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talltalesandbedtimestories · 1 year ago

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“Person of Interest” - Beau Arlen x Reader

Part 3 (Final) of the “Guardian of the Gulch” Series (Read Part 1 Here, Read Part 2 Here)

Rating Teen

Beau Arlen x Reader

Tags: Fluff and Flirting, First Kiss (Finally! Get it Beau!)

Word Count: 2300

There's a new sheriff in town. And he just so happens to have parked his RV in your campgrounds. What's a park ranger to do with all that Texas charm strutting around on a fine pair of bow legs?

I'm participating in @jacklesversebingo and this part will fill my "Anonymous Gifts/Flowers" square.

Writing about Beau for the first time was so much fun. He's got such a sweet, gentle, charming, goofy way about him on the show. I am at least making sure in my story that Beau gets his kiss. (I have also been asked by a friend to maybe have a little "Big Sky After Dark" epilogue at some point. Will see.) I've gotten a lot of inspiration from my bingo card. Thoroughly enjoyed participating and hope to mark off every square... at some point.

Also, diving into Helena history for this date I came a lot of interesting facts and fun places along Last Chance Gulch Street.

Image created in Canva (credit for photo used: “Big Sky”/ABC)

Since you’d asked Beau out on a date - apparently, that was news to you - it was also up to you to pick the when and where. That was how he'd left it that night around the fire, anyway, with a wink and a smile.

It had been a busy few days after the fourth of July for the both of you. But, you’d settled on a Sunday evening, crossing fingers there were no abductions or bank robberies.

There was never a dull moment in Helena.

You’d decided on a time and place. The plan was to meet at The Windbag Saloon and Grill. You sat at the bar, sipping your Huckleberry Mule.

Your eyes dart to the door every time it swishes open. When you finally spot him entering, a sharp inhale steadies you. The nerves that wound you up all day threaten to release fast enough to spin you like a top upon the stool.

His gaze skates over the scene once, twice. The double-take and zoning in on your face when he clocks you forces you to exhale. You wish it didn’t sound like a frightened puppy. Thank goodness he can’t hear it. Recollection fills his face, and that sunbeam smile melts you.

He takes the stroll over. You internally confirmed sitting at the farthest end of the bar was the right decision. It gives you ample time to enjoy the view of the sheriff and prepare to be devastated by all that handsome up close.

He has a full, bouncy head of hair you’d kill for. Scratch that. You’d kill to run your fingers through it. His denim jacket with a fleece collar and hints of the warm and fuzzy liner has you imagining him offering it to you on a chilly walk. You only want to get a better look at the broad shoulders and chest underneath. The shine of his silver belt buckle directs you further south for probably a second longer than would have been appropriate to stare.

You sip a little more liquid courage.

“Did I get the time wrong?” he asks, confused and already looking apologetic when he meets you at the bar. He strums a few fingers on the countertop.

“Nope.” With a head shake, you offer the adjacent stool with an outstretched hand. “I was extra early. And you were early.”

He sighs and slides in beside you. “If you’re early, you’re on time. That’s what I was taught, anyway.”

“Slow day at the office?” you ask.

The bartender drops a coaster and a napkin in front of Beau and asks what he’s having. He requests a beer, then returns to your question in a flash. “Not particularly. Why do you ask?”

You decide to try the all-knowing approach. “You had time to have flowers delivered to Linda Devonshire.”

The caught-off-guard smirk gives him away. “Me? Flowers to Linda?” He tuts. “Why would I send flowers to a married woman?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Probably because you were as ecstatic as everyone else in the park, knowing she was packing up and heading back home. I’ll bet you had the date circled on your calendar.” You spin in the seat a fraction. Inadvertently, you swish a knee over his denim-covered thigh while attempting to cross your legs.

He reacts a fraction to the touch, staring at the floor between you. His lips purse, and his brows lower. “Well, being as happy as the rest of those in Black Sandy State Park is not enough motive to suspect I’m the one that sent the flowers. Not very good detective work. Need a little more proof to convict.”

“Hm.” You shrug and wait for him to prod you more for your reasoning.

Instead, he licks his lips and smiles. “I didn’t recognize you dressed as a civilian.”

You straighten up and toss the hair back over your shoulder dramatically. “Didn’t think I could clean up this well?”

He shakes his head, all serious. “Nah. I just didn’t think you could get any prettier.”

That shuts you up.

“Yellowfin?” The server asks the both of you, now at a table after finishing your first round of drinks at the bar.

Your hand raises.

After the sandwich plate lands in front of you, the server confirms to Beau, “And the Vigilante for you?”

Beau nods, rubbing hands together, taking in the contents of his meal with high brows. “Yes, indeed.”

“Anything else right now?”

Beau points to you in wait, but you shake your head.

“All good for now, thanks,” he answers.

You groan, looking at Beau’s burger. “There is so much going on over there.”

He lifts the bun. “Yeah. Candied jalapenos. Grilled ham and onions. An over-easy egg.”

“Not to mention the half-pound of beef underneath all that.”

He resituates the bun and wiggles it in place. “Don’t forget the huckleberry barbecue sauce. I may regret it later. Worth it.”

You laugh. “I hope so, for your sake. Otherwise, this may be a pretty early night.”

He chuckles. “I don’t think anything could mess up tonight. Even my poor menu choices.”

The certainty in his voice makes you smile. “Kind of surprising you haven’t stumbled onto this spot yet since you’ve been in town. Considering how close it is to the sheriff’s office.”

“Well, the Boot Heel is where I usually end up with Hoyt and Cassie.”

