#Ugh he just fills everything out so perfectly I need a drink of water excuse me

[taronunwin]

Suits were invented so they could be worn by him and that’s a fact

[simeons-sinful-saint]

Summertime Happiness

(OM) Boys (excluding Simeon, Solomon) x GN!Reader

Synopsis: the beach episode

WC: 3.2k

Note: it’s summer, and I miss the beach. I really want to go so I projected it here. I will say this is a part one bc I plan on writing smut for part two and you get to pick which ending you want. For example, you could pick to spend the night with Diavolo or you could choose Mammon. I’m challenging myself to write for each character so we’ll see how that goes.

“Beach! beach! Beach!” Mammon, Asmo, and Levi were chanting in the back of the car.

“Guys, we’re not even halfway there.” You groaned. They had been like that ever since you got to the human world. They then started squabbling about what to do. Mammon then tried to steal Levi’s tablet. Asmo seemed to ignore them completely.

“This would be our first human world beach! Of course, we’re excited. Just think of all the photos I could post.” Asmo was gleeful, the main person who suggested this trip.

“Well can you guys keep it down. I’ll turn this car around if you don’t!” They shut up, leaving you able to concentrate on the road, “You guys are lucky that Lucifer is in the other car.”

“I didn’t know you could drive MC.” Satan was in the front seat next to you.

“Of course! I’ve been driving since I was 16.”

“I’m sure you could teach Mammon how to drive safer.”

“Oi! Quit insulting me!”

“Honestly, why couldn’t Belphie be in my car. He’d just sleep.” You grumbled under your breath.

“I still don’t understand why Diavolo would want to come here when he has a beach of his own. Besides the beach is stupid.” Satan was now complaining. The choir in the back started up again, and you could feel the headache develop.

Instead of listening to them, you turned the music up to drown out the noise they were making.

That’s when Barbatos gave you a call. You answered it hands free, “hello?”

“MC, it seems the young lord would like to visit the nearest rest stop. He wants to see a human world gift shop.”

“There will be gift shops at the beach!”

“You don’t understand MC! I heard rest stop gift shops offer a wide variety of trinkets that the state offers.” Diavolo sounded too excited for you to say no.

“Also, Beel ran out of food, and we don’t want him to rampage in the car.” Lucifer sounded annoyed, probably because he got put in the back seat since Barbatos was driving.

“I’m hungry…” you could practically hear Beel’s stomach growl from the backseat as well.

“I suppose we need to fill the cars up with gas as well. There should be a rest stop at the next exit.”

“Understood. We’ll follow you to the rest stop of your choice.” Barbatos hung up. The music resumed. Hopefully, they didn’t hear the commotion from the back of your car.

You pulled off the next exit to arrive at a big gas station/truck stop. Parking your car at a pump, the others got out of the car to stretch their legs.

“You guys go ahead and get some snacks or drinks. Make sure to get me one too. The others should show up shortly.”

They walked into the shop thankfully not arguing. Barbatos shortly pulled in at the pump opposite of your car.

They also got out, and Diavolo practically ran to the shop with Beel following behind him.

“Lucifer, please don’t let them get into any trouble. That’s the last thing we need.” He nodded already looking annoyed. Upon inspecting their car, you could see Belphie peacefully sleeping in the back seat.

Barbatos walked over with a map consulting you on the best route to the beach. Their D.D.Ds didn’t have human world GPS, and of course, they didn’t have any human world phones to access it (and you weren’t planning on buying a new phone.) With a pen, you highlighted the route after consulting your GPS. You knew that Barbatos wouldn’t get lost behind you, but it was nice having this assurance.

Barbatos then turned around and excused himself from your discussion, heading towards the gas station shop. You tended to both of the cars, making sure that they were filled up and ready to go.

When you saw all of them come back to the car, Mammon was thrown over Barbatos’s shoulder.

“Put me down!”

“I’m sorry MC, but Mammon will be riding with us now.” You didn’t even want to know. Beel now was in your car, which solved part of the headache that was going on.

Lucifer simply texted you:

Mammon tried to steal

You knew that Mammon was going to be harshly punished in Barbatos’s car which he deserved. The last thing y’all needed was for the cops to come and arrest Mammon.

You noticed how many bags of souvenirs Diavolo was putting in the back of the car. It looked like he swept the store clean of everything. Same with Beel but with food.

“Beel, please make sure to not get food everywhere in my car. My parents would kill me if I ruined their seats.” He nodded and kept chowing down on the bag of chips he got.

Satan just shook his head and handed you a granola bar and a soda. Thankfully someone remembered to get what you asked for.

You all loaded the cars back up and set off once more. This time your car was quieter, and you were so thankful for that on the rest of the way to the beach.

—

“Finally! We’re here!” Asmo exclaimed when you parked the car at the condo y’all would be spending time at. Barbatos shortly pulled in next to you.

They got out of the car and met up with you, “We’ll need rolling carts for all of our luggage and supplies. They should be in the lobby’s office.”

Lucifer and Barbatos left to go fetch them and check in to the condo for you.

It was surprisingly easy to get all of the suitcases, beach supplies, and coolers up to the room. You made sure to get a big condo so everyone could get their own room (saved yourself the headache of who will be rooming with who.)

“Alright everyone, time to set up the ground rules!” You gathered everyone to the common room, “Make sure you all remember your human world names. Please do not stray too far from the others. We do have the beach for ourselves here, but the public beach isn’t too far from here. Please be careful to not wander that way. We have an itinerary for dinner and free times. Please do try to behave yourselves over the week we are here. Other than that, we’ll have fun!”

They all agreed and left to go unpack their stuff.

“I really hope we can get through this without any trouble. We’re spending too much money being here instead of being in Devildom.”

—

The sand was nice and warm. The sunlight danced over the waves, making the ocean sparkle. Lucifer and Barbatos already got the umbrellas and beach chairs prepared, so all the rest had to do was get into swimsuits.

Running out to settle down on a chair basking in the sunlight was your first objective.

“MC, you need to apply sunscreen before you sit out in the sun.” Barbatos walked over with the spray on sunscreen.

“Right. I forgot.”

“MC, I can help you put on your sunscreen!” Asmo ran over to you, “Then you can rub it all over my body.”

“Oi! If anyone is going to rub sunscreen on them, it’s going to be me. I’m their first so I have that right!” Mammon was quick to swoop in and grab the bottle out of Asmo’s hand.

“You can’t use that excuse every time. Especially since you’ll never admit how you feel.” Satan was the next one to take the bottle.

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, you know you’re a simp.” Levi came up to y’all, “O-Of course I will apply sunscreen on you MC. Who am I kidding you’ll never pick me.” You could hear every mumble under Levi’s breath.

“What on earth are you all doing?” It was Lucifer, “they are perfectly capable of putting sunscreen on themselves.”

“But their back! They couldn’t possible read that part,” Asmo flirted, “and I’m the perfect person.”

Lucifer rolled his eyes and took the bottle out of Satan’s hands, “I’ll put on your sunscreen MC”

“No fair! How come you get to do it?” They started to whine. Honestly at this point you didn’t care who put it on you.

“Thank you, Lucifer,” you turned your back towards him so he could apply the lotion on you. Feeling his hand run up and down your skin did feel nice.

The others continued to bitch at Lucifer about it.

“Haha! Your brothers are lively as always.” Diavolo stood next to Lucifer, who only sighed at his comment.

“I’m afraid so.”

Now that everyone was prepared, Mammon, Asmo, Levi, and Beel ran towards the water. Belphie was already asleep on a beach chair. Satan sat next to him with a book in hand. Diavolo was forcing Lucifer to build a sandcastle with him, while Barbatos helped by carrying buckets of ocean water.

A smile grew on your face as you ran towards the ocean yourself with a floaty, finally able to relax and play with everyone there.

When entering the nice warm water, you’re immediately dunked in. Rising back up,

“Mammon! You ass!” You move your hair out of your face.

“It’s ok MC, he did the same to me. He has a death wish,” Asmo looked furious. Every time he’s swim close to Mammon, he would simply swim away.

“Didn’t peg you as a good swimmer.”

“The great Mammon can do many things!” His laughter was infectious, and your anger fizzled out as you see the brothers chasing each other.

“Ugh, what normies.”

“What did you expect to do out here Levi?”

“Well you see I saw in this anime called A Trip to the Beach turns into a romance story and-“

“Forget I asked. I’m surprised that Mammon didn’t dunk you.”

“The water doesn’t scare me.”

“Makes sense. You do kind of control water. I guess this would be the best place to summon Lotan, besides the fact this is a human world beach.”

“Hahaha. I have no plans of doing that. My Ruri-Chan towel and bag would get soaked, and I don’t want that.”

“Right…”

You then heard eating sounds in your ear. Turning around, you see Beel mouth full of fish, “You can’t just eat the marine life here!”

“But I was hungry…”

“Then go to shore and grab some of the food we brought down here!”

Beel took you up on that offer as soon as he finished devouring the fish he caught with his bare hands. You just prayed he left something for the rest of you, lest you have to go back to the condo and get more.

Mammon quickly swam back and hid behind your back, practically using you as a shield.

“Don’t use MC to protect you!” Asmo was coming in hot. You dunked yourself under the water for Asmo to finally catch Mammon and push his head in the water.

Upon both of you returning to the surface, you shook your head to get the salt water out of your ears.

“You pushed too hard Asmo!” Mammon bitched.

“You brought this upon yourself!”

“Can you both shut up? I’m trying to fantasize about Ruri-Chan.”

“Stay out of this otaku!” They both shouted at the same time. Levi clammed up.

“Of course, they think I’m some weird gross shut in…”

“Oh Levi, that’s not true. Just let those two idiots fight and dunk each other under water. Let’s go back to shore and hunt for seashells!” He felt better from your words. Grabbing the floatie that seemed to be abandoned (you’re glad it didn’t float away into the sea), you both swam back and went to dry yourselves off.

Beel was devouring all of the food in the coolers you brought.

“Satan! Why didn’t you restrain him?”

“Huh, it’s not my job to keep Beel from eating everything. That’s Belphie’s.” You glanced to see that he was asleep basking in the summer sun.

“Of course.” You turned your attention back to Satan, “why don’t you come with Levi and I to hunt for seashells?”

“No.” It was immediate and caught you off guard, “I’m at the climax of this book, and I’ll do beach stuff when I’m done. Except go into the water.”

“Still don’t get it, but whatever.”

You grabbed the necessary supplies to gather seashells, and you made your way back to the shoreline with Levi by your side.

“Let’s see if we can find one that’s not broken! I’d love to get to a nice cone shaped one” Levi cheered up.

So far, you’ve only found broken sand dollars and pieces of broken corral, “well this isn’t great.”

“Oi! Why you hogging MC all to yourself?” Mammon always knew how to ruin a moment.

“Hey, Mammon~”

“Y-yeah?”

“You want a dollar?”

“Yes! Giving money to me is an investment-“

You simply placed a sand dollar in his hand causing Levi to practically die, howling about how you got him good.

Mammon just stood there looking like he could turn to dust at any moment. You couldn’t help but laugh.

Satisfied with your haul, you and Levi placed the bucket of shells back at the beach chairs.

“Still reading Satan?”

“Yes, and it’s getting good so leave me alone.” You roll your eyes in response. Levi said he would chill with Satan in the shade, something about getting his daily log on bonuses.

Shrugging, you turn on the group you hadn’t visited yet.

“Lucifer! Diavolo! How’s the sandcastle coming?”

“Well…I tried making a sand sculpture of Lucifer, but it doesn’t look anything like him.” Diavolo pouted. Upon looking at the pile of sand, you tried to hold back your laughter. If this was supposed to be Lucifer, then Asmo should really give him a makeover.

“The important thing is you tried Diavolo,” Lucifer tried to hide his annoyance, but of course he was bad at that (he would never admit it though.)

“Maybe we should take a break, my lord.”

“I guess so.” You felt bad and patted Diavolo on the back.

“You’ll get it right the next time you do it. Here why don’t I show you something humans do on the beach!”

Diavolo perked up, and the three of them followed you back to the shaded umbrella where their beach chairs were. You sauntered off and grabbed four bottles of beer and a bag of limes you cut up earlier (thankful that Beel didn’t eat them.)

You handed them the beer as well as a bottle opener, “Ok, so typically on the beach with this brand of beer, you push a lime into the neck of the bottle. It helps add flavor to the drink of the summer here.”

You demonstrated for them, even though Barbatos was a step ahead of you anyway. Diavolo looked at it all with wonder, taking a sip after preparing it, “Fascinating! Is this really what humans do?”

“Some. I like to do it when I go to the beach. It’s nice and relaxing. Plus, the advertising says to do this.”

“I do have to say, it does add a little aromatic flavor. However, I’ll have to decline drinking more than I already have.” Barbatos handed the bottle back to you. Even though you knew he had his reasons, it bummed you out a little.

“Well Lucifer! What do you think?” Diavolo turned towards his friend who was happily drinking his.

“Honestly, I needed some sort of break after being in the sun for so long.”

“Well, I’m glad I was able to help.” Lucifer smiled at your response, praising you about how you’re always a help to everyone.

You sat down next to them on the sand and just took in the calmness of the beach air, the smell of salty sea water filling your nose. It was enjoyable to have one moment of relaxation.

“Hey MC! Belphie’s awake! Help us throw him into the ocean!” You could hear Mammon from the other side of the beach.

“Your brothers are always so exciting, Lucifer,” Diavolo was laughing and was waiting for Lucifer to laugh along with him.

“More like a headache…”

“I’ll go over there so they don’t bother you three. Remember to get the relaxation you need. The three of you work way too hard, you deserve a break. That goes for you to Barbatos! You don’t have to be a butler here.”

He laughed at your comment, “So noted.”

Satisfied, you ran back over to the others.

“If you like to live, you’ll let go of me” Belphie was trying to fight, but with Mammon, Asmo, and Levi together, he didn’t stand a chance.

“Same for you Beel! Put me down so I can finish my book!”

“Nah, you can finish your book later. We’re at the beach. You should have fun with us!” Mammon had a death wish. They managed to pull Belphie and Satan into the water. Belphie at this point had already given up.

Satan, however, was like trying to bathe a cat. Extremely unhappy about it. He screamed profanities and was about to go apeshit, until you were by his side and holding his hand.

“It’s ok Satan. They just want you to have fun.” He huffed in response with a hint of blush developing on his face.

Finally, all of you were in the ocean, splashing water at each other, seeing who could hold their breath the longest, and float around letting the water massage your worries away.

The fun eventually was coming to a close. The sun started to set, and everyone went to pack everything up.

“Hold on!”

They turned to look at you who has a mischievous look on your face, holding up sparklers in their face, “They’re a lot of fun to have on the beach too.”

Everyone was about to decline until, “Ohhhh, that sounds like fun. I’ll do it with you MC.”

Diavolo started to take sparklers from your hand and went to get a lighter.

“Well, I guess I can do it too.” Mammon said.

“It does sound like fun. Plus, I can take all sorts of photos to post when we get back to Devildom.” Asmo ran to be by your side.

“Don’t eat the sparklers Beel,” Belphie said walking over with his twin.

“W-well it’s a normie thing to do, but if MC wants to do it then I will too.” Levi took a sparkler from the packet.

“As long as Lucifer isn’t going to participate then I will too.” Satan said.

“Too bad because Lucifer has to do this too!” Your words sounded very adamant, leaving Satan with no other choice.

Lucifer sighed but then smiled, “As long as your happy MC and Diavolo.”

You squealed in happiness. As you lit the sparklers, everyone waved them around. Asmo took photos of everyone with theirs. Mammon tried writing words (they didn’t look good.) The rest were happy to chase each other with Diavolo and Lucifer standing on the side. Diavolo was mesmerized by the sparks shooting out, and Lucifer couldn’t help but laugh with him.

Barbatos filmed the entire thing for everyone to remember later. One of the best days ever.

—

After showering, you noticed the night was still young. Everyone was kind of doing their own thing now.

You didn’t want the night to end too soon. Hitting up the town seemed like a good idea.

You sat thinking of who you should bring with you.

[writingsfromhome]

Water under the Bridge (Josslyn II)

A/N: Okay! Here it is!!!! This was fun and made my heart hurt a little but maybe I’m just being emotional. And can you guys believe it’s been over a year since I posted Josslyn?? Where has the time gone?? I don’t think we’re on the sacred timeline anymore........Anyway thank you anon who suggested this storyline, and hope y’all enjoy! <3

Josslyn (Original)

------

We’re going to have the best weekends evr, Regan texts me even though she’s just in the other room. Schedules were released for our summer semester and Regan and I had managed to get Fridays off. Summer was going to be so fun, and after two years doing college together we were experts at managing our workload to have fun on the weekends--even if that meant sacrificing a few nights’ sleep.

We’ll make summer our bitch, I text back. I hear a chuckle from her room.

Help me pick out a fit? she texts. I want to tell her Adam would love her in whatever, but I head to her room instead and watch her try on a dozen outfits before settling on the second. I tease her about Adam--they were going steady since first year, but she still got so nervous about him sometimes. Adam’s college was a train ride away so he would come down at least one weekend a month.

As for my own love life, there’d been no one steady. I did the whole hooking up and dating scene in first year but I was romantically burnt out by second. Nowadays, I could go home with someone if I chose to, but I also didn’t mind if I didn’t. My active endeavor to find a boyfriend had stopped when I realized I was trying to fill a gap. Instead, I was learning to be happy on my own.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you?” Regan asks. She was taking the train to Adam’s college and staying with him, there was this big start-of-summer party and she’d been trying to convince me for weeks.

“I don’t feel like being a third wheel,” I tell her honestly.

“You don’t have to!” She goes over her one argument again. “Gaelle’s roommate isn’t even back until next week so she has a spare room! She said you should come. Plus,” she ties her hair up, “it’s the weekend before the semester starts so have some fun.”

I make a noise, and she turns to look at me, totally judging me. It makes me laugh. “That’s why my version of fun is to.binge Netflix and-”

“Y/N!” She groans.

“Fine! I’ll go.”

Two words that would change everything.

***

By the time we get to the campus, Regan and I had come up with a dozen things we could potentially do this summer. I’m high on excitement as we meet up with Gaelle, and the three of us head to Adam’s place.

The sun is almost set by the time we leave, most of the sky is dark but a streak of orange stays stubbornly on the horizon. I pause to take pictures before we’re rushing off.

We approach the frat house--if you could call it that. It was half glass with a very modern structure. The greek symbol on the side of the house was the only indicator it wasn’t a millionaire’s summer-house.

“Since when did frat houses get so modern?” I ask. “This is...nice.”

“Wait ‘til you see inside,” Adam says. And he was right, even the drinks were fancier with their own guy behind the bar...although he was taking the occasional shot and getting progressively drunk.

We settle in an area close to the music and get swept up into the party atmosphere. Some people were beyond drunk already and I enjoyed the slight buzz of the drink in my hand. The views from inside with floor-to-ceiling windows were amazing.

Pretty soon, Adam and Regan break off. We move towards the centre of the party where the typical party shenanigans were happening. We tip back our drinks and pretty soon I’m straddling the line between tipsy and drunk. I find a cute boy with blonde hair and deep brown eyes and makeout with him until he gets too handsy.

“Ugh!” I give him one last shove and look for Gaelle but I’d lost her too. I search for a bathroom but they’re either occupied or have a lineup. This was a huge ass house, one of the bedrooms had to have one.

I open the first door to shouting.

“It’s called locking the door!” I shout drunkenly as I close it. The next room actually is locked, and the next one isn’t but I wish it was. “Eugh.”

I climb up to the topmost level, three doors--one was locked with the sound of people inside and the second is a bathroom. I was grateful people hadn’t made it up this far.

As I wash up, and touch up the mascara that was crusting under my eyes the door shakes as someone bangs on it from the other side.

“Dip! What the fuck are you doing in there? Everyone’s waiting for you!”

My heart pounds at the sudden noise and the deep voice demanding me to open up. The rush of adrenaline sobers me for a moment as I rush to open the door, “Sorry I didn’t realise anyone was...waiting.”

My words slow down and freeze altogether as I realise the fist banging on the door belonged to...him. Harry. He seems just as surprised as me, straightening up before a smile slowly inches across his face, it was almost sweet bordering on predatory. “Y/N!”

“Hi,” I say awkwardly. There was a lot of history and also not at all. I was also, I decide, too drunk for this. Act sober, this is not the night to run into this fucker.

“You-you’re the last person I was expecting to--excuse me it’s... good to see you! You look--you look as beautiful as ever!”

The events from high school that created this tense history between Harry and I was one of the worst things possible to happen to teenage Y/N. The thing is though, that I’d totally bounced back after I had decided he could fuck himself. Although it was awkward seeing him every day until graduation, it made me tougher. I credit it for making me so casual about relationships now...I stopped expecting so much of the boys I saw.

But leaving high school behind, my world expanded with college, I realised how childish it had all been: I’d had a fling with a player, and he’d played the field...It wasn’t that deep. But seeing him now, It made me aware in a way I wasn’t for a long time. Maybe what they said about distance had some merit. Or maybe I was just buzzed.

“Thanks...I wasn’t expecting you either.”

“You don’t uh, you don’t go here do you? I’ve never seen you around.”

“No,” I look out to the small hall but there’s no one there. The room that was previously locked is slightly ajar carrying male voices. “Adam goes here, I’m...with Regan.”

“Ah, Regan.” He smiles. “You’re still two peas in a pod?”

“Obviously,” The stiffness eases at the mention of my best friend. “So...can I get out of here?”

“Yeah sorry,” he moves aside so I can step into the hall. “Um, we’re playing video games in here room if you...you’re probably not interested.”

I clear my throat, Harry was playing video games when there was a party downstairs? I was curious, that maybe he changed.

“Oh,” he laughs and the dimples I adored make an appearance. “I’ve still got it! My frat just hosts too many parties for me to keep track.”

I guess I said that out loud, I bite my tongue but it really has a life of it’s own. “Did you jussay you still got it?” Oh my god, I was teasing him already. What about Harry made me absolute putty.

“Yeah,” he looks almost bashful. “Uhm, go easy I’m a little nervous here Y/N.”

I don’t know what to say to that, I bite my lip so nothing stupid comes out.

“So you’re just here for the night?” He carries on.

“Staying over with a friend,”

“A fr-” he cuts himself off, pressing his lips together. I realize I’m staring and look away.

“I should go-”

“Wait I-wait uh, how have you been? I haven’t seen you in years.”

“Yea,” I play with the rings on my fingers. “M’good, great. College’s a lot better than high school.”

“It’s not even comparable,” Harry says as he leans his shoulder against the wall. He looks perfectly placed there, and a tipsy voice flashes inappropriate thoughts into my head. “So...any...boyfriends?”

“Um,” that was direct. “No. No, I’m trying out being single...”

“Did something happen?” His expression is still casual but he holds himself rigid.

“No? A girl can’t be single?”

“Sure but someone like you...I’m just surprised.”

“Whatever that means,” I roll my eyes and head past him to go down but he blocks my way.

“Wait, I didn’t mean to offend you...” his voice dies out as I cross my arms. “I also didn’t mean to block you in.”

He steps aside and it feels painful to me but I take the small steps towards the staircase. One part of me--I blame the tipsy stupid part, wants to kiss him just to see if there was still something there, see if anything’s changed. The other was listing all the reasons this was an awful idea, to top it off he was a proven player, has broken my trust once before, and went to a school almost 2 hours from mine.

“Y/N,” Harry’s gruff voice says from behind me. My feet turn without permission and he’s right behind me. “M’sorry. Let me start over.”

I glance at his lips, damn. I can’t meet his eye suddenly. Oh god, I was still pretty tipsy. My mind short-circuits and all I can do is turn back to walk away, down the two sets of stairs, past sweaty bodies and loose limbs. In a great coincidence I bump into Gaelle in what looks like a game room.

“Harry goes here?” I ask--shout at her immediately. Her eyes widen, something passes over her face. “Was no one going to tell me he was going to be here?”

“I’m sorry!” She shouts. “I forgot you two had history!”

“I just wish I was prepared,” I say and she doesn’t hear, I just shake my head when she asks me to repeat. I needed another drink, and Regan. Maybe she could remind me why I stopped caring about him.

As I set off to find her, I’m reminded again how stupid this all was. High school was an ancient dream, we were all different people. I was a different person.

But even though what happened in high school was petty and juvenile, I remember how Harry made me feel. How it felt when we were together--even if it was a joke for him back then, I couldn’t forget the feeling of being seen. Of having arms to fall into, even if I knew they weren’t permanent.

“Regan!” I find her sitting on the dining table while Adam spoke with someone else. Her eyes alight and she waves me over. “I saw him! He...he goes here!”

“Who?” Confusion strings her brows together.

“Harry! From...you know Harry! He was upstairs! I--I didn’t know how to act.”

“Shit Harry! I forgot he went here!”

“You knew?” I throw my hands up.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal! He’s a dick but that was high school?”

“No I-” I sigh. “You’re supposed to tell me he’s still a dick! I saw him and it just got...complicated.”

Regan slides off the table and pulls me into a side hug, we can also hear each other better. “You’re a big kid now, do whatever you want Y/N. Tell him off, kiss his face, take revenge, who the fuck cares? We’re taking the train two hours home after this anyway!”

She had a point. But still...he couldn’t have changed much from the boy who hurt me.

“Adam hangs out with him sometimes,” Regan continues. “Apparently he’s not as bad as high school. He’s...mellowed out.”

“Unreal,” I roll my eyes. Adam was just covering for his friend. We hear a cheer go up behind us and Regan bulges her eyes as two guys help Adam up on his hands to do a keg stand.

Regan swears and heads back to him. I walk away, somehow feeling more and less confused after talking to Regan--do I go back up and see what this leftover emotion was, or ignore it as a drunken need for comfort?

But it’s like the decision is made for me when a hand wraps around my arm as I move from the dining area to the kitchen. I already know it’s him before I turn.

“Can we talk?” he asks. I nod and his grip loosens, slipping down into my palm. “Upstairs?” He motions to the staircase and we climb up the two flights. This time he leads me into one of the locked doors and although I’ve never been here, I’d been in some version of this room before. It’s familiar.

I ignore the ache when he lets go of my hand once we’re inside. I set my drink down on his desk and perch on the window ledge, it’s not big enough to sit on but has enough space for a few of his books and a speaker. His room’s pretty near, but then again Harry was never messy.

“So what do you want-” I start just as he says “Let me get this off my chest.”

“Go ahead,” I cross my arms before uncrossing them, and then crossing them again. With the way he ruffles his hair and crosses to the door and back, he seems just as nervous.

“You can leave at any time. I just want to say I was an asshole, I still kind of am sometimes. And I’m sorry for what I did to you. I know it’s like what--2 years late but all that with...Josslyn and all that...I’m sorry.”

Hearing her name makes me want to grind my teeth but I let the feeling pass. I reach for my drink instead to give me something to do. “It’s all water under the bridge.”

“Really?” Harry regards me suspiciously. “Because the way you were talking to me out there...”

“You’re just you,” I shrug. “Harry Styles, player and sweet-talker. I was just guarding myself against that.”

“Because of what happened between us?”

“No...maybe. I don’t know. But honestly, I’m not upset with you. It feels like an eternity ago. I guess it’s just self-preservation.”

“I guess,” he echoes. “So where does that leave us? If you’re all self-preserved?”

I eye him but he cracks a smile, he was teasing me. “It doesn’t have to leave us anywhere,” I snort. “We’re water under the bridge Harry...”

“My parents split,” he says suddenly and I’m reeling with the direction he’s taken. I open my mouth, and close it when nothing comes out. “Sorry, I know that’s random it’s just I never really talked to anyone about how they were rarely home and when they were they were always arguing a-and we spoke about it a lot. About our families so I just...”

“I’m sorry to hear that, do they still live in town?” I ask, wanting to put my hand on his or show him I cared but they stay glued to my drink.

“My mom moved into the city, it’s closer to her job and since I’m not living at home anymore it doesn’t really matter...”

“You still go home?” I ask.

“I don’t even know where home is?” He looks at me then, and the look in his eyes chips at the wall I’d been trying to build all night. Things had changed, for him.

“Are you--do you have someone to talk to?”

His laugh is dry, “They split last summer, convinced me to talk to some therapist. I don’t know if it really helped I think I’m actually better off. They’re better off and I just feel...free.”

I don’t know what to say to that so I stay quiet. He looks back up at me then, cracks his knuckles, before perching on his bed. “I’m just--sorry I’m not telling you that so you can feel sorry for me-”

“I don’t I just-”

“No it’s okay I just want to tell you that because you knew about that stuff. But I’m trying to tell you I’m not the same guy. Not completely, I’m just trying to tell you things changed and so have I.”

