#and it turns out he was getting my messages the whole time

[burrowdarling]

A New Tradition

Summary: You wanted to start a new tradition this Christmas by opening one gift early...and you both picked the right gift.

Pairings: boyfriend!Joe Burrow x gifrlfriend!reader

Warnings: Cheesy gifts and conversation, some fluffy Christmas content

Note: Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of content recently, work was crazy with the holidays. I'm hoping to figure out a posting schedule for the new year. Enjoy this late Christmas post requested by this lovely anon. Better late than never, hope you enjoy! Happy gamedey!

Word Count: 2.3k

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Taglist: @burrowbarbie @definitelynotdomanique @one-sweet-gubler @plushkhiii @enchantedinfinity @iosivb9 @hellsingalucard18 Feel free to comment or message me if you'd like to be added to the list!

It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was gently falling outside, blanketing the world in a quiet, peaceful stillness. The winter wasn’t exactly your favorite time of year, but it was something you had grown more fond of since you and Joe had gotten together. You’d spent the afternoon in the kitchen, baking cookies together (though Joe mostly just ate the dough), and now you were getting ready to settle on the couch, mugs of hot cocoa in hand with Joe looking for a Christmas movie to play. Watching the snow slowly fall outside of your living room window brought you back to that night, the memories flooding back in of how your relationship had started.

You and Joe had started to grow closer at the beginning of the Bengal’s season a few years back, with Joe officially asking you to be his girlfriend shortly after Christmas. The 27th to be exact. He had an entire date planned out at this cute little cafe outside of the city in hopes for some type of reprieve from the usual spotlight and prying eyes. Joe wanted to keep things light and low pressure, fearing he would mess things up with you if he over-thought too much about it. The date went perfect, constant banter back and forth between you two with laughs and gentle touches. His humor and smile had you swooning.

You guys took a walk around the area after finishing up, taking in the lights that decorated the streets. The snow was lightly falling, making the whole scene in front of you feel like something out of one of those Hallmark movies. It was under the mistletoe at one of the decorated sidestreets where Joe had asked you to be his girlfriend, sealing your exclusivity with a kiss you think back on to this day. Since then, it has made one of your favorite holidays that much more special in your eyes. 

After a few years together, you decided to get your own place and work towards starting your own life together. This would be your first Christmas together in your home, having spent the time meticulously decorating it to your liking with Joe’s help. It had the perfect balance of cozy and comfort, two things you strived for in your shared space at all times. With the hectic nature of Joe’s job, it was nice to have this space together where the two of you could relax and unwind after a long day. 

Joe pulled you out of your thoughts and back into the moment as he wrapped his arms around your waist from behind you. A small smile played on your lips at how perfect this man was, knowing he would do anything to make you feel loved.

“What’s on your mind?” Joe asked and he peppered a few light kisses along your neck, pulling you closer to his chest. You felt a soft blush rise to your cheeks before you spoke.

“I was just thinking back to our first date and how far we’ve come since then” you side, turning to face him while remaining in his arms.

“I want to start a new tradition, something small that makes today a little more special” you said, reaching up on your tiptoes to place a kiss to his forehead, a smile gracing his lips as you pulled away back down to your usual height. You watched him stand up a tad straighter, signalling that he bent down to help you reach.

“And what would you like that to be, sweetheart?” Joe asked, his eyes looking into yours with such a sense of adoration.

“I think we do a present early, just one. Something that’s a bit more intimate instead of opening everything at once with everyone else watching. We can save the rest for when family is here, but I feel like it would be nice to start something new in our place together” you said, hoping Joe would agree to your request. You kissed his cheek while he thought for a moment.

He placed a kiss to your lips in return before speaking, “I think that’s a great idea and I already just the one I want to give you early” Joe said with a hint of something in his tone that made you pull away to look at him. It was one you knew all too well, bracing for whatever Joe had in store for you. You knew he had a tendency to go elaborate at times for those he loved, you would just have to wait and see.

The two of you were sitting together on the couch, the dim lighting from the Christmas tree casting a warm glow over the room. The fire crackled softly in the background, adding to the atmosphere of calm. Joe, as usual, had that laid-back smile on his face. You could see his eyes twinkling with mischief, even as he pulled out the gift he’d gotten for you from under the tree beside him. 

“So, one gift,” he said, leaning back into the couch, his arm around me. “You sure you’re not going to sneak a peek at the others under the tree?”

You rolled your eyes and nudged him. “I’ll be good. I promise. But only one gift means you have to make this count, Burrow.”

Joe chuckled, looking down at me with his usual easy smile. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure I nailed it.”

You smiled back, thinking the same thing. “Same here,” you said. “This is going to be the perfect gift, you’ll see.” You went under the tree and had yours placed next to you on the coffee table, wrapped and finished with a bow, the label read:

To: My MVP

From: Your favorite cheerleader

You thought the sentiment was cute with a hint of flirting, bringing up the thoughts of past intimate exchanges between the two of you. Joe seemed to be thinking the same as he read the label himself when you placed the present in his hand. He raised his eyebrows at you with a knowing smirk, only giving back a wink in return. The two gifts seemed to be about the same size which eased your nerves slightly. Joe handed you his gift, noting the look of uncontainable excitement in his features. You were proud of his wrapping job, his skills improving over the years as each christmas and birthday had passed. His tag to you read:

To: My princess

From: Your knight in jersey armor

You laughed lightly as you read his, Joe’s humor on full display even as soft and sweet as this moment was. You looked up at him as your laughter died down, Joe gestured for you to finally open the gift. You nodded and began to tear through the red and white paper. As you pulled more off, you revealed the classic red and white logo you both know and love. Inside was a custom Lego set, and as soon as you saw it, you gasped. It was a Lego replica of the small café where you and Joe had your first date five years ago — the cozy little spot tucked on a quiet street corner. The tiny Lego pieces meticulously captured every detail: the brick exterior, the little round tables with chairs, the glowing lights in the windows. There was even a tiny version of the street sign out front accompanied by tinier versions of the two of you.

“No way,” you breathed, holding it up in awe. “Joe, this is… this is amazing. How did you even think of this?”

Joe smiled proudly, his eyes lighting up. “Well, I know you love building things, and you always talk about that cafe where we had our first date,” he teased lightly, knowing how much you always beg to go back with the food being amazing. “I thought it would be something fun we could do together.”

You felt a lump form in your throat as you looked at the set in your hands. That night — your first date — had felt like a dream. You’d been so awkward, but somehow, you’d clicked together like puzzle pieces that had been lost and finally found. And now, five years later, here you were, still together, looking back at that moment with a sense of nostalgia and affection. You took in the box, a few small tears welling in your eyes at how thoughtful the gift was and a smile fell across your lips while Joe wiped your tears away, stroking your cheek with the biggest grin on his face.

“I couldn't wait to give that to you so I’m so glad you said about opening something early. I felt like I was gonna give it up any second "Joe rushed out, finishing with a sigh of relief. 

“You’re incredible,” you said softly, setting the Lego set down beside me and turning to him. “I can’t believe you remembered that.”

Joe shrugged casually, though there was a softness in his eyes. “I remember everything about that night. You had that nervous laugh, and I think you spilled your drink at one point, but it was perfect. Just like this.”

You leaned over to kiss him, grateful for the thoughtfulness he always put into everything, especially when it came to us. When you pulled back, you noticed his eyes flicker down to the gift you had for him — the one sitting on the coffee table.

“Oh right, your turn,” you said, giggling as you picked the box up off of the table. 

You passed it over to him — looking quite similar, though wrapped in silver paper this time. Joe didn’t waste any time, tearing it open in his usual fashion. You laughed as he was the complete opposite of you when it came to unwrapping gifts, his usual high level of patience was out the window and nowhere to be found. When he saw what was inside, his eyes widened slightly.

“You didn’t,” he said, already guessing where this was going as he tore through to find the same logo plastered in the corner of the box. Joe burst out laughing, his deep chuckles filling the room. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said between laughs. “We bought each other the same thing?”

You softly chuckled while wiping your few stray tears away, “Oh, I did. Go ahead, open it.” You couldn’t help but laugh too, the absurdity of it making everything feel even more perfect. “How is that even possible?” you asked, shaking your head in disbelief. “We literally thought of the exact same gift?”

Joe tore off the wrapping with a sense of both amusement and disbelief. And sure enough, as the paper fell away, there it was. A custom Lego set — the exact same one he’d just given you. The exact same design, the exact same tiny figures of you and him in the outfits you wore (as close as they could be in Lego style).

Joe shook his head, still laughing. “I swear, I was so sure I was being original! I even went through all this trouble to make sure it was one-of-a-kind!”

“I guess we’re just *that* in sync,” you teased, holding up the Lego set like a trophy. “Maybe we’ve been together too long.”

“Definitely not long enough for me, that’s for sure” Joe grinned, his voice full of affection. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing we both have great taste. Maybe we should’ve just gone shopping together,” Joe joked, voice still sincere. “But hey, we both nailed it.” he said while still processing the absurdity of it all.

It was funny how we could end up with the same exact gift, but in that moment, you realized that it wasn’t about the present itself. It was about the thought behind it — how we both valued memories and the little moments we shared. That first night was just as important to you as it was to him.

“I guess we both really wanted to remember this time,” you said, looking at him with a smile, “and now we’ll remember our first Christmas Eve here together. It’ll be known as the night we both had the best present ever” 

Joe nodded, his eyes softening as he reached for my hand as he spoke, “​​yeah, and every Christmas after this one. Asking you to be mine was still the best decision I ever made and now we’ll have it as a physical memory…twice” he finished with a laugh, making you laugh too.

“Okay,” you said, still chuckling as you nudged him shoulder to shoulder. “We should probably build these together, right? A Lego night like old times?”

Joe raised an eyebrow, clearly up for the challenge. “I’m game. But if you mess up my mini-figure’s hair, I’m going to have to throw down.” tackling you into the cushion behind you as he maneuvered his hands to tickle you.

Joe sent you into a fit of laughter and joking screams, begging him to free you with a promise you’d be good. He finally let up, air filling back into your lungs at a normal rate. You pulled him down by the neck into a kiss, “If you do that again, Joseph, I’ll lose your minifigures hair on purpose”.

Joe acted fake appalled by your statement, “alright, a deal’s a deal. Let’s have a truce and enjoy the rest of the night. I don’t want to worry about a bald miniature of me on Christmas” he joked as the two of you snuggled up for the rest of the night. Looking at the identical gifts on the coffee table, you knew that you were building the life you always wished for with the man of your dreams, one tiny brick at a time.

[requiemforthepoets]

first encounter ⟢ CL16

⟢ part two of you’re the closest to heaven that i’ll ever be

𖤓 series masterlist ⟢ playlist ⟢ part three ☽

PAIRINGS: charles leclerc x celestial!reader

SUMMARY: all thanks to leo, charles finally got the chance to meet you—the celestial being who has consumed his every waking thoughts, and managed to find out new things.

REMINDERS: this is purely fiction, the way how the character is portrayed in my story does not reflect the person that is portraying my character in real life. always separate fiction from reality, and do not repost or copy my work in any way.

WARNINGS: bible angel names references, some people may find this fic offensive, concept of divine beings and heaven & life and death, no use of y/n, angels and devils, mentions of papa leclerc (beginning is set in 2017) and jules bianchi, fluff, falling (literally & figuratively) in love, named side characters, angst but with a happy ending, purely written fic, a little bit of world building (concepts), mentions of death, bad/evil people, cursing, not proofread, and typos.

WORD COUNT: 5k

AUTHOR’S NOTE: this fic may not be some people’s cup of tea, if you don’t like it, don’t read it. sorry it took me a LONG time to post the part 2 of this series, i already have this on my drafts but never got the time to check on it bc i’ve been working on my other series (fa14 series), but finally, here it is! the part 3 may take a long time to be posted again 🥲 but you don’t have to worry bc i intend on finishing this series. taglist is open for this series, so just comment or message me if you want to be tagged. your comment/reblog is highly appreciated, and i hope you’ll enjoy this second part of the series!

It was a warm late afternoon in Monaco, and Charles had finally pulled himself out of his apartment, hoping that some fresh air and Leo’s cheerful company might turn off the constant thoughts running through his mind. Since that night in Singapore, you had been all Charles could think about—the image of you standing before him, looking at him as though you knew the secrets he hadn’t even dared to ask himself. Charles had barely gotten a word in before you disappeared, leaving him with nothing but more questions.