You nod. “There’s a lot of history along Last Chance Gulch Street. Worth checking out and getting acquainted. Being the new sheriff in town and all.” You bite into a french fry.

“Hey, I did some research.” He clamps his large, beefy hands around the large, beefy burger. “This street was between a bunch of mining claims, where a lot of gold prospectors got rich.” He nods and confirms, “Give me a second with this, if you don’t mind?”

You laugh and wave both hands in permission. “Of course.”

He bites down and chews. Eyes close. Deep in thought. “Oh, yeah,” he mumbles around the burger. “This was the worst idea in the best way.”

“Take it easy there.” You try to jest. Truthfully, you wouldn’t mind sitting back and enjoying the show.

He swallows and sips on his second beer. “Man, it’s good I walked ten minutes from the office. I’m gonna need fresh air to clear my head and some exercise after all this.”

“Maybe I can interest you in a little walk down Last Chance Gulch after this.” Your suggestion raises his cheeks with a grin. You add, “History lesson and all that to accompany your calorie burning.”

“I’d like that.” He dabs the barbecue sauce off the corner of his mouth. He thumbs towards the outside of the restaurant. “Know who the lady is on The Windbag sign?”

“Oh, that’d be ‘Big Dorothy’.”

“Big Dorothy, huh? She the original owner?”

“Not of the saloon. She ran a business on these premises. Got closed down in 1973.” You sample your sandwich and watch Beau enjoy another bite of his burger. You wait until he’s thoroughly invested in the act, swallow, and then continue. “It was a brothel.”

His face stills in mid-chew.

You giggle.

He exaggerates his munching for a few seconds more.

“The place was called ‘Dorothy’s Rooms’. She was actually very well respected in Helena. Donated to lots of charities, and then the police had to go and raid her establishment and shut it all down. You may wanna tread lightly, Sheriff. Dorothy’s ghost might not appreciate your kind under her roof.”

“Noted.” He clears his throat.

Your guided walking tour doesn’t have the intended effect of calorie burning. Instead, you sit with Beau in a green wooden booth at The Parrot Confectionery. You’re splitting a Parrot Special Sundae.

“Oh, man.” Beau indulges in his first spoonful. It’s wondrous to behold how much enjoyment the man has with his food.

The evening has been filled with light and easy conversation to start. Lots of laughter mixed with information gathering from both of you as the date wore on. You spill about your life, years back, out west. You aren’t ready to divulge much about the relationship you left behind except the marriage had not worked out as expected. Beau’s a bit guarded as well with specific details. Something had happened on the job, though, in Houston. Something alarming enough to have him quit the force. And you think it might be one of the reasons he was now divorced.

Beau’s eyes sparkle. “I’ll have to take Em here.”

You nod. “Definitely.” He lights up every time he talks about his daughter. It’s sweet and makes him even more endearing. It almost makes you feel bad thinking naughty thoughts as his tongue laboriously licks the fudge off his spoon.

“Gotta say, darlin’, it feels like you’ve given me the key to the city tonight.”

“And plenty of indigestion.”

“I told ya. Worth it,” he insists. It’s his turn to watch you eat a few spoonfuls. You focus on the strawberry scoop. He seems to gravitate toward the huckleberry flavor and completely avoid the split banana underneath it all.

“Well, we could walk a little more to the end of the street after this,” you suggest. “I mean, the old fire tower is down that way. But you’ve gotta know about that. Impossible to miss.”

“Oh, yeah, I know all about the Guardian of the Gulch.”

You smile. “Did I forget to mention that Linda Devonshire dropped off the flowers she got to the ranger’s office before she left?”

The spoon Beau is holding clinks the sundae bowl. “You did forget to mention that.”

You swirl your spoon in the vanilla. “Well, she thanked us and said the flowers would probably hold up better staying with us than the trek back home. And she also read the note aloud to see if we had any idea who the anonymous sender was.”

Beau sighs. “Of course she did.”

You tap a finger on your chin. “What was it exactly? Oh, yes. The note said, ‘Thank you for your excellent matchmaking skills. ~ a Guardian of the Gulch’. She was completely perplexed by it. Said she hadn’t gone out of her way to coordinate any dates or encounters in Helena. Didn’t know anyone well enough for that. But we did get to hear about how she’s introduced about a dozen people to their current spouses in her home state.”

Beau lifts both shoulders. A sheepish smile forms. “If it hadn’t been for Linda’s complaints, I might not have gotten all those chances to get to know you a little better. And we wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

“This all sounds very silver lining thinking.”

“I try. On occasion.”

You roll into a parking spot in the lot behind the Sheriff’s office, engine idling. Beau’s in the passenger seat.

“Well, I hope I didn’t keep you out too late.” He leans into the backrest. A couple of creaks emit from his spine. “I appreciate you walking with me up and down Last Chance Gulch after dessert. Between the beer and the beef and the banana split, every step counts.”

You smile. “This was nice. We should do it again sometime.” He opens his mouth, but you cut him off, “I know, you accept.”

The warmth of his fingers gliding over yours, gripping the steering wheel, tingles your skin. Half in the night’s shadow, his face scolds with scrunched lips and slitted lids. “Give a man a chance to ask you out properly, would ya?”

You laugh to soothe your nerves. “I didn’t realize I’d asked you out again. Hell, I didn’t realize I’d asked you out the first time.”

He tilts his head. “I may have pulled the trigger on that one. Guess I’m finding it hard to be patient when it comes to…” He trails off, quiets, and looks serious. You realize he’s staring at your mouth.

“Sheriff!”