It echoes the same sentiment I had earlier in his conversation, and I remember Regan said he’s mellowed out. Maybe it was true. It still didn’t mean I was going to get together with him anytime soon but my heart hurts for him. I walk up to where he sits, he watches me with a steady gaze.

In the quiet, I hear the party going on outside the window, three floors below us. If I listen really carefully, I can hear sounds coming from the video game being played next door. In the stillness, I reach for Harry’s hand and he obliges, grasping mine.

“I wish I could...help you with the hurt. Not knowing where to call home is pretty shitty.”

“Don’t worry about me Y/N,” he pastes on his classic smile and I return one for his sake. It was getting heavy in here. “I’m just happy I got to talk to you. And I just found out you don’t hate me so...” he holds our intertwined hands and shakes it. “woo hoo!” I laugh as we let go.

“I guess I should go back to the party.”

“Yeah, okay. I won’t keep you.”

“Okay,” I’m a little stung he doesn’t suggest I stay a little longer. Maybe it was all in my head, maybe his intentions really were to make amends and that’s it. I pick my drink up from his windowsill and move to the door. I glance back before I go, he’s laying on his bed deep in thought, gazing up at the ceiling. I close the door behind me.

***

I wake the next morning, surprisingly well. I can’t say the same for Gaelle who’d passed me her keys at some point and told me she’d be home late. I spent the rest of the party trailing Regan until I decided I should just go crash. Harry hadn’t come out to find me, and I tried to hide the sour feeling, excusing myself early.

“Fuck me,” Gaelle croaks from her bed when I step into her open doorway.

“How about coffee, and pancakes?” I ask, returning the favor of being able to sleep here.

“I’ll take it,” she flops back into bed. I busy myself with measuring coffee and water, my thoughts occupied with everything Harry and I had been through since we last saw each other. I demonized him for so long, humanizing him is harder to swallow.

What he’d done to me was shitty, there was no denying. But had he really changed? And most importantly, why did I care so much? It’s not like he was the one.

My phone rings: Regan. She’s talking so fast I hardly hear her, only really understand that it was a party ritual to gather in the student centre the morning after a big party. Endless coffee and free food seemed to be the general consensus for a party cure.

“I don’t know if I can make it there,” Gaelle says when I tell her. “I was hoping for pancakes at home.”

“I already put the coffee on but I’m hauling your ass there if you’re not up in 5. Our train leaves after noon anyway and it’s closer to the college.”

Slowly but surely Gaelle emerges and we make our way, spotting Regan easily as the bright spot in a sea of college students in PJs and last night’s clothing. She’s the only one fully dressed, with a full face of makeup on.

“I didn’t drink that much,” she shrugs when we settle around her and Adam’s friends. “Unlike some people.” She looks pointedly at Adam who’s slumped where he sits. I remember the kegger and laugh.

Life soon flows back into the group around us as does the coffee and breakfast foods. I’m relaxed in the environment until I look down the tables to where Harry stands, looking back at me. He raises a hand and I do the same until an extremely tall angel--she was literally wearing a halo, probably from last night-walks up to him and wraps her hands around his waist. She says something to him and he tears his gaze away.

I look down at my cup immediately, my cheeks burning with humiliation. I’d been thinking about him all this time, thinking about how it might feel if I kissed him and of course he had a girlfriend. She never came up, but he never said he didn’t either. He didn’t make any moves on me yesterday, if I looked at it he only made an attempt to talk. Sure he was flirty but that was just Harry and I...I was a fool. I was such a fool. Things may have changed for him but he hadn’t. He was still the same Harry who chose Josslyn over me. He would always have a girlfriend, I was just the girl from his past who he could trust. I couldn’t say the same about him.

“What’s wrong,” my best friend nudges me. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I don’t know,” I look into her concerned eyes. “I’m just going to--I’ll be right back.”

I head out and find the closest washroom. The tears are instant and I let myself cry--out of frustration, humiliation, or some twisted sense of betrayal...it was all the same for me. I check the time, I just had to hold myself together and avoid Harry for another 2 hours before we were back on the train home. I would tell Regan everything then.

*** Three weeks later ***

“If Adam’s over later...” Regan trails off. She’s sprawled on my bed while I sit in my desk chair trying to read one more chapter before I close the books for the week.

“I have my earplugs ready and a second place to stay,” I roll my eyes. “I already told Kiara I might crash on her couch.”

“I owe you,” she jumps back up.

“You owe me like, 7 and a half.”

“7 and a half?”

I’m about to answer but a knock on our door has her racing out. I try to ignore the voices, I just had two more pages I had to get through--the joy of summer classes.

“Y/N?: Regan’s voice is a whisper. “We’re going now but...you have a guest. If you want me to kick his ass I totally can though.”

Standing behind her is Harry. I focus on him, yes it really was him. Why was he here?

“Harry?” I sound confused because I am. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and he’d traveled 2 hours just to get here.

“He wouldn’t leave me alone,” Adam says louder as they leave the room. “I’m sorry Y/N...”

“What is this?” I ask. My feelings are at war with each other, I was still feeling slighted by the last time we saw each other but seeing his face was also an exciting surprise.

“I wanted to see you,” Harry says nervously. He still stays at my bedroom door.

“You can come in...” I stand up and realize I was wearing an oversize t-shirt and the scruffiest PJ shorts I owned. “Phones have cameras now, you didn’t have to come all this way.”

He shrugs, taking one step in. “I liked seeing you in person last time. But I feel like we left it wrong.”

He knows I saw him, what conclusions I must have come to. It wouldn’t be that hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We talked it out.”

He comes to life, “Don’t play dumb Y/N I know you saw me with...I know what you thought and-”

“Did you really come all this way to explain that you had a girlfriend? Like, three weeks later?”

“No that’s the thing-”

“Because that’s kind of dumb. And unnecessary-”

“No listen!” He says a bit louder so I do. “The thing is she wasn’t my girlfriend...we’d hung out a few times but she saw me at the caf and got clingy. We’re not an item honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a girlfriend-.”

“So why are you here?” My voice is higher than usual. I was confused, and upset, and I wanted him to leave. This was starting to sound like Josslyn part 2.

“You know why I’m here. Y/N I’ve been nothing but a dick to you and I know I don’t deserve you but I really like you. I want to clear the air, and ask you if you can see something here I...”

He trails off when he notices the tears trailing down my cheek. It’s just too much for me, as I finally face the emotions from that weekend. I’d shoved them aside after Regan had gotten onto the train worried her and Adam were headed towards a breakup. I’d put aside what happened and never thought about it. But my heart broke a little that morning. 

I knew what I knew: maybe Harry and I weren’t good for each other but we were good with each other. In an attempt not to get hurt I’ve been distancing myself from romantic connections--I found more of myself in doing this, but a part of me was missing without exploring it.

Harry moved closer until we’re nearly touching. I wipe my tears with my shoulder and we stand still on the hardwood floors of my room. An eternity passes before he reaches out to wipe the tear caught in my lashes. I close my eyes to his touch, scared of how much I wanted it.

“Y/N,” my name is a breath on his lips and it makes my heart stutter. My eyes open in slow motion, seeing him so vulnerable right in front of me, and suddenly things speed up and we’re reaching for each other; two waves crashing until they become one.

***

I don’t know how much time had passed in minutes, Adam and Regan are still out but Harry and I had fallen together and crashed apart so many times that I’m dizzy with it.

“You’re wonderful,” he says as we face each other, our noses just nearly touching. He trails a finger down my cheek. “Just...incredible.”

I feel the flush spread through me, “Great vocab Styles. We’re really using the big words.”

“Words are sort of hard right now,” he grins. “My brain’s all mush.”

I laugh, “Not much different to its usual state!”

“I knew you were going to say that!” he tries to reach for me but I skip off the bed with a laugh. “Come back.”

“I have to pee,” I slip on pants and can’t stop grinning the whole time I’m away. When I come back in, the blissful smile on his face tells me everything I need to know. I climb over him but he stops me in place, a knee on either side of his hips.

“I’m happiest when I’m with you Y/N,” he says, his voice roughened with emotion. “I think I always was. Younger Harry liked to self-sabotage.”

I bend down and my hair slips around us. The way he looks at me makes my insides mush. And even though I have proof of why I shouldn’t trust him, he’s here. In my bed. Miles away from where he would be if he hadn’t traveled all this way to see me. And that means something.

“I’m glad you’ve done some growing,” I say to him quietly.

“I had to,” he says softly. “I couldn’t have you like I do now if I hadn’t.”

“I guess we’ve both grown,” I brush a curl from his forehead.

“I know, old Y/N would have punched me if I showed up unexpectedly.”

“Rightly so,” I grin. He smiles back, brushing my hair behind my ear, back over my shoulder. He props himself on his elbow to kiss the shoulder he’d bared. It’s simple, and sweet, but it’s enough to unravel me all over again. And he knows it.

“When does Regan get home?”

“We might have another half hour,” I grin.

“Let’s not waste it,” he mumbles into my skin.

I agree.

[perfectpaperbluebirds]

Better Now

A Bla/ck Tap/es podcast sickfic.

I have so many wonderful prompts in my inbox but the only thing I  wanted to write was this wildly self-indulgent and overly long fic that's jam-packed with all my favorite tropes. I blame @matilda3948 for her recent amazing Dr. Strand sickfics for inspiration and @sanquintina for getting me into the podcast in the first place

This is technically Bl/ack Ta/pes fanfic, but you don't need to know anything about the series other than Dr. Strand is a persnickety, serious, stoic, skeptic with a very deep voice and troubled past. 

Set after the end of the series as it stands currently and written in 1st person from the perspective of Strand's unnamed female partner. Could be Alex if you want, could be someone else with whom Strand finally found happiness and contentment. I kept that part generic on purpose.

Richard Strand is many things, but clumsy isn't one of them. So naturally I had to go investigate when early one morning I was startled by the sound of a tea mug shattering on the floor followed by a hastily bitten-off swear word.

In the kitchen I found my husband, the world renowned Dr. Strand, kneeling on the floor mopping up spilled tea. He glanced up with a sniffle as he heard me approach.

"Had it too close to the edge. At least it missed my pants. I think I got all the ceramic bits, but be careful."

His voice was even deeper than usual, low and gravelly from the cold he'd been developing over the past few days. That, paired with his heavy, reddened eyes and generally haggard appearance, gave me concern.

"You look like you hardly slept. How are you feeling?"

"I tossed and turned a bit last night. Couldn't get comfortable."

"Couldn't breathe I think would be more accurate. You were snoring and breathing through your mouth all night."

He sat back on his heels and frowned. "Sorry if I kept you up."

"You don't have to apologize. I'm just worried about you," I added as he winced when he stood, massaging the space between his eyebrows.

He shot me another irritated glance. "I'm fine. I just have a bit of a cold." I couldn't help but notice the weary slump of his shoulders, however. Even his suit looked less crisp than usual. 

I summoned all my wifely tact and tried to make my voice persuasive: "Maybe you should stay home. You don't look like you'll be much use to anyone today."

He made an annoyed sound. "That's very unnecessary. I'm not staying home for a cold."

I looked pointedly out the window where a chilly November rain was pouring down steadily. "You really want to go out into that when you have a perfectly valid excuse not to?"

He too glanced out the window. After a moment he shook his head and cleared his throat, meeting my eyes again. "I'll be fine. It's just a little rain."

He headed toward the door, massaging his forehead once more.

"Don't you want your tea?"

"Oh, right." He whirled around quickly, grabbed the thermos, and headed toward the door again with a wet sniffle. I could only roll my eyes and sigh as the door closed behind him.

Most workdays I left after him and returned before him, and this Thursday was no exception. The rain was still pouring down when I arrived home from work that evening. I decided dinner was going to be vegetable stew and biscuits, not only for his cold, but also because I wanted some rainy November comfort food. Everything was nearly ready when I heard him coming up the steps. He opened the door, bringing with him a chilly gust, and I turned to greet him, but instead my mouth dropped open a bit at the sight of him. 

His hair and clothes were completely soaked with rain, to the point of dripping puddles onto the floor as I watched, and he was visibly shivering, something I'd never seen him do before. Inexplicably, he was also shaking the loose drops off of his soaked umbrella, his expression drawn and miserable. I was noticing how diminished he seemed when suddenly his breath hitched violently:

"HehZIHH'shiew! HrrUUHHZchoo! HehhGIHH'nkkchoo!"

I rushed to his side, relieving him of his umbrella and briefcase and pulling his sodden coat off of him as he slumped down onto the nearby stool. Beneath the coat, his suit was nearly just as wet and cold.

"Oh, Richard, bless you! You're soaked to the skin. Ugh, and your hands are freezing. How did you manage to get so drenched?"

"A w-woman and her ch-children were w-waiting for the b-bus without c-coats. I held my umbrella f-for them until it c-came," he said, his teeth chattering and his lips blue with cold. 

I toweled off his hair and clothes as best as I could before helping him undress. Any other day he would have brushed me off, saying he was perfectly capable of doing that himself. The fact that he allowed me to assist him spoke volumes to how poorly he felt. 

I was behind him, trying to peel off his sodden linen shirt when he lurched forward for another volley of sneezes:

"HrrUUSCHH! HnnxXT! HHGGTchh!"

"Bless you again, poor love. You've made your cold worse going out in this," I gently chastised.

"I'm f-fine," he sniffled, still barely able to speak around his shivering. Yet he leaned back against me wearily as I removed his undershirt and replaced it with a blanket, and I thought I heard the softest hint of a groan.

I used my fingers to comb his disheveled hair, but frowned when I felt his forehead. "You're running a fever. You weren't feverish this morning."

He merely shrugged, wordlessly asking me to continue massaging his scalp, which I did. Slowly his shivers subsided, but he was clearly exhausted, and sniffled wetly every few moments. 

"You look like you could use a hot drink and a warm bed," I said eventually.

"I'd start with a hot shower," came the mumbled reply.

"Hmm… what about a hot bath? I was thinking of taking one myself tonight, and I'm willing to share. No reason to waste the hot water. Dinner will keep for a bit longer."

He turned slightly, giving me a curious look. It wasn't that we had never bathed together before, but it was usually under very different circumstances. However, I happened to know my husband craved physical touch when he wasn't feeling well, though he would never ask for it. I was simply making life easier on both of us by preemptively offering it. 

"I suppose that might be nice," he finally said. "But I'm very tired…."

I kissed his cheek. "No strings attached. Bath only. Then dinner and sleep. No funny business, I promise."

He relaxed slightly. "That's fine then."

"Good. Let me go run the water." I kissed his hair once more, then headed to the bathroom. He joined me there with a cup of tea after a few minutes. While the oversized tub finished filling, he leaned in the doorway, rubbing the back of his neck and looking distant and hazy, not to mention sick.

I shimmied off my clothes and slid into the water, gesturing for him to join me. He sluggishly obeyed, hampered in finishing his own undressing by his dripping nose. He set his mug of tea and a handkerchief on the little table beside the tub, then slid into the water in front of me.

His sigh of ecstasy as the hot water surrounded him was exactly what I hoped to hear, and he leaned back against me readily with a satisfied groan.

"Better?" I murmured in his ear.

"Much," came the rumbling reply, followed of course by a sniffle. 

I pressed my lips into his hair again and again. He hardly moved as the heat soaked into him. I let my nails trail all over his skin and gave him a gentle massage, trying to help him relax, a feat he was rarely able to accomplish on his own

"Would you like me to wash your hair?" I murmured after a while.

He gave the barest nod in reply. Wordlessly I did just that, something else he would never consider allowing in any other circumstance.

I kept the soap far from his face, but the fragrance still had its way with him. I had nearly all the suds rinsed out when he suddenly jerked forward and leaned over the edge of the tub.

GihhIIISSHH'UH! Hhigg'CHUH! HihYEHSH'ooo!" He directed the spray as far away from me as he could, grabbing for the handkerchief to catch as much of the mess as possible. He mopped his face with a growl as he slid back into the water, but the spell was broken. He fidgeted against me, sniffling in irritation again and again as I finished rinsing his hair. 

I suppressed a disappointed sigh. "You might feel better if you went and laid down now that you're warmed up. Get yourself a bowl of soup while I finish up here."

He grunted his assent, lifting himself out of the water and quickly toweling off as he began to shiver again right away. He donned his robe, took his tea, and went to get his supper.

The evening came to a quick close after that. Richard ate a small portion of soup, drank two mugs of tea, and refused any medication, but did little else. He wouldn't be described as loquacious on his best day, but he spoke even less than usual. The only noise he made was the occasional soft cough or explosive trio of sneezes and his perpetual sniffles as he attempted his usual evening reading. His eyes never lost their weary, hazy look though, and he was constantly shaking his head or wiping a knuckle under his nose, so I wondered how much he was actually absorbing.

