#and bobby catches alex's eye and just stares at her for like 15 seconds to be like omg eames it's her i figured it out!!

[mortalscience]

ten caps per episode - Law and Order Criminal Intent - s01e17 - Seizure

Eames: Isn't that a dangerous thing to tell a serial killer about a colleague? Not to mention bad manners.

[issaxcharlie]

You are mine

Pairing: Alive! Luke Patterson x Fem Reader

Summary: Luke and Y/N have many problems and commitments in their lives and instead of solving them they decide to blame the other. Eventually, the fights end their relationship. Luke travels with Sunset Curve during the summer and when he returns he has a pretty clear idea in his head. He wants his girl back.

But it's not as easy as it sounds when the competition had 3 months to score points with the cheerleader in his absence.

 Three months. Luke has gone three months without seeing Y/N. They have been inseparable since they met when they were 12 years old, never spending more than days without seeing each other. But the moment they broke up Luke knew he had to get out of the freaking town because if he couldn't distance himself he was going to end up the very next day at his ex-girlfriend's house begging her to accept him back. And the truth is that both needed to breathe and rethink what each one is looking for in their future.

Because although he’s head over heels in love with her, the truth is that both were in a moment of their lives in which they couldn’t and specially wanted to adapt to what the other needed. They had a lot of different responsabilities and things to do, it was just hard sometimes to add more to the list.

Which meant that she missed several of his concerts, that he was late for her birthday party, that there was no time for dates, that they didn’t feel supported. Many arguments trying to fix things that never came to anything because neither of them really wanted to commit. None willing to give in.

And then the painful but friendly breakup in early summer happened.

Bobby has a truck and the boys decided that doing a roadtrip during the summer performing wherever they could to earn enough to keep traveling was a brilliant idea to distract him and make the band known, and he agreed without looking back.

Things turned out much better than any of the four expected and they even had the luxury of traveling one more week, so they have a week of homework to catch up on. Will his relationship have ended on good enough terms to ask Y/N? Homework is not that big of a deal for him but it usually takes him a little longer to miss more than 15 assignments.

As soon as Luke opens the front door, his eyes fall straight on her. She is on her back trying to hang up some posters, but he would recognize that body wherever, from whatever angle.

His eyes immediately scan her wrist, which doesn't have any of the couple matching black-and-white bracelets they both used to wear all the time.

The first of many reminders Luke would get that day about his breakup with the cheerleader.

Y/N stands on her tiptoes trying to reach the height required for the poster, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't reach it. She’s just going to give up and ask for help when she feels some strong and determined hands lift her without any sign of trouble or doubt.

She doensn’t need to turn her head or listen to his voice, the strong grip on each side of her hips and his intoxicating perfume are more than enough to confirm who is lifting her in the air.

Luke is not playing fair. Y/N hears his husky and seductive voice as his lips lightly brush her ear. “I know you love my hands on you, but do you plan to put up the poster at some point?”

The cheerleader is shocked for a few seconds, until murmurs around them remind her that they are not alone. She puts the poster as fast as she can and instructs her ex-boyfriend to take her down.

Reluctantly she turns around and for the first time in quite a few weeks her eyes meet her favorite ones, which at least for the moment, are deep green.

"You can't do that, Lucas. We broke up."

He smirks. She only calls him like that when she's trying really hard to scold him even though it's not what she actually wants. She tries to look more determined and tough, but he can see through it all.

He decides to rest one of his arms on the wall, leaning just enough so that their foreheads are almost touching, and then smiles at her. One of those smiles that she used to classify as the most tender and beautiful sight in the world and that used to receive a light sweet kiss in return.

But this time, instead of a kiss, her gaze tells him that he is crossing the limit and that it’s better to stop. Neither has to say anything, she doesn't need to throw his arm out of the way or yell at him to move.

The two of them know each other better than anyone, and when Luke sees that expression, her wrinkled nose, her eyes lit with annoyance, her crooked mouth, he knows it's time to retreat.

“I’m sorry ba-” His gaze automatically saddens as he remembers that he can no longer call her that. He can see that her eyes also look a little sadder and duller after imagining what the guitarist was going to say. “I’m sorry Y/N. I just missed you.”

“Luke, look at this man. I've been here for 10 minutes and already 14 girls gave me their numbers to pass them to you! I guess word got around that you're single again.”

Alex and Reggie go blank when they are close enough to see their beautiful friend, since Luke was covering her from their sight. The guitarist turns to tap Reggie on the shoulder, and Alex decides to hug her to ease the tension in the air. Her hands are shaking, and Alex is not sure if from sadness or jealousy, but he decides not to say anything and keep hugging her, trying to make her feel supported.