The park was mostly empty, allowing him and Leo to stroll without the usual flood of cameras or people hoping to get a quick word with him. Charles enjoyed these rare quiet moments, watching Leo run through the grass, capturing photos of him mid-leap, his ears flapping, and his tail wagging in pure delight. For a while, it was peaceful—that is until Leo began barking persistently, his gaze fixed on something in the distance.

“Leo, calme-toi.” Charles called, trying to soothe his normally docile dachshund.

Leo rarely barked at nothing, and Charles couldn’t see what had him all stirred up. As he looked past Leo, his heart skipped. There you were, standing at the edge of the park, just as he had remembered you, dressed in black, untouched by the brightness of the world around you, as if you had stepped from a different realm entirely. Slowly, Charles walked over, kneeling beside Leo, who was still barking.

“Can you see her too, buddy?” Charles asked softly, but Leo only turned his head back towards you.

His barks began shifting into a delighted whine, tail wagging as though greeting an old friend. To Charles’ amazement, Leo took off towards you, bounding across the grass with uncharacteristic excitement. You bent down on one knee as Leo reached you, his small body pressing happily against your touch. Charles just stood there and watched, captivated by the whole sight, how your hand moved over Leo’s fur, and how the dog responded, oblivious to the fact that what he felt was something beyond the ordinary. You then looked up at Charles and smiled, a gentle, knowing expression on your face.

“Hello, little one,” you murmured to Leo, reaching out to stroke him. Your gaze followed Leo’s figure as he trotted back toward Charles. “He’s a beautiful soul. It’s clear how well you take good care of him, he is very happy with this life.”

Charles swallowed, taken aback by the warmth of your words. He felt a huge wave of relief washing over him, and somehow, you were not a figment of his imagination. You were in front of him, speaking to him, your voice soft but firm, grounding him in the reality of your presence.

Noticing a bench nearby, you gestured, “shall we sit?” Charles nodded.

He followed you as you walked, though he kept glancing around as if worried that someone might catch him talking to thin air. The two of you sat side by side, your gaze focused on Leo as he scampered around, while Charles couldn’t seem to look anywhere but at you. The silence between you felt almost sacred, deafening, thick with all the unspoken questions he longed to ask.

“I know you have many questions,” finally, you broke the silence. Your voice was gentle. “Especially as to why you can see me, when others could not.”

Charles let out a shaky breath, nodding. “I—I don’t understand. I’ve seen you before, but you keep on disappearing, and no one else…they never see you.” his voice was a soft murmur, filled with confusion and wonder.

“Our kind, like myself, we’re not meant to be seen by human eyes. We’re here to watch and guide, but only from afar. Most humans only sense us as a passing feeling, a presence.” you softly said, as you studied him with a faint smile. “But in your case, you see me. Truly see me.”

“Why, though? Why am I able to see you?” Charles’ brows furrowed, his gaze intent on yours.

You turned to look at Leo, who was now sitting a short distance away, watching the two of you with a curious tilt of his head, and you couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Leo.

“It’s rare, Charles. But sometimes, there is a connection between our kind to your kind that goes beyond the veil. I’ve thought about it myself, and though I don’t have all the answers, it’s clear that there’s a reason you and I keep crossing paths.”

Charles’ heart raced. The way you spoke, as though fate had woven an invisible thread between you had left him reeling. He glanced around the park, reminded of how strange this conversation must look to anyone passing by, but he did not care at all. The need to understand, to know you, outweighed any risk of prying eyes.

“Maybe…maybe we should go somewhere less public?” Charles suggested, his voice low.

He did not want this moment to end, he couldn’t let you disappear on him again before he had the chance to understand this kind of connection. You looked at him for a long contemplative moment, then nodded.

“All right, lead the way.”

Charles led you quietly through the streets of Monaco and up to his apartment. He hadn’t said much on the way, clearly lost in thought, yet there was an unspoken understanding between the two of you. When you entered his apartment, you immediately noticed how it held an essence of him. Warm, understated, and filled with memories. The walls were decorated with framed photographs spanning his life from childhood karting days to podium celebrations in F1. Trophies were all lined up on the shelf, and each piece seemed to carry a story of its own.

You were drawn to the photos, especially those capturing his relationships, the warm smiles he shared with his family, playful moments with his friends, and candid shots of him and his brothers. Then your gaze settled on one particular photograph, and a bittersweet feeling bloomed within you. It was a younger version of Charles, perhaps in his teens, standing alongside a man whose face you recognize. Jules Bianchi.

Charles noticed the direction of your attention as he finished filling up Leo’s dog bowl, and he stepped over to join you, his expression softening as he saw the photograph. Jules had been so much more than just a mentor to him. The man in that photo had shaped parts of his soul and his dreams. You could feel the weight of Charles’ emotions lingering in the air, a tender ache mixed with recognition.

“You knew him?” Charles’ voice was quiet as he stood beside you.

You nodded softly, your own voice taking on a gentle tone. “I was there in his final moments. I was the one who guided him when he was ready to go, helping him crossover.”

Charles’ face was a mix of expression, caught between surprise and disbelief. For a second, he seemed unable to respond, the information settling slowly. You watched him intently as he took a deep breath, grounding himself.

“You…you spoke to him?” he managed, his voice strained with a mix of sorrow and longing.

“Yes,” you said, your voice steady but tender. “I spoke with his soul as he lingered between here and the afterlife. It was…peaceful. He was calm when I arrived, almost as if he knew he was not going to stay.”

You paused, “I then asked him about his life, what his favorite thing about life was.”

”He told me that his family meant everything to him. He then mentioned being a godfather, and his dreams for his protégé, a young man named Charles.” you added.

“He said that?” he whispered, breath hitched as he instinctively reached up to touch the frame, his fingers resting just over the image of Jules’ face.

“He spoke of you with such pride, with hope that you would go on to achieve everything he had dreamed for you. Jules saw himself in you, Charles. His last thoughts were with his family and you.” you looked at him softly. A quiet rage simmered in Charles’ eyes as he turned to look at you, his voice tinged with frustration.

“But why? Why couldn’t you let his family speak to him, too? They waited for so long, hoping he’d wake up, to say goodbye properly.” the raw pain and anger in his voice were unmistakable.

Charles had not meant to question your intentions, but the loss of Jules had carved a wound that had never fully healed, and in his grief, he momentarily forgot you were not human. You looked at him with a soft, understanding smile, letting the weight of his sorrow wash over you. You had witnessed this kind of reaction before, how those who are grief-stricken often felt deprived of closure.

“I understand, Charles. If I could have done differently, I would have,” you replied, your voice gentle but firm. “But it wasn’t his body I spoke to, it was his soul. Jules was already watching from the other side, beyond the reach of the physical world. In those moments, he wasn’t in his body anymore, he was seeing all of you from a place where time no longer held sway.”

Charles looked down, processing your words, the anger fading slowly as he tried to keep his emotions steady. He tried to reconcile his emotions with the reality of what you had just shared. He ran a hand through his hair, gaze fixed on the floor as he took in a shaky breath.

“So he…he was watching us all along?” he whispered.

“Yes,” you assured him. “He was with you. Every tear, every moment spent beside his hospital bed, he saw it all, even if he himself couldn’t respond in a way you wished for it to be.”

“Souls don’t always leave the way we want them to. They transition gently, often lingering just to be close to the people they love.” you added. Charles’ shoulder slumped slightly, and he let out a shaky sigh, nodding as if finally accepting what had once seemed unimaginable.

“It…it makes sense,” he murmured. “Jules was always calm, even in the most difficult moments. Maybe he knew it would be easier this way.”

There was a peaceful silence that settled between the both of you, the only sound being Leo’s soft footsteps as he padded over to sit by Charles’ feet. Charles looked at you again, the sorrow in his eyes tinted by a glimmer of gratitude.

“Thank you,” he said quietly, a sincerity in his words that touched you deeply. “For…for being there with him, and for telling me.”

You gave him a reassuring nod, feeling the depth of his appreciation. “He is proud of you, Charles. More than you know. You are honoring his legacy every time you step onto the track.”

Charles closed his eyes briefly, absorbing your words, a new sense of peace settling over him. He knew that the ache would remain, but perhaps now, with you there to share this part of Jules’ journey, it would be a little easier to carry.

Eventually, you found yourself seated on the barstool, observing how Charles moved around the kitchen, gathering ingredients as he prepared a dish called pasta, and noting the way he moved with a quiet confidence. He seemed at ease, but you could tell by the occasional glance he cast your way that he was still processing everything. The strange connection he had with you, a Celestial he could see but others could not. As he stirred the sauce on the stove, he broke the silence, glancing over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.

“So…what exactly are you?” Charles asked, attempting to sound casual, though his curiosity was clear. “Are you like an angel of death or something?” his brows furrowed slightly as he added.

“No, Charles. I’m not here to take you away,” you assured him, tone gentle, and couldn’t help but smile at his suspicion. “Think of me as a guide and a protector. My duty is to help souls cross the afterlife, to make sure that they are not alone and lonely when they cross the other side.”

“So, you’re…you’re not here for me?” he asked, his voice tentative. You could see the worry in his eyes, as if he had been half afraid that he might be speaking with the very spirit that would one day guide him out of this life.

“Not at all,” you replied. “I’m here because, somehow, we have this connection. I was there in the hospital room, with your father, when you saw me for the first time. It was a natural part of my duty, I was waiting to guide him. Just as I was there for Jules.”

“So you only appear when…someone’s close to death?” Charles’ gaze dropped to the countertop, and he nodded slowly, as if piercing it all together.

“Typically, yes,” you replied. “Humans are not meant to see me. They may sense it, a presence, calmness, or even a cool warmth when I’m near, but that’s usually all. So, I could not quite understand why you could see me. It isn’t common.”

“But I can see you.” he said, almost to himself, as if still trying to grasp this phenomenon.

“Exactly.” you looked at him thoughtfully. “Over time, as I have watched over you, you’ve somehow become aware of me. It’s as if the bond between us allowed you to see me when others can’t.”

You let the words hang, hoping it answered the mystery that had puzzled him for so long. Charles turned back to the stove, his movements slower, as if he were allowing himself time to absorb what you had just said. After a moment, he turned to look at you again.

“Back in Singapore…I kept thinking of you, wondering if you were real or just in my head.” he hesitated, then continued. “And you appeared, it was like you sensed me or something.”

“That’s precisely what happened,” a gentle smile crossed your face as you saw the gears turning inside his head. “I could feel your thoughts, your longing to see me, and so I came to you. Your thoughts, they called to me.”

“But why do you always disappear?” he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and exasperation. “Every time I think I already have you here, you’re gone the second I look away.”

“It’s not by choice, Charles.” you met his gaze, understanding his frustration. “My presence here beside you is not permanent. I have duties beyond just watching over you, it is my duty to guide other people as well. My duty is to help those souls cross peacefully into the afterlife, which means I’m often called away. That’s why I can’t always be here, even if you want me to be.”

“I understand,” he said softly as he looked down, absorbing your words. “It’s…strange, but it does make sense.”

A comfortable silence fell between you and Charles as he took out a plate and transferred the pasta dish on it. You could still feel the wheels turning in his mind as he processed everything. After a moment, you spoke again.

“If you want me to be with you, well, there is a way.” you said.

He looked up at you, now intrigued. “A way?”

You nodded. “Yes. If you light a match or a lighter and call for me, then blow it out, I’ll hear it, and I’ll come to you.”

“Why a match?” Charles’ brows furrowed as he considered it.

“Fire.” you explained. “It is a symbol of transition. It’s an ancient element that is used to connect realms, to call forth spirits, and to bridge the distance between worlds. When you light a match or a lighter, you are creating a momentary flame that connects you to my realm, and when you blow the fire out, it becomes a message—a summons. I’ll hear it, wherever I am.”

“So, I just…call out to you, light a flame, and you’ll come?” Charles’ lips curved into a small smile.

“Yes.” you returned his smile, feeling the warmth in his gaze. “As long as you need me, Charles. Wherever you are, I’ll always find a way to be there.”