When I suggested we go to bed, he didn't argue though, which was very unlike him. He fell into bed wearily, and it seemed he was asleep even before his head hit the pillow. I silently wished to myself as I drifted to sleep that he would either be recovered in the morning, or else have the sense to stay home if he was worse.

~~~~~~~~~~

Richard's alarm went off at the usual hour the next morning, and he shut it off right away. Normally he was out of bed in moments, but today he lingered, pulling the blankets closer around himself with a little groan.

I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but he continued to shift restlessly. After a moment, I heard him take a wheezy inhale and then break into a coughing fit, wet and hoarse. I turned to look at him again. He was on his back now, with an arm flung over his eyes.

"Aww, love," I murmured. "You ok?"

"I'm not feeling quite like myself," came the mumbled reply.

I reached out to stroke his cheek, letting my hand rest on his neck where I could feel his hugely swollen lymph nodes. He was well and truly sick now, and he needed to stay home from work. However, I couldn't be the one to suggest that, or else he would turn me down immediately and insist he was fine, as he had the day before. It needed to be his idea. I went with a different approach.

I nestled close to his side, kissing his shoulder softly. I could tell he was still feverish even through his clothes. "Busy day today?" I murmured.

He grunted wearily. I couldn't tell if it was affirmative or negative.

"I packed a big bowl of soup for your lunch. I hope it's enough to keep you full through the whole day. And don't forget, I'll meet you at your coworker's reception tonight. Was there anything I needed to bring to that?"

He slowly uncovered his face. "I was… actually considering staying home from work. It shouldn't be busy today, I can afford to miss. And… I'm really not feeling well at all. I'll make our excuses to John about his reception. 

I did a silent victory dance in my head. "Oh, are you sure? I thought you had some important meetings."

"Nothing that can't be rescheduled." He cracked a red eye open, glancing at me suspiciously. "Why? Do you want me to go in?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, kissing him again. "I want you to do what you think is best. If you're not feeling well, you ought to stay home so you don't risk getting other people sick though."

"I suppose." He coughed hoarsely again, rubbing his chest with a grimace. "Yes, I'll stay home today. Let me call Carol and John."

He slowly stood and made his unsteady way to his phone, sniffling and coughing the whole way. The two phone conversations were very brief, for he hardly had to try to make a case for his illness, congested and hoarse as he clearly was. After he finished the calls, he shuffled back to bed immediately, heaping the blankets back over himself with a shuddering cough. I rubbed his back as he got settled.

"Can I get you anything, hon? Water, medicine?"

He shook his head. "Going to try to sleep this off," he mumbled, sleep already (or still?) heavy in his voice.

I knew medicine would almost certainly help his endeavors at sleeping. At minimum it would improve the quality of his sleep. However, I also knew he was stubborn about such things, so I didn't press the issue yet. "Alright." I kissed his hot cheek gently. "Then I'll leave you be for now. Let me know if you need anything. Sleep well."

I made the bed around him, straightening my side and tucking him in, then quietly left. The sound of his deep snores followed me out. So much for me sleeping in today.

He emerged again later that morning. I didn't notice him at first when he did, though. I had my headphones in and was dancing around while dusting. Turning around, I almost bumped into him, scaring us both. I yanked my headphones off right away, taking in his disheveled, sickly, blanket-wrapped appearance.

"You're awake! I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come out."

"Clearly," he rasped with the tiniest ghost of a smile. "You stayed home too?"

"It's my normal Friday off."

"Right, right," he sniffled. He then shuffled to the couch, collapsing onto it with a yawn. I went to sit beside him, unable to keep the concern from my face. I felt his forehead again, noting how he wearily leaned into the touch. I was forced to jump back though as he erupted into a volley of thick, chesty coughs. 

I sighed, surveying him with worry. "You're running quite the fever, love. And the cold has obviously settled into your chest now too."

He nodded limply with another sniffle.

"I'm not taking no for an answer this time, I'm giving you medicine and you're going to take it."

He managed to fix me with a condescending look. "Medication for a cold is essentially pointless. It just treats the symptoms."

"You think making yourself more comfortable is pointless?"

He opened his mouth to answer, or so I thought, but instead he lurched forward into a trio of wet, spraying sneezes:

"Heh'YEISSHH'oo! YEEIISH'uuh! Gih'HIH-shoo! --ugh…" The forceful snapping motion of his head when he sneezed looked incredibly painful, so much so that he pressed the heels of his hands to his forehead with a groan in the aftermath.

"Bless you, hon!" I waited a beat as he composed himself. "So… what was it again you were saying about the futility of treating the symptoms?" I asked, admittedly snidely.

He only grunted softly. I couldn't keep the smug look from my face when he met my eyes once more. However, seeing how thoroughly miserable he was reawakened my sympathy immediately. I reached out to caress his hair and cheek yet again.

"How about I make you some tea, yeah? And maybe a bowl of soup?"

"Please," he mumbled.

"Coming right up."

Another round of his thick, exhausting coughs followed me into the kitchen, and I couldn't help but wince in sympathy, even though he couldn't see me.

In a matter of minutes I had his meal ready. When I brought it back out to him, I placed the soup on the table and dropped a handful of pills and a capful of medication beside the bowl with a meaningful look. His only reply was a small frown. I resumed my seat beside him and was about to hand him the steaming mug when an idea occurred to me.

"Is your throat hurting badly?"

He nodded heavily with a little scowl, as if he hated being reminded of it.

"Here, this may help a bit." I raised the mug to the level of his neck, pressing it against his visibly enlarged lymph node.

His eyes widened and he half-jumped back from the initial sensation. 

"Trust me for a sec," I said gently, placing it against the swelling once more.

He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, but allowed it. After a moment though he visibly loosened. Making a sound between a whimper and a groan, he leaned harder against the heat. 

"Better?"

"Mhmmmm," he sighed.

After another moment I switched to the other side of his neck and repeated the process. He angled himself here and there to get the most heat coverage over the tender areas. Finally I slid the mug into his hands, kissing his forehead.

"Thank you," he breathed. "That was… relieving."

"You're very welcome. Now, can I do anything else for you at the moment?" 

"I'm fine. You don't need to fuss."

"I may not have to, but I want to, first because you're my husband and second because I know you're not 'fine.' But if you're going to insist you are, I'm going to go fold some laundry. Holler if you need anything. Or cough loudly if that's easier."

That earned me a Dr. Strand signature, the 'amused huff.' "I will. Thank you again."

"No thanks necessary." He received another kiss to the temple before I stood and headed to the laundry room with a last pointed look at the medicine. It occurred to me as I walked away that I was likely giving him an overabundance of kisses considering how contagious he clearly was, but he was just so darn pitiful.

Twenty minutes later, I returned to check on him, bringing a glass of water as well. The tea mug and soup bowl sat empty on the coffee table, surrounded by a few scattered tissues. The medicine was untouched. The doctor was huddled to one side of the couch with another tissue held loosely in his hand and one pajama-clad leg tucked under him, staring listlessly at the wall. However, at the sound of my footsteps he stirred with a sickly sniffle, scrubbing a hand over his face wearily. I smiled in greeting, and though he didn't return the smile, he did brighten a bit upon seeing me.

"What were you contemplating so deeply just now? You looked very lost in thought," I asked, handing him the water, then tidying up his little mess on the coffee table, leaving the pills.

He huffed a humorless laugh, looking self-conscious as he fiddled with the glass. "I was actually imagining how extensive the trial and error process must have been to determine how best to brew tea versus brewing coffee versus, for example, brewing beer. Roasting the ingredients versus drying versus fresh versus ground and boiling versus steeping versus fermenting. The amount of time that must have been necessary to perfect something so simple is rather astounding," he rasped, with many sniffles and throat-clearings thrown in.

I raised an eyebrow at him curiously. Aimless ramblings about random topics were not the norm for my painfully disciplined husband. "It is astounding I guess. I'd never thought about that before. Anyway, how are you feeling after eating?" 

"I'm fine," he said, finally setting down the untouched water, though the nasty cough that immediately followed his statement contradicted him.

This time I audibly sighed. "You do realize that you saying you're fine all the time is very counterproductive to helping me assess your needs? You don't have to be fine, love."

He gave me an odd look. "Conceptually, I know that. But you have to remember, for a long time I *did* have to be 'fine.' I didn't have the option to be otherwise. You, all of this… still feels like a new development or a dream at times. Old habits die hard, I suppose."

I sat on the arm of the couch beside him. He wordlessly leaned in toward me so I could lightly run my fingernails over his scalp. He softly groaned in pleasure.

"I'm not going to waste my breath telling you that I'm not going anywhere and I'm here for you, because you already know that. So I suppose I'll just have to keep showing you." 

I went to press a kiss to his head, but I caught a glimpse of his face and changed my mind when I saw he was about to sneeze.

"Gihh'chuuh! Hehh'choof! Ghnxt'choo!"

The sneezes were brisk and wet and left him breathless. He blew his nose with a wince before he spoke. "Sorry, could you repeat that? I missed most of it," he said, sounding stuffy and a little peeved.

I chuckled and complied, going for the kiss this time. He had no reply, but instead leaned against me wearily as I massaged his neck, yawning deeply. 

"You should rest again, love. Take a nap if you can. It's either that or watch TV, which you'll never do. I'm not sure you should attempt much else."

He wrinkled his nose. "I hate being so unproductive. I don't want to sleep the day away."

"Sleeping when you're sick isn't being unproductive, it's being wise."

"HehhGIH'choo! HEHHH-choo! Hihhh'YESSHH'uuhh!"

I was quite sure he didn't hear most of my statement, since he sneezed right in the middle of it. With a pitiful sound he tended to his nose yet again as I blessed him earnestly. Eventually his watery, heavy lidded eyes met mine. I couldn't help but notice yet again how flushed and disheveled he was and how utterly pathetic he looked, quite the opposite of his usual cool, collected self. 

"Guh. Sorry. What was that?" he asked with a pathetic sniffle, sounding very annoyed now.

"Aww, your nose. You really are sick, huh? Poor guy," I said, continuing to stroke his hair. 

He looked slightly offended. "You were having doubts about that?" 

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "It's just something you say, dear. 

"I'm aware of the colloquialism," he grumped. "But I find it a very odd one. And it's never been directed at me before."

"There's a first time for everything, then."

I was rubbing his back now. He yawned again, grimacing after, I assumed due to the sore throat. I also noticed he was starting to shiver.

"Ok, now seriously, tell me what I need to do to convince you to nap."

"I'm not sure," he said with a chesty cough, nestling deeper into the couch.

"Hmm. I accept that challenge." 

"And what challenge is that?"

"You won't tell me what I can do to help you, and perhaps you don't even know yourself, so I have to figure that out for both of us."

"I don't think there's anything I need though."

"You need to sleep."

He rolled his eyes with an annoyed huff, but I could tell he knew I was right.

I stood and went to put some smooth jazz on the record player in the room. Sitting down again, this time on the couch on the other side of him, I gestured to my lap.

"Come lie down."

"Wait-- lie down… right there?"

"Correct."

"Why?"

"Because you love hair scratches and neck rubs, so I'm making it easier to give them to you. Also you're apparently freezing and need to share some body heat."

He frowned, suppressing his shivers as best he could. Still, I knew he wouldn't be able to resist for long, tired and miserable as he was. Sure enough, after a moment he slowly levered himself down with a resigned sigh. 

I quickly threw a blanket over him, and then began the hair scratches. He made a tiny, appreciative sound. 

"Better?"

"Mm," he grunted.

"Good. But you're sweating, love," I murmured.

"I'm not sure how since I'm freezing," he mumbled with a cough.

"Your fever is higher. I can feel it just by touching you."

He groaned, snuggling deeper against me.

I massaged his neck for a while longer, trying to ease the tension from his muscles. He continued to be restless though, and apparently unable to regulate his body temperature. One moment he would be shaking with chills pulling the blanket closer, and then the next kicking it away from his legs with a moan of discomfort. 

The final straw for me was when he was overcome with yet another hacking coughing fit, curling in on himself miserably, trying to muffle it into his arm, the other hand clutching his chest.

Before he settled again, I leaned forward to grab the untouched pile of medication and glass of water from the coffee table. When he was again lying against me, I wordlessly held it out to him. He of course made a sound of irritation.

"Why are you being so stubborn? You need to sleep, and you can't sleep in the state you're in, at least not well. This will help your headache, fever, sore throat, everything so you can rest. I can tell you're exhausted."

After a final moment of consideration, he held out a reluctant hand. I handed him the items and he swallowed them without comment.

Neither of us spoke again for a long time, and didn't move from our places. I soothingly stroked his hair or rubbed his back, putting myself in a trance almost as much as him. 

I could see the medication talking effect. His restlessness slowly eased along with his coughing. It seemed I could even feel his body temperature decreasing.

"Hnnkkt'CHUH! Hehgg'CHUHH! EHHG'choo!"

Just as I thought he was asleep, his body twitched with a trio of sneezes, the quality of which could only be described as lazy--slow, thick, and dulled. They hardly seemed to stir him from his stupor.

"Bless you. Are you ok?"

" 'm fine," he croaked tiredly. We were both quiet for a while, then he spoke up again. "You know, one of the reasons I keep saying I'm fine is because I can't begin to describe what an improvement it is to be with you while being sick compared to being sick in bed alone. The difference is as drastic as night and day--better doesn't begin to describe it. Asking for anything more than what I already have just by your being here feels selfish."

Richard would never express such sentiments under normal circumstances, and hearing it said so plainly overwhelmed me with emotion. Yet I knew he wouldn't want me to reply in kind. He would prefer to state his piece and let it be. And indeed, I saw his eyes drooping heavier by the second, so I kept my thoughts to myself for now, but leaned over to plant a series of kisses all over his hot face. 

He hardly moved and didn't respond even when I finally stopped, but I couldn't help but notice the tiny smile playing around his lips as he drifted off to sleep.

[dreamescapeswriting]

[15:35] Minho and Chan - Part 2 ~ [M]

>>> Genre: Smut, filthy smut, threesome, exhibitionism, fingering, oral 9F  receiving and M receiving)

>>> Pairing: Lee know x Fem!Reader x Chan

>>> Part ONE

Just as Minho had ordered you wore that exact skirt to dinner that night, smiling along with Felix as he told you one of the office stories you'd heard a million times before but went along with it since you were still waiting to be seated.

"Ahh Y/n! Felix, this way." Chan's arm rested on your waist casually as he walked you through the restaurant and over to a booth table,

"Ladies first," You slid into the booth and Minho met you one side and Chan at the other, great...You were sandwiched in right between your boyfriend and your boyfriends boss who had already told your boyfriend how hot he found you. 

"Would you like a drink?" Chan asked everyone at the table but he directed the question at you,

"Just water, someone has to drive you all home tonight." Minho's hand fell down onto your thigh and you swallowed the lump in your throat as he used it to spread your legs just a little, 

"You're quite right," Chan laughed going to make small talk with everyone else at the table while Minho leant closer to you and began whispering so that only you could hear him. 

"You're such a good girl for me aren't you?" Before you could answer him Chan was facing you once again, 

"So why has Minho kept you hidden for so long? Your talents exceed well above his department." You stammered for a couple of seconds wondering how he knew about your talents, the only people to have seen your portfolio at the company were Minho and Felix, 

"I make it a priority to look into everyone Miss Y/l/n." Chan's hand fell onto your other thigh and your eyes darted to see if Minho had noticed but he hadn't, Chan squeezed a little and you coughed into your hand trying to think of something to say that wouldn't make you sound like an idiot. 

"W-Well I just...I supposed Mr Lee has his reasons for it Sir," Minho's hand tightened on your skin as you used 'Sir' for someone that wasn't him and he hated it. 

"I suppose he does, keeping someone as gorgeous as you all to himself though? Should be a crime." You laughed along with Chan and thanked the heavens that the waitress showed up when she did or you would have died on the spot. 

"You alright Minho? You haven't said a word since we sat down." Felix smirked at Minho who just shot him a dirty look before turning to you again but you were now in a deep conversation with Chan.

Throughout the entire dinner, both of their hands were dancing dangerously close to one another and you didn't know how to shake Chan off without being offensive or to tell Minho without causing a scene. 

"Excuse me." You said as you waited for Minho to move, you walked over to the toilets to go and splash some cold water in your face, it would be a lie if you were to say that both of their hands on you weren't sending your mind into a frenzy.

"Finally alone," You jumped turning around to see Chan standing in the bathroom,

"This is the ladies room," You stuttered but he didn't care, he walked closer to you and placed his hand on your cheek running his thumb over it and smirking as your cheeks started to heat up. 

"Do I make you nervous baby girl?" A pool was sent to your core at the nickname that fell from his lips, you couldn't think of words. Only thoughts of him bending you over and taking you on the counter filled your head.

"Use your words," His thumb ran over your bottom lip and he pulled it from between your lips. 

"They'll know we're up to something," You whispered not wanting to do this to Minho, you loved him and nothing was going to change that. You shuffled past Chan who smirked at you, watching the way you walked away from him and wanting nothing more than to take you right there against the door with your skirt hiked up to your hips like he'd seen in the video Minho sent him. Tonight was going to be a fun night so he followed you out. 

"What took you so long baby?" Minho asked when you got back into the seat next to him his hand fell onto your lap instantly and you downed the drink that was in your space. 

"I sent Chan that video, by the way, he likes the way you cry out my name." He whispered to you his fingers trailing up your skin before dipping towards your clit and he smirked at how wet you were. 

"You're soaking baby, did Chan catch up to you in the bathroom." Your eyes fluttered shut as his fingers graced your sensitive clit.

"I did, I make her nervous." You whimpered as Chan's hand came into contact with your thigh next and they both pulled your thighs apart. 

"W-We're surrounded by friends." You whispered to Minho but he chuckled and looked at you as he plunged two fingers knuckle deep into you and groaned lowly at how much you clenched around him already, Chan chuckled taking his thumb up to your clit just to torture you some more. 

"I think she loves this, look at her. Not even trying to push us away Minho, you've got a good one." Chan chuckled to you before going back to having a normal conversation with Felix. Minho took this moment to pump his fingers faster and harder out of you, curling them up so you could feel everything and bring you closer to your release.

"You like Chan's thumb there? Rubbing you so much until you cum?" You glared at Minho and clenched around him as you felt your orgasm approaching, 

"S-Stop, I-I can't." You begged him knowing that you couldn't keep quiet, your hands dug into his arm but Minho quickened his pace, 

"Cum. Right fucking now." Minho order at you, your head rested on his shoulder and you started laughing to cover up that you were going to cum, you bit down on his shoulder as your orgasm hit you like a wave, 

"Fuck." You whispered into his shoulder your hips bucking against the seat as you tried to come down from your high, your legs shaking as you came around his fingers in a way you never had before. Chan pulled his hand away and brought his hand up to his mouth sucking on his fingers and smirking at you and Minho.

"You never told me she was a squirter, we're going to have a lot of fun tonight."

You didn't even make it into penthouse apartment properly until you were slammed against a nearby wall by Chan who ripped the skirt from your waist not wanting to waste time anymore, he'd needed you since you walked into that conference room. Minho's blood boiled as he watched Chan run his fingers up and down your folds, his folds. You belonged to him, not to Chan. You were his but yet there was nothing he could do to stop his boss from touching you like this that wouldn’t result in either of you getting fired.

"Minho, how long have you been keeping her to yourself, baby girl is so tight around my fingers." Your hands gripped onto the wall as you whimpered out his name turning your head over your shoulder to make eye contact with Minho while another man fucked you with his fingers. 

"You like this? Me fucking you with my fingers while you stare at your...? What are you and Miss Y/l/n?" His fingers stayed still and you whimpered as you caught the look on Minho's face as he saw you at someone else's beck and call. Someone else torturing the way he knew how to do perfectly, he was the one had discovered how to push your every button.

"She's my girlfriend," Minho said through gritted teeth, you cried out as Chan added a third finger into you and you started whining once he began to pump his fingers mercilessly in and out of you. Chan began tutting, 

"You know as well as I do Minho that personal relationships are forbidden at the workplace." You hissed as he continued to pump his fingers roughly, the palm of his hand coming into contact with your clit with every thrust of his wrist, 

"F-Fuck, Chan I love him! He loves me!" You cried out as you came around his fingers locking eyes with Minho as you came down from your second high of the night. You fell limp and on the floor, Chan wiped his fingers on his trousers and watched as Minho rushed to your side to make sure you were okay,

"I'm fine, a little fucked out but I'm okay." You whispered kissing his lips as he brought your face close to his, Chan shook his head at the two of you

"If you get caught-"

"I know." Minho snapped looking at you and smiling sadly, you were worth everything. If getting caught resulted in him being fired than so be it, you were worth it, 

"I know," He repeated calmly tipping your head up and smiling as you lazily closed your eyes and laid your head on his shoulder. 

"You should get her home, I'm sorry I took things too far but that video." Chan groaned and you giggled pathetically at them too tired to laugh.

"You sent the video?" Minho smirked as you started to come back to your regular needy self, 

"Feeling needy baby girl?" You hummed and looked at Minho and then over at Chan as if asking permission to get fucked by his boss, 

"He ruined my skirt, I should get more than a finger fuck than that." Chan laughed at you and licked his teeth looking at Minho who was already staring at you,

"She's greedy huh?" Minho nodded at his boss and you started crawling over to Chan, palming him through his trousers. 

"I can't leave you here with this now, I wouldn't be a very good employee now, would I? Sir?" His heard rolled backwards as you pulled down his trousers in a swift movement and took him into your mouth. The feeling of your warm mouth around his length made him moan out, 

"Ugh shit." His hands worked their way into your hair and you stared up at him with innocent eyes, Minho came up behind you and slapped your ass, 

"You're in for a long night baby girl," Chan groaned as you gagged around his length moaning around him as you felt Minho slap your ass once again. 

"A long night," Minho confirmed. You knew just how overprotective and jealous Minho could get so there was no way it was going to be an easy night on you.

"N-Need you." You said as you pulled away from Chan a string of saliva connecting your lip to the cock of his tip, 

"You're so desperate, it's cute." Chan cooed rubbing his thumb along your bottom lip and pushing the mixture of precum and saliva back into your mouth and grunting when you sucked on his thumb. 

"I think Chan should get to taste you, first baby." Chan looked down to Minho who was rubbing your ass where he'd been slapping and nodded. 

"You want that baby girl? You want daddy to taste you while you suck off your master?" You nodded desperately and the men switched positions and Chan moaned out looking at how wet you were. 

"Beg for it," He teased as he dropped down behind you and ran a finger up and down your folds, 

"P-Please," You begged quietly and he tutted shaking his head and plunging one finger into you. 

"Louder." He ordered and you whimpered at him, 

"Please just eat me out." He smirked before coating his fingers in your arousal and began pumping them in and out of you at a faster pace, 

"Feel good baby girl?" He mumbled but before you could reply he placed his fingers with his tongue and began eating you out sloppily, you cried out but your mouth was filled with Minho's cock making him groan as your moans vibrated around him. You could already feel your third orgasm building up and you looked up at Minho through your lashes as you contracted around Chan's tongue.

"She's gonna cum," Minho chuckled darkly and pulled out of your mouth letting you cry out and clutch into the carpet flooring as you felt your approaching high coming but just like that it was gone. Chan let go of you and you were left with nothing, your orgasm fading away as you whined out.

The bed shifted as Minho knelt in front of you and sat back on his ankles, 

"Chan's gonna fuck you just this once, alright?" You nodded, mouth-watering at the thought of him fucking you from behind. The bed shifted again and you felt Chan's tip at your entrance, you hissed as he slowly pushed into you the stretch wasn't too bad but you whined out as he held himself still, 

"Minho needs some attention doll," You looked at Minho and took hold of his cock, flicking your tongue along the slit of his head before taking him into your mouth. As soon as you began to bob your head Chan began to thrust in and out of you, your hips jerked to help him hit your sweet spot. 

"Fuck." Minho groaned putting his hand in your hair and pulling you down so he could hit the back of your throat, Chan groaned as he felt you clench around him as he thrust in and out of you.

"So tight princess, you're so good for both of us aren't you?" You felt your body twitch as you got closer to your third orgasm of the night and you looked up at Minho pleadingly. 

"She wants to cum," He chuckled grunting when you took his balls into your hand and began playing with then. Chan began to thrust faster and you decided to bob your head in an attempt to keep up with his pace.

"Ugh-Shit." Chan groaned as he felt you contracting once again, you moaned around Minho as your orgasm hit you like a hurricane, washing over you and making your hips buck backwards against Chan's, a few more well-timed jerks from Chan and he came undone inside of you making you whimper around Minho when he pulled out. 

"Oh fuck," Minho grunted looking at you as you stared up at him with teary eyes, he came into your mouth and you swallowed around him, pulling off and licking your lips. 

"Such a good girl." He complimented as you began to lick him clean and then pant heavily as you laid back on the sheets. Chan kissed the top of your head and then looked at Minho nodding at him, 

"I'll keep it all a secret if anyone comes close to discovering I'll throw them off." You smiled and rolled over to lay your head on Minho's lap,

"You might as well stay for the night, I'll send someone out for a new skirt for Y/n. Goodnight." With that, he left the room and Minho took your chin between his finger and thumb. 

"Mine. You're all mine, you hear that?" You smiled sleepily. 

"All yours Minho."

tagline:  @yoongisdumplingcheeks​ @snowy-meowl​ @jooniesdarlingdimples​ why did I do this to myself

[script-nef]

Your Kisses Makes It Go NEON |  Hinata Shouyou

Inspiration: [NEON — DPR LIVE]

Category: fluff

5.7k words; colours decorate your time with Hinata

Very late birthday present for our ray of sunshine. Sorry ;^;

When Hinata thinks about you, he remembers colours. 

He met you only a few months after arriving in Japan. Bokuto was going on about a bar he frequents with Akaashi, exclaiming how “the atmosphere is really relaxing and comfortable! You could spend 2 hours there and it would only feel like a few minutes have passed! Also the bartender there is a really cute girl and she’s super sweet! Her drinks are incredible!"

Hinata was never fond of alcoholic drinks—they tasted weird and had a gross aftertaste—but accepted the offer at the promise of non-alcoholic ones. (He later realises this is one of the best decisions he made in his life.)

Which was why the normally rambunctious group sat quietly—well, not that quiet. That was impossible with the combination of Bokuto and Hinata, but they tried at least—at the counter, as they skimmed through the menu filled with pictures of multi-coloured drinks. Some of the drinks had such bizarre names (Hinata’s face exploded with red when he read "Sex on the Beach” because what kind of a drink is that?) and none of them looked particularly appealing.

A soft tap on the shoulder shook Hinata out of his contemplation, and he was met with the softest eyes when he looked up. You smiled at him.

"Do you need help choosing?“

He couldn’t answer that properly.

The blue top you wore suited you perfectly, a toned-down yet vibrant colour. It contrasted against the deep red of the wallpapers, and the dim lighting made you glow almost ethereal. It somehow felt like you belonged there, like you were the centrepiece.

You snapped him out of his reverie by explaining various drinks to him, what the ingredients were and how strong it was, trying to figure out what type of drink he wanted. Which was nice of you, and he really appreciated it, but he couldn’t understand anything other than the sound of your voice.

He heard pink—soft, warm, soothing and so, so sweet—and it drowned out everything else. His teammates bickering and trying to grab your attention, the mellow classical music in the background, even his own heartbeat. It was all dissipating, leaving just you and him in a bubble of calm.

And he couldn’t help but hope to hear your voice every day.

Hinata started frequenting your bar. ("My cousin’s the actual owner.” You told him on his third visit. “But I helped him decorate, so I feel like it’s mine as well.”) He still doesn’t like alcohol and you laughed when he described the tastes. He then realised that it was rude to complain about it to a bartender and began apologising profusely, but you just waved it off.

"It’s okay, not everyone likes the same things. There’s a wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks for you to enjoy. Like this one.“ You slid a mocktail over, and he beamed before sipping away at the yellow drink. The flavours burst on his tongue, and words could never fully encompass these sensations. A zesty explosion which reminded him of the beach and his experience in Brazil. Hinata sometimes wondered if you were a witch. Surely an ordinary person couldn’t evoke so many memories and emotions from a mere drink.

He couldn’t stop himself as he let out a content sigh, his face morphing into that of utter bliss. Every drink you made was yellow or orange, as vibrant as the sun and somehow tasted like them too. He asked you about it and you just giggled in response.

"It’s because you remind me of the sunshine, Hinata-san. You have an unbelievable amount of energy and unbridled happiness, it’s hard not to think of it when I look at you. Whenever you visit, I feel like I’m getting a vitamin D boost and it gets me through the next few days. And… the fact that your hair is orange really solidifies the image.”

He moved to touch his hair almost self-consciously, but you stopped him in his tracks by blurting out, “It suits you! Your hair, I mean. It helps you stand out in your matches and… you look adorable."

That stopped Hinata in his tracks. You looked away from him, cheeks dusted with red as you cleaned a cup. Hinata’s brain started spinning faster than ever. She just called me cute. No, wait, it was adorable but they’re synonyms. She just said I’m cute. And she watches our matches! Oh God, that means she watched all those times I couldn’t receive the ball properly. The insanely nice and pretty girl has seen some of my worst moments on the court.

"Do you… watch our games, [Surname]-san?” Hinata asked tentatively. Oh God, what if she watched the one where I fell over after I tried to receive it or the match against Inarizaki when I forgot to hit the ball?

"Just some of them. Bokuto-san kept on asking me to watch him play and… I gave in when you came. I kind of got hooked onto it after watching you, Hinata-san.“ With that, you scurried off by using another customer as an excuse, whispering a soft "excuse me”. He watched you walk away, gaining the courage to finally do what he should have done weeks ago.

You came back by the time his drink was finished, a smile replacing the blush and asking if the drink was to his taste. He replied the same way as always, “All your drinks are delicious!”

That never failed to put a smile on your face. A small grin bloomed, and Hinata took this as an opportunity.

