#also i was SO CLOSE to getting it all to fit in my parent's minivan | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

strawberrysohn · 2 years ago

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on the low — choi san.

the prologue

pairing: fboy!choi san x inexperienced good girl reader

genre: smut, fluff, angst, (lowkey) coming of age [nothing really like any of that for this part tho]

warnings for this part: slight fluff, playful banter, slightly cocky san, one (1) kiss, swearing, flirting that goes nowhere, very much plot, rather boring tbh :/

part summary: it's the night before your first day of university and you get a ride home from one of your friends. wary of going into college without any romantic experience, you decide to ask your friend for some help.

word count: 2919 (because it's just the prologue lol)

for the longest time it was just the two of you. you, a girl trying to break free from the "girl next door" cliché you fit almost perfectly, someone who lived with her overprotective father and very critical mother and felt happiest away from home. and wooyoung, a bubbly, talkative boy at your school who became your lab partner for chemistry in sophomore year. you two clicked rather easily, and he got a kick out of the fact that he was your first friend that was a boy. who would have thought that in three years, you'd be friends with him and his seven other friends that were also boys?

you met yeosang and hongjoong next. coincidentally, they were in book club with you but you just never talked to them. then there were yunho, jongho, and mingi, who didn't go to the same school, but instead the next one over. then there was seonghwa, who you instantly got along with, seeing as he lived in a similar situation as you.

finally, you met him. wooyoung's closest friend, choi san, who was the perfect example of people you had been taught to avoid.

much to your family's dismay, you got along really well with san. even though he was nothing but nice to you, they knew that he was bad news. and so did you, but you didn't care. it's not like you were one of the girls lining up to be the next one he sleeps with. you were just the girl friend. that is...friend that's a girl.

so, there the nine of you were sat cautiously on the top of yunho's mom's minivan, staring at the night sky.

"isn't it crazy that in a few minutes, it'll technically be the first day of our freshman year at university?" wooyoung speaks, staring wistfully at the sky above.

"yeah, and we should be sleeping," hongjoong retorts. "do any of you have any idea how much we're going to have to do tomorrow?"

mingi chuckles and rolls his eyes playfully. "whatever, i'm just glad we all ended up at the same place," he says, shooting a small smile to yunho. "and that yunho's mom willingly gave us the van."

"it was not willingly," yunho says. "she only let us use it because san was showing up separately."

san dangles his feet off the side of the van. "do any of your parents like me?" he asks with a small laugh in his tone.

"i don't know," you say to him with a shrug. "my dad might be warming up to you now that he knows you're a car guy."

"i'm not a 'car guy', i have a car," san tosses his empty chip bag down to the ground. "there's a difference."

"twenty seconds to midnight!" seonghwa announces as he puts his phone back in his pocket.

wooyoung gasps excitedly and shakes jongho, who had dozed off, by the shoulder. "is everyone ready?" he looks at the time on his phone impatiently. "first day of the rest of our lives starts in 15...14...13..."

"this is so dumb," san leans in to whisper to you. you hadn't even noticed that he was seated beside you.

"...11...10..."

"he's enjoying himself," you chuckle, whispering back to san. "i say let him have his fun."

"...7..."

san shifts his position so that he's more comfortable, sat next to you with one leg tucked up halfway to his chest. "you know, i can give you a ride, if you want," he says suddenly.

"...4...3..."

you turn your face to look at the boy next to you, not realizing just how close he was. startled for a moment, you blink softly. his dark hair was slightly windswept from the late summer air. you were about to respond when wooyoung's excited voice interrupted your thoughts before you could say them.

"...1!" wooyoung claps enthusiastically. "happy first day of freshman year, everyone!"

a defeaning silence overtakes the nine of you after the time hits midnight. aside from wooyoung's bright smile and big eyes, no one shows any reaction.

san meets your eyes as you look around. a concerned look paints his face and you stifle a laugh. the both of you knew wooyoung and his antics the best, so you weren't surprised.

hongjoong sighs. "are we done now?" he adjusts his glasses and looks at wooyoung expectantly before sliding down the side of the van, dusting off the back of his jeans. "my mom is gonna be upset if she finds out i'm out so late on a school night."

"yeah, can we go?" jongho wipes his tired eyes with the sleeve of his black sweater. "i'm tired, in case you haven't noticed."

a small frown on his face, wooyoung looks around at the various faces around him. "does everyone want to go?" when everyone including you nods, the boy sighs. "alright, fine, whatever. thank you all for agreeing to do this, though."

the rest of your friends slide down onto the ground from the top of the van, yunho warning everyone to be careful because he 'still has to drive it back to his house before going back to campus'.

you meet up with wooyoung once you find ground. "hang in there, woo, okay?" you pat his shoulder softly. "i'll see you tomorrow. have a good night." you smile at him, but he looks at you in slight confusion.

he watches as you start to walk in the opposite direction. "aren't you coming with us in the van?"

"nope," you shake your head. "san offered to drive me."

your friend's eyes light up and he grins at you. "really?" he lifts a hand for a high five, which you return, although you're not sure why it was initiated. "have fun, y/n!"

"calm down," you furrow your brows. "it's just a car ride."

"with the choi san?" wooyoung shakes his head and chuckles, only deepening your confusion. "nuh-uh, honey. a car ride with san is never just a car ride. he's probably gonna try to make a move on you."

you blink slowly. "nice try, woo," you shake your head, tired of his games. you were used to him making things up like this. "i'm just gonna go, okay? have a nice night."

wooyoung smirks as you walk away. "you too."

san, who was leaning against the front of his car, looks up as you approach. "hey, you accepted my offer!" he smiles slightly and stands up straight to welcome you. "isn't this your first time being in my car?"

"yeah, it is," you tell san as you both walk around to your sides of the car. you slide in the passenger seat, taking in the interior of san's car. it was very him, if that made sense. "it smells nice in here."

"strawberry," san points to an air freshener hanging from the mirror. "bought it two days ago so it's still fresh."

you breathe in the scent and smile as san starts up the car. you wondered deep down if there was any truth to wooyoung's statement. you knew about san's reputation as a hit it & quit it kinda guy, but would he really make a move on you?

"there are snacks in the glovebox, by the way," san interrupts your thoughts. "hand sanitizer in the box underneath your seat. kleenex is there also." he informs you and you internally applaud how organized he is.

"thanks!" you lean forward and open the glove box in front of you, your eyes lighting up at the selection of snacks you saw. chips, pretzels, various candies and cookies.

"so, are you excited for tomorrow?" you ask san as you grab a bag of pretzels and close the glove box. "well, later today, i should say."

san chuckles and hums in response. "i guess so," he shrugs. "i mean...hot college babes, am i right?" he smirks at you and you shake your head at him in mock disappointment.

"san, i swear," you giggle at him. "i know you're not kidding, but there's gotta be more things you're excited for?"

as san starts to pull out of the spot he had parked in. "well, i guess i'm glad about the fact that i'm finally moved out," he adds. "you know what my parents are like."

you nod in understand. "yeah, of course," you dig into your bag of pretzels, feeling the familiar sweet and salty taste excite your tastebuds. "same here."

"right, yeah," san nods. "i bet your parents are gonna call you every night."

"oh my god," you roll your eyes at the thought. "i'm gonna have to change my number!" you laugh at your own words, and san does to.

you finally hit the road, the radio playing music so quietly it was inaudible to you. "you think you're gonna get a boyfriend this year?" san asks you suddenly. you were confused as to why he brought this up.

"well, it is college," you start before letting out a sigh. you knew the answer. "but no. i don't think i'll ever get a boyfriend."

san glances at you from the corner of his eye. "why's that?"

"i don't know," you toy with a loose thread hanging off the hem of your shirt. "i don't think i'm relationship material. i have literally no experience whatsoever."

"really?" san hums in thought, keeping his focus on the road in front of him. "you've never been with anyone?" you shake your head. "no first dates?" you shake your head again, and san is only more perplexed. "have you ever fucked someone before?"

your eyes widen. "san, oh my god!" you smack his arm as your cheeks heat up.

"it's just a question!" he smiles at you. "was it the way i phrased it?"

"yes!" you reply, shaking your head at him as you reach for another pretzel from your bag.

"okay, fine," he clears he throat and tries again, this time sitting up straighter and speaking in a pompous tone. "dear, have you ever fornicated with anyone, perchance?"

you burst out into laughs, so much so that tears prick your eyes and your vision blurs slightly. luckily you had already finished swallowing your pretzel, or else you would have choked. when you calm down from your laughing fit, you take a deep breath and compose yourself. "no, san," you finally say. "i've never done it."

"wow," the man next to you was actually surprised. why did he think you had done all these things? "how about...have you ever kissed anyone?"

embarrassed, you turn away and look out the car window. that was enough to give san his answer.

"you're 18 and you've never even kissed someone?" san was truly baffled. "have you at least thought about kissing someone?"

you roll your eyes. "of course i've thought about it," you respond with a sigh before continuing. "i just...don't know how to kiss, really. and i really don't want to go into university a complete loser but it's the night before our first day. who am i gonna kiss between now and 7:30 am? who am I even going to see then?" you look at the man beside who, even though was focused on the road, was listening to you very intently.

and then it dawned on you.

"hey, um, san?"

he glances at you for a moment. "hm?"

you close your eyes and take a breath. this could end horribly. "would you like to...do me a favor?"

"of course, y/n," he says. "what's up?"

you wince. did you really have to spell it out? "what were we...what were we just talking about?"

"uh, that you don't wanna go into college as a loser and that you want to kiss someone between now and the morning but you're not gonna see anyone– oh."

san pauses and looks at you momentarily. seeing your bashful expression he shakes his head. "wait, really? are you for real?" you nod and he mutters something like 'jesus' under his breath. "y/n, you want me to be the person you kiss between now and the morning?"

"san, i swear, we never have to talk about it again," you tell him. "i just know that you know what you're doing so this should be an easy task for you. please understand that this will mean and change nothing. okay?"

after a long moment of silence and consideration on san's part, he sighs and pulls over on the road, parking on the side of the street. "fuck it," he unbuckled his seatbelt and turns to face you completely. "you're fully 100% sure about this?"

"i mean, i'm a little nervous, yeah," you admit, following it up with a shrug. "it's just a kiss, right?"

san looks at you and smiles, nodding. "yeah, just a kiss," he repeats back to you. "you have nothing to worry about. just...follow my lead, okay?" he gazes at you and you feel your heartbeat quicken. was this really happening? were you going to finally have your first kiss?

san leans in closer to you, and you stay where you are. you figured that it might be weird if both of you leaned in. you watch as your friend's face grows closer to yours, your eyes drifting to his lips as his tongue darts out to wet them. you notice how chapped and dry yours are due to the wind but realize you have no time to put on any chapstick or anything.

san's face is two centimeters away from yours when he speaks, his hot breath against your skin. "i'm going to kiss you now," he says, his voice quiet, but loud enough for you to hear. "like i said, follow my lead."

you nod, watching as he closes the gap between the two of you completely, his soft lips meeting yours for the first time. you feel your heartbeat almost pound out its confinement in your chest. remembering what you've seen in movies, you close your eyes and start to slowly kiss back, your lips moving against san's in a beautiful harmony.

it felt like you were floating on a cloud. except, the cloud was san...weird. you expected kissing to be this satisfying but something about doing it with san just felt right. you wondered if he thought the same...

after what feels like the shortest long time ever, san breaks the kiss, opening his eyes and looking at you. he catches his breath and grins – no, smirks – at you. "so?" he quirks a brow at you in question.

yeah, like you could put together words at this point. you had just had your first kiss! there weren't words to express how you were feeling. so, you just nod in response to san's question, earning a chuckle from him.

"good then?" he smiles and bows slightly in his seat, a somewhat cocky look on his face. "pleased to please, my dear."

shaking your head, you smack his shoulder lightly. "whatever," you groan, hiding your reddening cheeks with your hand. "just drive, okay? i should get some sleep."

san laughs and starts the car up again. "yes, ma'am," he replies, making you smile a bit from behind your hand.

the rest of the ride back to your dorms was silent between you two. you figured that san just wanted to listen to his music, and so did you, since he had very good taste. plus, you didn't know what to say. you had just kissed, what was there to say? not wanting to make things even more awkward for yourself, you decided that staying quiet and thinking your calm little thoughts was the best way to go. you just wished that you knew what san was thinking. were you good? were you bad? did you need more practice? this was very important!

finally, you pull up in front of your university campus dorms and san turns to you. "this is your stop, no?"

you look at him quizzically. "isn't it yours too?"

"ah, nope," san responds. "late night cravings. gonna go get some food." he hums as he unlocks the door on your side.

"oh, okay," you say with a nod of understanding. you unbuckle your seatbelt and make sure you have everything you entered with. "have fun! don't stay out too late! remember, big day today." you smile at san, who nods, a matching smile on his face.

"gotcha," he says in response. watching as you open your door to leave, he sends one last dimpled grin your way. "good night, y/n."

"good night," you say to him before closing your door, leaving you outside the car. as you walk around the front of the vehicle, you take a deep breath. you had to say something.

"and san?" you call to him through the open driver's side window. he looks up, turning his radio down to hear you.

"yeah?"

you smile, seeing him so intrigued as to what you were gonna say. "thank you, by the way."

san grins mischievously at you. "you're very welcome, y/n," he winks and you roll your eyes. "for a beginner, you're pretty good."

a blush creeps onto your cheeks. "thanks, i guess," you tell him. "from what i know with my very limited experience, you're not so bad yourself, choi san."

the boy laughs and shoots finger guns at you. "catch you later, okay? take care of yourself." he drives off as you wave goodbye, a giddy feeling in your chest.

this was going to be an interesting school year.

#choi san #choi san smut #choi san fluff #san smut #san fluff #san ateez #ateez san #ateez #ateez imagines #ateez smut #choi san fic #kpop smut #kpop fluff #kpop angst #<33333

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innytoes · 1 year ago

Note

For the AU combos: roadtrip/amusement park

-Flynn and Julie decide to do a road trip before they go away for college, because Flynn's going to New York and Julie's staying in LA and they need Bestie Time.

-They take Flynn's Mom's Minivan, because it is the safest vehicle, will fit all of their souvenirs, and they can sleep in it if they can't find somewhere to stay the night. (Don't tell Tía.)

-They decide to split their time into three big categories: must see landmarks, epic amusement parks (Flynn's a sucker for roller coasters) and We'll Know It When We See It.

-Among We'll Know It When We See It: Creepy haunted clown motel (no they did NOT spend the night, don't you worry, Tía), a fun small town festival with ten million fried things on a stick, a cool concert by some band nobody had ever heard of but Julie just knew her mom would have loved, and a carnival.

-Because Flynn didn't just want to ride big, cool, safe rollercoasters. No, she had to drag Julie onto ones that were set up in an hour and would be torn down in even less time.

-That's where they meet Reggie. He's really cute and really excited when he hears they're from LA ("You're going around to cool amusement parks? Have you been to Star Wars World??? Is the ride as cool as the internet makes it seem????"). He makes sure to show them around, shows them which pies are the best and what food stalls to avoid. Delights in taking them to the fortune teller, because 'it's really just Mrs Meyerson in a weird costume. She's a total gossip and knows everyone's business, that's why she's so good. I want to know what she'll say to two outsiders.'

-They have lunch together, and dinner, and ride all the rides, and Reggie wins them both a stuffed animal (a unicorn for Flynn, a red panda for Julie) by shooting tiny little moving ducks down.

-Julie wins Reggie a dalmatian by heaving a giant mallet over her head and bringing it down so hard on the high striker the bell dings loud enough people turn their heads to stare.

-Reggie looks a little bit in love with her in that moment, and Julie can't help but feel a little in love with him too.

-They're loathe to say goodbye, even as midnight approaches and there are announcements the carnival is closing soon. Reggie promises to show them a cool water tower where you can see the stars, and Julie agrees even before Flynn can weigh the options of 'he seems harmless enough' and 'following some white boy into the woods after he showed us what a good shot he is is the start of a horror movie'.

-Yes Flynn has her taser in her pocket just in case.

-But Reggie stays true to his word and the sight is amazing. The town is just twinkling lights from up here, and he says he used to come here as a kid and pretend he was an astronaut, looking down on earth, away from all his problems.

-Their conversation turns deep, and Reggie admits he has plans to run away from his little town, as soon as he can save up enough money to buy a truck. His parents spend all their time fighting, and ever since he turned eighteen a few weeks ago, with him. As if now that he's of age, they don't have to hold back their hatred anymore.

-Surprisingly, it's Flynn that offers to take him with them.

-Insert movie montage of Flynn, Julie, and Reggie having Adventures. Julie is just happy someone will go on the really terrifying rollercoasters with Flynn so she doesn't have to. Reggie is seeing the world for the first time and is excited about everything. ("A real Rainforest Cafe??? Can we go???"). Julie is slowly falling in love with this golden retriever of a boy.

-Yes they carefully edit out Reggie in any pictures they send to Julie's aunt.

-They end up back in LA, finishing the trip with a visit to Star Wars World.

-Just Julie showing up home like: hi Dad so this is Reggie he's my boyfriend and also he needs a place to stay. If he can't stay here, he's probably going to get adopted by the Taylors and live in Flynn's room and be murdered by Flynn's little sister who had dibs on that room when she moved out and then I'll be sad my boyfriend is dead sooooo...

-Yes, Reggie can stay.

-Flynn leaves for New York knowing her girl will be well looked after. Especially because she did use the taser on Reggie... but only to wave it around threateningly to give him the shovel talk somewhere around St Louis.

#julie and the phantoms #fanfic #not!fic #I wrote a thing #AUs are awesome #reggiexjulie

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hxseok-honee · 4 years ago

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atlas heart || part 37

a/n : uhm,,, so this was 20 pages long,,,, whoops -- hope you enjoy the pain!

previous | next

tag list!! [closed]

@deepseavibez @siredjoonie @kawaii-desv @knadiuniverse @anxious-reading @catbugsugarpea @cahowlkook @amoreguk @taekookandyoongi @nogitsune-sama @whitetshirtsrus @gustavkonrad @lilacdreams-00 @seungkwanismyaesthetic @mochiteddybear @cosmicdaylight @helpitskpop @lovetootie2x @unnoticeableparadox @applejuice218 @amicalostgirl @bad-idea-personified @moralita76 @yoongiscrackhead @thebleuprince @jooniesmind @incredibleella @missbowkimjinju @marifujioka @evil-ian @uqhgood @milky-way-bitch @yellohoshi @agust-suck-my-d @okaysoplshelpme @cutehoshii @dreamcatcherjiah @butterflylion @thesunisup-theskyisblue @thealexalcala @yoonjibby @baepsaekid @surviving-in-neverland @blaisezabini @melswolf @michiiedreamer @minimochimin @ebeanz @bts-bambi @sleepyje0n

___________________________________

“Jimin… psst-- Jimin, wake up--”

“Wake up, motherfucker!” Jimin’s eyes fly open right before he’s shutting them again, unable to cover his face in time to block the throw pillow that’s being launched at him. It falls to his lap when he sits up, and Jungkook chuckles in the doorway.

“Y/n’s been in here for fifteen minutes, trying to be nice and soft about waking you up, but you sleep like the dead. We’re gonna miss our ride at this rate.” Jimin blinks the sleep from his eyes as he focuses in on the girl that’s kneeling next to him on the bed. She’s nodding along as Jungkook speaks, and even in his half-awake state, Jimin finds her insufferably cute. He also notices that she’s fully dressed and seemingly ready to leave, her backpack by the door.

“What time is it?” His voice is groggy, but the yell he lets out when Hoseok appears suddenly at the door, disheveled and angry, is crystal clear. It looks like the Slytherin’s also just woken up, which is bad news for someone who’s yet to see Hoseok’s infamous ‘morning temper’.

“It’s almost 4:30 in the fucking morning, that’s what time it is. Our ride gets here at 5 -- I’m leaving whether you’re ready or not.” He disappears then, dragging a fearful Jungkook with him back to their room to pack their bags. Y/n turns from the doorway, settling back on her heels as she chuckles awkwardly.

“He’s just really excited to see Yoongi…”

When a minivan fit for a soccer mom with 4 kids screeches to a halt in front of the house, Jimin has to rub at his eyes to make sure he’s seeing things correctly. At the wheel sits Jin, an alarming amount of excitement in his eyes as he chugs coffee from what’s less of a cup and more of a vase with a lid. In the passenger’s seat is Namjoon, clinging to his seatbelt for dear life, and behind him are Taehyung and Yoongi, the Slytherin scooting into the middle so Jungkook can pull the end seat down and squeeze into the back row.

He waves Y/n in, and she pulls a stunned Jimin into the back with them. When the end seat locks back into place, Hoseok is throwing himself into it, wrapping himself around Yoongi once the door is closed. His boyfriend smiles with contentment, and even half-asleep, Jimin can appreciate the quiet happiness they share.

Jin slams his concerningly large coffee cup, now empty, down into the middle console and lets out a roar of energy.

“Next stop, Quidditch World Cup!” Pressing down on the gas hard enough that Y/n actually feels the tires squeal against the pavement before starting to turn, Jin takes off, rounding the rest of the massive courtyard before flying back down the winding driveway. Her hand reaches for Jimin’s on instinct, and if she wasn’t squeezing so hard, he might have blushed.

“What’re the chances of us dying before we even get there?” Jimin chuckles at her question, cutting himself short when the car slides into traffic much too recklessly, so he just hums.

“Probably much higher than you want me to admit--”

“Hey, who has my road snacks? I’ve got such a hankering for one of those cinnamon roll thingies--” Jin reaches blindly back into the middle row, searching for the bag of food on Taehyung’s lap.

“Both hands on the wheel!” It seems the entire car’s in agreement, because Jin just returns to his previous position, a small whine leaving him.

“Alright, alright, you big babies. Namjoon -- feed me, buddy.” The Ravenclaw groans loudly, and for a moment Jimin can’t believe he’d missed all these idiots while he was away.

When Jin pulls into the campground for the World Cup, they’re all gasping as they take in the scene around them. The arena’s unbelievably massive, towering over them in the distance. The sea of people is endless, crowded beyond belief with spectators and traveling merchants preparing for tomorrow’s match. Following Yoongi’s directions until they manage to find the plot of land his parents had reserved for them, Jin pulls off into the treeline and puts the car in park.

The group stumbles from the vehicle, groaning and stretching, shaking off the anxiety of entrusting Jin with their lives for hours. It’s a little past 11am, enough time for them to set up before lunch. Y/n follows Jimin into the spacious area, admiring the excited chaos of the enormous campground around them. She can hear Jin mumbling a spell under his breath to shrink the car and put it in his pocket, followed almost immediately by Jungkook excitedly asking if he can 'do that with a house -- or Hogwarts!'

