#and despite the weather there are families and companies of friends hanging out

[radioactive-cloud]

had a brief barely-there walk outside (probably less than a minute) and i can't understand whether it made my mood better or worse

[the-void-writes]

All That Thaws In The Cold 2024

I had to do another one of these because they’re so good.

Prompt: When The World Quiets

Summary: Will reflects on his past and his family during his first winter under Vesely’s roof.

WC: 1.1K

Will’s dorm was probably nicer than his room back home. The walls didn’t squeak with the wind, the lights never hesitated to come on, and the mattress on his bed was softer than his old lumpy one. His friends had even gotten him string lights to hang over his bed, little stars for him to admire without going outside in the cold.

They had helped him adjust as best as they could, and yet it still felt alien to him. Everything in the facility felt sterilized, barely lived in— barely a home, something Vesely’s company could never be to him.

His home was the people inside of the facility, the ones that had taken him in.

He leaned his head against the window, watching the snow as it fell on a quiet world, a world that had hopefully forgotten that he existed. There was no place for him in Preston anymore… His father had seen to that in an instant. The Shapiro family had no room for a Freak like him, diseased and broken and wildly dangerous. His place was with Vesely’s army, with all the other children who had been thrown away.

The bedroom door slid open quietly. In the reflection of the window, Will watched his godfather peek his head into the room.

“Am I interrupting anything?” Jason asked.

Will shook his head. “Come in.”

Jason stood beside him in the blink of an eye, making sure not to look over his personal space. He was the most respectful and considerate person Will had ever met, at least to him. His employees knew a different version of him, one that could strike fear into the most disciplined soldier. Will could see that man sometimes, in the coldness of his eyes, but he had never seen that chill directed to him. Jason was better than that, better than Isaiah in every way.

“Have you eaten yet?”

Will shrugged. “I don’t feel hungry.”

“Is it your fever?”

“No, that’s fine.” He scratched the scar on his arm, which burned slightly at the mention of his illness. “I’m just… tired.”

Jason nodded politely, but concern rested on his face. Will sometimes wondered if his godfather could read thoughts, or if he was just that easy to read. He shuffled over to the end of the bench so Jason could sit.

“How are you feeling?” Will asked.

“Old,” Jason said with a slight laugh. “I guess I’m at the point where the cold hurts my joints.” He tapped his knuckle against his left leg, earning a dull metallic thud. “Doesn’t help that this thing keeps locking up.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jason smiled. “Why? Do you control the weather? Are you freezing my legs on purpose so I’ll hang out with you more?”

Will’s lips curled slightly. “Darn, you spoiled my master plan.”

They laughed quietly, their eyes turning to the growing snowstorm outside. Despite its intensity, neither of them could hear the winds. A miracle of the facility’s construction, perhaps. Jason leaned his head against the cold glass.

“December’s always a hard time, isn’t it?”

Will nodded slowly. “You’d think it would be happier with all the holidays and bright lights and music, but it’s— it’s so—”

“Cold,” Jason said, “and lonely.”

“Yeah… lonely.”

The boy tucked his chin against his knees and stared out the window at the swirling snow. An arm carefully wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him close.

“Can I tell you something embarrassing?” Jason asked.

“What is it?”

“I used to pretend that you were with me for Christmas. I know you don’t celebrate it, but that was the biggest holiday Vesely allowed us.” Jason chuckled to himself. “I’d convince myself that you were sleeping in the other room, so I could sneak out and leave a present for you. I knew you’d never open it, but I couldn’t stand looking at an empty tree. I needed you.”

Will slowly turned to face him, tears building in his eyes. Jason closed his eyes.

“Forgive me, that was too much.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Will said weakly. “I used to do the same thing for you.”

When Jason opened his eyes, they were full of hope. “You did?”

“You remember the gelt, right? The chocolate coins Grandma Shapiro gave us?”

“Ah, of course. They had already melted whenever she handed them out.”

Will laughed. “Yeah— But for every Hanukkah after you left, I’d sort my pile in half and leave the rest on my desk, by our picture. Then, I’d share one with you each day.”

There was an entire world of warmth in Jason’s smile, years-worth of affection that had never died down. Will couldn’t look at him without feeling his ears heat up, overwhelmed by the gentle attention.

“Just letting you know that you’re not alone,” he said.

“Thank you, Will.” Jason hugged him tightly. “It means the world to me… just as you do.”

For one moment, Will felt like an eight-year-old boy again, enjoying the holidays with his dear family— the one that had truly loved him. He could see his mother’s smile, and his sisters’ laughter-filled faces. He remembered how Jason and Henry would hold him up to light the candles. They had always been there for that small, innocent boy…

“Jason?”

“Yes?”

“Do you ever wish that I was still a kid?”

He could hear the heartbreak in his own voice. Jason held him securely, brushing his hand through the boy’s hair.

“Only in the sense that I wish I could have watched you grow up,” Jason said, “into the wonderful young man you are today— You are wonderful, do you know that?”

Will could barely turn to look at him, let alone muster a smile. Jason chuckled to himself.

“Do you ever wish I was thirty again?”

“No!” Will said. “That’s not what I meant— You’re still great—”

Jason laughed. “I’m only teasing.”

Will crossed his arms. “It’s not funny.”

“I’m hilarious, what are you talking about?”

He pinched the boy’s shoulder lightly, waiting eagerly for confirmation. Will was unable to contain a soft, singular snicker.

“See?” Jason said. “I’m a riot.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Jason pretended to frown, and that got Will to laugh for real. Once he started, he couldn’t stop, especially when Jason immediately dropped the act because he was so proud of himself.

“I’m kidding. You are a riot.”

“Thank you, duck.” Jason ruffled his godson’s hair lightly. “Feeling any better?”

“Much better.”

“Good, that’s good. I’ll let you rest, then. If you start feeling down again, you’re always welcome to come find me.”

Before Jason could get up, Will hugged him as tightly as he could.

“Thank you for everything, Jason. Thank you for wanting me.”

Jason hugged him back, leaving a small kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll always want you here with us.”

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Lucky Strikes

Pairings: George Luz x Carwood Lipton(platonic) Warnings: description of war, injury, shell shock, ptsd, cold weather.

So I actually wrote this a little while ago and completely forgot to post it but this fic all stemmed from a conversation @georgieluz and I were having and the idea was born. This fic links to the moodboard it made for Band of Brothers Appreciation week so if you’ve seen it before that it why. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy.

George Luz would often be referred to as the clown of Easy Company, he was the comic relief, the joyful sidekick to the main character of the story. He was witty, insightful and had the heart of a young boy, pure and full of nothing but kindness. In fact, George could probably count on his hands the number of times he’d been rendered speechless, on D-Day when he’d seen a young paratrooper strung up in a tree, when he’d discovered a family hiding in amongst the rubble in Carentan and now standing in front of his friends as he watched their blood seep into the crisp snow, deep crimson dying the pure white carpet.

The scene rendered him speechless, words forming on his lips fell silent in his throat, his mouth dry, chest heaving with each breath as if he’d been crushed by a Sherman. He’d seen the horrors of war plenty of times before but nothing compared to this.

George stood frozen as he watched Doc Roe working on his friends, watched Bill crack jokes about getting home to the States, watched as his friends were carried off by fellow paratroopers. He couldn’t bring himself to utter a single word. He could hear Lipton talking to him, face hazy and his voice muffled by George’s mind. George found himself pointing towards Buck, surprising himself that he’d heard and understood Lipton despite his obvious lack of consciousness.

He watched, his heart heavy, as Lip walked cautiously towards Buck, kneeling beside the shaking man. To see Buck Compton now, shoulders shaking as he sobbed into Lip’s shoulder was more than George could bear. He turned away, his body stiff, joints moving like an abandoned rusted machine as he plodded through the snow, head hanging low, shoulders slumped. His foxhole wasn’t too far from the scene and he slowly sank onto the icy floor, no longer concerned by the snow that has piled into the hole and the tree branches and debris that lay across one end, that would be tomorrow's problem.

George had always felt like he needed to bring people joy, it was his meaning in life but sat shivering and lonely as he mourned the loss of his friends all George wanted to do was cry, to let out all the pain and heartache but he couldn’t bring himself to let the tears flow, couldn’t bring himself to break. “If I break then they’ll be no one to make anyone laugh,” he’d told himself time and time again, it felt like a burden really, being the light in the darkness and despite everything someone expected you to crack a joke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lipton’s warm breath fans across his face against the icy wind as he searched the foxholes, checking on each man but specifically seeking out one. George Luz. Lip recalled the horror and agony in his usually energetic brown eyes as he’d fled the scene, too consumed with grief to help Roe and Malarky. Lipton asked around for George but no one seemed to know, each giving another vague answer. It wasn’t until Lipton journeyed back to his own foxhole that he found him, tucked up beneath Lipton’s blanket, his knuckles pure white as his fingers desperately gripped the scratchy army-issued blanket. Lipton spoke softly to him, crouching down and watching as George’s eyes flickered wildly, moving but unseeing.

“George?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having been too consumed in his sorrow he hadn’t heard Lipton approaching, calling his name or even the large warm weight appearing beside him. It wasn’t until Lipton lay a hand on his shoulder that George jumped abruptly. His brown eyes followed the arm up, meeting the sympathetic face of none other than Carwood Lipton.

He gave George a small crooked smile before nestling down further beside him, his hand still on George’s shoulder. George couldn’t bring himself to meet Lip’s eyes, turning his head away and burying it deeper into his scarf.

“George? Are you alright?” Lip asked, his voice laced with worry, he brushed George’s long brown locks off his forehead revealing the face of a small frightened boy. George shuddered, shaking his head silently. Lipton watched in horror as George’s face morphed into an agonising silent sob, tears began to trickle down his dirty cheeks, leaving silver trails highlighted in the moonlight, illuminating the dark shadows of his face.

Lipton lurched forward, cradling the boy against his chest, whispering to him as he let out all the anger, the pain, the frustration that had been building since D-Day. Lipton had held many a man while they cried, comforted them as they died in his arms, and cooled them down when their anger erupted but not George. Not George. He’d never once seen him exploded with anger, cry after an artillery barrage, he’d not even seen him pray before a jump. Lipton could feel the boy's chest rising and falling in uneven, shaky breaths, knuckles fisting the front of his uniform and his legs wrapping around Lipton’s outstretched ones. He resembled a baby Lemur that Lipton had once seen in a National Geographic book, clinging onto its mother.

“George?” Lipton asked, pulling back from him slightly to watch his eyes silently begging him to stay. Lipton only nodded, giving George a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

With shaking hands George pulled the packet of Lucky Strikes from his breast pocket, lighting one and inhaling slowly before lip plucking the cigarette from his mouth taking a long drag and exhaling deeply. Both men watched as the small clouds of smoke drifted up silently into the dark sky, their eyes aglow from the stars above them.

“Thank you,” George whispered, titling his head upwards to glance at the Sergeant. Lipton nodded and without uttering a word they both knew what hadn’t been said was understood by the other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tags: @georgieluz @iceman-kazansky @yeahcurrahhe-e @lieutenant-speirs @sharpshootershifty @liberteuniteegalite @msmercury84 @shadowsintheknight @callsign-phoenix @desert-fern @mayhem24-7forever @not-havingthetimeofmylife @floralfloyd @dustyjumpwjngs @theflyingfin @jump-wings

[bridgertonbabe]

You cannot let us hanging like that!! I need to know what happens when Violet sees Agatha again after watching that video tape of her and her dad!!

The next time Violet sees Agatha again is at the latter's birthday party a few weeks later, having successfully avoided her in the meantime with various excuses like babysitting grandchildren and feeling under the weather. At the party Edmund is running interference, ensuring his wife is safe from any one-on-one interactions with Agatha by sending over his children and in-laws to keep her occupied. However despite his best efforts, Agatha finds Violet alone in the kitchen refilling her wine glass and right away she picks up on the younger woman's discomfort from being in her company and she asks Violet why she's feeling so hostile towards her.

"Gee, I don't know Agatha. How would you feel if you found out that the woman you had considered as a role model and looked up to your whole life had slept with your dad?"

The kitchen fell into staggering silence as Agatha suddenly faced the music of the best kept secret she had been sitting on for decades now.

"How... how did you figure it out?" Agatha swallowed uncomfortably as she tried her best to navigate herself through a situation she had never prepared to ever face.

"Oh I think I managed to put two and two together after watching your sex tape!" Violet snapped.

Agatha had no time to react or respond to this startling revelation when suddenly the kitchen doors burst open and the kitchen began filling up with the entire party singing Happy Birthday, circling the woman of the hour as Gareth presented her with her birthday cake. Only Edmund picked up on the tense atmosphere that the party had intruded on, realising right away that his wife had had it out with her lifelong family friend, judging from the horror-struck expression on Agatha's face as she hesitantly blew out her candles and accepted everyone's birthday wishes with a dazed faraway look in her eyes.

[the--aiden]

❝ I am wrapped in a shroud of lost love and drunken mistakes

Name: Aiden Winters Age: 33 Species: fae Lives in: Owns a townhouse in Wolf Crossing Occupation: road crew supervisor and part-time helping hand in the Babbling Brooks ranch on weekends Affiliation: whimsical aosan fantasy (as per family obligations)

Family:

9 brothers and 1 sister (all wanted connections listed under familial here)

Mikael Winters - blog - brother

Sofia Mieux - blog - ex-fiancé

Powers: none Hobbies: Aiden likes working with his hands, be it at work, fixing up broken furniture or hoeing the ground and tending for plants. All his hobbies are part of his work, outside of it he likes to go fishing and gambling.

Growing up with six older brothers could be called anything but boring, especially when while growing up his parents did have three more kids and he was able to also call himself a bigger brother. Aiden always felt like a big part of the family, a literal pack of twelve people. They always had each others’ backs no matter the situation and what was happening and he could say he did enjoy beating up a kid or two to avenge his little sister. He had some high standards to follow in school after the twins which seemed too much for the kid back then, not the brightest bulb of the family. Aiden’s initial goal was to leave Greywood, like his bigger brothers, and go study somewhere outside of the city. This was a kind of a tradition from older generations of his family, very little of them remaining in Greywood past their teens despite their history in town going back to its settling. However, university fell out of the picture when he started dating a lovely girl from high school and decided to stay here because of her. Right out of school he applied for a few jobs, not really wanting to help out the family business. He was quite used to the morbid atmosphere that was the business side of their home, but he was not ready to study for it or be part of the organizing team. He worked at a café but the setting didn’t suit him well as he was too used to being constantly outside, having been part of the football team in high school and constantly wandering around the forest and mountains around Greywood with friends. He quit quickly and put in an application for the road crew, where he has stuck since. He was promoted to a supervisor a few years back, but he enjoys doing the work so doesn’t shy away from it despite being able to do so. Being out in all manners of weather and either cleaning up, filling up holes or digging down for someone’s pipes is a job he likes doing. A few years after he started the job he put a downpayment for a townhouse in Wolf Crossing, moving in together with the girl he was with. At 24 he was ready to propose but she seemed to have other plans and without much of an explanation she told him she needed something new and left both him and the city. The blow of that broke Aiden’s heart and for the next five years he found it hard to start trusting another woman, mostly having a good time and enjoying their company without trying to do anything serious with them. That was until he met a woman who had recently moved to the city and he fell hard. He proposed to her a year ago, ready to start a family and thinking of selling the townhouse and moving down to Mystic Grove where they would be more comfortable once they started building a family, for which he was eager. He worked hard, taking up a second job for weekend mornings and whenever he could fit it in during the week, going up at the ranch to help out with cleaning and fixing what needed to be fixed each time. Little did he know, another blow would be taken before he could get what he really wanted. Six months ago Aiden caught his fiancé in bed with one of his brothers. This time it wasn’t only a woman breaking his heart, but a family member helping her crush it into the ground. Aiden is now back into his old ways, sleeping around when he can and otherwise just hanging out with friends and family. He hasn’t spoken to his brother or his ex-fiancé since, while they both continue living in the same town, which can make some situations weird considering how small Greywood is.

[lolly-pop456]

1. Steven Universe, Spy X Family, and that new sonic one that I can’t remember the name of lol

2. They’re purple and a bit taller than my usual ankle socks. They also have lil sushi’s on them too.

3. I adore smoothies of any kind

4. Depending on the occasion and season it’s usually a semi formal dress or a nicer shirt with dark pants.

5. Over medium

6. A group of bookmarks I’ve collected over the years. Rn I’m using a tarot card that just described the deck.

7. Black probably. It goes with lots of things.

8. Other than books and movies I like older hats. They look very cool and interesting to me and make fun decorations.

9. The ocean for both. Even though I never grew up by it I just find it very soothing to me for some reason.

10. Colors. They can represent more than what someone is telling me to think (aka lyric questions).

11. Glasses. Eyes are too sensitive for contacts.

12. That she’s big and not shy about it since she can’t help her weight for the most part.

13. Pencil. I’m a fast writer so I make a lot of mistakes usually.

14. My back porch or backyard in general. It doesn’t face anything but the trees so it feels very private and uniquely mine.

15. Only one since my wife and I are too forgetful to have more lol. And maybe? It’s technically my wife’s but she forgets about it all the time… poor lil cactus.

16. A very oversized dark grey one with a family friend’s tattoo company logo on it. I got it on sale as it was the last one and not selling well, I like it because it makes me feel small.

17. Like five books hahaha… all from different series that I have one or two of on my shelf already.

18. When they discovered Tenochtitlan. Experiencing the wonder they experienced while first seeing the city would be amazing.