"[Surname]-san, I wanted to ask if you were busy this Saturday? I recently found this place called Aobayama Botanical Gardens nearby and you said you like this sort of stuff, so I was wondering if you would like to come.“ Your eyes widened at that. Is he… asking me out? No, wait, don’t get ahead of yourself. Because, surely, this amazingly friendly and loveable national-level athlete would choose to spend his time with someone equally talented and amazing, right? But Hinata’s eyes were full of determination and hope, so much that it pushed you to confront your feelings as well.

"I would be delighted to take you up on that offer.” You quickly grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled your number onto it. “Here’s my number. I’m free in the mornings, so… just give me a time, I guess."

As he stumbled out of the bar, Hinata couldn’t stop the excitement and anticipation bubbling throughout his veins, amazed at how easy that was. He let out a whoop that echoed throughout the street and ran home, desperately wishing time would flow faster.

His stomach was warm and fuzzy, and it really did feel like he drank the sun.

The 5th "date” (not officially though, since neither of you ever called it that) to a park had been cut short due to sudden downpour.

"Hinata, it’s okay if you get water on the floor! Get inside and close the door!“ Hinata hurriedly locked the door, glad to be out of the freezing shower and fierce wind. He slowly walked through the apartment, mumbling "excuse me” to no one as you were currently running around, trying to clean up and turn on the heating. A sneeze escaped him.

"Hinata, are you okay?“ You reached for his arm, only to recoil at the contact. "You’re freezing! You’ll get a cold at this rate.” You pulled him towards the bathroom, picking up some towels along the way. He was left standing on a mat in the bathroom while you ran off again. He looked around the room, taking in the details. There were small plants on the windowsill and various cosmetics littering the sink. The room smelled like you. ��That was weird. Ugh, I shouldn’t be thinking that!

You came back holding a pile of clothing. “It’s my cousin’s, I don’t know if it’ll fit you though. It’s all been cleaned recently so don’t worry about that. Take a shower and I’ll have something warm ready by the time you’re done.” He opened his mouth to say “thank you”, but all that came out was another sneeze. You let out a soft shriek. “Shower! Now, Hinata! You’re an athlete, you can’t be sick!” You slammed the door on your way out.

—

The clothes fit him fine. When he came out, you were in the kitchen, stirring a cup.

"Ah, Hinata. Here you go, hot chocolate and some snacks. Sorry, but I have to go and shower as well. You can watch TV or read my books.“ You disappeared into your room, his calls of "You should have showered first! Thank you!” echoing in the hallway. He took a sip, enjoying the warmth travelling down his throat.

He scanned the house, immediately noticing the incredible amount of greenery you had on display and tucked in corners. Small slivers of light from the windows reflected off the leaves and basked the room in a soft green tone. There were a few he remembered from your trips to various gardens, (probably because he hung from your words like they were the most interesting information on earth) and some he couldn’t. He knew you would be able to recite the name, scientific name, meaning and other interesting facts as soon as he asked. You had an avid fascination for flora and alcoholic drinks, which was usually an odd combination but it suited you perfectly.

You came out soon, changed into comfortable sleepwear, and saw him stroking a leaf. It felt kind of weird, having your crush in your house. It’s not like it was hard for Hinata to creep his way into your heart, what with his brilliant smile and incessant energy. He was genuinely interested in everything you said even if it was trivial, like what you had for lunch or rowdy customers who are a pain. And you desperately wanted to let him into your life, to confess your affections for him. But what if you gave him your heart and it ends like last time? Hinata won’t do that, but… That’s what I thought before as well… No! Nope, let’s not think about that. You opted to sneak behind the unsuspecting boy, pushing the thoughts into a corner of your mind.

"That’s a Chinese money plant.“ Hinata shrieked at your sudden presence behind him. ”Pilea peperomioides, but I find the name pancake plant cuter. Come here, you need to dry your hair off. Can’t have you getting sick with a match next month.“ You sat on the sofa while he sat on the floor in front of you, giving full access to his damp mop of hair.

You rubbed at it gently with a fresh towel, admiring the orange locks. It became fluffy and bouncy so quickly. You loved it.

“[Surname]-chan?” You hummed. “Can I ask why you have so many plants?” Your hands stopped moving against his hair at that, and Hinata stiffened as well. It was only for a split second though, and you continued your ministrations.

“I like taking care of them, I guess. I used to date this person… and uh, it didn’t end that well. They weren’t that good of a person, let alone a partner. They just kept saying how lucky I was to be with them and that no-one else would love me… How much they hated my voice… But my cousin, the one that owns the bar, he helped me move over here away from them. He also introduced me to plant therapy to help me and well… It got out of hand, I guess.” You let out a soft chuckle, but it was laced with sadness and regret. “I’m sorry, this is a depressing topic, isn’t it? You don’t have to listen to all of my rambling, just forget about this.”

“I love you!” You looked down at him in surprise. Hinata’s face heated up, mouth set into a determined grin in order to not show how much he’s embarrassed by his sudden outburst. He clambered onto the sofa, gripping both of your hand tightly in his. “[Surname]-chan, don’t ever think or listen to anyone like that! I know we met only half a year ago, but you are one of the most kind and understanding and enthusiastic and strong person I have ever seen! These plants symbolise your strength and hope for a better future, so who cares if you have fifty or a hundred? You deserve the world and everything in it, and I…” He paused, squeezing your hands even tighter. “I love you! I’ve liked you since we met for the first time at your bar, my heart just stopped when I first saw you and all I could think when you talked to me was how much I love your voice!”

Hinata’s face was absolutely ablaze now, red covering every inch of his skin, but his steady gaze was filled with nothing but sincerity. “It’s getting repetitive but I really, really love you! And I… I want you to know that I would never treat you like that, and I’ll always tell you how much you brighten up my day by just texting me, or how cute your unending enthusiasm for your plants are. So… if you’re willing to trust me… will you go out with me?” The blushing settled down and Hinata’s lips were trembling slightly, fearing for the worst.

You were quiet, blinking owlishly at him. Seconds, which felt more like hours to Hinata, ticked past and silence continued. Hinata’s burst of confidence started to shrivel at your lack of response. Ah, maybe… maybe I’m too fast. She’s not comfortable and I’m pushing her too far! He retracted his hands from yours, moving away from the sofa.

“[Surname]-chan, I’m sorry, I’ll lea-”

“Wait!” You grabbed onto his hand, pulling him back onto the sofa. He fell with a soft “oof” and you crawled over to him. “Yes.” He stared at you.

“…Yes?” You nodded firmly, lips quirking into a delighted smile.

“Yes.”

Hinata froze for a moment before exploding into a happy squeal, arms wrapping around you and giggling into your neck. You wound your arms around his body as well, nudging your nose into the side of his face. Peals of laughter escaped from your lips. You could feel his heart thudding rapidly against your chest.

He pulled back to cover your cheeks with his hands before squealing delightedly once more and peppered kisses onto your face.

“Ahhh I’m so happy [Name]-chan!! I swear I’ll be the bestest boyfriend you’ve ever had!!”

And you don’t doubt him.

Cheers echoed throughout the stadium as Hinata spiked down the last point needed for the set and the game. His team crowded around him, with the exception of Sakusa, congratulating each other for another win. Hinata escaped from all the head rubs and back pats, eyes shifting to where you sat. You waved upon eye contact, yelling something out which was muted under everyone else’s screams.

His heart swelled, thudding hard against his chest and about to escape through his mouth. He put the sensation on pause, remembering to show his respect to the opposing team and to respond to various reporters. He really tried to give a coherent reply to the interviewer’s questions. He really did. But the amount of energy in him even after playing five full sets was threatening to explode at the thought of you.

The reporter finally thanked him for his time and Hinata wasted no time after bowing and rushed to you. He leapt over the small barricade and engulfed you in his arms, enjoying the feel of your skin and the smell of your perfume. People clamoured around you two, surprised the star player would suddenly barge into the crowd. He heard his teammates whistling cheekily, probably taking pictures to embarrass him later. But you were more important right now.

You ripped yourself away from his grasp, delight and amazement in your eyes. "Shouyou! Oh my god, that was so amazing how you spiked it down and wow, the videos don’t do you any justice at all! My eyes could barely follow you from all your running and jumping!” You babbled on about his performance, thanking him repeatedly for the ticket. He beamed so brilliantly, it was nearly blinding.

“Thanks, [Name]-chan! I’m so glad you came to watch!” And also that I didn’t make any mistakes in front of you. Hinata honestly thought he would shrivel in shame if he made a reckless mistake—such as the one a few months ago, when he stumbled over nothing and didn’t make it in time for the spike. (You commented about it a few days ago. He was mortified that his girlfriend—he still can’t believe you’re his girlfriend—saw such an embarrassing moment.)

You had shined brightly under the stadium lights, contrasting the black top with black slacks you were wearing. “It’s because I’m rooting for your team!” You said that just before the match, grasping his hand in yours. You hadn’t wished him good luck, “because I know you’re going to win this, Shouyou! You don’t need luck!” His heart rate had skyrocketed at your confidence in him, giving him the extra adrenaline to win the game 3:2. Even the commentators had noticed the excess energy he had, but it had been kind of obvious since he was jumping around everywhere without a break and didn’t look tired at all.

Ah, I love her so much. The thought filled Hinata’s head. He heard his teammates calling for him, yelling that he needed to change out of his sweaty uniform, but it felt like his limbs were physically attached to you. He just wanted to stay in this moment, high on adrenaline and your love for him. You gently pried him off, promising to meet him at the entrance of the stadium so you could finish the day with a date.

He nodded gleefully, taking one last look at you before, very reluctantly, detaching himself from you. He noticed the red lipstick you were wearing, the one he bought for you last week because yours had broken the day before. It took him the whole day with Yachi because there were so many shades and tones and something called hues? He didn’t even understand half of them, but he tried his best to find one which was a similar colour to your previous one. The smile on your face when he presented it to you was worth floundering around for the whole day.

You wore it constantly and Hinata was delighted that it suited your taste so well. Just as he was about to walk away, he turned back to quickly press a kiss onto your lips, taking some of the makeup when he pulled away. The whole stadium, spectators and players alike, gawked at his action, many blushing at the PDA and others squealing.

Your face burst into a flaming red as Hinata casually walked away, like he didn’t just kiss you. On camera. Which is live right now. Like literally, right now. In front of thousands of people and probably thousands more on the other sides of countless monitors.

Hundreds of articles and reports were made, headlines congratulating the Black Jackals for another win while displaying his beaming face with smudges of red on his lips. You could be seen in the background, crouching with your face buried in your hands.

(You reprimanded him severely for his actions, but more kisses being poured onto your lips cut it short.)

Shouyou loves your enthusiasm for celebrating special occasions. Christmas, Cherry Blossom Festival, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Obon. You once took a day off and whisked him off to Sapporo for the Snow Festival. He treasures the memory of your amazed face admiring the snow sculptures. He tried to make one for you but it ended up as a misshapen lump of ice. A photograph you managed to snap before it melted in his palm is pinned onto the large cork board in the living room.

But your favourite celebration by far is Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve, the beginning of Allhallowtide and the day to remember the dead! AKA the perfect day to stuff myself with sweets and pumpkin pies with no one to say anything to me!” as you called it. He video-taped the second time you repeated the grand announcement, giggling at your theatrics. Halloween always brought out your inner silliness.

The third Halloween together was no different. He returned home from his training to be met with cobwebs and cutout bats decorating the walls, illuminated by candles lining the shelves and cupboards. Sweet and savoury smells assaulted his nose and you peeked out from the kitchen.

“Shouyou? You’re back earlier than I thought. Come on, and watch the candles, I made a Halloween themed dinner!” The table was packed with different foods, which was… unsettling, at least to others. A bowl of pasta topped off with eyeball meatballs, a blood-red beef stew, chicken soup with pastry hands hanging out… Shouyou remembered his first Halloween with you, when he nearly fainted. But he learnt the charm of Halloween thanks to your overflowing interest in the day and now he loves it as much as you.

“This looks amazing, [Name]-chan!” He noticed your costume—a long, flowing black dress and an equally dark cape hung off your shoulder. The ensemble was topped off with a crooked hat. “A witch! Aw, you’re so pretty.” You pecked him on the lips.

“Correct and thank you. Your costume is in the bedroom, Shou-chan.”  He perked up at that, dashing to the room after returning your kiss. He returned soon with his outfit: a white shirt tucked underneath a red corset along with black slacks and a black cape, just like yours.

“[Name]-chan, it’s like a couple’s outfit!” He swished the cape around, flapping it like wings while running around the room. “I could be your bat familiar!”

 “Shouyou.” You had a reprimanding scowl on. “You’re making dust fly around. It’s going to go on the food!” He stopped with a “Sorry!” and took his seat on the small dining table, mouth watering at the sight. While other friends might be put off due to the visuals of your creation, nothing mattered to Shouyou other than your efforts and the taste. Which is always phenomenal.

You took a seat opposite of him, laying down mason jars filled with red liquids and eyeballs for the both of you. A chorus of “Itadakimasu!” rang through the house as you both dug into the food.

Shouyou let out an unidentifiable noise of  at the perfectly prepared dinner. He shovelled different pieces of food in, uncaring of his table manners. You laughed and reached over to wipe his mouth. Mid-way through the meal, he grumbled in annoyance as the cape collar kept poking him in the cheek and opted to remove it for the time being. Then the corset, even though it was supposed to be loose, as it was pushing down on his stomach.

By the time he tapped out, half the food on the table was finished and moans of “I can’t… eat… anymore…” escaped him and you giggled in response. His dramatics never ceased to amuse you.

“Shou-chan, help me clean the table please. We have to finish one last activity before turning in for the night.” He replied in groans. “Shou-chan! I promise you’re going to love this, but I need you to help me. Come on, just wrap them up and move them to the fridge, please.” He reluctantly lifted his head from the table and followed your orders, carefully sealing the dishes off.

By the time he moved all the food, the table was covered with spare newspapers and a huge pumpkin was laid on top of it. He gasped at the sight, realisation dawning on him. “Are we making a jack-o’-lantern?!” When you nodded in confirmation, a shriek of delight left him. You immediately calmed him down, reminding him that this is an apartment and people can hear him. It did nothing to stop his energy.

“Shou-chan, you do know that this requires knife work and I can’t give it to you if you’re this fidgety, right?” That seemed to work. He immediately stopped his restlessness, giving you puppy eyes as if to say “I won’t misbehave”. You knew it wouldn’t even last for 5 minutes.

The process of pumpkin carving actually turns out to be quite easy and smooth-sailing despite Shouyou’s absolute lack of self-control and abundance of impulsiveness. He would have eaten all of the scooped out pumpkin fillings if you didn’t stop him in time. Instead, it was dropped into your pot for a “special dish”. While it simmered on the stove, you took over to carve the face out of the pumpkin as you won the argument of “who has steadier hands and better carving skills”. Your boyfriend seemed content enough trying to pick the right candle to place inside.

“Ta-da! Done! And done quite well if I say so myself.” Shouyou looked up from his collection of candles and smiled brilliantly at your handiwork. It was a crow, its wings outstretched like it was soaring through the sky. “Do you like it? I remembered you saying your high-school team’s symbol was a crow so… I practised making it perf—”

He pulled your body into his, gripping tightly as if you were going to dissipate away. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. I don’t understand how lucky I am to have you… I love you so much [Name]-chan. So, so much.” He mumbled against your neck. You chuckled softly and ran your fingers through his hair.

“It’s the same for me, Shouyou. I’m fortunate to have you brighten up my life, to have someone like you love me.”

A candle was dropped into the finished pumpkin, the light orange light enveloping the two of you as you cuddled on the sofa. Confessions of love drifted through the air as your lips pressed against his repeatedly, something gentle and warm unfurling between your hearts.

You couldn’t ask for anything more.

Shouyou received three months of paid leave. It was to help him recover from his (“slightly!”) sprained wrist and also for his non-stop involvements in all the matches so far. Fans wanted to plead for him to take a break every now and then, but seeing his joyful face on the court made them swallow down their complaints. So when the notice of his brief leave became official, the comment section was filled with encouragements and “have fun with your girlfriend!”

Which was why he planned three months’ worth of travelling—from Japan to South Korea to Iran to Russia to Poland to Italy to France to the US to Brazil to Argentina and back—with you accompanying him. You gladly accepted his invitation, full of anticipation at exploring through the various countries. You asked about the odd destination choices, which he replied with a mumble of “…they have high-ranking volleyball teams.” His enthusiasm for the sport, even when he was injured, never ceased to amaze you.

“I’m glad you’re making the most of this time, Shou.” Your fingers carded through his hair while rubbing it dry. This became one of his favourite activities with you, other than snuggling and kissing. Or sleeping together. Or getting into tickle fights. Or eating together. (He just loves everything he does with you.)

“Yep! This will be an amazing opportunity to see all the other athletes! I already called them and they all said yes! But… are you fine with it?” He peeked up from his spot underneath you. “I want you to enjoy this trip as well, not just because I’m forcing you to come with me.” You smiled and placed a kiss on his nose.

“Of course I’m fine, Shou. As long as you don’t leave me alone the whole time for volleyball, I guess.” He spluttered an “Of course not! I’ll only watch them for a couple of hours, all the rest of our time can be used for sight-seeing! I bet this trip is going to be life-changing!”

And it was. Shouyou’s mornings were spent in various stadiums, eyes digging into each player’s forms like a hawk. Turning practice match offers down was practically torture for him, but he couldn’t play against them to due to his injury. When his thoughts of “I can play just this once!” surfaced, his promise with you of “no playing until your finger is fully healed” interrupted him. And he would sooner die than ever break a promise with you.

He would then return to the hotel around lunch to cuddle and share a meal with you. You would be stuck in the bed due to jet lag—how Shouyou managed to be so unaffected when you were half-dead is a mystery—but a few kisses and you would be as wide awake.

The afternoon was used to explore the city, ranging from famous land-marks to small eateries which was recommended to him via comments. (His fans around the world were so helpful.) He held your hand as you weaved through the streets and squeezed through large crowds, gripping firmly as if to say “I’m never letting you go.” Small souvenirs were bought by sets and hundreds of photos were taken to be weeded through and uploaded onto social media. Each city in each country was scouted the same way, and it was honestly paradise on Earth.

“Shou, there’s somewhere I want to go.” You whispered to him on the last night of your stay in Brazil. He moved so that he would be laying at eye-level to you, his body pressing onto yours. “It might mess up the schedule a bit, but there’s somewhere I really, really want to go. It’ll only take a day out of our stay in Argentina.” Your eyes sparkled despite the darkness of the night. “Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

—

The tour bus was comfier than you expected, gliding across the paved road in the middle of nowhere. Shouyou slept soundly next to you, face half-covered with thick blankets and fluffy pillows. You pulled a hand out from your cocoon of warmth, gently tracing his facial features. His serene face was rare, even when he was sleeping as it normally contorted to match whatever dreams he was having.

A wave of affection washed over you, threatening to drown your senses. Ah, how did I get so lucky? To be with someone this kind, this understanding and this loving. You placed a small kiss on his lips, jostling him awake as the bus slowed down to a stop. He let out a yawn, noticing the proximity of your face to him and gave you a quick peck.

“[Name]-chan? Why have we stopped?” The driver turned on weak lights, awakening other passengers as well. Shouyou leapt up from his seat, grabbing his jumper and yours at the driver’s words. “We’re here! Come on, we need to go!” Your eyes lit up in delight as you took his hand, bounding out of the bus.

The wide expanse of Uyuni’s salt flat greeted you. The night sky was clear, illuminated by the Milky Way and its countless stars. The usually dry plain was wet thanks to a timely shower a couple of hours ago, reflecting the lights off the crystalline ground like an enormous mirror.

The heavy smell of salt assaulted your nose as you stepped onto the ground, softly cracking as you walked on it. Shouyou was right next to you, eye glimmering at the ineffable sight before him. You ventured to the middle of the plain, leaving the gasps of delight and bewilderment of other travellers.

The violet sky was everywhere, underneath your feet and above you. Shouyou caught up, hugging you from behind and squeezing softly.

“I understand why you wanted to come. This is beyond beautiful.” He whispered into your ear, eyes gazing off into the distance. You nodded softly. It felt right, underneath the spotless sky and in the arms of your lover. This is the moment.

Shouyou ripped his arms off of your body at the sensation on his finger. A gold band sat on his finger, glimmering in the starlight. He gaped at it, eyes wide in astonishment. His mouth repeated to open and close, unable to find the correct words as his mind went blank.

“[Name]-chan?! What’s this?!” He shrieked at you, finally finding his voice. “Wh-what what. What. Am I dreaming? Did you just- is this-” You laughed at his flustered state, falling into his embrace while he didn’t take his eyes off the piece of jewellery.

“Yes, Shouyou. It is.” You held him at arm’s length, a hand cupped on his cheek. “The last 5 years with you were… indescribable. You never stopped showering me with affection, always made me feel loved and accepted me for who I am. I never felt neglected despite your constant absence for volleyball… if anything, you motivated me with your endless enthusiasm for the sport. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you, nor one without you.” You smiled softly, wiping the tears trickling down his cheeks. “So, Hinata Shouyou—the love of my life, my heart and soul—will you marry me?”  

Dry heaving and shuddering cries left his mouth as he nodded, broken declarations of love and “yes” mumbled against your lips in between hitched gasps for air. You kissed him back, giggling at his unending affection.

“I’ll… I’ll do my best to make you happy for— for the rest of your life.”

“I know you will, my love. I will too.”

Life changing trip indeed.

blue,

pink,

yellow,

green,

red,

orange,

violet,

you.

[yamithediaperdork]

The Hero’s new Armor (Legend of zelda)

Zelda smiled as she looked over her kingdom from her balcony, Hyrule was safe and recovering nicely in the wake of Gannon's defeat and everything was returning to normal. and she had her loving and wonderful husband to be to thank for that. however, even as she admired the beauty of the landscape, a yellow and putrid smelling tidal wave started to wash over the land, coming towards the castle and- Zelda sat up with a start, and then looked down at her bed, then over at her sleeping hero. who had wet the bed. again. "Link wake up! you're doing it again!" she growled, grabbing a pillow and hitting him on the head with it. Link, who had been snoring gently around his thumb (he was a total thumb sucker in his sleep, something that Zelda found to be ADORABLE!) he sat up now and glared, then looked down and groaned. "Zelda I'm-" "Save it." she growled. "I know, you're sorry. and you did everything you were suppose to, including not having anything to drink before bed and you don't know HOW this just keeps happening." she huffed. Zelda had tried, she really had, to be understanding the first dozen times this happened. But she was getting sick and tired of being pissed on every night. Link for his part looked like a scolded child, and had his head downcast, his thumb on the edge of his lip. "Oh for din's sake.. come on, we'll get the servants to clean this bed up and find somewhere else to sleep." she paused and sniffed the air. "After a bath." she added and held her nose. naturally it was Impa who answered their call first, and while she had the bedding taken care of she also lead them to a private bath area, having prepared two tubs of warm water. "...You were ready for this?" Link asked in a small voice as he took off his green night shirt. "Well when someone has wet the bed every single night for the past month, one tends to notice a pattern. the sheikah chuckled. "Oh." Link said and slipped into his tub, the warm water filling good and grabbing a knot of soap weed, he began to scrub himself. The princess just glared and huffed, willing herself to calm down, it wasn't really fair to be mad at Link for something he couldn't control but at the same time she was a princess, soon to be Queen and she was getting pissed on like a dirty green rupee whore! sliding her purple night grown off she slid into her tub (they had separate ones as sometimes the warm water made link relax a little TOO much..ugh) she let Impa clean her, relaxing herself as her faithful servant/bodyguard/best friend took care of her, and put her mind to work on the Link problem. She couldn't just dump him.. she loved the blond haired hero with all her heart even if he was annoying at times. They had already tried different potions and brews that were suppose to help, and at best they did nothing, at worse.. she wrinkled her nose recalling the night Link had messed the bed. as the royal consort Link was expected to sleep in her room, though she could always make a excuse for why he wasn't, heck, they had managed to cover up any rumors over the bed wetting so far so Zelda knew the castles servants were trustworthy. Still she'd miss falling asleep while snuggling with Link, with him nuzzling into her almost like a small child or a bab- Zelda opened her eyes and smiled, she knew what they had to do, and was shocked with herself she hadn't considered it sooner. "M'lady?" Impa asked politely. "Finish up here Impa, then you and I have much to plan." She said and smiled over at Link, who was just laying back in the tub, enjoying it and too zoned out to see the almost fiendish look upon his beloveds face. After their baths the couple had been found separated beds, which was disappointing for Link, he found listening to Zelda's breath and heart beat to be oddly comforting but he made due and managed to sink back into a slumber, once again one that was filled with flashes and images from his many battles that he had waged to save the kingdom. Thankfully when he awoke in the morning, the bed was dry. He would of hated to need anther bath and to of been responsible for two pissy beds. getting dressed he had breakfast with the princess, who as usual had calmed down and was kind with her words,then he went off to go and do the morning drill's the palace guards. As the royal consort he didn't NEED to do anything around the palace but Link had taken it upon himself to train the palace guards, so that the next wanna be Gannon would have a hard time of it. After lunch with the guards (Zelda had been busy, and as the princess of a recovering nation, Link understood this) Link went out on horseback with a patrol to sweep up any left over monsters created by Gannon's dark magic.after a scuffle with some Moblins who had been trying to bring back the king of evil with a poorly thought out plan (they had been plotting to steal Gannon's remains even though he wasn't dead so much as trapped) they rode back and washed up, with link dressing in a formal pair of white pants, and a dark blue dress shirt, and taking the time to comb his hair for supper with the court. (Truth be told, he hated this meal and would of rather faced anther 20 Moblins by himself, but it was the way things were done, so Link just put on his best fake smile, was careful to eat in a gentlemanly manner, and try not to embarrass Zelda.) Finally with the dinner over Zelda and Link retired to their bedchambers. the staff, well schooled by now in handling the soaked bedding and the like had gotten the room cleaned up and smelling better and the bed was perfectly dried (though no doubly stained under the satin sheets) "So link, We need to talk about the dodongo in the room." Zelda said, after they had changed to more comfortable clothes. "My..My bed wetting?" Link asked, looking at the floor, cheeks starting to turn red. "No, your habit of dancing in your sleep. of course your bed wetting." Zelda joked, thought chided herself for it.  "look, The way I see it, we have one of two choices here. One, is that you and I sleep in separate beds so that when you wet yourself, at least I'm not getting a golden shower." "I..That makes sense, Though I'll miss falling asleep in your arms." Link said with a miserable tone to his voice and his face showed his dislike of that option as well. "what was the other choice?" "Well, The other choice lets us share a bed, though requires you to wear protection." She said, blushing a little herself now. Link blinked, and tilted his head. "I don't think the Zora or Goron tunic would help with this Zelda." he said, rubbing the back of his head. Zelda blinked, then facepalmed. 'how can he be so brilliant at solving puzzles and yet so DUMB?!' she thought. "Not..not quite what I was talking about." She said. As link went to open his mouth she cut him off, trying to save him from making a fool of himself. "I'm talking about diapers link." she said flatly. "...Diapers? as In.. the things babies wear?" Link asked, his face turning crimson now. "well not just babies, some older children wear them till they stop bed wetting and well.." Zelda trailed off. "Oh, so I'm not a baby..just a big child." Link huffed. "Well when you pout like that." Zelda said. "be reasonable Link, it's sleep in anther bedroom without me, and hope this problem clears up before our wedding.. or wear the diapers. would being diapered, just in front of myself, and maybe Impa be THAT much worse then being seen in your pissy clothes?" "well..I mean..I guess not.." Link mumbled. "Good. then strip and go lay on the bed while i go get Impa." "C-Can't we just keep t-this to ourselfs?" Link asked, his voice hitting a high note as he poked his fingers together. "I would if I could but er, I've never actually diapered someone before, while Impa used to change mine..soooo I kinda figure she'd be the perfect choice to show me the ropes you know?" Link gave a tiny nod and started to strip as Zelda went into the hallway, spotting Impa who was waiting nearby with a bag over one shoulder and nodded to her and gave her a thumbs up. Links blush had moved down his neck and to his shoulders as he laid back on the bed, his hands covering his manhood as he looked up at Impa who gave him a warm smile, then set the bag down on the bed. "I'm seen your privates before while attending to your baths. and you'll look funny if I diaper you with your hands down there." She said with a wink, making link blush more and move his hands. Truthfully he was fighting the urge to suck his thumb right now, but figured with what was about to happen it wouldn't look good. Impa was babbling away to Zelda about how to fold the diaper and link just shut his eyes and tried to block the whole thing out. to pretend he was somewhere else. with his eyes closed, he pictured a nice flat farmland and riding on epona and smiled, cooing gently. Zelda bite down on her touage to prevent herself from laughing as link went totally baby zone as Impa lifted up his legs and set the bulky cloth under the boys buns, then powdered him. raising a eye as link's hand moved for his mouth again Impa locked eyes with Zelda, then nodded at the bag as she finished getting Link coated and started to use the heavy set and durable pins to fasten the bulky diaper around the hips of the hero. Link's relaxing ride came to a sudden stop as suddenly his mouth was invaded by a large rubber nipple and link opened his eyes to see Zelda bending down, and smiling and giggling softly. instinctively Link sucked on whatever it was in his mouth, but a downward glance confirmed it, he was nursing on a pacifier! A muffled cry of protest went to come out and link moved to spit the pacifier out but zelda placed two fingers on the mouth guard and tsked softly. "Come now link, we both know you wanna suck your thumb, and this is just cleaner..and besides." She paused, but then grinned and bend down lower and kissed his forehead. "You look VERY adorable." Link suckled on the paci after that, red faced and squirming as he stepped into the tight rubbed pants impa held out for him, the faded purple clung to his hips and Link felt like a over sized big baby. "We'll have to look into getting some in other colors. I want my little prince to be a little rainbow butt." Zelda said, patting link's puffy behind. Link had been about to say something, but as Zelda patted his butt, he barely heard her talking about just how cute his butt was, and just ended up turning himself more into the pats, and getting on his knees and hands on the bed, wiggling his butt. Zelda had just been patting the butt and teasing Link a little to have fun, but when the padded hero of cuteness positioned himself to get more out of his butt pats she found herself grinning ear to ear. This, this had all sorts of potential and for the first time she was VERY glad that her hero, her baby husband to be, had started wetting the bed. The end