Jimin takes her hand, and for a second, she thinks that maybe he’s making a move on her, something that leaves her embarrassingly hopeful. But all he does is pull her close to him, pointing at Yoongi with his other hand. The Slytherin is pulling a tiny tent out of his own pocket and setting it on the ground in the middle of their plot of land. Y/n doesn’t even see Yoongi utter a spell before the tent is growing to full size, and she can only imagine that the inside has been bewitched to fit all 8 of them -- something else that Yoongi’s done without speaking.

“Nonverbal magic?” It slips out without her thinking, and Yoongi hears it, glancing at her and becoming visibly shy under her curious gaze. He nods, pointing back at Hoseok, whose attention is caught trying to convince Jungkook not to try shrinking himself with Jin’s spell.

“We both know it -- most Slytherins do, actually… should I call it a defense mechanism? We don’t like to let people know what we’re thinking.”

“It’s pretty fascinating, if you think about it.” It comes from Namjoon, where he and Tae are unpacking not too far away. “Even in class, Yoongi would always practice nonverbally -- he’d get in trouble for it, too.” The Slytherin shrugs as if performing nonverbal magic isn’t difficult for most people unless the caster is under incredible distress.

“What can I say? A habit’s a habit. I haven’t used verbal magic in years -- it’s just more comfortable this way.” He ducks into the tent then, poking his head out and waving them in once he’s checked the quality of his adjustments to their living space for the next couple days.

They all head inside, Y/n looking around in awe when she sees just how big it is. There’s a section of bunk beds on the far side of the room, and the rest is filled with endlessly cozy spaces -- couches and cushions, corners piled high with blankets and pillows. There’s a small kitchenette in the corner, which Jin makes a beeline for in order to 'preserve his perishables'. Jimin shakes his head at the scene, always amused by the depth of the Hufflepuff’s stomach.

Jungkook pulls Y/n to one of the couches, where they collapse on it in a sibling pile that Jimin’s gotten used to seeing over the last 24 hours. It doesn’t stop the rest of the group (sans Hoseok, of course) from gawking at the pair, everyone unused to seeing the dynamic that’s been essentially nonexistent at Hogwarts. They don’t even notice, Y/n looking up at Jungkook with emotional eyes.

“I can’t believe I have friends to share this with.” She doesn’t realize the group is listening, and they all feel simultaneously touched and saddened by her words. Jungkook only ruffles her hair fondly.

“Get used to it, kid -- things are looking up for us.” It’s then that Jungkook happens to glance up, catching Taehyung’s gaze and seeing glossy tears in the boy’s eyes. Looking around, he notes that everyone’s got a similar expression, and he wonders what they must think of Y/n -- of the girl they don’t know enough about to understand her sentiments. He also wonders why they seem so moved by her words.

The awkward moment’s cut short by Namjoon clearing his throat. He points toward Jin, who’s standing by the fridge.

“We have enough food in there to feed us for a week, but Jin said it’s all ‘snacks’, so it looks like we have to go buy lunch.” Everyone nods, accepting that Jin would probably bite them before letting them into the kitchenette, and they start heading back out into the campground.

By the time night’s fallen, they’re all exhausted and a bit giddy. It’s almost 10, the effects of waking up at 4am weighing down on the group as they sit together in front of their tent. Hoseok and Yoongi had set up a small fire for them to gather around, Jimin playing music quietly from the small speaker Tae had packed as they talk amongst themselves.

Namjoon leans against a decently sized pile of rocks, reading quietly with the light from the fire. Y/n suspects he’s not actually reading, having caught his smile every time someone had cracked a lame joke, but she doesn’t call him on it. He looks peaceful there, in his quiet corner. Yoongi and Hoseok sit together on one side of the fire, whispering to each other and smiling about things only they know. Jungkook, Tae, and Jin are huddled, having a small argument about some of the merchandise being sold by the traveling shops that are set up around the campground.

Y/n sits with Jimin, watching the group and jokingly judging Jimin’s music taste as he scrolls through his phone. They’re sitting awfully close together, and Jimin thinks in the back of his mind that they must look about as cozy as Yoongi and Hoseok do -- that thought brings him much more joy than it should.

Despite the endless chatter and liveliness of the campground, the night starts to wind down, the sky clouding over in a way that makes it seem darker than it already is. It’s a perfectly good time for everyone to head to bed, but the chaotic trio has apparently decided to escalate their quarrel, the three of them jumping up at the same time.

“We’re going to check out some stuff -- it’s important!” Jungkook calls out to the rest of the group right before disappearing into the crowd with Jin and Tae. Namjoon promptly shuts his book, standing with a groan and heading in the direction they’d just gone. He offers them a shrug as an explanation.

“Someone needs to keep an eye on them.” He’s gone soon, leaving Jimin and Y/n to make awkward eye contact with Hoseok and Yoongi. Y/n locks eyes with Hoseok, and Jimin gets the strange feeling, from the way Hoseok’s eyes widen and then narrow suspiciously, that they’re communicating telepathically. The Slytherin shakes his head subtly, and then again a little more forcefully, before sighing heavily and rising to his feet. Holding his hand out, he helps Yoongi -- who looks as confused as Jimin feels -- to his feet before pointing noncommittally in the same direction their friends had gone.

“Apparently, I’m hungry enough to go searching for a snack, even though we have snacks in the tent.” Yoongi smirks at the clear annoyance in Hoseok’s voice, tugging him toward the crowd.

“Come on -- let’s go find a tree to make out under.” Immediately, Hoseok’s gaze becomes one of mischievous excitement, and he practically skips after the shorter boy into the distance. Jimin makes a noise of disgust, mirrored by Y/n’s expression.

Jimin only properly registers that they’re alone when his phone automatically starts playing a slower song -- rather, he properly registers that Y/n had asked Hoseok to leave them alone. Turning to her suddenly as if for an explanation, he finds that she’s staring into the fire with the intensity of someone who’s very socially awkward. He can’t help the breath of laughter that leaves him, one that becomes real laughter when she glares at him.

“You look like you just realized the consequences of your actions.” Her jaw drops, and she pushes at his shoulder, affronted.

“Sue me for wanting to spend time alone with you!” Immediately, she’s hiding her face in her hands, groaning. She wonders if maybe -- if she wishes for it enough -- the ground will just open up around her and swallow her whole. Her ears feel like they’re being set on fire when she hears Jimin’s laughter ringing through the air, and she hates that she loves the sound anyway.

“When are you just going to admit that you’re in love with me, Y/n? I promise I won’t laugh.” She mumbles something into her hands, and it sounds suspiciously like ‘you’re already laughing’. Jimin tugs at her wrist, dragging her out from her hiding spot and forcing her to look at him.

“How about we make a deal?” Y/n sends him another glare, but it’s her pout that catches his attention and drives him to the brink of insanity. “We can say it together -- count to three and admit how crazy we are about each other at the same time.” Y/n rolls her eyes and snatches her wrist from his hold, turning back to the fire, which has basically died down completely by now.

“Stop messing around, you big dork.” Jimin holds his hand to his chest and gasps.

“I have never been so serious about something in my life as I am about this.” He keeps talking, a dramatic monologue about his integrity, but something triggers the alarm bells in the back of her head -- the same alarm bells that have kept her alive up to this point -- and she’s immediately distracted.

Glancing around, she finds that nothing’s changed in their surroundings -- families and groups of friends still celebrate the start of the World Cup, the chaos of thousands of people in one place never-ending. But there’s something in the air, something that sets her nerves on edge. Looking up, she realizes that it’s gotten exceptionally dark, the clouds concentrating into one dense curtain in the sky, removing any sign that the stars had been there in the first place.

“Jimin, wait… this doesn’t feel right.” Realizing, based on the pained expression that fills Jimin’s face when she interrupts his secretly heartfelt rant, that she’s said the wrong thing at the wrong time, Y/n shakes her head quickly, motioning out into the distance. “I’m talking about this -- something’s off.” She ignores Jimin’s lingering eyes on her when she stands from her spot on the ground, looking to the treeline and taking in their surroundings. He joins her when he gets a clear look at her face and sees how urgent her gaze is.

The breeze is gone, leaving her with the taste of stale smoke in her lungs, the air still foggy from the bonfire. It seems the sense of freedom had left with the boys, since all she can feel is an invisible weight coming down on her chest -- something coming for her.

And come it does, in Jimin’s frozen form and horrified gaze, staring straight over Y/n’s shoulder into the sky behind her. Whipping around, terrified about what she might find, she’s stepping backwards and colliding with Jimin’s chest before she can even register what she’s seeing. The clouds have darkened considerably and are moving of their own accord, twisting and turning as they take shape in the sky. Jimin begins to shake uncontrollably as the storm clouds become one, revealing the skull with the open jaw, a massive snake emerging from within and wrapping itself cleanly around the top.

“That’s-”

“Guys!”

“Jimin, Y/n-”

“We’re so fucked!” The rest of the group comes crashing into the space in panicked chaos, tearing through their campsite with thinly veiled terror. Taehyung and Namjoon make a beeline for their tent as the sounds of pained screams start to filter in, replacing the comfortable memories of the bonfire with something much darker. Yoongi stands near the fire pit, turning in circles and pulling at his hair desperately as he realizes where they are.

“This isn’t -- this tent, it’s in the middle of --” He stops, breathing hard, hands still buried in his hair as the thought finally hits. “My parents put us in the middle of Slytherin territory.”

Jin comes in behind everyone else, firing curses over his shoulder as he calls out to the group, scanning their faces and doing a mental headcount.

“We need to get out of here -- the muggleborns should go first.” He locks eyes with Namjoon as the older Ravenclaw exits the tent carrying a bag. Namjoon nods, grabbing hold of Taehyung’s wrist and moving toward Y/n, who hasn’t left Jimin’s side.

“I grabbed everything important, so let’s just go.” He reaches for Y/n’s arm, triggering Jimin’s protectiveness. Jimin pulls her closer on instinct, and Namjoon sighs as he releases Taehyung in order to grab both of them. “We need to go.” He addresses Y/n under his breath. “You’re not safe here, either.” They keep eye contact for just a moment, but it’s enough that Y/n is left with the feeling of ice in her blood even after Namjoon’s turned back to the group.

How much… does he know?

Before she can question Jimin about Namjoon’s suspicious behavior, Jimin’s tugging her toward his friends as they move toward the edge of the forest. Pulling back and forcing Jimin to a stop, Y/n points at Jungkook, who has now flanked Jin and is defending one part of their campsite from the oncoming hoard of Slytherins.

“I’m not leaving without him.” The conflicted look that crosses Jimin’s face tears at Y/n’s heart, but she stands her ground, motioning back toward Jungkook. “I have to stay-”

“What? No, you have to go!” The call comes from behind her, and it’s only a matter of moments before Jungkook is by her side, shoving her into Jimin’s arms. “Take her with you! Don’t you ever let her out of your sight-”

“Jungkook, watch out-”

Taehyung yells out to him, just a moment too late. Y/n watches in horror as a red light appears just over Jungkook’s shoulder. It grows bigger and bigger as it flies toward them, accompanied by the disgusted shriek of “Blood Traitor!”, and all she can do is hug Jungkook to her as she waits for the curse to strike him in between his shoulder blades.

Pulling him close, she barely manages to catch the flash of silver that appears, encompassing them as another body slides into view and blocks out everything else. The shield charm is cast wordlessly and so powerfully that it knocks the Slytherin who’d attacked them clean off his feet. Thrown back at least ten feet, he’s left bewildered and sore.

Hoseok stands between Jungkook and the army of Slytherins, breathing heavily as the shield dissipates around them. He holds his head high as he stares down the group, resigning himself to the fact that, after years of hiding his true self from his housemates, his loyalties have been clearly defined in that moment.

The silence that follows is only broken by the soft fwip of a wand being slipped out of a pocket, and it’s as Hoseok is whipping his head around that another red light appears, its caster completely silent. The curse burns through the air, almost as if in slow motion, cutting through the space right under Hoseok’s ear with the sharp precision of a skilled marksman and meeting its target on the other side, searing the ends of Hoseok’s hair as it goes. The Slytherin who’d been poised to attack from the treeline is hurled backwards, disappearing into the forest as everyone watches him go, Yoongi’s wand still trained on the spot where he’d stood.

The cold fury that fills Yoongi’s eyes is replaced with concern as he lowers his wand and rushes to Hoseok’s side, giving him a once over before turning to face the growing crowd of Death Eaters in-training, aligning his loyalties just the same as Hoseok had. Y/n allows herself the small smile that arises when she sees the gaze that Hoseok casts upon Yoongi, filled with the kind of love she could only hope to have in her own life. The moment doesn’t last long.

The group of friends, realizing almost simultaneously that they’re being surrounded, forms a huddle facing outward, wands steady as they prepare for the attack.

“If we make it out of this shit alive, I’m going to throw the biggest fit of my life when I get home.” The mention of the Dark Lord’s most loyal Min family sets off the first wave of curses, their traitorous son the target.

One by one, the group takes down their attackers, tiring out but never giving up. Minimal injuries are sustained on their end, their will to survive too strong to forgive even the slightest mistake. Jimin keeps one hand on Y/n at all times, unwilling to lose track of her for even a moment, as if she’s not been stuck to his side all night.

Curses rain down on them from all sides, the Dark Mark in the sky peeking through the shower of red lights as they fight for their lives. Jimin feels Y/n stagger beside him, but she seems to be unharmed when he looks her over. Glancing in alarm at the moon, barely visible amongst all the smoke and mayhem, Jimin curses under his breath as he remembers the date -- and more importantly, that she hadn’t yet taken her dose for the night. He pours all his energy into his attacks from that moment on, everything suddenly becoming much more urgent.

Time passes so slowly that none of them are quite sure how long they’ve been there, fighting in a war they’d never asked for. Just when Y/n thinks they might be losing -- that they might be forced to pledge allegiance to the Dark Lord, or even killed where they stand -- there’s a loud pop and a gush of wind passes over all of them.

From within their circle comes the angered cry of Sirius Black, who manages to deflect a rather mean curse headed straight for Jin’s chest. He’s followed by James and Remus, the three of them throwing themselves into the mix so carelessly that it catches the Slytherins by surprise. James takes advantage of the delay, surging out of the circle toward the largest density of Slytherins and pointing his wand at the ground closest to them.

“Confringo!” The earth beneath their feet shudders under James’ command, collapsing in on itself before exploding outward, sending no less than 10 people flying through the air and creating a chaos too intense for the rest to handle. The world around them becomes fuzzy and confusing, and Y/n feels nothing except the hands that pull at her and urge her forward into the forest.

They all manage to stumble far enough away from the mess to gather their bearings, but the shouts of their enemies are not far off. As soon as they confirm that they’re all alive and relatively unscathed, Remus takes Y/n by the elbow and pulls her gently to him. Jimin is reluctant to let her go.

“I need to talk to you -- we have to go somewhere safe.” Sirius is collecting the rest of the group and giving them the location of a safe place to meet, a small cottage in the countryside where he and Remus had been living.

“You guys head there first, we’ll meet you.” He hands the keys to Jungkook, who nods in understanding as he sees that Remus has no intention to rejoin the group. Jimin starts to reach for Y/n, unhappy with their separation, but Hoseok speaks up from the back. He’s being half-carried by Yoongi, his leg having suffered a bit of damage from James’ blasting curse, but not so much that he couldn’t walk. Y/n bites back a smirk, suspecting that Hoseok had just been looking for an excuse to need Yoongi, who is absolute garbage at hiding how pleased he is.

“Make sure you come back soon. I trust you guys, and I know you need to talk in private, but I don’t like not having Y/n close in times like this.” Remus nods, acknowledging Jungkook as well, before leading Y/n away. The boys start to apparate away, James helping Hoseok and Yoongi get to the house safely before returning to join his friends. Remus has led Y/n a safe enough distance away that the Slytherins would have a hard time finding them and is explaining the gravity of the situation to her.

“-- to infiltrate a pack of werewolves living in the mountains. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, Y/n.” Y/n examines Remus’ face, noting the new scars and the exhaustion that lies heavy in his eyes. He looks nothing like the bright school boy from just a few months ago, and she knows he’s seen unimaginable things in the short time that he’s been working under Dumbledore. They all look drained and, frankly, terrified. The lives they’d been promised from a young age were fading away into this dreary nothingness, this thankless job where nothing is more uncertain than the future.

“You’ll be careful, won’t you? Just tell me you’ll be careful -- all of you.” Remus looks taken aback by her words, and Sirius can’t suppress the soft chuckle that escapes him, amazed at this girl standing before him, not nearly as reserved as they’d all thought her to be.

“Of course we’ll be careful, love. Don’t you trust us?” Y/n shakes her head, smiling despite her scoff.

“Trust you guys? I didn’t realize you were an aspiring comedian, Sirius.” They laugh openly now, thankful for even just this moment of reprieve from the hell they live in. Remus leans over, patting her adoringly on her head, as if they weren’t damn near the same age.

“Good, that’s good. Don’t trust anyone, Y/n, you hear me? Don’t trust anyone you wouldn’t die for. Can you do that for me?” Y/n nods, the picture of those boys in that cottage in the countryside coming to mind so easily.

“I know who my people are. There’s no one else besides them -- and you guys. So try your best not to get yourselves killed?” James salutes her once as Sirius nods. Remus moves to agree, but the sound of leaves crunching not too far away triggers an immediate response in him. Lunging forward and taking her into his arms, he throws Y/n over his shoulder and takes off running, knowing better than anyone else what it would mean if she were caught. Y/n watches with horror as two Death Eaters appear out of what looks like thin air, sending James and Sirius into action. She can do nothing but watch as they deflect curses while maintaining their ground.

Remus sets her down a long distance away, trying to warn her again, but her attention is on the action they’d just managed to escape. She tries to push past him to go help James and Sirius, but he grabs her by the shoulders quickly and forces her to look at him, shaking her roughly in the process.

“Listen to me, Y/n- listen to me!” She meets his eyes, alarmed by the frustration in his voice. “The public knows. They know now just to what extent the werewolf population is siding with Voldemort. Everything before this summer was just speculation -- of course the evil magical beasts should side with the Dark Lord, right? Well, the Minister of Magic just released a statement this morning. Everyone knows now. And it won’t matter how much we cry and beg and plead for our lives -- if they catch us, we’re dead. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Y/n can do no more than stare into Remus’ eyes, wishing this all away -- wishing that they could just be back in school, a bunch of kids with no worries about the war. But the longer she stares into his eyes, the longer she realizes that they don’t just have to worry about the war now. They’re part of it. Two werewolves with way too many people keeping their secret. James, Sirius, Peter, Jungkook, Hoseok, and now Jimin? And --

Does Namjoon know, too? Just who the hell else has to be put into danger because of what I am?

Y/n steps through the front gate of the cottage, having been dropped off by Remus -- she’s not of age yet to apparate alone -- before he disappeared again, presumably to help his friends escape. She’s barely within ten feet of the front door when it’s flying open, Jimin appearing before her with wild eyes. He rushes at her, taking her into his arms with a desperation he didn’t even know he felt. She pats at his back, unsure of what to say, still dazed from everything Remus had told her.

“I was only gone a few minutes…” Jimin pulls back, looking at her as if she’s insane.

“I don’t care. Those were the worst few minutes of my life. I hated not knowing if you were okay.” He looks her over, patting at her arms gently. “You are okay, right?” When she nods he sighs before glancing around them urgently as if realizing they’re out in the open. He tugs her inside, shutting the door tightly behind them. He’s about to motion her down the hallway into the living room, where the rest of their friends are regrouping, but she stops him. The look she gives him is suspicious, and he’s unsure why.

“Jimin, you told me you would never breathe a word of what I am to anyone…” He looks at her with alarm, shaking his head.

“I didn’t tell anyone anything -- why? What happened?” She examines him for a moment, seeing that Jimin’s as confused as she is. She proceeds with caution, realizing that if Jimin really hadn’t said anything, then this conversation is about to be very uncomfortable.

“I think… Namjoon might know something…” Jimin feels like he can’t breathe then, the air stopping short in his chest as his heart drops out from under him. He swears without thinking, the word slipping out as he processes what she’s saying.

“Fuck… shit… fuck…” Y/n squints at him, unsure of where his mind’s just gone. Jimin squeezes his eyes shut, another swear falling from his lips as guilt overcomes him. He opens his mouth to explain, but he can’t bring himself to look her in the eyes.

“Before I figured out… everything, I would talk to Joon about things that confused me… about you.” He opens his eyes just enough to glance at her before looking away, but he’s surprised that she isn’t fuming with anger. She’s only thinking carefully about his words.

“So, he probably put it together on his own.” She comes to the conclusion as she ponders, offering the reason for Namjoon’s comment to her earlier. Jimin lurches forward, taking her hand in both of his, eyes pleading.

“I swear to you, Y/n, I didn’t say a word of this to him after I figured it out. I completely dropped it, and when he asked me why, I just told him I was respecting your privacy by minding my own business -- I promise, I never said anything--”

“Jimin!” His name cuts through the air, and his mouth snaps shut immediately to give her room to talk. “I’m not mad at you. I’m more worried than anything… I wonder who else knows…”

“Uhm, actually--” The new voice has them both turning to look to the end of the hallway, where Tae’s standing awkwardly in the doorway to the living room. He’s flanked by Jin and Yoongi, Namjoon standing with Jungkook and Hoseok just inside the room.

“--I think we all know…” The blood drains from both Y/n and Jimin’s faces as Jungkook and Hoseok look to each other in alarm. Jin nods, Yoongi smiling awkwardly to confirm what Tae’s saying. The air in the house is cold, no one willing to break the tense silence while Y/n processes what she’s just heard. She meets Jungkook’s eyes then, his gaze betraying the immense fear that he’s feeling, much like the ice running through her veins.

None of them even notice the front door opening behind Jimin, the three Marauders stumbling into the house, disheveled but generally unscathed. They stop short at the scene before them, glancing amongst themselves before James is breaking the silence himself.

“Are we… interrupting something…?”

“Okay, someone start talking before I go insane.” They’re all crowded into the living room meant only for a few people, Y/n and Remus sitting together on a couch in the middle of the room, everyone else taking up the extra seats and floor space. It looks like a club meeting gone horribly wrong, if the discomfort in everyone’s eyes is anything to go by. Y/n looks around after demanding an explanation, finally looking to Namjoon, as he’s the only one she’d been aware of until a few minutes ago. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

“After Jimin suddenly stopped all the obsessive theorizing and curiosities, I got suspicious… I had a feeling he’d put everything together, and I was worried that he was getting himself into some kind of trouble because that’s just the kind of nosy Ravenclaw he is. I just put it together myself so I could help him if I needed to…” Jimin grimaces at Namjoon’s words, knowing them to be true but disliking the description all the same.