Charles looked at you with a mix of gratitude and something deeper, a newfound comfort that seemed to settle over him. In that quiet moment, Charles reached for his fork, but his gaze lingered on you, a newfound clarity softening his features.

“Thank you.” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

He then placed a plate of pasta right in front of you, and you tilted your head, looking at the dish with sheer curiosity and slight confusion. Charles noticed your expression, stopping mid-motion as he raised his own fork.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice gentle but genuinely concerned.

“I don’t…eat,” you explained softly, gaze flickering between him and the plate, offering him a small, apologetic smile. “Celestials don’t have the need for food, so I don’t know what it’s like to taste something, let alone pasta.” you could see a flicker of surprise and something that almost looked like offense pass over his face.

“What? You’ve never tasted pasta?” he asked, shocked, as he looked down at his beloved dish, looking genuinely horrified. “Pasta is…it’s comforting, it’s warmth and tradition. It’s something everyone has to try.”

“Okay, imagine this—it’s soft and a little chewy, warm and…kind of like a hug, but for your mouth.” he added, grinning at you with his eyes lighting up. “And with this tomato sauce, its got this balance of sweet and tangy, a bit salty too, it just…makes everything feel better.” his expression softened.

You watched Charles as he spoke, entranced and touched by his earnest attempt to describe something so familiar to him yet so foreign to you. Spending this time with him, watching his animated expression, hearing his heartfelt explanations, you begin to understand why his father and Jules had spoken of him so warmly in their final moments. Charles was not only passionate, but genuinely kind and unpretentiously funny. There was a gentleness to him that touched your heart, even if it couldn’t beat the way a human’s did.

Hours slipped by so fast, and you both found yourselves seated on his living room couch, talking quietly, the evening light fading around you. Charles asked questions after questions, fascinated by your world and by what you do. You answered each one as best as you could, and with each answer, his awe seemed to deepen. You shared stories of guiding other souls, moments of peace and love you had witnessed. He listened, hanging onto each word, and you could see a newfound calmness in his eyes.

While you were in the middle of telling him a story about guiding an elderly woman who had waited until all her children were by her side before letting go, you heard a soft sound. Glancing to your right, you found Charles with his head tipped back against the couch cushion, his breathing steady and calm. He had drifted off, exhaustion settling over him like a soft blanket. For a moment, you just watched him, studying his peaceful face. Charles’ long lashes rested against his cheeks, and a gentle warmth seemed to radiate from him, a stark contrast to the chill you carried with you.

A quiet yearning tugged at you as you lifted a hand, your fingers hovering near his face. You wanted, just once, to feel the warmth of human skin, to know what it was like to truly touch, but you know better. If you let your fingers graze him, he would only feel a cold wisp of air, a reminder that you didn’t belong to this world in the same way as Charles did. So, reluctantly, you lowered your hand and simply looked at him, memorizing the moment.

You had spent nearly the entire day with Charles, and though part of you longed to stay, you knew it was time to leave. Quietly, you stood up from the couch and made your way to where Leo was resting nearby. You knelt down beside the little dachshund, who lifted his head to watch you with those soulful eyes, tail giving a soft wag, and you reached out, your fingers ghosting over his fur.

“Leo, I know that your past life was not kind to you and had been cut short, but you’re safe now. In this life, you’re well taken care of and so loved.” you spoke softly, as Leo seemed to tilt his head, like he understood every word you say. “Charles is a good man, he will love and take care of you, always.”

As you straightened up, Leo continued to watch you, his eyes filled with a sense of understanding. You turned to take one last look at Charles, still asleep on the couch, chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. A soft smile crept over your face as you watched him, there was a wave of warmth washing over you, even without a heartbeat to drive it.

With a final, quiet glance at Leo, who looked back at you with trusting eyes, you let yourself disappear, and slipped back into the unseen world that had always separated you from the people you guided. Yet, for a short moment, you knew you had left a part of yourself with Charles and Leo in that Monaco apartment.

Charles woke up with a dull ache running through his neck, reminding him of the night he had spent sleeping on the couch. He rubbed the sore spot, groaning slightly as he tried to stretch out the stiffness. For a moment, he just sat there, gathering his thoughts, until the memories of last night’s memory surfaced. The conversation, quiet moments, and then the emptiness when he realized you had left. He sat back on the couch, staring at the ceiling as a sense of longing settled over him, a quiet ache that wasn’t so easily stretched away.

A small bark drew his attention to Leo, who was sitting nearby, watching him with an endearing tilt of his head, and noticing Charles’ contemplative state. He smiled and reached out, calling Leo over.

“What do you think, Leo? It was one strange night, huh?” Leo padded over gently, wagging his tail as Charles scooped him up, holding him close.

For a few minutes, Charles simply enjoyed and basked in the warmth of Leo in his arms, the familiar comfort that Leo offered in the midst of all the strange, unexplainable things that he was feeling. Last night had been a fever dream for him, but he knew that it was real, that it happened.

“Do you think it’s strange? Wanting to see her again?” he added. Leo just responded with a quiet, comforting look and nestled close to Charles.

After a while, curiosity began to gnaw at him. Charles could not shake the desire to know more about you, as to why he felt this pull, this connection that seemed impossible and yet so real. He padded into his bedroom, grabbed his laptop and settled in, typing Celestial Angels into the search bar. Countless articles, myths, and even fiction flooded his screen. Charles sifted through several pages, skipping over anything that seemed overly romanticized or far-fetched, until one article caught his eye.

The article spoke of Celestial Angels who formed deep bonds with their humans, describing how they acted as protectors, watchers, and guides. It mentioned the rare connection that could occur, a phenomenon where an angel might become so deeply intertwined with a human soul that they developed a sense of longing or even love, something that was both a blessing and a curse for the Celestial. As he read further, Charles could not help but wonder if this was what he had experienced, if this was the reason he kept seeing you, why he felt such a pull toward you.

Charles then stumbled upon a book: The Celestials by an author named Celestine Williams. The cover featured a faint, ethereal image of a figure wrapped in light, the silhouette barely discernible, much like he imagined you, and the description noted that it explored the stories and folklore surrounding Celestials and their interactions with humans, a deep dive book. The reviews were glowing, a few feedbacks talking about how the book shed light on the mysteries of these beings and the unique connections they could form. Without a second thought, Charles clicked buy, hoping the book would give him a glimpse into your world, something that might help him understand you much better.

Charles then returned his attention back to the article. But his focus kept drifting, thoughts of you had surfaced in his mind unbidden, wondering where you were right now, what you might be doing, if you were watching over someone else or wandering through some hidden place unknown to humans. The pull to see you, to call you, was growing stronger by the second, becoming a quiet ache that settled deep in his chest.

He set the laptop aside, exhaling as he mulled over the idea. Charles remembered what you had told him when he needed you—that he could call you by lighting a match or a lighter, a summon that would draw you to him. He doesn't know if it would even work, or if you would even come, but the need to see you was already overriding any doubts that he has. So he then grabbed a small lighter that he kept somewhere hidden in his kitchen and went to his living room, sitting down on the couch with Leo curled up beside him.

Charles knew it was kind of absurd, like it was something straight out of a fairy tale of a late-night ghost story, but last night, you had told him that if he wanted to see you, all he had to do was light a flame and call out to you. A part of him, the rational side, wanted to shrug it off as nonsense. But then the other part of him had witnessed things that were impossible and felt that strange connection to you, urging him to at least give it a try.

“Am I really fucking doing this?” he murmured, looking down at Leo for approval. But Leo just looked at him, with a face that said ‘what’s the harm in trying?’ “Ah, fuck it.”

Finally, with a deep breath, he flicked the lighter on, watching the tiny flame flame dance as he whispered out to you, a barely audible plea for you to return. The flame flickered as he called out to you, then he blew it out gently, his eyes lingering on the wisp of smoke that rose and faded. His heart was pounding, unsure if should expect an immediate response or if he had simply made a wish to the empty air.

A hush settled over the quiet living room, and for a moment, nothing really happened. Charles felt a pang of disappointment, even a touch of embarrassment at how eager he was and had hoped. He let out a disheartening chuckle, letting out a quiet sight right after, and lowering the lighter, thinking that maybe he had been mistaken or that the depth of the bond he felt was just his pure imagination.

Just as he stood up, about to return the lighter back into the kitchen, Charles felt a shift in the air, a delicate, almost undetectable shimmer, like a faint breeze brushing across his skin. He looked up, and there you were, standing in the soft morning light, an almost imperceptible glow framing your presence. The world seemed to pause, the weight of the day fading away as he took in the sight of you. You stood there, a soft, otherworldly light around you, the faintest hint of warmth in your eyes as you looked at him. Charles felt his breath hitching, he had not realized how much he missed seeing you until now. He began feeling a strange mix of relief and happiness.

“You called for me?” you asked softly, your voice like a distant melody.

Charles nodded, suddenly feeling a little bit embarrassed, but unable to look away at you. “I…I did, I hope it’s okay. I just…” he paused, fumbling over his words. “I wanted to see if it works, and to see you again. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

“You’re allowed to call for me, Charles. That’s why I told you how you can reach for me.” you smiled gently, a warmth in your expression that seemed to reach him despite your distance.

“I’ve been reading about Celestial Angels, trying to understand.” he let out a soft chuckle, placing his hands inside of his pockets, feeling uncharacteristically vulnerable. “I came across all these stories about angels who…form connections with their humans.” Charles looked down, collecting his thoughts.

“I guess I just wanted to understand what we have. Why do you keep on appearing, and why does it feel like I know you, even though I don’t really.” he added.

“The connection between an angel and their human isn’t something that happens every day. It’s rare, something beyond explanation.” your expression softened, and took a slow step forward, closing the gap between you. “We’re not supposed to form attachments, but sometimes, it’s as if the universe allows it, just for a moment.”

“So…it’s real, then? I’m not imagining it at all?” his gaze never leaving you, but filled with curiosity.

“No, Charles,” you shook your head. “You’re not imagining it. It’s real. You were always different, even from the first time I saw you.”

“I don’t know what this all means, but I want to understand.” he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, voice quiet, and a raw honesty was lacing his tone as he held your gaze.

“Sometimes, understanding isn’t possible, not in a way humans desire. Some things simply are.” you said quietly.

You then placed a hand near his, close enough that Charles could almost feel your presence, but not quite touching. The silence stretched, rich and weighty, filled with words left unsaid. Finally, he managed a faint smile.

“Thank you. For you know, for coming.” Charles said softly.

“For you, I always will.” you replied, smiling at him.

taglist : @charlesgirl16 , @chloes-book-corner , @wierdflowerpower

[witchygagirlwrites]

Broken Bonds-Part 22

Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz x Reader, Jay Halstead x Reader

Jay finds out what happened between you and Mouse. You have to figure out your footing moving forward and what to do next.

Warnings: mentions of cheating, sexual acts, cursing

A/N: yall trust me it does actually end happy lol

Jay called you a little after five to see if you and Addy wanted to go out for supper. You were currently sitting on the floor with her, playing with her toys. You watched her for a second before saying “I’m not really feeling up to going out but if you want to take her you know you’re always welcomed to” he was quiet for a moment before saying “It’s not a big deal sweetheart, maybe tomorrow if you’re up to it. Do you need anything?” 

You rolled your bottom lip between your teeth as your fingers found the dog tags hanging from your neck, a wave of guilt washing over you as memories of Mouse’s hands on your body the night before hit you. You didn’t regret it, you would never regret any moment spent in his arms but the reality was you cheated on Jay. Right or wrong, that was the reality and your only hope was to keep him from finding out until after Mouse was in Georgia so maybe you could contain the situation slightly.

“No, I’m good” you replied after a moment and he let out a breath “Ok, give Addy a kiss for me” then hung up. You stared at the phone for a moment before laying it down next to you. You picked it back up and reread the text Mouse had sent you just an hour before I love you, just wanted to remind you of that you felt tears spring to your eyes. What were the chances of Jay not figuring it out? Hell three days ago you’d told him you loved him then you spent friday night in Mouse’s arms.

Addy reached for your leg so you sat the phone down, completely forgetting both men in favor of your baby girl. You scooped her up with a smile. “Hey baby” she made a ma sound and picked at the chain of the dog tags around your neck.You laughed and ran a hand over her curls. “Let’s go out, just me and you” you needed to clear your head and concentrate on what mattered which was her. She smiled, drooling a little and you felt your heart flip. She was the one who had your whole heart. You would figure out the rest tomorrow. Tonight you just wanted her.