[ehstarwar]

under thy own life’s key (5/7)

They were both mostly silent during the meal, reacting to their friends antics only when prompted. Rey could feel Bens' leg against hers under the table and if she weren’t shoveling food into her mouth, she wouldn’t have been able to resist touching him.

Teasing him, more likely.

-

Ben and Rey engage in a friendly competition to make the day go faster. (And also tease each other until one of them breaks.)

-

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 4K

Read on AO3

Notes: home stretch you guys... this was the hardest chapter to write but also my favorite so far, i think? lemme know what chu think babes. thanks for reading! enjoy (･∀･)

Chapter 5: makes heaven drowsy with the harmony

-

Rey doesn’t feel Ben crawl back into bed that night, but she sure a hell feels him the next morning. He has her in his grasp again, his face buried in her hair and lightly snoring against her neck. His arms hold Rey to his chest, body flush with his and legs shuffled together. 

She also feels him. 

Hot and aching against the cleft of her ass. It takes a minute to realize exactly what she’s feeling, but when the realization crashes over her, her whole body shivers. Rey does her best to turn towards him, eventually having to lift parts of his body to turn fully over. 

“Ben,” She whispers against his neck. Her hands trace the muscles that stretch his shirt in a way that should be illegal. She moves her feet so they rub against his strong calf muscles. 

Ben grumbles something, not opening his eyes, but moving his face down to Rey’s and bumping their noses together. 

“Good morning,” She whispers against his cheek. Ben doesn’t respond, just shifts his face so their lips press together. The kiss is slow and warm, and makes Rey feel better than any kiss ought to. Ben’s hands come around her again, one to hold onto her back and another to kneed the swells of her ass. They make out like that for a good minute, not caring about morning breath or knotty hair, just enjoying the soft intimacy of each other. 

When Reys’ hand trails lower, gently tracing the outline of his morning wood, Bens’ breath hitches. 

“Rey, baby,” His voice is a whine, and that just makes Rey move a little faster. She dips her hand beneath his boxers, finding him so hard that she can only imagine how painful it is. Her hand immodestly goes to work, gliding up and down on his hot skin. Their tongues tangle together, neither of them breaking the kiss for even a moment. She feels Ben clench his muscles wherever she touches him, giving her a rightful sense of power. 

Ben moves his hand to come up from her ass and rub circles on her nipples that are hard and stiff against her sleep shirt. She moans against his mouth, hand moving even faster now. His thumb rubs at one, the calluses evident even over the fabric of her shirt. She wishes he would rip it off like he did to her underwear, toss it far across the room so she could feel his flesh against her.

Ben begins to mumble something against her lips, a warning, she can tell. She just shoves her tongue down his mouth and rubs his head with a little more determination. Ben’s whole body tenses when he comes, cock straining against her hand, overflowing with sticky white come. Ben is breathing so heavy  that Rey works her mouth across his jaw, nipping and licking everywhere let lips land.

His come coats her hand, a little dribbling down onto her thighs and spreading his warmth even further. Rey doesn’t feel the clenching need like she did last night after he came; the need to fall over the edge with him or she was going to die. His orgasm sends a ripple of pleasure though her, but doesn’t claw at her the same way. 

When Ben gets his breath under control, his mouth seeks out Rey’s once more. She still holding him, working out the last possible drop of come into her hands, feeling powerful and satisfied and adored, all in one. 

“REY! BEN! WAKE UP. YOU’LL MISS BREAKFAST!”

Poe’s loud shrill breaks the silence and Rey can’t help but be reminded of last night.

“I’ll kill him,” Ben says. “I will chop his body into tiny pieces and feed him to fish in the lake. I’ll do it.” Ben says with eyes closed. 

“Hux wouldn’t like that very much.”

“Fuck Hux.”

Rey smiles at Ben, watching the way she small stream of sunlight his his hair just right so it looks like a halo. On cue, her stomach rumbles. They both look down at her stomach before looking back up in silent agreement.

“Breakfast, then.” Ben says and Rey nods enthusiastically. “I’ll just… get a towel for you.” Ben gets up and walks into the bathroom quickly.

It dawns on Rey that this is the first time they’ve been sexual in broad daylight, with out the excuse of needing to get off to get to sleep. She doesn’t know why, but it feels like more. Probably because it is more. The made out last night after… everything, and this morning before they even started. Rey tries to think about what this all means, but Ben is back handing her a wet washcloth before her mind can begin to reel. 

She takes it with her clean hand, but when she goes to wipe her other hand, something stops her. She looks down, her palm covered in his now-cool come. She glances down to her thighs, seeing the white blob that landed there earlier still against her tan skin. She feels Ben watching her, so she decided to be bold. 

Rey licks her palm clean; every finger, every crevice, every joint. She sucks off his come before using the rag to clean her of saliva. Ben is still standing at the end of the bed, eyes dark and posture rigid as he watches her.

“I don’t need breakfast.” His words are a growl and Rey is very, very tempted to agree with him.   But another rumble breaks the silence before Rey can say anything, like her body is cockblocking them now.

“I think I do,” She tells him sheepishly. 

-

Breakfast is… an event. To say the least. 

When Ben and Rey finally came up stairs to eat with the rest of their friends, the tension between them had not shifted one bit. It’s like there was a looming force around them, making them move together, reach for the same plate, brush hands whenever possible. They were both mostly silent during the meal, reacting to their friends antics only when prompted. Rey could feel Bens leg against hers under the table and if she weren’t shoveling food into her mouth, she wouldn’t have been able to resist touching him. 

Teasing him, more likely. 

“We have to spend all day outside today, guys. It’s our last day of full sunshine before the storms roll in tonight. If I have to go home without the epic tan I promised my office mates I would have, I’m going to personally send all of you strongly worded messages on insta,” Poe says before popping a blueberry into his mouth. 

“How is that on us?” Kaydel asks, laughing at him. Poe sticks his tongue out at her.

“I don’t have an instagram,” Ben says, slicking up one of the wheat protein pancakes he bought for the trip. The only other person who dared to eat them was Phasma.

“Then I’ll send it to you via raven, Benjamin. Can we all just agree to make the most of today? Pretty please, for the blushing bride?” Poe bats his lashes at everyone and Finn throws a pancake at his face.

While a day lounging in the sun sounds wonderful after the incident yesterday, Rey can’t help but feel a little annoyed. She wants to stay inside. In her room. With her roommate. Preferably making each other come as many times as humanly possible. Maybe they’ll talk about what the hell this is. Maybe they’ll just fuck each other boneless. Rey selflessly prefers the latter.

A shared, exasperated look at Ben tells her that he wants the same thing. 

-

The sun is hot. The drink, once filled with ice, are hot. The damn water is hot. 

But all that heat is nothing compared to what Rey is feeling inside herself. Ben chose the tiniest, most ridiculously short-board shorts, that hug his taut ass just right, show off his perfectly toned long legs, and ride dangerously short on his adonis belt. Rey wants to fucking melt. 

When she’d seen the low blow he pulled when he emerged with that male-equivalent of a thong, she decided pull out the big guns. And by big guns, she means the practically non-existent white bikini that shows off more skin than she’s usually okay with people seeing. 

She thinks the look he gave her when he saw the white fabric bunch up in her ass was enough to get her through the rest of the day relatively smoothly. She was wrong. 

Ben, it seemed, was also up for a challenge. An actual challenge, that is.

“Volleyball?” Rey questions, looking up at him from her sunbathing spot that she’d subtly been flashing her ass towards him. Kaydel, beside her, pipes up.

“Ugh, yes! I haven’t played volleyball since high school!” Jannah, Zorii and Poe seem all equally enthused. Rey wants to slap the smug grin off Bens face. Or kiss it. 

Ben teams up with Zorii, Poe, and Hux (‘the celebrating couple must be on the same team.’) leaving Rey with Jannah, Kaydel, and Phasma. Rose and Finn were ‘taking a bathroom break’ for the last twenty minutes. 

Ben attached the net that he’d pulled out of god knows where at Kaydel gives Rey tips on playing.

“Weren’t you like, a super gym rat in college?” Kaydel asks when Rey eyes the ball with a tenuous expression.

“I run. And swim. On occasion, I enjoy a good barre class. But my hand-eye coordination is virtually nonexistent. I tried playing baseball once and literally gave the umpire a concussion,” She admits.

“Well, there is no bats in volleyball, so just… be careful.” Kaydel gives he a goodnatured pat on the shoulder before walking off to practice serving. Rey turns to glare at Ben, who still has that smug look which Rey can’t decide if it's off-putting or unbelievably sexy.

“You know I don’t have hand-eye coordination to save my life.”

“Yes I do.”

“So you suggested that we play volleyball because you want to see me make an utter fool of myself.”

“No. I suggested we play volleyball because I found a volleyball net in one of the closets. And because I want to see what your ass looks like when you jump in that… bathing suit.” Ben’s eyes rake down her body. Rey suddenly sees the… potential this particular game has.

  Only when the sun skins below the mountain tops that Rey realizes how long they’ve been playing. Well, how long she and Ben have been playing. Everyone slowly bowed out when they realized this competition was between Ben and Rey and that they each had a single minded victory to beat each other. 

“Guys, we need to head in! The bugs will be coming out soon!” Jannah shouts at them. Ben is detracted enough that Reys’ serve to Ben hits him square in the chest before bouncing off into the water. Rey doubles over in laughter, seeing Ben walk towards her with determination. 

“I swear… I didn’t mean…” Rey can barely talk though her laughter as she tries to justify herself. Suddenly, Rey is lifted from the sand, feeling two strong arms hoist her up. Ben carries her back towards the house, steely expression on his face. 

“I think this means I won?” She taunts, poking him in the chest. She’s rewarded with a low mumble that sounds like ‘no’ and ‘you wish’.

He carries her up to the cabin, only setting her down once there outside the door where her friends laughter drifts towards them. 

“Were going to eat dinner,” He says, the same determined expression still on his face. “Then we’re going to bed.”

“Okay,” Rey breaths. He pulls her inside then, practically dragging her to get her food.

“Are, uh, you guys hungry?” Finn asks as Ben load up both of their plates with militant precision. 

“Yes,” Ben replies, stoically. 

“Lots of volleyball. We’re both starved,” She tosses over her shoulder. Ben sits down at the dining room table and begins shoving food into his mouth like it’ll disappear if he doesn’t.

Rey joins her friends on the couch, trying to be a bit more casual than Ben. Who was now staring at her from across the room. She could feel his gaze all over. 

While Ben finished his monstrous plate in record time, Rey was going at a leisurely pace. Taking time to actually chew her food instead of inhale it. Listening to her friends and laughing at the appropriate places. She could physically feel Ben loose his mind. 

A hard screech across the hardwood floors made everyone turn their heads to stare at Ben.

“I’m going to bed,” He announced, eyes fixated on Rey. He stomped around the group and down the stairs, leaving the door open as a clear invitation to her. 

“The fuck in up with Solo?” Zorii asked. 

“Maybe he got sun poisoning. I mean, his thighs were super white. It’s possible he’s never been exposed to this much direct sunlight in his life.”

“He’s not a vampire, Kaydel. Plus, if he is pale enough to get sick by the sun, don’t you think I’d be sicker?” Hux defending Ben was still the cutest thing to Rey, even if she’d never tell him. 

“Well you and Poe spent enough time canoodling in the shade, so I think you’re safe,” Kaydel retorted, causing everyone to laugh. Soon enough, the conversation drifted from Ben’s unusual state and onto other things decidedly less interesting to Rey.

“I’m going to make sure Ben is alright. I’ll… probably be going to bed too.” Rey stands up quickly, suddenly very driven to get down to Ben as fast as humanly possible. 

“Tell Benjamin that I have plenty of Aloe if he needs it. And that ice baths don’t actually help,” Hux calls after her. She just gives him a thumbs up and closes the door to the stair case. 

By the time Rey makes it to their bedroom door, her heart is pounding in her chest. Would this be the night they talked about whatever the hell is going on between them? Would they pretend like they have every other night that this is normal? Or would Ben sweep her off her feet before she had the door opened all the way and make her forget her own name as he fucked her into the next dimension?

There was only one way to find out.

The door squeaks open and Rey finds Ben frowning down at her suitcase and reorganizing her clothes for her. When he hears her open the door, Ben’s head snaps up and his body is coming towards her within an instant. 

His lips find hers in a bruising hold, hands coming up to hold her head as his mouth pushes against hers. 

“You… took… too… long.” Each word is punctuated by a kiss, his mouth not straying far from hers even to speak. He’s still shirtless, still in his abysmally tiny board shorts and Rey can feel his warm skin pressed against hers. She grips at his chest, runs her hands down his back and across his arms, anything just to feel him. 

Bens’ legs are shoved between hers, pressing his thigh against her as he continues his assault on her mouth.

“You just… gonna stay here… and kiss me all night?” She teases him, voice airy and light. Ben works his mouth down her jaw to her throat, chest, stomach, until he bends down and picks her up by the legs. 

“You’ve got to stop picking me up, Ben!” He deposits her on the bed, standing back now, bathed only in the light coming from the bathroom. She can see his erection in his board shorts, so she traces her foot along the length of him. She sees his jaw work and his neck tense and she’s tempted to just stick a hand down her bottoms right there. 

“Rey,” He catches her foot, holding it in his warm hand, “I need you to tell me that you want this. Not to sleep. Not because you’re frustrated. But because you want this.” His eyes are filled with an intensity that she’s been exposed to quite a bit in the last few days. Her prior experiences with it do nothing to quell the nervous butterflies she gets.

“I want this, Ben. I want you.” 

Ben crouches onto the floor, kissing down her leg. He spreads her apart, mouthing at the juncture between her thighs. He gently takes her swim bottoms off her legs and tosses them away, before delving into her pussy. She’s wet, embarrassingly so, but Ben doesn’t seem to mind. His mouth moves against her, pressing kisses against her folds and on her clit. She tangles her hand into his hair, same as last night, as his tongue licks strips up and down.

She’s mewling for him, bucking her hips until his palm comes around to hold her pelvis down. She clutches his hand where it rest on her skin, and his thumb rubs little circles into her. Her orgasm comes much quicker this time, probably a result of being kept on edge for the entire day. She moans his name as her body vibrates with the intensity, legs crushing his head in the process. If Ben minds, he doesn’t mention it.

He soothes her, pressing light kisses up her cunt, nuzzling the brown thatch of hair between her legs, teasing his tongue up her stomach to come circle her nipples. Somehow, Rey had managed to pull off her bikini top (not that there was much to pull), so she was laid gloriously bare before him. 

When her breathing returns to normal, Ben speaks again.

“Every time you’ve come, you fall asleep right after. I don’t intend on letting you do that tonight.” His voice is deep and menacing and Rey thinks she could come just from the vibrations it makes against her skin.

“What do you plan on doing about that, Solo?” She taunts. 

Suddenly, Rey is being hauled further back on the bed, with Ben coming to lay over her. His mouth is sucking at the skin of her neck, no doubt leaving enormous hickey’s that she’ll have to figure out how to cover tomorrow. 

But that’s Tomorrow Reys’ problem. 

Her hand trails down his torso, feeling his shorts are still on, but his cock crying desperately to get out. When Ben feels her hand on him, he quickly sheds the material, coming right back down to kiss Rey again. She tugs him a little, spreading the precome over his cock to lube him up. Not that he needs it, with the way Rey is dripping. 

“I plan on fucking you so well that you forget what sleep is,” He murmurs against her skin. “That you’ll never be able to sleep again without dreaming of my cock. Of me making you come so hard you forget where we are.”

Rey can only mewl at his words, clawing at him and trying to line him up with her. Ben partially obliges, moving his hips between hers, rubbing the thick head of his cock up and down her pussy. Rey tries to move her hips to force him  in her, but Ben is in control at the moment. 

“Please, Ben, please. I need this… I need you, please…”

He pushes into her slowly, like he’s savoring every moment her tight, wet heat envelopes him. He’s big in her hand but somehow feels even larger inside of her. It’s not painful, he prepped her too well for that, but fulfilling in a way that makes her toes curl. Like she was made for this exact moment for Ben to push into her. When he’s fully seated inside of her, Ben rest his forehead against hers. 

“Rey… fuck. You’re so fuckin… fuck, Rey. You’re prefect. Made for me. Just fucking perfect.” Ben is still inside of her. She’s not sure if its for her to adjust, or for him to control himself. Rey peppers kisses along his jaw, watching his eyes clenched shut and breath through gritted teeth. 

“So good, Ben. You’re so good. You feel perfect too, baby. Just for me.” She hope her words calm him, make it easier for him, but the growl that originates from somewhere deep within his bones makes her think otherwise. 

“I just need… a minute. I wanna make this good for you. Wanna make this last.” His lips are against her neck now, breathing hot breath onto her with every word. “Want to fucking live inside of you, baby.”

It’s another minute before Ben can move. Rey just cards her fingers through his hair, marveling at how his black locks can remain so silky even after a full day of sweat. His hand comes up to her jaw, and cups her face so that he can kiss her deeply, tongue going so far down her throat she thinks she might swallow it. 

His hips begin moving at a snails pace; sharp, shallow thrust that make her breath hitch all the same. He forces her thighs even further apart so that he can get deeper within her, nearly bumping her cervix. 

Ben’s thrust get more sure, move faster and harder. His cock brushes against a bundle of nerves that makes Rey see stars behind her eyes. It doesn’t matter if she’s just come a few minutes ago; she’s going to come again and soon. 

“You gonna come around my cock, baby? You gonna come for me?” Ben asks between kisses.  Rey just seeks out his mouth more, wanting every part of her to be connect with him as much as possible. 

Ben sticks a hand by where their bodies meet, rubbing at her over-sensitive, over-stimulated clit, until Rey is a babbling mess. She feels hot tears of desire prick at her eyes as her hand clutches Ben’s head down to hers.

“‘m gonna come, Ben. Please, I need to come,” She whimpers against him. Ben grunts something unintelligible against her lips, but feels his whole body begin to tense up. 

“Gonna come to, Rey. Gonna come in your perfect little cunt. You want that, you want me to fill you up?” Yes, yes, yes. Rey is beyond words at this point so she hopes the sloppy nodding of her head will give him the answer she’s so desperate to convey. 

When Ben’s thumb catches her clit and his cock brushes against that bundle of nerves inside of her, Rey looses her mind. She sees stars and feels warmth like she’s never known and hears the most beautiful sound in the world. Ben, mumbling her name as he comes and comes. His come feels so good inside of her, a warmth that she never knew she needed until right now. His body is tense as he releases, pressing their hips flush together so hard that she thinks they may never part. She’s okay with that.

Ben sags against her, nearly crushing her with his impressive weight, but Rey loves it. She’ll hold him against her forever if he’ll let her. 

Ben moves his head to kiss her again, softer this time. None of the hurried rush they’d experienced before. He’s still firmly inside of her, keeping his come warm and thick in her. She’s boneless and breathless and has never felt this high on ecstasy in her life. 

Ben’s lips break away from hers and he rest his forehead on hers, looking down at her with so much emotion Rey is not mentally prepared to decipher.

“That was…”

“Yeah.”

“I meant it. Everything I said.”

“Me too.”

They’re silent for a minute, content with just staring at each other. Ben seems to realize that Rey is essentially trapped under him, so he pushes himself up, slowly pulling out of her. The rush of fluids that Rey feels escape her makes the flush in her cheeks deepen. Ben is staring between them now, watching their combined come trickle out of her.

“I probably should’ve asked this before but…” His eyes slowly ascend to hers, “do you take birth control?”

“No,” She shakes her head. Something flashes across Ben’s face that is not the fear she anticipated. “I’m on the shot.”

“Oh.” He looks… disappointed? Maybe not quite sad, but there’s a longing in his gaze that Rey isn’t used to, but thrills her all the same. 

“That was a very good way to keep me from falling asleep,” She says, not nearly prepared to talk about that subject. She doesn’t even know where they stand. 

“Is that your way of telling me you’re ready to actually go to bed now?” Ben’s sheepish demeanor returns and Rey is thankful that he’s on the same page as her. 

“Not if you can think of something even better to keep me awake.”

Bens’ gaze darkens once more, and Rey knows that they’re in for a long night. 

[thewriterofkpop]

EXO Boys saving the Reader from drowning

Hiii~ here again with EXO! It’s so hot here in Germany and ugh...stay hydrated! I thought about going to the swimming pool but I have appointments, ugh...but while thinking about it I thought about writing this HC...Enjoy! 

Suho 

You laid next to Suho in the lounger and enjoyed the sun‘s warmth while he was laughing with his friends. 

Of course he was the only one laughing due to his bad jokes but still you had to chuckle. 

,,Ahhh it’s so hot!“ Chanyeol began to whine, getting angry immediately, like always. 

,,Then cool down.“ XiuMin responded, making Chanyeol even angrier. 

,,Y/N! Come in the pool with me~“ he whined, making you look at him. 

,,Why me?“ you asked a bit concerned. It was your biggest secret that you couldn’t swim. 

You didn’t want this to get exposed and so you agreed to join him. 

,,But I will stay outside. I don’t want to get wet.“ you told him and got up. 

Suho always kept an eye at you. 

Not even he knew that you couldn’t swim. 

Being distracted with your body and watching you made him forget about the idiots next to him and so without anyone noticing Baekhyun ran towards you and pushed you into the pool, making you shriek loudly. 

Everyone began to laugh except for your boyfriend, who felt weird for a reason. 

The situation was extremely funny, especially your shriek. 

Your boyfriend however was the first one who noticed that something was wrong. 

For some reason you weren’t coming up again. 

Immediately he got up and jumped into the pool, dragging you up again. 

Your lifeless body was in his arms. 

His heart was beating crazily as he yelled at the boys ,,HELP HER UP IMMEDIATELY!“ he never was this scared. 

It took you a few seconds until you regained consciousness and when your eyes were open again, a happy JunMyeon hugged you. 

,,You can‘t swim?“ he asked you softly when the two of you were at home again. 

,,I will teach you and protect you...I promise...“ he whispered and kissed you. 

Chanyeol 

Both of you were sitting on the edge of the pool, talking about the beautiful weather and the children which were joking around outside. 

,,It’s important to stay hydrated....want me to get you something to drink?“ he asked you. 

You nodded, embarrassed that he cared so much for you. 

Laughing like always he got up and went to get some drinks. 

,,Ahhhh!“ a child happy screamed and jumped into the pool, making you all wet. 

You however, loving children, began to laugh instead of scolding her. 

The young girl immediately loved you and begged you to go into the pool with her since she was scared swimming in such a deep pool. 

You tried to decline a few times but at some point other children joined her and pushed you into the water. 

You gasped for help since you could barely stand. 

The children around you got scared and began to cry, making everyone turn their attention to them, even your boyfriend who was standing in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection. 

At some point the reflection didn’t show just him but also your body, trying to paddle in the water. 

He let go of the drinks, causing a rattle however your life was more important. 

He immediately helped you up, letting you the chance to gasp for air. 

The other members joined you guys, helping you up and supporting you. 

,,If a person says no, respect it!“ your boyfriend scolded the young children, glaring at their ashamed parents. 

,,I love you...“ he whispered after the shock, needing your warmth right now to assure himself that you were alright. 

Baekhyun 

,,Please join me...“ he begged you, smiling brightly at you, making it even harder for you to say no. 

,,But not too deep...“ you mumbled, trying to find the perfect compromise as you too his hand. 

However you didn’t expect him to jump into the water...

Your boyfriend dragged you with him in the blue abyss.

Thinking that you were prepared he stayed a bit longer down but quickly noticing that something was wrong when you didn’t stop to struggle. 

,,Y/N!“ he yelled, trying to hold you up. 

,,Y/N YOU‘RE UP NOW!“ he called you, trying to make you register that you had nothing to fear anymore. 

Baekhyun was immensely sorry and didn’t stop to tell you how he felt. 

Between gags you luckily could press an ,,It’s okay“ before you began to cough. 

,,Why didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t swim?“ he asked you. 

His hands were also trembling due to the shock. 

You explained him the fact that you loved him so much, that you didn’t want to disappoint him or ruining the fun. 

You just wanted him to feel good an happy even if that meant to take this risk. 

Baekhyun took your hand and kissed it. 

,,You’re my fun....“ he mumbled and tried to calm down. 

Chen 

,,You’re boring!’’ he hissed at you. 

,,What? Are you kidding me, Jongdae?’’ you asked him, knowing perfectly that your love was just joking. 

But you wanted to tease him too… 

,,No, I’m not.’’ he finally smiled and kissed you, looking at the pool. 

,,Let’s do a competition!’’ you gigged and attempted to jump into the pool. 

But your boyfriend immediately stopped you. 

,,What? Y/N, I hope you remember that the doctor told you to please not swim.’’ he reminded you. 

,,Come on….nothing can happen’’ you insisted and let go of his hand, jumping into the pool and swimming for a few meters. 

,,Aish…’’ you cursed when you felt the odd cramps at your feet making it difficult for you to move at all. 

,,Ugh’’ you gagged, drinking way too much water. 

,,H-elp!’’ you tried to scream. 

,,You’re not funny!’’ your handsome boyfriend whined at your bad joke. 

Although, you kept behaving so odd, making him concerned. 

,,Oi! Why??? WHY?!’’ he tried to figure out when he saw that you didn’t stopp. 

His fears hit him. 

,,Guys! He-help me!’’ he whined and jumped in, trying to reach your struggling body. 

,,Is she alright?!’’ Suho asked him, after both of them resuced you from the water. 

,,Here, a towel, lay her on it. I will bring someone…’’ the young leader nodded, rushing back. 

Chen’s trembling hands traced down your face as your eyes flickered. 

,,Hey…’’ he mumbled when your eyes looked at him. 

,,How are you..?’’ he asked you, stroking your cheeks. 

,,Better, now that I saw you…’’ you answered and tried to smile at him while you coughed again. 

Since then he made sure that you really listened to the doctor’s words. 

He loved you so much and was so scared that you could be in danger again. 

Kai 

,,The pool...?“ you asked him, showing him a bit of concern. Your boyfriend nodded and immediately noticed that something was odd. 

,,Do you want to tell me something? Talking about something may prevent problems.“ Kai asked you. 

You however did your best to hide it and shook your head. 

Something you came to regret later on when the boys decided to go, everyone at the same time. 

Some of them went to the toilet, went to bring some drinks or to order food. 

While you, even through your couldn’t swim and were scared, decided to walk around the pool. 

The water didn’t seem too deep and so, when you saw something shiny in there, you tried to take it. 

It was a fatal mistake. 

You slipped and fell into the warm water. 

,,Did anyone see Y/N?’’ your boyfriend asked his hyungs, looking for you. 

,,HELP!’’ a loud scream echoed in the corridor, making everyone run outside. 

Not long afterwards your boyfriend was dripping wet holding your breathless body in his arms. 

His sexy, soaked body made you shiver as you laid against his body. 

Although, your thoughts were somewhere else. 

,,Hahaha, what was that?’’ someone said behind you guys, making your boyfriend snap right away. 

,,Excuse me? You just saw her? She was in danger and you just ignored her? I think it’s not nice to behave like that…’’ 

,,Jongin, please..’’ you groaned when he sat beside you. 

,,No please, just lay down and rest….’’ he whispered, overwhelmed with all the emotions which were overcoming him. 

He cared about you so much, you could tell. 

XiuMin 

,,Aigo...we should go now...“ you mumbled as your boyfriend kissed your neck once again while holding your hand. 

,,We can stay here if you want....“ he whispered, knowing perfectly that you were scared of water. 

Although you insisted to go with him to the beach festival. 

,,I don’t want to ruin your fun and besides it’s just us and the staff....nothing will happen...“ you explained, wondering if you were trying to calm him or yourself. 

Indeed, the both of you planned to go on a beach festival on a ship. 

Minseok was scared to death after you told him that you couldn’t swim. 

Due to your confession he wanted to stay at home but luckily you could reassure him that everything was going to be alright. 

He being the oldest and far more mature never thought that the boys would dare to push you out of the ship. 

Of course they first asked the captain if it was possible. 

,,We can stand still here. You all can jump in.“ he assured them while you and your boyfriend stayed outside. 

,,Look a dolphin!“ one of the boys screamed, making you jump right away. 

,,Jagi....stay...I will bring you to the aquarium if you want to see the dolphins....“ he tried to hold you back. 

,,Suho is there too! He can handle them! Nothing will happen!“ you giggled. 

How wrong you were. The leader himself wasn’t aware of the boy‘s intentions and so the unlucky situation happened. 

You looked out for the dolphin and Chanyeol pushed you while the boys around him began to laugh. 

Water filled up your lungs as you tried to scream help under the water. 

You couldn’t touch the ground or see the light over your head. 

Everything was dark and cold and so you stopped struggling. 

,,PLEAE WAKE UP!“ Minseok panicked, slapping your cheeks softly and trying to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 

,,I didn’t know...“ Chanyeol teared up, seeing your lifeless body on the floor. 

Minseok stayed silent. 

But suddenly you threw up water, breathing the salty sea air. 

,,You’re alright....“ your boyfriend sobbed next to you, nuzzling at your hair. 

Since then the boys were extremely cautious around you and never played a prank on you again. 

It was a good lesson after Xiumin stayed pissed at them for three weeks. 

D.O 

,,Umma Kyungsoo“ you called him and giggled before you put the spoon into your mouth. 

Well, you tried to. 

Your boyfriend just stopped you and looked at you with his deep eyes. 

,,Call me again Umma and I will eat your food away!“ with that he ate the food you were just trying to put into your mouth. 

The boys laughed at the two of you and told you, that you seemed like a newlywed couple. 

You blushed immediately, daydreaming about the marriage with you and your boyfriend. 

With that you stopped paying attention to your surroundings. 

Just when you felt your chair getting lifted you realized what was happening. 

The strong boys, being the class clowns, lifted your chair and threw you into the water. 

,,I CAAAAAAN‘T SWIMMMMMM!“ you could scream before your body landed in the water. 

,,What did she say? She wanted to swim?“ someone laughed, mishearing your scream. 

But it hit Kyungsoo immediately. 

,,SHE CAN‘T SWIM! SHE SAID I CAN‘T SWIM!!“ without waiting long he jumped in and approached your struggling body. 

You were panicking so much that it was a real pain to save you. 

,,Psssst...you can breath....Y/N breath!“ he tried to calm you. 

,,Give me a paper bag!“ he begged when he noticed that you were hyperventilating, holding his shirt. 

It took them awhile until you could talk again. 