The glare of irritation Jungkook’s been shooting him doesn’t help, but Hoseok pulls the Gryffindor’s attention away with a bump of his knee against Jungkook’s thigh. When Jungkook drags his burning gaze away from Jimin to look at Hoseok, Jimin’s shocked to see that Hoseok’s simply shaking his head at the Jeon heir, silently telling him to back off. Jimin’s eyes widen then, never having experienced such a sense of stunned relief as he feels in this moment with Hoseok’s quiet support.

Jungkook turns his annoyed gaze over to the spot where Taehyung, Jin, and Yoongi sit. He locks eyes with his roommate of six years.

“Tae?” The boy in question looks down at his hands sheepishly, glancing at Y/n in a way that seems almost apologetic. When he lifts his head, he speaks directly to her, feeling that his explanation should be for her and her alone.

“Jimin’s my best friend… it would be weird if I wasn’t worried about him with him acting so strange. I didn’t really figure it out until the beginning of the summer, when I started spending more time with you -- I noticed how sick you’d get around the same time each month, and you’d always look so tired afterwards. I know we don’t know each other as well as Jimin knows you, but I was worried about you, so I… did my own digging and put the pieces together. It also explained a lot about all the times Jungkook would run out of our room in a panic in the middle of the night. There were just… a lot of things that made sense once I’d started to think about it.” Y/n keeps her eyes on him, trying to process the guilt in his eyes and wondering why he sounds so upset. “I know that you’re probably terrified of us knowing, but I promise I was just worried about you. I’m sorry I was snooping in your life…”

Y/n sees then that Taehyung feels the same kind of responsibility that Jimin had always carried in his eyes -- one of fear that his actions would bring her harm. He’d been sitting with that for the whole summer, quietly trying his best to keep her safe by pretending he knew nothing at all. She opens her mouth to tell him that he has nothing to feel bad about, but Jin’s clearing his throat.

“I, uh-- we--” He gestures to the space between himself and Yoongi, whose gaze is one of cautious observation as the conversation goes on around him. “We… were on our way back to Yoongi’s room and overheard you and Hoseok talking -- something about Jimin finding out… Hoseok was really upset, and he was kind of yelling. We didn’t mean to eavesdrop -- it’s just that we were right outside, and you were trying to calm him down, and he was just saying a lot of stuff that was confusing and weird, but it was obvious what was going on.” Jin glances over at Yoongi as if to confirm his story, and the Slytherin only nods. He turns back to Y/n, finishing his explanation. “We found out together--”

“Actually--” Everyone’s attention turns to Yoongi, who shifts uncomfortably under the weight of their gazes. He clears his throat, scratching at his neck while he finds his words. “Actually… I already knew by then. I think, based on what everyone’s been saying, that I probably knew before any of them…” He trails off, leaving the group to devolve into strained chaos.

“Wait, you knew?”

“How long have you known?!”

“When did you find out?” Ignoring the barrage of questions, Yoongi only looks to Hoseok, whose eyes tell how shocked he is. Flicking his gaze to Y/n, Yoongi continues.

“Do you remember when we first met? That night in the Hospital Wing -- it was before winter break.” Y/n’s jaw drops as her memories fly all the way back to December -- almost a year prior. “I went to visit you, originally because Hobi had mentioned something about going to visit a friend and I was looking for an excuse to see him.” Hoseok laughs under his breath, still stunned into disbelief about the situation, but Yoongi hasn’t stopped talking, almost rambling now.

“I had just found out that you guys were even friends -- it was really weird for me to think about, you know? Until then, he’d only ever been friends with Slytherins, and even then he seemed hesitant about getting close to them. I mean, I get it, that’s how I was, too. But to find out that my roommate since first year had a secret friend group with people that made no sense for him to know -- I was curious about you. I wanted to see what you were like. Especially because Jimin was, like, obsessed with you -- sorry, Jimin.” The Ravenclaw grimaces again, hating that he’s been described only as obsessive but knowing that that’s exactly what he’d been like.

“So… what does that have to do with finding out about me? How did you know?” Y/n leans forward, elbows on her knees as she looks intently at Yoongi. He sighs in response.

“Look. My entire life, I’ve been trying to separate myself from my name. My parents are objectively fucking insane, and I want nothing to do with them, especially now that they pulled that bullshit with the World Cup reservation. I can’t be like them, okay? I would rather die fighting on the right side of this war than ever pledge my allegiance to that nose-less freak. But that doesn’t change the fact that I still live at the Min Estate. And the Min Estate -- it’s like a beacon for the wicked and evil. I’ve seen every kind of creature walk through the doors of my house whenever my parents hold their Death Eater meetings. It’s like a monthly book club, but for murder. So I know what werewolves are like. I know the signs and the symptoms, and I know how cruel and vicious they can be.”

Y/n breaks her gaze then, staring down at her feet as he confirms every fear that she’s ever felt -- that she would be seen as a monster, an evil beast with only the instinct to kill. All the same, it hurts to hear him say it out loud.

“And that’s why I knew you were nothing like them.” Y/n’s head whips up, and she sees that Yoongi’s focused on conveying to her with his eyes that he means what he’s said. He doesn’t see the affection that fills Hoseok’s gaze, replacing the icy fear he’d been feeling the entire time Yoongi’s been talking.

“You’re nothing like them, Y/n. You’re kind and considerate, and you’re so shy around new people that even I’m in pain just watching you struggle to talk. You’re really fucking weird, and your sense of humor has been shaped by growing up with a crazy ass Gryffindor brother and this sarcastic asshole--” He points then to his boyfriend, finally feeling confident enough to look Hoseok in the eye as he cracks the joke before returning his attention to Y/n.

“So, yes, you’re a werewolf. But you’ve got nothing to worry about with me. Or any of us, to be honest.” The rest of the group nods then, and Y/n feels the air returning to her lungs after so long of holding her breath. It’s only when she looks to Remus, who still seems unsure, that she remembers how complicated their situation is.

“I appreciate that, I really do. You guys have no idea how scared I was that you’d find out… but it’s not as simple as you think -- not that any of this has been simple to begin with. It’s just… more complicated--”

“So, are we talking about Remus, or something else?” Taehyung speaks up, looking genuinely confused about what she’s alluding to. James and Sirius tense where they sit on either side of Remus, whose gaze has just become very guarded.

“I’m not sure what you mean--”

“The ‘you being a werewolf’ thing? Yeah, that wasn’t hard to figure out once I knew what to look for in Y/n.” It’s Jin who cuts him off, Yoongi and Namjoon nodding along. Jungkook throws his hands in the air, flopping back against the couch with an exasperated sigh.

“Just how bad are we at keeping things a secret around here?!” Remus groans in response, but James and Sirius seem to be taking the news in stride.

“Look on the bright side, Moony -- now we have an army of hooligans to keep you guys safe!” Remus rolls his eyes in irritation before looking to Y/n for help. She stares down at her hands, feeling more exhausted than she’s ever felt in her life -- and she experiences monthly painful transformations that leave her bedridden for days after.

“This isn’t a joke, James.” The Potter boy snaps his mouth shut when, for the first time since meeting her, Y/n’s voice carries an edge when she addresses him. “The number of people that are in danger now because of what we are has just doubled. And now there are muggleborns involved -- what’s going to happen if anyone gets wind that they know something about us? With what the Ministry’s just released… it’s too much. This is all too much.” Namjoon hums then, pulling Y/n out of the dangerously dark mental dive she was just about to take.

“I mean, we’re involved in this war whether we know about you guys or not. We’re already fighting for our lives -- what difference does it make if we know what you are? If anything, it gives us a reason to fight harder.” He gestures among all of them, all eleven of them in that room.

“We’re all we have left in this war -- why wouldn’t we do everything it takes to keep each other safe?”

#bts au #bts smau #bts social media au #bts hogwarts au #jimin x reader #park jimin

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ellewriteswrongs · 3 years ago

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picking favorites (a @tsbandau drabble)

if y’all aren’t emotionally invested in @underdog-arts ‘s band au, idk what y’all are even doing /j

anyway, here’s a wholesome family drabble insp. by the band au and my (not-so) subtle obsession with remus and janus. also subbing to their patreon is the best $5 i’ve probably ever spent, no joke

“Honey, you can still pick up Ry, right?” Janus called down the hallway, carrying a basket of laundry on each hip before depositing them in the hallway to put away later. Remus was seated in their shared office catching up on emails as Janus began packing up leftover pasta into containers to take to their show scheduled that night.

“I told you I got ‘em,” he agreed, banging the last clumps of his protein shake into his mouth with the heel of his hand. “I’m gonna’ jog to V’s and grab the van.”

Janus nodded to themself out of instinct before faltering, their brow furrowing.

“Wait—Re, that’s like three miles,” they challenged, dumping the dirtied dishes into the sink. “Just take the fucking car.”

Remus’ snort laugh was audible from down the hallway.

“They asked for the van!” Remus cackled. “And I, for one, do not disappoint. Apparently making my kid’s friends think they’re cool is worth a three-mile jog.”

Janus rolled their eyes, albeit fondly. This was, unfortunately, not news.

Riley was having an…interesting phase. It wouldn’t be abnormal for kids their age if it weren’t for the fact that their parents were ridiculously competitive, and all of their parents’ friends were eager to get in on it.

As soon as Remus attended career day in Riley’s first grade classroom, resulting in the entire class of six-year-olds marveling at the fact that their friend’s dad was a “rock star.”

Janus loved that conversation over dinner that night.

They weren’t jealous. No, in fact, it was probably overdue for Riley to have a bit of a “Daddy’s kid” phase, considering how joined at the hip they were with Janus for multiple years now. But they wanted to win.

Riley could make their own decisions about picking a favorite parent. As long as that decision was Janus.

“You’ve gone so-oft,” they sing-songed, smirking as Remus appeared in the kitchen behind them, wrapping one hand around their hip and pressing a kiss to their temple. “Ry’s got you wrapped around their finger.”

Remus have a flash of his crooked grin.

“Yeah, well…at least I know where they get that from.”

Janus rolled their eyes, trying to hide their reddening face.

“Sap,” they grumbled fondly. “Hurry up and get on with your run before you’re late to pickup. And tell V I said hey.”

Remus gave an exasperated chuckle and affirmation, but pocketed his keys and wallet nonetheless.

The jog to Virgil’s apartment wasn’t a particularly strenuous three miles, being downtown and all, and Remus was far from out of shape. Still, three miles was three miles—especially in the late afternoon sun. Needless to say, Virgil wasn’t thrilled to have a giant sweaty man on his doorstep, but he handed over the keys nonetheless.

The van was old, still clinging to its axels from when Remus himself purchased it from an old neighbor and declared it the band’s “tour bus.” It was nice enough at the time, especially for the price he paid, but it certainly wasn’t still around for anything more than sentimental value.

Mainly just Remus refusing to get rid of it.

That, and the fact that, for whatever reason, Riley thought it was the coolest thing ever.

The drive wasn’t long, only the sitting in traffic of other parents in minivans trying to get into the school parking lot. He…wasn’t a fan of that part of being a parent, that’s for sure. He could do without any other parents, thank you very much, but at least it was fun to see how obvious all of them were in their distaste of both him and Janus, compared to how much their kid absolutely adored them.

A fact that was only proven when Remus eventually made it to the parking lot and exited his van, only to be met with ear-splitting squeal of “daddy!” and an armful of six-year-old.

He can’t deny how, even after all these years, the title still makes him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like…he is a dad. That’s his kid! How fucking rad is that!

He happens to spot a few other parents, along with some of Riley’s friends that he recognizes, and he offers a quick wave with the hand that isn’t mussing up his kid’s hair.

“You brought the van,” Riley points out with a toothy grin that Remus can’t help mirroring. He can’t help the knot in his throat when he spots the gap in their teeth from their first ever lost tooth—which only meant they were getting much too old and Remus would really appreciate it if they would slow the fuck down.

“I told you I would, didn’t I?” Riley nods, bouncing on Remus’ hip just a bit out of excitement. “I gotta’ warn you though, JJ’s getting pretty jealous.”

Riley laughs before sticking out their tongue and making a fart noise in Remus’s face.

Remus is, for the thousandth time, bewildered at how Riley couldn’t possibly be more like Janus if they tried. And mostly smitten. He has the coolest kid on Earth, after all.

“They can suck my butt!” Riley squeals and Jesus Christ, Remus is going to have a heart attack right there in the parking lot. He’s gonna’ have to grill Jan again to make sure those two aren’t secretly biologically related.

“Hey, your words not mine, squirt,” he smirks, opening the van door and strapping them into the car seat. “And your early bedtime if you let JJ hear any of that.”

He finishes with a pinch on their nose before closing the van door and getting back in the driver’s seat.

Riley, as soon as the radio turn on, starts protesting very aggressively to listen to “your songs, daddy! Play your songs!”

Thankfully, he has a CD burned with some of their…cleaner songs for that exact purpose.

Riley, for lack of a better word, was ‘singing’ along at a volume that Remus would’ve otherwise found hilarious and impressive if it wasn’t right in his ear. Still, there was a certain fondness that came with watching his kid’s excitement over his work—something that, as usual, was paired with thrashing within the confines of a car seat and headbanging their little heart out.

Along the drive Remus made every attempt to stop the barrage of the screamo singer in the making, but all were ultimately unsuccessful. At least…until he pointed out one particular building out of a strip mall assortment.

“Hey, you see that store right there? The one with the red sign?” He spoke up, catching Riley’s eager attention in an instant. They placed both hands on the van window to look out.

“What is it?” They asked, squinting to try and read what was on the sign.

“You know the snake on my leg?” Riley nodded, quieting down. “That’s where JJ took me to get it.”

They paused, seemingly putting some pieces together in their head.

“How come you only have one?” They asked, still kicking their legs against their seat. “JJ has lots, how come you don’t have lots too?”

Remus chuckled, continuing along the road as the light turned green.

“‘Cause I don’t need another one. They’re very expensive, you know.”

“Is it ‘cause you’re a wimp?”

Remus choked on his own spit.

“N-no,” he choked out, laughing. “No I’m not, I just think it looks better this way.”

He didn’t bother looking into the backseat to see what Riley thought of that answer, but if the return to karaoke that followed was any indication, they were not impressed. Still, he’d probably take the teasing over the screaming, but kids are kids.

Even as they pulled into their driveway, Remus had to strategically dodge Riley’s flailing limbs in order to un-fasten the seatbelts on their car seat and actually get them in the house. Apparently the music was not as vital to the ‘sing-along’ as he’d hoped it was when he turned the car off.

“Alright, alright, calm those legs down before you knock my teeth out, will ya’?” Remus teased, placing Riley on his shoulders where they instantly took fistfuls of his hair to hold on. Riley toned down the velocity, but otherwise did not stop. “Careful, squirt, if you wanna’ kick so bad, I’m signing you up to play soccer.”

Riley stopped almost instantaneously, gripping Remus’ hair even tighter as they headed back inside the house, Riley’s tiny backpack slung around Remus’ forearm.

“Nooo,” they wailed, half punctuated by laughter that echoed through the house.

“What are we complaining about?” Janus spoke, leaning against the doorway across the room with a fond smile.

“He said if I kick him in the teeth I have to play soccer,” Riley whined, attempting to climb down from Remus’ shoulders on their own. Janus snorted a laugh before swiftly crossing the room to collect their child and place them on their hip.

“Wow, your daddy’s so mean,” Janus agreed, raising a challenging eyebrow as they stood in front of their husband. Remus pouted before bending down to steal a kiss.

“Gross,” Riley giggled, pressing a hand on each of their parents’ faces to separate them.

“Gross?” Janus smirked. “Well in that case, maybe your dad was being a bit unfair.”

Riley turned to Remus to stick out their tongue at him.

“I mean, soccer? That’s just ridiculous,” Janus continued, a mischievous glint in their eyes. “We’ll obviously have to sign you up for football instead. A punt like that has got to be put to good use.”

Riley immediately went back to their dramatized complaining, this time reaching desperately for Remus to get him to take them back from Janus—to which Remus just held up his hands in mock innocence.

“No can do, kid,” he smirked. “The punishment has to fit the crime, after all.”

Riley continued their attempts to wiggle out of Janus’ unyielding grip.

“Never!” They declared, trying a different approach of reaching over Janus’ shoulder to escape from behind. “I won’t! I won’t do it, I promise!”

Remus and Janus both knew they wouldn’t actively try to hurt either of them, but sometimes it was just more fun to assert rules when it came with shrieking laughter and climbing their parents like a jungle gym.

“Well, now you know where we stand,” Remus spoke in false authority, reaching for one of Riley’s tiny shoes and holding it up to address it as if it were in control of their legs. “I better not see you around these parts again, ya’ hear?” He added in an over-the-top western accent, gesturing to his face.

Riley squealed with laughter as he held out his hand for a handshake and they shook it with their accused foot.

“Alright, alright, you two,” Janus intervened with fond exasperation. “Snacks are on the counter, take it or leave it.”

Riley whipped their head around to peer into the kitchen, cheering when they spotted two plates on the kitchen counter, each with a toaster waffle piled high with blueberries.

“Second…breakfast!” They cheered, drumroll-ing on their leg before whooping and slinking out of Janus’ grip and climbing up onto the kitchen barstools. Remus, giving a fond eye-roll at the enthusiasm, turned to drape his arms over Janus’ shoulders from behind, perching his chin on top of their head.

“They get it from you, you know,” he mumbled, smirking at the scoff it earned him.

“Shut up,” Janus grumbled, the smile evident in their voice. “That is all you.”

“Babe, sports are a threat in this house,” he teased. “You’re telling me that came from me?”

“Yeah, I’ll take that one,” they chided, turning around to face their husband. “As long as you’re aware that the energy, the volume—honey, that’s all you.”

Remus quirked his brow with a proud smirk.

“Or maybe it’s the fact that they sleep for fourteen hours and we haven’t even had eight in the last six years,” he challenged knowingly. “You know, I happen to remember that back in the day…that bed was hardly even for sleeping.”

Janus snorted, their face reddening slightly.

“Is it bad to think of those as the ‘good old days’ already?”

Remus swept a piece of their hair out of their face.

“Hell no, dude. We lived like kings back then,” he chuckled. “How ‘bout this—I’ll get Ro to take ‘em to the park or something this weekend and I’ll dick you down just like old times, ‘kay?”

Janus sputtered out a cackle, smacking Remus on the chest before covering his mouth with their hand.

“Fucking christ, they’re like two yards away,” they hissed, still laughing. “I am not going to be the one fielding questions about what getting dicked down means, oh my god.”

“You say that like they listen to anything when there’s food in front of them,” Remus countered, nodding in the direction of their kid as Janus rolled their eyes with a chuckle.

“Now that, is from you,” they grinned, jabbing him in the side with their elbow.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you’re serving up delicacies like toaster waffles,” Remus said, raising his hands in mock defense.

Janus gave him a look before crossing their arms.

“Yeah, well, you’re lucky I know you can’t go two hours without food. Go on, there’s one for you, even if it’s probably cold by now,” they teased as Remus excitedly kissed their forehead before practically running to the kitchen. He hopped up to sit on the counter, folding each toaster waffle like a blueberry-filled taco before funneling them into his mouth.

Janus followed close behind—at a normal pace, thank you very much—and took the actual seat next to their kid, sipping at the cup of tea they had left on the counter before the two had returned home as they listened to Riley regaling their day at school.

———

Realistically, Remus probably should’ve seen it coming. He was a couple days past his previous record of days as Riley’s “favorite” and he knew he likely didn’t have much longer before Janus dethroned him again, but he certainly hadn’t expected the scene he walked in on that night.

He had heard hushed laughter coming from one of their house’s bathrooms that evening, assuming at first that Janus was just handling Riley’s bath or something like that, but as he cleaned up the mess from their dinner and finished washing the rest of their dishes, he was surprised to find they were still in there. So obviously he had to investigate.

He knocked on the door, rolling his eyes fondly as shushing and giggles came from within.

“Everything good in there?” He teased, leaning against the door. “I gotta’ say, I’m a little hurt I didn’t get invited to whatever club this is that hangs out in the bathroom.”

More giggles followed by the oh-so familiar sound of Janus’ shushing.

“I guess I’ll just have to find out for myself what all the fuss is about,” he sing-songed, slowly creaking open the door before letting out a snort laugh at the scene before him.

Janus was seated on the edge of the bathtub, wash cloth in hand, as Riley sat on the sink counter, covered on all limbs with temporary tattoos. At least the pieces of tape that Janus had cut into circles and colored black to look like ear gauges were admittedly cute.

“Oh, I see how it is,” he smirked from against the doorframe.

“JJ said you’re a wimp,” Riley proudly announced. “I was right.”

Janus stuck their tongue out and made a spitting noise and…yeah, that was their kid alright. Not that Remus would have it any other way.

#anyway.......i would die for them #my writing #tsbandau #sanders sides #ts remus #ts janus

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colicotq · 3 years ago

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day out with appa | the return of superman au ( 2 )

pairing: lee ho seok x reader

keywords:

camera position

/ camera effects /

( dialogues )

* sound effects *

time

9:04 AM

Entryway

( eomma is leaving )

ho seok stands by the doorway, holding chin hae bouncing him up and down in his arms, watching you gather all your things. chin hae watches with his eyes furrowed together as his little finger points at you, leaning his small body towards you and looking at ho seok with such a confused look on his face.

( it’s as if chin hae knows eomma is leaving )

“i’ll see you later, okay? don’t worry too much! i know you can do really well!” you reassured, as you tip your head back, ho seok leans down and places a quick kiss on your lips * chuu *

“ha yoon, ha eun. come here give eomma a kiss!”

the twins immediately scrambled to the entryway. attacking you with lots and lots of kisses all over your face ( so sweet like candy~ ).

you stood up,

“chin hae, give eomma a kiss.” you present your cheek to your youngest and tapping your finger against it,

( chin hae knows how to give kisses? )

/ slow motion / ( will he be able to do it? )

chin hae leans his whole body and placed a clumsy, sticky kiss to your cheek.

“thank you, chin hae. i’ll see you soon, okay? bye-bye.” you wave shutting the door behind you hurriedly.

( 3... 2... 1... )

( chaos ensues )

not too long after, chin hae broke down into sobs and screams, pointing at the door and tears began to run down his tiny cheeks. babbling some incoherent words that seemed to sound like he was calling out for you.

“it’s okay, it’s okay.” ho seok rushes out of the entryway, “what is that?!”

( startled! )

chin hae stopped crying.

( what could it be? ) ( what kind of special weapon does appa hold? )

Living Room

ho seok points out the large window where it is overlooking the bustling whole city of seoul. endless cars. brilliant skyscraper. chin hae stares in wonder as he tries to fit his tiny fist into his mouth.

ho seok runs his large hand over chin hae’s small back and lightly patting it.