“We missed you so much, we are not Sunset Curve without you.” Alex confesses loud enough for the other two members present to listen and nod their heads.

“I missed you too, boys. My summer was too peaceful and quiet without my favorite band.” The drummer lets go of her and Reggie replaces him by hugging her tightly, moving his arms behind her back silently asking Luke what to do with all the papers in his hands. The annoyed guitarist takes them and throws them away without thinking twice. Reg whispers "rude" and his friend rolls his eyes at him.

Reggie lets go and the four of them stare each other for a few seconds, none knowing what to say or do.

"Hello, sorry but I came to escort this beauty to her next class."

The fifth voice belongs to Cameron Green, who has just appeared in front of them and offers the girl his arm to intertwine with hers.

The perfect captain of the football team. Luke has known for years that the guy has some feelings for his girl, but he never had to worry because he knows her, she would never do anything that would put his trust at risk. But now, things are different.

She takes a step forward to accept the gesture and turns to see the boys one last time.

"I guess I'll see you on music class." She offers an apologetic smile, Alex smiles back to let her know it’s okay.

"But what about lunch break?" Reggie asks, after all, the five have been sitting together for years, they didn’t even separate when Y/N entered the cheer squad.

"I promised to sit down with Cam, sorry guys. But see you later!"

Y/N turns to look at Luke for a few seconds, as if waiting for him to stop her. But never happened.

So both her and Cameron walk until the band can’t see them in the sea of students. Reggie and Alex turn to see their friend, who has his hands wrapped in fists and looks totally crimson, his face irradiates frustration as he clenches his teeth.

“I prOmiseD tO SiT DoWN WitH CaM, fucking hell I’m out of here.”

“You are not going anywhere, man! It’s time for an intervention.” Reggie takes his friends by the arm and leads them to the janitor's closet where he pushes them and closes the door.

“The janitor's closet, really?” Alex asks and Reggie smiles proudly. “..Okay.”

"This is stupid, can we get out of here now?" They both return their attention to Luke, his face radiating despair.

"No. You can't keep prolonging this anymore. What did you think? That no one was going to try to date the most popular girl in school? Are you really so self-centered as to believe that no one would dare just because you are the ex boyfriend? Local rockstar or not, she’s a gem."

“Of course not, I just went into denial, I guess. All I know is that I miss her. I missed her every day this endless summer. I know the experience was amazing, but every night while I was singing the only thing I could think about is how much I wanted to see her beautiful dorky face in the small audience. The way she blushes when I'm singing straight to her direction and I send her a wink. The passion with which she sings each of the songs that she has been listening to over and over for years. How proud she looks of us as we give that final bow.

And it’s stupid, you know? Because somehow, I forced myself to think that having a girlfriend was depriving me of the opportunity to live experiences like that, to live my dream the fullest.

And what I ended up discovering when I did them is that my dream is simply never going to be fulfilled without her. As Alex said, she is as much part of Sunset Curve as any of us. And that now she has other interests or priorities doesn’t diminish how much she loves us and how much we love her, our dreams don't have to collide. And I'm a real idiot who took 3 months to realize it while I'm sure that fake dude was doing his fight to win her over.”

“FINALLY!” They both scream while hugging their brother. “Dude, I’m pretty sure she’s still in love with you, just act fast. You both have to stop being so stubborn and learn to give in for each other's sake from time to time. You cannot ask the other what you do not give.” Alex advises.

“I’ll win my girl back.” Luke smiles, hoping that if he says it with enough conviction it will come true.

The boys decide to go back to classes, by the time they are about to reach the lockers for gym, the other guys are already there and a lively conversation is heard.

“Man, it's not like I've been in love with her for years. I don't even know her. But stealing Luke Patterson’s girlfriend who is casually the most popular girl in school, is simply the step that makes you a legend in this small town. Not to mention that perfect body, what I would do to her if I had the chance."

No one has noticed the Sunset Curve members are present, and the second they hear him Reggie and Alex cover Luke's mouth and drag him out of there.

“I’m going to kill him! And before you say it, I don't care if it's the stupid football captain! If his monkeys hit me I have the satisfaction that I already gave him a black eye and I took out 3 teeth from him. No one is going to play or talk about her like that!"

To say that he is angry is an understatement. He is shaking with fury, moving in the small hall from one side to the other trying to calm the urge to slam his fist against the wall, because if he is going to slam it somewhere it will be in that idiot's face.

“You have to control yourself and be smart for once! he is the golden boy of the school, no matter how popular you are, your reputation as a bad boy is not going to win against his. Maybe not even with Y/N, she might think you're just fired up to see them together."

