inside)

AYUMU: There’s really nothing here… There’s no sofa so where should I sit?

REIJI: There’s a chair by the kitchen counter, right? Wait there.

AYUMU: … Th-this chair that looks like a bar stool…?

(Ayumu sits down)

AYUMU: … I’m not used to it…

REIJI: Bear with it.

REIJI: How hungry are you, Ayumu?

AYUMU: The normal amount.

REIJI: Then, salad, roast beef, and pasta should do, huh?

REIJI: You’re okay with Caesar salad, right?

AYUMU: Y-yeah… You can cook?

REIJI: Simple stuff, yeah. I can make roast beef and use the rice cooker.

AYUMU: Wh-what in the world are you planning to make me eat?

REIJI: Ah, did you just imagine something amazing?

REIJI: It’s okay, I’m sure it’d be more delicious than store-bought food.

[09:33]

AYUMU: Thank you for the meal.

REIJI: Thank you for enjoying it.

REIJI: Ah, I can return the plates next time, right?

AYUMU: Yeah. If you want, you can have them in exchange for Japanese sweets.

REIJI: You’re bargaining?

(Ayumu coughs)

AYUMU: Want me to help with cleaning?

REIJI: Nah, it’s not much.

AYUMU: Really?

(Ayumu coughs again)

AYUMU: Then, I’ll be heading for home now.

REIJI: This is my first time meeting a guy who says that. (2)

REIJI: Ah, wait!

AYUMU: What?

(Reiji opens a cupboard door)

REIJI: Here, take this with you.

AYUMU: Honey?

REIJI: I’ll give it to you to make up for teasing you~

AYUMU: You… Wh-what are you thinking?

AYUMU: Ah…! You’re bribing me?!

REIJI: What for?!

REIJI: Are you sure you don’t want it? It’s from that shop that sells Japanese sweets so~

AYUMU: …! If that’s the case then I’ll accept it. I’m thankful.

REIJI: As usual, your countenance changes so fast when Japanese sweets are involved.

AYUMU: You don’t need anything else, right?

REIJI: Yeah, you can go back.

REIJI: Ah…! That honey’s expiration date is close so you better eat it fast.

AYUMU: Wha--?! You… You just wanted to get rid of it, huh…

REIJI: Then you don’t need it~

AYUMU: I’m not returning something I’ve already been given! Plus… the honey did nothing wrong. I’ll be eating it soon.

(Ayumu opens the door)

AYUMU: Don’t oversleep tomorrow.

REIJI: I know, I know. Sleep properly too, okay?

AYUMU: I know that, Mom.

REIJI: (laughs)

(Ayumu leaves and closes the door)

REIJI: I hope he got the message… That he’s catching a cold…

REIJI: He’s the type to not notice that about himself…

==END==

Translator’s Notes:

(1) Reiji actually calls Ayumu 「雨男/ameotoko」whose common translation is, “a person whose presence seems to invite rain”. Using that would be too long so I just simplified it to its other (more literal) translation, “rain man” XD

(2) Ayumu says 「お暇/oitoma」which is kinda like, a lesser/uncommon way of saying “I’ll be taking my leave/I’m going home now/I’ll be heading back” so Reiji was kinda shocked about it.

※ Please don’t re-post the English translations without permission.

If you like this, please consider buying me a ko-fi here to support my work. (o^▽^o)Thank you!!

#vazzrock #rock down #vazzrock translations #my translations #tsukipro #drama cd #reiji's like the lowkey mom friend who's concerned but doesn't wanna show that he's concerned XD

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hieroglyphicsqiosang · 6 years ago

Text

The Long Bright Dark [English Version]chapter 1

A translation of the first chapter of my fic "The Long Bright Dark"

summary :

Marty knew he couldn't help but come back, just trying to catch the shadow of the past, though all was meaningless now.

Something about Marty around the divorce,2002 and after. Text without beta. Sorry for all the bad writings and mistakes.

chapter 1

This was Marty's sixth time back here.

He returned home that night and found Maggie waiting for him alone in the dark kitchen. The house was empty, in a dreadful silence. She spoke to him, with a smile of victory and contempt. He watched her lips move, her voice striking his ear drums, calm and clear,but he barely caught what she was saying. He found the girls had been sent to Maggie's parents' beforehand - She told him this morning that they would go to the cinema and damn,he didn't even doubt it. He had never seen her like this before. Her gentleness,her wisdom and elegance, all was gone. For the first time he saw the imprints of years on her face, the cold lines beside her lips showing scorn. That wasn't his wife,just a hurt woman,broken into pieces, but hatred made her strong, cruel and malicious. He couldn't believe she became so horrible — he didn't know which one was the real Maggie, the warm harbor and pillar of his family, or the cold Nemesis of revenge. Fear overwhelmed his anger. She watched him collapse, tasting his pain until satisfied, then picked up her keys and left. He heard the slam of the front door, but still lying on the cold kitchen floor, feeling all his strength was washed away.