* amazement * ( appa’s distraction technique worked so well! )

“appa, where did eomma go?” asked ha yoon,

“eomma is going to work. appa doesn’t have work today so, i get to spend time with you and do fun stuff!”

“are you not working forever? i want to play with you every day, appa.” ha eun mumbles.

“appa is going to work less from now on. i want to play with ha yoon, ha eun and chin hae too.”

“is that a promise, appa?” ha eun looks up at expectantly, holding out her little pinky finger to ho seok, who wrapped his own much larger pinky.

“yes. stamp.” they press their thumbs together, “and sign. ho seok says, ha eun opens up her palms as ho seok runs his index finger all around in squiggles.

( it is official! appa can’t take it back anymore! )

{ authors note: in Korea, when you do a pinky promise, you curl your pinky together, ‘stamp’ pressing thumbs together and ‘sign’ just signing. which to some kids make it official and can’t take it back type of thing! }

ho seok: it honestly breaks my heart every time they tell me that they want me home more. there are so many things that i have missed out i feel, i want to bond with my kids and make it as memorable as possible. i don’t want them feeling that they are unloved, that i am not putting in the effort or not wanting to be there. this show will help with that.

ho seok: ha yoon, ha eun and chin hae. let’s create lots of memory together from now on. * coo *

11:28 AM

Parent’s Bedroom

“we have to get dressed up, okay?” ho seok says as he flicks through your shared closet that now took the majority of your kid’s clothes. chin hae who now didn’t think about his eomma anymore rolled around happily on your large bed, scratching the bedsheets with his ever-growing nails. ( calm )

( where could the lee family going? )

/ zoom in on chin hae, ha yoon and ha eun’s clothing for the day on the bed as well as a pair diapers. / * awe *

/ a side by side photo of, ha yoon and ha eun similar clothing. / ( they are going to look so pretty and cute dressed alike~ )

“where are we going, appa?” asked ha yoon bounding into the bedroom, plopping herself on the ledge of the bed as she watches her appa with careful eyes.

( looking at appa with lots of adoration~ ) * coo *

“we’re going to a sanctuary today then we’re going to eat lots of food!” ho seok responds, as he undresses chin hae’s pyjamas and taking off his diapers then scurrying off the bathroom.

ha yoon follows.

( trotter, trotter )

Bathroom

“appa, what’s a sancgary?” ha yoon mispronounced, standing by the door way.

“sanctuary.” ho seok corrects, “it’s where they take care of animals.”

ho seok quickly washes up chin hae, the little 6-month-old would occasionally reach out his small for the running water and be splashed on. chin hae throws his head back meeting his appa’s loving gaze and show off his gummy smile when ho seok grins at him. ( i’m having a lot of fun playing with water! ) * coo *

“is it nice there?” ha yoon continues to ask.

“yes! we’re going to meet lots of birds.”

with that ha yoon runs off once again ( sprints! )

“chin hae~” ho seok calls as the baby he had in his grasp swivels around by the sound of his name, “do you like the water? hm?”

chin hae stares then smiles brightly. ( big smiles for appa! ) dipping his hand in the running water before splashing on ho seok.

“i’m soaked now, chin hae~”

( sorry, not sorry appa! )

Living Room

( rush, rush )

“ha eun! ha eun!” ha yoon plops herself on the sofa beside ha eun ( oof ) who is entranced by the cartoons playing on the TV.

( fixated on cartoons. don’t disturb. ) * laughs *

“ha eun, we’re going to meet birds!” this caught ha eun’s attention.

“birds?”

“yes!”

“can we feed the birds?” ha eun ask, making ha yoon ponder before sprinting back to the bedroom.

Parent’s Bedroom

chin hae is wrapped up in a warm, fluffy blanket. ho seok laid out some toys to keep chin hae entertained all in while he gets the little 6-month-old ready for the day out, ho seok slips on his diapers.

warms up the baby lotion on his hand and lathers his hand.

( chin hae is fully bathed now~ )

ho seok in and presses his nose on his cheek and taking a deep breath in.

“chin hae, you smell so good now. eomma is going to be very happy!” ho seok exclaims,

“i wonder why, babies all smell really good and adults smell different.” ho seok mumbles to himself, “chin hae-ah, what’s your secret, hm?”

chin hae smiles cheekily as the sound of his father calling his name.

( it’s called love from eomma, appa and noonas! ) * coo *

“appa! appa!” ha yoon screams who came barrelling into the room, crashing into ho seok’s calves.

“yes? yes?” ho seok says as he slips in chin hae’s shirt and trousers.

“are we going to feed the birds too?” ha yoon asked,

“you have to ask the uncles and aunties who work there politely. you have to say, ‘can i feed the bird, auntie, uncle?’, can you say it after me?”

“can i feed the birds?” ha yoon follows her appa softly.

“good girl.” ho seok praises, “ha yoon-ah, can you call ha eun for me? you two have to take a shower before we go because the birds will smell you. auntie or uncle won’t let you feed the birds.”

“yes, appa.”

( did you start teaching them manner at a young age? )

ho seok: of course, i want them to have great manners and extremely polite. i also want the girls and my son to know that it is extremely important to ask for permission beforehand. it’s not okay to whatever you want because you just want to. teaching them that also makes them think too about what they feel comfortable with. it teaches respect. it starts off at the household, from eomma and appa. * amazement *

( who thought of it? )

ho seok: it was me and my wife’s idea. we first introduced them to it by showing them, my wife would ask me ‘is it okay for me to use your bag?’ then i would say yes or no. vice versa. kids are smart, they were able to pick it up immediately. as i said, it starts off with eomma and appa. * amazement *

( great parenting technique by lee ho seok )

“chin hae, you have wait here and play, okay? your noona’s have to take a quick shower, yes?”

chin hae was preoccupied with the toys around.

( i’m busy, appa. )

just in time, his little girls came through the bedroom door.

“appa, are there cameras in the bathroom too?” ha eun ask glancing all over the room,

“yes, do you want me to turn it off?” ho seok ask,

“yes please. i am a big girl now.”

“okay, okay. appa will turn it off now.”

12:45 PM

Car

with that everyone was out of the house, showered and dressed for the day’s activity. out of the apartment, everyone was now down in the parking garage getting ready to leave.

“is everyone excited?” ho seok asks as he buckles in chin hae into his car seat,

“yes!” the twins exclaimed excitedly as they climb on their own car seat in the minivan.

( they truly are big girls now! they can buckle themselves in without appa’s help~ ) * amazement *

/ zoom in to ho seok smiling at them. / ( proud appa! )

“chin hae, are you excited?”

( yes! )

( chin hae can’t hold his excitement any longer! ) / zoom in to feet kicking back and forth / ( he can’t contain it! he has to kick his legs )

“okay! appa has to check your car seat, okay?”

“yes!”

the twins raise their arms up in the air as ho seok closely inspect and make sure it is secure. ho seok ensured that it was firmly in place.

“good girls. ha yoon, ha eun, you two really big girls now!” ho seok compliments making the twins beam in excitement ( proud big girls! ).

ho seok shuts the van door behind him and got onto the driver’s seat.

“are we all ready?”

“yes!”

/ zoom in on chin hae / ( yes appa! )

“then let’s go!”

1:15

Sanctuary Entrance

ho seok had chin hae strapped against his chest, he also had a dark backpack on which contained all the essentials ho seok needed for his children such as bibs, their training chopsticks, diapers etc. while he adjusts carrier on his chest making sure that chin hae is comfortable.

ha yoon and ha eun stood by their father’s legs waiting patiently. * amazement *

ho seok: my wife drilled onto their heads to never run off especially in public, they always have to hold onto appa, eomma, uncle, auntie, grandma or grandpa's hand. we told them it’s because they can get lost and we would be very sad. it worked pretty well. * oh~ *

ho seok: though they are young still, it doesn’t always work. i may be a little bit cruel too when they let go of me or my wife's hand... i hide on purpose. * laughs *

“alright, can you hold hands with appa?” ho seok held his hand out as the twins reach out.

{ author pop in: imagine a big beefy guy with his tiny cute children😭😭 }

“appa, did uncle camera want to see the birds too?” ha yoon says, pointing at the vj cameraman who is walking ahead of them.

“yes. uncle camera wants to see the birds. do ha eun and ha yoon want to see the birds?”

“yes! uncle camera, you have to ask the aunties or uncles if it’s okay to feed the birds beforehand, okay?” ha yoon repeats her father’s words. * amazement * ( ha yoon took the advice to heart! wow! )

“good girl. you always ask if it’s okay!” ho seok compliments.

Sanctuary Booth

“hello,” ho seok greets the woman, “i booked tickets under the name lee ho seok.”

“yes. please give me a minute as i sort your ticket.”

/ zoom in ha eun goes on her tiptoes, desperately trying to see what the lady was doing behind the low counter. /

“auntie, is it okay for ha yoon, ha eun, chin hae, appa and uncle to feed the birds?” ha eun ask, ( how considerate of ha eun! )

“yes! it’s okay! but, you have to ask the workers for their food. don’t feed them the food you are bought because they can get a stomach ache.” the worker informs as she prints off the ticket.

“yes. i will not feed the birds my sandwich and my juice.” ha eun nods determined.

“okay, here are your tickets.” the woman hands the ticket as ho seok bows politely.

“thank you very much.” ho seok turns to his twin girls, “let’s go!”

“thank you very much auntie.” ha yoon bows politely mimicking her father.

“have a good day! drink plenty of water.” ha eun waves her hand before running to her father’s side and grabbing his hand.

* coo * ( the twins are so bright and polite! ) ( they speak so well too! ) ( they will grow up to be amazing girls ) * cheers *

Parrot Sanctuary

“hello!” ho seok greets the worker who had a colourful parrot resting on his arm, the twins look at the man in such awe ( uncle is so cool ) "say hello to uncle, ha eun, ha yoon."

"hello." the twins bows, ha eun hides behind her appa's leg and clutched onto his jeans ( ha eun is a little bit scared of the bird. ) while ha yoon bravely approaches the man and got on top of the bench. staring at the bird and flapped its large set of wings.

ho seok: you can still clearly tell the difference between them. ha yoon is the twin that always tries everything and is not easily scared. ha eun is a little more cautious when it comes to new things which okay, you just have to encourage her. ha yoon really takes after the unnie role and makes sure that ha eun is comfortable. * awe *

( ha yoon is such a sweet unnie~ )

"ha eun, come here." ha yoon calls for her sister patting the free space beside her on the bench, "it's not scary!"

"is it not scary?" ha eun looks at her twin for comfort who nods in confirmation and slowly ha eun approached ( hesitant ). sitting on the bench, ha yoon presents her hand out to which ha eun quickly accepts * laughs *

/ zoom in on their intertwined small hands / * awe *

"see, it's not scary!"

"i'm not scared because i'm with you and appa." * awe *

"chin hae, do you want to see the parrot too?" ho seok cooed as he carefully shifts chin hae in arms as he unbuckles the carrier so chin hae could a chance to see the parrot. once, chin hae is free from the carrier, he quickly swivelled around to inspect the unfamiliar place.

( freeze )

"dah!" chin hae points at the parrot,

"yes, it's a parrot. doesn't the parrot look pretty?" ho seok approaches the parrot and stood behind the girls, "ask uncle if you can pet the parrot, chin hae."

"app, it's rude to not ask for the parrot's name before petting them." ha yoon lightly scolded ho seok * laughs *.

( nervous )

"sorry, sorry. what is the parrot's name?" ho seok ask the worker slightly embarrassed.

"her name is, jeolla and yes you can pet her but just gently on her head."

"okay, chin hae, we're going to pet jeolla gently, okay?" ho seok held onto chin hae's wrists as he leans onto towards the parrot, he sticks out his index finger, ho seok let his tap the head of the parrot then quickly pulls away.

"wow! chin hae you just pet jeolla!" chin hae stares at his father silently then points his index finger once again.

"oh? do you want to pet jeolla again?"

"uncle, can i pet jeolla too?" ha yoon ask,

"of course!" the worker agrees as he holds the parrot closer to ha yoon and ha eun, unfortunately, ha eun didn't expect the sudden action and flinched. scooting away from the parrot. * laughs *

ha yoon scrambles not missing the opportunity to pet the parrot's wings and head ( ha yoon is so brave ), the parrot preened its feather, ha eun was startled even further when it did this. she grabbed onto ho seok's shirt like some sort protection.

( oh no, appa is the only protection from danger. )

"ha eun, it's okay. the parrot is not scary, can you try for appa? just once? if you don't like it, it's okay."

ho seok: we don't believe in pressuring them into things especially when they're uncomfortable. it just ends up with nowhere, we want them to try it out without force then let them decide for themselves.

( will ha eun bravely pet jeolla or will she stay within her comfort level? ) / slow motion /

ha eun bravely pets the parrot then quickly pulls away.

"good girl! that was really good, ha eun! appa is very proud of ha yoon and ha eun!"

"do you want to hold jeolla too? appa can go first if that is okay so, the kids can be more comfortable."

"yes, yes." ho seok agrees shifting chin hae to rest on his hip so he could have one free hand. the worker quickly help ho seok slip on the protective leather gloves.

"watch appa!" ho seok's children watch him with eager eyes, as the worker place the parrot on his free arm.

( appa looks so cool )

"appa, i want to try!" ha eun exclaims,

"you want to try? if you're okay with it then go for it."

the worker slips on a much smaller leather glove,

( how well will ha eun handle this? )

the worker carefully places the parrot, ha eun watched the bird rest on her arm cautiously.

"ha eun, you look so cool! well done!"

( let's do more cool things in the future appa! )

tags ( that you didn't ask for but wanted to see a part 2 ):

@babybee05 @ugghsthetic

#wonho x reader #mx wonho #wonho #lee wonho #monsta x wonho #wonho x reader domestic au #wonho imagines #lee hoseok #the return of superman wonho

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dc41896 · 4 years ago

Text

Family Affair

Pairing: Ransom DrysdalexBlack Reader

⚠️: Harsh words from a very despicable family, fluff

“No, absolutely not.”

“Ransom come on-,”

“I said no and that’s my final answer,” he states attempting to return his attention to the newspaper in his hands until you pull it from his grasp. Standing in front of him with arms crossed, he sighs knowing you were far from letting the topic go.

“Ransom I’m not saying you have to give away the Beemer. I’m just saying we might want to look into getting a more family friendly car that a child can actually fit in comfortably.”

“What about your car? It’s fine.”

“You’re right it is. But poopie isn’t always going to be with me, which is why your car should also be safe for them.”

“You know, we’ve been going back and forth about this yet we haven’t even asked the person who’s gonna be riding in the car,” he replies scooting forward, gently grabbing your sides coming closer to your recently visible bump. “What do you say? You think daddy should retire the Beemer?”

Ear pressed against your stomach, you fail trying to hide your giggle as he pretends to listen to your unborn child.

“They said that they see nothing wrong with daddy’s car. Oh and they would rather you not call them poopie.”

“Fine Ransom, do whatever you want about the car,” you sigh giving back his crumpled paper before moving to step over his leg. You feel his grip tighten as you’re brought down to sit on his lap and his lips peck your neck.

“Alright alright, if it’ll make you like me again I’ll look into another car. I’m telling you now though, I’d walk everywhere before I buy a minivan.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” you laugh. “There is something else I want to talk to you about though.”

“Hmm?”

“...I think it’s time to tell your parents.”

His body tenses under you and jaw clenches as he now focuses on your stomach with thumb gliding back and forth over your belly button. Every time you brought up anything dealing with his family that tended to be his reaction, silence paired with an unspoken disdain as if you mentioned his worse enemy.

“Y/N you know how I feel about that.”

“I know but it’s their first grandchild-,”

“It could be their 10th grandchild and I still wouldn’t want them near us.”

“I just don’t want them feel like they missed out on anything and then get even more pissed.” Hands caressing his face, you kiss his lips before meeting his intense blue eyes.

“See how you’re thinking about their feelings? Actually being a decent human being who’s caring and beautiful inside and out? They’re nothing like that and exactly why I don’t want you, or our child, in the same room as them.”

“I get you’re looking out for us, but I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

“I’m not saying you can’t but Y/N, I’m telling you my family is not the kind where you can warm their cold hearts like some kids movie. I just hope you fully get that.”

“I’m not expecting them to join hands and break out in song like they’re straight out the sound of music. I just want them to know Ransom,” you answer.

He still didn’t want to do it, but he could see your point. The least you both could do was let them know so they couldn’t turn things back on you saying you hid their grandchild from them. Releasing a long breath through his nostrils, he lowers your hands kissing the inside of your wrists.

“Okay, we’ll tell them. But that’s all they need to know.”

“Okay, and you try not to worry,” you smile resting your forehead against his. “Everything’s gonna be fine.”

“For both of your sakes, I hope you’re right,” he responds rubbing your belly.

———

The entire car ride to his grandfather’s estate, Ransom was quiet staring straight ahead at the road. He was irritable the whole morning as he trudged back and forth throughout the house getting himself ready. This followed in the car where he simply turned on the radio not uttering a word and leaving you watching the autumn trees pass outside. You know it was all due to his nerves for what was to come and wished there was something you could say to instantly reassure him. Instead though, you simply took his free hand in yours kissing his knuckles.

It was a small gesture, but you wanted to show him you were there.

“Thank you,” he speaks just above a whisper gently squeezing your hand back before placing it on your thigh. Soon after, an older yet well kept looking house became closer in sight causing you to awe in its vintage beauty.

Really calling it a house wouldn’t do it justice. It was like a mini mansion with all the windows that lined the second level and reminded you of a small section of the hogwarts dormitories from the pointed rooftops.

“It’s not as great as it looks,” he says parking the car. “It creaks so loud you can probably hear it outside, gets drafty at night, and some of the furniture has that stale smell you can’t seem to get rid of no matter what you do to it.”

Guiding his chin to look at you, you lean closer capturing his lips with yours as his hand finds the back of your neck holding you close until both of you need to breathe.

“Try to relax, okay?” He nods with a soft smile letting you go so you both can make your way towards the front door.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me. It was only supposed to be my parents and grandpa, not the whole family!” It wasn’t until now being halfway to the front steps that you both noticed the extra cars near the front of the house.

“You’d think they’d respect this one wish-,”

“Hey it’s okay. Yea we have more of an audience now, but we’ll be fine. Maybe somehow this’ll work out better for us?”

“Darling you really are too naive at times,” he sarcastically smiles.

“And you can be the biggest grouch I’ve ever met, but I still love you,” you reply mimicking his expression before kissing his cheek as he chuckles.

His arm barely extended enough to reach the knob before the door swung open revealing a middle aged man with white hair and a style similar to Ransom’s from the sweater under his open fleece jacket and jeans over deck shoes.

“Good thing you still look the same after a year or else we wouldn’t know you at all,” he states with arms crossed in front of him.

“Hello father, lovely to see you too.”

“Still as sarcastic as ever too. And who do we have here?”

“Oh I’m Y/N, nice to meet you Mr. Drysdale,” you sweetly smile holding out your hand which he shakes with an amused look painted on his face.

“So this is the special guest we’ve been waiting on,” he grins. “And please call me Richard.”

“Speaking of I thought we agreed it was only gonna be us. Why is the whole family here?”

“Walt came by to talk business with your grandfather so of course Donna and Jacob followed behind. Joni came when she found out everyone else was here because she didn’t want to be ‘left out’,” a lady not far behind Walt in age explains, heels clicking against the hardwood as she approaches the door in her mauve colored suit looking every bit as rich as you’d imagine someone to look. “Richard are you gonna let them in or keep them outside the entire time?”

“Oh sorry, come in,” he motions stepping aside letting the both of you enter.

Although a bit cluttered with the eccentric knickknacks collected by the family over time, it was still just as beautiful inside as it was out, if not more.

“So I’m guessing you’re here to tell me you’re playing house with my son?,” she asks taking a drink from her glass.

“Um well technically yes, but-,”

“Jesus let them sit down first Linda,” Richard shakes his head leading you to the couch as Ransom follows close behind. Of course being the stranger in the house all eyes were on you as you sat down. “So Y/N, what’s your poison?”

“I’ll actually just take water, thank you.”

“Joni, Walt, Donna, Jacob, this is Ransom’s guest Y/N, Y/N these are Ransom’s aunts, his uncle, and youngest cousin,” Linda points respectively before sitting in front of you with legs crossed.

“So what do we owe the pleasure of this little visit Ransom? Need more money from Harlan to do God knows what on some private island?,” Joni chuckles sipping from her wine glass.

“Actually my business here is with my parents which has nothing to do with neither of you leeches,” Ransom quips placing an arm around your shoulder.

“Oh very classy. Y/N I may not know you, but I’d really advise you to get out from under this one as soon as you can,” Walt replies sitting on the arm of his wife’s chair.

“No ‘may not’, you don’t know her, so what makes you think you’re in the position to give her advice of any kind?”

“Okay boys enough,” Linda interjects with a raised hand. “Ransom what’s going on?”

In perfect timing, Richard walks in setting your water down in front of you before sitting in the empty chair next to a waiting Linda who seemed like the type not liking to do so.

“Go ahead,” Ransom whispers in your ear giving a reassuring nod as you sit up a bit straighter with hands clasped in your lap.

“Well, Linda and Richard, we wanted to meet with you to let you know that you’re gonna be grandparents.”

Just staring at you unimpressed with your announcement, you feel your stomach sink disappointed in their lack of enthusiasm or any reaction really.

“Here we go again,” she lowly grins swallowing the last of her brown liquor. “Listen honey you seem like a nice girl, but do you know how many of that boy’s ex’s or random hookups have come here saying the same thing expecting a check from us?”

“Unlike all of those other girls, which it was only four, she’s serious,” Ransom adds.

“Four too many if you ask me,” Joni mumbles.

“Well no one did so why are you still here?!”

“Mrs. Drysdale-,”

“It’s Linda or Mrs. Thrombey-Drysdale dear,” she corrects refilling her glass.

“Linda I’m not here looking for some handout. I just wanted the both of you to know that Ransom and I are expecting so you’d be in their life.”

“How do you know it’s his?,” Richard asks causing both you and Ransom to turn your heads looking as if he’d cursed you using every word under the sun.

“Excuse me?”

“Like Linda said, you seem like a nice girl but we have to make sure we’re not just falling for the innocent farm girl routine here.”

“Plus with you kids now and your wild live free ways, it’s a valid question I’d say,” Donna states making your blood boil to levels you’d never experienced before.

“Yes Ransom is the father. Would you like me to tell you where and when we had sex too so you can add it up yourselves?”