You both flinch in your seats. Deputy Poppernak is heading towards the passenger side of your car. Beau straightens, and you oblige the greeting and roll down his window.

“Hey, Poptop.” Beau razzes.

“Thought you’d left hours ago.” Poppernak halts five feet from the car, spots you, and waves. “How’s things going, Ranger?”

“Just fine, Deputy. How about you?” you ask.

“Can’t complain. Done for the day after a lot of paperwork. Headin’ home.”

The three of you nod in unison for an uncomfortably long amount of time.

“Okay.” Poppernak offers a friendly salute. “Night.”

You watch the deputy hop into a family van and drive off rather quickly.

“Well,” Beau sighs, “this is gonna be all over the office in the morning.”

“This?” you question. Beau eyes you. “How do you think they’re gonna classify this?”

He smiles. “Well, I guess this would be me spending some time with a person of interest. And actually, I think I’m gonna need to spend a lot more time with this person of interest. So, would you give me the pleasure of taking you out on another date, darlin’?”

All you can do is nod. His mossy green eyes sparkle. Cool fingertips round the shell of your ear. You shiver as he traces your jawline, moving in to close the gap. And then, nothing but you breathing in his warmth as he exhales softly into the kiss. It’s gentle and careful. But he tests how your lips fit and press against each other from a few angles. He settles for a spell and feasts on your mouth.

He pulls away. His fingers trail from your chin after a sweet pinch. “Are you free next weekend?”

You nod, dazed.

He grins. “Good. I’ll pick you up at your place if you’re comfortable with that?”

You nod again.

“Thank you for the ride.” He hops out of the car and closes the door with a soft click. Leaning into the still-open window he leaves you with, “Be careful headin’ home.”

“You too, Beau.”

He smiles from ear to ear, taps the window sill, and walks to his jeep. You can’t help but wait until he slides into the driver’s seat and gives you a wave. You shift into drive and leave the lot.

You can’t remember much of the actual ride home. Your mind is filled only with thoughts of Sheriff Beau Arlen. They make you smile. Hum along to the radio. You’re light as a feather and full of hope for what’s to come.

All because of a Guardian of the Gulch.

~ The End ~

#jacklesversebingo23 #beau arlen x reader #fanfic #fluff #flirting #beau arlen x you #beau arlen x female reader

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bagopucks · 2 years ago

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Highlight Reels

Little!Hughes Brothers

Quinn was a puncher. Jack was a biter. And Luke was a kicker. Three of the worst habits Ellen and Jim had to break. Jack was the hardest to handle.

Quinn was the ring leader when it came to most things. Especially pranks. His little innocent heart loved playing pranks on their parents, even if he was bad at it.

When it came to Hide And Seek, Quinn was the best at it unless their mother was seeking. Hearing Ellen call his name always made the boy want to come running.

Overall, Luke was the champ. There were multiple occasions with babysitters, that they had to call Jim and Ellen and admit they thought they lost Luke.

Jack was horrible at it. He giggled too much, then he got upset because he giggled too much. Then he’d give up and pout before Ellen or Jim would offer to let him help with seeking.

Quinn and Jack were always close, but sometimes Jack struggled with getting too loud when he was excited. And Quinn was always the first to tell him to be quiet. Sometimes in a kind way, other times not so much. Other kids were known to do the same, and for a while it made Jack self conscious when he talked about things he loved.

Likewise, Quinn was the first person to help Jack break out of that insecure shell. Yes, his brother was loud, but he would have preferred his brother to be loud and confident rather than quiet and insecure.

Sometimes Luke felt left out. When Quinn and Jack were doing something together or playing a game on their own, he never tried to interject much. It did make him sad, but he never wanted to bother them.

He’d usually go find his mother or father to play with instead. In fact, Jim always had a spare deck of Go-fish cards in his desk, prepared for the moments Luke would come in and ask to hang out.

If Jim and Ellen weren’t around, and Quinn noticed Luke, he would always invite the youngest to come play.

Aside from Go-fish with Luke, Jim also taught Quinn how to play chess.

Quinn loved reading his younger brothers bedtime stories. He also loved helping teach Jack how to read, count, and say his ABC’s. Jack was a bit hard to work with. He got easily frustrated with himself, but Quinn always assured him that he would get it eventually.

Quinn taught Luke as well. Luke was a lot easier to teach. The youngest Hughes brother was a little less emotional and hard on himself. He was always happy when Quinn brought over a book or pulled out the colorful flash cards. It meant he got to spend quality time with his older brother, one on one.

The first time Jack had to pull a tooth out, Quinn sat in the bathroom with him and did the most he could to encourage his little brother. Eventually Jack got too scared to do it, so Quinn stepped in. A lot of tears and hugs followed.

Jim made the mistake of giving the boys a ‘safe word.’ A bad word they could say when they really needed to. Shit. At first, the boys were good at saving that word for a rainy day. But Jack had been the first to abuse that privilege. Soon it became a word all three said and giggled over. That privilege was revoked quickly after.

When it came to babysitters, Quinn was usually the Angel child. He was known to ask occasionally when his mom was coming home, but other than that, he always helped whoever was in charge. He let them know where things were, and how everything worked.

Jack was a little different. He loved testing his limits and the patience of the person in charge. He liked his independence, and nothing about ‘babysitter’ screamed ‘independence.’

Luke was pretty laid back. Unbothered in a sense. He could be a bit shy at first, but that was always overshadowed by Jack’s chaos and Quinn’s unwavering drive to help the person endlessly.