Sunday morning your wakeup was when your phone went off with a text from Stella Can we get breakfast? You ran a hand down your face, cutting your eyes at the alarm clock to see it was a little before eight. Yeah, something up? You pushed your blanket off and swung your legs out of the bed before she texted back No, I just want updates and to know if I’m gonna need to intervene with anything up until thursday

You laughed lightly and texted back My hero. We’ll meet you in forty ma’am you tossed your phone down on the bed and decided to get yourself dressed before waking Addy up. 

You picked a pair of cutoffs with a thin shirt and your favorite sneakers. It was still pretty freaking hot most days. You turned in front of the mirror, the dog tag chain apparent because you’d yet to take them off besides when you showered. 

___________________

You were headed out of the door towards your jeep when your phone started chiming with texts. Considering she was on your hip along with your purse and her diaper bag you couldn’t check them until you got her loaded into her seat and you were around and buckled. 

You clicked on the first message which was from Mouse Have a good day I love you  you smiled and sent back I love you too

You clicked the next message and your smile dropped, your heart twisting because it was from Jay Sweetheart, we need to talk. Call me when you can you stared at that text and for the first time in a long time you took the coward's way out and dropped your phone into your purse. You couldn’t face him. Fuck, what were you supposed to do? You loved Mouse. You were happy to have him home and have the chance but you had to rip Jay’s heart out to do so and that man had been nothing but perfect to you. 

You blinked back tears and started your engine. Stella, you needed Stella.

_______________

You sat across from Stella, Addy in her arms as she listened to you. “So you stayed with him friday night?” you nodded “I ended up going to his room about eight thirty? I got home about seven thirty” she let out a low whistle “So you two had a reunion” 

You felt your face warm at her tone. “I mean, Stel, if it was Kelly and you had another chance to be in his arms..wouldn’t you take it?” she nodded “Of course. Sweetie, I know how in love you and Greg have always been. That man has never fallen out of love with you even when you were about to explode with Addy, knowing she belonged to his best friend he still worshiped the ground you walked on. That’s all I ask for” “But?” you asked and she shook her head “No but. You know me, I have your back on anything and everything. Me and Kelly are having dinner with Greg tomorrow night”

You raised an eyebrow and she smiled “I want to make sure he’s in earnest about this. I don’t want you getting hurt again. He has your heart and I just want to be certain you have his” you nodded “Being in his arms again, it felt like being home” she reached across the table and squeezed your hand gently “Then I support you” you dropped your gaze to your hands “But now I have to tell Jay that I cheated on him”

When she didn’t say anything you slowly raised your eyes to see she was playing with Addy’s hair with one hand and watching you with the other “I can be there? I can be waiting in the wings, I can keep her that night. Whatever you need” “Thank you Stel. I swear I never meant to fuck my life up this much” she shook her head “Bite your tongue woman.You’re my little sister. I’ll do anything you need me to. As for you fucking your life up?  I can’t blame those two idiots for being head over heels for you, you’re amazing”

You laughed lightly “I don’t feel amazing. Plus if they end up hating each other how do I make things work for her?” she shrugged “You always have me and Kelly” you smiled “I know. Now let's eat, if you’re off today we can take her to the zoo as long as intelligence doesn’t get called in”

She shrugged one shoulder “What if we called Jay to come? That way you’re not freezing him out but I’m there as a buffer so it’s nothing weird and maybe it’ll keep things from blowing up until thursday” you nodded “Ok” 

You pulled your phone out and texted Jay Me and Stella are taking Addy to the zoo in about an hour. You wanna go? It didn’t take him long to text back Sure. I’ll meet you three there

_______________

You stood with Stella next to your jeep. Addy was in her stroller. You spotted Jay’s truck pull into the lot and she slipped her arm into yours “You’re shaking honeybee. Calm down” you shot her a smile “Thank you” she nodded “Of course”

He parked a few places down from you then climbed out. He was wearing the same thing he’d worn on the fourth of july. His pendant dangling loosely. You smiled when he met your eyes “Hey” he smiled “Hey” then he turned his attention to Addy, squatting in front of her stroller to grab her hand “Hey baby” she started babbling the moment she heard him and reaching for him.

He cut his eyes up at you “Can we ditch the stroller? I can carry her through here” you shrugged “Sure” he unbuckled her and picked her up, a genuine smile slipping onto his face when she grabbed a tiny handful of his shirt. That baby had always owned his heart. Stella shot you a look as you opened the back of your jeep to return the stroller. 

He waited for you to get the stroller squared away then looked at Addy, tickling her stomach “Tell mommy and aunt Stella to come on. We’re gonna go see some lions, yeah” you shook your head “She doesn’t just have to see the predators Jay” Stella laughed “She is a product of the two of you though”

You laughed “Well damn Stel,thanks for that rousing endorsement” Jay raised his hand and for a second you thought he was going to reach for yours but he pointed towards the gate “Well let’s go see what she likes and settle the debate once and for all”

________________

The three of you spent about three hours wandering around the zoo until Addy fell asleep on Jay’s shoulder. When you noticed you made your way back to your jeep and he eased her down into her seat and buckled her in. 

Stella stood back, watching the two of you closely. “Sweetheart, can we talk?” he asked and you nodded “Yeah, about what?” his eyes flickered from your eyes down your face a little then back up “Just about some things. Doesn’t have to be today. Just in the next few days” “Ok” you replied and he nodded then leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your temple “I love you” 

He walked away without waiting for a response. Stella walked up next to you and looked at his retreating back “Does he already know?” you shook your head “I don’t think so” “I think he may suspect something” she replied and you felt your stomach knot.

_______________________

When you got home that night after Addy was in bed you sat down in the living room and hit Mouse’s number in your phone. He answered on the second ring. “Hey” you smiled just hearing his voice “Hey” 

“What’s wrong?” he asked and you cursed the fact that he knew you so damn well that just hearing one damn word he could pick out your mood. “So much” He was quiet for a moment before saying “Is this where you say you regret it?” you felt your heart crumple at how broken he sounded. “Never, Greg I meant it. You’re the love of my life. The one made for me” you could hear him take a breath before he asked “Then why do I hear a but in your voice?”

You took a deep breath “I fucked up again. I made love to you which was amazing and god I missed it so much and I love you so much but I didn’t break things off with Jay” “Oh baby” he cooed and you felt tears spring to your eyes at how gentle he was talking to you. Why the hell did they both have to take such gentle approaches with you?

“I want to see you” you whispered. “Just tell me when and where. I’ll make it happen” he replied and you smiled “I have to meet Jay for drop off at the daycare in the morning but then I have like a thirty minute period before I have to be in”

“I’ll see you then baby” he replied and a smile slipped onto your face “I love you Greg” “I love you too” 

You pulled into the daycare parking lot and parked next to Jay’s truck. He got out and was already unbuckling Addy by the time you were around the jeep to his side. You watched as he smiled down at her “Hey baby girl. Daddy missed you” you felt more guilt hit you because since wednesday of the previous week he’d gone from spending most nights with her to only seeing her one night.

“You know she can stay with you more if you want Jay” you offered as the two of you walked towards the door of the daycare. He nodded “I know. I also know you have nightmares and like looking in on her to calm down from them” you felt a smile barely slip onto your face. 

_______________

After you walked out from signing Addy in you headed for your jeep but Jay stopped you with one hand on your wrist “Can we talk?” you nervously twisted your ring “I gotta stop somewhere on the way to work” he nodded “Ok, later?” “Later” you replied with a smile, trying to ignore how sad his eyes looked.

____________

You and Mouse had grabbed a coffee and were now walking by the waterfront.You just needed a breather and to be near him. His hand was dangling loosely between the two of you so you grabbed it, squeezing gently and saw a smile slip onto his face “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” he asked, cutting his eyes at you.

You smiled, stopping to push his hair out of his face “For one, I’m so gonna miss your hair when it has to get cut” he grinned at your touch “I can always grow it back out for you baby” you laughed lightly “I’ve missed hearing you call me that” “I’ve missed calling you that” he replied, his hands going to your waist to pull you closer to him. You braced your hands on his chest and smiled up at him as he said “Talk to me, really”

You took a deep breath “I’ve got to tell him Greg. I was with him up until you got home. That morning I woke up in the bed with him and told him I loved him” you could tell that hurt him but he swallowed the emotion the moment he showed it “What do you want here baby?”

You picked at the collar of his t-shirt “You. I never stopped loving you for one minute. He knew that even when I told him I’d fallen for him I let him know I hadn’t fallen out of love with you and probably never would. He accepted it. I just..I never wanted to hurt him either. Jay has been such a good man to me, in every way. He is the best father to Adeline and I don’t want to lose him, I don’t want to lose that bond because I do love him Greg just not like I love you”

He nodded slowly, eyes not meeting yours “Are you gonna keep sleeping with him too?” “What?” you let your shock bleed into your voice as his eyes flew back to yours “Greg, do you think so little of me?” he shook his head “Baby I didn’t mean it like that…hell you could tell me you planned to and it wouldn’t change anything on my end..I belong to you..well and thoroughly” he touched the chain around your neck “You have my heart entirely, anyone else’s body just wouldn't’ feel right under me. If you wanted him, so be it”

“I want you, the only reason I’m letting you leave Chicago is because you’ve gotta go to training” you teased, pulling him into a kiss. He smiled against your lips “I love you so damn much” “I love you too” you replied once you leaned back. He took a deep breath “Your sister and her husband are interrogating me tonight” you grimaced “Sorry?”

He shrugged “Isn’t the first time Stella has promised to kill me” you laughed “See? That’s why I love you. You don’t even blink in the eye of my sister’s wrath” he winked at you “Oh baby believe me I just have a good poker face. She gets scary over you” You shook your head “Sorry?” he shrugged “I’ll be ok. Are you gonna be ok? If this with Jay is too much right now we can cool it until I get back. Baby you know I’m not going to want anyone else. I’ll come home to you then we’ll handle it”

You shook your head “I think he already knows so it’s a little too late. I’mjust so sick of hurting everyone no matter what I do” he slipped his arms around you to pull you against his chest “It’s ok sweetheart” you shook your head “It’s really not. You and Jay both should hate me”

He pulled back to look you in the eye and gave you one of those smiles you loved “We never did listen to what we should do anyways” you shook your head and looked at the time “I gotta get to work” he nodded “Yes ma’am. I’ll see you later”

 “Come on, show me something” you whispered, trying to get a hit on the partial the camera had picked up from a crime scene. Jay walked into the room behind you “Got anything?” you shook your head “Not yet” 

He came to stand next to you, staring at the screen. You felt one of his hands on the back of the chair, thumb gracing your back right where the dog tag chain was. “Can I come over tonight? I wanna see Addy and we can talk” you knew there was no more avoiding it so you nodded “Ok”

He nodded “Ok” about that time a ding chimed through the room and your eyes lit up “I think we got something”

“I’ll get everyone down to roll up” he offered with a nod.

______________

You stood between Kevin and Jay, waiting for Voight to call it. “Hit it” rang over the coms. “CHICAGO PD” rang out from every direction as doors were kicked in. One woman came running out swinging a bat. Jay ducked, grabbing the bat with one hand. You instinctively ducked under his arm that held the bat and punched her in the side to force her to drop the bat.

When it clattered to the floor she tried to swing with her other hand to hit him so you spun, catching her with an elbow to the face. She went down so you pulled your cuffs and flipped her to her stomach “Don’t know what your original charge would’ve been sweetheart but you just earned assault on an officer” you cut your eyes up at Jay “You good?” he nodded “She didn’t get a chance to lay a hand on me” 

Kevin winked at you “Go ahead lil mama” before moving further into the house. You passed her to a uniform before joining the rest of the unit.

______________

Once the final arrests were made everyone headed back to the precinct to start paperwork and final interviews. You wanted to handle the bitch that tried to ping Jay with a freaking bat but Hank called it a conflict of interest and passed it to Hailey leaving you a five ten drug dealer named Barney.