“Hey no need to get an attitude with us,” Walt says trying to calm an apparently offended Donna. “As you know this is a prominent family with assets we’re just trying to protect. Plus think of our patriarch. Bringing all this drama to him in his old age and with his ailments might send the poor man to the hospital.”

“Look I understand, trust me I do. But Ransom is literally right here with me which should be proof enough everything I’m saying is true.”

“And it would be if we knew Ransom wasn’t money hungry and trying to make sure his inheritance was still intact,” Linda says peering over her cup.

“I started my own writing company with the money I had left getting NOTHING MORE from grandpa. I literally said screw my inheritance before I stormed out last year and never came back!,” Ransom yells becoming more frustrated as well.

“People’s minds can change,” Jacob quietly speaks making you scoff before standing up to walk out the room.

“Oh, and before I go,” you start, lifting your sweater just enough so everyone could see your bump. “It’s a real bump. No fake belly or anything if that was the next question.” You didn’t give anyone a chance to say anything more, not even Ransom to stop you from leaving, before you rushed out the room through the kitchen to wherever your feet would guide you.

“Couldn’t leave it alone could you?,” Ransom sighs.

“Well maybe we wouldn’t have to do all that if you would’ve kept it in your pants in the past!,” Linda shouts as Ransom just shakes his head.

“All that booze is really getting to your head,” he chuckles to himself standing to his feet. “Those other girls all came by themselves, wrote letters, or emails claiming those things. Not one did I sit there with them letting them spew lies because I KNEW THEY WERE LYING!”

“Well if this one’s so different, why has it taken a year for us to meet her?!”

“BECAUSE OF THIS!! This dysfunction I’ve had to deal with that I didn’t want to subject my wife or unborn child to!”

“Wife?,” everyone asks at the same time looking as if he’d just grown a second head.

“Yes, my wife. We got married six months ago.”

“Jesus, Ransom,” Richard groans running a hand over his face. “There was a prenup involved right?”

“She offered to sign one, but I said no. Because unlike your marriage, we can trust each other.” Pushing past his father, he follows your steps through the kitchen and eventually out to the enclosed veranda hearing your sniffles.

“I know. You’re here to tell me I told you so and how being a grouch isn’t a bad thing because it avoids your feelings getting hurt,” you softly speak looking down to your belly as your hands cradle the small protrusion.

“No,” he answers sitting beside you kissing your temple. “I just came to check on you.”

“I’ve calmed down, but I just want to go home and go to bed. Oh and you were right about this place being creaky.”

“I’ve told them these floors need to be replaced,” a deep voice announces startling the both of you. The elderly man slowly makes his way to the chair across from you sighing in content as he sits down. “So I hear a new member of the family will be joining us soon.”

“Yea, around May or June. Grandpa this Y/N, my wife. Y/N this is grandpa Harlan,” Ransom introduces as the two of you shake hands.

“Nice to meet you. I apologize for my children’s behavior, they can be-,”

“Rude and outright inconsiderate,” you interrupt quickly slapping your hand over your mouth realizing you just said that out loud. “I’m sorry, it slipped out.”

“It’s quite alright, and in fact true,” he chuckles. “Don’t worry about them though, if you both need anything at all just let me know.”

“That’s nice of you gramps, but this baby is our responsibility. We don’t need any assistance.”

“That’s very commendable of you two, but I don’t want that child going without anything he or she needs to save your ego. Just know I’ll personally be here to help any way I can.”

You could see why Ransom always wanted to be by his grandfathers side. He might’ve had his stern moments from the stories you heard, but overall he was caring and actually gave people chances rather than immediately dismissing them. It made you wonder what happened to the rest of the family for them to turn out so different.

“Thank you Harlan. We really appreciate everything, but especially you just being there for us,” you smile walking over to hug his shoulders making the old man chuckle being caught off guard by your affection.

“You’re very welcome. And you little one,” he directs toward your stomach, “yes you’re coming into a, well...complicated family, but you have the power to determine what reaction your name brings. Whenever you need to be reminded of that, your parents and I will be here.”

Taglist: @fumbling-fanfics @honeychicanawrites @honeychicana @lady-olive-oil @themyscxiras @melinda-january @lovelymari4 @maxcullen @literaturefeen @damnitaa @curlyhairclub @plokyu23 @fullofmelaninsarcasmandepression @nunubug99 @felicity-x0 @ellixthea @jojolu @jnk-812 @brwn-sgr @captainsamwlsn @wildfirecracker @nina-sj @iammyownlover @chaneajoyyy @scoop93535 @secretmysteriousperson

If anybody wants to be tagged, has asked to be tagged but don’t see your name, only want to be tagged for certain people I write for, or no longer wish to be tagged just let me know🤓!

#chris evans #chrisxblackreader #chrisxwoc #chrisxreader #ransomxwoc #ransomxblackreader #ransomxreader #ransom drysdale #knives out

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neighborhood-goblin · 4 years ago

Text

Lmao remember that COF College AU

Finally decided majors and details for some of the characters I plan to include XD

My first time using a cut lol

Tristan

Business Major

Cassian absolutely wants him to inherit the family business

Tris isn’t so thrilled by that

Sev and him are roommates

Neither of them can cook anything other than ramen or pizza rolls

Sometimes they order pizza

Disaster bi on so many levels

Went to one GSA club meeting but then noped right back into the closet

Not out to Cassian or most of his friends yet

The only person who knows is Sev

Has a brown tabby cat named Rex

duh

lmao going back through there’s like nothing here

they def got longer as they went on

Nyk

Linguistics, Interpretation, and Translation Major

(In HOF she is really interested in the Pyrean language and lore so I thought it fit)

Was homeless for a while

Ran away as soon as she graduated high school

(She couldn’t be around Val any longer)

Applied for a lot of scholarships and was able to gather enough money to attend college

Roommates with Sparrow

Helps Sparrow get to her classes sometimes

Elliot, Riella, and Kade come over to their dorm a lot

Elliot cooks for them

Probs gonna be bi and genderfluid in this au

Has a calico cat named Xephyra

Phyrie for short

Is a part of the GSA club

The GSA club consists of Anders, Elliot, Sparrow, and Kade

Sev

Fine Arts Major

Is really good at drawing but also likes painting and sculpting, too

Roommates with Tristan

Would rather die than ask Tris to get something off of a high shelf for him

He’s 5′3″ (160.02 cm)

Def petite

Tris put a whiteboard on the fridge to write shopping lists on but now they both just use it to write notes to each other

“Saw u staring at Nyk earlier HMMMMMM”

“stfu like you weren’t ogling that dude she was with”

Disaster gay but everyone just assumes he’s straight like ????

After his parents died he bounced around a few foster homes but was adopted by a doctor named Hestia when he was fifteen

He loves his mama and visits her on weekends

The food he brings back to the dorm is the only good stuff he and Tris ever eat

Knows Kade but only a little

All of my modern Sev hcs still apply

Kade

Veterinary Medicine Major

Shares the same major as Sparrow and they’re decent friends

He helps Sparrow get to the classes they share when Nyk can’t

Loves animals and is planning to adopt a doggie soon

Roommates with Elliot and Riella

He lived in a really crappy place before he became friends with Riella

The sibs invited him to move in with them (Kade also obviously helps with rent)

Became good friends with Nyk and he and the sibs spend a lot of time at her/his dorm

Used to shadow Hestia at the clinic (before he decided he wanted to be a vet and not a people doctor) and she gushed all the time about her son

He met Sev and def thinks Sev is adorable

Has also seen Sev around campus but hasn’t worked up the courage to talk to him yet

Demi and gay

Is a part of the GSA club

Thinks Anders is funny

Almost no one agrees

Elliot

Culinary Arts Major

Idk it just came to me and I was like “might as well”

Cooks for Riella, Kade, Nyk, and Sparrow regularly

Has a golden retriever named Jax

Jax is crazy

He gets the zoomies

Jax is usually wary of strangers but he’s warmed up to Riella, Kade, Nyk, and is close with Sparrow

Aroace

Attends GSA

Regularly tells Anders where he can shove his musical numbers and snide comments

Roommates with Riella and Kade

Took online classes until Riella graduated so they could move together

Met Kade through Riella

Can’t handle spicy food and is appalled by the fact that Kade, Riella, and Sparrow are all fueled by eating the spiciest things possible

Refuses to eat anything with pepper on it, but keeps a shaker for his friends and sister

Nyk and him bond over being unable to tolerate anything hotter than a hot tamale candy

Likes driving

Owns a minivan

It’s unclear as to why he needs a minivan he just has one

He named it Elliot jr. as a joke once but now no one lets him forget it

Is super ultimate BFFs with Sparrow

Helps her around campus when Nyk and Kade can’t

Sparrow

Veterinary Medicine Major

Nyk, Kade, and Elliot help her around campus (still blind and thriving)

Owns a parrot named Chirp and guide dog that everyone is 95% sure is just a wolf that Sparrow illegally bought a service animal vest for

No one knows the name of the dog

Sparrow claims that Chirp can talk but only does it in front of her

Sometimes Elliot will also claim that he’s heard Chirp talk but no one can tell if he’s telling the truth or not (He’s not even sure at this point)

Lesbian ace and is highkey dating Riella

Elliot pretends it annoys him but secretly he’s thrilled because he adores the both of them (he’d never reveal this but Sparrow knows anyway)

Attends GSA

Brings her animals

Chirp usually just sits on her shoulder, and the dog at her feet

Has super unruly hair

Only a select few are permitted to touch it: Elliot, Riella, and Nyk

Nyk will braid it sometimes, but Sparrow usually likes to have it free

Roommates with Nyk

Nyk decorated their room super cute, fairylights strung all around it and polaroids on the walls (though I guess she can’t see them rip)

Nyk loves Sparrow’s animals, and the animals get a long great with Phyrie (except for one time that Phyrie attacked Chirp but that doesn’t happen anymore)

Riella

Dance Major

Not much is known about Riella but I just thought this’d be a cool major for her

idk she gives off ballerina vibes for some reason

Sapphic and dating Sparrow

Roommates with Elliot and Kade

All three of them share a bookshelf and love talking about books

They also play video games a lot together

Minecraft is not a competition but do not play with the three of them they will win

They share an ACNH island on the switch they pooled money for

Loves having her hair in french braids

Nyk usually braids it for her before classes

Ig Nyk just braids everyone’s hair smh

Wears rompers everywhere

Met Kade when a creepy dude approached her on her way to a class and Kade pretended to know her to get her away from the creepy dude

He started walking her to that class just in case and they became friends

Anders

Performing Arts Major

Super dramatic and way into theater

Has been out of the closet for years as genderqueer and pan (Prefers he/him pronouns; he’s used them all his life and he’s used to them)

Goes to GSA club and loves telling obnoxious stories

Has hinted at being in a relationship but no one knows who it is, and the club tries to find out sometimes (It’s Latham)

Grew up with Latham and they started dating when they were seventeen

Latham isn’t out of the closet yet, so he asked Anders to keep it a secret

Anders doesn’t mind at all, he’s just happy to be with the boy he loves :)

Was a part of marching band in high school, and still practices his trumpet in his free time

Regularly texts everyone a gross amount of emojis

Latham and him moved in together when they graduated and started going to college

Latham does all the cooking

The last time Anders attempted to cook anything, the pan caught on fire (the cooking pan not Anders) (XDDD) (I think I’m hilarious)

He’s not allowed to cook anymore

They each have their own beds but usually sleep in the same one when they don’t have guests (they are both huge cuddlers) (Anders is the little spoon)

Has a pet snake because he lives to be extra (It’s a ball python)

(I can’t remember what Anders’ phoenix is named so the snake is nameless for now)

Latham

Pre-Law Studies Major

Wants to become a lawyer

Absolutely talks crap about everyone he knows with Anders

Identifies as queer but is closeted

His family are all very religious and anti-LGBTQ+ so he’s scared to come out to them

The only person who knows is Anders

His father in particular scares him

His dad really doesn’t approve of Latham being ‘friends’ with Anders, ever since Anders came out publicly

Is decent at cooking (nowhere near as good as Elliot)

Doesn’t have a lot of friends

Kind of knows Tristan and Elliot but not really

Has a Pomeranian named Xane

He’s obsessed w/ little dogs

#Crown of Feathers #hope u guys like it #homophobia tw #caps tw

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potentially-lemongrass · 4 years ago

Note

hey! um i wanted to ask a bi queerstake member whose dated about this, um I want to marry in the temple and I know that means I'll have to marry a AMAB person, is it bad that I want a nb/nb aligned masc person or at least a bisexual or asexual partner? i feel like i wont find someone like that, I just want someone who understands and is also queer but also fits kind of with the church narrative. is that weird? you dont have to answer this I just wanted to ask since no one talks about it i guess

honestly my perspective on dating has changed a lot since meeting B so I might say something completely different to what I was saying in previous months. (and of course, as always, this is just Ryn’s Opinion TM so take what you will). Also, looong post incoming as this is also a bit of a life update/journal entry since it’s been a while. I’m using B to respect his privacy and as always, I know that i’m super personal on here but please don’t try to doxx me or find out more than I’m willing to share <3 I’m slightly paranoid so I feel like I always need to say that.

ANYWAY, I am still decidedly bisexual ✌ and so I’ll fight against bi erasure all day long since I’m a cis woman dating a cishet man. I will never be a straight woman and B totally understands and respects that. However, it also doesn’t exactly matter?? since I’ve chosen him so I’m not dating any men OR women.

Before meeting him, I was thinking about dating in the abstract especially since I really never had a serious relationship with anyone. I was fantasizing about dating girls and feeling deeply cheated that the Church was robbing me of that opportunity. I was angry, deeply depressed, and just generally not in a good mental place.

Coming to college was when I decided I wasn’t mentally going to “do” Church anymore. I skipped a few Sundays, and still signed up for Institute but I was angry and very determined to distance myself from the Church. I had to know if I even wanted to do this with my life and part of my master plan was getting a girlfriend. (although with the caveat that dating a girl, *just* to date a girl and not a guy, isn’t the best plan and I should have been more focused on romance)

I didn’t expect to meet B and when I did, I was deeply worried about getting a man who was “Peter Priesthood” and I would never be able to share my queer identity with him. B isn’t at all like that. He spent enough time around the queer kids in high school to really get a feel for the struggle and he’s never ever made me feel weird about it. He’s even encouraged and asked me to talk about it so I didn’t feel like I had to hide anything.

I came to two conclusions (well, maybe two and a half). 1) I’m definitely bisexual. Over the summer, I had briefly wondered if I was a lesbian and comp het was just taking its toll. Nope. Men are hot and my bf is absolutely a snack. So if anyone is looking for advice about figuring out sexuality, just try dating someone. I totally believe that you can know your sexuality without experience but it most definitely helps if you know what you’re talking about.

2) I missed church. I hadn’t realized it until I walked away but I truly do have a testimony and I longed for the presence of the Spirit in my life. So I chose to turn back. I read my scriptures and prayed sincerely and listened at church. No, I’m not entirely happy with the Church. There are things that make me cry and cringe and grit my teeth, but I have decided that I want to be here.

Part of that realization was B. My friend asked me if I could see myself getting married in the temple and I realized suddenly that I could. Suddenly it wasn’t a faceless man dragging me into a suburban life of mommy minivans and LDS conformity. It was the thought of B and I, holding hands and promising each other forever in the most eternal sense and it was me, making covenants with Heavenly Father. He and I both know that I’ve always had real joy in my life when I was doing my best to keep His commandments.

What I really needed was to accept my queer identity and feel like I could date girls if I wanted to. Finding B and finding my testimony were linked, as wild it is to say.

Not to say that that road would be easy. I’m not even close to being ready for marriage. B and I are figuring things out, both between us and with the Church. If faith was neat and simple, it wouldn’t be such an enduring theme throughout all of history.

But maybe sometime in the next 5 years? Maybe in 2-3 years? I might be Mrs. Lemongrass. (pffft yes we’ll assume we’re taking my tumblr url as a last name lmao)

SO now you’re wondering about how that applies to your actual question. There will definitely be people in the Church who match what you’re looking for. My philosophy is that there really is someone out there for everyone. You’re trying to forecast for the future which is great and necessary but love doesn’t happen in the abstract. A Relationship TM isn’t some nebulous concept or a copy and paste letter. It’s what happens when you and a specific other person like each other a whole lot and it goes from there. Your relationship won’t look like mine or your parents or anyone else’s because you and your future partner are unique people.

So you totally may find someone in the Church who is queer and down for a temple marriage. Keep in mind as well that you may also find someone in the Church who is cishet and that works too. Just because someone isn’t queer doesn’t mean they can’t understand--assuming no one will ever understand you has always felt arrogant and dismissive of the power of empathy imho--so a cishet guy could be just as amazing.

So there’s no need to feel bad about wanting a specific type of person but don’t close yourself off! Enjoy the journey and put yourself out there with confidence. No one is good at relationships; they’re inherently awkward. You’ll say dumb stuff or fart in front of them or they’ll overshare and you’ll panic. Just trust the process, laugh at yourself, and realize the only thing you can really do is live in *this* moment. I hope this doesn’t sound condescending at all! This is just all my big sister advice that I can think of. Remember that you are loved, always, always, always by our Heavenly Parents and They’ll help you figure stuff out.

#b tag #ryn rambles #ryn.text

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normalg-irl · 6 years ago

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When People Ask Me What I’m Doing After Graduation This Is What I’ll Say | May 3, 2019

So, I don’t have a job lined up for after graduation. I’m also not volunteering with the JVC or Americorps like some of my friends who enjoy helping people. I don’t have an internship, and I’m not traveling anywhere. I actually have no idea what I want to do? Like as a career, but also … in life? So I’ve decided to construct an honest answer to provide to anyone who asks me what I’m doing after graduation. If you, too, do not have a “plan” for post-grad, you are welcome to join me in the glorious city of Hartford, Connecticut, where these 5 post-grad steps will be carried out.

Step 1: Watch Game of Thrones.

Never having seen Game of Thrones makes me feel almost as shitty as never having seen any of the Harry Potter movies (never mind never having read the books). This is the first time I’m admitting that. I usually just play along like,

“I would be in Gryffindor, no doubt. My favorite spell is Leviosa. JK Rowling is honestly a legend.”

I’m embarrassed to confess how uncultured I am. But, with GoT, it’s way too complicated. You can’t just skim the surface like,

“Winter is coming. Jon Snow is my favorite character. Yeah, I’m not bothered by the incest either.”

I’m going to take the first three weeks immediately after graduation to binge GoT and get caught up to speed for the sake of the culture. And also for my own mental health because I’ve been feeling excluded and anxious every time Khaleesi is brought up around me. She sounds like a legend, almost more so than JK Rowling.

Step 2: Exercise lightly.

After the three weeks of binging Game of Thrones I’ll probably try and get my body looking right. No one tells you that going to Punta Cana for spring break turns you into a drinking-machine-party-fiend. The all-inclusive trip destroys all tendencies of eating vegetables and run-walking on the treadmill. For the latter portion of senior year all I’ve known, and all I’ve wanted to know, are Miami Vices (pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris mixed for the ignorant lames), permanent sunburns and foggy conversations with the same people over and over again.

So, with that, health and fitness has plummeted drastically on the list of priorities. Before entering the “real world” I’ll need to burn off all the fried chicken I swallowed whole while floating around in the Punta Cana resort pool. Step 2 is necessary in order to bury that part of the identity and embrace a classier manifestation of self.

Step 3: My high school friends and I become so bored that we go get frozen yogurt and have a really awkward encounter with someone random from our past.

Step 3 can be weaseled in at any point in the post-grad plan. Preferably I will complete step 3 multiple times, almost on a weekly basis. I envision a lot of days playing out like this:

11:00AM: Wake up.

11:04AM: Enter an “Instagram k hole” (This is a term I just learned. It’s when you get so deep into Instagram it feels kind of like you did too much Ketamine, and you’re seriously f*cked up).

12:10PM: Mom is getting home, so I quickly stage a job application workshop in the kitchen.

12:30PM: Mom really wants me to try harder at applying for jobs, I tell her I will.

12:45PM - 4:20PM: *Insert step 1 or step 2 here, depending on what level you’ve reached of the plan.* So this block of time can be filled with either culture binging, or getting the body right.

4:20PM: By this time culture = binged, or body = right. Both great outcomes. Send a text in the group chat, everyone’s down to hang, obv. No one has a job.

7:30PM: Not sure how those three hours were spent. Potentially was sucked into another k hole, but this time mind was completely erased.

8:25PM: Group unites at the friend’s house who has the most chill parents.

8:30PM - 9:50PM: Vaping, light gossip, and brief but intense Instagram k holes are accompanied by a random TV show playing in the background like Catfish or anything on TLC.

10:00PM: One friend suggests getting frozen yogurt. It’s the best idea she’s had in years.

10:15PM: Arrive at Sweet Frog dizzy off the vape. The smell inside is extremely nauseating. Someone might pass out in Sweet Frog.

10:16PM: Everyone fills up their cups with a mixture of flavors. One friend just gets a ton of those little balls with juice inside of them. She’s a psychopath.

10:19PM: I enter a frozen yogurt k hole. Halfway through the fro-yo I realize I do not like fro-yo. But then all of a sudden my cup is empty.

10:23PM: The awkward encounter the entire group has been anticipating finally happens. The middle school basketball coach enters Sweet Frog with his new girlfriend. He has no idea how old we are. He can’t even make a guess. He is intoxicated in Sweet Frog. He kisses us on the cheeks. His girlfriend is really pretty.

10:41PM: I leave Sweet Frog feeling awkward and sick. But it was something I had to do. And it’s something you have to do. It’s only right.

Step 4: Shock my parents’ friends when I say, “I have no idea what I want to do” in the Big Y parking lot.

After the Sweet Frog interactions, awkward encounters will be nothing but a thang. I expect them to spice up the depressing post-grad days, and will probably become a favored activity.

So when my Mom asks me to go to Big Y to get a watermelon (she likes to give me random tasks), I’ll be kind of excited to go.

When I see Mrs. Miller in the parking lot, I won’t pretend not to see her. She asks me what I’m up to, what my “plan” is, and when I tell her about binging GoT and going to Sweet Frog and working out every few days, her face grows concerned and I am hoping she talks about my excellent plan with the other moms. I just want to be talked about, honestly.

I help Mrs. Miller put her groceries in her minivan so she thinks I’m still a good person even if I have no ambition.

“Good luck, sweetie.”

She nods empathetically from her minivan window as I stand alone in my pajamas in the Big Y parking lot carrying a watermelon.

Step 5: Read a life-changing book at the town pool.

I haven’t read a book in years. Reflecting on my life, I may never have actually finished a full novel. What if I’m in a job interview and the interviewer asks me what my favorite book is? I need to have something truthful and profound to say. The Fault in Our Stars isn’t going to cut it. I could maybe swing saying that the Game of Thrones series is my favorite, because I’m pretty sure they were books before a TV show? But that feels like it’d be super transparent at this point.