Usually, Luke was the one the babysitter would sit down on the couch with after they got Quinn to do his own thing, and Jack to stop acting like a heathen. That was about the time Luke would open up and be a bit more social.

Quinn was a momma’s boy. Jack was close with his father, and Luke had a good balance of both.

Jack always looked to Quinn for reassurance in situations when he felt unprepared or uncertain. Often times, Quinn was the first person he looked for in choir concerts or when he had to perform some type of speech in front of the school, kids, and parents.

When it came to settling the boys down after roughhousing, usually all it took was a good show and some juice boxes. If that didn’t work, Ellen would bring out the coloring books and crayons.

Tv was her first Go-to, considering the boys liked to throw the crayons at each other from time to time.

Quinn enjoyed naps, but only if his mother would snuggle with him.

Jack usually tried to hide when nap time was mentioned. He never wanted to sleep during the day. Always afraid he’d miss something. At that point, Jim would either carry him to his room and sit with the kid until he passed out, or he’d read him a book.

Luke was content with nap time as long as he had one of his parents around, and the right stuffed animal.

Speaking of stuffed animals, Quinn always had his stolen. The culprits? Jack and Luke. Always wanting to be like their older brother, they liked to snatch up Quinn’s stuffed animals and put them on their own beds. Usually Quinn never had much an issue with it. He’d slip into their rooms through the day when they were busy and take the animals back. He never minded sharing with his brothers, but he preferred to keep his animals if he could.

It was only when one of them wouldn’t give one up, when Quinn would get a little frustrated. Sometimes even teary eyed. He’d usually find his mother to resolve the issue.

Quinn was the anxious child. He hated when his parents went out for hours on end without hearing from them. Likewise, he didn’t like being away from them very long, or even his brothers. If his father took Jack or Luke out of town for a hockey game, Jim had to call at least once a day, or even a few times a day to let Quinn know everybody was okay.

Sometimes the worrying could get out of hand. Especially in public settings. Ellen found there were times when Quinn got anxious and fidgety at the mall, or even at his brothers’ hockey games. He was always afraid something might go wrong, or that they might be in danger. Ellen learned that sometimes all it took to calm him down was assuring him that he was safe.

Jack’s problem had always been insecurities. Jim was often the confident driving force that kept his son going. Jack’s quiet, “what if they hate me’s?” Were always followed by Jim telling him that mean opinions didn’t matter. That as long as he was himself and a good person, it didn’t matter what anybody else thought.

Luke’s issue was always the fear of not meeting expectations. He wanted to be as good as his brothers, but instead everybody always compared him to them. His parents noticed that early on, and never compared any of their three boys to one another. All three were their own person, they didn’t need to compete for anything. Especially not the love of their parents.

Ellen and Jim always assured their kids that they loved them unconditionally. They reinforced those words with affection around every corner and guidance when it was most needed.

Affection came into play especially after long days when the boys were exhausted and whiny. Ellen and Jim never missed the chance to sit on the couch with all three of their boys cuddled up next to them. Luke sat in between their mom and dad, Quinn on Ellen’s side, and Jack on Jim’s. They’d usually put a movie on, but the boys never lasted long before they were out cold. Quinn was a snorer. Jack was a drooler, and Luke was a restless sleeper.

#nhl imagine #jack hughes imagine #jack hughes blurb #quinn hughes imagine #quinn hughes #quinn hughes blurb #luke hughes #luke hughes imagine #luke hughes blurb #hughes brothers

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luxuriousmalfoy · 2 years ago

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Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pansmione)

@hpshipuary @hpsaffics @fluffbruary @fluffyfebruary

“I see you’re taking advantage of the time off,” Pansy taunted, sitting across from Hermione in the hotel ballroom. All of the semi-finalist quiz bowl teams were sent there to socialize the night before their tournament. While most of the students were chatting with competitors and enjoying the break, Hermione sat in the corner with a deck of flash cards. “As if they’re going to ask the questions you’ve written down anyway.”

“They’re not question and answer cards,” Hermione said. She held one up. “Many of them are formulas.”

“They provide us with formulas.”

“While you’re skimming the formula sheet for the one you need, I’ll have recalled it immediately.” Hermione relished in the unease she’d put on Pansy’s face—but it didn’t last long.

“Alright, well while you’re still recovering from burnout, my mind will be quick and relaxed from giving myself a break when necessary. After all, I plan on having fun rather than playing wallflower all night.”

Hermione frowned. She had a point.

“Who says I’m not going to have fun?” Hermione fired indignantly. “I was just looking over my cards briefly.”

“Sure.” Pansy smirked at Hermione and stood up. “Care to prove it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have a fake ID, so I figured we could get bottles at the ABC store down the road if we’re careful.” Hermione actively had to keep herself from a pearl-clutching gesture.

“I think I’ll pass,” she said. “I’m not that eager to prove myself to you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hermione rose to her feet, meeting Pansy’s eye line. “We’re 18—we’re still in high school. This is the night before the tournament—which we have to be up at 6:00 AM for, by the way. I’m not risking my acceptance at Hogwarts University to drink with my biggest rival.”

“How sweet,” Pansy said, raising an eyebrow. “Your biggest rival is little old me?”

“Is it too late to suggest you shouldn’t let it go to your head?” With a chuckle, Hermione pocketed her index cards and moved past Pansy to where her teammates from Gryffindor Prep were playing a game of Slapjack.

Once they were all sent to their hotel rooms, Hermione went back to flash cards. Her roommate, Lavender, had decided to hang out in another room—which left her with the perfect studying conditions. Until she heard a knock at the door.