19. I dressed up as a spunky dark fairy once and loved the hell out of it despite having to wear a winter coat.

20. Algebra.

21. Uhh.. I think it’s called Starry Night Over the Rhine? It’s by Van Gogh and basically like that famous stars one but a different perspective I guess.

22. Iced.

23. Love songs. Idk why they’re just the easiest for me to sing.

24. Perhaps too aggressive at times but I’d like to think so. I at least use my blinker.

25. Yep. I want lots more tattoos and my nipples pierced.

26. More so a cook than a baker though I guess I could bake if I focused more. Don’t really have a specialty unless making a family recipe is one lol.

27. Just one amethyst skull, it’s got some creamy white lines and it’s supposed to be a good stone for protection.

28. Oh yeah. I definitely do, been called a mermaid most of my life as a joke.

29. Nope.

30. Yeah. I hang my shirts to the far left, then pants, then like: seasonals and fancy stuff. Then hoodies and bras.

31. Nails, hair, hips I think.

32. One of those iridescent rainbow looks 😍.

33. Earbuds.

34. Easily.

35. When I was little my favorite was a pink dog with a heart nose named Valentine. He went EVERYWHERE with me but uhh… at some point I became convinced he was haunted by something. That’s a story for another time if anyone’s curious.

36. Air hockey.

37. As long as they’re respectful of my space and let me know if they’re behind me.

38. I really like classical piano pieces actually. They really soothe me and not many people would guess that about me probably.

39. Realizing I didn’t sleep until 7pm lmao.

40. Apple. They hold lots of fond childhood memories for me.

41. Black pepper and rose.

42. A few. I think my favorite is the pixel coloring one, since it lets you upload your own photos to draw.

43. On. Fear of the dark is really a bitch.

44. Put it in my Toothless piggy bank.

45. No hahaha. I wrote too hard and fast usually, and even if I slow down it looks like a young kids.

46. I think a band? That or a podcast.

47. When the weather is nice.

48. I mean… I prefer plastic over porcelain but that’s about it.

49. Read a good book.

50. The air is cold but not freezing, indirect air is being pushed in from the ac with a slight hum. Silky sheets and pillow cases with a light fuzzy blanket that’s big enough to keep me underneath despite me tossing and turning. Also a body pillow with a stuffed animal to cuddle.

50 Questions Just Because

What are three shows in your watchlist that you’ve been meaning to get to?

Describe your favorite pair of socks

Do you like smoothies?

What do you wear when you have to dress nicely?

How do you like your eggs?

What do you use to keep your place when you’re reading a book?

What color dominates your closet?

Do you collect anything? If so, what?

What sounds or scents calm you down?

What’s your favorite kind of uquiz question? (Lyric, color, aesthetic, etc)

Do you wear glasses or contacts?

What’s something about your best friend that you love?

Do you prefer to write in pen or pencil?

What are some places where you feel most at home?

Do you have any houseplants? Do any of them have names?

Describe your favorite hoodie. How long have you had it? What makes it unique?

What’s the last thing you ordered online?

What’s one historical event that you would have liked to have witnessed?

What’s your favorite Halloween costume from when you were a kid?

What kind of math are you best at?

What’s your favorite period in art history, your favorite famous work and/or your favorite style of art? If you don’t know any that’s ok!

Iced or hot drinks?

Which songs do you like to sing in the shower?

Are you a good driver?

Do you have any piercings or tattoos? Are there any that you want?

Can you cook or bake? If so, what are some of your specialties?

Do you have any keychains on your home or car keys? Describe them!

Can you swim very well? Do you like swimming?

Did you play with Legos as a kid? What was your favorite set?

Is your closet organized? If so, how?

What’s the last music video you watched?

If you could dye your hair any color, regardless of how you think it would look, what color would you choose?

Headphones or earbuds?

Can you read analog clocks?

Describe your favorite stuffed animal, either now or from when you were a kid.

What’s an arcade or table game (air hockey, ping pong, etc) that you’re really good at?

Do you mind if others are in the kitchen when you’re cooking or baking?

What’s one show you watch or musician you listen to that your friends know nothing about?

What was the best part of your day today?

What’s your favorite kind of tree?

What scent is your deodorant?

Do you have any games on your phone? If so, which one(s) is/are your favorite?

Do you shower with the lights on or off?

What do you do with spare change?

Do you have good handwriting?

What’s the last thing a friend recommended to you that you looked into and actually liked?

Do you like to go on walks?

Do you have a favorite plate or bowl?

What’s your favorite thing to do when it’s raining?

Describe your perfect sleeping conditions

[moyerslawnservice]

Importance of Hardscaping in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, MD

It is human nature to beautify objects. Placing a single rose in the vase or hanging photographs on the wall can enhance the aesthetics. Homeowners have a lot of space to play with when in a garden. Planting lofty trees and installing a green lawn adds to the property's beauty, but other elements also add to the look. Apart from working with the foliage, one may carve inanimate objects to make the available space useful, functional, and attractive. It is essential to consider hardscaping in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, MD, to ensure several advantages today. ​ It suffices to know that hardscaping is a part of landscaping wherein the professional works with nonliving materials such as sand, clay, or stones. Creating beautiful structures that enhance the outdoors is the objective behind hardscaping. There are many ways to use inanimate objects to create an eye-catching spectacle. Some of the most popular types of hardscaping in vogue at present include the following:-

· Fire Pit- An outdoor fireplace or a simple fire pit created out of stones or bricks is a functional element that enables the users to relax beside it during the winter. Spending quality time with family and friends seated around the blazing fireplace can be an excellent way of enjoying nature despite the chilling weather.

· Pathways—Trampling through dirt and mud, especially after rain or snow, can be uncomfortable. To supervise the outdoor area throughout the year, it can be a good idea to lay brickwork, concrete, or pavers to form pathways that lead to multiple areas within the garden and yard covered with wild foliage. What’s more? The beautiful paths are also eye-pleasing.

· Retaining walls—Creating a boundary on a property that slopes or is located beside a lake can be highly beneficial to prevent soil loss. Different types of materials and colors may make the boundary look attractive. Its purpose is more functional than adding to the aesthetic appeal.

· Pergola/Gazebo—One may construct freestanding structures at different parts of the garden or yard. Constructed out of a variety of materials and shaped uniquely, these structures double up as a resting space or shading area during hot and humid summer afternoons. They also provide cover during rain and snowfall. Having a sheltered area throughout the garden makes the outdoors more liveable.

· Patios or Decks—Adding a patio or deck crafted from wood, stone, or concrete can help extend the living area. The overhanging space overlooks the garden, making it ideal for enjoying nature when the weather is lovely. The hardscaping professional can provide the customer with an estimate for the construction and maintenance of the deck or patio.

Creating or dealing with an existing garden can be challenging. It is advisable to contact an experienced landscape company in Gaithersburg and Bethesda, MD, with an exemplary track record of handling diverse landscaping services. 

[sexintheraine]

Thank you for everything that you made me feel.

For making me feel alive again after all that I thought was everything, turned out to be less than anything.

The small moments I’ve had with you have made me realize that it’s ok to trust someone again, to feel heard and supported and thought of.

You saying that I deserve open communication and someone’s time and what you’re going through doesn’t take away from how you feel about me, made me fall even harder for you.

You said you wouldn’t handle the dismay like he did. You said I didn’t have to worry about you. And I believed you. I still believe you.

I want to see you. But I don’t want to be overbearing or the only one asking you for your time. I want you to want to steal mine too.

I was okay while I was sick because I slept my days away. I was doing everything I could to get back to healthy. I’m still not 100% yet. But 98% I would say.

I miss your taste. I miss the small glances you’d take when you thought I wouldn’t know. I miss the way I fit perfectly under your arm as you walk me to my car. And the kiss you steal before I watch you disappear and I drive home. I miss your possession.

I want you to stay the night. I want to wake up next to you. I want you to hold me close while we sleep. Legs and bodies tangled.

I want to road trip with you and get away from the noise.

I want to go play billiards at the pool hall near your place.

I want to take that trip to China to steal a piece of the Great Wall.

I want you to be my wedding date to my best friends wedding in August.

I’m afraid I’m no longer falling for you. I’m afraid I’m completely locked in. I’m afraid I can’t help it. I want to run around Piedmont park and have a nerf battle.

I want to watch Kentucky games and take Ruger to the dog park. I want to see movies and hang at the pool when it opens.

For my birthday; I would love to go to my parents cabin with you for a weekend getaway if we can swing it.

I want to watch a match of yours at the gun range.

Maybe go roller blading or ice skating. I wish I knew how you felt about roller coasters…

I want you to meet my parents and my brothers and I want to meet your sisters and yours.

Maybe we go to New York to visit our siblings together. Spend a day with yours and with mine.

I want to dream of the possibilities with you again.

I’ll never look at spicy food and not think of you.

When I send a long text, I’ll wish for your lengthy responses.

I’m not sure what will happen with us next,,, but if I never see you again, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for recognizing what I deserve.

Thank you for making me feel alive.

Thank you for giving me comfort in the midst of bullshit outside of us.

Thank you for being a gentleman.

If this is the end of our beginning…. You still owe me a gladiators game when we cross paths again.

And thank you for being kind hearted and passionate.

You definitely made an impact on me. Even though I’m surprised by the speed. I’m grateful for it. I don’t know where you came from. And I hate to see you go. So I’m hopeful that you don’t. But days are hard when I don’t hear from you now. And that’s how I know I’m no longer falling. I have already hit the ground and now I’m figuring out how to step forward without being too much. — and then the intrusive thoughts take over and I start to wonder if you want to step forward at all.

Of course you do. Your stress level just peaks every week that goes by without the security.

I met you when you were in your element. Making tons and working for a company you respected and felt proud to be a part of despite the desire to change course.

I met you when the dating scene had exhausted you and all these girls were portraying someone they’re not.

I met you and immediately heard your pet peeves. You met me and found my preferences. - there’s always more to learn…. But what I know about you, absolutely intrigues me.

What I know about your family, makes me want to stay so you don’t have to weather the storm alone. Not because you can’t. But because you shouldn’t have too.

I’m one hundred percent overthinking this. We’re not even serious yet. But I wish we were. I wish you owed me the respect of breaking it off if this isn’t what you want. I wish I felt like I could come and be there for you without you having to ask me.

I called the other night because I got off early and my night freed up. I debated not, only for not wanting to look clingy and weird. I’m sure you were busy. I actually know you to be a busy guy. And I LIKE THAT. I’m a busy girl too.

I guess I just miss your voice and the potential of being something wonderful that we have had. its been pretty hard being away from you and I just hope you don’t disappear completely.

… I really hope I see you soon.

I’m still rooting for me and you.

You might not want to put me through the wildness of it all. But I’m asking you to do it.

Choose me.

Tell me how I make you feel.

Show me your fears and your feelings.

Breathe me in.

Stay.

Choose the unknown ahead with me.

Choose the known. Show me what you’re thinking and how you’re navigating. Show me glimpses of your world and your thoughts. Hold me while I show you mine.

[greywoodrpg]

𝕒𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤

he appears as though he was born thirty-three years ago and is actually thirty-three, is a faerie and lives in wolf crossing as part of the road crew and a helping hand at babbling brooks ranch, and is in whimsical aosan fantasy. he looks an awful lot like chris evans.

"The rage in your heart warms you now but it will leave you cold in your grave."

tw: adultery

Growing up with six older brothers could be called anything but boring, especially when while growing up his parents did have three more kids and he was able to also call himself a bigger brother. Aiden always felt like a big part of the family, a literal pack of twelve people. They always had each others’ backs no matter the situation and what was happening and he could say he did enjoy beating up a kid or two to avenge his little sister. He had some high standards to follow in school after the twins which seemed too much for the kid back then, not the brightest bulb of the family. Aiden’s initial goal was to leave Greywood, like his bigger brothers, and go study somewhere outside of the city. This was a kind of a tradition from older generations of his family, very little of them remaining in Greywood past their teens despite their history in town going back to its settling. However, university fell out of the picture when he started dating a lovely girl from high school and decided to stay here because of her. Right out of school he applied for a few jobs, not really wanting to help out the family business. He was quite used to the morbid atmosphere that was the business side of their home, but he was not ready to study for it or be part of the organizing team. He worked at a café but the setting didn’t suit him well as he was too used to being constantly outside, having been part of the football team in high school and constantly wandering around the forest and mountains around Greywood with friends. He quit quickly and put in an application for the road crew, where he has stuck since. He was promoted to a supervisor a few years back, but he enjoys doing the work so doesn’t shy away from it despite being able to do so. Being out in all manners of weather and either cleaning up, filling up holes or digging down for someone’s pipes is a job he likes doing. A few years after he started the job he put a downpayment for a townhouse in Wolf Crossing, moving in together with the girl he was with. At 24 he was ready to propose but she seemed to have other plans and without much of an explanation she told him she needed something new and left both him and the city. The blow of that broke Aiden’s heart and for the next five years he found it hard to start trusting another woman, mostly having a good time and enjoying their company without trying to do anything serious with them. That was until he met a woman who had recently moved to the city and he fell hard. He proposed to her a year ago, ready to start a family and thinking of selling the townhouse and moving down to Mystic Grove where they would be more comfortable once they started building a family, for which he was eager. He worked hard, taking up a second job for weekend mornings and whenever he could fit it in during the week, going up at the ranch to help out with cleaning and fixing what needed to be fixed each time. Little did he know, another blow would be taken before he could get what he really wanted. Six months ago Aiden caught his fiancé in bed with one of his brothers. This time it wasn’t only a woman breaking his heart, but a family member helping her crush it into the ground. Aiden is now back into his old ways, sleeping around when he can and otherwise just hanging out with friends and family. He hasn’t spoken to his brother or his ex-fiancé since, while they both continue living in the same town, which can make some situations weird considering how small Greywood is.

“what power did he attain when settling in greywood?”

None

penned by... geri

[ihni]

Every weather is sweater weather in Hawkins

For Harringrove Harvest day 3: ”Claudia Henderson’s hand-knit sweater”

(Read on AO3)

~~~

“I’ll miss you.”

The voice is low, and coming from outside the partly-open kitchen window that is facing the back of the house. Claudia Henderson pauses on her way to the sink with a pile of plates in her hand and listens, because it’s not the voice of any of the kids – they were all accounted for in the living room, ten seconds ago – but whoever’s speaking sounds … sad. And tonight is supposed to be a pre-Christmas celebration; a night of family and friendship and cheerfulness. She doesn’t want anyone to be sad in her house, especially today. That’s why she insisted on cooking for everyone.

“I know,” another voice says, and this one she recognizes as Steve’s. Which means the last speaker must have been his friend, Billy Hargrove. Max’s brother, the same boy that the kids had such a hard time accepting in the beginning, for whatever reason. Claudia can’t imagine why. He seems like a sweetheart to her.

Steve continues, “I wish I didn’t have to go. But mom got it into her head that we’d spend Christmas together as a family, and –“

“No, no, I know,” the voice of Billy Hargrove comes through. “I’m happy for you. Getting to spend time with your parents, in Europe? Sounds awesome.”

“Won’t be so awesome without you. I wish I could take you with me.”

“I know. But it’s only two weeks.”

There’s silence for a while, and Claudia carefully sets the plates down on the formica countertop and takes a step closer to the window under the guise of reaching for the dish soap.

“Are you gonna be okay, Billy?”

There’s the sound of a laugh, and Claudia’s heart twists with how forced it sounds. “Of course, pretty boy. I think I can handle two weeks without you.”

“That’s not … I mean with your dad. Are you gonna be alright at home, if you can’t come to my place? I can leave you a key, if you want?”

“A key to …?”

“To my house.”

Billy’s voice softens when he says, “It’s alright. What reason would I have to go there, anyway, if you’re not there?”

There’s silence again, but this time it comes with the rustling of fabric and the sound of a kiss. It brings a fond smile to Claudia’s face.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Stevie. I’ll be alright. It’s just for a couple of weeks.” Another kiss. “You’ll be back in no time.” Another. “I can’t wait.”

“Me too.”

Someone calls for Claudia from the living room, and she puts down the dish soap. She can save the dishes for later. For right now, she has dinner guests to attend to and some plans to make.

~~~

It is a lovely evening, all around. Despite what she heard through the open window, the boys don’t let anything show when they come back from their “smoke break”. Claudia, naturally, pretends like she is none the wiser, but watches the boys as they hang out with the rest of Dustin’s friends. Steve is dragged right into the thick of things, of course – her Dusty is so fond of that boy, and by extension so is Claudia – and Billy keeps a little to himself but he looks content enough to sit in an armchair with a mug of eggnog (home-made and very good, if Claudia may say so herself; she used a recipe that was handed down to her by her mother) and watch the kids play their games. After a couple of minutes, his sister rolls her eyes at her friends’ antics and goes to squeeze in next to Billy in the armchair. Billy grumbles, but Claudia can’t help but notice that he doesn’t push her away. She also notices that while Billy’s gaze flits around the room, he seems to be watching Steve the most. And well, it is quite obvious to Claudia that Steve is watching him right back.

Boys. Subtle, they are not.

When the evening is approaching its end – when everyone has had their fill and more of food and drink and snacks and good company – Claudia makes sure to hug everyone goodbye before they leave. And if she hugs Billy and Steve a little bit longer than the others, well. She doesn’t think anyone notices.

They do notice when she steals a couple of hairs from their heads though, if the “Ow!” they let out is any indication, but she laughs and apologizes and says that their hair must have gotten tangled up in one of her rings, and it is soon forgotten.