I can’t go into an intellectual discussion with some alternative, experimental book all confident like, “Have you read The Girl with the Chastity Belt’s Lullaby? It’s my favorite.”

No, you need something absolutely classic like To Kill a Mockingbird or Don Quixote or Fifty Shades of Grey. I’ll probably pick up War and Peace and call it a day. Been meaning to read that one. And then off to the pool I go.

I see myself spending a super relaxing time by the pool with my book. There are no annoying kids splashing around the day I decide to go and conquer my book. It’ll be closed off for academics on their sabbaticals just like me who want to peacefully read and feed their brains.

As I flip around War and Peace, I see a ton of pages, and a ton of words I don’t know. I suck at reading. I don’t know how to read. I can read the words, but the whole time my mind is thinking about potential boyfriends and potential parties and potential conversations. All which might never happen.

War and Peace spirals me into an anxiety k hole, which I think is actually just an anxiety attack, and I storm out of the pool without even buying french fries from the snack bar.

That’s as far as I’m going to make it into step 5.

And there we have it my friends. Graduating without a job isn’t that scary if you embrace my perfect five-step post-graduation plan. Because, believe me, once you do it all - once you’ve watched eight seasons of Game of Thrones, hit Sweet Frog a couple hundred times, toned a few muscles, run into lots of moms, and “read” War and Peace … you will be ready to hightail it back to NYC - and maybe even land a job.

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

Published by The Rival at Fordham University on May 3, 2019

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justlookfrightened · 6 years ago

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Omg are you still doing prompts? Please zimbits the first time bitty goes back home (jack in tow) for a bittle and/or phelps family reunion since the stanley cup win and Big Kiss. Please for drama and bitty sassypants bittle overcoming it but in a bless your heart southern gentleman sort of way.

CW: There is a lot of implied homophobia here. Bitty handles it, but it’s clearly there.

The morning of the Fourth Of July dawned hot and humid and clear, but there was something in the air — a tingle, maybe, or a frisson of extra energy — that promised a storm to come.

Bitty was sitting up in bed when Jack woke, back against the wall, legs criss-crossed in front of him. His face was neutral until he noticed Jack looking up at him and a small smile played at his lips.

“Everything okay, bud?” Jack asked.

“Fine,” Bitty said. “Just thinking about today.”

“Want to come down here and tell me about it?”

Bitty lay down, tucking his head into the junction between Jack’s neck and shoulder and skimming his hand down Jack’s back.

Jack wrapped Bitty in his arms, the better to feel the warmth of him, to inhale the scent of him, and marveled at how safe he felt when he was holding Bitty. It made him feel powerful, he supposed, and like everything important in the world was secure.

“So?” Jack said.

“We’re expecting a lot of people today — relatives and relatives of relatives and so forth,” Bitty said into Jack’s chest.

“You don’t think they’ll be happy to see us?” Jack asked.

“Sweet pea, we’re the main attraction,” Bitty said. “We’re who they’re all coming to see. But happy? Not really. Maybe curious is the most charitable way of putting it.”

“And we’re being charitable now?”

Bitty raise his head so he could give Jack an affronted look. “I, at least, am a southern gentleman. I am always charitable, and hospitable, too.”

“What about me?” Jack said.

Bitty dropped his head back to Jack’s chest.

“You’re Canadian,” he said. “You can’t help but be polite. Unless you’re checking someone into next week on the ice, but that’s different.”

“I think the only ice today will be in the drinks,” Jack said, lifting his head to look out through the guest room window.

“And in the veins, don’t forget that,” Bitty said, rolling away to get up.

This visit was so different from the one the previous year. He arrived with Bitty instead of on his own (good), and they were met by a nervous, unsmiling Suzanne who darted furtive glances around the baggage claim area in fear that they would be recognized (not so good). They spent the night together in the guest room’s queen-sized bed (good — it was much easier to fit than in Bitty’s old twin — and not good, because Bitty and his parents were clearly uncomfortable).

That was the issue that sparked the first open conflict yesterday. As soon as they had settled into Suzanne’s minivan (“You take the front seat, Jack. You’re the guest,” Suzanne said. “And you’re half a foot taller ‘n me,” Bitty added), Suzanne said, “Now Jack, we’ve put you in the guest room. You should be more comfortable there.”

“Jack can bunk in with me, Mama,” Bitty said.

“No, he can’t,” Suzanne said.

“It worked last year,” Bitty said.

“Last year Jack wasn’t your boyfriend,” Suzanne said. “Or if he was, we didn’t know about it.”

“So it’s not about Jack being comfortable,” Bitty said. “It’s about you not approving of us.”

“No,” Suzanne said. “It’s not you and Jack I don’t approve of. It’s having my unmarried child sleeping with his partner under my roof.”

Jack would have been willing to say fine, I’ll take the guest room, but this was Bitty’s family and Bitty’s argument.

“I’m not a child, Mama, and neither is Jack,” Bitty said. “Do you think I’m sleeping in the guest room at Jack’s this summer?”

“As you said, you are an adult and I can’t control what you do when you’re a thousand miles away,” Suzanne said. “But your father and I make the rules for our house, and we don’t hold with unmarried couples sleeping together.”

Bitty scoffed in the back seat, and said something under his breath that Jack didn’t catch.

“What was that, Dicky?” his mother asked.

“Never mind,” Bitty said. “It was rude and I shouldn’t have said it.”

“Well, you also shouldn’t argue with your mother,” Suzanne said. “Especially in front of company. Jack, we owe you an apology.”

“Jack’s not company, Mama,” Butty said. “He’s my boyfriend and my best friend, rolled into one.”

The rest of the ride had been quiet, but when they say at the kitchen table in Madison for lunch, Bitty brought it up again.

“Why is it so important to you that Jack and I don’t share a room while we’re here?” he asked. “When you know we do the rest of the time we’re together.”

“I could turn that around and ask you why it’s so important you share a bed while you’re here,” Suzanne said. “When you can do that any other old time you want.”

“I didn’t bring Jack here to be separated from him,” Bitty said.

“By ten feet of hallway?”

“Yes,” Bitty said. “I feel safe when I’m with Jack.”

“And not sleeping alone in the room you grew up in?” Suzanne said. “You always felt safe enough before.”

“Not really,” Bitty said. “I didn’t really know what safe felt like. You go on and on about why I didn’t tell you about me and Jack before – this is why. Because I knew you wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m trying,” Suzanne said. “But if you want to be treated like any other couple, this is how it goes. If you were dating a girl, she wouldn’t be allowed to stay in your room either.”

Jack was about to suggest they could check into the nearest hotel and come back in the morning when Coach, of all people, stepped in.

“Come on, Suze,” he said. “You know if Junior brought a girl home, we might put them in separate rooms, but we’d be turning a blind eye if there was some late-night visiting going on. And I don’t know if we’d even do that if the girl was 26 years old and Junior was all but living with her.”

“But we have everyone coming over tomorrow,” Suzanne said. “What will people say if they see all your things in the same room?”

“Mama, I think the ship has sailed on what people will say,” Bitty said, working to hold a straight face.

Suzanne looked at him, and she finally giggled.

“I guess you’re right about that,” she said. “I still don’t like it – and I’m saying that if you two tied the knot, I wouldn’t say a word against it, but until then, I’d rather you didn’t. But I know when I’m outnumbered.”

“Would it help if we put my stuff in my old room and Jack’s in the guest room?” Bitty asked.

“Maybe,” Suzanne said.

“Then I’ll do that,” Bitty said.

“You may as well sleep in the guest room,” Coach said. “Bed’s bigger.”

Bitty had turned red, but when they went to bed, he went to his old room to find a T-shirt to sleep in, then padded down the hall to the guest room to sleep with Jack.

Now he was leaving to back to his old room to get dressed.

“Meet you downstairs in ten minutes,” he said.

Much of the morning’s preparation was similar to the previous year’s. Bitty and Suzanne were busy for hours in the kitchen, and they were joined by MooMaw – who seemed unabashedly delighted to see both of them – well before the rest of the guests were set to arrive.

Jack helped Coach move patio furniture, haul coolers out and wash them, set up a canopy and sprinkler station for the kids … the list seemed endless.

The first company arrived early in the afternoon, and Jack started to get what Bitty meant. No one was outright rude – if anything, the questions had been more plentiful last year – but people kept looking at him, and looking away if he tried to make eye contact. He felt like an exhibit at the zoo; “Come see the world’s only gay hockey player!”

Bitty finally popped up at his side, bearing a cold lemonade in one hand and a beer in the other.

“Which one do you want?” he asked.

“Beer,” Jack said. “Definitely beer.”

Clouds were starting to gather, but the sun was still hot.

Bitty handed it over and turned to survey the crowd that was surveying them. Jack put his arm around Bitty’s shoulders and pulled him close without even thinking. Jack saw a couple of guys give a side-eye, but no one said a word.

That, apparently, wasn’t going to fly with Bitty.

“Hey there, Uncle Peter,” Bitty said, addressing the side-eyer in chief. “How are you? I was awful sorry to hear about Linda ‘n you splitting up. You find a place to rent yet? I guess it doesn’t have to be too big for you all on your own.”

Uncle Peter sputtered, then said something about finding another beer and walked away.

“What was that about?” Jack murmured.

“Help me take the trash out back and I’ll tell you,” Bitty said.

Jack followed Bitty as he emptied trash and recycling cans and carried bags to bins behind the garage.

“Linda — his wife — split with him last year,” Bitty said. “They claimed irreconcilable differences and she kept the house. But she told all the PTA moms that she booted him because his dick was too small.”

“Ouch,” Jack said.

“Just reminding him that gossip cuts every direction. You know he’s fixing to go to work at the auto parts store and tell all the guys about how we were all over each other.”

“We weren’t —”

“And his erect penis is probably more than two inches, but that’s the story that’s all over town.”

Once trash duty was done, Jack sat in the shade for a bit with Moomaw and Aunt Judy, who seemed to have planted herself firmly on the side of Team Jack.

“That was sure something when you won the Stanley Cup,” Judy said. “Just like your father. Is that trophy as heavy as it looks?”

“It didn’t feel like it that night,” Jack said.

“I can’t tell you how many people in Madison were watching after you came to visit last year,” Judy said.

“I guess they saw everything then,” Jack said.

Judy nodded. “But don’t let it worry you,” she said. “Folks’ll get over it. I know Suzy spent some time putting people in their places, and there was always gonna be some curiosity when you came back the first time, but it’ll blow over.”

“I’m more worried about Bitty,” Jack said. “Whether he’ll feel welcome in his hometown.”

“Well, I won’t say Dicky’s always fit in the best around here,” Judy said. “But he’s resourceful. Always was, even as a child. That boy can take care of himself.”

She paused.

“Clouds are coming in,” she said. “Think we’ll get rain today.”

Bitty found Jack again a while later. “Let’s take advantage of the sun going behind the clouds and get some ball hockey going,” Bitty said.

They gathered about a dozen of the kids and Bitty divided them into teams while Jack dragged nets and a box of sticks onto the driveway.

“I know a bunch of y’all ain’t played hockey before,” Bitty said. “And Jack here just won the biggest championship in hockey with his team. We’re gonna show y’all how to hold a stick and shoot, and go over some rules.”

Bitty gave each kid a stick and set them up in pairs to pass to each other.

“Once you got that down, we’ll shoot at the net and then have a game.”

Jack imitated Bitty, watching the kids and correcting grips and offering advice. Bitty told the first pair to take shots at the net; Sarah, who was around ten, put it right in. Her little brother had more trouble.

Jack bent down and said, “Let me see that again, buddy.”

He watched, then said. “Okay, now try it like this.”

Jack repositioned the boy’s hands on the stick, and adjusted the way he was standing. The boy whacked at the ball and sent it sailing into the net.

“There you go!” Jack said, holding his hand up for a high five. “Next thing you know, I’ll be taking lessons from you!”

“Mason! Come here this minute!”

A woman stood at the edge of the driveway.

“I didn’t say you could come out here and play hockey,” she continued. “I’m sure Cousin Eric and his friend have better things to do than play with you anyway.”

“We really don’t,” Jack started, but Mason was already protesting.

“Everyone else is playing,” Mason said. “And Mr. Jack just showed me how to shoot! Did you see me?”

“It’s time to stop now, Mason,” the woman said. “You, too, Sarah.”

“You need to leave already, Marjorie?” Bitty said, walking away from the kids he was helping. “Trying to beat the weather?”

“Oh, no, Dicky,” Marjorie said. “We’ll stay for a bit longer. Haven’t had a slice of your pie yet.”

“Then why can’t the kids play hockey?”

Jack heard the undertone of flint in Bitty’s voice, even if Marjorie didn’t.

“Well, it’s not safe, is it?” Marjorie said. “We don’t want anything to happen.”

“Anything like what?” Bitty pressed. “I know you’re not worried about him hitting his head in a friendly little game like this, not with him already playing tackle football.”

“Now Dicky, don’t be like that,” Marjorie said. “You’re making a scene.”

Jack looked around and realized it was true. More adults had filtered out to the driveway, including Suzanne and Coach. And there were Uncle Peter and Aunt Judy. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and Jack’s eyes caught a flash of lightning

“I’m not making a scene,” Bitty said. “I’m trying to play some hockey with my little cousins. With my professional hockey player boyfriend.”

“That’s what I mean,” Marjorie hissed. “There’s no need for that in front of the kids.”

“No need for what?”

“Telling them that he’s your … boyfriend,” Marjorie said. “We all saw what you did on TV.”

Jack stepped next to Bitty and took his hand.

“But he is my boyfriend,” Jack said, before Bitty could answer.

“Marjorie, that’s enough,” Suzanne said, coming up behind her. “You know family is always welcome here, but not if you’re disrespectful to Dicky or to his boyfriend, who is also our guest.”

“Marjorie,” Bitty said. “I’m really sorry.”

Marjorie’s shoulders seemed to relax at that.

“I’m really sorry that you can’t see how happy Jack and I are and be happy for it, and I’m sorry you won’t let Mason have some fun with us,” Bitty said. “I one hundred percent guarantee that playing a little ball hockey will not turn him gay, if that’s what you’re afraid of. But he’s going to grow up and be what he’s going to be, and I guess it would be a kindness to hope he’s straight, for his own sake, because I don’t know that he could trust you to be the kind of mama he needs if he’s not. Now I expect you’ll be wanting to be on your way, so I’ll go cut pie slices for Mason and Sarah to take with them. Unless you don’t mind them staying – Jack and I can run them home later.”

Marjory had actually taken a step back from Bitty during that speech.

“They’ll come home with me,” she said.

Bitty went in the house and came out with two slices of pie on paper plates.

“Remember, these are for the kids,” he said. “Bless your heart, you wouldn’t take sweets from your own babies, now would you?”

“I’ll eat my whole slice, Cousin Eric,” Sarah said.

“’Atta girl,” Bitty said. “What do you say the rest of us put this hockey stuff away before the rain?”

He was too late for that, as fat drops started falling before he finished the sentence. The kids scrambled to put the sports equipment back in the garage while the adults ran for the deck to get the food under cover.

The storm was short but intense. Jack would have liked to think it cleared the air, but as soon as the sun came out again, the heat turned the air steamy.

Most people took their leave not long after the storm, and Jack and Bitty did their part helping to clean up.

Once everything was stowed in the kitchen and shed, Suzanne turned Bitty.

“You boys have been nothing but helpful,” she said. “You want to take a break and take your daddy’s truck to go watch the fireworks?”

“Thanks, mama,” Bitty said. “That sounds great.”

#omgcheckplease #omg check please #zimbits #prompt fill #my fic

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janelevy · 5 years ago

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#3 + Rhekker from the fluffy prompt list... Hopefully you’re still doing those😉😊😍

#3 from the fluff list = “what did you do?”

summary: to celebrate their son’s fifth birthday, connor and ava take him camping, and it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. basically just domestic rhekker and them being the dorkiest parents ever!

a/n: i have no idea why i thought of camping. i guess i thought of the most opposite thing from being doctors in a hospital, and this is what i came up with. needless to say, connor feels a bit out of place in the wilderness haha!

When Connor suggested going on a camping trip to celebrate Charlie’s fifth birthday, Ava’s first thought was to ask him if he hit his head recently.

“Oh, come on, Avey. I’m not going insane. It’s just camping.” Connor was at the stove stirring a pot of macaroni while Ava diced onions at the counter behind him. He turned down the heat and set the wooden spoon aside, moving to face his wife from across the kitchen island. “I mean, how bad can it be?”

“Asking that question is setting you up for failure.” Ava pushed the onion pieces together on the cutting board, only pausing her work briefly to give him a giant eye roll. “Listen, I just find it hard to imagine Connor Rhodes, distinguished surgeon and proud Porsche owner, going out and— oh, what’s it called— ‘roughing it’ in the wilderness.”

He chuckled, but she didn’t miss the hint of exasperation behind his words. “Okay, first off, you also happen to be a distinguished surgeon. And secondly, we’re obviously going to take your car, not mine. We’ll need, like... a tent and whatever else. All that stuff won’t fit in Mr. Grey.”

“I still think it’s about time to sell Mr. Grey and get a nice, safe, dad car. Did you look at those links I sent about the Honda—”

“— the Honda Odyssey, yes, I did see those. More like Odyssey to imminent boredom, though.” Connor shook his head and leaned on the counter to meet her eyes, which were watering from the onions. “Avey, you know we agreed we’re not having any more kids. There’s only three of us. Why do we need a minivan? They’re so... bleh.” He shuddered and stood up again. “Anyway, you’re changing the subject. Don’t think you’re so sneaky.”

“Damn. Foiled me again,” she teased. “But seriously, Connor. The main reason I’m protesting this is because I’m concerned for you. You’d be uncomfortable for an entire weekend. Charlie and I would be fine. He adores mummy-son hikes, and I spent most of my childhood outside in the backyard digging up insects.”

“You also spent a lot of your childhood doing creepy fake surgeries on your stuffed animals,” Connor countered.

“It— it was practice!” she sputtered, unable to suppress the smile that formed in response to his smirk. “Anyway, that has nothing to do with what we’re talking about. I just want to do something all three of us will equally enjoy.”

Connor frowned then, his expression growing more earnest. “Avey, I already asked him what he wants to do. He... seemed super enthused by this idea. I’m not about to tell him no. I don’t care if I have to spend a few days covered in dirt and bug bites and whatever else. I want our baby to be happy.”

She paused in her work, setting the knife down and sighing. “Well, that changes it. The most important thing is what Charlie wants.” Without warning Ava circled around the counter to pull Connor into her arms. She sighed into his shoulder, turning her head so she could speak clearly. “He’s not really a baby anymore, is he?”

At her sniffle, Connor pressed a kiss on her head and murmured, “He’ll be our baby forever if we want him to be. Even when he’s the grouchiest teenager in the world, he’ll still be our baby. Even when he’s forty, he’ll still be our baby.” He gazed past her out to the living room, where their son was crouched on the carpet building towers with the big toddler-friendly Lego blocks.

“He will definitely be the grouchiest teenager in the world. With both of our DNA in him? Yikes,” Ava said. They shared a laugh then, and as Connor went to drain the pasta, she added, “Looks like we’re taking a trip to Bass Pro tomorrow to get some gear.”

Connor glanced over his shoulder, throwing her his millionth smile of the day. All these years, and he still couldn’t help grinning like an idiot around her. “Little dude is gonna be so thrilled,” he told her. And he was right.

Come next weekend, however, they were no longer feeling quite as thrilled about camping. They secured three entire days off, and they planned to savor every minute of them. So on the first Saturday in July, two days before Charlie’s official birthday, they packed up Ava’s SUV and drove out to the wooded shoreline of Lake Michigan and set up camp on a sandy patch near the water. Before Connor even got in the car, he had already layered himself with bug spray and sunscreen, and made sure Ava and Charlie were thoroughly covered as well. It was only after an entire hour-long car ride and unpacking at the campsite when they realized a smear of white zinc had accidentally been left on Charlie’s nose. Ava spent the rest of the day teasing him about it, and Connor waited until they were grilling hot dogs that night to retaliate and “accidentally” squirt a ton of sunblock all over her back. It got all over her tank top and hair, and the way she cursed him in between bouts of laughter drew him to take a midnight dip in the lake with her well within view of their tent, where an overstimulated Charlie had fallen asleep before it was even dark out. That first night swimming below the stars together, with dragonflies and fireflies swirling all around them, was perfect. They had never felt so far away from the city before.

Then came the next morning.

Connor was the first to rouse, rolling over to find Ava and Charlie still deep in slumber. He tousled his son’s hair affectionately; the kid had been passed out for several hours now. That had been bound to happen, though, considering Charlie sprang out of bed yesterday morning at 4 AM because he was too excited to sleep.

Connor sat up and kicked the sleeping bag off his legs. It was fiercely hot and pretty stuffy in the tent, so his t-shirt was sticking to him like a second skin. He reached over to his things and pulled a pair of khaki shorts on over his boxers, grunting at the limited space and his sweaty, sticky arms and legs. This was not the definition of luxury, that was for sure. At least none of them had gotten any bug bites or ticks or sunburn or leeches or whatever else was out there. Nobody was getting any wounds on his watch.

He had to pee pretty bad, and thankfully Ava had found a campsite that had public restrooms close by to use. Connor had confessed he thought wiping his ass with a leaf was going a bit too far, and luckily she’d conceded. The bathrooms didn’t exactly have spotless marble countertops and hot water, but they were better than nothing.

So Connor crawled carefully around his son, who was sprawled in between his parents’ sleeping places, and unzipped the flap on the tent (it was a fancy model, and he didn’t even want to know how much it had cost. Whatever the price was had to be too much. But again he had to remind himself— this was all for Charlie. That made it worth it).

Connor didn’t even spare a glance towards their supplies until he came lumbering back from the restrooms. And when he saw what was in front of him, he froze, jaw on the leafy ground.

It was all gone. Every last speck of food was devoured by... some kind of animal. Upon closer inspection at the tattered wrappers and claw marks left behind in the picnic table, it must’ve been a bear. Maybe two bears. Or wolves. God, what the hell lived out here? Connor gritted his teeth and spared the tent a swift glance. Ava wasn’t awake yet. Maybe if he was quick, he could take the car to the nearest convenience store and try to replenish all they’d brought.

But right then, to his horror, he saw his wife’s shadow sit up in the tent, and he heard her sleeping bag rustling. Panic roaring in his blood, Connor zoomed over and right as Ava began to unzip the flap, he stuck his head in the gap and smiled way too widely at her.

“Good morning, Avey! Sleep well?” he asked breathlessly.