What kind of anger and resentment drove her into this - decisively destroyed all her goodness in his heart.

What was more terrifying, he knew it was him who ruined her glory, deteriorated their dreamy marriage into a nightmare.

Maggie had completely become a stranger since that destructive night - so was Audrey, and Maisie, and everything he was familiar with. Like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from. He stepped into a different world, a world exactly the same as the one he was used to, but only he was cursed and exiled.People no longer recognized him and smiled at him any more.

Maggie left him with 24 hours to pack his belongings, then kicked him out as discarding a big piece of junk - she told him she didn't care wherever he went. He began to spend nights at different hotels and houses of friends. For a period of time they only communicated by lawyers. He never saw his girls again, Maggie avoided their meeting. Once in the court, he caught a sight of Audrey and Maisie in Maggie's car, waiting outside in the street. He rushed out but they just looked away, and rolled up the window.

The first time Marty went back to their home was after Maggie applied for a restraining order - he couldn't believe she had done that, but he wasn't too surprised - now she wouldn't let herself be detered by anything. Seeing his car parking in the driveway, she strode out and barred the way of him - You don't want yourself get arrested right? That'll be fun for all the Homicide. - There was anger burning in her eyes. Hey, you really look nice. - Marty only had this in mind - In the Middle Ages you could be Joan of Arc. - he couldn't help but saying. Maggie stared at him in surprise, then let out a laugh - I'm glad you still have some sense of humour. - she crossed her arms and looked at him coldly - go away, or I'm gonna call the police.

The next several times, Marty didn't approach the house, but looked from a distance under a tree outside a neighbor's yard. After nightfall, he could see them in the window of the kitchen, usually only Maggie and Maisie, having their supper at the table. Audrey didn't show up. She hadn't eaten with them for the last three months, just took the food in her room after they finished, like an elf who stole the milk in the fairy tale book he read for the girls when they were young. They were eating pasta but no Parmesan cheese - he felt a sting in the chest - there was never a Parmesan cheese on their table because he didn't like it. Maisie scratched her nose, seemed to have a cold. Maggie shook her head. They looked easy and relaxed, Tomorrow was Saturday, he thought, Maisie would wait for her cartoon in the morning, and he would sort out his collection of fishhooks in his room while listening to the fishing channel, until Maggie called them to clean their room - and now, Maggie had to deal with the old vacuum alone. He couldn't remember where those fishhooks had gone, there were too many trifles he had forgotten.

He kept lingering there until Maggie and Maisie cleaned up the table then left the kitchen.The light was off, but he still stood there. The watered lawn dampened his shoes, making his feet cold.But he just couldn't leave, as if being anchored in the ground.

A few hours later, the block was all settled down into silence. Marty was sitting under the tree,sleepy. The house is dark and quiet, the only light was in Audrey's window. He was startled when the window opened and Audrey got out. She was barefoot, her hair had been cut short. She took a few steps on the roof and sat down on the ridge of the kitchen. Marty saw a flash of fire, she lit a cigarette - Marty knew she smoked, there was always a faint smell of smoke in her room - but she never smoked in front of the family. She finished one quietly, then hooked out a small bottle from her pocket and took a sip - shit, it looked like a hip flask, Marty wondered where she got it - another sip, until she emptied the bottle. She hugged her legs to her chest and buried her head in the knees, as if exhausted by an invisible burden. It reminded him of that time, when he and Maggie separated years ago, one night Maggie phoned him in panic and said she couldn't find Audrey. He drove back from Rust's in a minute. Finally they found Audrey in Maggie's car. She was the same at that time - dumb and still, curling up like a scared cub. Seeing Marty, she sprung up and grabbed him tightly around his neck - now she wasn't the little girl any more, holding the bottle in hand, but her shoulders trembling, she was crying.