It didn’t take long to break Barney so you finished the report on him and began to help anyone else that needed it. You were at your desk when Jay walked through the bullpen. He stopped just in front of your desk “Thank you” you raised an eyebrow “For what?” he motioned towards the holding cells so you shrugged “A woman tried to hurt you Jay. Kind of my job to get you home to Addy” 

He smiled slightly “Was pretty smooth moves, gotta admit” you grinned “Yeah, it’s one a couple rangers taught me from training with them in the gym once upon a time” he laughed “They may be assholes but at least they did something right by making sure you can protect yourself” he tapped your desk then walked off.

Stella had already snuck you a photo of Mouse and Kelly at dinner and from the looks of it those two were getting along well enough. You knew she was laying the law down and Kelly would never repeat anything that he heard, that man worshiped your sister. You adored him simply for that.

When your phone rang around seven you knew it was Jay. He’d timed it so Addy would have about half an hour, forty five minutes until bed. “Hello?” you answered and he said “I’m outside” “You have a key” you reminded and he let out a breath “Didn’t know if I should use it”

You walked over and opened the door. He stood on your top step with a small smile “Hi” “Hi” you greeted and stepped to the side to let him in.

You watched him walk over to Addy’s playpen and pick her up. “She hasn’t had a bath or anything if you want to do bedtime routine” he nodded without looking at you “Will you grab me a diaper and pjs?” “Of course” you replied so he headed to the bathroom with her in his arms.

__________________

You didn’t want to intrude on Jay and Addy’s time so you stood at the door of her room watching as he put her down to sleep, tracing patterns on her stomach like he used to when she was tiny. Your heart ached seeing it. A part of you wished you would have forgotten how you felt for Mouse, would’ve fully been able to commit to Jay because fuck he was a good man. You didn’t want to hurt him, you didn’t want to lose him. You couldn’t exactly have them both either.

Once she was fully out he cut his eyes up at you and smiled before walking out of her room, pulling the door almost closed behind him. You stepped back to let him out, his chest brushing against yours. You looked up at him and for a moment the two of you just stood there staring at each other before you broke your eyes away first “You want some water or something? I think there’s some soda too”

He shook his head “No, I’m ok. Can we just sit and talk?” you nodded, not wanting to face what was coming. You suddenly wished you were wearing anything other than the t-shirt and sleep shorts you’d put on after your shower. You did at least have the presence of mind to leave Mouse’s dogtags on the table next to your bed to not rub them directly in his face.

________________

You walked over to the couch, curling one leg under you to turn to face him. He sat down next to you and bought one hand up to gently grip your face “You’re so damn beautiful sweetheart” “Jay” you whispered, feeling tears spring to your eyes. He leaned forward to brush a featherlight kiss against your lips and you felt your tears start to fall as he pulled back from you “Baby I know” 

“How?” you asked and he tapped your neck gently “I saw the chain when I dropped Addy off. I know what that means, add in how your voice sounded..didn’t take much to figure it out” 

“I didn’t mean for it to happen Jay..I really didn’t” you whispered, afraid that if you raised your voice you would completely break. He nodded “I know..I know you’re not the type of woman to set out to cheat” you dropped your gaze down to your hands and heard him shift on the couch before he gripped your chin again “Do you know how it feels knowing that all this time…I was in love with you..and I was just a placeholder?”

You turned your head slightly to press a kiss to his hand “You weren’t a placeholder Jay. You’re an amazing man. You’re the best father Addy could ever have, you never left my side when I was pregnant. You’re my best friend. I truly do love you” “And yet he wasn’t even back two full days before he had you in bed” he whispered, thumb tracing the side of your face as he held you in place. 

“I never lied to you that I still loved him” you defended and he nodded, eyes searching yours “No,you didn’t. I guess I should’ve just listened more with my heart than my ear” you were crying in earnest by then “Jay I don’t want to lose you. Addy needs you..I need you”

He nodded “Baby I’d never leave our daughter in a million years and I promised you I would never leave you and I won’t but it’s gonna take me a little while…I thought this was it..that you loved me as much as I loved you” you saw tears start to form in his eyes and felt your heart crumple “Jay..” he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to your lips which you returned before he pulled away “I love you Y/N and I always will. You gave me the best thing that could ever happen to me. I will be here at your side whenever you need me but it is hurting like hell to know I can no longer touch you or hold you like I want to. He’s the love of your life and you’re the love of mine so I don’t know where that leaves us”

You hadn’t realized how hard you were crying until he pulled you against his chest “It’s ok baby, it’s ok” you shook your head and shoved against his chest “Please stop being nice to me!” he shook his head “No”

You felt yourself crying harder “Neither of you should want me. I’ve been horrible to you both. I hurt him time and again and now I’m hurting you..I’m fucking poison” “No, you’re not. Baby you’re human. You’re gonna make mistakes. You’re gonna hurt people, you can’t save everyone, no matter how much you think you should be able to take care of everyone”

You shook your head, climbing off the couch and wrapping both arms around yourself “Can you leave Jay? Please. This has nothing to do with him. I wouldn’t want to be around him either” he stood up and took a tentative step towards you “Sweetheart..”

You shook your head “Please” he nodded “Ok. I’ll see you in the morning for drop off?” You nodded “I’ll see you in the morning”

_______________

You managed to hold it together until Jay closed the door behind himself then you slid down it and the sobs started to wrack your body. What did you have that you could offer your baby girl when you couldn’t even go a week without inflicting damage on the two men you claimed to love?

Mouse didn’t know who was knocking on his hotel room door at two in the morning. He figured it was another drunk that had the wrong room. That had occurred twice already. He had not expected Jay to be standing at his doorway. “Do I need to duck here or what?” he asked and Jay shook his head “No, we need to talk”

Mouse stepped back so Jay could walk into the room “Come on in”

Part 23

@desimarie12

@allisonargent144

@nevaehstreater18

[writing-mlm]

Reddit Discovers a Relationship

Summary: Peter is acting strangely following a trip to Asgard and you, naturally, take to Reddit to get opinions from absolute strangers Pairing: Peter Parker x Gn!Reader Wc: 2k tags: readers gender is up to the viewer, mentions of cheating but nothing happens, reader is the adoptive child of Loki, this is formatted like a Reddit post LOL a/n: this came to me in a dream

r/AmItheAsshole 4d ago

throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis

AITA for being upset with my bf for being weird after we visited my family abroad?

Hii! Sorry if formatting and spelling is wrong, I’m on mobile. 

So, I (20nb) and my boyfriend (21m) met when we were both around 15, dating since we were 17. If it matters we met through my (adoptive) uncle: they sort of worked together but in the way that you work with Jane from Accounting. It’s a relatively small business so we did eventually cross paths, I don’t want to go into details for privacy's sake, sorry. If it’s confusing I’ll explain in an edit. 

EDIT: basically he’s the bosses intern-turned-employee, I’m the weird guy's brother's kid turned employee. He joined at 15, I ‘joined’ at 13, i’ve been there two years longer than him

So, recently I went to visit my dad in our home country for two weeks with my uncle and his maybe gf, naturally my bf, wanted to join. He wasn’t allowed to at first bc the last time we tried something similar to this he kind of died?? I’m not sure if the event is still triggering for people, but it was that global event where the population got… sanded?? EDIT: yes the blimp But after that I get nervous with him traveling around there, I know it’s not normal and he would be perfectly fine. It took a while but I eventually agreed that he could go. 

We get there without any hiccups and he sees my country for the first time, i literally have to drag him into my childhood home and let him set up a room. My dad wouldn’t let us sleep in the same room, he went to crazy lengths for that lol. But that was fine, it was only two weeks. Really a week and half. But we have a good time, he meets my old friends, I taught him some traditional cooking and such, we explored for a whole day. I literally took him flower picking and they're in our living room. He spends some time with my folks, some of which I was too busy for, my friends had dragged me out and one time no one woke me up. The last day we spent I literally did not see him at all, like at all. And one of my friends, I’ll call her Vivi, was gone too even though we all said we’d have a group picnic in the garden. 

Eventually, we leave back and he’s just… I don’t want to say ignoring me but he’s definitely distant. He’s hiding his phone (not that I check it, it’s just he got a screen blocker thing, he’s leaving it face down, and in the car, he stops all the notifications from coming through the speakers), he’s all sweaty around me, genuinely will not talk about the trip, he keeps asking if I’ve kept in touch with my friends and what they’ve said. 

Prior to this. he’d literally shove his phone in my face to show me videos or text his aunt if his hands are busy. I’ve heard his text messages between him and his friends where they talk about embarrassing topics like him peeing his pants bc he was drunk. He’s also not one to really sweat, he’s nervous a lot but it’s never like this. 

At work he’s asking to be paired with other people and my uncle keeps staring at him?? they talk in the corner a lot and my uncle cannot whisper for the life of him but he suddenly learned. 

I spoke to one of my friends, not the childhood friends but ones I made here, and they think he’s cheating. Idk, we’re never really apart for him to. We live and work together. We commute together. Our friend groups overlap a whole bunch to the point where I only have two friends that aren’t his friends and the same with him. The same friend said he’s always been off, she just never said anything bc I really like him. I’m cutting her off because even if she is right, that’s a weird thing to harbor right?? like if my friend had a shady bf I’d definitely let them know when I felt that. But maybe that’s an American thing, I don’t know. 

I asked him about it, I think three times. Each time he gets more nervous and I’ve decided I’m going to be the same way. His boss, who’s really just like a weird older brother or something to me, says I’m being petty and we need to grow up and talk. His wife says she did the same thing to him and the issue ended up being that he was going through major heart problems and she still feels bad about that. But i don’t think he’s having heart issues, our jobs need regular medical checkups and he’s his same healthy self. 

Am I going crazy? Should I ask again?

EDIT: he’s 21 and I’m 20 but we met when we were both 15 bc his birthday is earlier than mine is

——

WNDRGRL639 • 3d ago

NTA, i’m sorry sweets but it does sound like he cheated. That day where he was gone with ViVi for the whole day is suspicious, have you talked to her to see what she was doing?

-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis OP

Communication with people back home is difficult. They’re kind of the send a bird to deliver mail type, I can only talk to my dad when he’s in this specific area bc it has signal. It’s a portable device from over here. I don’t want to ask him to ask her because everyone is kind of… fearful of my dad but I don’t think she would do that. 

—> Holding_Space

why don’t you think she would?? also NTA 

—-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis OP

bc she’s only into women, sorry I forgot to add that detail I was in a rush 

JoyfulCalling629 • 4d ago

NTA, it’s frustrating when a partner doesn’t say what’s on their mind but give it time. could it have been something your uncle and dad said? are they too protective?

-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis OP

I wouldn’t put it past my dad but my uncle absolutely adores my bf, like even if we weren’t dating they’d still have the same relationship lol. but from what I noticed my dad does like my bf, he just comes off as scary to basically everyone 

—> Daylighthatings

NTA but it sounds like your bf wants to propose!! my wife was the same way leading up to the proposal 

—-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis OP

hmm. We’ve spoken about marriage for sure, so I know it’s something on his mind. I’m going to hope it’s that and not any of these crazy ideas lol. I saw someone say he’s planning on leaving me for my dad, that he’s cheating with my uncle, that i’ve probably scared him off bc my country must be scary. 

——> Daylighthatings

aw it’s certainly none of those, i’ve read through your other replies and the two of you seem absolutely smitten

fhendnsn79 • 2d ago

YTA, he probably gotten scared by your dad. keeping the two of you separate for two weeks? he has issues. not to mention you kept bringing up him dying! i’d want to break up too probably call the cops too

-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis OP

trust me when I say this, I have your address and I’m sending the IRS bc you have unfiled taxes since 2010 good luck in prison!!!!

—-

r/confessions 2d ago

u/spiderman

I asked my partners dad for the family ring and I’m planning to propose but they think I’m cheating on them 

Hii! First time posting, sorry if the formatting is wonky I’m on my phone. Throwaway bc my partner knows my main

Okay, so I (21m) and my partner (20nb), have been together for around 3 years and I knew I wanted to propose to them after they agreed to binge watch all of Star Trek with me even though they hate (and I mean HATE) most alien media because it’s inaccurate. They ended up enjoying it, but that’s not the point. 