She jumped back, startled by his sudden appearance. And of course, she smelled the bullshit all too easily. “... what did you do?” Ava replied, tilting her head as she stretched her arms behind her back and yawned. One eyebrow was up in a high arch, which was already a bad sign.

“Connor,” Ava said when he didn’t answer. Her voice was curt yet gentle. “Honey. What happened?”

He bit his tongue and gave a partial shrug. “Ahh... well... I- I guess you should see for yourself.”

Reluctantly he moved back and allowed her to crawl out of the tent and survey the remains of their food supplies. Right away she surged forward, hands scrabbling over the now empty tabletop. She grasped at empty, chewed-up wrappers, tossing them on the ground in shock and whirling back to face him. “This was supposed to last us two more days, Connor! I thought you secured all this stuff in the car overnight?”

Connor hung his head and let out a long, slow breath. “I... I forgot.” Then he sprang into action, darting back to the tent and retrieving the car keys. “But I can fix it! I’ll go run to the store right now and I’ll be back before Charlie even wakes up.”

Of course, as soon as that left his mouth they heard their son call sleepily from the tent. Then seconds later the little boy emerged from the tent, scratching his messy dark hair.

Ava forced a relaxed smile onto her face, going over to pick him up and hug him to full awakeness. “Good morning, nunu. Did you have sweet dreams?”

“Very sweet dreams, mommy,” Charlie yawned. He squinted his hazel eyes against the sunlight and buried his cheek in his mother’s shoulder the exact same way Ava nestled her face into Connor’s chest. His chubby little fingers played with golden wisps of Ava’s sleep-ruffled hair. “I’m hungry.”

“Don’t worry, little man, I’m gonna go get us something good to eat,” Connor said. He approached them and dropped a kiss on both their cheeks.

“You better,” Ava replied, keeping the threatening tone to a minimum for Charlie’s sake.

Connor unlocked the car and glanced back at her, offering one more apologetic grin. “McDonald’s?” he asked.

“Yes, McDonald’s.”

“I’ll be back soon. Love you.” With that, Connor got in the car and carefully drove off down the gravelly path.

Ava watched him go while rubbing circles into Charlie’s back. “Love you too, Dr. Buffoon.”

#chicago med #connor rhodes #ava bekker #rhekker #fanfic

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brynandchristopher · 5 years ago

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The (temporary) end of an era

Well, it’s certainly been a while since we last wrote. We apologize for the delay, we’ve been busy transitioning from New Zealand life to Australia in the last month or so, and then from Australia back to our homes in the last few days, and just haven’t gotten around to writing. But now we’re back! First and foremost, Chris and I are safe, happy, and healthy. It is a crazy time that we are living in right now, but so far we have remained physically unaffected by coronavirus and are keeping our fingers crossed that it remains that way. We are in good health and taking all of the necessary precautions to stay safe in this time of chaos and uncertainty.

In our last post, we had just bid Madeline farewell and were beginning the process of selling our van, Sweetie, in Christchurch. We gave ourselves ~2 weeks before departing to sell the van in hopes that would give us enough time to meet with prospective buyers and try to make some of our money back before taking off for Australia. In New Zealand, there is a bit of a boom and bust cycle in regards to van prices due to the major influx of backpackers at the beginning of the summer and mass exodus at the end of summer. Additionally, most backpackers take a similar route to the one we took - flying into Auckland, exploring the north island, heading down south, flying out of Christchurch - resulting in a huge supply of backpacker vans in Christchurch and not very much demand. We were aware of this cycle going into our trip and knew we wouldn’t get a full return on what we spent, but we were hopeful we could get at least half of our money back to put towards our next van in Australia. Our first few van showings were slightly disheartening. We received significant interest via buy/sell facebook pages and other websites where we posted ads, but when we met in person for test drives and viewings everyone seemed very nit-picky about small things that hadn’t mattered much to us. We soon realized that backpackers looking at vans at the end of the summer could afford to be selective because of how many vans were available to them at a low cost. We didn’t let them get us down though, and after 4 or 5 days of showings we met an Israeli couple around our age that was interested in buying Sweetie. Chris negotiated with them (definitely not my forté, Chris is the master haggler between the two of us) and we were able to get a little more than half of what we had spent. We spent a day driving around with them for a test drive, mechanical inspection, and eventually a transfer of ownership, and by that evening it was time for us to part with our beloved Sweetie. She was a real trooper and everything we could have asked for for our very first car, we felt lucky to have had no car problems for the whole 3 months (which cannot be said for many secondhand backpacker campervans). We were sad to see her go but happy to be leaving her in good hands for her next adventure :)

It was a relief to sell the van in the first few days of our arrival to Christchurch, but we soon realized we had a lot of time on our hands for the next 10 days without a vehicle to go anywhere beyond the city. We stayed in a hostel in central Christchurch for 3 nights and spent a few days exploring the sights of the city. We walked through the botanical gardens, visited the local museum, explored the shops, and hung out around the hostel. One day we went to a climbing gym and spent a few hours bouldering, a hobby that both Chris and I had missed since our travels began. Once our time in the hostel was up, Chris’ dad, John, helped us out with some points so we could stay at the Double Tree Inn for 2 nights. After living in a minivan for 3 months and then staying in a crowded hostel for a few nights, the Double Tree felt luxurious and plush. We were very grateful to be staying in a nice place for a few days and have a bit of a break from the backpacker lifestyle - thanks Wan :)

For the remainder of our time in Christchurch, we booked a cheap AirBnb on the outskirts of the city. We were beginning to get a bit restless - while Christchurch is nice enough, New Zealand isn’t exactly famous for it’s beautiful cities and we felt like we had explored most of what it had to offer. I spent most of our days there starting to look online for vans and jobs in Australia, and Chris played a lot of Pokémon ;) I had applied to a few live-in nanny jobs in Queensland, where we were hoping to post up for a few months to save up some money, and I heard back from the one Chris and I were most excited about. The family of 5 lived on 7 acres in a sleepy beach town called Kinka Beach about 7 hours north of Brisbane, and it seemed like we would be a good fit for what they were looking for. After a few emails back and forth, the mother, Olivia, and I spoke on the phone for a while to sort out the details and get to know each other a bit. Originally Olivia and her husband, Darren, weren’t looking to have a couple, but when we told them of Chris’ handyman/DIY construction experience, they figured they could use his help on some projects around their property in addition to my help with their 3 kids. We agreed on an arrival date in early April and planned to stay in touch until then. Before we knew it, our last night in New Zealand was upon us and we decided to celebrate by going out to dinner at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant a few blocks away from our AirBnb. We ordered a few different dishes, which were fantastic, and recounted all of the unforgettable memories we made in the beautiful country of New Zealand. It was a sad goodbye but we were looking forward to our next adventure in Australia.

At this point, the Coronavirus panic was beginning to ramp up. We were only experiencing it secondhand, as it hadn’t become a problem at all in New Zealand yet, so it didn't really feel real until we got to the airport. There were increased screening and security measures when we arrived to Australia, questions about where we’d travelled recently and separate lines for people who had been to China, Italy, Iran, or Dubai. This, of course, was only the tip of the iceberg and our nervousness about the situation began to increase. My parents were supposed to be visiting about a week after we arrived to Sydney and we weren’t sure what would happen in that time. Fortunately, we had a safe and isolated place to stay in Sydney for the week - my Dad’s childhood friend, Rob, lives in a beautiful downtown apartment in the heart of Sydney and was gracious enough to host us. For the first few days we got to know Rob over dinners and wine and he gave us advice for places to check out around the city. We walked through the beautiful botanic gardens, along the harbor to see the Sydney Opera House, and spent a day soaking up the sun at Bondi Beach. We were primarily in Sydney to start our hunt for a new van, so we met up with a few different sellers that we’d been in contact with to test drive and scope out our options. Because we would be living in this van for a longer period of time, we were hoping to upgrade on a few things that Sweetie didn’t have - a bit more space in the back, a high roof, and an indoor kitchen. We liked 1 or 2 of the ones we viewed in the first few days, but nothing was really checking all of the boxes that we were hoping for.

Three or four days into our time in Sydney, it became very apparent how seriously the world was reacting to Coronavirus. Everyone was being sent home from work, businesses were closing, and fewer and fewer people were out on the street each day. Before we knew it, travel restrictions and bans were being put in place by many countries, Australia being one of them. With very heavy hearts, my parents had to cancel their trip to come and visit us for 2+ weeks. We were all pretty heartbroken about the situation, all of us had been looking forward to the trip for months. I was craving a taste of comfort and home that I knew would come from spending time with my parents, and I knew how excited they were to take a much deserved break from work and go on a big adventure across the world. I soon found out that my sister, Maggie, was also going to surprise me and come along with them (I had suspicions all along (; ), which only made it harder. It was a major disappointment on both ends, but it was out of our hands.

Feeling a bit deflated and sad, we continued our search for the right van. When we came across a van that was everything we were looking for but a little bit out of our price range, we figured we might as well take a look at it and see if we could negotiate our way down. We met with the owner of the van, a Spanish guy named Edgar, who was trying to get out of the country as soon as possible because his visa was about to expire. The van was perfect, we fell in love with it immediately. It had a solar panel on top that powered a refrigerator, water pump for running water, power outlets, and cabin lights, had a whole indoor kitchen set up, and had a semi-high roof. It was in great mechanical condition and had very low kilometers compared to the majority of the vans we had looked at. We spent a day or two going back and forth with Edgar about the price and eventually we came to an agreement- we were now the proud owners of a 1999 fully outfitted Toyota Hiace Campervan! We named him Rollo, a viking name that we felt was well-suited for our van.

A day or two later, Chris and I went through a few hours of panic about coronavirus and whether or not we needed to make the difficult decision to end our trip and go home. It was poor timing to go through this decision making process, as we had just invested the majority of our money into a new home on wheels, but it was an option we knew we had to seriously consider before carrying on with our travel plans. We went through many different hypothetical scenarios, weighed all of the pros and cons, talked it out with friends and family, and eventually came to the decision that we would wait it out in Australia for now. The situation worldwide was changing every day and the uncertainty was scary - our first instinct is to be around our family in a time like this - but we knew we had a safe place to hunker down for a few months with our nannying family in Kinka Beach. With new border closures and travel restrictions being put into place, we decided we would leave Sydney and head straight for Kinka Beach without making many stops in between. Before we left, Rob recommended a hike close by in Royal National Park to the beautiful Figure Eight Pools. These series of pools were formed along a rock shelf of the coastline from centuries of pounding waves and receding tides. When the tide is low enough, you can walk out on the shelf and take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Figure Eight Pools - take a look at our pictures and you’ll understand the name. We had never seen anything like them before, it was a really cool adventure. After swimming in the pools we spent a few hours on the beach before making our way back to Sydney. We had our last dinner with Rob and he was nice enough to send us off with a basket full of van-life essentials - we were beyond grateful for his hospitality and generosity over the course of the week and hoped to visit if we’re back in Sydney again :)

Chris and I hit the road and began our 3-day drive up the east coast of Australia. On our first day, we stopped in to visit with my great-Aunt, Nancy, who lives in Newcastle a few hours north of Sydney. I had never met Nancy, only heard about her secondhand from my Grandad and the rest of my Dad’s family, so I was very excited to finally get to meet her. Chris and I spent an hour or so with Nancy, chatting over tea and walking through her magnificent backyard garden. It was wonderful to meet her and exchange stories of our travels, I hope to stay in touch in the future. After saying our goodbyes, we continued our drive north. We felt a bit melancholy as we passed exit after exit for all of the places we were supposed to be staying at with my parents, but we were doing our best to stay positive. We knew how lucky we were to have found a beautiful new van and to have a safe place to go to in a time of crisis. We stayed overnight in free rest-stop campsites along the way and made it to Kinka Beach after 3 long days in the van.

Olivia and Darren, the parents, greeted us and we spent an hour or so getting to know each other and taking a look around their property. They own a coral selling business where they harvest small amounts of coral from the Great Barrier Reef and then propagate it in tanks on land to sell to aquarium owners, pet stores, etc. Their property had an old aquarium on it that they were going to convert into a coral-growing space because it already had the tanks and requirements needed for their business. The aquarium was accompanied by a giant concrete whale that you could go inside - it was as big as a house and definitely a trademark of the Kinka Beach area. It was a funky property but we liked it, and we got along well with Olivia and Darren. Because we had been in Sydney and traveling around, they asked us to keep our distance and self-isolate in our van on their property for the first week that we were there, which we of course were fine with. We spent the week going to the beach, stocking up on food essentials, and relaxing in the van. As much as we tried to keep our distance, the older two of the children were very curious about the two new van-dwellers on their property. They would sneak away from their parents to come and say hello, and took a liking to us right away. Our new names were ‘Nanny Chris’ and ‘Nanny Bryn’, it was very cute :) The week of isolation passed and Chris and I moved in to the family’s house. The family also had a separate unit on their property on the second floor of the aquarium that Chris and I were planning on moving into but it had some damage from a cyclone a few years back. Fixing up the separate unit was going to be Chris’ project for the few months that we were there, and he dove right in once we got settled. For the first few days I was with Olivia and the three kids - Henderson or ‘Hendo’ (4), Israel (2), and Kingsley (12 weeks) - playing in their blow up pool, jumping on the trampoline, reading books, and watching movies. The kids were adorable and (mostly) well-behaved, and Olivia and I got along great. I spent my birthday with the kids, and Chris and I snuck away during their nap to have a pizza beach picnic where he gave me a guitar!! I had expressed the desire to start learning throughout our travels and he remembered, it was a very sweet and thoughtful gift <3 The family surprised me with birthday cake and songs later that night and made my birthday feel special, even if it was under somewhat different circumstances than usual.

A day or two into the job, the same anxieties that Chris and I were having in Sydney began to creep back up on us. Coronavirus continued to ramp up, and our fears of being far from home grew with it. We worried about being stuck in Australia if they cancelled all outgoing flights and not being able to return to the US if family or friends got sick, or what would happen if we needed to be hospitalized abroad. Mostly we just felt scared, anxious, and homesick being in an unfamiliar place during a time of such panic and crisis, and it was seriously impacting our ability to enjoy our time there. The family had also asked that Chris didn’t get a job in the community, as they had young children and a baby, and wanted to limit potential exposure to the virus. This would mean we wouldn’t be making very much money, and we knew we needed to resupply our funds if we wanted to continue to travel. At the same time, we were scared by the prospect of traveling if we did decide to go home, which would mean exposing ourselves to airplanes and airports. It was risky and we didn’t want to bring the sickness home to anyone or put others at risk. After a few wrenching days of going back and forth about it and talking it through with Olivia and Darren, Chris and I made the difficult decision to sell the van and go home. It was a heartbreaking goodbye - the kids had begun to get attached to us, and us to them - but after lots of hugs we bid farewell and headed south towards Brisbane to sell Rollo. We stayed at a campground and arranged a few meetings with interested buyers, and after a day we made a quick sale to a Dutch backpacker couple. The next morning we were on a flight to Sydney, where we spent the night, and then carried on to San Francisco the following day. After the 13+ hour flight to California, Chris and I parted ways - I flew home to Boston and Chris to Salt Lake City. It feels strange and sad to be apart after spending literally every hour of the day together for 5+ months straight, but fortunately (and unfortunately, I suppose) we have quite a bit of experience with long-distance. We know it’s not forever and we are staying positive and looking forward to spending time with our families after being away for so long. Both of us are currently self-quarantining in our homes - I’m up in the creative room in my house for the next two weeks and Chris is confined to the basement at his house. We’re both feeling very lucky that our houses are set up in a way that allows us to be physically separate from our families while still being able to visit from across the yard or between rooms. We know not everyone being affected by coronavirus is afforded that same luxury, so we are counting our blessings and keeping ourselves busy for the next 14 days.

Unfortunately this will likely be our last blog post for a while. But don’t worry!! Our travels will continue once we’ve saved up a little more money, and we will be sure to post here when that time comes :) We are relieved and happy to be home and are looking forward to better and brighter days. Thank you to all of our friends and family who have kept up with our travels in the past 5 months, it has been filled with more joy, wonder, and adventure than we could have ever imagined. We feel so lucky to have people in our lives that we can share those experiences with, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy!!

With love,

Bryn and Christopher

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audreyjenseninthatredsweeter · 5 years ago

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My Goldilocks: part one

Plot: you find the new boy in your house one morning before school. Part 1 of ?

Word count: 2465

tw: stalking by mention.

It was a morning like every other you were trying to sleep in a little before your final alarm went off. You hear glass shattering as you roll over in bed. Your first thought is that one of your parents must have dropped their coffee cup but in your heart, you know they are at work already. You contemplate just staying in bed and pretending to be asleep maybe whoever broke the glass would go away on their own. Nut maybe not. Maybe the masked killer who’s been knocking off your fellow classmates is inside your house right now and is on their way to make you their next victim. You decide that you can’t take that chance you need to get out of the house right now, who cares if you’re late school when there is potentially a murderer in your house. You throw your comforter on to the ground and jump up out of bed as prepared as someone can be to fight an intruder while still half asleep if need be. As you slowly creep down the stairs leading to the front door you try to convince yourself it was nothing, all in your head, or the wind, anything but the unknown and unofficial accomplice of the Lakewood killings. You knew listening to Noah Fosters, “The Morgue�� before bed would come back to bite you in the ass but who could have known that on this Monday morning you would hear the sound of glass breaking. You let out a very quiet sigh as you step on the last stair on the staircase. “Almost there,” you tell yourself with only a good four feet between you and safety.

As you make your last step on to the floor of your houses entrance you see a person in the corner of your eye. You silently curse as you turn to look at your intruder. You loudly swallow when you the light brown-haired boy standing there sweeping up his mess and noticing you at all. If you ran out the door now, he could no doubt catch you and kill you in the street, which may sound a lot better than your body being found after your parents get home from work.

Your heart is beating so hard you can hear it; it almost feels like you snorted a pound of cocaine yourself. You back up to the bottom step and against the wall with impeccable timing. The boy could feel your gaze as he finished cleaning and turned around to nothing since you were hiding. He shakes off the feeling and walks to your kitchen to throw away the broken glass. This is it your chance to escape but as if fate wanted you to be caught the alarm clock your phone goes off. The boy freaks out and zooms right past you and out your front door. You try to catch a glimpse of his face but only see his big beautiful blue eyes. You want to call the police, but you also know your dad would kill you if you’re late to school again even if its because you were almost murdered.

You run back upstairs back up to your bedroom to get ready for the day. You pull out your cell phone and dial your moms phone number. As it rings you place it on speaker so you can multitask. “Sweetie I know its your first day back at school but I’m trying work can we just talk when I get off?” she says while answering. You sigh as bring your brush though your hair. “I just figured you might want to know what I almost died.” “Don’t be so dramatic,” she replies while she types on her computer. You roll your eyes and shake your head before setting down your brush. “Never mind mom I’ll talk to you later.” Your mom doesn’t say anything she just hangs up. You grab your phone and keys before running back down the stairs and outside. You walk up to a black minivan and get in. you hated having to drive a minivan to school this year but hey at least you don’t have to ride the bus and you could fit at least six of friends in it, well if you had six friends.

You pull up to George Washington high and park. You grab your backpack and get out of your van. You make sure to lock the doors behind you before entering the school. Your best friends meet you at the doors, the two of you walk through the halls. Your friend is telling you a joke when he passes by you, his eyes standing out. You put your arm up against your friend’s chest and tell them to stay there. You follow the boy with the blue eyes until he reaches Emma Duval. You know you can’t just walk up to the guy and accuse him of breaking into your house in front of the girl who was attacked by her half-sister almost a year ago. You turn around and walk back to your friend. “What was that all about?” they ask. “Oh, I uh thought I recognized that kid,” you say. “From where that guy is new.” You clear throat, “Leaving my house this morning.” Your friend grins before saying, “You dog.” “I meant after I caught him breaking into my house.” They nod before reaching their locker. “How do you know it was him?” They ask. “I don’t. I only saw his eyes and the back of his head.” “Why would the new kid be breaking into your house?” You sigh before answering, “That’s what I was going to ask him, but he walked up to Emma.” “Shit yeah good call coming back.” You nod as you lean up against their locker. “DO you think you can get me some like information on him before I make a fool out of myself?” you ask. “Sure thing, but I’m to need to his name,” they agree. A big grin stretches across your face as you thank them. You walk away still smiling as the first bell begins to ring.

After school is over and you’re pulling out of the parking lot you spot the boy from earlier you pull over and offer him a ride. He gives you a weird look before declining. “Us Lakewood kids got to stick together so no one else dies, ‘’ you joke. “How do you know I’m not the accomplish?” He asks. You smirk before saying, “Because id know if there was a third one of us.” He chuckles and opens the door to your van before getting in. “I’m (your full name) by the way.” “Eli Hudson,” he says. “So, where to Eli?” you ask while taking the car out of park. “The Grindhouse café please.” He tells you. You nod as you drive off to the coffee shop. “You’re new right?” you ask trying keep the car ride from slipping into an awkward silence. “um Yeah just moved in from Atlanta,” he answers. “How do you like Lakewood so far?” He shrugs before saying, “Well no one’s died yet, so I guess its pretty okay.” After he speaks you start to feel unsettled his use of the word “Yet” lingers in your head for a while as you begin to think that maybe you shouldn’t have invited this strange guy into your vehicle. You clear your voice as you pull up to the café, “Here!” You turn and look straight into his emotionless light blue eyes. “Thanks, I uh really appreciate it!” he says as he unbuckles his seat belt. You just nod as you watch him get out and into the building in front of you. Maybe you should have drove straight to the police department and had him confess to the crime you knew in your heart he was guilty of or maybe you have locked him in your car and confronted him then and there while no one else was around. You pull out your phone and text your friend, “His Name is Eli Hudson, and it has to be him.” You get a text back that says, “Got it!” You sigh in relief as the notification pops up on your lock screen.

You pull out of the café and back on to the rode after ten minutes of deciding weather or not you should follow this Eli guy around. Ultimately you pick going home and showering and doing homework, to keep your grades up. You notice both of your parents’ cars still gone as you pull into your driveway. They were often at work; Your dad ran his own company and your mom worked for the mayor. You park your car and head inside to start making dinner. While the pasta boiled, and the chicken baked you did your homework. Sure, any normal teen would stay out with their friends and waited until they were told to come home but you were so use to this routine, in a way it was easier than ordering pizza or partying. Plus, fast food gets boring after a while whereas pasta did not. Once it was all finished cooking you make a plate for each of your parents and stick them in the fridge before eating your own straight out of the pot. Next on your list was a shower. After your shower you go back downstairs and do the dishes.