She puts her plan into motion that very night. When the house is empty and the dishes are done and Dustin has gone to bed, Claudia takes the hairs – blonde and brunet – and carefully braids them together. She goes to her yarn basket and picks out a nice dark blue cotton/wool blend, brings out her knitting needles, sits down in her favorite chair in a well-lit corner of the living room, and starts knitting.

~~~

Christmas in the Hargrove-Mayfield house is … Well. Not something to write home about, even if Billy had had anyone left to write to, back in California.

It could be worse, he guesses. Susan loves Christmas, and Billy’s dad usually tries to keep his temper over the Holidays, which means less bruises for Billy. But it also means more tension, as his dad doesn’t have an outlet for all his frustrations over the course of several days. Billy will take what he can get, though. He’ll take these days of peace, knowing it’ll most likely cost him a blow-out some time in the time between Christmas and New Year.

It’s a farce, of course. One they all play along to. Neil pretends that they’re all picture perfect, when he makes them go to Church and have a family outing to the Christmas fair on the Sunday before Christmas. Susan plays along, only too happy to have the kind of husband that she deluded herself into thinking she’d get when she married Neil. Max rolls her eyes, but has learned enough by now not to rock the boat when the sea is calm. And Billy? Billy plasters a fake smile onto his face and says thank you for dinner and offers to help with the dishes before Neil can tell him, and he buttons his shirts almost all the way up and wears a small ring instead of a dangly earring and generally tries to keep his head down.

It’s easier that way.

He draws the line at caroling, though. Luckily for him, Neil doesn’t seem to expect him to join in when he drags his wife and daughter out to bond with some of their neighbors, so Billy gets a whole evening to himself in the house.

If Steve had been home, Billy would have gone over to his place. They’d have made some crappy food together, eaten in front of the TV, kissed a bit … But Steve is not home. Steve is in Prague, and has only been gone for two days.

Billy has been missing him since before he even left.

It’s fine. He’s fine. He managed just fine before he got together with Steve, and he’ll manage now. It’s just. Breaks from school are not Billy’s favorite time. Don’t get him wrong, he quite enjoys not having to do schoolwork, but he doesn’t quite enjoy having to stay in the house for an extended period of time. Back in Cali, he could go to his friends’ houses, or go to the beach or just hang around downtown. Here, he doesn’t really know anyone well enough to show up during the Holidays without there being a party – which there isn’t – and it’s too goddamned cold to just hang around somewhere outside.

To put it simply; when Steve’s not here, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. He’s got nowhere to escape to. He can’t do anything but keep his head down and grit his teeth and play the part of the perfect son in the perfect little small town family.

It’s going to be a long two weeks.

He has just settled down in the couch – making the best out of his time alone by eating his heated-up dinner in the living room instead of the kitchen; something he is never allowed to do when his dad is home – when the doorbell rings.

He rolls his eyes and ignores it, turning his attention back to the TV. But it rings again. And again.

With a great big sigh, he heaves himself out of the couch and makes his way to the door. If it’s carolers, he’s gonna scream.

He’s only in a T-shirt and gym shorts, so the cold air hits him as soon as he opens the door, covering his skin in goosebumps.

Outside the door is … Dustin Henderson.

Billy frowns. “Max isn’t here,” he says, and starts to close the door. He is fine with the kids nowadays, and he likes to believe they are fine with him. That doesn’t mean that he is keen to hang out with them.

Before he can close the door, though, Henderson puts his foot inside to stop him. Billy graciously doesn’t slam the door shut anyway, but pauses. “What?”

“I’m not here for Max,” the kid says, grumpily. “Mom sent me. Said to give you this.” He hands Billy a package, wrapped in brown paper and tied together with red yarn. There’s a cardboard tag on it which says Merry Christmas Billy.

Billy takes it, out of surprise more than anything else. “Why?” he asks, dumbly.

“I don’t know,” Dustin says and rolls his eyes, as if his mother’s whims are beyond even his understanding. He indicates his backpack, which seems to be bulging. ���But I have more deliveries to make, so. Bye.” Turning his back on Billy, he trudges back down the newly cleared walkway (Billy shoveled it this morning, as a way to keep his dad happy and also to get out of the house), and only belatedly throws a “Oh and merry Christmas, I guess” over his shoulder without even looking back.

Billy doesn’t bother answering. Instead, he closes the door and examines the parcel. It’s something soft, probably clothes of some sort. The paper crinkles when he presses down on it. Part of him wants to open it right away, but it’s only Christmas Eve and there’s something thrilling to know that he will have something to open tomorrow, too. He doesn’t put it under the tree, though. Instead, he goes into his room and places it under the bed. For safekeeping.

~~~

Christmas morning is about what Billy had expected. A slightly stilted family breakfast while they open presents – Billy gets a dress shirt from Susan that he’s pretty sure he’ll never have an occasion to wear, two slightly crumpled ten dollar bills from his dad, and a lighter which actually has a pretty cool skull logo on it from Max – and in the lull that follows Billy retreats to his room for a bit. He puts some music on, but keeps the volume low – it wouldn’t do to interrupt the Christmas music playing from the tinny radio in the kitchen. Then he takes out two more presents. Ones he wouldn’t want to open in front of his family.

The first one is from Steve, who gave it to him before he left with the promise that he would bring back something better from Europe. It’s a small box, the kind that jewelry comes in, and Billy’s heart rate speeds up as he opens it. For a second, he thinks it’s a ring, and he doesn’t know what to do with that. But then he sees that it’s not, not really. It’s a keyring, with a shiny metal lightning bolt attached to it. There’s a note, too. “For your key to the apartment we’ll get when we move in together”, it says. There’s a little heart drawn in the corner, and Billy’s own heart does something complicated in his chest.

Suddenly, he misses Steve so much that he aches with it.

The second present is the one that Henderson brought him, apparently from Claudia Henderson herself. Billy likes Claudia – she is friendly and caring and has never held the fact that he used to be an asshole over him, like the rest of the Party. He flirts with her when he’s over, but she just laughs fondly and leaves him to it without acknowledging it. She’s safe.

But they’re hardly close enough to exchange Christmas gifts. Or so Billy had thought.

Tearing the paper open, his fingers brush over something soft. After pulling it out and holding it up in front of him, he finds that it’s a sweater. A knitted sweater – dark navy blue and simple in design. It looks warm and cozy, but also kind of stylish, and from the looks of it it’s about the right size.

He stands up and goes to stand in front of his mirror. Holds the sweater up in front of his chest. Runs his fingers over it and admires the way the color seems to accentuate his hair and bring out the blue in his eyes. Billy doesn’t usually do knitwear, but Hawkins winters get cold and for something knitted, this sweater isn’t actually that bad.

On an impulse, he pulls it over his head. He’s only wearing a T-shirt underneath it, and is half expecting it to feel prickly – he had a knitted sweater when he was younger that itched like crazy – but it’s not. It’s soft, and strangely warm and …

He runs his hand over his own chest, to feel the texture of it on his skin. It feels like safety. It feels like a hug.

No, really. It feels like a hug. And not just any hug.

Closing his eyes, he can almost hear the whispers of Steve’s voice. Can feel the ghost of his boyfriend’s hands encircling his torso, and feel the warmth from another body at his back, as if he’s being spooned. It’s almost enough to make him imagine Steve’s calm breath on the back of his neck.

He opens his eyes and is almost surprised that he can’t see Steve behind him in the mirror. Because he can still feel him. There’s a smile on Billy’s face that he hasn’t seen in a long time – a smile, not a smirk or a leer. He wonders, absently, if this is how he looks like to Steve.

It’s weird. That a sweater can remind him so much of his boyfriend, when none of them have made a habit out of wearing knitwear. But he can’t deny that wearing this one feels a little like coming home. He decides, then and there, that he’s not taking it off for the rest of the day.

~~~

It helps. Keeping up appearances during Christmas in the Hargrove house is stressful at best, but wearing the sweater somehow makes it more manageable. He doesn’t know how, but it makes him feel less alone, somehow. He even finds himself smiling when he’s helping Susan by setting the table for dinner – because it almost feels as if Steve is there with him, nudging him out of the way and laughing softly in his ear. Unfortunately, Neil sees him and barks, “What are you so happy about?” and Billy has to school his face into something less love-struck.

“Nothing,” he says, shrugging. “It’s just … Christmas.”

He’s in luck. Neil’s face is getting red and he doesn’t look pleased about Billy’s answer, but at that very moment Susan flutters into the kitchen and, having obviously heard what Billy said, sends a blinding smile his way. “I know, there’s just something about the holidays, isn’t it?” Susan loves Christmas. Billy hasn’t been able to relate until now.

He keeps the sweater on for the entire night. While they have dinner, while Billy and Max do the dishes (without arguing, even – Billy goes as far as putting some foam on his chin and pretending to be Santa Claus, which makes Max laugh), and while they all sit down in the living room to watch some Christmas movie.

Neil, Susan and Max sit in the couch. Billy sits in the armchair off to the side. It’s his usual spot for family time like this – always on the outside, never fully a part of the household. Normally, that would make him feel a complicated mix of emotions – because it’s not like he’d really want to sit squeezed in next to Susan or his dad – but today, it doesn’t bother him at all. Because today, he’s wearing Claudia’s home-knit blue sweater, and when he crosses his arms over his chest it sort of feels like they’re someone else’s hands.

He is so distracted by it that he barely knows what goes on in the movie.

When it’s over, Billy knows that his Christmas obligations have been fulfilled, and asks to be excused. Neil grants it, barely looking up, and Billy goes back to his room, where he lies down on top of the covers and looks up at the dark ceiling. Colored lights from the neighbors’ Christmas display light up parts of Billy’s room at random intervals. Outside his window, the snow falls down slowly over Hawkins and covers the world in white.

He rolls over to the side and closes his eyes. Imagines Steve’s arms around him, hugging him close. It feels real enough that he can almost imagine Steve’s heartbeat against his back. It makes him feel safe, and the beat of it lulls him to sleep.

He falls asleep like that, and dreams of Steve.

~~~

There’s something strange about Claudia’s sweater. Not bad-strange. Good-strange. But still. Feeling your boyfriend’s presence whenever you wear it is not exactly a natural thing, Billy thinks.

That doesn’t stop him from wearing the sweater to bed every night. And Steve keeps appearing in his dreams.

~~~

Two days before New Year’s Eve, Neil’s patience for Billy runs out, which is longer than Billy had been expecting. Max is out with her friends, apparently learning how to ski, and Susan is nowhere to be found when Neil finally snaps and lays into Billy for playing his music too loud and leaving dirty dishes in the sink – not caring that it was Max’s turn to wash them.

After, Billy’s got a smarting left side of his face and is tasting blood from where his teeth cut into his cheek, but he looks in the mirror and doesn’t think it’ll leave any marks. Even though he’s on break, Neil is usually aware enough not to leave too much visible damage on his face. Instead he normally concentrates on Billy’s torso, which he’ll be able to cover up with clothes.

Today was no different. Billy got pushed up against a wall while Neil hissed accusations at his face, and then he got a sucker punch to the gut which made him double over. But he barely felt the hits that came after that.

Neil must have been holding back this time, because when Billy lifts up the hem of his sweater (Claudia’s sweater) to inspect the damage in front of the mirror in his room, he finds that there isn’t a mark on him. The pain from the hits has already faded, and it doesn’t hurt at all to breathe or move. He tests it by taking a deep breath, and reaching up and out with both his arms. Nothing. Not a twinge.

Neil must be losing his touch.

~~~

When the break is over, and the Sunday before they’re due back at school, they have another get-together at the Henderson house. The official excuse is to have a nice ending to the break, but the unofficial excuse is to celebrate Steve getting back from Europe and having everyone back in the same state again – Lucas’ family spent New Year’s with relatives in Pennsylvania, and he only returned two days ago.

Billy hasn’t actually met Steve since he got back. He and his parents flew in late last night, and Billy hasn’t dared to call his house in fear of disturbing him or his parents if they’re sleeping. Billy himself has never flown anywhere and hasn’t ever experienced jet-lag, but Steve assures him that it’s the worst.

There is too much nervous energy buzzing under his skin all day, and not even wearing the blue sweater can calm him down. Wearing it today almost itches, with how much he longs to have Steve’s arms around him for real. But they’re not supposed to be at the Henderson house until five.

At four, Max barges into his room. “We going, or what?” She hasn’t met with Lucas in almost a week, so she is almost as anxious to leave as Billy.

Almost.

He doesn’t even scold her for barging into his room, instead he just nods and gets up, grabbing his keys and his jacket as he goes.

They’re the first ones to arrive at Claudia’s house, which he knew they would be since it’s just a five minute drive. Max and Henderson chat loudly while she takes off her winter gear, and then they disappear into Henderson’s room, leaving Billy with Claudia in the hallway. She looks at him, wearing the sweater, and smiles warmly.

Before she can say anything, Billy speaks up. “Thank you,” he says. “For the sweater. It’s … it’s perfect. My new favorite.” He swallows. “Thank you.” It’s just words – not enough to convey how much this one piece of clothing has managed to get him through the last couple of weeks, but he needs to say it anyway. Needs to try.

She seems to get it. Her smile softens. “You liked it, then?”

“I loved it,” he says. “I mean, I love it. Present tense.”

She laughs and opens her arms, and he can’t help himself; he takes a couple of steps and ends up in her arms, with her hugging him and him hugging back. There’s no one here to see him, after all, and despite the strange way the sweater has made him feel embraced for the better part of two weeks, it pales in comparison to Claudia Henderson’s arms around him, and her gently patting his back.

“I’m glad,” she finally says, still smiling, when she releases him. “Now, what do you say about helping me prepare dinner?”

Billy can only nod, and give a shaky smile of his own.

~~~

The others show up, one by one, but it’s not until Billy hears a familiar car in the driveway that he bothers to look up.

“I’m gonna … go smoke,” he says by means of explanation, and leaves Claudia and Mrs Byers and mini-Byers in the kitchen, where they had been helping put everything in order.

For once, he has no intention of smoking. Instead he just gets out on the porch in time to see Steve’s BMW roll to a stop behind Mrs Byer’s little green Pinto. Steve gets out of the car, struggling to bring a handful of bags with him, and Billy’s heart jumps in his chest at the sight of him.

He’s beautiful. His hair is perfect, he’s wearing a new coat that brings out the width of his shoulders, and under the jacket …

“Nice sweater,” Billy says, not even pretending to play it cool as he walks down the steps to meet Steve by his car. Steve turns, and at the sight of Billy his face splits in a grin that makes warmth spread through Billy’s veins. A second later, Billy’s words seem to register, and Steve looks down at himself. Pinches the dark red, almost maroon sweater that he’s wearing under his open coat.

“Thanks,” he says. “It was a gift.” When he looks back up, he seems to notice what Billy is wearing for the first time, and his smile widens. “I see you got one too.”

Billy walks up to him. Reaches up to run his knuckles over Steve’s sweater. “Yeah. Yours is as soft as mine is.” When he looks up, Steve is right there. Looking into his eyes. “It’s gonna sound weird, but it made me think of you.”

“No,” Steve says and reaches out, too. Lets his hand feel along the sleeve of Billy’s sweater, and then up his arm. “Doesn’t sound weird at all. It was the same thing for me, actually.”

“I wore it to bed,” Billy confesses, and doesn’t know why. “Kept dreaming of you.”

“Me too,” Steve breathes. And that’s it. Billy can’t stop himself from dashing forward and pressing a kiss to Steve’s lips, not even caring that they’re in front of the Henderson house and that they can be seen by anyone who walks by or looks out the window.

“I’ve missed you.”

Steve kisses back, almost fervently. “I missed you too.”

And Billy finally, finally – after two long weeks – gets to feel Steve’s arms around him for real.

~~~

In the house, Claudia peeks out through the little window in the front door.

She knows that her particular brand of magic is small-scale. Nothing big, nothing life-changing. She can’t fight monsters or stop time or bring back the dead. But she can bake courage into cookies and bring comfort with her hugs, and with a little bit of effort and a few strands of hair, she can weave love into her knitting, so that two people who are separated by an ocean and a twelve-hour flight can still feel close when they need each other.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

[feriowind]

i wrote up a whooole feral luffy AU bit on twitter last night so am posting it here too (slightly cleaned up) hahaha

Feral luffy AU where the basis is that Luffy is the one who, somehow, set sail the day the celestial dragons arrived and had his boat shot down. 

 He's considerably further out to sea when this happens, and when he falls into the water, he's swept away by a strange ocean current. He winds up on a deserted island surrounded by the same strange currents and it keeps him stranded. 

 Ace and Sabo are devastated by the loss of Luffy, as is Garp, Makino, Dadan and the bandits, and later on Dragon and Shanks when they find out, attempts are made to locate Luffy's body but they never find him, the assumption that he sank too far out into the ocean due to his devil fruit. Ace & Sabo grow up significantly less cheerful without Luffy's presence, but their bond to one another is as strong as ever.

 Sabo fakes his death after begging Garp for help, anything to throw off his family from ever finding him again. Garp agrees because his hatred of certain nobility has grown significantly after Luffy's "death", and he can't stand the thought of losing another grandson.

 Luffy meanwhile, adapts as best he can. Surviving in this new jungle is painful, but doable despite the constant near brushes with death. The true hardship is how lonely he is without his brothers. Luffy has always thrived in the company of others, and without any he struggles, but again, Luffy adapts. 

 He manages to befriend some of the animals in the jungle, and accidentally discovers conqueror's haki when he nearly loses his hat to a predator, his one link to something beyond this island.

 The animals can't replace his brothers, but they ward off the loneliness. Throughout this time, Luffy makes multiple attempts to sail off the island with handmade rafts. Craftsmanship has never been his strong suit however, so they crumble instantly in the harsh currents.