As much as it hurts to admit it, Alex is right. That clown has convinced everyone in the school with the idea that he doesn’t break a plate. While the guitarist is famous for skipping classes and playing clubs until dawn.

“And what am I supposed to do? I hope you don't suggest that I just sit around doing nothing."

Reggie takes two steps back in case Alex's suggestion is in fact Luke to do nothing. After all, he has to protect that adorable face.

“I’m not telling you to do nothing, I’m asking you to pay attention to what’s really important. Don't focus on him, focus on her."

He’s not going to say it aloud, but Alex is right, again. She should always be his main focus.

After his friends manage to convince him to take the peaceful route, Luke spends the rest of the day searching for the right words to say, but it’s difficult to find inspiration when every time he turns the love of his life is next to a jerk who is only trying to deceive her.

Not to mention lunch break, every time that idiot tried to touch her or get too close, the guitarist felt his blood boil. The only thing that kept him sane is that she politely pushed him away each and every time.

Reggie managed to convince her to come to the studio with them after her cheer training, just like they used to do last school year. The boys waited for her each time and then she accompanied them to their band rehearsals. Or at least they did before both she and Luke started arguing for not wanting to put in that extra effort.

Alex and Reggie watched as the relationship began to decline and the fights began to escalate. And when the breakup became official, they knew they had to keep the exes away from each other. The ex couple had never been apart and it was important for them to make their friends realized how much they want and love each other's presence in their lives. How lucky they are to have such a supportive partner at their side.

They never said anything to Luke but they could see how sad and depressed the guitarist looked without her. As if that spark in him was missing.

All day they were observing their girly who looked just as miserable, that special aura full of dull energy.

Alex had a theory that he explained to Reggie. When a relationship finishes going through that time where it feels new and recent, when you get used to the other as a couple, sometimes it is easy to take things for granted and not want to continue trying or giving the extra.

Sometimes you get lost in that lapse, and finding a balance is not easy. But when you love someone as much as they love each other, well, it’s easy to guess they’ll find the way.

So while Alex distracted Luke, Reggie ran to convince his girl friend to join them, which wasn't easy considering she already had plans with the football player. At that moment the bassist was grateful Luke was not around to hear that.

Once they are together, things will settle down. They have both suffered enough to know that without a doubt everything they have to do for the other is worth it. It’s time for them to stop being stubborn because Reg and Alex are not going to bear being in the middle for long. Those two can be insufferable sometimes.

So, that's how Sunset Curve ended in the stands. Watching her friend as the squad lifted her to the top of the pyramid.

Luke can't help but see her with loving eyes. He feels so proud of her, and that’s when he realizes he can’t remember the last time he actually told her, and that hurts him. She should hear those words every day, and if he is lucky enough for her to accept him back, that will be one of the first things that will change.

He's so focused on watching her, that he doesn't realize the football team is starting a fight just yards away until Reggie hits him on the shoulder.

Cameron pushes one of his teammates straight into the pyramid, which begins to disarm before the guitarist's eyes.

Some of her team manage the impact not be too strong, but she still stays motionless on the ground for a few seconds because of the shock.

Cameron Green kneels in front of her, Luke tries desperately to pass but two big guys get behind their captain to block him.

“Get the fuck out of my way!” The desperation in his voice indicates that he will do whatever it takes to get to her.

“Leave her alone already, Patterson!”

Reggie and Alex catch up with him and mentally prepare for what lies ahead, when they hear Y/N's weak voice.

"No! Luke, please. I need Luke."

The guitarist takes advantage of everyone's momentary shock after hearing her voice and manages to get to her side.

“I- I- I’m here, baby. I’m here, don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” Luke lightly caresses her cheek while examining her body, it seems that it was more the scare than anything else.

“I know.” She smiles at the contact of Luke’s hand in her skin.

“Yeah?” He asks almost in a whisper, he is hypnotized watching her. Trying with all his might not to kiss her.

“Yes, you are here. As long as we are together everything will be fine.”

“Is this your subtle way to tie me up again?” Luke teases while helping her sit up. The whole crowd watches them around the field. Cameron looking angry just a few yards away.

She laughs. A wholesome laugh, full of happiness. “Oh honey, we all know you never stopped being mine."

If there is something that turns him on, is his Y/N’s confidence. (And see her in nothing but his t-shirts but that’s not the point.)

“Right back atcha, baby.” He brushes his lips against hers while making that seducting face that she can hardly ever resist, but this time she surprises him by taking him from behind the neck and crashing her lips on his.