Marty felt an urge to rush out, climb up the roof and hold her in his arms, telling her that dad was here,everything would be alright. He didn't care how many neighbors would be waken, nor did he care whether he would be arrested by his colleagues or not. He couldn't remember when he hugged Audrey last time, maybe two years ago, when she caught a flu and got a high fever. He realized that he never truely understood her, and never had the will to do it -- just think, his little girl was growing up to a young woman he couldn't get to know, something strange and dangerous was tearing her from inside - it frightened him so much that he could hardly face her. He admitted that Maggie was always stronger. He flinched and run away, leaving the family's burden aside, leaving her to bear it alone. Why hadn't he understand it until now - but Audrey had stood up, wipping her face with hands. Her face was as pale as the moonlight. Stepping on the roof, she got back into her window.

It’s too late, they don't need you anymore, You trapped them. Without you, they will be free.

Icy voice rang in the back of his head, the voice was so familiar,like -

Rust Cohle. No. No. Go away. Damn it. Never let me think of him.

The fifth time back here, Marty was shocked to find that the whole house was empty.Some workers were doing remodeling. Maggie didn't tell him she had sold the place. Maybe she found out he was spying on them, or maybe she told herself to get rid of everything related to him and erase him from memory. He walked across the lawn, which was neglected and out of trimming for long, his knees shaking, his eyes blurring. The small hut behind the garage was gone - it was built by him before Maisie was born,shortly after they moved into this house - he was so busy that year, Maggie was pregnant, so he almost took on all the decoration work. He remembered that Maggie had done all the painting work herself and Audrey played with the brushes and pigments happily. When the hut was completed, they were all covered with paint. It used to be the rainbow lodge of Audrey and Maisie, when they grew older, it became the kennel of Audrey's dog,Pippi. After Pippi was gone - nephritis or enteritis, he never figured out, and Audrey cried for a week - they never kept pets again. The hut was forgotten by the children, Maggie used it as a storage of mower and gardening tools, though he never understood why he had to spend so much time on a useless patch.

The fig tree outside the bedroom window, which was planted by Maggie and the girls, was plucked out by the roots, lying pitifully in the dust. It was Maisie who initiated the idea for her biology class. He didn't recall if she told him about it, but when he came home from work that day, the girls ran to him with muddy face, pulling his hands to show him the little seedling proudly. He never expected the tree would grow so fast. The leaves covered the the bedroom's windnow, the branches bent over by heavy fruits.He and Maggie were often waked up by the sounds of the fruits falling on the roof at night.

The front door had been taken down. Automaticall, Marty staggered into the empty living room. Curtains, wallpapers, floor tiles, nothing left. He prefers their old wallpapers - light flowers on the white background. He remembered the time Maggie carefully selected wallpapers in the store, she told him she believed their children would have his blue eyes, and this wallpaper would match with them best - Though Maggie's sister, Angela, and her husband, a state government contractor, showed apparent disdain when they came to their new house. Maggie couldn't stop laughing when Audrey succeeded in splashing a cup of coffee on Angela's shirt. He liked to see Maggie in the lilac skirt, playing flute on the window sill,like a dream in the moonlight. She was a talented player, a star of the university music club, but gradually gave up the hobby after their daughters were born, and the flute was forgotten in the box on the wardrobe.

They refurbished the house three years ago - this time he and Rust were busy with the "parking lot killer" case, Maggie took on all the work. To be honest, Marty didn't quite like the new style - it reminded him of the house of Maggie's parents. The living room, decorated with small flowers before, had a new look now,it looked like the reception room of the State University. But he knew he had left all the housework to Maggie, so he lost the voice on it - it didn't bother him too much. The same was Maggie's new clothes, new hairstyle, and new perfume. We can't be cowboy and farm girl forever. - she said. He didn't care much about Maggie's appearance - she was impeccable all the time - but he really hoped she would always be his merry girl in a floral shirt, hair braided with wildflowers, laughing and shining in the summer sun,

The doorposts at the entrance of the kitchen were also painted. There were so many marks on them before - lines long and short ,drawn by different colors. In those years, they used to record Audrey and Maisie's height every three months , sometimes he and Maggie wrote them on the doorpost, sometimes the girls drew them by colored pencils. They liked to make comparison and see who grew faster. Marty still remembered Maisie asked if she would grow taller than him someday when she was five.

Now the lines all disappeared forever.

All was gone. Was everything of the past a dream? He wondered. He never expected one day his life would be the same as Rust's room. Empty.Deserted.

Even Rust had vanished,too.

Blank. Nought.

A few months later,for the sixth time, Marty came back here. Not surprisingly, the house had new dwellers. He sat in his car and watched a man and his kid washing their car in the yard. The smell of supper filled the air.

He knew he couldn't help but come back, just trying to catch the shadow of the past, though all was meaningless now.

#True Detective #my fic #my translation #Marty Hart #2002 #I'm still keen to the breaking of Harts' family

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