Not just you were trembling but also the boys and your boyfriend. 

,,Baby, don’t cry....“ he whined, making you nod. 

,,As an excuse go and bake her a cake!“ he ordered when he saw the boys apologetic faces. 

,,Not only drowning but also poisoning me...?“ you asked your boyfriend who was the best cooker ever. 

,,No...let’s use this to get away from here and relax the whole day...“ and so he took you in his arms and carried you in a bridal style. 

Sehun 

,,Why do you have this thing?“ some random boys approached you when you were in the water, playing with Baekhyun and Chanyeol as well as with Chen. 

Being caught by surprise you turned around and saw teenagers. 

Fear hit you immediately as you forgot how to speak. 

,,You’re so old but still so childish.“ they mocked again pushing you a bit. 

Before you could even turn around to look for help from your friends your boyfriend stood in front of you. 

His body seemed like a wall to you. 

Your hero came. 

,,What do you guys want with my girlfriend?“ he asked them. 

The boys stayed silent as suddenly the group started around you. 

,,Sehun...“ the leader mumbled and stepped forward, staying calm and respectful but trying to make them clear to fuck off. 

,,One is missing....“ Kyungsoo mumbled. 

EXO as well realized that one of the boys were missing and immediately turned around to you. 

In the same moment someone pulled your feet, letting the float jump far away from you. 

,,WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!“ Sehun screamed and immediately approached you. 

The boys began to laugh. 

Sehun immediately pulled you up, hugging your trembling body and holding you tightly between his arms. 

,,Attempted murder!“ Suho accused after the police was called. 

,,What?! We were just joking!“ 

,,It was more than obviously that she couldn’t swim. She almost drowned.“ the leader explained calmly. 

,,We will see each other in curt.“ he then added and joined his group which clapped for him. 

,,I‘m sorry, I ruined the fun...“ you groaned. 

,,Not true. It was totally funny to see Sehun like that...“ Chanyeol laughed, clapping his hands at the same time. 

Lay 

,,You’re so caring...“ you mumbled after he finished giving autographs to his fans. 

,,Well, I do care about them....“ he answered and smiled at you with the lovely smile he always showed you. 

You nodded in agreement and kissed his cheeks. 

,,You can sleep on my shoulder if you’re sleepy. It will take a while, right, hyung?“ 

,,Yes!“ the driver smiled. 

,,How lovely~“ Chanyeol teased you guys who was with you in the car. 

You smirked and hugged your boyfriend ,,Mine!“ you snapped as a joke, making one of the, in your opinion, more cheerful boys clap. 

You indeed fell asleep on your boyfriend‘s shoulder and woke up when a caring hand on your cheek began to stroke you. 

,,Mh...?“ you mumbled. 

,,Let’s go, we arrived!“ he laughed. 

You got up and took your stuff. 

The boys began to set up the stuff like the whole chairs, parasol and the table, filled with Kyungsoo‘s amazing food. 

You decided to lay down and sleep some more. 

,,Come with us!“ they begged. 

,,Näh, you guys go. I will look after the stuff~“ you said with a bright smile. 

But after some time the boys felt boring without you there. 

You felt sorry for them and decided to go in but just as far as you could still touch the ground. 

Although you didn’t think that the boys were so mischievous to pick you up and throw you a bit more far away. 

You immediately panicked. 

The salty water filled your lungs and muffled your screams. 

You were unable to do anything but struggle. 

A few seconds felt like ages when finally someone helped you, pulling you out and slapping your back to make you cough. 

,,Are you okay?“ none other than your boyfriend asked you with a concerned voice. 

You still were shocked and so he decided to carry you out. 

And for the rest of the day they served you as excuse. 

[peachyteabuck]

the fifth date

summary: the story of how you met your alpha

pairing: alpha!bucky x omega!reader. non-avenger!au

words:  1870

trigger warnings: some mentions of a divorce, shitty childhood/boyfriend, etc. they watch ahs and there’s some mention of murder bc of it but it’s not super descriptive, mentions of some nsfw stuff

ask box / masterlist / commission info / ko-fi

The minute Bucky met you on your first date, he knew you were the one. It was a blind one, set up by your mutual friend.

Bucky thought he was just an excuse to get him out of the house, but no. It ended being the best thing that ever happened him.

The way you laughed, the way you bit your lip, the way you asked him about his day, the way you crinkled your eyes when you smiled. You were perfect, still are. The perfect mate, the perfect life partner, the perfect lover.

The next day, he started nesting in preparation.

“Stevie, I swear. I know she’s the one!” he told his best friend while buying almost a truckload of blankets and pillows at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

“Whatever you say, Buck” Steve told him as he struggled to close the trunk of the car.

When they reached his apartment and piled all the plastic-covered bedding in the living room, he shooed Steve out. He’s an alpha, this is his job and his alone.

When he mother told him about the process of courting his father, he knew it was something special. The process of nesting, the buying and making and killing of gifts, the scenting the first time they mated. It’s such a beautiful, sacred ritual, Bucky knew he had to do it perfectly for you.

“Whoever you choose,” She told him. “Know that it isn’t just about making you feel good, it’s about building a strong foundation to a lifelong commitment.”

Bucky always listened to his mother, but this he held especially near to his heart.

On your second date, Bucky brought you cupcakes from your favorite bakery. You ate them together on your couch and introduced Bucky to your favorite TV shows.

You had a really hard day at work, and when you tried to cancel the fancy dinner date Bucky had planned for you, he refused.

If you wanted to sit a home in fuzzy socks, leggings, and a comfortable sweatshirt, then that’s what you were gonna do. The only condition is that you had to do it with Bucky.

“I feel like this is a shitty second date,” you told him while liking some stray frosting off of your finger.Your legs were draped over his, your back supported by a few pillows. All Bucky wanted to do was lay there, inhaling your scent. But you needed something to keep your mind off of one of the worst days of your career, and reruns of Dr. Phil sure as hell weren’t gonna do it.

“Nonsense,” he said, wiping a smudge of cupcake from the side of your mouth. Heat rushed to your face at the intimate contact. “This is the perfect second date.”

You laughed a little, eyes glued to the screen across the room. “And why is that?”

Bucky smiled down at you, using his metal hand to turn your face to him. He knew what you were doing, trying to avoid eye contact because you were scared of...well, actually, you weren’t sure what you were scared of. All you knew was that you were absolutely petrified. “Because I get to spend time with you.”

All you could do hide the warm feeling in your face, you and him laughing at the woman who had hidden not one, but two pregnancies from her overbearing in-laws. You fell asleep soon after, with you head on Bucky’s lap. He readjusted you so that you were on top of him, and rubbed your back while you slept off the day.

On your third date, Bucky basically asks you to mate with him. Kind of. Maybe.

“Do you wanna come back to my place?” he asked on your way home from dancing. That’s when you realized you had never seen it. Ever. You’d heard stories, heard him talk about his home. His large bachelor bad which he kept impeccably decorated for work. You were dying to see it, but you worried it was too early. He fell asleep at your apartment three days ago, why did you care so much about traditional timing.

“Mmm,” you say, genuinely thinking it over. “Depends on what you want to do after.”

He grabbed your hips, pulling your close to him on the street corner. It was surprising, but not unwelcome. The night air nipped at your sweaty, exposed skin and made you shiver. You leaned into him, watching the traffic go by.

“Anything you want, darling” he whispered into your ear. This, too, sent goosebumps all over your body.

You pushed him away. Lightly, playfully. A shove to let him know he needed to wait a little longer. Not a “never,” but a “not yet.”

Instead, you find some fast food place and eat your weight in french fries while you fight about the best tropical fruit. Bucky had argued pineapple, you chose mango.

At first is was friendly competition, but then it got heated. Now you were playing to win.

“I’ll kiss you if you agree with me,” You offered, munching in the last fry.

“Deal,” Bucky said, leaning over the couch for his smooch. It was your first kiss, but it felt like you had known his lips forever. It was beautifully and wonderfully cliche.

The day of your fourth date, you fell ill with a nasty cold. Your throat felt like a broken garbage disposal, your nose was running, your stomach hurt. You felt like the word “ugh.”

First you called out of work. Then you texted Bucky in an effort to cancel your date.

But, yet again, he wouldn’t let you. He texted back he’d be at your place with the perfect care package and that he was determined to take care of you.

You texted back he was being dramatic - it’s a cold, not pneumonia - and fell back asleep.

He showed up less than an hour later, knocking on your door with soup, Gatorade, ginger ale, and every season of American Horror Story.

Three pieces of toast and half the soup later, you’re cuddled under a thin blanket - the same one as last time, soaking up his warmth and comforting smell.

Occasionally, you’d use the cold of his metal arm to cool your forehead down. You weren’t running a big fever, you maybe were at 99 degrees, but it still felt really good.

“This is nice,” you murmured.

“Yeah.” he agreed, noticing your sleepiness. He turned the show down just as someone was being gutted, wanting to make sure you were able to get the rest you needed. You were cuddled in his chest, surrounded by him.

You felt safe with him wrapped around you, just like a good alpha should make you feel. After a short nap and two more characters brutally murdered, you start having deep conversations.

It started with him asking you met Steve and how you trusted him enough to set you up with his greasy, but adorable, best friend.

Bucky talked about how he lost his arm, how his prosthetic is one of kind. How he’s a lab rat, how it was the the only thing that got him out of losing his arm.

You talk about your childhood and how shitty it was. How you ended up with a shitty boyfriend in college who made you feel like shit all of time before you got up the courage to leave him two years after he asked you out.

“My old boyfriend never did this type of stuff with me.” you admitted. “He only liked to do stuff when he knew people he knew would be around. It’s like he needed someone else to get him through our dates.”

“Sounds like a real dick,” Bucky said. He traced the indents the blankets on your skin. He could stay right here forever, never moving again.

“Yeah,” you agreed. “He was. Almost made me swear off alphas forever.”

Bucky smiles, wide and toothy. “Glad you didn’t.”

“Yeah,” you joke. “Or else I wouldn’t have met the total hunk I’m cheating on you with…”

Bucky laughs, him lighting pushing you away in faux-disgust. “How could you!? Is it Steve, tell me it’s not Steve!”

It’s your turn to laugh, the deep cackles soon turning into coughs. You recover quickly, though, smile plastered on your face. This one’s a keeper.

You have your fifth date a few weeks after you feel better, both of your crazy work schedules preventing you from seeing each other sooner.

He takes you to an aquarium, and you both watch the sea turtles gliding through the water. It’s so beautiful, you’re both breathless from wonder.

After, he takes you to home. To his home, you mean. Or apartment. It doesn’t matter. It’s his.

He offers you a drink, which you gladly take. While he makes it, you take a look around. You admire the art, the beautiful decorating, the gorgeous marble countertops.

He gives you a tour, showing you around the kitchen, then the living room, then his office, then he bedroom.

The minute you step into it, you almost start crying. The large bed, the thick blankets, the distinct scent, the displaced furniture showing he had shoved his bed into the corner farthest from the door. All the signs were there.

“You started nesting,” you whisper, wiping tears from your eyes. The space is filled with Bucky, and it instantly makes you feel at peace, just like a good mate should. You feel so calm and happy and...is this what if feels like? To be in love? If so, you never want to let Bucky out of your sight. Ever.

“Yeah,” Bucky comes behind you, holding your back to his chest. “Knew we were gonna be mates the moment I first saw you, the night of our first date. Knew I wanted to be with you forever, and ever. Wanted to mark you. Wanted to be yours. Wanted to knot you real good. Wanted to make sure not a single shitty alpha ever touched you again.”

His brings his arms around you waist, talking lowly into your ear. “Then I heard about your awful boyfriend. About your parents bitter divorce. The custody battle. Knew you needed some lovin’, needed someone to show you how beautiful you are.”

He’s releasing calming pheromones, you can tell. It runs through you, sticks in your blood. The last few weeks have been hard, on both of you. This, whatever this is, is exactly what you need.

The pheromones release your tense muscles and give you a moment to forget the shittiness of everything.

He kisses your neck and you whimper. You got to grip his hips behind you and he rubs between your thighs.

“Eager, are we?” Bucky asks, his baritone voice sends shockwaves through your spine. It’s amazing, like a drug.

“Yes,” you moan. Your skin is on fire and it feels so fucking good.

He sets you down on the bed, pulling your clothes off. Your body is flush against the pillows and you feel so exposed. Normally, you’d be uncomfortable, but you trust Bucky. Trust him a lot. Trust him with everything.

“Then let’s get started, my beautiful little omega.”

You moan again. “Let’s, wonderful alpha. Let’s.”

[gaysparklepires]

7. Unexpected

Read on AO3

The line of black advanced on me through the shroud-like mist. I could see their dark ruby eyes glinting with desire, lusting for the kill. Their lips pulled back over their sharp, wet teeth—some to snarl, some to smile.

I heard a sound behind me, I turned to see the faces of my human family and friends, all of them were trembling with fright. I turned back to face the oncoming threat, though I was desperate to make sure everyone I loved felt safe and reassured, I could not afford any lapse in focus now.

The guards ghosted closer, their black robes billowing slightly with the movement. I saw their hands curl into bone-colored claws. They started to drift apart, angling to come at us from all sides. We were surrounded. We were going to die.

And then, like a burst of light from a flash, the whole scene was different. Yet nothing changed—the Volturi still stalked toward us, poised to kill. All that really changed was how the picture looked to me. Suddenly, I was hungry for it. I wantedthem to charge. The panic changed to bloodlust as I crouched forward, a smile on my face, and a snarl ripped through my bared teeth.

I jolted upright, shocked out of the dream.

The room was black. It was also steamy hot. Sweat matted my hair at the temples and rolled down my throat.

I groped the warm sheets and found them empty.

“Edward?”

Just then, my fingers encountered something smooth and flat and stiff. One sheet of paper folded in half. I took the note with me and felt my way across the room to the light switch.

The outside of the note was addressed to Mr. Beau Cullen.

I’m hoping you won’t wake and notice my absence, but, if you should, I’ll be back very soon. I’ve just gone to the mainland to hunt. Go back to sleep and I’ll be here when you wake again. I love you.

I sighed. We’d been here about two weeks now, so I should have been expecting that he would have to leave, but I hadn’t been thinking about time. We seemed to exist outside of time here, just drifting along in a perfect state.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead. I felt absolutely wide awake, though the clock on the dresser said it was after one. I knew I would never be able to sleep as hot and sticky as I felt. Not to mention the fact that if I shut off the light and closed my eyes, I was sure to see those prowling black figures in my head.

I got up and wandered aimlessly through the dark house, flipping on lights. It felt so big and empty without Edward there. Different.

I ended up in the kitchen and decided that maybe I should eat something. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but maybe some comfort food would be nice.

I poked around in the fridge until I found all the ingredients for fried chicken. The popping and sizzling of the chicken in the pan was a nice, homey sound; I felt less nervous while it filled the silence.

It smelled so good that I started eating it right out of the pan, burning my tongue in the process. By the fifth or sixth bite, though, it had cooled enough for me to taste it. My chewing slowed. Was there something off about the flavor? I checked the meat, and it was white all the way through, but I wondered if it was completely done. I took another experimental bite; I chewed twice. Ugh—definitely bad. I jumped up to spit it into the sink. Suddenly, the chicken-and-oil smell was revolting. I took the whole plate and shook it into the garbage, then opened the windows to chase away the scent. A coolish breeze had picked up outside. It felt good on my skin.

I was abruptly exhausted, but I didn’t want to go back to the hot room. So I opened more windows in the TV room and lay on the couch right beneath them. I turned on the same movie we’d watched the other day and quickly fell asleep to the bright opening song.

When I opened my eyes again, the sun was halfway up the sky, but it was not the light that woke me. Cool arms were around me, pulling me against him. At the same time, a sudden whirl of dizziness and a sharp pain twisted in my stomach.

“I’m sorry,” Edward was murmuring as he wiped a wintry hand across my clammy forehead. “So much for thoroughness. I didn’t think about how hot you would be with me gone. I’ll have an air conditioner installed before I leave again.”

I couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying. “Excuse me!” I gasped, struggling to get free of his arms.

He dropped his hold automatically. “Beau?”

I streaked for the bathroom with my hand clamped over my mouth. I felt so horrible that I didn’t even care—at first—that he was with me while I crouched over the toilet and was violently sick.

“Beau? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t answer yet. He held me anxiously, keeping my hair out of my face, waiting till I could breathe again.

“Damn rancid chicken,” I moaned.

“Are you all right?” His voice was strained.

“Fine,” I panted. “It’s just food poisoning. You don’t need to see this. Go away.”

“Not likely, Beau.”

“Go away,” I moaned again, struggling to get up so I could rinse my mouth out. He helped me gently, ignoring the weak shoves I aimed at him.

After my mouth was clean, he carried me to the bed and sat me down carefully, supporting me with his arms.

“Food poisoning?”

“Yeah,” I croaked. “I made some chicken last night. It tasted off, so I threw it out. But I ate a few bites first.”

He put a cold hand on my forehead. It felt nice. “How do you feel now? You’re very warm.”

I thought about that for a moment. The nausea had mostly passed, but I still felt off. All my joints ached. And it was so hot—swelteringly hot.  

He made me drink a big glass of water. He wanted me to stay in bed, but I didn’t want to, so he carried me to the couch in front of the television. He put on CNN—we’d been so out of touch, world war three could have broken out and we wouldn’t have known—and I lounged drowsily across his lap.

I got bored with the news and twisted around to kiss him. Just like this morning, a bout of nauseating dizziness overwhelmed me, and a sharp rolled through my body when I moved. I lurched away from him, my hand tight over my mouth. I knew I’d never make it to the bathroom this time, so I ran to the kitchen sink.

He kept my hair back from my face again.

“Maybe we should go back to Rio, see a doctor,” he suggested anxiously when I was rinsing my mouth afterward.

I shook my head and edged toward the hallway. Doctors meant needles. “I’ll be fine right after I brush my teeth.”

“What’s this?” He asked, running his cool fingers over the back of my neck.

I reached back, feeling a lump where his fingers had been. “I don’t know…” I hesitated. “Oh, no, wait, I remember. I got bit by some bug the other night.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” He asked, concerned.

“It didn’t seem like that big of a deal, bug bites are part of being human,” I shrugged, inching my way to the bathroom, “Besides, I had other things on my mind that night.”

He chuckled softly. “I see.”

“Is it hotter today than it’s been?” I asked, feeling the sweat beading on my forehead.

“No more so than before,” He said softly, “perhaps you overheated last night.”

“Maybe.” I said, inching into the bathroom and closing the door behind me.

When my mouth tasted better, I searched through my suitcase for the little first-aid kit Alice had backed for me, full of human things like bandages and painkillers—I had a searing headache, probably from the strain of vomiting. Some painkillers and Pepto-Bismol would help settle my head and my stomach and calm Edward down.

As I was fumbling with the bottle of painkillers I felt another wave of dizziness coming on, I tried to steady myself against the sink, dropping the bottle which clattered to the tile floor.

“Are you alright, love?” Edward asked through the door. “Did you get sick again?”

“Just a dizzy spell,” I groaned. “I think I’m oka—” My words were cut off by a sudden, violent cough that wracked through my body.

“Beau? Can I please come in?” His voice was worried now.

“O…kay…” I gasped through the coughs.

He came in and appraised my position, gripping the edge of the sink, my body still shaking from the violent coughing fit. Then his eyes grew wide and he was at my side, a hand on my back.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just a cough, I think maybe I have the flu or something.” I answered, clearing my throat.

“Beau…” His hand was at my mouth, his fingers wiping something away from the corner.

“What is it?” I asked, I was having an increasingly hard time focusing.

His face was stone, his eyes wide and hard, his lips pressed into a tight line as he held his hand out to me. There was blood on his fingers.

“What the hell?” I wiped at the corners of my mouth with my hand, finding more blood. “That’s… not good.” I coughed again, into my hand. When the fit passed, there were more flecks of red in my palm.

Edward’s hand was on my forehead in a flash. “You’re burning up. Does anything else feel wrong?” His voice was strained and full of panic.

“My head hurts, my body aches, I feel dizzy…” I tried to assess my physical state as thoroughly as possible. “I guess I’m pretty thirsty.” I couldn’t list anymore symptoms, another violent coughing fit spasmed through me and I lost my balance, falling into Edward’s arms.

In the same moment, Edward’s phone rang, shrill and demanding. Neither of us moved. It rang again and again. I tried to tune it out while I focused on steadying my breathing and calming the cough. I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror, my skin looked pale and clammy, there was blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.

The phone kept ringing. I wished Edward would answer it—I didn’t think I could focus enough to do so myself.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Finally, the annoyance broke through everything else. I reached into his pocket and pulled the phone out, nearly dropping it. I half-expected him to thaw out and answer it himself, but he was perfectly still.

I glanced at the caller ID before answering.

“Hey, Alice,” I said. My voice sounded dry and harsh. I cleared my throat.

‘Beau? Beau, are you okay?”

“I don’t know, Alice. I think I’m sick. Is Carlisle there?”

“He is. What’s wrong, Beau?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Is Edward all right?” she asked warily. She called Carlisle’s name away from the phone and then demanded, “Why didn’t he pick up the phone?” before I could answer her first question.

“I’m not sure.”

“Beau, what’s going on? I just saw—”

“What did you see?”

There was a silence. “Here’s Carlisle,” she finally said.

It felt like ice water had been injected in my veins. If Alice had just seen a vision of me sick, she would have answered me, wouldn’t she?

While I waited through the split second it took for Carlisle to speak, I wondered what Alice could have seen that would make her sound so worried.

“Beau, it’s Carlisle. What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure. I woke up feeling… sick, I guess.” I glanced down at Edward, who was still unmoving at my side. “I’m a little worried about Edward… Can vampires go into shock?”

“Has he been harmed?” Carlisle’s voice was getting urgent.

“No, no,” I assured him. “I think he’s just worried about me.”

“I don’t understand, Beau.”

“I’ve been really hot and dizzy since I woke up, and then I started coughing and…” I looked down at my bloody hand.

“And what, Beau?”

“I started coughing up blood.”

Carlisle’s medical training immediately kicked in.

“What other symptoms do you have?”

“My body aches,” I told him. “I’m dizzy, nauseous, hot…” Another cough burst through my lips. “There’s the coughing with the blood, and I’m having a hard time focusing.”

“Did you come into contact with anything that might have started the symptoms?”

“I got bit by a bug the other night.”

“Beau, let me speak to Edward.”

Edward’s head snapped up, he held his hand out for the phone, his face white and hard.

“Okay, here he is.”

“Thank you,” Carlisle said in a strained voice.

Not entirely sure that Edward couldtalk, I put the phone in his outstretched hand.

He pressed it to his ear. “Carlisle, his blood…” he whispered.

He listened for a long time, staring blankly at nothing.

“Carlisle, what did Alice see?” he asked. His arm wrapped around me as he spoke, pulling me close into his side.

His eyes widened, and a look of despair passed over his face. After a long moment he said, “Yes. Yes, I will.”

He pulled the phone away from his ear and pressed the “end” button. Right away, he dialed a new number.

“What did Carlisle say?” I asked, wobbling slightly.

Edward answered in a strained voice. “He thinks you’re very sick.”

The words were simple, straightforward enough. But the way he said them made my stomach drop. There was something… desperate, something deeply pained in his voice.

“Who are you calling now?” I asked as he put the phone back to his ear.

“The airport. We’re going home.”

Edward was on the phone for more than an hour without a break. I guessed that he was arranging our flight home, but I couldn’t be sure because he wasn’t speaking English. It sounded like he was arguing; he spoke through his teeth a lot.

While he argued, he packed. He whirled around the room like an angry tornado, leaving order rather than destruction in his path. He threw a set of my clothes on the bed without looking at them, so I assumed it was time for me to get dressed. He continued with his argument while I changed, gesturing with sudden, agitated movements.

When I could no longer bear the violent energy radiating out of him, I quietly left the room. His manic concentration made me sick to my stomach—not like the nausea, just uncomfortable. I would wait somewhere else for his mood to pass. I couldn’t talk to this icy, focused Edward who honestly frightened me a little.

Once again, I ended up in the kitchen. I carefully got myself a glass of water, sipping it absently, staring out the window at the sand and rocks and trees and ocean, everything glittering in the sun.

“I don’t want to go,” I sighed to myself.

I stared out the window for a moment, feeling confused.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered.

Humans got sick. It was a part of life. I’d gotten sick before. Carlisle could fix me up, I was sure. He was a genius with medicine. What could possibly be different about this sickness? What could make Carlisle sound so worried? Make Edward so upset?

Then I realized.

It was what Alice had seen.

Something had made Carlisle and Edward scared. Scared for me. Something in Alice’s vision had worried them to the point of what I could only describe as panic. I pressed the cool glass of water to my temple, trying to ease the burning heat that was making it increasingly difficult to focus.

My eyes were blurry, the sand and rocks slid out of focus into a smear of colors and light. I heard the crashing sound of glass breaking and felt water around my feet. Then, before I had time to fully grasp what was happening, the world turned upside down.

“Beau? Beau!” Edward’s voice was panicked, rushing toward me.

I was vaguely aware of him cradling me to his chest. The coldness of his body felt good against my increasingly hot skin.

“Beau, are you alright?” His hand was gently pushing my hair out of my eyes. “Beau, say something, please.”

“I’m fine,” I croaked out the words. “What happened?”

He didn’t speak at first. “You collapsed.”

“Oh,” I mumbled, glancing around.

He pulled me against his chest. “Don’t be afraid. We’ll be home in sixteen hours. You’ll be fine. Carlisle will be ready when we get there. We’ll take care of this, and you’ll be fine, you’ll be fine.”

“Edward, what did Alice see?”

He didn’t answer me, I tried to make my eyes focus on his face.

“Edward, what did she see?” I asked again, louder. The strain forced me into another fit of violent coughs.

He held me steady through the fit, when it had subsided he gently rubbed my back. “Alice’s visions aren’t set in stone, Beau. They’re not…” He trailed off. “Don’t worry, we willfix this. If Carlisle can’t get you better…” He hesitated. “We have one last option.”

He looked sharply away from me, toward the front door.

“Dammit! I forgot Gustavo was due today. I’ll get rid of him and be right back.” He lifted me and rushed me to a chair, leaving me there before darting out of the room.

I leaned against the nearby counter, feeling like I might fall out of the chair if I wasn’t careful.

As I sat there, the severity of the situation began to come into focus before me. I was sick—very sick. So sick that Edward was panicked, that Carlisle needed to do something immediately. So sick, that Edward was willing to consider changing me in order to save me.

For Edward to even considerthat alternative made it perfectly clear to me what Alice had seen. There was no other explanation. Alice had seen my death.

I heard Edward speaking Portuguese again. Arguing again. His voice got closer, and I heard him grunt in exasperation. Then I heard another voice, low and timid. A woman’s voice.

He came into the kitchen ahead of her and went straight to me. He wiped the sweat from my brown and murmured in my ear through the thin, hard line of his lips.

“She’s insisting on leaving the food she brought—she made us dinner.” If he had been less tense, less furious, I knew he would have rolled his eyes. “it’s an excuse—she wants to make sure I haven’t killed you yet.” His voice went ice cold at the end.

Kaure edged nervously around the corner with a covered dish in her hands. I wished I could speak Portuguese, or that my Spanish was less rudimentary, so that I could try to thank this woman who had dared to anger a vampire just to check on me.

Her eyes flickered between the two of us. I saw her measuring the color in my face, the sheen of sweat on my skin. Mumbling something I didn’t understand, she put the dish on the counter.

Edward snapped something at her; I’d never heard him be so impolite before. She turned to go and I cleared my throat, trying to remember how to apologize in Spanish, but my breath caught in my throat and I began coughing again. This time so violently, then when I could quell the coughs long enough to inhale, the breath was a strained gasp. Edward was holding me tightly, rubbing my back.

I heard a little gasp and I looked up.

The woman was still there, hesitating in the doorway with her hands half-outstretched as if she had been looking for some way to help. Her eyes were locked on my face, popping wide with shock. Her mouth hung open.

Then Edward gasped, too, and he suddenly turned to face the woman, cradling me against his chest.

Suddenly, Kaure was shouting at him—loudly, furiously, her unintelligible words flying across the room like knives. She raised her tiny fist in the air and took two steps forward, shaking it at him. Despite her ferocity, it was easy to see the terror in her eyes.

Edward stepped toward her, too, and I clutched at his arm, frightened for the woman. But when he interrupted her tirade, his voice took me by surprise, especially considering how sharp he’d been with her when she wasn’t  screeching at him. It was low now; it was pleading. Not only that, but the sound was different, more guttural, the cadence off. I didn’t think he was speaking Portuguese anymore.

For a moment, the woman stared at him in wonder, and then her eyes narrowed as she barked out a long question in the same alien tongue.

I watched as his face grew sad and serious, and he nodded once. She took a quick step back and crossed herself.

He reached out to her, gesturing toward me and then resting his hand against my cheek. She replied angrily again, waving her hands accusingly toward him, and then gestured to him. When she finished, he pleaded again with the same low, urgent voice.

Her expression changed—she stared at him with doubt plain on her face as he spoke, her eyes repeatedly flashing to my confused face. He stopped speaking, and she seemed to be deliberating something. She looked back and forth between the two of us, and then, unconsciously it seemed, took a step forward.

She asked me something I couldn’t understand, I stared at her through my foggy haze. She pursed her lips, then began moving her hand around in the air, a droning buzzing sound coming from her lips. She moved her hand to her arm and pinched a bit of skin with her forefinger and thumb. I understood now, she was asking if I had been bitten by a bug. I weakly nodded my head.

She walked a few steps forward deliberately this time and asked a few brief questions, which he responded to tensely. Then he became the questioner—one quick query. She hesitated and then slowly shook her head. When he spoke again, his voice was so agonized that I looked up at him in shock. His face was drawn with pain.

In answer, she walked slowly forward until she was close enough to lay her small hand on my forehead. She spoke one word in Portuguese.

“Morte,” she sighed quietly. Then she turned, her shoulders bent as if the conversation had aged her and left the room.

I knew enough Spanish for that one.

Edward was frozen again, staring after her with the tortured expression fixed on his face. A few moments later, I heard a boat’s engine putter to life and then fade into the distance.

Edward did not move until I slowly stood to my feet and wobbled toward the bathroom. Then his hand caught my shoulder.

“Where are you going?” His voice was a whisper of pain.

“I need some painkillers. I never took any.”