 Perhaps due to luck, the currents always wash him back ashore instead of allowing him to sink and drown. Luffy's speech also slowly degrades over time. As much as he loves talking to his animal friends, the inability to hear someone else speak causes his words to slur and distort

 Ace and Sabo still hold true to their promise to set sail at age 17, but decide that they want to sail together instead of separating. When they finally set sail, they decide to take their time getting to the Grandline, exploring more of the East Blue at a leisurely pace.

After roughly a week of sailing, they get caught in a freak storm and are swept away by a giant wave where they too end up caught in the same strange current that stole Luffy all those years ago. The two wind up unconscious on Luffy's island, where Luffy finds them on the beach.

Luffy doesn't recognize them however, only that wow! For the first time since he arrived, there are other humans on the island with him that are alive! It's an exciting occurrence, and Luffy drags their bodies to the jungle where the tide won't reach.

When poking and prodding don't wake the two, Luffy sets off to gather food for his guests. He still remembers how tired and hungry he was when he first washed ashore, and figures they'd feel the same. As Luffy comes back, Ace wakes up in a panic.

Luffy rushes Ace in excitement and babbles. It's nearly incomprehensible to Ace however, especially in his panicked just-woken hazy-brained state. All Ace wants is to know where Sabo is and where this place is, and pushes Luffy away.

That's when Ace notices Sabo is lying just a few feet away asleep. The tension leaves him immediately and he's able to actually pay attention to the stranger trying to talk to him. 

Luffy is young and shorter than what he would have been had he been able to grow up on Dawn Island. His hair is long, wild and tangled, and he's dressed in furs and leathers. As Ace is studying him, he asks if he's the one who saved him and Sabo. 

For a moment Luffy stares silent, mind untangling the words until they make sense, and then he nods exuberantly. He tries to explain that he found them unconscious on the beach along with their boat, but Ace can barely decipher Luffy's speech. It sounds like someone speaking with a heavy accent at lightning speed.

But it’s then Ace notices the faint scar under Luffy's eye, and the strawhat hanging off his back. That in combination with Luffy's excited movements and speech sets off confusing alarms in his head.

Luffy's dead, Ace knows this, but he forces this strange kid to calm down and asks for his name. Again it takes a moment for Luffy to understand, and he replies. There's that same strange lilt to his words, but it's clear. Monkey D. Luffy! and it's said with a wide, proud grin.

Ace's world tilts then. Luffy? MONKEY D. LUFFY? His brain feels like its shorting out, refusing to register this new bit of information. He thinks he chokes a reply of some kind, but his mind feels blank. Luffy only laughs, not noticing Ace's shock.

In broken speech he asks for Ace's name too, but Ace doesn't hear his question, can only stare at Luffy's face. It can't be Luffy, he thinks. Because if it is... IF IT IS... They're only roughly a week's sail from Dawn Island. Just 7 days.

Is this boy trying to tell Ace that Luffy, in these past 7 years, was only a 7 days boat ride away? And they simply didn't look hard enough? He was here all alone while Ace and Sabo moved on? Ace's heart feels like it's constricting as his vision tunnels in on Luffy.

Luffy's finally noticed that this stranger is looking pale and ill, and pats him in worry. Is he sick? Does he need food? Are you okay, he asks. Ace grabs Luffy's arm then and stares at him with a strange expression. Luffy, it's me, he says, voice shaking. Ace.

Luffy's brows furrow in confusion and he tilts his head. Ace repeats himself, voice growing stronger. I'm Ace! he exclaims, and waits (prays) to see the light of recognition in Luffy's eyes.

Luffy mouths Ace's words silently to himself with frown. Ace? ...ACE! Luffy suddenly leaps towards Ace, landing directly on his chest and crushing him against a tree. He's directly on him and he's got Ace's head clasped roughly between his hands as he stares at his face intently

Ace? Luffy asks out loud, and starts repeating it over and over as he studies Ace's face. Luffy's grip is stronger than expected but Ace manages to give a jerky nod. The piercing stare breaks and Luffy's eyes water. ACE! he cries out in joy and it's the only word he can say.

Luffy wildly paws at Ace's face, then shoulders and arms, as if trying to make sure he's really there, and he's laughing and crying all at once. He then suddenly turns to Sabo on the ground and starts patting his body. He looks up at Ace with a hopeful smile and asks, Sabo?

Ace chokes back a sob because oh. OH. It's really Luffy! He was here this whole time and they never knew! Why hadn't they just looked HARDER? Luffy meanwhile crows in joy and triumph that BOTH his brothers are here with him. 

Ace gets down next to Sabo and starts violently shaking him. Wake up WAKE UP, how can he be SLEEPING when the greatest thing they thought they had lost was BACK. Sabo groans awake and is greeted by the pained teary face of Ace and an equally teary, but grinning stranger

 the shock of the scene jolts Sabo upright and he asks what's wrong? What happened? Ace just points to the boy beside him. It's Luffy, he says through clenched teeth, as if he were trying his best to stave off a breakdown. Huh? Sabo replies, what about Luffy?

 it's LUFFY, Ace grits out again, and this time Luffy chimes in with a cheery, Sabo! and leans in close to his face. Sabo is still confused and Ace nearly snarls in frustration. Luffy's ALIVE, Ace growls, and Luffy laughs. Sabo stares at Luffy and understanding slowly dawns.

 Luffy? he asks in disbelief, and Luffy nods excitedly before crowding in Sabo's face even more. Sabo! Luffy says with a smile and starts repeating his name like he had done with Ace earlier. Sabo, Luffy's been here this whole time, Ace says in a pained whisper.

 This whole time? And the same realization that Ace had grows in Sabo. Luffy, you've been here, all alone...? And we were so close? Sabo's body moves and wraps Luffy's body in a bone crushing hug. Luffy, I- we didn't know! Sabo stammers but it sounds like a terrible excuse.

 Guilt is devouring both Ace and Sabo but Luffy is only smiling. He's overjoyed that his brothers are here, and with their help he can definitely get off this island now! Things do work out!

 We have to go back to Dawn Island, Sabo says suddenly. We need to take Luffy home and we- we gotta tell Gramps! And Dadan and Makino! Luffy's okay! He's okay! And it's like a dam breaks and Sabo is the first one to break down into a full-body sob.

 Luffy gives a cry of dismay and does his best to comfort Sabo. Ace gives in and wraps both Luffy and Sabo in a hug. Both older brothers are whispering apologies to Luffy responds with just wrapping his arms several times around them both in one of his infamous rubbery hugs.

 like luffy had tried to explain earlier, the brothers' ship is beached on the coast and, surprisingly, only suffering a few minor scuffs. their departure is fairly swift, only waiting for the ideal weather after gathering some supplies and luffy's scant belongings

 Perhaps one or two of Luffy's animal friends joins them, but regardless, with the help of a 3 man crew, a sturdy ship, and an actual navigator, Luffy finally escapes the island, and the 3 brothers head home.

 Now all Ace and Sabo have to worry about is helping Luffy readjust to human civilization........

[readers-and-other-creatures]

After the war, now that Touya was living back at the Todoroki estate, it had become some sort of tradition to hang out at the pool and have a barbecue. Natsuo was the one to come up with the idea and everyone had loved it. Well everyone but Touya. The eldest of the Todoroki siblings still felt out of place with his family and it was weird to have lunch with his brother's friends, who he had fought in the past. Despite keeping quiet and going along with it Touya would always sit in a corner, hiding away from the sun, and talk only when spoken to. His boyfriend was the complete opposite: he would chat with everyone and using his powerful wings he was always the first to dive into the pool. Hawks however noticed Touya's elusiveness. He would send a small feather to tug at his sleeve (bc yes he wore longsleeve tshirts even if the weather was melting hot) and keep him company. Hawks could feel Touya's anxiety but he wasn't sure of its cause.

Today Shouto had brought his whole class, even Eraser and Present Mic were there with his kids and coincidentally, Hawks thought, Touya "was sick" and "had to wear a mask as not to spread it." His suspicion was confirmed when his boyfriend got up to grab his drink and accidentaly colided with Eri, who was running arround, and promptly fell into the water. She had seen the scars and staples on his face and was a bit scared. His white tshirt was soaked and very seethrough at the moment. Everyone had turned to look at them and anxiety was written on Touya's face, who just bolted inside and locked himself in his room. Shouto tried to talk to him through the door but to no avail. Fuyumi and Natsuo tried as well but got the same silent treatment. It wasn't until he heard Eri's soft voice apologizing for freaking out.

"I have scars too" she whispered through the door. "They are not as big but I still don't like people staring at them so I'm sorry I made people stare at yours."

Touya slowly opened the door, wary of what he would find. He had changed into dry clothes with even longer sleeves and was wearing the mask.

"Are you sure I didn't scare you? They're big ugly scars." Eri frowned at the words.

"Dad says that scars are never ugly, that they make us beautiful because we survived bad things."

"I don't feel exactly pretty, just a freak" Touya admited, which earned him a hug from the little girl.

"Mr Hawks thinks you are pretty, he looks at you like papa looks at dad." And with that she ran back outside. Hawks feather floated out of his pocket and slowly slided down his cheek, as if saying with that caress that Eri was right.

"You will have to show me what you see in them, birdie" he whispered. "Can you come here? Don't want to be alone."

Hawks was there in a blink, holding him and wrapping his wings arround them.

[mandu-17]

No place like home | Yoo Jeongyeon x reader

Requested by: Anonymous

Request: Hey 👋🏼 I'm new here, but I just wanted to ask if I could request Jeongyeon x Reader? Reader was gone for a few months and Jeongyeon anticipates their return?

Warnings: None

Genre: Fluffy fluff

Wordcount: ~ 1,092

A/N: please enjoy

The sun was slowly rising to welcome another warm day, full of refreshing breeze. With the birds chirpming outside, the delicious smell of coffee and just-baked bread would get anyone out of bed. The weather was incredible, too. Perfect just to wear a simple shirt, no need for a jacket. It was going to be a beautiful day.

But Jeongyeon didn't care.

Few hours after her peaceful morning, filled with light breakfast and an Americano, Twice became the first girl group to hit 9 million followers on Twitter. As a result of such big achievement, everyone's moods in the company building increased. There wasn't a single soul walking around with no smile on their face. Also it was Friday, which meant two days of rest approaching.

But Jeongyeon didn't care about that either.

It was the day that Jeongyeon finally won the bet she made with the members long time ago. Which was about Momo messing up the newest choreography before she would. That way, Jeongyeon got herself a week of her dinners being fully paid by friends.

Although, somehow Jeongyeon didn't really care.

The only thing that mattered that day was you coming home.

It's been already three and half month since the last time she saw you in person and she indeed counted every day herself. Being so long without you was for sure the biggest challenge she had to ever deal with. Jeongyeon didn't know it was physically possible to miss someone that much.

Everything reminded her of you. Your favorite cup that kept looking at her in the mornings, the color of your eyes that she could distinguish in the newest painting hanging in the museum which she went to with Mina one day. She saw you in all these random faces passing by, she heard your voice constantly in her head calling her name, as if you were already back there.

Jeongyeon would come home everyday exhausted, sometimes sick of everything around and how the world just kept adding her some more stress. A hug from you being the only thing on her mind. She'd pay every price to embrace you tightly. Without your touch she felt like going crazy.

You were like medicine. Soothing, understanding and always so loving. That's also how you stole her heart, how you managed to keep it for all these years. To Jeongyeon, only a few things in life were simple.

Music, her members for who she couldn't be more grateful for, her family who she could count on no matter what and of course you who became the first and last person with whom she spoke daily.

There was nothing she could do about that grin forming on her face that only kept getting bigger and bigger as Jeongyeon's feet were climbing the stairs to your shared apartment. The plane which you had flown by was supposed to land around 3 PM meaning you would be the one waiting for her. While in a rush, you couldn't catch a chance to text your girlfriend to inform about safe arrival, although you made sure to be home as fast as possible.

When the door unlocked form the outside, you got up from the couch impatietnly. Despite your whole body being sore from the long flight, you felt the happiest in the last few months.

"Yoo Jeongyeon!" Blood rushed through your veins as you exclaimed with a huge smile on your lips, mirroring your beloved's expression.

In a split second she ran into your arms finally finding that long lost paradise she dreamt of every night. You held her close as if Jeongyeon could suddenly disappear.

"Oh, Y/N." That voice. No phone call could give it its' justice, the effect she had on you never stopped surprising you. “Please don’t ever leave again.”

She seemed so small in that moment, wrapped in your arms while whispering quietly. Seeing Jeongyeon like this always made you want to protect her even more than usual. With a warm feeling spreading through your chest, you squeezed her body and kissed her on the forehead.

“I wish I could promise that, you know it baby.” You frowned sadly. The worst thing was that you really did love your work and how it gave you a chance to travel a lot, but at the same time you hated being away from Jeongyeon with every single atom in your body.

The two of you couldn’t live without each other. You were like puzzles fitting together in so many different ways. No one could make you feel like she did, no matter how much they tried.

“I know, it’s selfish and I’m sorry.” Jeongyeon finally pulled away with a small nod. You could notice glimpse of tears shining in her eyes although as always your girlfriend stayed strong didn’t let any of them fall.

“No, don’t say that. If it was up to me, I’d take you everywhere I go and vice versa, I’d go wherever you do.” Jeongyeon smiled lovingly at your words, her fingers tracing your cheek gently.

“You’re crazy.” She said with a serious tone, making both of you chuckle. You leaned in to touch her nose with yours. After all this time, you craved this kinds of intimacy. You needed it.

“Only for you.”

Your hands pulled Jeongyeon closer by the waist the second you pressed a delicate, sweet kiss on her lips. With a hum of happiness, she replied to it with a smile causing you to pull away immediately.

“Stop smiling, I want to kiss you.” You whined, playing with the hem of her cotton shirt.

“It’s not my fault I’m this happy around you.” Jeongyeon complained exaggeratedly and narrowed her eyes jokingly.

There truly was no one else for you, you thought with adoration. The way one of her hands kept on massaging your nape with love only proved you right.

You sighed a little tired and sat back down on the couch, pulling your girlfriend with you so she ended up sitting on your lap.

“I missed you.” You nuzzled the skin of neck and left there an innocent kiss. Floral fragrance slowly filled your senses and you knew you were home.

“I missed you too.” Jeongyeon wrapped her arms around your neck once again, letting you stay cuddled to her for a while.

You had a hunch it was going to be a long while.

[yslkook]

just like magic

pairing: house husband!seokjin x wife!reader summary: some moments of bliss with you and seokjin in your married life together.  word count: 11k warnings: cursing, alcohol, smut (oral f receiving, penetrative sex), suggestive content a/n: some of these moments are inspired by ariana grande songs, enjoy <3 ty to @cutechim​ for reading some of this!! AND THANK YOU TO HANA FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BANNER IM IN TEARS

ONE. pov.

The faint golden glow of the early morning barely touches Jin as he rolls over to press his lips to your shoulder, where your sleep shirt has slipped down a bit. You’re still seemingly asleep, soft snores leaving your parted lips and your alarm hasn’t gone off yet.

It always goes off at the most opportune times.

He presses himself closer to you, molding his hips to yours and shoving his hand up your faded purple sleep shirt to palm your tits. You sigh happily, pushing back against him in your sleep.

Jin knows you’re close to waking up, if the quickness of your breaths is any indicator. You smile with your eyes still closed as he drops feathery kisses to your cheeks, your chin, your neck.

“I know you’re awake,” Jin rolls his eyes, his voice hoarse from just waking up.

“I’m sleeping,” You mumble, turning towards him and wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders. Jin only laughs airily, dipping his head for a kiss to your lips.

“Wake up then,” Jin breathes. You can feel his half hard cock tucked in his boxers against your thigh already and you hum. It only takes a simple brush for you to buck your hips towards him, centering your bare core to his cock.

You hadn’t bothered with panties last night, after he had fucked you back to sleep. Despite the faint ache in between your legs, you wrap your leg around his hip and pull him on top of you.

“Thought you were sleeping.”

“My annoying husband woke me up,” You say, eyes still slick with sleep. Arousal rolls in your belly when he grinds into you lightly.

The pink haze of sleep begins to slip away as Jin kisses you deeply, with more urgency than before.

“Had to give you something to remember me by today,” Jin whispers, “It’s Monday, after all.”

“Don’t remind me,” You groan, rubbing your eyes, “This week is gonna fucking suck, baby.”

“Shh,” Jin says, pressing a finger to your lips, “We have, like, thirty minutes before you have to start getting ready for work.”

“Better make it worth it, babes,” You laugh and he squeezes your thighs. He raises his head, looking at you like you’re a meal and like you’re his queen.

His lips are heated against your skin, your giggles turning into soft moans of his name quickly. 

“Jin, baby,” You say, voice sounding muffled to your ears, “I have to be at work early-”

“Can’t even appreciate my wifey’s sexy bod,” Jin grumbles and you swat his shoulder, “God, I could eat this pussy out all day-”

“Saying sexy like that isn’t sexy,” You complain, “And you’re not doing anything, you’re just breathing on my clit- gonna give me an embolism-”

One look from Jin, a kiss and a few rolls of your clit with his thumb has you wet against his fingers- the man, your husband of three years, knows your body even better than you know yourself. He knows you better than you know yourself.

His mouth slips over your inner thighs, his hands tight around your hips to hold you in place as you buck your hips impatiently for friction. Jin is so handsome in the morning (well, he’s handsome all the time), but something about the puffiness of his eyes and the pink of his cheeks from sleep always has your pussy fluttering.