After looking through the peephole, she rolled her eyes and opened the door.

“These are non-alcoholic, I promise,” said Pansy, holding a six-pack of Fanta Orange. “They aren’t caffeinated, either.”

Hermione held open the door for Pansy to enter, but still wasn’t sure why she had.

“I have some popcorn,” Hermione offered, holding up a bag. At Pansy’s nod, she threw it in the microwave.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I came,” Pansy said, kicking off her shoes and hopping onto Hermione’s bed.

“Among other things.”

“You’re the only really driven person here.”

Hermione scoffed. “At a quiz bowl tournament? Hardly.”

“Okay, well, you’re at least the most driven person here.”

“I’ll bite—what are you on about?”

“How do you make yourself care about it?” Hermione saw a similar look on Pansy’s face that she had seen earlier, when Hermione had chided the ABC store idea.

“I don’t make myself care,” Hermione said honestly. “I just do. I’ve always loved any excuse to use what I learn in the classroom outside of it. I also love the competition of it all.”

“The competition isn’t something I struggle with,” Pansy said. “I am very competitive. It’s just difficult to care about the academic part.”

“Why do you do quiz bowl?” Hermione took the popcorn out of the microwave and sat down next to Pansy on the bed. “Let alone captain a team?”

“My mother got me the position,” she said with a cringe. “She was Slytherin Academy’s quiz bowl captain back in the day.”

“This is our last tournament of high school, right? Try to lean into the part you enjoy—the competition.”

Hermione had never enjoyed when people invaded her personal bubble. She was never a hugger, or a cuddler. She very much did not like breathing the same air so close to people.

With Pansy, in this moment, it felt different. She felt different. Her eyes flickered to Pansy’s lips in the tiniest fraction of a second, but neither girl moved.

“I should get to bed,” Hermione said finally, handing Pansy the bag of popcorn they hadn’t even opened yet. “Go ahead and take the popcorn.”

“Right—thanks.” Pansy practically leaped from the bed and slipped on her shoes again. “Good luck tomorrow.”

“Captains, shake hands,” said the announcer the next morning. Hermione’s nerves were already off the charts before a match, and being eye to eye with her rival captain didn’t help. Especially after the way they’d looked at each other the night before.

She and Pansy met in the middle of the stage and shook hands. Through her smile, Pansy whispered, “Losing with grace strengthens character, Granger. Remember that.”

Hermione was sure her ears reddened more than was healthy as she took back her position behind her buzzer. That’ll be leaning into the competition, alright, she thought.

When she caught Pansy’s eye, she mouthed, ‘Hit me with your best shot.’

#pansmione #femslash february 2023 #hp shipuary 2023 #fluffbruary 2023 #fluffy february 2023 #hp saffics femslash bingo #hp fanfic #ao3

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myshipshipsitself · 2 years ago

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Between Us Fanfic: Where You Belong

Title: Where You Belong Ship(s): WinTeam Character(s): Win, Team, Pharm, Manow, Dean POV: Win Word Count: 3480 Inspired by: @thebroccolination ‘s post here Summary: In which Win giving Team the key to his room wasn't exactly planned, but wasn't completely impulsive either.

Ao3 Link

”Hia. Where have you been?”

Win never thought a single question could break something in him so completely as that one did. Never thought a smile could feel like a knife through his chest the way it did when he pulled away, and Team told him that he was fine, just waiting for him.

The smile didn’t reach Team’s eyes, and the way he’d been shaking on the floor, eyes closed against a nightmare Win still had no idea how to protect him from—He never wanted to see Team like that again. He couldn’t bear it.

The solution seemed obvious. It was obvious, when he sat on the edge of the bed with Team curled into his side, warm, comfortable and safe.

”It never happened when I’m with you.”

Team was safe with him. Safe in his room, protected from nightmares Win couldn’t imagine that haunted him even when he nodded off in class.

So yes, the solution had been obvious. So obvious that the next morning, when Team went to take a shower, Win left breakfast for him on the table with a note saying that he had an early study session, and he would see Team later.

An extra key card was easy to pick up, and a copy of the room key didn’t take much more effort.

Returning to his empty room half an hour before he was supposed to meet the rest of the club for the open day, though, he started to question his obvious solution.

Win slid the Winnie the Pooh keycard cover on, and turned it over in his hands, the key to his room hanging from the keychain on the end.

It had been a good idea last night, when Team had been locked outside of his room while Win was out. When even just the comfort of knowing he wasn’t locked out, that he would have access to Win’s room no matter what, had seemed like a good idea. Like it would be a gift. A comforting thing.

But now Win was thinking it was a stupid idea. Why would Team want to be in his room if he wasn’t there? It would be just as empty as his own room.

What if Team stayed in his room one night when Win was at home with his brothers? Would he have nightmares?

Would Win’s room no longer be safe to him if he did have a nightmare there?

Instead of putting it in his bag to give to Team at the open day like he’d intended, Win opened the desk drawer and dropped it inside.

It was a problem, and potential solution, for another day.

—————

There wasn’t even any pretense of Team sleeping in his own room when they got back from the bar. He didn’t press the button for his floor, and led the way down the hall towards Win’s room once the elevator doors opened.

Win’s eyes fell on the desk drawer when they stepped inside. He started to open his mouth, to say something, but a lump formed in his throat.

What was he going to say? Was there a casual way to give someone the key to his room right after they’d had sex in a bathroom stall with half the swim club getting drunk less than fifty feet away?

No. No, there wasn’t.