The people around them begin to applaud the show, and without interrupting the passionate kiss Luke puts his arms around her back and legs to lift her up and carry her away.

Reggie and Alex do a fist bump and then one looks for Y/N's things and the other for Luke's and follows them from behind.

"They endured a whole school day, wow."

"If we hadn't stolen Luke from her over summer they would have been 2 hours apart and it would have been the most embarrassing separation of all time."

"The two of them were going through a lot and they didn't know how to cope at the time, but now that they are both better, I’m very happy they’re back together, they are soulmates."

“They sure are, Reg. Did you see Cameron's face when Luke stuck his tongue down Y/N's throat? PRICELESS.”

Thank you for reading✨

Taglist: @writerinlearning, @ghostofmgg, @strangerthanfanfiction713, @thebloodthirstyvampress, @kinda-really-lost, @kcd15, @magnet-girl, @aliandthephantoms, @stxrkspidey, @pinkrockstar19, @s0uz4s, @shycupcakealissa, @cookiebuba, @fangirlangioma, @sageellsworth05, @twist3dtinkerbell, @sunsetcurvenotsunsetswerve, @caitsymichelle13, @ifilwtmfc, @luckylouiebug, @bibliophilewednesday, @totomoshi, @siennanoelle01, @lunashadow6955, @bookfrog247, @morganayennefertyrell, @kiss-themoongoodbye, @rachelle3musicals

[toomanyfandoms02]

Thoughts - Part 1 // Matthew Gray Gubler x Reader

This timeline is set around 2006 because that's when the actually 2nd season of Criminal Minds was going on. So Matthew is about 26.

Summary - Soulmate AU! Once you turn 18, you can hear some of your soulmates thoughts. And when you meet, your thoughts go silent for 30 seconds. Readers soulmate is quite the character. (Anything you see in bold is the other persons thought.)

Word count : 2.1k

This is kind of experimental lmao, lemme know if you like it :)))

"What was your first soulmate thought y/n?" I got this question often, everyone did. This time it was asked by a new friend of mine, we met in our cinematography class this semester at LAFS ( Los Angeles Film School ).

"I think my story is one of the more fun ones."

"I bet mines better." Her eyes held promise, but I wasn't sure she could beat me.

*It was currently 1:15 pm, and I was waiting patiently for my first soulmate thought. I was with my best friend Marley, we sat in the cafeteria of my college, mind you, surrounded by other people.*

*"What time were you born again?" She had asked the question so many times this hour, by the way she was bouncing, you would think that we were waiting for hers.*

*"1:19 pm for the last time Marley." I giggled, nudging her shoulder. I took a bite of the cupcake she had bought me for my birthday. It took no time for the clock to hit 1:19, I anxiously waited to hear something, anything.*

"Now disclaimer." I told my friend, who I now knew as Alex. "I knew that some people had reported that their first soulmate thoughts were kind of, *loud*. But I can tell you that I was severely unprepared."

*Only 30 seconds after my watch ticked past 1:19, I heard a near deafening screech in my head.*

***"What the fuck?!"** The thought was so obnoxious and loud that I spit the fluffy pastry from my mouth and directly onto the back of another person, holding tightly to my ears, this did not help.*

*"What's going on? What did they say?" Marley leaned over to me, rubbing my back with a horrified look. Not long after, the man I had spit on turned around with a furious look.*

*"Hey I'm so sorry." I choked out, waving a hand at the man. "My soulmate thought was painful." The man rolled his eyes with an angry huff, taking his cardigan off and turning back to his table.*

*"What did they say y/n?!" There she went again, bouncing like a dodgeball.*

*"What the fuck." My eyes darted to hers, narrowed slightly. She furrowed her brows at me. "He literally thought, what the fuck, so loudly."*

Alex was on the floor giggling like a fiend, she held her stomache as if her guts would spill out with so much joy.

"Nope, you're right." She could barely speak between laughter. "I can't beat that." She promptly wiped the tears from her eyes, composing herself. "So you haven't met him yet?" She let out a final sigh.

"Nope. When I meet him, I kinda wanna slap him." A sly smile made it's way onto my lips. "The little shit thinks the weirdest things! I have had to deal with his thoughts for 4 years, and I'm ready for the complete silent bliss when I meet him." I laid my head back on the couch.

**I would really like a fruit roll up right now.**

"Speak of the idiot, he really wants a fruit roll up right now." Alex shook her head at me.

"Maybe he will be funny?"

"We'll see about that. What was your first soulmate thought?"

-

Tonight was Marley and I's 'introduction night.' Similar to a movie night, we have a night every two weeks where we either introduce the other to a new show or movie, alternating turns.