“Don’t worry about what she said. She’s seen this sickness before, but they don’t have access to the same medicine here that Carlisle does.”

“I didn’t understand anything,” I told him, though it wasn’t entirely true. “I’m sure it’ll be fine, Edward.”

“I packed the painkillers. I’ll get them for you.”

“Are we leaving soon?” I asked weakly.

“As soon as you’re ready.”

He returned with the painkillers and a glass of water for me. He waited for me to finish, pacing silently.

“I’ll get the bags into the boat.” He finally said.

“Edward—”

He turned back. “Yes?”

I hesitated from my initial question. “Could you… make sure the painkillers are easy to get to? I might need more.”

“Of course,” he said, his eyes suddenly soft. “Don’t worry about anything. We’ll get to Carlisle in just a few hours, really. He’ll know what to do.”

I nodded. “Edward…”

“Yes, love?”

“If Carlisle can’t do anything…” I trailed off.

His eyes grew hard again. “If—if—Carlisle can’t do anything medically for you…” He paused, thoughtfully. “I won’t let you die, Beau.” The sudden fierceness in his voice, coupled with his admittance that I could die, startled me. “If I have to, if there’s nothing else I can do to save you… I’ll change you.”

He turned and left the room, one big suitcase in each hand.

So that was it. I was sick, so sick that he had already had to grapple with the decision of whether or not to change me. He had thought about it and already resolved himself to do so. For him to be so sure, so certain that he would need to… That meant my mortal life was reaching its end.

I’d survived so much before. I’d faced death and escaped numerous times. But how do you run away from your own body failing you? It wasn’t a homicidal tracker, a vengeful lover, or the might of the Volturi that was coming for me now. It was my own body giving up. Death itself had come to claim me.

I could let him change me. I could become like him. Hadn’t I wanted it—to varying degrees—before? But now, with the reality of what that meant so clear before me I couldn’t bring myself to accept it. I couldsurvive this, I could become like Edward and his family. But I would never see myfamily again, I would never see my friends again.

If I died of whatever this sickness was, my family could mourn that death. But if I became a vampire, my family would mourn and I would still be around—I would have to live with myself for all of eternity knowing the pain I put Charlie and Renée through and never being able to see them again. I couldn’t live with that.

Thinking as quickly as my increasingly tired mind could manage, I grabbed Edward’s phone that he’d left on the counter. It was very unlike him to forget things—forget that Gustavo was coming, to leave his phone lying here. He was so stressed he was barely himself.

I unlocked the phone and scrolled through the preprogrammed numbers. I was glad he had the sound turned off, afraid that he would catch me. Would he be at the boat now? Or back already? Would he hear me from the kitchen if I whispered?

I found the number I wanted, one I had never called before in my life. I pressed the “send” button and crossed my fingers.

“Hello?” the voice like golden bells answered.

“Royal?” I whispered. “It’s Beau. Please. You have to help me.”

I couldn’t remember what else I said, the next thing I knew the world was going dark around me and I was falling.

[dcvalentineexchange]

Valentine for @makeup-wonder-woman

From @batmomhoe

The cool crisp of the February air nipped at your barely exposed skin and yet, it didn’t bother you. Your heart was beating too hard and too fast to allow you to feel any of the cold around you. Never before did you have a date for Valentine’s Day and now, here you stood, waiting for the most perfect date you could ever wish for. Thinking about it brought a smile to your face and you tugged your coat closer to your body to hide the small giggles that escaped your lips.

“Excuse me miss, but do I know you? You look an awful lot like my next girlfriend.”

You twirled around with a raised eyebrow and grinned when you saw Jason standing a few feet away, “Well I’m sorry to disappoint but I already have a boyfriend.”

“What a shame, he must be a lucky guy,” Jason smirked and wrapped an arm around your shoulders, leaning in to softly press a kiss to your cheek.

“Oh no, I’m the lucky one,” You sighed contently, welcoming his added warmth.

“Lucky you are little lady, I have quite the day in store for you,” He beamed proudly, changing the subject and began walking, his arm still around you as you made your way through the crowds of Gotham.

When Jason finally stopped walking it was in front of a cafe, where he opened the door and gestured you in. You stepped inside and the quaint cafe was unusually quiet for it being the day of lovers, yet it was still decorated beautifully, making your heart skip a couple beats.

“Go ahead, sit down, I’ll order for us,” Jason sent you a wink and wandered up to the counter.

You took a seat by the window, gazing out to the view of the frozen Gotham harbor. The sea just beyond the harbor rose while birds flew over, looking for their breakfast. For a moment you thought you were in a movie, you had to be with how perfect everything seemed today. A few minutes later and Jason finally walked back to the table, setting down your favorite beverage before also setting down an elegant pastry with your name written across the top in cursive icing.

“We’re in luck, they still had Ashlyn in stock,” Jason joked while he sipped his hot chocolate.

“Did you ask them to write this?” You smiled at him from across the table while sipping your own drink.

“No I asked them to write my name but there was a massive communication error,” Jason said straight faced before cracking a smile and laughing softly, “Yes I asked them to write your name.”

The rest of breakfast you two shared small talk and of course a few sarcastic jokes before finishing. After your small mess was cleaned up, you both headed back out onto the streets. It was still rather early in the morning so you two opted to simply walk along the harbor, arm in arm as the ocean sounds surrounded you. Nothing could break your mood, not even if a meteor came crashing down from the sky. As long as you were with Jason, nothing else mattered.

An hour and a half later and the two of you had seen everything the harbor had to offer. While hugging you from behind, watching the ocean, Jason suggested a movie. It was extremely uncharacteristic of him, especially since the movie he suggested was a sappy, romance movie. Although you would have opted for an action movie any other day(mainly so he wouldn’t complain about the sappiness of the romance film), today you gladly accepted. 

When you reached the movie theater, Jason took your hand and led you past the ticket booth, explaining that he already bought the tickets online. It was then that it began to dawn on you - maybe he planned all of this. The unusually empty yet decorated cafe, the way he suggested a walk by the harbor, tickets to a movie he knew you’d love. Well, when you put it like that it was obvious Jason planned the day out. It just wasn’t like him though and it caught you off guard. He liked to let things simply happen as you went along, unless it was a mission.

The movie was perfect, a real tear jerker, and you were happy to drown the sorrows of the movie in buttery popcorn and all the candies you and Jason bought together. A bit to your dismay, Jason was footing the bill everywhere and although you offered to pay, he wouldn’t let you. You even tried to keep the cost down at the movie concession by only buying popcorn but Jason knew you all too well, he ordered every candy he knew you loved.

After your tears were dried Jason brought you in for a soft hug, patting your back and laughing lightly, “Well I didn’t mean to make you cry. But now I have another surprise.”

You didn’t get a chance to reply before Jason was leading you out the door of the theater, a hand resting comfortably on your lower back. At this point in the day you didn’t know what to expect, but Jason led you back to his apartment where he asked you to wait outside for just under a minute before he reappeared. He opened the door and revealed a trail of rose petals staring at his feet. Snapping yourself out of your daze after he gestured you inside, you followed the trail through the “romantically” lit apartment. The trail of roses stopped in his bathroom, where candles were lit, soft classical music played, and steaming water spilled from the faucet, filling the bathtub up.

“You’ve really outdone yourself Jason, I didn’t need all of this - really,” You admitted sheepishly, although you did enjoy being so spoiled.

“No, hush, just accept this. The day isn’t even over yet. And you deserve all this for putting up with my ass for this long. I appreciate it,” Jason’s hands rested on your shoulders before pulling you in for a hug and kissing you deeply.

He pulled back slightly and slipped something into your hands - your favorite face mask! How the hell did he -, “Go put this on and enjoy your soak,” he kissed the top of your head and turned to walk back towards the living room.

Not one to argue with a face mask and such a luxurious bath, you happily spread the face mask on and stepped into the bathtub. The music and scented candles created the perfect atmosphere, causing your eyes to close in pure relaxation. You aren’t sure how long you soaked for but it was exactly what you needed. Only while you were showering to properly wash yourself did it occur to you that you didn’t have any clean clothes. But once you stepped out of the tub you had to laugh to yourself because there on the sink sat a nice neat box that no doubt held clothes in it.

The box was wrapped in appropriate heart paper and even had a bow on it. Who knew Jason had an artistic side? Lo and behold when you rid the box of the paper, inside of it was a complete set of clothes. Your cheeks blushed and you cackled at the god awful ugly underwear he picked out, most likely because of him trying not to imply anything. The rest of the outfit was adorable, although the shirt a bit too big, but it was perfect nonetheless.

After you were dressed and feeling refreshed, you blew out the candles and opened the bathroom door to be hit with a delectable aroma of smells. Your stomach and mind grumbled at the same time, but for two extremely different reasons. Your stomach; because it was hungry. Your mind; because it felt so terrible for Jason doing everything for you today, but at the same time your mind screamed because of how much it let you know he cared.

You took a deep breath(taking in all the wonderful smells) and started towards the kitchen. There Jason stood in front of the stove, dish towel over his shoulder as he stirred a sauce. A quiet groan slipped from your lips because god damn was that an aesthetic before you rested a hand on his arm. He looked down at you and smiled softly before leaning his head down to rest on top of yours.

“How was your bath?”

“Ugh, it was amazing, thank you,” You sighed happily as your arms wrapped around one of his.

“Dinner will be done soon if you want to sit at the table,” He suggested and grabbed a bottle of wine waiting for your smile of approval before twisting it open.

Slowly peeling yourself away from Jason you took the wine bottle from him and poured it into two glasses. Setting the bottle down you picked up the glasses and headed for the table. Your jaw nearly dropped when you saw the dining table dressed to the nines. Jason actually had placemats? Regardless, the red placemats complimented the bouquet of red roses in the middle of the table perfectly and smelled amazing

Jason walked in with dinner and you smirked, “What did you do, but the entire city’s supply of roses?” You looked around at the roses on the ground and then the the ones on the table.

“I’d buy the entire supply of roses from here to Metropolis for you if I had to,” Jason smiled as he set a plate down in front of you.

Your cheeks reddened at his serious and romantic answer before examining the food on your plate. Instinctively your stomach growled and you smiled as Jason told you to dig in. The food was amazing and the fact that Jason cooked it all specially for you made it taste even better. After you finished eating you were finally allowed to help with something as you cleaned up the dishes and washed them. But everything happens for a reason and you were only allowed in retrospect to clean the dishes because it gave Jason enough time to prepare a sundae on steroids.

For the rest of the evening, you two lounged on the couch eating your ice cream side by side. Old cheesy movies played as you enjoyed each other’s company and even when the sun was long gone you were still cuddled into Jason’s side. With a contented sigh you buried yourself further into his large mass of a body and thanked whatever lucky stars that were out there that somehow in this large world you managed to find Jason. Now, all that there was left to do was give him your present that was secure in your purse. But when you went to get up Jason pulled you back down, not wanting your warmth to leave. Well, it wouldn’t hurt if his gift waited until tomorrow…

[daddysfangirls-marvel]

Polyamorous: Peggy Carter *Bonus*

Request

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader x Bucky Barnes/ Stucky x Barnes 

Warning: language, jealousy, insecurities, fluff

Summary: Peggy getting all the attention for Steve and (y/n) doesn’t like it but when she gets Bucky’s attention too it Breaks her heart. Now she going to get drunk and give Miss Carter a piece of her mind.

Notes: It comes to my attention that people are wondering what happen between (y/n), Bucky, Steve, and Peggy so here is the story. This was a request I hope you like it anonymous as well as everybody else. Hope you guys love it. Gif isn’t mine.

Distant. 

After returning back (y/n) and Bucky were very distant from Steve. Then again he didn’t notice them being in the infirmary and him running around with the General ... and Peggy he didn’t notice the distance and the silent treatment he didn’t notice anything to busy being Captain America. 

“heard you won a medal“  Bucky said sarcastically as he heard Steve enter the tent he didn’t look at him. Bucky was released a day earlier but he still came to see (y/n) on the daily, and get check ups but mainly (y/n). (y/n) was napping as Steve pulled his chair up. He tossed Bucky his medal “yeah, apparently I saved a lot of people. All I did was open the doors and point to the exit” Steve said being humble.

“People are here because you were stupid take pride in that” Bucky said making fun of him.

“how is she doing”

“doctors say she’s still under weight but she‘s also malnourish. Her  bruises are healing and they’re going to pull out some of her stitches tomorrow”

“That's... That‘s good“

“she can walk on her own now she wants out this place. She says she hates the smell of the medicine”  Bucky went on “she‘s strong  and I‘m sorry for ever doubting her“

“Damn right“ (y/n) said as she rolled over and sat up moving slowly so she wouldn't hurt herself or rip anything “I‘m Bullet proof“ they laughed.

“so you say“.  Bucky and (y/n) nearly forgot why they were ignoring Steve laughing and talking for an hour everything seemed fine they forgot they were supposed to be giving him the silent treatment. In the moment Steve was here Steve was theirs. But then a reminder walked in "sorry to interrupt" she said with her cute little British accent " Steve we need you" ugh the way she said his name  "I'll be right there" he smiled at her it was a pretty fucking big smile "I'll wait outside" turning with a bounce in her high heels and her curls she clearly stood outside the flap eavesdropping."I've got to go but I'll be back later. I lo- I'll see you later" he didn't say  'I love you' neither of them minded and understood they only said 'I love you's in complete privates. But it cracked their hearts when (y/n) leaned in for a kiss on his lips but instead got cheek and then he was out the door without another word.

A few days later(y/n) was released from the infirmary bruises were healed, running around, and well nourished but still underweight, pale with stitches, but still beautiful. Everyone was so excited for a night on the town all the men had on their uniforms to impress the ladies the train was filled with cheers and sang songs as they waited to go."ready to get some ladies Captain," a soldier said walking past Steve waved him off and laughed.

All the cheering came to a halt as one last person boarded the train. In a short black dress with white belt and no sleeves, hair in curls, and bold red lips (y/n) had stunned the entire cart into silences.The Corpse with a beating heart, she still had a few bandages on her arms and her bruises were yellow but to every man on that cart every man she helped save she looked gorgeous. Walking down the aisle she stopped in front of Steve and Bucky's booth all eye were on her,

"is this seat taken?" being cheeky said

“well I was saving it for this pretty little dame-” 

“okay” she begin to walk away everyone laughing

“No, no, no he’s just being a jerk. Take a seat doll.” Steve pulled her back into the seat next to him.

“your flirting almost went south Barnes” a man in the next seat over shouted 

“shut up” Bucky shouted back.

The boys went on talking with their friends and other soldiers having a good time forgetting about where they just were forgetting all about the war they were fighting moments ago. (y/n) smiled looking out the window as she listened to the men talk amongst themselves, she was the only woman on the cart. Thinking about how everything had changed over these past few years how they had changed these past few years. Of course a few promises were broken but (y/n) was happy they were broken she and Bucky would have been drafted together leaving Steve but now he was here with them. And as selfish as it maybe she was happy he was here.

She just hoped he would stay with her. But she had doubts. With his new body Steve could have anyone he wanted and obviously didn’t need (y/n) talking care of him anymore. And if Steve left the possible of Bucky following was very high. She would be alone.

“Hey day dreamer” Bucky waved a hand in front of her face “we’re here”. 

Following Bucky who followed the crowd they ended up in a local bar a few of her friends were sitting around the table hearing out Steve’s plan for a team.” those guys are crazy I think they’ve all hit their heads” (y/n) said sipping her beer

“aren’t you joining his team?”

“I was born without common scene or logic so.... yeah” Bucky laughed

“you were a dumb kid”

“but smart enough to trap two guys. Two guys” Bucky continued to laugh with her.

“see told you they were all idiots” Bucky said as Steve came to the bar with glasses and the table was back up and singing off key again. “Yeah, how about you , you ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?” Steve joked Bucky was the only who had yet to take his offer. He actually didn’t ask (y/n) she just declared herself part of the team when she heard about it.” Hell no, but that skinny kid from Brooklyn that never backed down from a fight I’ll follow him” Steve smiled “yeah, that skinny kid was cute”(y/n) said to herself but both the boys heard and laughed.

“But you’ll- you’ll keep the outfit right? I really really like it. We really really like the outfit” Bucky said sounding a bit shy

“I’m starting to see America in a new light. Makes me want to fight harder for this beautiful, sexy-”

“very sexy” Bucky agreed

“lust filled country” (y/n) licked her lips looking at Steve behind Bucky

“ I don’t think you’re talking about America” Steve said “how many drinks has she had?” Bucky shrugged he turned to the bartender he holds up three fingers “yep she’s drunk” Steve takes her beer and orders her a water . 

After returning from captivities her alcohol intolerance was very low everyone figured it was because she was so malnourished for such a long time and didn’t question it but found it strange.

(y/n) was giggling drunk off her ass when she notice everyone got quiet. At the door in a slim red dress, with her perfectly unharmed skin, curled hair, and red lips stood Peggy fucking Carter. Both Bucky and Steve stand 

“Captain” 

“agent Carter“

“mama” Peggy ignores Bucky and keeps her focus on Steve much to (y/n) displeasure, she didn’t want her looking at either of her men.

“Howard has some equipment for you to try tomorrow morning” She stepped closer to Steve

“sounds good“ Peggy looks to the talk of drunk singing men

“I see your top squad is preparing for duty”

“you don’t like music?“ Bucky was trying to get her attention. (y/n) did like that not one bit

“I do actually I might even when this is all over go dancing” Peggy showed no interest in Bucky all her attention on Steve, She didn’t even notice (y/n) sitting right behind him,

“Then what are we waiting for” anyone else who was listening would have thought Bucky was flirting but (y/n) what was happening was pure jealousy the only problem was she didn’t know what type of jealousy, Jealous of Peggy all over Steve or jealous of Steve getting all of Peggy.

“the right partner” Peggy gave her last words then left the bar leaving the boys stunned.

“I’m invisible” Bucky says “ this is horrible I’m turning into you” well that answers the question of jealousy 

“don’t take it so hard” Steve laughed and patted Bucky on the back. (y/n) was the one who was invisible.

(y/n) had given the boys an excuse for going to the bathroom, in reality, she was stumbling right out the back door and into the alley. (y/n) could barely stand as she wobbled down the street her lipstick fade left on her glass back at the bar, her curls no longer tight loose and all over the place, her feet in pain the heels she wore no longer worth it, the dress she wore no longer looked flattering instead it made her look hideous highlighting the bruises and stitches that covered her body all her flaws out on display.

She no longer felt as beautiful as she thought she was when she boarded the train and had all eyes on her. Now she felt like a wounded animal on the street everyone looked at it everyone knew it was hurt but no one helped it, they just feed it and maybe someone put it out of its misery. Hopefully, someone would put her out of her misery. She was in the war, after all, all she had to do was stand in front of an enemy's gun. 

Peggy, Peggy Carter was beautiful- no stunning, Peggy Carter was stunning tonight and every other day for that matter. She had silenced the bar the moment she walked in every man's jaw was on the floor. With her rosy red cheeks and lips, her red dress tight in all the right places, curled hair flowing over her shoulder, and her beautifully unflawed flushed with life skin. It was no wonder how she got Steve AND Bucky's attention. She was no match for Peggy she had already lost the battle before it started. She knew this but she needed someone else to know this, she needed to tell somebody.

"(y/n) what are you doing out here, are you alright?"

She was going to tell somebody.

"You" (y/n) pointed an accusing finger at Peggy as she tried to help her. "It's you It's all you. I've been there seen day one I've been there seen they were 11 and 12 years old...T-then..... you show up a-and it crumbles and blows away. What do you have that I don't ... What makes you so perfect " (y/n) cried

"what are you talking about? You're drunk let's get you back to the base" (y/n) pushes her away and screams

"YOU'RE SO DAMN PERFECTED AND DON'T EVEN KNOW IT." Bystanders looked at the strange "y-you had Steve but... did you need Bucky too? I-I-I ... I'm just... I'm just as useless as before. I'm worthless" (y/n) falls to the floor and sobs Peggy tries to pick her up and flags down a taxi. 

On the way to the base (y/n)'s sobbing turns to sniffling Peggy said nothing. (y/n) was a mess her dress was filthy now and her hair was a new kind of a mess, her lipstick was smudged, and her shoes no longer on her feet. She was sure she popped one of her stitches. (y/n) didn't even bother to look at Peggy she probably looked perfect, like always. Peggy thanked and paid the drive as she helped (y/n) stumbled out of the car. She guide (y/n) to her room "you're going to sleep this off and forget about everything in the morning. It'll be like this little toddler tantrum never happened" Peggy said as she helped (y/n) into bed.

Honestly, she had no clue what (y/n) had been saying all night or where it came from. She knew it was about Steve and Bucky and her being perfect, she was far from it, and nothing else. What was this rambling about?

"I bet when I'm gone you'll slip right in, you'll replace me, won't you? It'll be Steve and Bucky.... and Peggy Carter. No one is going to notice when I'm gone... no one's going to miss me when I'm gone"

A single tear slipped down her cheek as she finally slept and Peggy finally understood.

The next morning (y/n) woke with a raging headache and in a warm embrace. In her bed spooning her was Bucky his arms were like a cage. On the floor in front of her was Steve who was holding her hands as he slept. (Y/n) tried to remove her hands from Steve's grip but the minute she made to slightest move he jumped up. "I'm sorry I'm so so sorry," he says as he kisses her hand and forehead he sat by her bedside all night.

"Peggy came to me and Bucky last night and told us everything you said" (y/n) tensed up

"what did I say? I'm sorry" it usually took (y/n) hours to remember the night before 

"you're an honest drunk sweetheart you told the truth" Bucky mumbled as he trailed kiss on the back of her neck. Steve took Bucky hand which was wrapped around her stomach and kissed it "you told her how you felt, Then I and Bucky sat down and talked and he told me how he felt.... There is nothing going on between us, I and Peggy are just friends. I love the both of you very much and would never ever cheat on you two. I love you both. I'm sorry if it looked that way I'm sorry I made you feel unwanted or unloved. I'm sorry I didn't pay enough attention to you two."

"Baby doll you beautiful, perfect, one of a kind. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world. I'm sorry about last night it will never happen again." Bucky rolled her over onto her back and kissed her on her lips hard.

"You're irreplaceable"

"(y/n), may I talk to you for a moment?' Peggy said as she found (y/n) watching Steve and Bucky train.

"okay" (y/n) waved a farewell to the boys and walked with Peggy " what would you like to talk about?"

"the other night. I want to apologize I never meant to steal Steve away from you I didn't know you two were an item-"

"I know you didn't know we ...um ... it's complicated"

"I don't need to know. I'm just... I am sorry I made you feel the way you felt it was never my intention to hurt you or anyone. I now officially leave him to you, I truly am sorry " 

Peggy Carter wasn't that bad after all.

But (y/n) still doesn't like her.

Request tag and/or stories up to anything (within reason)

@geeksareunique @iamwarrenspeace @totallyweirdsam @sexysamsungl @lovely-lollipops-blog @lilylovelyxo @sasukexme15

Polyamorous tag list

@ruinerofcheese @seargantbcky @ugh-supersoldiers 

[sunnysidewrites]

Vigilante Partner in Crime!Wonwoo Pt 2

LOOK WHO’S BACK WITH PART 2!! I WANNA THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO GAVE ME WONDERFUL FEEDBACK THE DAY I POSTED PART 1!!! Can you guys believe that was only my 2nd piece I posted on here?? And now look at how much has happened since then! IT’S BEEN OVER A MONTH!!! Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to write this!!! Writing this was a real struggle,,, my writer’s block for 3 weeks suddenly all disappeared TODAY and I couldn’t be happier!! Also,,, look out for that last bullet point ;)))  GET READY FOR A WILD RIDE AGAIN!!!! I MADE THIS TOO LONG LSJDFLJF I CAN’T CONTAIN MY FEELS FOR WONWOO HAPPY READING MY CHILDREN!! <3333 For a refresher, I recommend you reading Part 1 before continuing!

Part 1 | Part 2

“Hello?” a customer waved their hand in front of your face

Your hazy eyes focused back for the tenth time that same hour

“S-sorry, miss,” you stammered as you resumed scanning her items

Once she left, you sighed and shook your head for who knows how many times that week

Get it together, Y/N, you mentally scolded yourself and lightly smacked your cheeks

It already had been a week since that night

“Can’t we just,,, keep it between us?” his words still rang in your ears, a constant mantra that continues to linger in your thoughts

“Ugh, nO!!!”

“Okay, okay! It’s fine if you don’t wanna,,,, i can just do it myself,,,”

You turned around to meet a bewildered Wonwoo, his eyes slightly bugged out and his hands raised in defense

“O-oh,,, Wonwoo,,,, i’m sorry what did you say?”

“I just asked you if you wanted to restock with me,,,,,,,”

Your expression had “mental facepalm” written all over it

You quickly muttered an excuse to stay at the cashier and he seemed to get the hint

All week you’ve been making it a lil too obvious you were on the edge and if wonwoo had caught on, he sure didn’t say anything about it

You trudge back home where your grandma greets you granny makes a comeback!!!

“Welcome home y/n!!!” she excitedly hugs you

You return it and walk to the kitchen to grab a snack and a drink

You start talking about your day but you start noticing that your grandma is just,,, a little,,, too excited,,,,

“Ok grandma what’s got you bouncing on your toes”

“What,,, i’m perfectly fine,,,,”

“Right,,,, like you didn’t just jump 10 feet in the air,,,,”

“,,,,,u right”

You put down your glass of water on the counter and face your body towards her

She exhales a small breath before taking another in

“You’re bonnie aren’t you?”

Your heartbeat spikes up and you’re like oH MYGOSDJFJOFD

“What that’s ridiculous! I’m too busy studying--”

“No need to cover it up. I saw your attire stuffed in the back of your closet when i was trying to help clean it”

Your guarded expression immediately lets down and all she can see is pure anxiety on your face

“Omg grandma plS DONT TELL MOM AND DAD I SWEAR IF U WANT ME TO STOP I WILL--”

“I support it”

You:

Grandma:

You:

Grandma:

You: what

“Look y/n,,,, i haven’t told you everything about what i did”

“,,,,what do you mean? Didn’t you say you were a detective?”

“Yes,,, i was,,,, but i was also just like you having that little ‘side job’”

You’re just like ????? what the????

“Ever heard of Shadowcat hun?”

And you’re like O M G IT CANT BE

“wHAT NO WAY THE LEGENDARY VIGILANTE WHO PUT THE ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT OUT OF BUSINESS FOR DECADES BC SHE WAS JUST THAT GOOD????”

She clicks her tongue, “in the flesh”

You’re still freaking out when her expression suddenly darkens

“And you’ve heard of Geney?”

“,,,,that scary mutation bad guy???” LMAO DO U GUYS GET THE PUN

“Correction. Bad woman. And she wasn’t always evil you know,” your grandma says with a hint of melancholy in her eyes

You decide that it’s a story for another time and make a mental note to ask her later as her eyes refocus back to you

“Anyways, she’s never quite up to any good. I hear there’s a bunch of delinquents from her family in your generation and they might cause you trouble,,,,”

“Grandma relax!! I got this in the bag!! And i have clyde!!! We’re unstoppable!! We are Bonnie and Clyde for a reason. We’ll figure out how to do it” You reassuringly pat her shoulder

“Hun i had that same mindset as you and things happened. Life happened. And it may happen to you as well”

“Seriously, grandma, we’re able to get through anything together,” you smiled and gave her one last pat on the shoulder before you left

The following night you were on another mission of yours, you scoping out the area as Wonwoo adjusted the subtle tool belt on each of your waists

“Okay, he just entered the building; we’re all clear--” you turn back to report your observations when,,,

Wonwoo’s face is just a little too close to yours

He was busy taking care of your supplies that he had bent down in concentration

You freeze, your breath hitching

He was still focused on your supplies and then smiled and looked up, “Great!”

He finally noticed the proximity and jerked his hands away from your belt

He quickly took a step back and covered the bottom half of his face with the back of his hand

“U-uh,,,, sorry,,,, I was just replenishing your things,,,,” he stammered, running his fingers through his hair

“It’s fine,,,” you reply, the both of you avoiding eye contact

You shake your head and continue to give him your report

You can’t help but notice the churning in your stomach

As of late, your stomach had been acting funny every time you were on these missions

But ofc you just brushed them off

“Lmao i probably just ate something bad”

,,,,,sigh

Weeks pass by and you still get the uncomfortable nauseous feeling

“Are you feeling okay? You’re a little pale” wonwoo peeks at your face

“I’m fine! I’m fine,” you stop him before getting too close to you (since he’s the reason why lmAO)

You just take deep breaths in and try to put all your energy in the mission

He tries to ease your uneasiness by squeezing both of your shoulders

“We’re in this together. Partners in crime, right?”

You nod your head

“Partners in crime. Always.”

He gives you a quick kiss on the head, a gesture that you have gotten used to after this time

But for some reason, it felt,,,, different and gave you a fuzzy feeling

You confirm both of your roles and split up once you head inside the building of the crime scene

Fifteen minutes in and you find one of the minions (no not those minions lmao)

He tries escaping but you easily tackle him down

With his arms wrenched around his back, you whisper in his ear

“Mind telling me who the puppeteer of this freak show is?”

“Please believe me I don’t know anything!! OW!!”

“I don’t think you understand the position you’re in right now, mister. Now. I’ll say it again. Who’s the mastermind behind this?”

“Look. Just hear me out,,,, I’m on your side and am just as confused as you are,,,,,”

You tighten your grip on him, his howling filling the empty room

“i’m still waiting”

“OW!! I honestly don’t know,,,, but my best guess is Geney,,,,”

you release him and press your stun gun on him

Well,,, i mean you weren’t actually gonna kill him and plus this man didn’t even put up a fight lmao

You drag him into a storage room and lock him up there

You’re on your way to scope out more of the minions and check up on Wonwoo

You see a bright light shining in one of the rooms and cautiously approach it

You peek your head from the side of the door to check if anyone is already inside

You find a hiding spot and settle around it when all of a someone someone grabs your arm

You’re in automatic defense mode when you just see Wonwoo and sigh a breath of relief

“Jesus christ, wonwoo you scared me!” you whispered sharply

“Sorry,,,, i was just in the middle of searching for you. Is this the room?”

You nodded and turned your attention back to the brilliant lights

“Well,,, they sure made it obvious with all of these lights in the middle of the room”

He hushes you, his still hand on your arm

“I think they’re coming”

You nod silently and get in a position, ready to pounce at any time

“Guys! It’s in here!” A foreign voice shouted

You waited for them to start filing in and you and wonwoo exchange a look

You silently mouth one, two, three

And next thing you know you hear gunshots and punches being thrown

You’re in the middle of fighting a man and he keeps sneering at you

“You think you’re such a hotshot, playing the good guy here?”

“Not my fault you guys always lose. I guess you got that in your bloodline”

He glares at you before smirking, “well i don’t think i have to worry about that at least for tonight”

“What?”