Recently we visited their dad, after a lot of pestering they agreed to let me go and I was super nervous. It wasn’t my first time meeting their dad, maybe the third time but I was about to ask a man who could kill me in a second if I could get his family ring so I could marry his only child. I tried to tire them out, meeting with friends, taking me across a lot and I mean a lot of hills and such so I could also talk to their best friend alone. I’ll call her Ivvi. So, I didn’t have a lot of time and unfortunately had to spend the last day of the trip with Ivvi and their dad talking about traditional wedding stuff and how to properly propose (i didn’t even know there was a wrong way!!!) 

So, with all those expectations I’m super nervous. I have to hide my phone bc their uncle is sending me texts about it and he absolutely does not know how to speak in code. my aunt is the same way and I Don't want them to ruin it. I’m also so close to just blurting out the question so (we work at the same place) I’ve been avoiding them. Their uncle keeps pulling me away to ask when and it’s making me so nervous I can’t even think straight around them anymore. 

They’re starting to notice, not start they BEEN noticing but now they’re giving me the cold shoulder. I know this one friend they have, not Ivvi, it’s this one friend they met during college who I CANNOT stand bc she’s fake. They can’t see it because they tend to take things at face value when it comes to Americans because they think we don’t like to lie. I’ve been trying to tell them that it’s not true. But yeah. That friend spoke to one of my friends who asked me if I cheated and i, of course said no, and spilled my whole plan to her because if anyone could help, it would def be her. 

But I know that friend planted some evil seed in my partners head and now I have to rush my plans. 

I’ll update this after I propose tho!!!!

—

DjMightyThor • 2d ago

I just checked… this is Spiderman’s official Reddit. 

Xsavior • 2d ago

SPIDERMAN IS PROPOSING TO NORIDC???

MegannnHorsie • 1d ago

didn’t know they were that serious wow

Spideyfan4EVA • 2d ago

does he know he posted this to his main hopefully Nordic doesn’t see this LMFAOOO

—

r/BestofRedditorUpdates • 1 hr. ago

u/TonyStark

Clearly, I am not Nordic or Spiderman but they’re both too embarrassed to update. You’re welcome. 

Original post- Nordic

Original post- Spiderman

Thought I should update the people of Reddit on the kids proposal plans. I was unfortunately not there but I was fortunate enough to hack into the cameras in their apartment to see it. So, I’ll give a sort of play by play. 

Spiderman, in the living room with the place decorated in Asgardian stuff, rose petals everywhere and their favorite song in the background. He’s typing the Reddit story because he’s so nervous. 

Nordic, coming back from hanging with their friends, enters the apartment. Spiderman posts it without double checking ANYTHING. Chucks his phone into the kitchen sink somehow. 

Nordic walks inside and looks at the sink before looking at Spiderman. Ugly cries, a lot of tears. Like a lot. I asked (got permission to post) and apparently some of the items were from their since deceased family, so it was extra emotional. Spiderman, in full fucking Asgardian, asks Nordic to marry them. Oh it’s snotty tears now. Idk wtf he said, and Thor won’t translate, so…

There’s two rings!! The royal one and one from Nordic’s blood family. They kiss and fireworks!!! Joking, that’s a fire hazard. But he does immediately call Thor, who was in the room with Sam. I heard the tears from my office. They hang up and I’ll cut the rest of the footage bc I do not want to bleach my eyes thank you. 

—

spiderman • 1 hr. ago

MR STARK YOU DIDNT NEED TO PUT THE LAST PART 

-> throwRA-unclepleasedontseethis 

or any of this actually why are you in our cameras??

—> TonyStark  I made them.

[canirove]

Canary boy | Chapter 3

Previous chapter | Next chapter (coming out on Tuesday)

Masterlist

“Inés, did you just giggle?”

“No.”

“Inés, I know you, and you just giggled. Who is the lucky one who has managed that?” Carla says. “Maybe the tall guy we met the other night?”

“The one who thought I was a lesbian because I played football?” I snort. 

“What?”

“Men” I shrug.

“That's… nevermind. If it isn't him, then who is it?” she asks again, raising her eyebrows up and down like that Milhouse gif.

“No one.”

“I don't believe you” she says, snatching my phone from my hands before I can hide it in my bag. 

“Carla!” 

“You seriously need to put a password, Inés. What if someone steals your phone and sees all your sexy photos?” she smirks.

“I don't have sexy photos” I reply, rolling my eyes.

“Why? You are sexy and… Why is Pedri sending you a photo of him eating churros?”

“It's an inside joke” I say, taking advantage of her shock to get my phone back. Maybe I do need a password on it, but to avoid having her lurking.

“An inside joke? Since when do you have inside jokes with him? And that was WhatsApp, Inés. Not Instagram. I thought you only followed each other there.”

“Not anymore” I say. 

It had happened the day after our churros date or whatever you want to call it. We had spent the night chatting on Instagram, Pedri asking me about how meeting my grandparents had gone, and telling me that his hungover had come back with violence once he had made it home. And the morning after, he had asked me for my number because he liked chatting on WhatsApp better, the “oh my God” I screamed when I saw that message being heard by the whole building. Like I already said, I'm stupid and I like getting my hopes up too fast and too much.

Though it's been a week, and we've been texting daily and very often. Very often. 

“Inés…” Carla sighs. “He has a girlfriend.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because this totally looks like flirting.”

“What?” I laugh.

“Having inside jokes about churros of all things? Texting on WhatsApp? The fact that he has made you giggle?” 

“Carla, we are just friends.”

“No, you aren't. You fancy him, Inés!”

“Who do you fancy?” Aitana says, sitting next to me.

“No one” I quickly say, focusing on tying up my boots to hide the colour of my face.

“Who does she fancy?” she asks Carla.

“Someone she shouldn't.”

“Víctor?”

“What?” Carla and I say at the same time.

Víctor is one of the men's team stars, another young player from the academy like myself who made it to the first team at the same time I did. And since we both also play in the same position, everyone has always joked that we are destined to end up together, himself included. But the thing is, that I can't stand him. I've never have.

As a kid his ego already was too big for someone so young, and now it is even worse. The fact that once the awkward teenage years passed he turned out to be quite hot, girls all over the world being so obsessed with him that it sometimes is scary, hasn't helped. 

“I don't know. Since he is someone she shouldn't fancy and you've always said that you can't stand him…” Aitana shrugs. “We are filming some stuff with the boys after training, by the way. He'll probably be there.”

“Urgh, don't remind me of it” I say. “They'll probably put us together again.”

“They have to give the shippers their monthly content, Inés” Aitana teases me.

“Idiot” I reply, giving her a little push. 

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry” she laughs. “But you know it's true.”

“Whatever. Let's go training and stop talking about men” I say, standing up.

“Yeah, let's go avoid thinking about the mess we may be getting ourselves into” Carla says behind me before following us. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“And Inés, you will be filming a guess who with Víctor.”

“Great” I sigh.

“Did you say anything, Inés?”

“I was just wondering where he is” I quickly say. 

“Were you missing me, my love?” someone says behind me.

“Jesus Christ!�� 

“Almost as famous” Víctor laughs. “Looking beautiful today” he smirks, putting his arm around my shoulders.

“Thank you” I reply, moving to be in front of him so he stops touching me. “Where were you? You are late.”

“Is that jealousy, Inés? Are you worried I may be seeing someone else?”

“What?” I laugh.

“You look really cute when you are jealous” he smirks, closing the space between us so he can caress my cheek. But I'm faster, and take a step back just in time to make him miss. 

“I'm not jealous, Víctor.”

“Of course not, my love.”

“I'm not your love either.”

“Yet” he winks. “Anyway, should we start filming this thing? If we finish early we can go grab something to eat… or whatever you fancy.”

“What I fancy, is to go home. Alone” I add when he is about to say another of his stupid flirty sentences.

“Always so harsh, my love.”

“I'm not your… urgh” I groan. Lord, grant me patience, because if he says another my love, I'm gonna end up committing murder.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“And now who is calling… me” I say after finally making it home and checking my phone. 

This can't be real. It has to be a mistake. He's trying to call someone else and dialed my number because we had been texting earlier. Or maybe not. Maybe he actually is calling me. Maybe something happened. Maybe he needs my help. Maybe he is in danger! If he is, I should probably answer and stop with my internal dialogue, shouldn't I? Ok, you can do this, Inés.

“Pedri, why are you video calling me? Is everything ok?”

“Hello to you too” he chuckles.

“Hi, sorry. But is everything ok?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

“Because my head is about to explode after being in front of my laptop working on an assignment for the past few hours, and I needed a distraction.”

“And I am a distraction?” I laugh.

“You have no idea” Pedri smirks. He… umm… what? “Anyway, are you free? Do you want to go out for a walk? I seriously need to leave my room and have some fresh air.”

“I just made it home, but… Yeah, why not?”

“Great!” he says with a smile that makes me feel all fuzzy inside. “I'll call an Uber and pick you up. See you in a bit, Inés.”

“Bye” I smile back before he hangs up. 

Did I just agree to go out with Pedri? As in some kind of… date? But it is a friends date, of course. Because that's what we are. Just friends. Though one of the friends is completely infatuated with the other, and for the past week may have been dreaming about very steamy cooking dates and other things that involve his churro. But my period just left and the days after I'm horny, ok? Ok.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“I can't believe that as someone born and raised in Barcelona, I had no idea this place existed.”

“That's because you are a mountain girl, Inés. The sea doesn't call you the same way it calls me, an island boy” Pedri says.

“What?” I laugh, taking the hand he is offering me to help me jump from the rocks we just walked down to make it to the beach. I could very well do it myself, but letting him be a gentleman and help me won't hurt anybody, will it? Unless you ask Carla, of course.

She would probably say that us touching like this would cause a tsunami that would destroy the city. Though maybe the sea starting to boil due to the heat that is going through my body and coming from it right now, would be more likely to happen. Dear Lord, Inés. He's just holding your hand! Stop being so lame and… horny!

“You don't like the sea” Pedri says.

“I do.”

“But not as much as you like the mountain” he says while we walk, still holding hands. “When you have some free time, you always go hiking or for a walk around the woods, you don't come to the beach to have a swim like I do.”

“How do you know that?”

“I've seen it on your Instagram” he smiles. Wait a second… Pedri has been paying attention to what I post? What? And more importantly… why? “You are a mountain girl, and that's ok. Next time you have to take me to one of your favourite spots.”

“Next time?”

“Today I think this is the perfect one for us” he says, putting down the backpack he was carrying and completely ignoring my question, which only means one thing: I will be thinking about it and what he meant with next time for the rest of my life. “Fancy a beer?”

“What?” I say, my brain working again and making me sit down on the sand next to him.

“You can drink beer, can't you? Or is that something you are not allowed to anymore?”

“Oh, no, we can. They just suggest us to not drink too much.”

“I'm not planning on getting you drunk, don't worry” Pedri winks before opening one bottle and passing it to me. How did I manage to take it from his hand and not let it fall after that wink and our fingers touching again? Nobody knows. “So, what should we toast to?” he asks after opening one for himself. “This place?”

“Nah, that's too boring. What about… to getting distracted?”

“I like that. To getting distracted” he says, raising his bottle.

“To getting distracted” I reply, doing the same with mine before drinking. “Urgh, I had forgotten how good this beer is.”

“It is your favourite, isn't it?”

“It is, yes. How do you know? My Instagram again?” I ask with a teasing smile. Wow, Inés. Bold move there.

“No, not this time” he laughs, the sound making me feel funny things on my stomach. “I know it is your favourite because you mentioned it the last time we all went out together after class.”

“How can you remember that? I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday” I chuckle.

“I just do” he shrugs, taking a sip from his beer. 

After that, we both stay in silence, neither of us saying a word while we drink and watch the sun set behind the waves. But it isn't an awkward silence. It is one of the most comfortable and nice ones I've ever experienced. Nice, until the worst thing ever happens.

“Oh my God, Inés!” Pedri laughs while I cover my face with my hands and wish the sand would open and swallow me whole. “What was that noise? A dinosaur?”

“I'm so sorry you had to hear that” I say from behind my hands. “But I haven't eaten anything since before training and…”

“And you are starving. Big time” he laughs again.

“Yeah.”

“Should we go grab something to eat? After hearing that, I'm afraid you may try to eat me.”

“What?” I say, daring to look at him. Which is the biggest mistake ever, because he is: one, smirking, and two, way closer to my face than I had expected him to be.