"I think you'll like this one." She plopped onto the loveseat, nearly throwing and spilling the hot popcorn on me while grabbing the remote. "It's a crime show, just started last year so after this season we can just keep up with it. If you like it of course." The show was flipped onto the first episode, it was a man talking about an unsub, or unidentified subject. Then a younger guy walked in, interrupting him.

"Who is that guy?" The words flew from my mouth before I could even think them.

"Spencer Reid-"

"No, I mean his *real* name. He looks *so* familiar." It felt like my brain was eating itself alive, why did he look so familiar.

"I think his name is Matthew Gray Gubler." Marley shrugged, not taking her eyes off the screen.

"Has he been in anything else but this?"

"He models a lot. That's probably where you saw him." She pushed some magazines around on her coffee table and threw one at me. "He's on page 16, Hilfiger Jean's." I flipped to the page, seeing his face again.

"Wow, he is something else. I must have just unknowingly saw him in a magazine somewhere."

"I know! Once I saw him on here, I knew you would think he was cute too. Plus, he's a genius. I figured this would be another Peter Parker situation again." She teased, poking at my giant crush on Spiderman AKA Toby Maguire a few years ago.

"Shut up!" I snickered, throwing a pillow at her head. My own thoughts were interrupted by one that was not my own.

**I wish Halloween would come faster.**

"Its literally May." I whispered to myself, earning a weird look from Marley. This is the typical weird thought, Halloween is big on his mind.

I of course ended up loving the show. ~~And may or may not have had a huge crush on Spencer Reid already.~~

I informed Marley that we would most certainly be catching up on the show regularly, making that out new weekly thing for a while.

Though I could truly not get that Matthew guy out of my head, and I had a weird feeling it wasn't just because I thought he was super hot.

Matthew

**Who is Matthew Gray Gubler?**

The thought nearly made me spit out my coffee as I walked through the set. I knew for sure that wasn't my thought.

*No shit sherlock.*

Now *that* was my thought.

The question swirled around in my head, I really wanted to just think,

*I'm Matthew Gray Gubler!*

Just to make this whole process easier. Who knows if she could even actually *hear* it if I did answer her, or that she would believe me.

So lost in my train of thoughts, pun intended, I ran right into a punch cart.

"Holy shit!" The punch came spilling down right onto my khaki pants. I rested my forehead on the rim of my coffee mug. "I'm so sorry Terry, I was really caught up in my head."

"It's alright." He pulled a towel from his back pocket, throwing it onto the puddle that was forming on the wood floor. "Thinkin' about a girl?"

"Yes actually, thinking about my soulmate. Let me help you with that." I kneeled down on the floor, wiping up the spill. "Sorry again."

"It's all good Matthew." He dragged the cart to the opposite side of the room.

**Why can I not focus damnit?! This trip is suppose to be fun. Focus y/n. Focus!**

Y/n! I've never heard her name before. Maybe shes getting closer to me.

I set my coffee on the table of the reading room, pulling my script out and sitting next to AJ.

"You seem out of it today, are you feeling okay?" She tapped my shoulder. "I saw you run directly into the lunch cart." She clearly tried to suppress a giggle.

"How did you meet Nathan? How did you do it?" My script was not slammed onto the table, my hands pressed firmly on top of it.

"Are you worried about soulmates again? Matthew, she will come to you-"

"She said my name!!" My hands flailed wilding in the air. "I heard her think it! This sucks." I laughed a bit at the end, feeling ridiculous and vulnerable. Ask phone buzzed on the table, interrupting my dilemma.

"Well I hate to stop you in the middle of this debacle, but we have a film class coming in to observe, I guess sit was suppose to be a surprise." AJ shrugged with a pity smile, which is my least favorite version of a smile. I dramatically slammed my head on the back of my rolling chair, groaning like a child.

"Come on Gubler, we don't even have to do anything, we just have to act normal so they can observe. Let's go educate some college kids." She stood above me, patting my head and dragging my seat from the table a few inches. I reluctantly stood up and left the reading room.

To be clear, if it were any other day than the day that I found out my soulmates name, I would be totally in the game. I love teaching people, I love being an inspiration, but all I could think about was how close yet how far I was from meeting the love of my life. I shook it all off, physically and mentally, while heading to the set.

*Time to get my head in the game.*

I hope my soulmate heard that and started thinking of highschool musical.

-

"Action!" I held my prop gun in my hand while following Shermar, he proceeded to kick a door down that had a camera on the other side to capture it. The class that was observing sat on the other side of the door, seeing all of the behind the scenes that goes on during filming.