Your husband of three years, and your boyfriend for six years before that- he always has your pussy fluttering and your heart soaring. 

Jin swipes his fingers across your glossy folds, glistening just for him, and presses his mouth to your sensitive clit. His hands wander, squeezing your tits fondly, roaming over the hidden bites from the prior night easily. You widen your legs and carelessly throw them over his shoulders.

“Jin,” You whine, “I want you, stop teasing me-”

“‘M not,” Jin says, voice dripping with thick, honeyed desire, “I just, you know how much I love this pussy.”

“Yeah, you love my pussy more than you love me,” You tease, “Please-”

You cut yourself off with a sharp moan as his tongue flicks over your clit teasingly. Hooded eyes meet his dark eyes as his tongue delves deeper into your wet folds, and your thighs quiver almost instantly once he rubs your clit with his thumb.

You’re so sensitive. It’s how he likes you best. (He likes you sensitive, and he likes you in that tight dark green dress you’re planning on wearing to work today.)

Jin loves you in the morning, with the taste of the night before in between your legs. You end the night with him and start your morning with him- it’s all he wants. All he wants is something to remember him by during your inevitably busy days.

“I love you,” Jin mumbles, “My gorgeous girl. Sound so pretty when you cum in my mouth…”

He loves teasing you, loves making you beg for him. And this time is no different. A string of curses fly from your mouth, your back arching when you beg his name in broken noises. 

“Good morning to me,” You giggle lazily, pulling him in for a kiss.

“Good morning to my pretty wifey,” Jin hums and you push him on his back, straddling his hips.

Yeah. It’s your favorite type of morning.

TWO. love language.

“It’s Friday,” Jin mumbles, wrapping his arms around your waist as you pour two mugs of coffee for you both, “The weather outside is awful. You’ll get blown away, just stay home baby.”

You’re already dressed and ready to go into the office, eyeliner sharp and lipstick perfectly placed, but one look outside of the window has you reconsidering. You had already decided that you’d stay home and work from the dining table or the couch but you enjoy seeing Jin grovel a little too much. So you let him.

“When did you become a meteorologist,” You mutter, threading your fingers through his and squeezing.

Your calendar today is quite light. Only a few meetings, a few deliverables for you to provide. You’ve already decided that you’ll stay home and shower Jin with at much attention as you can, but he pouts against your neck.

“That’s the dream.”

“I thought the dream was being my husband.”

“That comes in a close second to being a meteorologist, and I think there’s a one hundred percent chance that you’ll be staying home today and giving me cuddles.”

You roll your eyes at him but can’t resist the smile that tugs at your lips. Turning in his arms and handing him a cup of coffee with a dash of milk and caramel coffee creamer, you lean forward for a kiss.

A crack of thunder sends you jumping in his arms and yelping, nearly dropping the mug to the floor but Jin grabs it before you can.

He knows you better than you know yourself. 

“I’m staying home, baby,” You say, “It’s not worth it. And I have a light day today so maybe…” You trail a finger over the thick vein in his neck and over his chest with a sly grin.

“So maybe we can take a nap together at noon,” Jin finishes your sentence for you with a gleam in his eyes.

“...Or that.”

Working from the dining table whenever you worked from home made you feel close to Jin. He’d flit around you, pecking you with kisses or a squeeze of your shoulder whenever he passed you, or telling you to get up off your ass if you’ve been sitting too long. But mostly, you just enjoy his company and working from home always puts you in a good mood.

Even if you have a designated office in the cozy townhouse you’ve been living with Jin in for two years now, you prefer the dining table for work from home days. You do use the office, if you really need to. But those days are few and far between.

You have about an hour before you have to log in, so you decide to make breakfast for Jin while he waters the plants upstairs. Usually, it’s Jin making you breakfast- he always makes it a point to have breakfast with you before you leave for work.

You’re happy to have a man who doesn’t resent you for being the breadwinner, as your family and friends had cautioned you of years ago. You had scoffed at them then, as if they knew anything about you or Jin. He’s happy to support you and be your biggest cheerleader and you’re his biggest cheerleader.

You had met in college, studying the same discipline and where you were passionate about it, he wasn’t. He had such a passion for life that was refreshing, and he brought out the best in you. Jin made you laugh, he made you love, and you both just worked so well together. Even on your off days, you both just knew each other.

You cut your avocado egg toasts in half and pour a glass of mango pineapple smoothie (Jin’s favorite) for both of you.

“Hey, honey,” You call when he pokes his head around the corner and see his fluffy purple house slippers, “Breakfast is ready.”

Jin kisses you in appreciation, pulling you closer to him by your waist. “Girl of my dreams making me breakfast, huh?”

“Shut up,” You swat his chest, “It’s too gross to take Bomi out, right?”

“Yeah, my baby is still sleeping in her bed,” Jin says, yelping when you pinch his waist.

“Your baby?”

“Oh, fine, our baby,” Jin rolls his eyes, “Was gonna take her to see Jimin and baby Jia today. Fucking storm…”

“Maybe they can come over this weekend, when it passes,” You hum, “We can make those lemon bars she likes.”

“We can do brunch with them? Have some margaritas and mojitos,” Jin suggests, tugging your hand to join him at the breakfast bar.

“I’m sure Sunmi would appreciate that,” You reply.

You both look up to the ceiling when you hear Bomi trotting out of her bed and at the top of the stairs. You stand at the bottom with open arms and she bounds towards you eagerly, nuzzling you with her soft nose and licking you everywhere.

“Hi Bomi, baby,” You coo and scratch her head, “It’s raining outside, we can’t go to the dog park today. You can hang out with Mommy and Daddy inside.”

She only looks at you with big, light brown eyes and pants in excitement. She slides out of your arms and stands in front of Jin, only to jump and cuddle into his lap. 

“You’re getting so big, Bomi,” Jin whispers, “Gonna tackle me over someday.”

“She could take you,” You tease and sit next to him, tickling Bomi’s jaw. You put some dog food into her bowl (that Jin made himself in his ceramics class that he took on a whim and also painted) and pour some water for her in her water bowl.

Bomi immediately jumps off to have her own breakfast. You can vividly remember when you and Jin had both fallen in love with her at the adoption shelter, almost three years ago now. She had seemed so scared, and you and Jin had approached her cautiously. You knew she had an instant connection (like you had, years ago) with Jin when she touched his paw and saw stars in his eyes.

You brought her home less than two weeks later, and she’s been your baby ever since.

Jin nudges your foot playfully. You nudge him back. 

“Got a long day today?” Jin murmurs after a bite of avocado toast. You wipe away stray avocado with your thumb and lick it for yourself.

“Nah, should be done around two or three,” You reply. Jin beams at you and kisses your temple.

“Don’t let me keep you,” You say airily, “I know you like working out in the mornings. I put protein powder in your smoothie.”

He rolls his eyes. As if you could come in the way of his meticulously crafted routine. Today, he was planning on working on the story he was writing, working out, and making lunch and dinner. He would be doing a little more, if the weather wasn’t working against him.

Jin loves the flexibility of his life, honestly. He loves being able to do the things he loves, while you do the things you love. And if that means him not technically having a stable job, and you bringing home most of the money, that’s more than okay with him. Besides, you’ve both come a long way from any insecurities that that might have brought. 

He loves that all of his joy for life also comes with you by his side.

That’s what over ten years of being together will do. 

***

“Baby,” You call from the couch, “Come here. I miss you.”

Your meetings for the day have finished and you have finished the bulk of your work, leaving the majority of your day free to finish up loose ends and send a few emails. This week has been filled with many early mornings and late nights, leaving both you and Jin yearning for the weekend and for more time with each other.

He comes to you with wide, puppy eyes and you beckon him forward. “Sit with me, honey. Please?”

Jin leans towards you, chin on your shoulder and chest to your back as he watches you type away. Your shoulders instantly relax with his touch and the comforting scent of his rain scented shower gel. He’s still warm from his shower and he wraps an arm around your waist.

It’s your favorite place to be.

“Is that woman being annoying,” Jin asks, “The one on your project for that document change you gotta make?”

“Nah, she’s been out this week,” You mutter, “I gotta have a heart to heart with her next week and tell her to stop railroading me every chance she gets.”

“Damn you’re so sexy when you get all mean,” Jin shivers dramatically and you laugh against him.

“‘M not mean,” You reply absently, clicking ‘send’ on an email and messaging your boss to have a good weekend. Bomi has woken up from her nap and joins you both on the couch, curling in your lap and dwarfing over your laptop screen.

“Bomi,” You chuckle and rub her back, “Silly girl.”

She only looks at you with wide eyes, happy that she has your attention. It reminds you a little bit of how Jin looks at you when he catches your eye. Jin leans over and takes Bomi from you and cuddles here in his lap. He turns around so his back is pressed against yours and his legs outstretched the other way. The warmth of him against you is welcome as you finish up your emails and sign off for the weekend as quickly as you can.

“Okay,” You murmur, “‘M done with work. Wanna take Bomi out for a walk with me? Looks like the storm stopped for the most part…”

“Sure, maybe I’ll finally get my kiss in the rain.”

“Yeah, and we’ll both get pneumonia,” You chastise him, patting his cheek, “Has Jungkook been getting in your head lately? Mr. Romance over there.”

Jin gasps in offense, “More like I’m getting in his head. Everything he knows about romance is because of me.”

“Okay, baby. Whatever you say.”

THREE. honeymoon avenue.

“I have two weeks of vacation left,” You muse, running your hands through Jin’s hair, “We should go to Phuket. We’ve been meaning to for years…”

“They say November is the best time,” Jin replies, peering over to the computer. Where you’re currently looking up flights and hotels to Phuket.

“November is next week, Seokjin.”

“Okay, and? Spontaneity is the backbone of long-term relationships,” Jin says matter-of-factly and dodges the inevitable swat to his shoulder.

“I thought trust, love, and respect is the backbone of long-term relationships.”

“That too. But really, it’s the fact that my hot wife wants to take me, her even hotter husband on a romantic getaway-”

“We should go,” You murmur, already thinking about the clear, pristine waters and white, sandy beaches. Not to mention the food…

“Baby, will you text in the groupchat? Ask if anyone wants to go,” You say, bookmarking beaches and places to sightsee. You already have a growing list of hotels and AirBnb’s that you want to investigate further.

“Not everyone is as spontaneous as us, sweets,” Jin says, “Peasants.”

***

In the end, only you and Jin end up deciding to go to Phuket. It was too last minute for your friends, especially for your friends with young children.

It’s just you and Jin in Phuket for a week. You had decided to leave Bomi with the dog sitter, as she hated flying and was terrified of it.  

By the time you both get settled in your Airbnb, you’re both bouncing off the walls with pent up energy. 

Phuket isn’t ready for the storm that was you and Seokjin.

***

“Sweets, you ready for dinner?” Jin calls from the bedroom, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

“Five minutes!” 

Jin rolls his eyes fondly, very well acquainted with how long it takes for you to get ready sometimes. Your eyeliner had to be just perfect, lipstick complimenting your eye makeup, your jewelry a statement but not obnoxious… The list goes on.

He scrolls on his phone impatiently, looking at the photos the dog-sitter sent of Bomi and then he lets his friends know what their plans were. They all excitedly ask for pictures and updates.

He’s already gotten quite tan since being here, and it’s only been four and a half days. Though most of the time during those four and a half days was spent at the beach, hiking, exploring, or sipping drinks at the beach bar.

Bliss. Seeing the way the sun glows on your skin and the way you beam at him without the stress of deadlines and responsibilities is a sight he’ll never tire of. If his photo album on his phone is anything to go by, it’s filled with candids of you and photos of you sprinkled in with the scenery and the food you’ve both been eating. 

You’ll try anything once, and Jin will, too.

Five minutes go by.

“I’m hungry,” Jin whines, finally getting up and leaning against the doorframe. His throat goes a little dry when you look at him with wide eyes, in the middle of applying your false lashes.

“Two minutes, baby, I promise-”

“I should eat you instead,” Jin says, eyes raking over your figure brazenly. You’re wearing a tight red dress with thin straps, and a thin necklace that he had bought you for your most recent birthday sits around your neck. 

“What a line,” You roll your eyes.

“It worked, didn’t it?” Jin says cockily, “Got you forever and always.”

“How romantic.”

***

You can’t deny the butterflies that you still get around Jin, especially when he looks at you like that over dinner. Like you’re the only thing in the entire world when his eyes are molten gold for you and you only. 

You won’t deny that the way he calls you his wife in that low, raspy voice sends a rush of something curling in your belly. You’ll blame it on the third glass of sam song that you’ve had. Jin himself is on his third glass of mekhong. His ears and the apples of his cheeks are flushed red from the alcohol. 

You want to pounce on him. Who does Seokjin think he is? His lips are bitten and a little red from chapstick. And from you kissing him before arriving at the restaurant for your reservation. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone, giving you a few of his collarbones and the necklace around his neck.

Your face feels hot. It’s probably the alcohol. Jin knows that look on your face. The one where you’re impatient. The one where you just want him and want him and want him. 

He’ll take care of you. He always will.

***

“My pretty wifey,” Jin murmurs, face buried in your neck as he rocks into you slowly. The hot, slow glide of his cock burns in the best way, leaving you sated and wanting more at the same time.

“My gorgeous girl,” Jin says and you whine, clenching around him. Your legs wrap around his waist and he groans, dotting your skin in kisses. He’s all around you, coating you in a pillowy haze. Your lipstick stains his lips, fading on his neck and his glistening chest.

“Can’t believe you did this for me,” He groans, fingers ghosting over your bare, sensitive pussy. (Yes, you’d gotten a wax before vacation. As it had been a while, and you wanted to see Jin’s reaction.)

“Fuck, Jin,” You sigh. You feel a little dazed, a little airy. “Feel so fucking good. You’re so… big, always feel so fucking good.”

Your clothes are strewn about in various corners of the Airbnb, both of you too hasty and impatient to get your hands on each other after dinner and a short walk on the beach. Honestly, you would’ve fucked him out on the beach if he allowed you to. The way the moonlight hit his eyes just made your brain shut off and think lewd thoughts of only him.

You’ve cum at least three times now, and Jin shows no signs of stopping. Truthfully, neither do you- you can keep up with him and he can keep up with you. It’s part of what’s made you both work so well.

“Good, baby?” Jin mumbles. He doesn’t give you time to answer before gathering you in his arms and sitting you up. Your tits are plastered to his chest, and you can’t help but snake a hand in between you both and playfully twist his nipple. The angle of his cock in you is deeper than before and you struggle to stave off the need to cum.

“Yeah,” You say faintly.

“What’s on the agenda tomorrow?” Jin asks quietly, slowing and stopping his movements. You whine again when he stops moving inside of you.

“Shh, baby,” Jin says, “Just wanna be with you like this. What’re we doing tomorrow?”

“Seriously?” You grunt, trying to get some friction on your clit but he halts your movements with a large hand on your hips. You pinch his nipple hard and he yelps. “You wanna talk about our itinerary tomorrow when you’re balls deep inside me-”

“Yeah, I gotta plan ahead,” Jin snorts.

“Um,” You mumble, trying to gain your wits about you, “The market. A-and the distillery, and then…”

“And then?” Jin purrs in your ear, nipping your earlobe. 

“And then the elephant sanctuary. Maybe Bangla road a-at night,” You reply, pressing your face into his neck.

“Good girl,” Jin breathes and you whimper into his skin, “My smart, wonderful, amazing wifey-”

“Wanna be your wife forever,” The words slip out of your mouth without you meaning to, as they usually do. Something about Jin calling you his wife like that sets you ablaze, makes you possessive for a man already yours.

“Good thing we’re married then, huh?” Jin jokes and you let out a breathless laugh.

“Baby,” You exhale, “Wanna cum. Wanna cum so bad, wanna feel my hubby’s cum-”

Jin groans into your neck, biting your clavicle lightly. “You’re so impatient,” He chides lightly.

“Will you move-”

“I told you to wait-”

“Fine, I’ll just,” You push him on his back roughly and press your palms to his chest and sigh happily when you finally get the friction you’re craving as you begin to bounce on his cock. Jin squeezes your hips, your tits and pulls you closer to him to mouth at your chest. He wraps a hand around your neck lightly as you try to keep your rhythm steady and your breaths stutter.

You ignore the burn in your thighs in favor of clenching around his cock and focusing on how full you feel.

Jin’s eyes are hooded, zeroed in on you exactly how you like them to be. He can sense when you’re beginning to get tired, holding your hips tightly and taking control over to slam his hips into yours. He stays focused on the way your lips part in a delicious ‘o’ and he pulls your face close to his harshly to capture your lips in a bruising kiss. You whimper into his mouth as he slams into you, his hips pistoning and your voice growing louder and louder.

He circles your clit, moves the same hand to your lips and pushes his thumb into your mouth and you eagerly accept his finger. Spit coats his thumb and he hums in approval.

You cum abruptly and unexpectedly, pleasure washing over you in waves at the simple clasp of his big hand around your neck. His cock is still throbbing inside you, pace relentless. Tears gather around your waterline from oversensitivity but you murmur for him to cum, you tell him how much you want his cum in you and he moans your name in your ear before emptying himself in your pussy.

“I love you,” You mumble, wrapping your arms around his neck and gripping his necklace lightly. He wipes any stray moisture from your eyes and kisses your forehead. 

“I love you,” Jin says hoarsely. Jin tries to pull out but you protest, wanting to lay with him for a few moments longer. At some point, you end up dozing off in his arms and Jin cleans you both up before tucking you into bed.