“Are you going to eat me, Inés?” 

“What?” I repeat with a nervous laugh, my eyes moving from his to his lips. Have I said yet that they are the most kissable lips ever? Kissable, and edible too. 

“I fear you might” he says, closing the space between us a bit more.

“Pedri…” 

“Inés…” he whispers, his face now so close to mine that I've felt him saying my name on my skin. 

He is going to kiss me. He is, isn't he? Why else would he be so close to my face right now? There is no other explanation, is it? He is going to kiss me. He… 

“Inés!” he laughs again when my stomach makes another horrible noise, sending to hell my hopes for that kiss. “C'mon, let's get you some food before you actually eat me.”

“I was about to” I say, speaking before thinking.

“I know” he smirks, getting up from the sand. “But there is a really good restaurant close by, and their food tastes way better than I do.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Uh?”

“Nothing, nothing” I say, quickly standing up. I think I'm so hungry it has started to affect my brain. “Sorry about the dinosaur in my stomach.”

“You don't need to apologize, Inés. I actually am quite hungry too. Shall we?” Pedri says after putting our empty beer bottles back on his backpack. 

“Let's go” I reply, forcing myself to smile and to ignore the fact that we, as in Pedri and yours truly, almost kissed. I think.

[jinxsleftmiddlefinger]

timebomb highschool au

(part 5)

(pt1) (pt2) (pt3) (pt4) (read on ao3)

description: timebomb highschool au pretty much sums it up lol. there’s also canon storylines (vander death, vi conflict etc.) but translated into a modern context

note: I’m really sorry if there’s any mistakes im so tired rn 😭😭 also speed of chapter updates might slow down a bit now but I will try to keep it steady!!!

It was just too easy.

It’s like this whole school fell into her traps, let her do what she wanted. The universe was basically telling her to prank the poor souls of Zaun High.

Jinx went to vandalize the locker thinking that there was no way she’d get through with it. Someone had to walk down the hallway, someone had to catch her, and yet…

No one was anywhere near. She finished writing ‘Dickhead’ in big blue letters on locker 27 without a single eye catching sight of her. She even managed to add some extra decorating touches.

Jinx skipped back to math class, her spirits high. No one even noticed the paint now staining her fingers after coming back from the ‘bathroom’.

She glanced quickly at Ekko sitting beside her, absorbed in his notes. Her lips lifted up slightly when she thought if their text conversation the other day. 

Do I make you nervous, Ekko?

She was pretty good at this flirting thing. Not that she was flirting, of course. It was a joke. A hobby, a way to pass time, that’s all.

Ekko wouldn’t like her anyway. Maybe he’d like her face or her body or the pretty words she could make up, but he wouldn’t like the real her. That’s what sent them all running for the hills.

Jinx’s phone started buzzing in her back pocket, and she regretted not putting it back on Do Not Disturb. Even though it was on silent, it still buzzed against her chair, making a noticeable noise in the silent classroom.

The teacher turned around from the board.

“Does someone have their phone?”

The class stared blankly. Jinx didn’t show one bit of a reaction, and the teacher turned back to writing on the board, writing sounds and breathing the only noise in the room.

Jinx slowly removed her phone from her back pocket, looking around to make sure no one was staring. She shifted forward in her seat, putting it under the table, and made a conscious effort to make sure it didn’t look too much like she was staring at her crotch.

Vi: I’m really sorry. Please, can we give it another try? 

Vi: I won’t bring her this time. 

Jinx’s lips pressed together, staring at the messages. She almost had to wonder where her sister got the audacity from. Before her fingers could start typing out an offensive and colourful message, Vi sent another text.

Vi: do you want me to come to your house? 

Vi: I just want to talk.

Vi: I just want my sister back.

She fought off the urge to laugh. Vi’s sister was long gone, killed the night Vander died, the moment Vi yelled and hit her and left her. Powder was dead. That’s almost what she typed, what she told Vi, but her fingers were somehow compelled to say something different; like an ouija board.

Jinx: ok.

Jinx: this saturday.

Jinx: no girlfriend.

Jinx rested her phone on her thigh, momentarily tuning back into class. The teacher drawled on and on, things she already knew and everyone else should know too. Her eyes were already blurring the numbers and equations on the board, turning the teachers voice into a buzzing like an air conditioner in her ears, when she was woken up by her phone vibrating on her leg.

Vi: thank you for giving me another chance

Vi: I’ll be there (: 

Vi: (No girlfriend!)

Jinx almost smiled. The messages had so much of her sisters energy in them, she could practically hear Vi’s voice in her ear. Well, the Vi from before’s voice. She didn’t know if the Vi from the here and now was the same. Maybe she was more serious, mature. Maybe she acted older. Jinx hadn’t really figured that out from their brief interaction at the mall.

The thought of the mall made her look at Ekko again, just out of the corner of her eye. He looked kind of cute, all focused on the class and the paper in front of him.

Jinx quickly shifted her eyes back to her own desk and banished that thought from her mind. She did not have time for boys right now. Not even cute ones.

Class ended with just a few more minutes of zoning out. Lunch was next, and that was the easy part of the day. She never really went to the cafeteria, usually just wandering the halls or going outside if the weather was nice.

Today, her plans were interrupted in a very violent way. 

Jinx jumped, her reflexes not fast enough as her shoulders were grabbed and she was shoved against the locker behind her. A gasp escaped her chest, the impact winding her.

“Get off me!” Her body thrashed widely in an attempt to free herself from the grasp of whoever had attacked her.

“You bitch!” Her attacker roared, holding her upper body tighter, and that’s when she recognized him.

Messy light hair, dark brown eyes glowing with rage, teeth bared. Yes, this was the owner of the locker she had so lovingly decorated this morning.

Jinx laughed breathlessly. “What, you didn’t like my decorations? That’s a shame, your locker was so plain before. Really, you should be thanking me.”

He pulled her forward, only to slam her back against the locker again, even harder this time. She breathed heavily.

“Don’t fucking play with me.” His breath smelled like old cigarette smoke and gatorade. “You think that’s funny? You think you’re gonna get revenge for her?”

Jinx knew what her meant. His ex-girlfriend. Although she had of course heard the rumours of him cheating, of him just being a general asshole, she didn’t write ‘Dickhead’ on his locker for her. She just really couldn’t stand this guy’s attitude.

This guy whose name she couldn’t even remember. This guy who was holding her up against a locker.

“Fuck. You. You think you own this school? You think you’re so great, so clever, Jinx?” He huffed, clearly pissed.

Dickhead was seeming like a more and more fitting nickname by the second.

His hands dug into her harder, and she knew what was going to happen. He was going to slam her into the lockers again, or swing at her, or do something to hurt her. And she was so helpless without her tricks, her smoke or glitter bombs, her gadgets. She was too weak to even defend herself against this asshole.

Just as she braced to take a hit of some kind, the dickhead was suddenly off her just as fast as he’d been on her.

She pulled herself off the locker, dazed and blinking at the scene before her; Ekko, dragging the dickhead away from her and throwing a punch. Him, throwing a punch back. A fight. 

She wasn’t registering it fully, and then she was registering it completely.

“Hey! Stop it you two!” Jinx stepped closer to the two boys. “Cut it out!”

She would not let Ekko get hurt just because she couldn’t defend herself. That was stupid. She could already see his bleeding nose, though it wasn’t for nothing. Dickhead had a nasty black eye, another mark blooming on his cheek.

The whole ordeal stopped when Sevika appeared around the corner, stepping in between the brawlers and raising an eyebrow at a Jinx who was still breathing way too heavily.

Both boys stared up at the buff school receptionist, holding them back easily. 

“Okay, you three.” She said bluntly. “Time to go to the office.”

Jinx sighed.

As they followed Sevika silently down the hall, a walk of shame almost, Jinx looked up at Ekko wiping the blood from his face.

“The boy saviour,” She muttered to him, making him look at her quizzically. “My big, fat hero.”

[tuesday-teyz]

Butterfly Reign chapter 40 😧

Hi!

First of all, I just wanted to say how much I love Butterfly Reign—your writing is incredible, and I’ve been absolutely hooked from the start. I think I started reading when there were only about 10 chapters out, which feels like a lifetime ago!

I just finished chapter 40, and I’ve been thinking a lot about the direction the story took, particularly regarding Theseus and Wilbur. Their relationship has been such a complex and emotional journey, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing them work through their issues. Honestly, it’s crazy to think back to when I first started reading, and how I would’ve been rooting for Theseus to get his revenge, but now, with everything that’s happened, I didn’t expect the story to take such a tragic turn.

While I’m still deeply invested in the story, I’m curious about a few things—particularly the choice to have Wilbur die. I’ve been wondering, how long have you had this planned? I noticed the MCD tag from the beginning, so I’m wondering if this was always the direction you intended to take their characters or if it evolved as the story developed?

I’d also love to know your thoughts on Theseus’s actions here (without giving away any spoilers ofc). In the context of the story (obviously not condoning murder in real life 😭), do you think Theseus did what he had to do? Do you see him as someone who is still redeemable, or do you think that this was a mistake in his journey? I ask because, even though I’ve been the number one Theseus defender (his rights and wrongs) throughout the story, I found myself struggling with this moment. It’s the first time I’ve felt so conflicted about his character. I’m really curious about your perspective as the author, especially when it comes to the moral complexities in his decision.

Thank you so much for sharing this story— and I can’t wait to see what comes next! (even though i'm not yet willing to except that it shall continue BR!crimboys-less) at least give me hope for Br!discduo if nothing else

Hi, thank you for the ask, it made my morning!

To answer your questions, it's a little complex when exactly the decision came about. In my original outline back in 2022, this whole scene did not actually involve any fire. Instead, it was Theseus and Fundy stranded on the lake as ice begins to crack. Wilbur gets Fundy to safety first, and then when he comes back for Theseus, they fall through. From there on, there were two versions of this scene that I fluctuated between: one, Wilbur cuts the rope connecting them and lets himself drown, and two, the same happens but both of them get saved by a third outside force. This is followed up by Wilbur falling into a coma and being absent for the rest of the fic, sans the epilogue where we see him awake. Simply put, it was never my plan for Wilbur to be present in the final arc; he simply has no place there. His story was always meant to end in this chapter.

However, as time went on, I realized that using a coma is a very cheap (for the lack of a better word) way to write off a character, and his death by sacrifice did not feel right. As I mentioned in another post, br!Wilbur was, off and on, for nearly a decade, br!Tommy's abuser. To have someone who caused so much pain for him die saving him didn't sit right with me. Tommy was working for so long on accepting his past and unlearning the behaviors Wilbur brought up in him that it felt like an injustice and a poor message besides to basically say 'oh well he loved you at the end of the day'. And exploring his death from the point of view Tommy being relieved by it and feeling guilty at the same time is too repetetive of the story itself from when Wilbur ran away the first time. That's when the decision for Tommy to kill Wilbur was born.

So short answer: Wilbur's story was always meant to end at this moment. The idea for murder hatched during the travel arc.

I could not tell you exactly when did I realize that the plot was heading towards Tommy killing Wilbur, but I very firmly stand by the point that it's something that has been brewing up in the background unbeknownst even to me. The thing, Tommy has always been a killer. You have always known him as one (Clara was killed by him 3 years into the past), even though you didn't know his full backstory. An important part of this arc in its entirety is that it's Tommy unpacking and healing from the trauma he experienced 6 to 3 years ago. When Tommy gets sick and Wilbur takes care of him – that's 11 year old Tommy getting closure from Wilbur leaving him behind, and trading their family for the life of a commoner and a family of his own. It's not about them learning to be different in the future; it's about them mending the past. At no point at all this was meant to be about redeeming Wilbur.

Off to the next question: was this necessary? Did Tommy do what he had to?

Not at all. I address that in the chapter itself. I believe it's three different times that an image of Clara tells that Tommy must do it, meaning kill Wilbur, but the only time Tommy voices that thought himself (after the dialogue with Warden), the must changes to can. It's him taking agency over his own choices and acknowledging that he has this option and it's his decision to proceed with it. He tells Wilbur not to make excuses for him for Clara's death, knowing he's about to commit the same crime again.

As to how to feel about his actions – that's entirely up to you. You're not meant to feel a certain way about any of the characters, and especially not Tommy, but I am curious to hear your guys' thoughts and analysis. What do you think?