You’re only caught off guard for a fraction of a second when someone holds you back, locking your arms

“Let!! Me!! Go!!” you struggle to get out of the lock but your capturer won’t budge

“No can do sweetie”

You immediately stop, your blood running cold

You,,,, you can’t believe,,,,,

The voice that you were so accustomed to for all of these years

The same voice that makes those stupid flirty jokes but you allow him to anyway bc he’s just him

The voice that promised to be partners in crime

The voice that you trusted

Suddenly you wanna vomit at the touch of his hands

“C-c-clyde???”

You can hear his smirk from behind you

“Ah,,, well I didn’t want it to come to this bonnie but,,,, well i had to follow my grandma’s orders. She’s just kinda the boss around here”

Grandma???

Oh 

oH

OH

Oh no

“You’re,,,,,,, you’re related to Geney????”

“Yes, and as much as I would love to chit chat, we have something to take” he looks at the minions and gestures to the artifact

“Why,,,, why would you do this?”

“Don’t take it too personally, bonnie. Our time here is up. You were a great partner while it lasted.”

He manhandles you to a bunch of his minions

“Oh and don’t even try attacking them. Be grateful i didn’t end you on the spot,” he winks and nonchalantly stuffs his hands in his pockets

He looks at the minions but returned his stare to you

“Do whatever you want to her,” he coldly states and stalks out

They drag you to the back of the building, ready to finish you off when you were able to knock all of them out

You stare at their bodies on the ground, your chest heaving gradually faster

You wanted to cry

You wanted to scream

You wanted to hit him

You wanted to hug your grandma

But you were only paralyzed

Just one more time, you scope the area

But instead of doing it for wonwoo

You did it bc of wonwoo

:’((((

Wonwoo was still in the building strolling down the halls when he heard muffled shouts behind the storage door

He clucks his tongue in disapproval and kicks it down

“You’re still here?” he looks down at him in disdain

“What did you do to her?” he fumed, his eyes set ablaze

He laughs coolly, his head turned to the side before facing the pitiful look on the minion

“Guess she fell for it after all, huh?” he smirks a little too widely

He got out his right hand and casually threw out something on his lap

“She dropped this when I kicked her out”

Wonwoo suddenly reverted back to his form

“Sorry I had to use your little girlfriend, but I have to show the world Geney isn’t done just quite yet,” she threw a wink

“Oh, I guess I should turn you back into your original self since,,, well she doesn’t wanna do anything with you anymore,” she laughed shrilly before transforming him back and slamming the building door shut

He numbly looks down on his lap and bites his lip from shouting

The shiny golden band only stared back at him, the same words he told you before “betraying” you mockingly printed on it in small black script

Partners in crime, right?

Partners in crime. Always.

Ok lmao also i hella struggled writing part 2 but i did leave it at on open end,,,, so,,,, will i make a part 3??? Who knows???? ;)))) I DIDN’T EXPECT THIS TO LAST LONGER THAN 1 PART SLFJDLS but maybe i’ll do it if its highly requested!!! :))))

[deliverydefresas]

darling just dive right in, and follow my lead

I’m gonna say it right here, right now; it’s a mess, sorry.

not proofread bc i am me. 

“My best friend is getting married to your best friend and we have to walk down the aisle together, I remember never really liking you but you look so good in this, wow”

“Ugh, I hate weddings.”

“No one’s going to marry you so don’t worry, boo; you’re in the clear.”    

“Fuck you, Balsano.”

“You’ve been there and done that, Smith.”

He knows she’s seconds away of slapping him, but annoying his blonde friend had always been too much fun to pass out. He hasn’t seen her in almost seven years, but teasing her is still as fun as it had been in high school, and he likes it. It’s a sense of familiarity in a place surrounded by strangers.

Leaving Argentina after his junior year of high school was to be expected. His parents moved around a lot and staying more than a couple of years in one place had been basically impossible in his childhood, so he tried his best to not get attached to people he knew he was probably never going to see again the next year. Of course, leave it to Gastón to not allow that.

Even after leaving, his best friend made sure to keep in touch, refusing to be just another face he acquainted through the years. So, he e-mailed, texted, called, even visited him once or twice on their senior year; ultimately leading to both enrolling in Oxford and rooming together through all semesters.

Matteo had seen Gastón go through many phases on his life, and he was there when he broke it off for a couple of months with his girlfriend when he left for England, saw how difficult the distance had been on him; but he also saw Gastón pick himself up and fight for the love of who, by tomorrow evening, would be his wife. He was proud, and more than happy to see his best friend marry someone who made him happy, too.

He did resent the fact that he barely knew anyone in the wedding, though. He was stuck with Queen Ámbar and Her Royal Bitch attitude.

“No wonder you and Gastón are friends, you both are dicks.” She huffs, and if it weren’t because her hair’s up, he’s sure she’d flip it like she used to in high school.

He snorts. “And you need to get laid.”

By now, Ámbar’s patience is gone. She flips him off and turns away, ignoring him. Matteo’s about to joke his way out of her anger when his best friend approaches them, his grin so wide it takes half his face. He’s holding two glasses of whiskey, and hands him one.  

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Blake’s power couple of our generation! The flashbacks are real, and so are the déjà vus… that glare and that smirk… so 2016.” Ámbar flips him off, too, and walks away, cursing them lowly. Gastón shouts before she’s out of hearing range, “Nina’s looking for you, by the way! Bridesmaids meeting!”  

This takes Matteo off guard, “Ámbar is a bridesmaid?! Didn’t she hate Nina in high school?”

His friend snorts, “they still can’t stand each other, but one of Nina’s friends from college ditched the bridesmaid position because she had a job interview out of the city. We had to fill her place.”

“And you thought of Ámbar?!”

“Not really,” Gastón admits, “we asked Delfi first, but then she got pregnant and said she wouldn’t walk the isle 36 weeks pregnant.”

Matteo interrupted him, “dude, you asked your ex-girlfriend to be one of your fiancée’s bridesmaids?”  

His answer is a shrug, “Nina and she are friendly, and her husband is one of my groomsmen. It’s chill.” Then he continues, “anyway, after that we asked Jazmín, but she said there was no way in hell she was wearing a yellow bridesmaid dress.”

“So Ámbar was your last option?” Gastón nods, sipping his drink again, “how did you even got her to agree? I can’t see her saying yes, much less after you asked both her best friends first.”

“I have no idea how Luna did it, and frankly, I’m scared of the answer.”

“Luna? Who’s Luna?”

The name didn’t ring a bell. Not like many in this party did, but Gastón said most of the guests were from high school, and he didn’t remember any Luna’s back in the Blake.

“Nina’s best friend, and Maid of Honor. Y’know, the girl you were supposed to help plan this wedding and walk down the isle with?” Gastón is teasing him, and he knows it, but he can’t help but panic a little.

“I was supposed to help plan this? What the fuck, dude?”

“Bro, I’m messing with you. Between my mom, Ana, Nina and the girls handled everything. I was lucky they even let me choose part of the menu and cakes.” The idiot is laughing at his expense, so he joins him once his moment of panic goes away. He might be a jerk, but he was a nice jerk. He knew weddings could be stressful, and that usually everyone had to help so in the wedding the bride and groom could relax and enjoy their party, his mom had warned him about it. However, Gastón had only asked him to plan his bachelor party and that was it. So, that’s the only thing he did besides showing up to suit appointments and, well, show up to the celebration.

“Okay, but how come I’ve never met this Luna girl, then? The wedding is tomorrow.”

Gastón looks at him confused, “you haven’t seen her? She’s followed Nina around the whole night. Besides, she went to the Blake with us, she’s been Nina’s best friend since Junior Year.”

Matteo digs on his memories of his last year on Argentina before leaving for England, trying to picture the girl Gastón was referring to. He remembers Nina hanging out mostly with a red head and a blonde, Jim and Yam, who were her other two bridesmaids, and then he remembers a girl got transferred from México and Nina and her getting attached to the hip.

He can picture her now. She was super short, like 13-year-old short, had long brown hair and pretty eyes, always laughing and daydreaming. They had barely talked back then, since Matteo left Gastón alone so he could talk to Nina when they met in the hallways, running to catch Ámbar before their next class started. He also remembers him flirting with her once or twice and she quickly turning him down and calling him a snob.

“Oh. They’re still close?”

“Super close. Like you and I, they went to college together. Nina loves her a lot, she’s the sister she always wanted, encourages her to try new things, doesn’t push her.”

“You seem to like her a lot, too.” He comments, finishing what was left of his whiskey. Gastón’s smile is a genuine one, nodding to his question.

“She’s the main reason Nina gave us another shot. And she’s genuinely one of the nicest people you’ll ever met; difficult not to like her.”

“So, without her there would be no wedding tomorrow?” Gastón nods again.

“Basically.”            

“Well, I should thank her, then. For making you and your bride happy.” His best friend laughs, and starts walking to the bar, gesturing for him to follow. “I must ask, is she as short as I remember her?”

“She grew a little on senior year and a little more when I saw her on a visit to Nina in college, but she’s still tiny. Why?”

He shrugs, “curious, I guess.”

Gastón asks for two glasses of water when they reach the bar, and fails to notice his fiancée walking to them. Nina smiles at him as hello, and he smiles back. The girl was shy, and barely talked to him most of the time, but he never took offense on that. She was shy, sometimes overly so, but she loved his best friend like he loved her.

“Boys,” she calls once she’s close enough for them to hear her. Gastón’s smile turns into a happy grin when he sees her, “our parents want a picture of us before the wedding, can I steal your boyfriend time for a moment?”

Gastón nods immediately, asking her to take them to their parents. Matteo grabs the glasses of water before following behind; he still hasn’t said his greetings to Gastón’s parents, or Nina’s, or anyone who isn’t Ámbar and Gastón, so he takes it as the opportunity to.  

They’re almost near their parents when he hears Ámbar’s snarky tone, “look, Fratman and Robin are here, now. And Neurotic Bride too, yay.” He turns his head to her voice, and is surprised when a brunette elbow her on the arm, asking her to be nice. He doesn’t think Nina or Gastón heard her, or if they did they ignored her, because they don’t look back their way, they go straight ahead where there’s a photographer waiting with their parents.  

“I knew you were missing me already, darling.” He teases as he approaches them, Ámbar rolling her eyes while the girl, Luna if his memory is correct, looks at him curiously.

“I didn’t know Ámbar had brought a date to the wedding.” She says, and Matteo smiles when he notices her voice has changed a little. He can’t tell if she’s taller, since she’s wearing heels, but she’s grown, alright. Her chest and hips are a little rounder, her face a little slimmer. Her hair is still long and wavy, her eyes a pretty shade green. She’s a beauty.

“She wishes.”

“He wishes.” Both answer at the same time, and Ámbar speaks again, “he’s Gastón’s idiot of a best friend and his best man. Matteo Balsano.”

Luna’s pretty eyes shine in recognition, and he’s proud she seems to know who he is. “It’s nice to see you again, Matteo.”

“Likewise, Luna. I’ve heard you’re the responsible this wedding is even happening at all.” She’s blushing, and he grins because she looks lovely, her dress is a pretty shade of pink and suits the blush perfectly.

“Oh?”

“Gastón told me you helped them get back together.”

“Oooh. That was all them, honestly. I only told her to follow her heart, I’m glad it worked out this way.”

“Me too. If not, we wouldn’t be here, and I would have missed seeing you tonight. You look very pretty.”

Her blush only intensifies with the compliment.

“Lunita,” Ámbar calls for her attention, glaring right at him, “I think Nina wants a picture with you and Simón.” The blonde basically spits the guy’s name, but it’s enough for Luna to look back where Nina and a guy around their age are waving to gain her attention. She excuses herself, smiling apologetically at him, he doesn’t know if it’s because she doesn’t want to leave, or because she doesn’t want to leave him with Ámbar. She still leaves. “What are you doing, Balsano?”

“What? I’m the best man, I should be friends with the maid of honor.”

“You didn’t even acknowledge her in high school.”

“Neither did you, what’s your point.” His tone comes off defensive, and Ámbar smirks when she sees him squirm a little, “since when are you friendly with people, anyway?”

“Shit happens. Pigs fly. Life changes.” She’s vague about it, which means she doesn’t want (and won’t) talk about it.

So, he changes the topic. “Who’s Simón?”

Her smirk turns into a scowl, “the guitarist is Luna’s friend from México, and one of the groomsmen. Remember the Nico and Pedro from the roller?” he nods, “well, they’re a band. Ironically, and pathetically, they’re called the Rollerband. Maybe you’ve heard of them.”  

He had heard of them. They weren’t quite as popular in Europe, but some of their songs played enough back there. Now he understood why Gastón liked them so much.

“I’m guessing he’s not of your approval?”

“He’s even a bigger idiot than you are.”

Again, she doesn’t specify what she means by that, and he doesn’t push. After that, night falls into a quick pace. He doesn’t talk or hangs out with Luna that much after that, busy catching up with his best man duties and trying to talk to everyone he can, thanking them for being there for Gastón and Nina.

He does notice, however, that every time he looks at Luna, she’s looking right back at him.

The next morning is a frenzy. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, and his best friend is a mess of nerves. He’s almost sure Gastón has stopped himself from throwing up at least twice.

By noon, he’s ready to get this over with.

The wedding is supposed to start at 13PM and by 12:40 he’s called to stand with the rest of the groomsmen and bridesmaids in a little room inside the chapel, so he leaves Gastón with his parents. He tells them all hello, not surprised to see Jim and Yam together, but curious about the other two groomsmen who he hadn’t seen before. One of them introduces himself as Ramiro, Yam’s fiancé and one of Nina’s college friends. The other one seems more familiar, and is surprised to find out he’s Pedro.

“Wait, you’re Delfi’s husband?” Out of all the couples, he didn’t see that coming. Pedro had been shy and chill, while Delfina was, well, intense.

Pedro’s smile was a proud one, and even he could tell he was head over heels for his wife, “of three years.”

“Soon to be father of her son.”  A voice he doesn’t recognize says, and he tilts his head towards it, to the wall Simón is leaning on.

“Nobody asked for you comment, guitarist.” Ámbar scowls from her seat near the window, flipping her hair away from her face. It’s just now that he notices all bridesmaids have their hair down, a small braid and a pin being the only “do”. He also notices Luna isn’t there yet, most likely still with Nina in a different room.

“And nobody asked for your whine, little gem.” Simón’s tone is playful, and something more, but he can’t exactly pinpoint it. The guy must love teasing her, or provoking her, because he’s not one bit bothered when she starts name calling him, and responds to each with glee.

He also notices it must be a normal occurrence, since everyone looks more amused than anything.

They don’t stop their bickering until Luna comes into the room, announcing that it’s show time. His eyes scan her appearance from head to toe, smiling when she looks at him, realizes he’s checking her out and blushes a little. He’s not ashamed to admit his breath hitched a little when he saw her.

Everyone starts emptying the room, laughing when Ramiro almost trips on the door. He offers her his arm, which she gladly accepts before they leave the room, closing the door and following the rest to the entrance of the chapel.

He leans until his lips are above her ear, and whispers, “you look beautiful, Luna.”

And she does, very much. Yellow suits her a lot more than it suits the other girls, so Nina must have had her in mind when she picked the color. The fit of the dress is perfect on her, too, and accentuates her figure nicely. She, unlike the other girls, has half her hair pinned in a pretty bun, and her pin is a little bigger. Matteo guesses it’s to state she’s not a bridesmaid, but the maid of honor.

“Thank you, Matteo. You look very handsome, too.” He grins at the compliment.

Jim and Pedro go in first, followed by Yam and Ramiro. Luna has to remind Ámbar to smile when it’s her and Simón’s turn. Finally, it’s their time.

“Don’t let me fall,” she whispers, squeezing his arm slightly.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Luna offers him a small smile as thanks, standing straighter before turning to the crowd and widening her smile. It only takes them a minute to reach the end of the aisle, and he can’t help himself from kissing the back of her hand before she releases his arm to stand next to the girls.

He winks at her before he, too, takes his place next to Gastón and the rest of groomsmen.

The wedding is beautiful.

Matteo’s pretty sure everyone got teared up, because even he did at one point. Nina’s parents are a sea of tears even after the ceremony ends, crying at everything and at nothing. He’s almost sure the poor girl is lowkey embarrassed. His best friend hasn’t stopped smiling, and Matteo’s happy he’s happy, and in love.

The actual party hasn’t started yet, everyone is busy enjoying the dinner before they announce the first dance and they’re asked to join. The couple has done their speeches, as have Luna and Matteo, and the proud parents.

Matteo’s happy he’s sharing Luna’s table, too. All the bridesmaids and groomsmen plus their dates are seated in one big table next to the bridal one, where Gastón is feeding Nina mushroom soup.

The table doesn’t grow in quantity that much, since Yam and Ramiro are each other’s dates, and Ámbar, Simón, Jim, Luna and he are dateless. So, it’s only Pedro who brings someone. Delfi looks different than how he remembers; he doesn’t know if it’s the fact that she’s pretty much in her last weeks of pregnancy and is glowing from it, but she looks happy and in love.  

“So, what’s the laundry story?” Luna asks him once their plates of soup are done, sipping water from her glass cup. He copies her movement, taking a sip of his own glass.

“It was in the Nina-less era of college. Gastón went out one night, and came back to our apartment really, really wasted. I sent him to his room to sleep it off, but he said he wanted to pee first. I didn’t really realize how wasted he truly was, so I thought he could be alone and not cause damage, y’know?” She nods, barely turning to look at the waiter to thank him for changing her soup plate for the main course, “when he took more than five minutes, and I didn’t hear the flush I went to check up on him, thinking he had fallen asleep in the bathroom.”

“He didn’t?”

Matteo snorts, “I wish he did. The fucker peed on our laundry basket thinking it was the toilet, and started crying once he realized it wasn’t. And then cried harder because “he was a mess” without Nina.”  

“No!” she gasps, and then laughs out loud. He had hated his best friend that night. His favorite shirt was there, and they had to throw away at least half of those clothes. There was no way, even deep cleaning them, that he’d wear clothes peed by Gastón.

“What are you laughing about?” Ámbar wonders from Luna’s other side, catching the attention of the others. Matteo tells them the story, and they too burst a laugh. The topic is changed to drunk stories and memories of their younger years.

He feels somewhat left out, because he wasn’t there when most of the stories happened, but he doesn’t let it bother him. At one point, Simón makes a comment about one of Ámbar’s skinny dipping adventures that gains him a slap and makes the blonde leave the table. He excuses himself to go after her, sighing when he sees Luna’s reproachable eyes.

“What’s their deal?” he asks to no one, but it’s Delfi who answers.

“Ámbar’s tired of waiting for him to finally man up and ask her out.”  

“Wait, she likes him?”

Luna looks amused at his confusion, “you haven’t noticed? I say it’s pretty obvious, even I have and I’m clueless in this stuff.”

“He more than likes her. I mean, they both have been screwing for months.” Pedro snorts, subtly pushing more vegetables to Delfi’s plate when she’s looking away.

“They screwed last night, and I’m pretty sure they did again this morning. Ámbar didn’t make it to her room until 9AM, I checked.”

Matteo finds that he is, in fact, not really surprised. No wonder she got all pissy about the guy.  

Even after the topic’s moved to the wedding, and Ricardo’s crying speech, Luna seems distracted, and he catches her looking frequently to where Simón and Ámbar disappeared to.

“They’re probably making out right now, don’t worry.” He tells her quietly, trying to ease her worry. She smiles.

“I know, I just can’t help it. He’s my best friend and she’s my cousin, I just want them to be happy.” She sighs, “plus, Nina and Gastón are going to dance soon, then their parents and then it’s our turn. They need to come back soon.”

“Your cousin?” He’s shocked, and he sounds like it, too.

“Yeah, you didn’t know?”

“But she didn’t even talk to you in high school?”

“Oh, that’s right! You weren’t here in senior year!” That leaves him even more confused, so she explains, “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m adopted. I’m originally from here, but when my biological parents died, they couldn’t find me any other relatives, so, I was put up for adoption. Mónica and Miguel – those are my adoptive parents- adopted me and we moved to México when I was still a toddler. On my sophomore year I decided I wanted to find who my parents were, and if I had any family left, so we came back. The truth came out on my junior year – and Ámbar’s senior- and I found that I had family left. My aunt had adopted Ámbar, thinking she was me. That wasn’t the case, obviously, but I learnt to see Ámbar as my cousin and gained an aunt and a grandpa, I can’t complain.”

“That’s… very mature of you.” She laughs at this.

Cake gets them momentarily distracted, and they both ask for a double piece, not really caring if any other person is left without cake. Not that it was possible, since Gastón asked for two five level cakes to begin with.

Conversation flows easily between them. He doesn’t feel pressure to appear cool, or funny, or interesting, because Luna on her own makes him feel that way. He has to agree wholeheartedly with Gastón’s description of her; Luna’s the nicest girl he’s ever met, and she has a natural charm that just makes you like her. If he hadn’t had a crush before, he surely has one now.

The guitarist and his little gem get back to the table just as Nina and Gastón’s first dance as a married couple is announced, looking all flushed and lips swollen.

“Did you two had fun christening the bathroom?”

His comment earns him Ámbar’s middle finger and a nervous laugh from Simón, plus Luna’s bony elbow against his ribs.

They all watch in silence how their friends sway on the dance floor, biggest grins and stolen pecks every now and then, enjoying themselves and the moment.

“I want that one day.” Luna’s whisper is so low, he’s almost sure it was meant just for her to hear.  But he can’t help to question.

“A wedding?”

Luna’s soft eyes flicker to him, and shakes her head lightly, but doesn’t answer him out loud. By now, the bride and groom are dancing with their parents, laughing while they sway. They know they’ll be called to the dance floor soon, so Luna suggests for all to stand up and get there already. Delfi declines dancing, her belly too heavy for her to even sway comfortably, but urges her husband to take Jim.

She’s right about being called soon, because as soon as they’re near the dance floor, the host asks for them to join their friends and their parents. Matteo doesn’t hesitate to take her hand and lead her to the center of the floor, swirling her a little before pulling her to him and sway to Michael Bublé’s voice.

She sighs contently, and leans her head on his chest. He welcomes the gesture, his grip on her waist tightening a little. He doesn’t know if it’s too soon, or if he comes too strong, but he gets it now. He wasted the chance when they were younger, now he’s decided to try.

“Luna?” she looks up, her eyes waiting for what he’s going to say, and he knows what she means now. She looks confused for three seconds, before his words dawns on her. “I want that one day, too. Hopefully with you.”

[hamitome--imagines]

Stay

* Jon Rua × Reader * Modern rpf * Requested by @broadway-queen07 * Request: I’d love to a Jon Rua one

A/N: here’s my best effort. Now, I know that the time of Hamilton rehearsal and Moana don’t match up but I’ve continuously watched Rua’s choreography of How Far I’ll Go, it’s amazing. So I’ll just toy with time a bit. Also, it took so long because I had to get moved back into my dorm room and stuff. Anyway, I hope you guys like this!

Word Count: 1,780

~~

You first met Jon as part of the ensemble for Hamilton, same as you. He also played Charles Lee, whose snarky personality was a complete opposite of how he actually acted. Jon was a nice guy, always smiling and dancing. That was the thing. He would always dance through the choreography. He had it perfected long before anyone else did.

You cursed quietly as you screwed up some choreography again. Andy was working with the main performers, leaving ensemble to fend for themselves. Unfortunately you needed Andy’s help. Any choreography help would be appreciated right now. “It’s like this.” Jon spoke up a few feet from you and went into the dance flawlessly.

“How do you do that?” You asked amazed.

“I uh…I’m trying to be a successful choreographer. It’s not working too well but I understand this stuff.” He explained. “Need some help?” He asked.

“Actually yeah. I keep getting confused.” You admitted. So Jon stepped up to help you. By then end of the day you had that part perfected. But only that one part. It was a start. After you packed up your stuff you sought out Jon, who was about to leave. “Hey Jon.” He paused and looked back at you.

“Yeah?” He asked.

“Thanks.” You said with a smile. “It would’ve taken me forever to actually master that dance.”

“Oh no problem.” He said as he absent mindedly swept a hand through his hair, sweeping it all to the right.

“Seriously though, I really needed help. So thanks.” You said once more.

“Seriously, I didn’t mind. I like working with people. Also, it’s kind of funny when you messed up. I mean that in the nicest way of course.” He said.

You tried glaring but your smile kind of ruined it. “Well thanks again.”

Jon smiled but then glanced down at his phone. “Ah shit. I’m gonna miss the subway now.”

“Want a ride?” You asked as you held up your keys.

“If you’ll give me one.” He replied with a shrug.

“You spent all day teaching me how to dance. I can take some time to give you a ride.” So you drove him home, the two of you talking the whole way. You hadn’t talked much before today but you found you really liked talking to him. He was really nice and funny.

“Thanks for the ride.” He said as you parked in front of his house.

“You know, I can pick you up for work and stuff. I really don’t mind.” You told him.

“Seriously?” He asked happily.

“Seriously.”

“Oh that’d be awesome!” He said. “Only if you’re sure it’s no problem.”

“It’s no problem at all.” — You sighed as you sat in front of Jon’s place. You’d been driving him for about a week now. You always picked him up rather earlier so you didn’t risk being late to work and he was always ready to go when you got there. Today seemed to be different.

You checked the time again and sighed. You weren’t in danger of being late but you liked being there early. So you got out of your car and went up to the door. “Jon?” You called as you knocked on the door. He didn’t answer. “What the hell?” You tried the handle and we’re surprised when it turned.

“Jon?” You called out as you crept into the house. You still got no response. You set your bag by the door and gripped you keys tighter in some sort of protection. You walked further in, checking rooms as you passed.

Living room? Nope. Kitchen? Nope. Bathroom? Nope. Bedroom? Nope.

That left, what you assumed was, a spare bedroom. You pushed the door open and paused. Jon was standing with his back to the door. You could barely glance the wireless headphones in his ears. He was in a tee shirt and sweat pants. His sweat pants were rolled up a bit, revealing some long socks. His head was bobbing, counting notes you assumed. He started in on some dance moves and you sat stunned. He clearly had no idea you were here.

He jumped and turned completely around in the air. Or that was the aim. He faltered when he saw you standing there. “Y/N!” He fumbled with his headphones, yanking them from his ears. He went for his phone next. He somehow managed to disconnect his headphones but not pause the music. The Alessia Cara version of ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Moana filled the room. Your quirked a brow as his face went red. “It’s good music to choreograph.” He mumbled.

So you grabbed his phone and started it over. “Show me what you have?” You asked.

He smiled a bit. “It’s not a completely finished set.” He told you. But the music hit the part that he had written and he started dancing. He was smiling broadly the whole time. You were really amazed by his talent.

“Tell me why you’re performing in Hamilton and not choreographing it.” You asked as he finished. He swept his hand through his hair so it was all laying the correct way.

“I’m not that good, I swear. Andy is way better.” He said. He grabbed his bag from beside the door. “Sorry I wasn’t ready. I had extra time and started messing with that.”

“No big deal. We still have time. I’m more worried about the fact that you leave your door unlocked.” You told him.

“It was unlocked?” He asked, genuinely confused.

“You know Jon, I worry about you sometimes.” — “It’s not that hard!”

“Yes it is!” You and Jon were at a dance studio on Saturday. He was more than willing to help but you were once again struggling and he didn’t see why.

He huffed. “Ok watch me.” He, again, did the dance perfectly.

“I know what it’s supposed to look like. It’s executing it that’s the hard part.” You snapped.

Jon sighed and turned to the long mirror the stretched along a whole wall. He started doing the dance studying his reflection. You took the time to have a water break. You watched him as he danced. Whenever he practiced he had his sweat pants legs pulled halfway up his shin. He had on long socks to cover what the sweat pants didn’t. Some days he had his hair covered by a beanie. This was one of those days.

He restarted the music and did the dance again, only it looked slightly wrong. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to learn this opposite.” He said a bit distracted.

“Why…?”

“Because.”

“Well that explains everything.” You quipped sarcastically. While he was on some crazy mission, you went back to trying to learn the choreography the correct way.

“Alright!” Jon said suddenly sometime later. “Come here.” So you walked over and stood in front of him. “You’re gonna mirror me.”

“Wait. You learned this whole dance in reverse so I could mirror you to learn it?” You asked.

“Yep.” He said with a nod and a smile.

“Thanks.” You said with a smile of your own. And it worked. By the end of the day you and Jon were stood side-by-side in front of the mirror performing the dance seamlessly. At the end you turned to each other and high fived. “Awesome!”

You both went to retrieve your water bottles, thirsty and worn out. Jon took a gulp of his water then began to speak. “Doesn’t it feel awesome to pull off a dance perfectly? That’s why I love dance. You get this rush when you finally perfect something.”

You smiled as you watched him rave about dancing. He would occasionally run his fingers through his hair, sweeping it to the appropriate side as he removed his hat. Even if it wasn’t messed up, his hands would find themselves there. You guessed it was more habit than anything. But his smile is what captivated you right now. It was wide and genuine, his eyes shinning with happiness. He was talking about the thing he loved, and it showed. You couldn’t help but stare. Yes, he was attractive before but there’s that cliche about people being cuter when they talk about things they’re passionate about. They aren’t wrong.

“Why are you staring at me?” He asked curiously with a smile.

You turned pink and averted you gaze. “I wasn’t.” You mumbled.

He chuckled but let it go. “Whatever. Ready to be done for the day?” He asked as he stood and stretched.

“Oh yeah. Just one thing.” You walked up to him and wrapped him in a hug. “Thank you for all your help.”

He pulled back, still smiling. “For you, anything.” — “Ugh! Fuck this!” You screamed. Jon sighed and went to take a drink of your water. He was used to outburst and tantrums by now. “This makes no sense! It’s impossible!”

“Eh, not really.” Jon said in a neutral tone with a shrug.

“Fuck off.” You grumbled at him. He only shrugged. “You know what? I’m done. I’m done with this shit and this show.”

That seemed to shock Jon from his state of indifference. “No you won’t.” He stated angrily.

“Excuse me? I think I can do what I want.” You stated.

“Yes you can, but not leaving this show.” He stalked up to you.

“And why is that?” You asked, still angry.

“Because then I wouldn’t see you everyday.” He stated like it was obvious.

“What?” You asked, your anger switching to shock.

“I wouldn’t get to see you everyday. Have you ever considered why I like helping you? Why it’s no problem for me?”

“Well, not really.” You admitted with a shrug.

“It’s because I like you. I don’t mind helping you because it’s more time I get to spend with you.” He told you.

You leaned forward and captured him in a kiss. One of your hands was gripping the front of his shirt, holding him close. The other hand came up and tangled in his hair. His hands wrapped your waist. He pulled you closer. Eventually you broke apart, needing to breathe. He leaned his forehead against yours and merely smiled at you. You just looked at him. You glanced up and noticed his disheveled hair. You giggled slightly, making him cock his head to the side in confusion.

You reached up again and swept his hair over, all to your left. He smiled and leaned into the touch slightly so you kept running your fingers through his hair even after it was fixed. “So uh…are you gonna stay then?” Jon asked.

You smiled and gave him a short kiss. “Yes Jon, I’ll stay.”