To avoid making direct eye contact with the camera, I often look right past it. So instead of making eye contact with the camera, I made it with a girl.

Then it was silent.

I stopped in the doorway, leading AJ to slam right into me on her way through the door.

"What the hell are you doing Matthew?"

"Cut!"

**You have got to be fucking kidding me.**

We did not break our stare, her eyes wide now with the realization.

*Wow.*

The girl sitting next to her was shaking her shoulder violently, but she sat unfazed.

"Can you excuse me for a second?" Bobby Roth, our director for the day looked at me like I was dumb, inevitably giving in.

"Whatever, take 5 guys."

I immediately waltzed past the cameraman and over to, who I could only assume, was my soulmate. The girl next to her was promptly slapping her arm and squealing like a pig, but she was giving her quite the death stare.

*She's my kind of girl already.*

Right as I thought that, she looke duo at me with a large grin and a tilt of the head.

*Shit.*

**Damn, even cuter in person.**

"Thank you." I couldn't suppress the automatic pep in my step meeting her. "I'm Matthew, you must be y/n?" It came out as a question because I was worried I would be wrong, and embarrass myself.

Which I've done, many times.

"You know my name?"

"I uh, I heard you think it." I pointed to my head, nodding awkwardly.

"You are so weird." She laughed, which made my face reddened more 3x more than I'm sure it already was.

"What?" I managed to murmur out.

"Well, you just think about weird stuff, mostly Halloween though." She was slowly smiling more as she spoke of me, which made my heart skip a few beats. She was so much more beautiful than I had pictured her. Her eyes held every intelligent thought that I had ever heard from her, and I knew right then that the eyes were the door to the soul. "Now that I'm here," she finally stood to my level, poking at my chest. "Do you wanna do a couples costume? This year?" She did a cute half shrug, as if I would say no.

"Oh my God, you really are my soulmate." I pulled her into a hug, a tight one, never wanting to let her go now that I'd found her.

"Alright guys! Let's go!" Bobby motioned everyone back to the set.

"Yeah, get out there *Spencer*." She patted her hand on my cheek. I didn't know if I hoped that she *did* see or *didn't* see how much I already liked her on my face, but I could feel the admiration spilling from my features.

"I- I'll talk to you after this!" I stumbled backwards from her, going back to the set and awkwardly running my back into the cameraman.

"Can't wait!" She waved with a flushed face, sitting back down next to her friend who was now shaking both of her shoulders violently.

*This is the best day of my life.*

**Same.**

---------

I've got a few more Soulmat AU ideas if you want more! I just don't know if theres any demand, so LEMME KNOW.

[onewhoturns]

fictober.15.: buttons

#Fictober19 Prompt: 15. That’s what I’m talking about! Fandom: Oxenfree Pairing: Alex/m!OC, Alex/Jonas [future fic] Rating: T (no warnings apply) Tags: Alex is getting married, (or maybe not), stepcest Word Count: 2150

“Spiffy.” She’s leaned up against the door frame of the makeshift dressing room, a little awkward in a gown that’s slightly lopsided, the skirt too low and the bodice sagging around the ribs. It’s not what he would’ve expected from Alex. Super fitted - or it will be, once it’s all done up - all lace and mature elegance. The smooth look of it, the perfectly done hair and makeup, it clashes with the crooked smirk on her lips.

“Thanks,” Jonas smirks back for all of a half-second— an impulse reaction to that look. He glances down at his suit (something designer, he doesn’t know, he just had to go get measured however many months ago and wait for it to show up), and shifts awkwardly foot to foot. “Steph handled most of it.” The type-A sister of the groom. “Bridesmaids, groomsmen, all of it.” He picks at the cufflinks, lips pursing. Never had to wear cufflinks in his life before now. “Got to pick my own shirt at least,” he concedes, wryly. (Even if all the options were chosen for him.)

“Well.” She smooths out his collar, flattening the lapels of his (pretentious, in his opinion, and way too hot) three-piece suit, smiling up at him with that slightly teasing look he’s so used to. Like she’s trying not to snicker. There’s a short amused exhale before she turns, giving him the invitation to follow her inside. “You look nice.”

“So do you.” Jonas closes the door behind them, eyes skirting over the room. The whole property is kind of… well, spotless white wicker and delicate flower arrangements everywhere. It’s clean and perfect and off-puttingly ideal for a wedding. Her wedding.

“Nice? Really?” She turns on him again, leaning against the little linen-draped side table where her bouquet is patiently awaiting its walk down the aisle. “It’s like the most important day of my life and the best I get is ‘nice?’”