You feel the faint brush of his lips on your forehead and bury yourself into his side before you tumble into sleep.

FOUR. long days.

you.

You woke up this morning with a migraine (truly one of the worst ways to wake up). Despite taking medicine after it became too excruciating to bear and increasing your water intake, your head was still throbbing nearly twelve hours later.

Not to mention, everyone at work was grating on your last nerve. It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of you today and you were getting pulled in a million different directions. You didn’t even have time to do the things you needed to do.

The only people who you were able to speak to without feeling like ripping your hair out were Namjoon and Jungkook. Even they told you that you should probably go home early, since it looked like you were about to pass out. Namjoon offered to call Jin to pick you up, but you refused quickly.

Being in your office was making your migraine worse. So by 3 PM, you pack your stuff up and head out without bidding anybody goodbye. 

Your feet ache, your head is pounding, you’re hungry and you could absolutely scream. You rest your forehead on your steering wheel before pulling out of your parking space with bleary eyes. Your suit feels stifling today, and it feels difficult to breathe.

You want Jin, you’ve wanted Jin since you arrived at work and everything went to shit. But you can’t bear to listen to a single sound over your speakers so you just wait until you get home.

***

“You’re home early,” Jin says, looking up at you from his glasses at the dining table. You say nothing, only dropping your backpack to the floor and climbing into his lap tiredly.

“Oh, honey,” Jin murmurs, kissing your hair and rubbing your shoulder. Your eyes are closed and you hum into his neck. 

“My head hurts a lot,” You say quietly into his skin, “Today sucked.”

“Let’s go get you changed, honey.” 

Bomi follows both of you upstairs, sitting in her bed as Jin changes you out of your work clothes. He starts with your suit jacket, peeling it off easily and hanging it back up in your closet. Then, he pulls your button-up from the waistband of your pants and unbuttons your shirt slowly, pressing a soft kiss to your skin with each button that comes undone. Jin easily unclasps your bra, letting his fingers trail over your skin, before pulling one of his shirts over your head.

You’re already feeling a little better.

Jin pushes your pants down your legs and taps the back of your thighs so he can pull your favorite sweatpants up. “Gotta take your makeup off, baby.”

You make a noise of acknowledgment and allow him to take you to the bathroom, where he gently washes away the remnants of your day (after he washes his hands).

After he moisturizes your face with a tender touch, he pulls you into his chest for a long hug. His hands roam your back from under his shirt and you sigh.

“Can we nap,” You mumble, eyes already closing.

Jin nods and carries you to bed, making sure to draw the curtains closed to envelope you both in as much darkness as possible. He tucks you in before stepping away for a minute, but you’re already being beckoned towards sleep. “Baby, take medicine,” Jin murmurs, holding two pills and a glass of water in his hand. You sit up with a wince and do as he says.

“Good girl,” Jin says, cradling your cheek and crawling into bed with you. Jin turns on his side and drapes himself over you. He smiles when you sigh contentedly and he kisses your hair, coaxing you further into sleep with a few rubs of your belly.

Your soft snores fill the room and Jin only hopes you wake up feeling a little better.

***

jin. 

Jin can’t seem to knock this metaphorical wall down, no matter how much coffee he chugs, how long he sits in the home office, how long he stares at his laptop screen.

Writer’s block. What a pain.

He runs a hand through his already messy hair and catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He looks like shit- bags under his eyes, fatigued, zapped of energy and motivation.

But he has a deadline coming up in the next few months and he has absolutely nothing to show for it. He had had success with his first short story, but he’d called it beginner’s luck. Then came the second story, and the third. 

And now here he is. Riding on the coattails of his initial success. Maybe this is how far his mild talent would take him. Maybe this is all he can put out into the world. 

It was nice while it lasted.

Jin huffs loudly. He knows you’d scold him for thinking such thoughts, for wallowing like this. You’d kiss him, murmur words of comfort and tell him that you believe in him.

He wants you, he wants you to hold him. A sudden wave of sadness and inadequacy washes over him.

Jin will just wait for you to get home. Until then, he’ll lay in bed and wallow in self-pity. Just how he likes.

***

You know something is wrong when Jin doesn’t reply to your texts after a few hours or send you a silly meme, or a corny joke as he usually does. He could be busy, but you just have a feeling.

So when you come home to see Bomi and Jin cuddled in bed, you only softly sigh. Jin rarely takes afternoon naps- it’s clear he’s upset.

“Jin?” You murmur, “Everything okay, baby?” You kneel on the floor of the side of the bed he’s facing and push his hair from his eyes. Jin blearily looks at you with fatigue in the lines of his face.

“No,” He says, voice muffled, “Lay with me? But take your outside clothes off.”

You bite your tongue, wanting to say “when have I ever laid in bed in outside clothes” but you refrain. You quickly wash up and change into comfy clothes and slide into bed to wrap your arms around his waist. You press your nose to his neck and drop a kiss there.

Jin relaxes immediately in your hold, finally able to get his mind to stop going a million miles a minute. Your hands are soothing and gentle around him, you wrap your legs around his to cocoon him in your embrace.

“Wanna talk about it, baby?” You murmur, dropping a kiss to the back of his ear.

“I just,” Jin sighs, “This story. I feel so stuck, and they want the first draft in a few weeks and I have nothing- I mean, what if this is it. This is all I could put out into the universe and… I felt like I was finally doing something great, something I loved. I felt like I was finally getting started-”

“Oh, sweetheart,” You coo, “It’s scary doing something amazing and feeling like you can’t replicate the same success. Or the same quality end result. Maybe you just need a break, honey. For a few days. And I’m sure if you ask for an extension, they’ll understand. You have so many words in this pretty head, baby. You have so many stories to tell.”

Jin turns in your arms, his eyes a little wet. You cup his cheek tenderly and he leans into your touch.

“You work so hard baby,” You murmur, “You’re so hard on yourself. Be patient with yourself.”

“I love you,” He mutters, pulling you in for a hug, “I love you. Even if you did wear outside clothes in bed, I love you.”

FIVE. nasa.

Falling in love with Seokjin came naturally- you had met him in one of your shared college classes in undergrad during your second year of college, and had become acquaintances that way. It had taken you longer to become real friends with him, but it hadn’t taken you long at all to realize how attracted you were to him.

You wanted him and he wanted you, as he drunkenly told you over shitty vodka shots at the bar that your mutual friends were celebrating their twenty-first birthdays at. He was so shy at the time, he still is sometimes, that you could understand how much it took for him to admit it to you. Whether it was out of intoxication or not. Of course, it had taken some time for you to get your shit together with each other. But the rest was history.

College sweethearts. You can still remember what it felt like in the beginning, how he made your heart grow ten sizes in your chest and made you feel like you were in the clouds. You can remember because you still feel it now, over ten years later. Give or take.

You remember your friends and your older cousins telling you that it wouldn’t work- that you were two very different people. You were too uptight, you didn’t take risks, you were not Seokjin’s type at all. Sure, maybe it seemed that way on paper. But the more you knew him and grew to love him, the more you felt like he was the missing piece of your puzzle.

You’ve long let go of the doubts of people around you. And it was even more bothersome that your own friends and family questioned your judgment. Because his friends and his family loved you. They sang your praises whether you were present or not, and his friends and family had slowly become your friends and family, too.

It made you happy beyond happy.

But there were some times when you and Jin were not on the same wavelength, and today was one of those days. You both fought here and there, like any couple did. But it had been a long time since you both fought like this.

You were both spending the day at the park with Bomi and then furniture shopping for a new coffee table. Jin had been inspired to redo the decor in the living room and you were basking in his inspiration. 

But the morning had first started with you spilling your coffee and subsequently breaking your mug when it had slipped right out of your hands. You had then cut yourself on one of the sharper pieces after ensuring that Bomi was in her crate so she wouldn’t get hurt because of your stupidity-

Jin comes bounding down the stairs with panicked, wide eyes when he sees you pouting and holding a cloth to your hand. He looks down at the spilt coffee and the broken pieces of your mug and sighs.

You clean up the broken pieces with Jin and he checks your hands and feet afterwards. He helps you bandage your hand up, even though it’s a superficial cut. “Clumsy,” Jin snorts, “You’d lose your head if you didn’t have me.”

It had been such a small thing, but then a few other small things started adding up. Bomi peed on the rug before you had left for the park.

And to top it all off, Jin’s shoulder has been bothering him more than usual. His shoulder pain has been flaring up over the last few months, and despite your attempts to coax him into physical therapy or at least a doctor’s visit, he stubbornly refuses to. Something about it just being a part of getting older, or something.

Every time you try telling him to see a doctor, it ends in a minuscule fight and Jin shuts the conversation down. You can’t understand what the big deal is. Maybe there’s something more going on, something he’s not sharing with you.

This morning is one of those days that his shoulder is aching more than it usually does. You offer to drive to the park, but he grits his teeth and tells you that he can handle it.

You let it go for now.

At the park, Jin relaxes considerably, running around and playing with Bomi. There are some other dogs around so you and Jin let Bomi play with them, chatting with the other dog parents around you. Bomi is still getting used to being around other dogs, so you’re both happy to see her meshing well.

Bomi begins to tire herself out, curling at your feet and panting. Indicating that she’s tired and thirsty. Maybe a little hungry.

“Hi Bomi baby,” You coo, “Want some water and treats? Come, baby.”

“Wanna head out soon? We gotta check out the furniture store still,” Jin murmurs to you and you nod. He seems impatient, tapping his foot against the grass but you say nothing. 

You rub his back fleetingly once Bomi finishes her treats and you carry her leash in your hand, your other hand in Jin’s. He’s tense, eyes narrowed in concentration and you think you know why. You think his shoulder is bothering him and he’s being stubborn about it. 

You put Bomi in the backseat, stopping Jin from getting in the driver’s seat for a second. “Hey,” You mumble, taking your hands in his, “I’ll drive-”

“No, I’ll drive,” He says it with a note of finality and you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“I know your shoulder hurts, love,” You try to say as gently as you can, “Let me do it.”

“I’m fine,” Jin insists, stubbornness dripping from his tone, “Get in the car. I’m fine.”

You huff, rolling your eyes. The car ride is quiet, tension filling the spaces between you. You want to say something, you really do. But you don’t want to upset him further when he’s driving.

But then you see him wince and groan softly in pain with his hands on the steering wheel.

“Seokjin, pull over,” You say a little firmly. A little annoyed that he let it get this far. 

“I can’t just pull over,” He hisses, “Besides, I’m fine, I’ll get us home-”

“We were supposed to go to the furniture store,” You roll your eyes, “But you’re right, pull over so I can drive us home. And I’m calling the doc once we get home-”

“No!” Jin exclaims, “I’m not fucking pulling over-”

“Why not? I’m literally telling you that I’ll drive! Baby, please-”

Jin rarely ever loses his patience with you, but today is just one of those days. “You should’ve fucking driven then,” He somehow has the audacity to say.

“You’re joking right? I told you multiple times I would drive,” You refrain from raising your voice, “You won’t call the doctor, you won’t see a physical therapist. What the fuck am I supposed to do?”

“Leave it alone! You’re supposed to fucking leave it alone,” Seokjin says, not holding back the irritation on his tongue. The hoops on his ears dangle and bounce when he looks at you quickly.

He ignores the hurt on your face and watches it transform into anger.

“Alright, I’ll just fucking leave it alone, since you’re doing such a great job of taking care of it yourself,” You mutter.

“Don’t- don’t scold me under your breath,” He says, more like yells, “A-and quit nagging me about it, fuck!”

The irritation in your belly vanishes quickly, hiding behind your hurting heart. You turn away from him, facing the passenger side window so he doesn’t see your eyes beginning to water. 

Jin sighs, already realizing his error. You hate when anyone raises their voice at you, much less when it’s him. Shit. He has to fix this, but damn, you can be pushy when you want to be.

You sniffle.

“I’m sorry,” Jin says instantly, “Baby, I’m sorry I yelled.”

“Just drive, Seokjin,” You sigh, wiping your eyes.

So you both sit in silence.

***

“Baby,” Jin begs, “Please, baby, say something.”

“I don’t know what to say,” You mumble, his words ringing clear in your head. You had put Bomi in her bed, as she had somehow fallen asleep despite you and Jin arguing.

So now you’re both standing in the living room, looking at each other sadly. “Can I hug you?” Jin asks, walking towards you with outstretched arms. He dwarfs over you but you stand limply in his arms, your own arms hanging awkwardly at your side.

“Baby,” Jin pleads with you, cradling your cheek.

You’ve had worse fights with him in the past. But you knew him, you knew he wouldn’t lash out like this normally.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” You say bluntly, “And don’t lie to me and say everything’s fine. This isn’t just about your shoulder, so what is it?”

Of course you’d know that he was hiding something. You’re his other half after all, so he shouldn’t be surprised.

Jin sighs, rubbing his face tiredly. “I just…” He whispers.

“Tell me, baby,” You say reassuringly, hand on his chest, “It’s just me.”

He squeezes his eyes shut to gather his thoughts before opening his mouth and giving himself the chance to hurt your feelings again. “I just...I feel like I have no reason to get sick. To be in pain, I mean, what am I doing? I’m just at home, anyway-”

“Seokjin,” You murmur in a hushed whisper, “You’re not just at home-”

“I just feel- inadequate sometimes lately,” Jin says, his eyes wide and vulnerable, “I feel stuck and like… unsettled. I just want to be a husband you can be proud of. I’m sorry I yelled at you in the car.”

“Honey,” You cup his face with love in your eyes, “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out together, okay? You can tell me anything, when you’re ready. I hate pushing you to open up but sometimes you just need it, baby.

“I’ll always be proud of you no matter what. You are my dream babe, so supportive and loving and I always feel safe with you. If you want to work again, we’ll figure it out. If you want to write something else, we’ll figure it out. I’ll always be proud of you, but I want you to be proud of you, too. I love you.

“And you can make it up to me with dinner,” You joke, pulling a laugh from him.

“I’m really sorry,” Jin says, pulling you in for a proper hug. This time you reciprocate and hold him close. 

“I know, love,” You murmur, “I know.”

SIX. question and answer.

Seokjin had quit his job about two years before you both had gotten married. He’d been dreaming about finally putting his dream of being a true storyteller to the test, and you had supported him. You’d read through his drafts and his manuscripts and encouraged him to pursue it full time. After all, you made enough to sustain you both and then some. And it’s not like he wasn’t making any money at all- he did freelance work with his writing for the most part. 

He was good, he was more than good. He was great. Jin was a natural born storyteller, knowing exactly when to focus on details and when to zoom out and focus on the big picture. The way he wrote his stories genuinely felt like he was spinning words out of gold thread when you read what he wrote.

And he’d blush, the tips of his ears going red, when you said that to him with such conviction because you meant it.

Jin would get his big break soon, you were sure of it. But honestly, Jin was content like this. Freelancing his work, writing and keeping up with his new ideas and stories. It was one of the greatest gifts of his life, he thinks.

You and Jin are both content with your lives. You both find new ways to excite each other and new ways to fall even deeper in love with each other. It’s funny because your wedding hadn’t really even been planned. You both would have been content to exist as boyfriend and girlfriend until the end of time, but the idea of being his wife and of him being your husband was too mesmerizing for you both to let go of.

Neither of you wanted anything big or flashy. In fact, the way Jin had brought it up had been over breakfast (which in itself was so very him)-

“I wanna be yours forever,” Jin says bluntly, syrup at the corner of his mouth.

“Is that a proposal or are you just saying that,” You tease but his eyes are serious.

“Do you want it to be a proposal? I know we’ve talked about marriage and how what we are now is enough for both of us. I know you love me and I know I love you. But… god, I want to be your husband. I want you to be my wife.”

“Okay,” You shrug, “So let’s get married.”

“That’s it?”

“Does it need to be any more complicated?” You ask, “Like you said. I already know I want to be with you forever. Let’s make it official. Besides… I wanna be your pretty wifey. Don’t you want that?”

And that was that. You told your parents and he told his parents that you’d be getting married in court, and they had respectively scolded you both for not telling them before or planning anything. But nevertheless, they still came and they were witnesses at the court wedding. Only a few friends had come (you’d only invited a few)- the guys and some of your girls. 

Jungkook had cried along with your mother.

You and Jin at least had a small get together with your friends and family to celebrate a little bit. Your parents were a little miffed that they didn’t have a chance to have an elaborately planned wedding for their eldest daughter, but they knew you. They knew you wouldn’t have wanted all of that.

“At least they told you and invited us to come,” Your brother says, rolling his eyes at your mother.

But it’s inevitable that for the last few years, the question of whether you both would ever grace your respective parents with grandchildren comes up repeatedly. Your parents are harder on you and more incessant than Jin’s parents are.

Many family gatherings have ended with you losing your temper with your parents, specifically your mother and your aunts. Your patience runs out quickly with them and Jin knows it. It’s part of the reason why you’ve been distancing yourself from your mother and aunts- it’s exhausting and tiresome to keep having the same conversation. Jin has been witness to your frustrated tears one too many times to count. First, they’d bug you about when you and Jin would get married. And now, they bug you about when you’ll have children.

You and Jin are happy right now. Neither of you had explicitly decided that you didn’t want kids. You’re both just taking it easy. And your family can’t seem to understand that.

Of course, you’ve both talked about kids together. And you’ve thought about whether you were meant to have kids extensively. Truthfully, you never really saw it becoming a reality.

But again… not right now. Maybe later. Or maybe not ever. The decision will come when it comes. It’s been years, and your feelings haven’t changed one way or another.

Your mother says you’re too laid back. Which is funny, because when she met Jin for the first time, she told you that you were too uptight for him.