“Are you at least going to brush your teeth?” Win asked, but Team was already asleep. He huffed out a short laugh, shaking his head as he went to the bathroom. He reached for his toothbrush, then did a double take in the mirror.

Win raised a hand to card his fingers through his hair. His loose hair. Win frowned at his reflection, then looked around, checking his wrists and pockets. Nothing.

A flash of a memory in a bathroom stall came back to him, and he poked his head back out of the bathroom, searching until he found it. Around Team’s wrist, hugging his bolster pillow tight to his chest, was Win’s hair tie.

Well, he could take comfort in that at least if the ABC kids noticed, they wouldn’t dare say anything to his face. Team though? He might get some teasing for it, provided the trio weren’t too drunk to have noticed anything strange.

Once he’d changed and turned the lights out, Win climbed into bed, smiling a little as Team turned in his sleep, instinctively abandoning the pillow in favor of the warm body beside him.

Win glanced over his shoulder at the desk drawer briefly. Later. He would give it to Team later.

—————

Later, as it turned out, was a difficult time frame to pinpoint. The next morning seemed good. Team was cute and sluggish and not wanting to get out of bed, and making excuses.

”Come on, get up and come have breakfast. I have a surprise for you,” Win would say.

Team’s eyes would brighten and he would sit up. “What is it?” His eyes would focus on the table, trying to pick out any snacks or other unhealthy foods he craved. He would scramble over to the table, then frown as he recognized only eggs and bacon on the plate. “Hiaaaaa,” he would draw out in the voice he used when he tried to get Win to do what he wanted. Win almost always gave in.

He would this time as well. With a bright grin, Win would hold out the key card. “Here, so you can come in whenever you want,” he would say. Team would take it, surprise written over his features.

“Why?” Team would ask.

“So if I’m not here, you won’t get stuck in the hallway, sleeping outside my door.”

Team would frown, and put the key on the table, shoving it across towards him. “If you’re mad I fell asleep outside your room, I didn’t—“

“That’s not it,” Win would cut in immediately.

“I’m sorry I fell asleep, I didn’t mean to,” Team would say, his knees pulled up to his chest, as if hiding from Win. “I was tired, and I should’ve just gone back to my room. Next time I’ll just go back to my room.”

No. That was no good.

“I made breakfast,” Win said instead. “Get up, you have class in half an hour.”

—————

The next time Win considered giving him the key was when he heard the shower turn on. His eyes fell on Team’s backpack. It would be easy to just slip it into his bag.

”Hia, did you put this in my bag?” Team would ask him later, probably at lunch. He’d have likely found it by then, and today was one of the days that their schedules lines up, and they would meet up for lunch with Dean, Pharm and Manow.

Win would only hum a quiet acknowledgement at Team’s question.

“Is that Winnie the Pooh?” Manow would say, in a sweet, teasing voice. “That’s so cute!”

“What is it?” Team would ask.

“It’s a key to my room,” Win would say offhandedly, as though it wasn’t a big deal. He would ignore everyone’s eyes widening comically at him, as he focused instead on his food. Not even good food, Thursdays’ cafeteria food was never good.

“Did you. Mean to. Put this in my bag?” Team would ask slowly, each syllable drawn out like he was having trouble making sense of it as he said it.

“Of course,” Win would say, finally looking up at him. He would see Dean trying to catch his eye and would ignore him.

Manow would make a high-pitched sound from the other side of the table, then Pharm probably following her lead. Team’s head would duck down, his hair falling to not quite cover the scarlet stain across his cheeks.

“Manow, Pharm, shut up,” Team would hiss across the table at them. Win would see the panic set in, the wide eyes, the quickened breathing. Then Team would shove the key into Win’s hand, muttering variations of, “Why would you do that? I don’t need a key to your room. Why would I want a key to your room? Pharm, Manow, just stop!”

Team would get up, and Win would stare dumbfounded after him, until Dean swatted at his arm, drawing his attention. “What was that?” Dean would demand, and Win wouldn’t have an answer.

The key stayed in Win’s desk drawer, and when Team came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, Win just watched as he went with a familiar comfort to Win’s closet to find a uniform. A smile pulled at his lips at the familiar sight.

There was no need to disrupt the easy rhythm they had just yet.

—————

Team’s eyes fell shut as Win leaned over him. Waiting for a kiss, expecting it. Win leaned up to kiss his forehead instead. Still Team didn’t move, didn’t open his eyes immediately. Win took advantage of the moment to watch him. To admire the soft blush across his cheeks. The curl of his lips. The fan of his eyelashes against his skin as his eyes fluttered open.

“That’s all I want in return,” Win said. “Per one tutoring session.”

It was a simple request, he thought as he sat back on the bed. He never wanted to push, never wanted to expect or demand. It was important to him that Team felt safe with him, and part of that was making sure Team knew that this—them together, whatever that meant—it wasn’t transactional. If Team said the word, even the mild demand of a forehead kiss would be gone in a second. He would always tease, that wouldn’t change. But he would never push intimacy. He hoped Team could see that.

“Do you normally ask people to pay you like that?” Team asked. Win hadn’t expected the question, but it also wasn’t surprising, from what he knew about Team. What Team thought of him, assumed about him—He’d gotten the impression that his reputation around campus, the one spread by unfounded rumors he’d never found the desire to squash, was more a burden to Team than it had ever been to Win. The questions in the locker room, and if Win had ever hooked up with any other juniors from the club, and now this.

“Normally, I teach others for free,” Win said patiently. “It’s only you that I charge with a kiss.”