“You look beautiful,” Jonas amends, hands shoved into his pockets. But you always look beautiful.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about, much better.” Alex grins. She turns to the full length mirror, a hand coming up to idly poke at her perfectly-coiffed hair. Back to its natural brown after all the colors she’d tried through college. Before getting together with Jason. Now it’s super smooth, tamed into some complex updo. Distractedly, she adds a quieter, “thanks,” as her grin lessens to a smile, then to something more focused. Concerned. 

Fingers pluck at the lace of her dress, and she sighs. When she speaks again, it’s with a rueful smile, a bit of deadpan humor. “I feel like meat in a sausage casing. I think I gained like five pounds since this was tailored, and that’s enough to make it feel snug.”

“Christ,” Jonas mutters, shaking his head.

“But we suffer for beauty, right?” It’s sarcastic, shooting him a darkly amused look in the mirror before an unimpressed, “Pft.”

The room goes quiet again. Alex keeps fidgeting, playing with heavy jeweled earrings that would probably look too gaudy in any other circumstance— no doubt a gift from Jason’s parents. The new in-laws seemed keen on expensive jewelry, even if Jason himself had picked out something simple for the engagement. Jonas can’t help but stare at her in the mirror, trying to read her expression, to gauge her thoughts. “…How are you feeling?”

“Honestly?” There’s a brief pause, and Alex sighs, turning to face him. “My head is killing me, there’s like fifteen bobby pins jammed into my skull.” She pokes at her hair briefly, about to rub her eyes before remembering she’s got the whole professional makeup thing done, and instead going back to picking at the lace. “And I can’t get into this without a little assistance. And I’m thanking god that these heels are comfortable ‘cause I already know I’m gonna be stuck pacing around waiting for my grand entrance or whatever.” Her playful mood has dissipated, the anxiety coming through clear as day as she rolls her eyes.

“Can I help?” It’s his job, after all. Man of Honor and all that.

She manages a sheepish - grateful - smile. “Help me do up the back?” It’s a simple enough request. He’d almost expected it to come earlier; she’s been waiting around half-fastened.

She steps up onto the little step (he knows it’s not just a display stand, but it seems like one) in front of the mirror, bringing her a little closer to his level. Jonas takes up his place behind her, and she holds the bodice in place as he tugs the zipper up to the top and starts on the multitude of little buttons. 

“…God, the boning in this thing is like a straitjacket lovingly hugging my ribs,” Alex murmurs wryly.

Jonas glances to her in the mirror, and she’s staring down at her skirt, kicking her knees out a bit, missing the mobility that would’ve come from a different cut. It’s not how he’d expect a woman to look at her wedding dress. Carefully, he broaches the subject. “…I know it’s kinda… kinda rude, but-”

She reads his mind. “It looks good.” That’s why. Why she picked a dress that’s suffocating her. “I like how I look in it, I do.” It’s like she’s arguing, trying to convince him - or maybe herself - that the choice makes sense.

“But not how you feel.”

Her eyes flick up to meet his in the mirror. His observation hangs for a moment. Both of them know that this isn’t just about the dress.

“…Jonas…” It’s a wary tone, not exactly pleading, but he can feel how uncomfortable she is with the statement.

“Look, it— it’s not my place, but—” Why is he still talking? He doesn’t need to be saying this, he should let her be happy, let her enjoy this. “I just… Do you really want this?”

There is so much doubt in her, it’s palpable.

Alex doesn’t confirm. But she doesn’t deny it, either.

Right. So that’s a yes. Yes, she wants to do this, and he’s going to have to accept it. To accept that this is what she wants, and it’s not his place to change that.

Jonas sighs, turns his attention back to the line of buttons, deftly tucking them into their loops one by one. This whole contraption is ridiculous. Gorgeous, yes, but patently not Alex. Anything this restrictive is not Alex. She fidgets as he reaches the top of the bodice, and he briefly puts a hand on her waist to keep her still before going for the last few buttons at her neck. The goosebumps breaking out over her skin aren’t lost on him. He decides to blame it on air conditioning.

When it’s all done up, his hands smooth out over her shoulders, giving her a comforting little squeeze. There’s only a fraction of hesitation before he ducks to press lips to her neck briefly. It’s meant to be reassuring. Like a peck on the top of her head, but not. At least, he tells himself that as he draws back. But he glances into the mirror and she’s staring at him and he knows that look. He’s seen it before, when they were younger. And he saw it not too long ago, even if it was a lot more obvious then - less guarded, though that was almost assuredly due to the whole alcohol thing.