[pedrosgrogu]

Born Too Late - Chapter 12

pairing/au: neighbor!joel x reader // no outbreak

Warnings: none I can think of for this specific chapter but still no minors. lmk if there should be some.

Summary: Days after Joel apologized, you're still weighing your options. He asks you if you can take Sarah home for him, and you enjoy your afternoon with her. (2.1k+)

a/n: hiiiii. so this is just a lil filler chapter i guess. i wanted reader to bond more with sarah. also didnt want to jump right back into joel because he was not kind. sorry if theres typos/formatting issues. both nights i worked on this i was sleepy as hell. ill try to get one-two more out before next week! im headed out of town and when i get back classes are starting. xoxo

Chapter 11 - Masterlist - Chapter 13 (coming soon)

The weekend flys by quicker than you’d like. Your alarm rings and you groggily turn it off, sequencing the day before crawling to the kitchen and starting a pot of coffee. The aroma fills your house while you shower, washing the events of the past 4 days away for the millionth time. 

You haven’t heard from Joel but you aren’t bothered by it. You appreciate that he’s giving you the space and time, but you have a weird complex surrounding him. You’ve seen how good he can be to you, to Sarah, to others- but you’ve also seen how unpleasant he can be. You try not to think about it on the way to work, but you see him loading his truck up when you head out. He throws up a small wave with a smile, you nod back. Unlocking the car door, you throw everything into the passenger seat and set your travel mug in the cup holder, and head to work. 

The day is pretty uneventful. The kids are wild but it’s expected after a longer break. You take it as an opportunity to go back over rules and expectations in the classroom, and even turn it into a game. You don’t have lunch duty today so you head back to your room to eat and hear your phone ring from inside your desk. 

New Message From: Joel

Your stomach flips.

Late notice but anyway you can bring Sarah home today and keep her at my house until I finish up? Theres a key under the flowerpot on the porch, you can keep it just in case. I’m gonna be home later than expected. I'd really appreciate it. 

As nervous as you are to be in Joel’s house, to have a fucking key to his house, you don’t even have to think about it. Because the answer for Sarah is always yes. 

Hey! Sure thing. Do you want me to give her dinner? 

You click send and anxiously wait on a response, scarfing your lunch down before you have to go get your class. 

Ding 

Dinner would be great, and help yourself to anything you want. Theres chicken nuggets, pizza, and some leftover pasta. Sarah really struggled to get up this morning so she’ll need to be in bed before I get home. I shouldn’t be any later than 9 or so, so bedtime around 8:30 at the latest. 

Before you can respond, you have to head to the cafeteria to get your class. They all walk groggily down the hallway back to class, bellies full and eyes tired. 

The rest of the day drags. You do independent reading, recess, and a little social studies before the secretary drops the afternoon notes off. 

“Kiya, you’re a car rider today” you say, looking at her to make sure she heard you. “Dylan you’re going home with Oliver, and Sarah, you’re riding home with me.” Dylan and Oliver high five and Sarah smiles and nods. 

“Why does Sarah always get to go home with you?” a voice from the back of the class exclaims.

“Sarah is my neighbor! And sometimes her dad has to work late so I take her home until he gets home.” Before you can pinpoint who asked, the bell rings. 

“Have a good afternoon everyone! Remember to fill out your reading log!” You say over the shuffle of feet and echos of voices. 

Sarah knows the routine, so she pulls a book out of her backpack and sits quietly reading until its time to go.

In the car, she asks for the Spice Girls and you both jam out the whole way home.

You pull into your driveway first. “I thought I could grab my nail polish and we could do a girls day at your house. How’s that sound?” you say. Sarahs eyes light up, and she begins vigorously shakingher head up and down. 

She follows you into your house. “We won’t be here long” you declare, walking down the hallway. “So leave your shoes on!” You notice her look at the flowers on your counter, the ones from Joel.

You’re walking back up the hall, nail polish in hand. As soon as Sarah sees you she blurts “Are these from my dad?” her head cocked to the side, her eyes wide. “They are. Why do you ask?” she turns her head back upright, and a grin spreads across her face. “No reason.” She says giggling, and walking back out the door. You roll your eyes and follow behind her. 

You pull into Joel’s driveway and turn the car off. Sarah jumps out. “How are we gonna get in?” she asks, inquisitively. 

“Your dad left a key under the flower pot!” You tell her as she heads to the front door while you grab your purse and the bag of nail polishes. 

Once inside, you shoot Joel a quick text just to let him know you’ve got Sarah and are home.

Hey Joel, just wanted to let you know that we’re home. Are you sure about the key? And is there anything specific I need to know about her night routine? 

You set your phone down and sit at the island with Sarah, setting out all the nail polishes. She picks a deep purple with sparkles. You pick a baby blue. The color reminding you of the hydrangeas that your mother used to grow. You let Sarah paint yours first. She’s quiet; heavily focused on perfecting her technique. 

She finishes your hands and the look great, especially for her age. Before you can do hers, yours need to dry. You tell her she can grab a snack and work on homework until its her turn, that way she can watch TV after dinner. She jumps up and grabs some chips and her backpack. 

Ding 

You pick your phone up, skimming Joels response.

Yes, I’m sure about the key. Id rather you have it and not need it than not have it and need it. As for nightime, nothing really. No TV past 7:30, and she needs to shower and read before bed. 

You send a quick “Got it, see you in a few hours!” and sit your phone back down. You help Sarah with her math homework. It’s not your strong suit but you get the job done. 

After about an hour, she finishes her homework and its her turn. 

“Are you enjoying the school year so far?” you ask, painting a thin layer of purple on each of her fingers 

“It’s better now. It kind of wasn’t good at the beginning..” her voice trails off, and she looks down. You dont question her, or push her to tell you why. You already know why. “But its gotten a lot better since being in your class” she says, looking up and smiling. “Im glad!” you say, fanning her nails with your hands so the first layer will dry. She continues talking about school, her favorite subjects and her friends. You’re so thankful to have her. She’s like the little sister you never had. Her kindness radiates into everyone she comes into contact with, and her smile brightens a room.

“Pizza, chicken nuggets, or pasta?” You ask her. It’s 6:00 so you know if she wants time for TV, dinner needs to happen. 

“Mmmm can I have chicken nuggets?” she asks 

“Sure! And do you want carrots or cucumbers with it?” You ask, pulling the nuggets from the freezer for her and the pasta from the fridge for yourself. She sticks her tongue out. “Can I have broccoli instead? Dad buys the frozen bag ones, they’re in the freezer I think.” She says. “Of course!” 

You preheat the oven, and line a cookie sheet with foil. You line up 10 chicken nuggets and stick them in once the oven beeps. You throw the broccoli in the microwave. The scent of the 2 filling the house, making your stomach grumble. 

You put 5 nuggets on Sarahs tray to start, along with a scoop of broccoli and some strawberries. Your pasta beeps in the microwave and you pull it out, sitting down beside Sarah. Few words are exchanged during dinner, but its a comfortable silence. You’re both content with the humming of the refrigerator. 

Dinner finishes and 7:00 comes quick. You tell Sarah she can have TV until 7 but then its shower and reading. Sarah turns the TV on to Cartoon Network, and you put the 3 nuggets Sarah didnt eat into a bowl and stick it in the fridge, along with the remaining strawberries and broccoli.

Washing dishes is such a daunting task to most, but not to you. Its therapeutic, the warmth of the water and the mindfullness of the task. Each dish you wash, each plate you clean, feels like a small act of care—care for Joel’s home, care for yourself, and even care for those who will use the dishes next. As the last plate is washed and the sink is cleared, there’s a sense of quiet accomplishment.

Sarah finishes her show and heads straight for the shower, you wipe the counters down and check your phone. 

New Message From: Joel

Should be home by 9:30. Do you need anything from the store? 

You smile. Joel’s thoughtfulness is something you missed. The way he anticipates your needs, and is reassuring. 

No thanks, Im good. But I appreciate it. Drive careful. 

You hear the shower water turn off and grab Sarahs books and reading log from her backpack. You pull out a book about Egypt, and the first book in the Boxcar Children series. You smile, remembering reading the same book with your mom before everything went to shit. 

Sarahs PJs are on and shes in her room. Her nightstand light on, dimly lighting her pale pink room. You knock on the door before peaking your head in. “Hey kiddo, you alright in here?” you ask, sittingon the edge of her bed beside her legs. “Yeah, Im okay. Just really-” her sentence interrupted by the worlds biggest yawn. You laugh. “Tired.” she says, laughing with you. 

You look at the clock beside her lamp 

8:17

“Do you want me to put your books in your bag? I can have your dad fill out your reading log for you.” You say, standing up. 

“Yes please.” Sarah says, handing her books to you. She lays down and pulls her comforter up to just below her face. 

“Goodnight Sarah, see you tomorrow” you say quietly, turning her light off. 

“Goodnight. Thank you for always hanging out with me.  She says, turning over. 

You turn around, smiling. Closing her door gently behind you.

You log her reading and put her things back in her backpack, peaking at the time. 

8:46 

Not bad you think to yourself. You finish cleaning the kitchen, sweeping and wiping the stovetop. You then settle into the comfiest fucking couch ever, turning on One Tree Hill. You grab a blanket and it smells like Joel. You wrap yourself up in it, inhaling deeply. Your eyes slowly begin to drift. You fight until you cant and drift into a hazy slumber. 

“Hey darlin” 

“Im home, it’s time to wake up” 

You startle awake, throwing the blanket off and jumping up. 

“Woah woah. I ain’t mean to scare ya girl” Joel says, laughing. He walks away, holding a handful of groceries. 

“Hey. Sorry, you scared me.” You say, folding the blanket and throwing it back on the couch. 

“How’d it go?” Joel asks, putting groceries in the fridge. 

“Good! We did each others nails this afternoon and she really enjoyed that.” you say quietly. It’s not awkward being with Joel, but it doesn’t feel like it used to. 

“She ate 7 chicken nuggets, 2 helpings of broccoli, and some strawberries. She also read for probably 20ish-30 minutes. I filled out her log already, she was really tired.” You say, turning to grab your bags and put your shoes on. 

“Hey, thank you, again. For all that you do for Sarah.” He begins, “Her mom is around but she isn’t very consistent so I think it really helps to have another positive female figure in her life.” He finishes, smiling. 

“I told you, it’s really no problem. Im glat to help when I can.” You say lightly, walking to grab your keys off the entryway table and opening Joel’s from door. 

“Oh I almost forgot” Joel says, walking toward you. “I know you said you didn’t need nothin’ but I just wanted to get ya somethin’ to say thank you. He opens a grocery bag and pulls out a 4 pack of blueberry muffins. 

“Joel, you didn’t have to do that.” You say, taking them from his hand. 

“Oh don’t worry about it. You always are here for Sarah and I cant thank ya enough.” He says, smiling. 

“How’d you know blueberry was my favorite?” you ask, raising an eyebrow. 

“Lucky guess” he says, chuckling.

“Well, goodnight Joel. Thank you again for the muffins.” You say, opening the door. 

“Goodnight Yellow.” He says, smiling and waving as you pull the door behind you.

[coolcoelacanth]

bruh i love when my brain creates two different psychological horrors for me to experience ❤️ thanks love you subconscious

[rocketbirdie]

deranged picnic

[truethes]

“go to hell” is basic. “i hope you have the opportunity to write a romatically dense character in a situation where even you can see the other characters romantic sense” is smart. it’s possible. it’s terrifying

[tardis--dreams]

Me panicking because i have 9 missed calls and 5 emails talking about my absence and how "a colleague could take over for me" vs. Me knowing it's really not that important no matter how pushy a client is and that on top of it I'm underpaid and have way to much overtime so i shouldn't even care

[exopelagic]

okay I severely misjudged spaghetti guy he’s actually just really cool

[bangcakes]

.

[redeemed-wren]

Classic Who explores ideas, New Who explores morals

classic who is like 'i see this trend, lets explore what might happen if that trend continues and let the audience figure out what it's talking about and come to their own conclusions.'

new who is like 'this trend is BAD and i'm going to PREACH A SPEECH about why it's going to RUIN EVERYTHING' and it's so much more exhausting

[textualviolence]

well. i DO know how joan of arc felt.