Team didn’t move, though his eyes drifted, and Win could feel a charge in the room as Team seemed to gather his thoughts before meeting Win’s gaze again.

“Let me ask you for real,” Team said. His next words were spoken mostly into the pillow, but Win could hear them clearly enough. “Why is it only me?”

Win’s lips quirked up a little at the question. Wasn’t it obvious yet?

“Because it’s you,” Win said.

He shouldn’t have left the key in his room. This was the moment, right?

This was a moment, and he didn’t have the damn key to give to Team. If he just had the key, this would be the perfect moment. It could be whatever bullshit the ABC kids had been talking about. What Dean had been telling him.

Making his feelings clear. Making sure that Team knew how he felt, how he cared.

Maybe he could still salvage the moment. Maybe he could suggest getting a spare key for Team, and see how he felt about the idea. Then in a couple days, he could produce the key, and act like it hadn’t been sitting in his desk drawer for a week.

“You’re the only one that I want to steal forehead kisses from,” Win would say. “You’re the only one that I’m constantly thinking about, worried about. And you’re the only one that I want sleeping in my room.”

Team would frown in confusion, lowering the pillow slightly, but still holding it like a shield between them. “What are you saying?” He would ask.

“I want you to know I always want you with me, in my room, around me, no matter what,” Win would say. “And I don’t want you to be locked out again. I’ll never lock you out. I was thinking about getting a spare key made for my room, for you. So you don’t ever have to worry about me not being in my room, or being asleep, or anything. What do you think?”

Team would clutch the pillow tighter to his chest again, pressing his chin against it and looking up at Win through his eyelashes. “I don’t want to invade in your space, Hia,” Team would say, a quiet, broken voice.

Win would push the study papers aside, shuffling closer on the bed to grasp at Team’s arm. “You’re never invading in my space,” Win would say. “I always want you around.”

Team would shake his head so hard Win would worry he’d give himself a concussion. “You might not always, though,” Team would say. “You already have so much to worry about, Hia. I don’t want you to worry about me too.”

“I worry about the people I care about,” Win would say. He would offer a warm smile, a hand coming up to card through Team’s hair to try and ease his anxieties. “And I care about you.”

Team’s eyes would shine with unshed tears, and he would close them tightly as soon as he realized, burying his face in the pillow. He would say something muffled against the pillow that Win would have to ask him to repeat.

“I don’t want to be another thing that you worry about,” Team would finally say. Tears would be staining his cheeks, and his eyes would be red. “You worry about your brothers, and have to deal with your parents, and you worry about P’Dean��I’m too much trouble to worry about. And you’ll realize that eventually, or you’ll want to be with someone else, and then you have to tell me that and take the key back, or you won’t tell me and I’ll just be a nuisance showing up in your bed all the time.”

“Team, that won’t happen,” Win would insist. He would try to wrap his arms around Team, but he would squirm and Win wouldn’t push.

“You don’t know that,” Team would say. Before Win could answer, Team would put on that fake smile again that he did in the hallway when Win found him having a nightmare. “I need a good grade on this exam, though. Help me study, please?” He beg for a change of topic, for Win to drop the suggestion of the key. And Win couldn’t ever say no to him.

“Here,” Win said instead, passing one of the study sheets over to Team. He moved to sit beside Team against the headboard, smiling as Team finally released his death grip on the pillow. Maybe the suggestion of the idea wouldn’t be a good place to start. Win could already imagine the anxiety that would radiate off of Team if given the option instead of the outright offer. Later. He would figure it out later.

—————

When Win went back to his room to grab his books for class, he also tucked the key into his pocket. He wouldn’t be caught unaware again if the perfect moment presented itself.

As it turned out though, the perfect moment wasn’t going to present itself. At least not on campus. He’d forgotten that their schedules didn’t line up at all until swim club that day, the locker room was crowded, and Pruek insisted on staying back to finish the paperwork, so there was no perfect moment when it was only Win and Team in the locker room either.

Win pulled his bike up in front of their building, missing the warmth against his back as soon as Team got off the bike.

“Where are you sleeping tonight?” Win asked. He’d meant it as a casual question, but wasn’t sure if it came off that way. Team had previously only had nightmares before competition or exams, but he’d said he was having them more frequently now.

Win tried not to give anything away in his expression as Team visibly debated over the question. “Your room,” Team finally said, and Win felt himself relax, smile stretching across his lips.

What if giving Team the key wasn’t a perfect moment kind of thing? What if it was casual?

“Here, you can go on up, I’ll meet you upstairs,” Win would say, holding out the key.

“I can just wait for you,” Team would say, shaking his head at the key.

“I need to park the bike,” Win would say. In a last ditch effort to get Team to take the key, he would add, “Also, I may have left you some chips in my room as a surprise for you.” Team’s eyes would brighten and he would snatch the key from Win’s hand.

Win would smile, shaking his head as he watched Team practically sprint for the door. “I’m starting to think you only keep me around for the snacks,” he would call after Team, who would turn around, sticking his tongue out childishly before disappearing into the building.

By the time Win made it upstairs, Team would have discarded his backpack and tie, and would be sprawled out on his back like a starfish on the bed, empty chips bag beside him.

“I put your key on the desk,” Team would say, and before Win could say anything else, Team would bounce up from the bed. “I need a shower, I feel gross.” He would disappear into the bathroom, and Win would be left staring at the key on the desk, back to square one.

Instead, Win left his bike and accompanied Team inside.

Win put the key back in the desk drawer while Team was curled up on his bed, distracted on his phone. He resolved to stop stressing about it. The right time would come, and he would give it to Team then.