Jin’s family doesn’t push either of you. His mother treats you like her own daughter, and for that you’re grateful. You’ve heard stories from friends about shitty in-laws, and you’re glad that Jin’s family is your own family.

The Kims are having a small party on this gorgeous summer evening- you and Jin are in attendance, along with his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two kids, and a few of Jin’s aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jin seems to sense that you’re both about to get ambushed by his mother and his aunts in the kitchen after drinks and dinner before you do. You stand closer to him, subtly squeezing his hand in yours. He grips your hand and squeezes back.

At least he’s with you, and you don’t have to fend for yourself, you think dryly.

“You ladies got something to say?” Jin says, his jaw starting to tick. He’s getting upset and you rub your thumb over his hand.

“We only want what’s best for you,” His mom says with a sigh, “You’re both getting older, when will you have kids-”

You swallow a lump down as your throat goes dry and the urge to cry overwhelms you.

“Stop,” Jin warns, his voice low, “We’re not doing this. Not here, not now.”

“We haven’t said anything for this long,” His aunt complains. You want to melt into the floor. 

Are you the problem?

“Do you want a trophy for minding your own business?” Jin says, glaring at his aunt, who cowers with the heat in his stare. You can’t find your voice, so you let Jin speak for both of you.

“Don’t speak to your aunt like that,” His mother scolds Jin but he’s not having it.

“I will, if any of you speak to my wife and I like this,” Jin hisses, “We’re leaving.” 

Jin squeezes your hand and you refuse to let go of him. Your vision is blurry from unshed tears and Jin notices. You manage to hold it in while you grab your purse, until you get to the car and let a few tears fall before shoving your face into his chest and sobbing.

“I know, baby,” Jin sighs, rubbing your back soothingly, “I’m sorry. Let’s go home.”

***

“I don’t know what to say,” You mumble into his chest. You had both immediately changed into night clothes to cuddle in bed, with Bomi in your arms.

“I’m tired,” Jin sighs, “Tired of them asking. Tired of everyone asking us.”

“I’m sorry,” You say, looking up at him, “They’re our family.”

“Doesn’t mean they get to be the way they are,” Jin rolls his eyes.

“I know,” You reply, “I’m running out of things to say to them. We’re gonna push everyone away if we keep this up.”

You say the last part jokingly, but you both know it’s a very real possibility. It’s becoming harder and harder for you both to give them the benefit of the doubt, to say that they only ask out of their own good intentions. It’s beginning to hurt you more and more.

“Maybe they need to be pushed away,” Jin mumbles, “If it means getting some peace of mind and not feeling like this whenever we see our families, maybe it’s worth it.”

“Maybe.”

A beat of comfortable silence.

“Do you want kids?” Jin asks bluntly, “It’s been a while since we actually talked about it. Just want to make sure nothing has changed.”

“No, not now,” You murmur, “Maybe someday. It’s such a hard question to answer. I don’t want to say no definitively but I don’t want to say yes definitively either… Do you want kids?”

“Maybe someday,” Jin echoes, “We can revisit in a few months. Or next year. Whenever we feel like it. Because it’s our decision.”

“Your mom is right,” You sigh, “I am getting older, you know. If we do want kids, we should seriously start thinking about it soon.”

“There are other ways to have kids,” Jin says pointedly, “When we’re both ready. Not because we feel like we have to.”

“Okay,” You say softly, “I love you.”

It’s that simple and that’s that. (For now, at least.)

SEVEN. together.

As you and Seokjin had tumbled out of your late twenties, you both found yourself preferring boozy brunch to nights out. At least with boozy brunch, you could recuperate during the day so you weren’t hungover for the entirety of the next day. 

That’s not to say that you didn’t enjoy a night out every so often with your friends. You liked going out more than Jin did, even when you were in college. 

So it was no surprise that at Taehyung’s boozy birthday brunch, you were well on your way to being drunk and Jin was, too. It had been a long time since you had seen your friends- it really only feels like you see each other for birthdays or big events. You miss the days of college, when you could see each other at the drop of a hat. It never felt this busy even in the years right after college. In the early years, even though most of them were younger than you and Jin, it still felt like there was more time.

It makes you feel nostalgic. You hear Jungkook teasing Jin (as he often does) and Jin dramatically responding. His cheeks are flushed red, the flush creeping down to his neck.

God, he looks so good.

You tear your eyes away from him when Taehyung’s girlfriend calls your name. She asks if you want to dance and you immediately say fuck yes, and stand up with her and with Sunmi to head to the dance floor with two drinks in your hands.

 You can feel Jin’s eyes on your backside- you know you looked good. The pink crop top you had chosen for brunch was tight around your chest and you know these dark wash jeans and short heels (coincidentally your favorite) made your legs and your ass look fantastic.

Not that you didn’t look fantastic at all hours of the day. But you like being reminded that your man cannot get enough of you.

You’re careful with your drinks, ensuring that not a single drop is wasted while you dance with your friends. It’s been a long time since you’ve been able to let loose like this, and it makes you happy to be surrounded by friends that you love.

Sunmi’s hands are on your hips as you throw your head back in loose laughter. You’re vaguely aware of someone taking selfies of the three of you. Mostly, you can feel Jin’s lazy gaze on you, and a few other eyes as well.

You’ll give your husband something to watch, alright.

***

Somehow, it’s only 3 PM when it feels like it's 11 PM. And somehow, Taehyung is eager to go to the club at night, after an afternoon of reckless drinking. You and Jin exchange a wordless look, already knowing where your head is at. 

“Yah… just let us know where the pregame is,” Jin says and Taehyung beams at him, “We’ll take a power nap until then.”

You feel bad that you and Jin probably won’t be going out, but you don’t want to dim his excitement. And honestly, knowing your friends, they’d all hype themselves up after an entire afternoon of drinking only to crash, pass out, and order in to chill.

“I don’t really wanna go,” You complain once you’re both in the comfort of your home, changed and ready for a nap.

“Jungkook told me that they’re all crashing anyway,” Jin says.

“Besides, I wanna blow you when you wake up,” You say sleepily.

“Why not now,” Jin whines, “Look at me, I’m already half hard. Help me.”

“I’ll puke on your dick if I suck you off right now.”

“Not like it hasn’t happened before-”

“Seokjin!” 

“Ugh, fine,” Jin says dramatically, “I’ll just suffer then.”

“Okay, then perish.”

EIGHT. self.

Jin likes lists. He’s a big fan of crossing things off of his lists (which he keeps in his planner and his journal depending on what he makes lists for), and there are very few things as satisfying as completing a task from his list.

He’s a huge stationery enthusiast, only allowing both himself and you to use materials that he deemed satisfactory. He’s recently come across the magic that is washi tape, thanks to Namjoon.

Today, he’s taking Bomi out for a walk and to the nearby dog park, then he’s going to outline some new story ideas in his notebook (to later add to his drive on his laptop), and then he’s visiting baby Jia and Jimin with Yoongi and Holly. 

Inspiration seems to be flooding through his pores these days, and he’ll ride that wave for as long as he can.

After seeing Jia and Jimin, he’ll stop by the grocery store and restock some on veggies, spices and meat. Routinely, you and Jin switch on who makes dinner for the week. You do enjoy cooking (it’s your time to decompress) but you’ll gladly admit that your man cooks better than you. 

He claims that his secret ingredient is love. You think it’s because he’s more patient than you. 

Sunday mornings at least twice a month are spent baking with Jin. You both like trying and making new things together. Sometimes it comes out great, and sometimes it doesn’t.

Jin also picks up some of your shared favorite snacks, two new bottles of wine to try, and a bag of clementines.

***

Initially, the quiet of the house without you felt a bit stifling at times. And once Bomi came into the picture, it became a little more lively. And then Jin had taken some plant recommendations and tips from Namjoon. He takes care of them meticulously, and you even have two succulents on your office desk that Jin had surprised you with.

And then you had surprised him with a record player with a few vinyls of his favorite albums and artists. 

You both had made it a home project after purchasing the record player to build a sturdy, wooden audio rack together. Of course, it had taken months to finish (and if you had called Jin your sexy lumberjack husband and taken photos of him posing with the table together, then that was your business).

Jin puts some music on the record player before taking Bomi’s harness off and letting her stretch her legs. He puts the vegetables and the meat in the fridge and fills up a glass of water (as well as Bomi’s water bowl).

Maybe he’ll put a candle on and work from the couch. 

Jin usually prefers working in his house with music faintly playing in the background. But sometimes, he likes working with Yoongi in his studio. Somehow, the feeling and sound of Yoongi working on his own music puts Jin in the right headspace to write and get his words on paper. 

Jin puts his head down and loses track of time as he types away, tapping his foot to the music in time with the beat. Bomi curls up to his side and rests her head on his thigh.

It must be about two hours later, when his phone starts ringing. It’s Hoseok calling and Jin picks up instantly, knowing that he’s been having a tough time recently. Hoseok had taken the week off to get his thoughts sorted, and it’s clear that he wants (or needs) some company. So Jin tells him to come over and he warms up some leftovers and prepares some snacks.

Hoseok and Jin end up lying in bed together, under the duvet with Bomi in Hoseok’s arms. Jin turns the music up, as it’s comforting to hear in the silence. He doesn’t push him to talk, unless he really wants to. Eventually, with a sigh, he does. 

It’s almost disconcerting, seeing the pull of Hoseok’s lips into a sharp frown. He’s usually so happy, and smiley, sunshine personified. But he is only human and he is not immune to hard days and generally feeling this way.

Jin only holds Hoseok close to him as he tells him how he’s been feeling the last few weeks. Months really. The words stumble out, forcing their way out of his throat (and some tears do, too).

Jin only rubs his friend’s arm reassuringly and listens.

***

You find Jin and Hoseok tucked away in your bed and you’re sure to be quiet and light on your feet when you arrive home from work. You let them have their time together, only saying hello to them when you arrive and start preparing dinner with a glass of wine in your hands.

“You don’t-” Hoseok protests, and you hold your hand up before he can even finish his sentence.

“Stay for dinner, Hobi. It’s been a while,” You murmur with a soft smile, “Besides, Jin got new wine and we’d love to try some with you.”

So he stays, and you see him smile genuinely for the first time in a long time.

NINE. to the nines.

“I love being your arm candy,” Jin murmurs into your ear when you both walk into the swanky hotel together, “Because I’m the only 11 in the room.”

“You’re so full of it,” You roll your eyes, swatting his chest playfully. Truthfully, you enjoy these events so much more when Jin is with you. You can hardly stand being in the room with these many people from work when you don’t have to be.

But being with Jin makes things like this bearable. Enjoyable, even. 

It’s the director’s retirement party, and nearly everyone at the company is here for the party. You spot Jungkook and Namjoon with their respective significant others near the open bar and immediately make a beeline for them.

“Hey,” You murmur, giving them each a tight hug, “You all clean up very nicely.”

“Yah! You didn’t even tell me that when we left the house,” Jin pouts and you roll your eyes. Again.

A lie, and you both know it.

“Let’s make a drinking game out of this shindig,” You mutter and everyone looks on with interested eyes, “Every time you see your boss-”

“You don’t need to make a drinking game outta it,” Jungkook says, wrapping an arm around his date’s shoulders, “We’re already tipsy-”

“Of course you are,” Seokjin rolls his eyes, “Wouldn’t expect anything less-”

“Don’t come for me, I know you both took tequila shots before getting here-”

You leave Jin and Jungkook bickering and walk with Namjoon and his date to the open bar. 

“What do you two feel like having,” You muse, “Let’s get this party going, everyone looks like they’re wasted or like they’d rather be anywhere but here.”

“Should we be networking,” Namjoon muses, taking a look around the ballroom.

“I only network from eight to five pm on weekdays and after that I need a six month notice in advance if I’m being forced to network,” You say flatly, “Let’s just enjoy, Joon.”

“If you say so, boss,” Namjoon grins good-naturedly at you. You hand out your respective drinks, beckoning Jin towards you and have a quiet cheers together.

You’re happy to be with your friends, and with Jin, even if it’s a work event that you have an unspoken obligation to attend.

***

It appears that Taemin does not quite see the ring on your finger- or he sees it and he willfully ignores it. Or it’s the alcohol and he’s just being far more flirty than usual. Either way, you take it in stride and dip out of the conversation as soon as you can to make your way back to Jin.

Who had been watching the whole interaction with amused eyes.

“Are you jealous?” You ask with a sugary grin.

“Yeah, definitely,” Jin rolls his eyes, “Jealous that your coworker caught five minutes of your time. Should I go rough him up?”

“I love when you protect my honor,” You wink at him, rubbing his chest absently, “It’s so sexy.”

“I love you,” Jin says abruptly, “I’m proud to be the person on your arm, you know that?”

“Yeah,” You say dreamily, “I love you.”

You and Jin end up finishing the night with Jungkook, Namjoon and their dates at a nearby pizza place. Even if you look out of place in fancy formal wear, none of you pay it any mind.

Neither you nor Jin particularly prefer PDA, but you can’t help but lean your head against his shoulder when you start to yawn. You’re struggling to stay present in the conversation and Jin’s warmth next to you is pushing you closer and closer to sleep.

You end up dozing off without realizing it, and Jin adjusts himself so that your head is comfortably resting on his shoulder. Everyone is sure to keep their voices down since you’ve fallen into a deep sleep apparently, and once everyone’s finished with their food Jin hesitates to wake you up.

“Honey,” Jin murmurs, shaking your shoulder gently, “The Uber’s almost here. We can go home and go to sleep. A pizza parlor is no place for sleeping.”

It takes a few moments of shaking your shoulder and whispering for you to wake up before Jin just lifts you up and carries you outside. You inhale loudly at the sudden movement and your eyes spring open.

“Jin,” You mumble into his neck, “‘M so tired.”

“I know, baby, we’ll be home soon. Gonna put you down now, alright?” 

Your feet hit the ground but you stay in his embrace, eyes still closed and face tucked into his neck. You force your eyes open with a groan and look over his shoulder to see Jungkook and Namjoon in similar embraces with their own dates.

“They’re cute,” You say softly to Jin, “We’re cuter, but they’re still cute.”

“That’s my girl,” Jin grins and pecks your forehead.

“‘M your pretty wifey,” You remind him. As if he needs a reminder.

“‘M your pretty hubby,” Jin says. As if you need the reminder.

He’s your forever, and you’re his forever. Things between you both have always been relatively simple and easy. 

And this fact is no different.

tags: @kentobean​ 

[cherrycocaineee]

14. Naruto Uzumaki - Best Friends

I strapped my bag over my shoulder before throwing on my sweater before heading for the front door of my apartment. It was time to go grocery shopping for the month with the small amount of change I had left from paying rent. The roads weren’t busy today, probably because in just a few moments it would be raining. Wanting to avoid the villagers all together, despite there being few of them wandering around, I hopped on top of one of the multiple roofs and jumped around to find the market. When I arrived, I jumped off the roof and bolted inside just as it started to pour. Thunder rolled against the gray clouds, lightning only poking out a bit through the blankets of puffy, rain clouds. I was thanking the stars that I had made it inside before I got rained on, and sending out another silent prayer that the rain would stop before I had to head home.

   The few people inside were giving me side glances and mumbling to one another, however, I didn’t pay attention to them and just did my shopping. After grabbing a bunch of things, I paid for my food and left the store, wanting nothing more than to get home. Luckily for me the rain had stopped, allowing me to make my way home. Once again, I took the roofs to avoid the villagers, however, I didn’t rush home like I had rushed to the market.

As I got closer to my home, I jumped off the roof and started walking past the windows. Most of them were covered with curtains, but some weren’t. I did good to keep my eyes forward, not wanting to make eye contact with someone who may have been looking out the window. But my eyes betrayed me as I passed the open window of a young boy’s home. He was laying on the bed, arms sprawled out, staring at the ceiling with his blue, teary eyes. He looked sad. And even from all the way over here, I could hear his stomach growling. I could see inside his home, and saw that there was no food inside his building. He was hungry.

  Having an idea, I ran home as quickly as I could and practically slammed the door closed behind me as I headed to the kitchen with my groceries. I started digging through my pantry until I found a basket holding all of my hand towels. Dumping the towels out onto my counter, I started going through my food to see what I could give to him. Packages of cup noodles, giving him most of them since ramen wasn’t my favorite dish, some fruits and vegetables, one of the two loaves of bread I had bought, eggs, milk, and some of the other things. Once I was finished packing everything together, I didn’t waste time leaving my home again and headed back towards that young boy’s home.

  When I arrived at the window from earlier, I noticed that he wasn’t inside anymore. So I decided to sit on the ledge and wait for him. It must have rained while I was inside my apartment because there were drips of fresh water falling from the ledge of the open window. I was surprised that his bed wasn’t wet. Thirty minutes passed before I heard the opening and closing of the front door behind me. I swirled around and came face to face with the blue eyed boy. He was staring right at me when he entered.

  “Who are you?” He inquired, his eyes narrowing.

  “My name is Akiko Haninozuka,” I introduced, “I was walking by earlier and heard your stomach growling so I went home to make you this.”

  I held up the basket of food. His eyes widened and he came bouncing towards me, a grin spreading across his face as he took the basket from me. After taking the basket from me, he waved for me to come inside; his grin still plastered on his face. That’s when I really took his face in; there were these whisker-like things on his cheeks. I climbed into the window, avoiding his bed all together so I wouldn’t get the bedding dirty.

  “What’s your name?” I inquired curiously.

  “I’m Naruto Uzumaki,” he informed cheerfully.