Her breath catches - or maybe it’s his - and he freezes for a moment. She looks pained. Guilty. Wanting.

Fuck, he’s an idiot.

They’ve been silent for too long, he needs to stop. Jonas’s hands slip from her shoulders, blinking and glancing away, turning back—

But Alex is faster than she looks, and has already turned and has a hold on his tie, pulling it loose from his vest, and she’s tugging him back to face her again.

There’s a second of pause where he just waits. Looks from eye to eye, trying to read the mix of emotions flickering there.

Then she softens. She glances down for a second, and he can feel her gaze on his lips. Alex gives a gentle tug at his tie again, and he’s helpless to argue. Her mouth presses against his and his eyes are closed tight, trying not to think about all of the things wrong with this picture. Trying not to think about all the feelings he’s had for her since forever. Trying not to think about how she deserves so much better than the man who’ll be waiting for her at the altar, who’s already decided he’s going to spend his life with her, who she’s decided to spend her life with as well. Or at least, Jonas thought she had. Do you really want this?

It feels like the kiss - chaste as it is - goes on too long. When Alex pulls away, she looks more conflicted than ever.

“…Is that a no, then?” It’s only partially a joke. If it’s a joke at all. Jonas really isn’t sure.

“That’s a— this is a lot.” She glances down again, releasing his tie, settling it back into place, fiddling with his jacket again. “And I don’t-” Alex nips at her lip for a second, looking guilty. “I mean, getting cold feet is normal-”

Nope. That’s a yes. That’s a she’s feeling vulnerable and you’re not helping and it’s a big neon sign screaming wrong from all angles. Jonas jerks back, but she’s got hands in his lapels this time, and he has to stop to keep from pulling her off balance to go tumbling down in her heels.  His voice is a warning as he shakes his head, “Alex, I can’t come between you and him, not if this is just some last minute panicking that you’re going to regret in a few minutes-”

“It’s not.” Her eyes are bright, intensely watching him.

“Not what?”

“Not last minute.”

His heart is suddenly in his throat. There had been the possibility. He’d given up hope, really, resigned himself to watching her be happy with someone else, but then there had been the possibility. But she’d seemed to forget it, so he’d tried to as well, to accept her choice, and not think too much about her confession.

“…Jonas, I-”

“You said, in Vegas.” The words are out of him too quickly. His lips snap shut, mouth dry, and he clears his throat.

“I… I did?” Alex looks perplexed. She still hasn’t let go.

“You- um.” His gaze is memorizing her face, trying not to meet her eyes for too long, feeling the heat working up his neck. “You said you weren’t sure it was the right choice. And that-” he swallows hard, “-and that you missed me.” He’s hoarse. “And what we used to have.” There’s a moment of hesitation. “…And you kissed me.”

Another long silence. Her brow is furrowed, lips in that stubborn line, like she’s trying to recall the memory, trying to make sense of what he’s saying.

“…You were completely shitfaced though, so I don’t really put any-” He can’t even finish the excuse before she’s kissing him again.

It’s a lot less chaste this time around. A lot closer to how they used to be, before they were scared apart. She’s demanding, and he’s happy to oblige, and— God, he’s missed this.

She pulls away too soon. Her eyes flick over his face, reading him. “…Like that?”

Fucking hell. He’s half-stunned. “…I mean, boozier, but that was the general idea, yeah.”

There’s the slightest twitch at the corner of her lips. Then her brow furrows again. “I can’t do this.”

It doesn’t matter that she’s the one who kissed him, Jonas is already ready to shoulder the blame. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have-”

“No, dumbass, this.” Alex manages a weak huff of laughter, even looking so troubled. “I can’t do this.” The look she gives him is meaningful. Pleading.

“Alex…” The instant narrowing of her eyes brokers no complaint. “…Okay. What do you want to do?”

“Leave.” She sounds so sure of herself.

“Now?”

“Now.”

“And go where?”

“Home, maybe.” Home. But that definitely doesn’t mean the place she’s been living with Jason. The way she says it, she means Camena. That was always home, even when she was living with her dad. And if any parent can forgive her for a decision like this, it will be Grace (with a little help from Jonas’s dad). The other half of this… they’re less likely to understand.

“What about the wedding?”

“I can’t do this,” Alex repeats, firmly.

She wants to leave. To ditch her own wedding. It’s… it’s absolutely insane. Her dad - and Jason’s family - dropped way too much cash on this; tens of thousands of dollars, countless hours of planning and picking and prepping and primping, all leading up to…

“…Okay.” Fuck it. They’ll figure it out later. “Okay. Let’s go, then.”

[source for AO3]