As you lay down in bed and close your eyes you can’t help but feel unsafe alone in your own home. Sure, the Brandon James killing stopped when Piper Shaw died but the thought of someone else have being here this morning was enough to keep you awake. You toss and turn each time those big blue eyes pop into your brain. Finally, you succumb to the image and fall into bright blue drifting you into a deep sleep. In front of you stands the boy from earlier looking down at you while you slumber. Hes studying you more than admiring you, trying to figure you out. You roll over in your sleep and he backs out of your dark bedroom and down the hall of your house searching the other bedrooms. He got it all wrong this morning, he can no longer pretend to be you; you both share very similar lives. He sneaks back out through the window once he came and disappears into the night.

In the morning you wake up to your phone ringing, and five minuets to first period. You freak out and throw your shoes on before calling back the number that had just called. “Oh my god I thought you died!” your best friend says on the other side. “Nope just slept in. Do you think it’s too early into the school year for me to show up in sweatpants?” “Dude fuck beauty standards its just High school what you wear here doesn’t count for shit,” they answer. You sigh in relief before running out the door and to your car. “So, what’d you dig up on Mr. Goldilocks?” you ask while driving to school. “I’ll tell you at lunch. Hurry up and get here before the last bell rings!” the say. You pull up and park your van before running into the front doors and down the hall to your first class just as the bell rings. “Made it, you at lunch,” you say before hanging up.

When the lunch bell rings you push through the crowed halls to meet your friend at their locker. “I cannot believe you made it, and are wearing that shirt,” they say motioning to white t-shirt with “Psycho” spelled out in dripping red. You look down at your shirt for the first time that day and realize your mistake. “It’s just a shirt the Lakewood six can over it,” you say. “Well I’d be careful around Audrey I heard she threatened Hayley the other day.” “Well it’s a horror movie shirt not Piper’s face so I’m sure Ill be fine,” you tell them as you head in the direction of the cafeteria. As you both walk Eli passes you and your eyes lock with his before he turns his head around back in the opposite direction of you. “You can’t tell me that guy does not scream psycho stalker at the least?” you ask motioning to his direction. “Well I can tell you, he happens to have a restraining order on him for just that, so at the least hes probably obsessed with you.” “Is that all you got on him?” you whine. “Well I am no Noah Foster,” they reply. When you both reach your spot in cafeteria and sit down, they tell you that Eli is Kieran’s cousin. “Did you tell your parents that someone broke in yesterday?” they ask. You shake your head. “No, I haven’t seen them since Sunday night.” You stare across the room at most of the Lakewood six before getting up mid conversation and over to their table. “Kieran, your cousin Eli, uh what’s his deal?” “I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” he says bringing his focus to you and away from Emma. His green eyes emptier than Eli’s. “He broke into my house yesterday morning and I want to know why,” You explain. He chuckles. “I don’t know why your telling me and not the police, I’m not Eli’s babysitter.” You sigh, “Just tell him to leave me alone,” you demand loud enough for a few tables around to hear but not the whole cafeteria to hear. Audrey stands up and walks over to you. She puts her hands on your shoulders and forcibly walks you back to where you came from. “Leave us alone and ill take care of Eli.” You thank her as she walks away before sitting down and dropping your head to your knees. “I shouldn’t have done that,” you tell your friend. They shake their head and pat you on the back. “I still can’t believe you didn’t just call the police.” “And what be late? Besides its not like they’d be able to do something, they wouldn’t even try to find him,” You say.

After school you see Elis big scared eyes behind Audrey’s shoulders as hes pushed up against the wall. You can’t hear what she’s saying but you know it must be about you. You walk to the parking lot with your head down. You were a little ashamed that you got one of the Lakewood six involved in your little witch hunt, they had been through enough recently especially Audrey. You get in your van and drive home trying to pretend nothing happened, but you know you put six people on edge who literally need nothing but relaxation.

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fandom-imagines-stories · 6 years ago

Text

Cursed

Tony Stark x Reader

Words: 4066

Summary: It was the biggest fight you and Tony had ever been in. After nearly three hours of shouting and misery, you storm out determined not to turn back to that beautiful Malibu house. Even after clearing your head and wanting to see him, an accident prevents any kind of reconciliation.

Notes: This is below the belt, I know. But I had the idea and I had to roll with it. Sorry Tony! (P.S.- this takes place sometime after the first one, so any information learned about his parents im Civil War is not in this. Also, I know nothing about medical things, so I altered them to fit the story.)

You paced around the living room as you and Tony continued to scream at each other. You were tired and you could tell he was too. But what else were you supposed to do? You couldn’t just let your husband destroy himself.

“You said it yourself in that press conference- you aren’t a superhero.” You crossed your arms over your chest, refusing to back down. “Tony… nothing that happened because of Stane was your fault.”

“No but it is my responsibility.” He argued. “And it isn’t just the weapons, Y/N. I have a chance to actually do something with my life.”

“By ending it?” You shot back. “Why does it have to be you, huh? Why do you have to be the one who puts your life on the line?”

“Who else is it going to be?” He wondered. “Look, I got a second chance and I’m going to do something with it.”

“Here we go again…” You sighed, rubbing your eyes.

“What?”

“You almost died, Tony.” You stated firmly. “In fact, you should have died. The chances of survival after something like that are probably slim to none. Those three months were the worst days of my life. And yes, you lived. You came back to me and I will always be grateful for that. But I will not lose you again. And if that means refusing to watch you kill yourself then so be it.” Your voice was growing weak from nearly three hours of screaming back and forth at each other. Tony froze.

“What are you saying?” He asked.

“I’m saying...” You closed your eyes, “that I need a break.” Hurt washed over his face.

“From what? From me?” He gulped. “From us?” You sighed again.

“From everything, Tony!” You shouted. You forced your tears not to fall, but you couldn’t stop your voice from breaking. “I have to leave.”

“So that’s it?” He scoffed. “You’re giving up on me?”

“No!” You exclaimed. “I just…” Another feeling welled up inside you and you didn’t stop the words from coming out of your mouth. “Why did you marry me?” Tony’s eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“Barely three weeks after you got back, you asked me to marry you. Why?”

“Is it really that great of a mystery?” He said, taking more steps towards you. He got close enough to rub his hands up and down your arms. “We had been together for nearly two years- which is longer than any relationship I’ve ever been in, by the way, and-”

“So that’s it?” You laughed humorlessly. “I was the first girl you’d screwed for more than a week?”

“Because I love you!” He yelled, gently shaking you. “And I want to be with you.”

“Then choose.” You demanded. “Me or the suit.” Tony opened his mouth to say something, but stopped, taking long enough to think that you knew the answer. “Fine.” You broke away from him and grabbed your purse, slamming the door as you left Tony standing alone.

You got in your car and started the engine, losing the battle against your tears and letting them fall freely. You were a crying mess by the time you got to the main road.

“Is everything all right, Miss?” Jarvis asked and you nearly swerved into oncoming traffic. You'd forgotten that Tony installed him into your car. You reached a hand up to wipe your face.

“Everything is fine, Jarvis.” You answered sharply.

“You know, I heard your fight with Mr. Stark and-”

“I really don't want to talk about it.”

“I just wanted you to know that you can if you'd like. I am quite a good listener.” Jarvis went silent and you were alone again. It took two hours of traffic before you could turn down a road that was crammed with other cars. In fact, it appeared to be deserted, except for the occasional minivan. There were trees on both sides of the road, almost making you feel trapped. To hopefully help with your uneasiness, you started to talk.

“Why does he do it, Jarvis?” You said with a heavy sigh.

“Insist on the suit?” The A.I asked. “I believe it is like he said to you before. He feels as if this is why he survived. This is his purpose.”

“I guess I can understand that, but that doesn't mean I want him to do it. He'd be putting himself at risk every time he went out in that thing.”

“There is another reason he mentioned.” Jarvis started.

“And what's that?” You sniffed, blinking away more tears so you could see the road. Not that it helped much as rain began to fall on the windshield. You groaned. “Just great.”

“To protect you.” Jarvis said suddenly.

“What?”

“He said that Mr. Stane had threatened to hurt you.”

“But Stane is dead.” You countered.

“Yes, but Mr. Stark feels that there will always be more people like Stane. And as long as he's in this kind of work, you'll always be in danger of someone coming for you. He said this is his way of keeping you safe.” You pulled the car over and felt a whole new wave of emotions hit you.

“I’m assuming that’s supposed to make this all better.” You laughed through the cries.

“It isn’t supposed to do anything, Miss,” Jarvis promised. “I just thought you’d like to know all the facts before you file for divorce.” This really made you laugh.

“Who said anything about divorce?”

“I just assumed-”

“I want to knock some sense into him, not divorce him.” You ran your fingers through your hair. The more you thought about it, the more your mind came to understand Tony’s point of view on the whole situation. Maybe this was his way of healing. Of course, that didn’t mean that you were okay with him becoming a superhero and fighting crime and stuff like that, but maybe it meant you would be willing to compromise. You shifted the car out of park and started to turn the car around.

“Do we have a destination?” Jarvis wondered. You nodded and smiled to yourself.

“Home.”

The rain was barely falling now and there was one other car on the road. You checked in the rearview mirror a few times and drove a little faster.

“Jarvis… is it just me, or is that car getting-” You jolted forward as the car rammed into your back bumper.

“I think it would be best if we drive a bit faster,” Jarvis suggested nervously. Is it possible for an A.I. to sound nervous? You slammed on the gas, rocketing down the road. Unfortunately, so did they. They switched lanes and drove next to, ramming into you from the side.

“Jarvis!” You shouted in panic. “Call T-” This time when they crashed into you, you swerved away.

“Calling Mr. Stark,” Jarvis informed right before you went flying into the dark. It wasn't until the car started to roll that you realized what was happening.

Tony was trying to drown his thoughts in work. Improving the suit, trying to prepare for his court order, anything that got his mind off of you. Nothing worked- except maybe the bourbon. He wouldn’t know until his third glass and he was only halfway through his second.

“Mr. Stark,” Jarvis started.

“I’m not really in the mood,” Tony growled. Jarvis ignored his hostility.

“It’s about Y/N.”

“I’m really not in the mood to talk about her.”

“Sir…” Jarvis almost sounded worried. This made Tony pay attention. Something was wrong. “There’s been an accident.” Tony’s breath hitched, feeling as if he’d been punched in the stomach. No.

“Where is she?” Tony demanded, already having the robots put his suit together. As soon as his helmet was on, he shot out of the garage. “Take me to her, Jarvis.”

“Right away, Sir.”

Tony soared over the city until Jarvis told him to land. There was a faint trail of smoke rising from the trees and there was the sound of traffic from nearby roads. Careful to avoid the branches, Tony landed next to an upside down sports car- the one he'd gotten you for your last birthday.

“Y/N!” He shouted into the wreckage. “Give me something Jarvis.”

“She's trapped inside.” Scans filled Tony's vision. “Three broken ribs, a fractured wrist, a punctured lung, and... Sir, I've called an ambulance?”

“They won't get here fast enough.” Tony shook his head and ducked under the wreckage to look through one if the shattered windows. He felt sick. Blood was dripping down onto the roof of the car, seeping out if your shirt from your chest. “What else is wrong, Jarvis?” Jarvis seemed hesitant to answer. “Jarvis!”

“The car’s airbag had been tampered with. It contained small, sharp fragments of metal.”

“That’s not possible this car was in the shop,” the realization hit him, “last week.”

“It seems as if they were trying to replicate your injuries from Afghanistan,” Jarvis concluded and Tony could feel his panic reaching a new high. “The car was driven off the road by a black van… this was no accident.”

“We have to get her out of here.” Tony started to reach for you, but Jarvis stopped him.

“Sir, moving her without the paramedics could increase the chances of the metal reaching her heart.” He warned. “If my calculations are correct, they will be here in approximately two minutes.”

“So what, I just wait?” Tony gasped, the feeling of total helplessness starting to sink in and taking off his helmet.

“I’m afraid so, sir.”

Jarvis was right. The ambulance was there in a matter of minutes, but to Tony, it felt like forever. He watched them carefully pull you out, shouting commands at each other like it was a war zone. A tear slipped down his face as he watched them carry your limp body into the ambulance. As he followed, one of the paramedics stopped him.

“Family only, Mr. Stark.” He ordered awkwardly. He felt strange, telling one of the most powerful men in the world what to do.

“I’m her husband.” Tony explained frantically, climbing in after them.

“That suit really shouldn’t be-” A female paramedic started.

“Please,” He pleaded, and she could see the weakness in his eyes, “I need to be with my wife.”

“Alright,” she conceded, “Just keep out of our way.” The ambulance hurled down the road as the paramedics worked around you. Tony felt like he needed to hold onto something so he didn’t tumble into the darkness that was starting to surround him.

He wasn’t allowed in the operating room so he got quite a few odd looks in the waiting room. In his head, he replayed the fight from earlier in the night. All of the things he said, but more importantly, what he should've said. He chose you. Of course, he chose you. But he’d been too scared and now he could lose you.

His mind kept drifting back to years ago. The phone call. The disbelief.

“There’s been an accident.” The voice had said. “I’m so sorry. You’re parents… they’re gone.” A doctor approached him with a grim look on her face.

“Mr. Stark,” She started. He stood up.

“How is she?” He asked and watched the doctor take a deep breath.

“We were able to remove the majority of the metal from Y/N’s chest. However, there are still pieces that are too close to her heart for us to operate on them. If they get any closer, she won’t survive.” Tony fell back into his chair burying his face in his hands. “There is one solution.”

“What is it? I’ll pay for anything. Anything that can save her, do it.” He insisted. Her eyes fell to his chest.

“We would like to recreate the method used to save you.” She stated plainly. “Use a magnetic power with the arc reactor to keep the metal from reaching her heart.” Tony froze.

“There has to be another way.”

“We have temporary solutions, but nothing that will last long enough until we can figure out a procedure to remove the metal.” She explained. He gripped the arms of a chair.

“You’re a doctor. Figure out something else.”

“Mr. Stark, there is nothing else.” She sighed. “Not only do we need your permission for the surgery…”

“You need me to make it.” He scoffed, running a hand over his face. She handed him a piece of paper detailing exactly what they needed him to do.

“We have a short window of time in which we can operate. We can use our own equipment for now, but… you have until morning to decide. Why don’t you go home?” She suggested, looking over the suit. “Change. Give yourself some time to think, and if you chose, make the arc reactor.”

“You expect me to figure all of this out in less than twelve hours, let alone make an arc reactor?” Tony said with a dark chuckle.

“I’m sorry, sir, but it is the best we can do.” She walked away and Tony felt even more helpless than he had before.

The house felt empty without you. It was too big and too dark and far too quiet. Tony slowly made his way downstairs and took off the suit, setting the paper the doctor had given him down on the desk. It was exactly like his. Turns out, someone figured out how he survived an explosion and started studying it. Not that they had the technology to recreate it. It was up to him. He could make the arc reactor, dooming you to a life of uncertainty with a machine in your chest. Or he could let you die.

Tony picked up a wrench from the desk and hurled it into the nearest wall and crumpled to the floor. He’d tried so hard to keep himself together at the hospital and now everything was just tearing out of him mercilessly. He screamed into the garage, his cry echoing off of the cement walls, tears starting to fall down his face.

He wished you were here. He wished he didn't have to make this decision. He stood up and wiped the tears away from his face. He needed to do something. Looking down at the instructions, he sighed. Making the arc reactor didn’t mean that he’d decided, but at least he’d have the option.

So that's what he did. For the next several hours, he forged and hammered and pieced together the one thing that was keeping him alive- and the one thing that could save you. The entire time, all he could think about was you in that car. The blood dripping down from your body, streaking down your face.

When his hands were raw and felt like they'd fall off, the arc reactor was finished. He had four hours before the hospital would need the device, but all he wanted was to get back to you.

“Tony?” A voice called out from upstairs. Pepper rushed down the stairs and opened the door. “I just heard. What's happening? Is Y/N okay?” Tony shook his head.

“She's in really bad shape, Pepper. Someone sabotaged the airbag and…” he took a shaking breath. “They say the only way to save her is to give her this.” He held up the arc reactor and Pepper closed her eyes.

“Oh god…” she sighed. The two didn’t say anything for a while, Pepper taking in the information and Tony trying to keep it together so he didn’t break down in front of her.

“Can I ask you something?” He finally said. Pepper nodded, leaning against the desk as Tony sat in the chair. “Am I cursed?”

“Tony-”

“I’m serious.” He chuckled darkly. “Is anyone with the last name Stark just doomed? I mean, first my parents and now my wife. Both car accidents, too. Maybe I was the glitch. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to make it out of Afghanistan and this is just the universe’s new way of fucking me over!” He yelled, slamming his hand down on his desk, causing Pepper to jump. He looked down. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. As he looked up at her, Pepper had never seen him look so defeated. So broken. “We should probably go to the hospital. Get updates. See if they’ve possible figured anything else out.” Tony gave her a small smile.

“And that is why you were the maid of honor at our wedding.” As he stood up, she pulled him into a hug.

“Y/N’s tough.” She assured him. “She’ll make it through this. Even if that means putting that thing in her chest.” She pulled away and gave him a reassuring smile, but Tony was still skeptical.

“I don’t know if I can do it. I mean, of course, I want to save her, but not like this.” He rubbed his eyes. Pepper nodded in understanding.

“I know you, Tony. You may be a pain in the ass half the time, but when it comes to Y/N… you’ll do the right thing.”

Tony was more lost than he’d ever been. He was exhausted, but not just from the lack of sleep. He was tired of losing people. He stared at you, hooked up to a bunch of hospital machines. You were pale and breathing shallowly- the beeping heart monitor being the only indicating that you were alive. He held the arc reactor in one hand and clutched your hand with the other.

Maybe the worst part was that even with the arc reactor, you still might not survive. There could be a problem with the procedure, or your body rejects the device altogether.

“You know, you're missing the new episode of your favorite show.” He laughed. “I know because it was on when I turned on the TV after you left.” He felt a tear roll down his face, but he quickly wiped it away. He had to be strong for you. “I'm so sorry. I would pick you. I will always pick you. If you come back to me, I'll get rid of the suit, if that's what you want. I'll do anything, just, please. Don't make me do this.” He looked down at the device in his hand.

“Give me… a sign, or something. I don’t want to force this on you, but I don’t think I have a choice.” He brought your hand up to his lips, pressing them softly against your palms. “If it was me lying there, you would have made a pros and cons list.” He teased. “God, you would know what to do.” He sighed and rested his forehead against your arm. He still had two hours to decide what he was going to do.

“T-Tony?” A voice said. It was strained and quiet like it was taking all of your strength to speak. He looked up at you and smiled.

“Hey,” He stood up, placing a hand on your cheek. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“Liar.” You laughed. You’re breathing hitched and you’re eyes went wide, before closing. The machine flatlined and it felt as if Tony’s heart stopped with it.

“Y/N?” He whispered. “Come on, honey, you’ve gotta stay with me.” No response. “Come on, I need you to wake up. Y/N.” There were shouts all around him and someone started to pull him away.

“Sir you need to leave.” The nurse ordered as more filed into the room, bringing in a defibrillator.

“Y/N!” He shouted over the commotion. Two more nurses started to usher him out as they placed the defibrillator on your chest.

“Clear!” Someone shouted and your body jerked. No response.

“Y/N!” Tony screamed again. The nurses closed the door, but one stayed out with him.

“Sir, we need the arc reactor now if we're going to save your wife. You need to make a decision.” Tony was ad your body jerked again, the defibrillator being charged to a higher setting. Still, nothing. Watching you now, there was no other choice.

“Do whatever you have to do. Just bring her back to me.” He handed her the arc reactor and she rushed back into the room. They sent one last charge through you and the monitor started to beep. Tony let out a sigh of relief. As soon as you were stable, the doctors and nurses rushed you to an O.R., the same nurse who'd spoken to Tony advising him to go to the waiting area, maybe get something from the cafeteria.

He got himself a cup of coffee and tried to think about all of the things he was going to say when you got out if surgery. Because you would. You were going to survive. You had to. A doctor started to walk towards him, and although he tried to stop them, thoughts flooded his mind, predicting what they were going to say.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Stark. Your wife didn't survive the procedure. We did all we could.”

Tony braced himself. “Please.” He whispered. The doctor reached him and gave him a smile.

“The surgery was successful,” she informed him. He released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. “We would like to keep her overnight to make sure everything is working as it should. You’ll be able to see her as soon as she wakes up from the anesthetic. And Mr. Stark,” her smile broadened, “you made the right decision.” As she walked away, Tony made his way back to your room, feeling all of the emotions he had felt in the last twenty-four hours bubbling up inside him.

“Ma'am, you need to lie down.” A nurse ordered you. You stood up, a little wobbly at first, but you quickly regained your balance. The nurse put her hands on your shoulders, trying to gently force you to sit, but you shoved her away.

“I need to see my husband.” You demanded, bursting out of your hospital room. Your bare feet padded against the tile floor, ignoring the shouts from nurses and doctors telling you to go back to your room. You skidded around a corner and that’s when you saw him. His dark hair was a mess and his brown eyes were filled with so much emotion, you didn’t know where to begin. Grief, sadness, relief, confusion. “Tony!” you called out, running towards him.

You collided and you wrapped your arms around his neck as he nearly lifted you off the floor. You cried into his shoulder as he held onto you, tightly, but gently. Apologies fell from both your lips and the fight between you was quickly forgotten.

“I was coming back to see you.” You said as you pulled back. “I turned the car around and another car ran me off the road.”

“Jarvis filled me in.” Tony sighed. “Someone sabotaged the airbag. They put shrapnel in it. The doctors got as much as they could but, there was some they couldn’t reach. They had me make that.” He pointed down at your chest and you finally looked at the blue light shining underneath the hospital gown.

“An arc reactor.” You gasped.

“I didn’t have any other choice. It was either give you that thing or watch you die and when the monitor flatline I panicked and I realized that I couldn’t lose you. I know I shouldn’t have decided that for you but-” You cut him off by pressing your lips to his.

“Thank you.” You muttered, running your fingers through his hair.

“And I promise you that I will find whoever did this.” He vowed but you shook your head.

“I don’t want you off on a revenge trip. Promise me that you won’t do anything stupid.”

“You know I can’t promise that.” He smirked. You rolled your eyes.

“Well if you damage the suit, I don’t want to hear it.” His eyes went wide.

“You want me to keep the suit?” You shrugged.

“Who knows, maybe you can make me one too.” You grinned mischievously. Tony chuckled.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” He pulled you in for another kiss and the two of you went back to your room. And even though nothing would ever be the same, you knew that you would always have each other. Til death do you part.

#tony stark x reader #marvel imagines #iron man imagines #iron man #Robert Downey Jr #gweneth paltrow #pepper potts #tony stark wife

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