   The name sounded familiar and I tried to think hard about where I had heard the name from. Then I remembered that many of the villagers, when they weren’t talking about me, were speaking about another kid named Naruto. This must have been him. Naruto began putting the groceries away while I walked around his home. It was a bit untidy but not a lot. When Naruto finished putting his food up, he turned towards me.

  “Thank you for bringing me some food,” he said, “I really appreciate it.”

 “It was no problem at all,” I smiled.

   The two of us decided that we’d hang out for a little bit. He wanted to go to the park and play like all of the other kids did when they weren’t in school. So that’s where we were headed, Naruto was holding a bouncy, red ball as we walked. The entire walk home we conversed about ourselves, learning that we had many things in common. Both of our parents weren’t in the picture and we lived alone.

By the time we got to the park, the rain clouds had finally dispersed, and there were tons of children our age already enjoying the welcoming, hot sun. Most of the kids avoided us while staring with slight disgust but others just did what they were doing before we even showed up. Naruto and I went to a small area of the park and started rolling the ball with each other. We shared a laugh as the rolling turned into kicking the ball back and forth.

   Soon we started doing other things like swinging, chasing the butterflies, playing chase, and running towards some type of lake or river. We were having so much fun that we didn’t even notice that the sun was going down until it was completely pitch black. Now we were sitting in the dark while Naruto was trying to start a fire to warm us up, neither of us wanting to go home to absolutely no one.

  “Ah-ha!” Naruto cheered as the flames erupted making me smile and clap my hands.

 “You did it!” I giggled, “you’re awesome, Naruto!”

  Naruto’s head snapped up as he faced me, a sheepish grin plastered on his face.

  “Thanks, Akiko,” he said.

*Time Skip*

       Faded steam rose from the pan on my stove as I stirred all of the vegetables inside. From the other room, I could hear Hanako and Takashi playing a game with Kakashi causing a smile to appear on my face. Having my family sitting in the next room and enjoying each other's company. As I was finishing up some of the cooking, there was a knock on the front door.

  “I got it,” Kakashi called from the living room.

 “Thank you,” I hummed back.

    A few moments passed before Kakashi walked in with our guest, Naruto Uzumaki. Or technically now, the Seventh Hokage. I smiled kindly.

 “Naruto,” I greeted, “what brings you here?”

  “I was wondering if maybe you and I could speak,” he said, “it’s been a while since we’ve just been able to talk.”

  I nodded my head, “just give me a few moments so I could finish up dinner.”

 “It’s alright, honey,” Kakashi said, touching my shoulder, “I’ll finish up. You go with Naruto.”

After making sure that my husband was actually okay with me leaving, I followed Naruto out the front door while waving goodbye to my kids. While we walked, I asked Naruto how everything at home was going for him. He wowed me with stories of how his family went on picnics together, how his day with Himawari went during Parent Day, and so much more. I was genuinely happy for Naruto; he finally had everything he could possibly want in life. We both did.

  Somehow, Naruto and I managed to make our way back to the lake where he started the fire so long ago when we first met. No one knew how much the two of us would later depend on each other, how we would grow up to be practically inseparable even into our adult years. I’m sure plenty of people were shocked when we didn’t end up getting married but our love for each other was much different than his and Hinata’s or mine and Kakashi’s. It was pure family love.

   Naruto quickly started a fire to keep us warm and joined me on the log we had placed here long ago. It was silent for a while, listening to the sound of crickets and toads in the background. My blue-eyed friend looked up at the darkening sky, the stars twinkling, and the moon that illuminated over the lake.

  “Remember when the moon was falling?” He asked, eyes still staring upwards.

 “Well, of course,” I muttered, “I almost died so it’s not something that I would easily forget.”

  The two of us laughed.

  “I sure do miss the old day,” he continued, “team 7 going on missions with Kakashi. The many team dinners we had together when we were away. And I especially miss Pervy Sage.”

  “Me too. But now look at us. We’ve got beautiful kids and loving spouses, our friends are still around and they’re supportive. Our lives are great now just as they were when we were younger.”

  He laughed again and scratched the back of his head, his eyes were closed. I giggled too.

  “You’re much more optimistic about our childhood than I am.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

 Naruto folded his arms in front of him and sighed.

  “Thank you, Akiko.”

  “For what?”

  “For being there for me. Back then, everyone shunned me and kept me at a distance while telling their own kids to not play with me. But you were there for me, no matter what. Even when we were both bullied much worse after we started hanging out, after I told you that I didn’t want anything to happen to you, you still told me that you’d never leave.”

  I remembered that day. Three kids had come up to us while we were playing a board game outside to enjoy the nice weather. They walked over to us and kicked our game pieces before they started harassing the two of us. Calling us freaks and saying how neither of us should hang out with one another because together we were dangerous. At the time, neither of us knew what they meant at the time. But it didn’t matter. After the three of them finished shouting insults at us and hitting us, Naruto had told me that if I didn’t want to be his friend anymore because of it he’d understand. However, I told him that was ridiculous and that I liked hanging out with him. So the two of us continued our friendship.

  “Things were different back then,” I whispered, “and I’ll never forget it because it made the two of us closer.”

  “It sure did. Our parents would have been proud.”

 “Our parents, our teachers, everyone who stood by us.”

  Naruto wrapped his arm around my shoulder and hauled me up in a swift motion.

  “Let’s get home to our families, huh.”

 Nodding my head, I followed Naruto out of the lake area, letting the fire finish burning down what was lit. The ashes, soot, and smoke all collected in the air as we got further and further away. I was smiling the entire way home, feeling absolutely lucky to have a great friend like Naruto by my side. And I knew he felt the same way.

[quillsandtypos]

Ski Trip

Summary: when the reader agrees to go on the annual ski trip up to the mountains with her boyfriend, Luke, and her friends she expected to go looking at mountains. But what she ends up doing doesn't require much hiking

Pairings: alive!Luke Patterson x reader

Words: 2.4k

Warnings: THIS IS NSFW FOREPLAY SMUT PEOPLE

If any of you have ever had a conversation with me and you read this fic, no you didn't

...........................................

"What are you two doing tomorrow?" Julie asked you.

You rolled into your stomach and propped your head up in your hands. “I’m not sure, but I know what we're doing next weekend, unfortunately.”

That peaked Julie’s interest, you weren’t usually much of a complainer. “Why unfortunately?” she questioned.

“Because I'm going on the Ski trip with him,” you whined. You wanted to spend time with Luke, you just didn't wanna go on the trip.

“Oh my god, you get to go?” she excitedly asked.

“Not helping,” you commented.

Julie smirked. “Sorry not sorry, I’ve been trying to get you to go for the past two years. And the first year, I couldn’t even go,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, so why would I have gone if you and Flynn weren’t even gonna be there?” you asked. As if on cue, Flynn walked down the stairs.

“Heard you guys were talking about me, all good things I hope?” she spoke as she walked down the stairs.

“Always,” you said, somewhat sarcastically.

She motioned for you to scoot over so she could have some space on the couch.

“So, if we’re done talking about me, did I hear someone say something about the ski trip?” Flynn questioned.

Before you could open your mouth Julie was already telling Flynn about how you were coming on the trip.

“You are?” Flynn squealed.

You tried to not get excited from their joy, but it was impossible; they were contagious.

You shyly smiled. “Yes, I’m going.”

“Yayyy!” Flynn yelled. The girl was practically jumping up and down.

“Oh who are you sharing a room with?” Flynn asked.

“Luke and I are,” you answered.

The girls exchanged a look you knew all too well.

“Shut up!” You covered your face with a pillow.

“We didn’t say anything!” they protested in almost complete unison.

You could feel your cheeks burning up. “Yeah, but you thought it,” you argued.

“Well whether we thought it or said it, you’re sharing a room with your boyyyyyyyfriend,” Flynn sang.

“If you guys start sing teasing me, I will leave,” you threatened.

“Don’t you need us to pick out your outfits?” Julie remembered.

“Oh, shit, yeah.”

“So in other words you have no leverage?” Flynn realized.

“I’m your ride home,” you reminded her.

“Outfits it is, but do not think we will be forgetting about this!” Flynn cried as she walked up to your bedroom.

“Whatever Flynn!” you yelled back.

“She’s right you know,” Julie slyly commented.

You just huffed in response.

The two of them did a very good job at helping maximize your california wardrobe for the mountains. Granted you had to go buy a couple things in advance, but overall, you felt confident that you could bear the cold of the mountains.

“Alright, I think you’ll survive,” Flynn proclaimed.

You closed your suitcase, and surprisingly you didn’t even have to sit on it.

“Thank you guys, I really appreciate it.”

“No problem, it was our pleasure, especially since you’re actually coming this year,” Julie said.

You dropped them both back off their houses and they were nice enough to spare you from embarrassing you in the car ride.

...........

You heard someone creeping up behind you as you grabbed your stuff to head to your second class, and as you felt arms wrap around your waist you knew it was Luke.

You turned to face him. “So I was thinking if we get one of the window rooms then we can see the snow when it falls,” he proposed.

Your face lit up. “Wait, it’s gonna snow when we’re up there?” you excitedly asked.

He happily watched your beaming face “I mean that’s what the weather said.”

“Oh my god! I haven’t seen snow since-” you paused, “actually I don’t remember, but it’s been awhile.”

“Well there’s a good chance that’s gonna happen,” he said.

“You know you’re actually required to show up to school for them to allow you to come right?” you teased. Though originally it had been a legitimate concern.

He licked his lips. “I’ve been coming everyday so I could come on this trip,” he defended himself.

“Coming to school and staying in school are two very different things Patterson,” you playfully reminded him.

He leaned in closer and his voice got quieter. “And what’s that?”

You resisted the urge to swallow and pulled away from him. “One is what I’m doing right now, because I need to go to class.”

He pulled his lips tightly before sighing. “You got me there,” he admitted.

“I always do,” you said, as you started walking off. You turned around to see him still standing there, you would be lying if you said it didn’t bring you joy.

“Go to class Luke!” you yelled back at him.

“You got it!” he saluted you and walked the other way.

You playfully rolled your eyes. That boy would be the death of you, but you supposed there were worse ways to go.

That Friday you didn’t have any school since the school board figured it was pointless to send a bunch of kids to school the day before they went on a ski trip. There wasn’t going to be any actual learning anyway. You usually would’ve spent some of the day at Julie’s; which you did, but today it wasn’t in the studio for practice. You figured since she had helped you pack, you could at least keep her company as she packed.

“So who are you sharing a room with?” you asked her, as she sorted through her jeans.

“Me and Flynn just figured we’d share one,” Julie said offhandedly.

You chose to not comment on how she was obviously forcing herself to be casual.

“Ah I see, do you know if Alex and Reg are coming?”

“Yeah, and get this Alex and Willie are sharing a room,” she gossiped.

“I’m calling it right now, they're gonna start dating by the end of the weekend,” you hypothesized.

“I 100% agree.”

The two of you spent the next hour or so just discussing what sort of things you wanted to do while you were there over the weekend, and of course how much Flynn was running around her house frantically changing outfits. You actually were excited about going, not necessarily about the actual trip, and about dealing with certain classmates, but you were looking forward to being with Luke and hanging out with your friends.

For some reason when you woke up the next morning you were a little nervous, you supposed it was because you had never been skiing or snowboarding for that matter.

You got ready pretty minimally considering you were soon to be on a five hour bus ride. None of your family was up yet so when Luke pulled into your driveway you slipped out the door.

“You got everything?” Luke asked.

“Everything except my chill,” you responded with a smile.

“You’re gonna be alright, and you don’t have to do anything there you don’t wanna do, so if you don’t wanna risk a broken leg, then don’t.”

Despite your anxieties, you knew he was still right.

“Thanks Luke.”

“Anything for you.”

When the two of you got to the bus everyone else in your group had already gotten there. You, the rest of the band, Flynn, and Willie had made a plan for the bus.

“We have arrived,” you announced to your friends as you and Luke took your spots.

“And just in time too, people kept trying to take your seats,” Willie reported.

“Thanks for saving them,” Luke responded.

The two of you continued chatting with the rest of your friends until the bus driver instructed everyone to take their seats. The majority of everyone slept on the way up there but you were too anxious to get there to sleep. Instead you watched youtube as Luke napped on your shoulder.

“Luke, Luuuuuuuuuuuke, Luooooooooooooooke,” you spoke. You were trying to wake him up quietly but you were starting to realize that wasn’t going to work.

Luckily Reggie was awake. “Oh he’s a heavy sleeper, that’s not gonna work.”

Reggie basically got himself so he was dangling off both sides of his chair before yelling in his ear.

Luke awakened with a jolt, looking fairly startled.

You weren’t entirely sure whether you should laugh, throw Reggie under the bus, or maybe both.

“What happened?” Luke asked.

“I woke you up,” Reggie answered innocently.

“By yelling in my ear?” Luke groggily questioned.

Reggie quickly tried to backpedal himself out of this situation. “I mean I don’t think the method is relevant, the important thing is that you’re up.”

Luke wasn’t awake enough to deal with the situation at hand. He just chose to lay his head back on your shoulder.

By the time you had made it to the hotel you were ready to collapse. Luke laughed when you flung yourself onto one the beds.

“Should I be worried?” he asked, mostly as a joke.

“No,” you smiled and rubbed your face, “I’m just really tired.”

“You couldn’t sleep on the bus?” he guessed.

“Yeah,” you groaned.

“You know what would help?” he asked.

“Do tell,” you inquired, from your face down position.

“This,” he said, before he jumped on the bed beside you. He curled his warm body around you and pulled you in.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes,” you responded. You attempted to melt further into him. You laid there in a comfortable silence for a couple of minutes.

“Luke we should probably go do things,” you suggested. You attempted to get up but he pulled you back down.

You stayed with him but you turned around so you were facing him. “Luke?”

“Yes, y/n?”

You bit your lip, you had to admit, it was pretty cute. “Are you going to let me get up?” you asked.

He looked into your eyes lovingly. “Well if you’re trying to leave then no.”

“So that would be a no.”

“Well if you look at it that way then yeah,” he admitted with a mischievous smile on his face.

“Luke come o-” the rest of your sentence didn’t quite make it out. Your smart boyfriend decided to use your weak spot on your back against you.

“You wanna go now?” he teased.

“Not necessarily,” you lazily responded.

You could feel your willpower fading as the light stokes up and down your back sent a calm wave of chills through your body. But you knew if you didn’t use your chance now there was a good chance you weren’t getting out of that bed today.

“Luke come on we gotta go,” you whined. It’s not like you weren’t enjoying yourself, you most definitely were, but your friends had to be wondering where the two of you were.

“Alright, alright, fine,” he gave in.

“Can I have a kiss though?” he sweetly pleaded.

You gladly agreed, but you realized his plan of not leaving the room hadn’t quite ended when the kiss started leading down to your jaw.

“Luke you’re not sly,” you laughed.

“Oh is that so?” he asked, as he moved down to your jawline.

You nodded your head.

“Then why aren’t you moving?” he purred.

Okay, so he maybe had a point.

“You can tell me to stop,” he reminded you. He looked into your eyes for any sign of you wanting him to stop and waited.

“Unless of course, you don’t want me to stop?” he asked, with the biggest smirk you had ever seen on his face.

“Not necessarily,” you said, completely avoiding his eye contact.

He crawled over top of you, “What was that princess?” he asked.

You forced yourself to look into those beautiful blue eyes, and that devilish smile. “No, I don’t want you to stop Luke.”

“That’s what I needed to hear.” He bent his head down at your jawline, this time starting on the side of your jaw bone. He sucked at the skin and you bit your cheek down on a moan. He moved down from your neck pressing harder and making it harder for you to control yourself.

“Luke,” you moaned.

“Yes?”

“No marks.”

He smirked. “It’s a little late for that one.”

You rolled your eyes at his antics. “You suck.”

“I don’t think you're exactly in the position to be saying those sort of things,” he warned.

You raised your eyebrows. As if he thought you would back down that easily. “Really?”

He licked his lips and shrugged.

“Make me,” you insisted.

“Bad choice of words,” he threatened. In a second his shirt was off and one of his arms held your’s down and above you.

This time he noticed when you swallowed. “Nervous?” he asked, his lips quirked up.

He might’ve been starting to get to you, but you weren’t going to admit to it. “You wish Patterson,” you tested.

His head dipped down towards your collarbone. He lightly sucked on it and gradually increased his intensity until your body unwillingly gave you away and you gutturally moaned.

He jutted his chin out, the fire in his eyes on stage was nothing in comparison to this. “What about now?”

“Yes, Luke,” you groaned out.

He somehow managed to pull your shirt off with you laying down, and managed to unhook your bra with minimal difficulties.

His mouth softly sucked on the very top of your nipple.

“Fuck,” you moaned.

As he continued sucking at a rapid rate you felt the knot in your stomach twisting further, just as you thought it was going to release Luke stopped.

“How much do you want it?” he asked as he slowly pulled your pants down.

You were not going to give him the satisfaction of begging.

You felt a finger glide across your clit ever so slightly and back and forth he kept going, ever so slowly.

A whimper escaped your lips.

“Beg for me, that’s all you have to do,” he promised. He was most definitely enjoying himself.

He moved back up to your nipples but instead he moved as slow as he could, he was trying to break you.

“Come on princess, you know you want it,” he taunted.

A sole finger swiped down your pussy and your breath hitched.

“Luke please,” you moaned.

“What please? I think it has something to do with fucking you silly,” he hinted. He once again crawled over top of you to be able to see your face. Like a predator stalking prey.

“Please rail the shit out of me Luke,” you whined.

“That was all you had to say princess.”