—————

It admittedly was less stressful, to stop looking for the perfect moment. He was able to tease and joke around with Team without wondering if any moment was the right time to give him the key. It wasn’t, and that was okay.

Win did wish he’d given Team the key before they went to his parents’ home, though. It didn’t hit him until Wiew told him that Team had left. As long as Team was with him, it didn’t matter that he didn’t have the key. But what if he tried to go back to Win’s room, and he wasn’t there?

Sure, Team wouldn’t expect him there. He knew Win was with his family. Still, he would’ve felt a lot better about Team leaving if he’d already given him the key.

As it turned out, Team gave him the perfect opportunity to give him the key anyway.

Hand outstretched, demanding a prize for the grade he’d gotten mainly because of Win’s tutoring. And studying bribery with snack foods.

Win couldn’t say no to him though. Ever, it seemed. And the only thing that Win could think to do, the only thing that he wanted to do, was to give Team the key. To give him a promise of safety, of refuge, whenever he needed it.

Team’s smile lit up the room, as well as something warm and solid in Win’s chest. He wasn’t entirely sure why he’d been so worried about giving Team the key.

It was Team. It had always been Team, since the first time Win had seen him.

As he clutched onto the key, and demanded to be taken out to see the Christmas lights, Win could only smile and give in. There wasn’t really any other choice when Team was looking at him like that.

Tomorrow Win would go back to waiting for the other shoe to drop, but for the moment, even that worry was far from his mind.

—————

Win had wondered if Team would be hesitant about using the key at first. If he would still knock, and only use the key if Win didn’t answer.

The next night after he gave Team the key, he learned that wasn’t much of a concern. He hadn’t really expected Team to sleep in his room that night, as he’d said he was going out with Pharm.

It was sometime around midnight that Win distantly heard the door open. He peeled his eyes open when Team’s side of the bed dipped. Team moved carefully and as quietly as he was capable, which was not very, in an apparent attempt to not wake Win.

Win only shuffled closer, wrapping an arm around Team’s waist. Team gave in and curled against his chest, tugging the blankets up over both of them. Where Win hoped he would always stay. Right where he belonged.

#I forgot to post this last night sorry #fanfic #Between Us #WinTeam

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utterrandomnesswithlulu · 2 years ago

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Utter(ly) Random: Getting the Axe

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Many shows are wrapping up as we head into the new year, hello 2023. While a lot of us are looking forward to what new shows are coming out and returning shows, for some shows that excitement has been squashed. Below I'm listing the shows that unfortunately have received the axe and won't be returning to their respective platforms.

Shows with an asterisk (*) are not "getting the cut" unexpectedly, but getting their last season.

CBS

Good Sam

B Positive

How We Roll

The United States of Al

Magnum P.I.

Bull*

All Rise

Clarice

SEAL

Beyond the Edge

THE CW

Legacies

Charmed

The Legends of Tomorrow

Naomi

4400

Dynasty

Roswell, New Mexico

In The Dark

Batwoman

The Republic of Sarah

Supergirl

Nancy Drew*

The Flash*

DC's Stargirl

Legends of the Hidden Temple

Riverdale*

NBC/PEACOCK

Mr. Mayor

The Endgame

Manifest*

Kenan

This Is Us*

Good Girls

Ellen’s Game of Games

A Little Late with Lilly Singh

Ordinary Joe

New Amsterdam*

Saved by the Bell

The Lost Symbol

ABC

black-ish*

Promised Land

Queens

Card Sharks

The Celebrity Dating Game

For Life

The Hustler

Match Game

Pooch Perfect

A Million Little Things*

FOX/FX

The Big Leap

Better Things

Atlanta*

Snowfall*

The Real

Duncanville

Monarch

SHOWTIME

American Rust

Black Monday

Work in Progress

Desus and Mero

NETFLIX

Another Life

Archive 81

The Baby-Sitter’s Club

Bonding

Cooking with Paris

The Crown*

Derry Girls*

Genetefied

Grace and Frankie*

Julie and the Phantoms

Locke and Key*

Ozark*

Peaky Binders*

Pretty Smart

Raising Dion

Space Force

Never Have I Ever*

Stranger Things*

Dead to Me

The Imperfects

Blockbuster

The Midnight Club

Firefly Lane

The Umbrella Academy

On the Verge

Fate: A Winx Saga

Warrior Nun

The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself

Partner Track

Resident Evil

First Kill

Q-Force

The Midnight Gospel

Space Force

1899

HBO/HBO MAX

Better Call Saul*

High Maintenance

His Dark Materials*

Westworld

The Nevers

Back on Record

Los Espookys

Raised by Wolves

Batman: Caped Crusader

FBoy Island

Degrassi: The Next Generation

Legendary

Little Ellen

Made for Love

Time Traveler's Wife

Love Life

Close Enough

Gordita Chronicles

Sweet Life: Los Angeles

Minx

Demimonde

Other Cancelations

Hunters* (Prime Video)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel* (Prime Video)

Servant (Apple TV+)

Snowpiercer* (TNT)

Star Trek: Picard* (Paramount+)

Carnival Row (Prime Video)

While this is certainly not everything that's been canceled from the dozens of streaming services and platforms available, I will most likely update this particular list as we enter 2023 further. It is pretty sad to say goodbye to a show and characters that we've either started to love (or hate) or have loved (or hated) for some time. Hopefully, that is the end of what I've called mass cancelation. Regardless, I hope everyone has a remarkable 2023!

Think I'm missing something, or is something listed in error? Feel free to let me know!

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atplblog · 4 days ago

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