#and then a half hour later again i texted and they said oh whoops sorry the car had troubles and we didnt have room

[rebeccccccaaa]

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ _____________________

ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ’s!ʙᴇsᴛ!ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ!ʙᴜᴄᴋʏ ʙᴀʀɴᴇs ᴀᴜ

sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You and Buck have always been close growing up but you two soon learn that the line that separates friendly and flirting is a lot thinner than you think.

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: fluff, slight angst bc u got a shit bf, big bro vibes from bucky, smut duh [18+ minors dni (slight praise but also slight degradation, marking, belly bulge, squirting, fem!rec oral, unprotected sex, plz be safe irl, slight choking, pet names: darling&princess, i think that’s it lmk plz)]

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ’s ɴᴏᴛᴇs: hey assholes i'm back for the time being lol. I have a few ideas and fics I'm currently writing right now so do not fret.

______________________________________

You knew this was a horrible idea. 

It’s Saturday night and you and your boyfriend were back in another night club after being kicked out from one just hours before. Daniel had gotten too drunk, as he always does, causing you to kindly ask the bartender to cut him off. Daniel didn’t take that too lightly resulting in a gnarly swing at the poor guy just doing his job. 

Security threw you out and Daniel called an Uber to go where you thought was going to be your apartment but twenty minutes later you pulled up to another club practically on the other side of town. You yelled at Daniel but he pushed aside stumbling inside for yet even more drinks and mistakes waiting for him inside. 

You sat at the bar simply drinking some water and snacking on some peanuts keeping your eye on your garbage boyfriend. You're constantly checking the time on your phone, annoyed with every passing minute. It was 2 am and you just wanted to go home and sleep. You were even debating texting your brother Steve hoping you could just crash at his place not too far from where you were but it would be incredibly irresponsible to just leave Daniel in the state he’s in. 

So you waited and waited and waited. Your eyelids felt heavy and your energy was just completely drained. You were basically a zombie. It wasn’t until a guy approached your half asleep body that you felt a sense of alert. Daniel was shit-faced so you were practically defenseless. 

“Hey,” the guy shouted over the music.

“Sorry, I’m not interested. My boyfriend’s-” you quickly said, only to be cut off.

“Don’t worry. I’m not gonna hit on you. I’ve got a boyfriend of my own,” he chuckled, making you breathe out in relief. 

“Sorry,” you cringed at yourself. 

“It’s alright; but uh, I hate to be the one to tell you this. You might want to check with your boyfriend,” he said sympathetically. 

You pushed your way through the crowd scanning every face in search of Daniel. What did he do? Is he hurt? Did he get in trouble again? Is he getting arrested? Where is he-

“Daniel?” you said eyes tearing up a bit. 

His arms were wrapped around another girl’s waist as he kissed her the way he kissed you. She practically moaned as their tongues slobbered disgustingly with each other. Their hips grinding against each other proactively as if you weren’t even there. Sadness turned to anger, and anger turned to rage, gripping Daniel’s short hairs and pulling his head away from whoever this girl was. 

“What the fuck?” the girl complained, her eyes completely bloodshot. 

“Did he tell you that he was here with his girlfriend tonight?” you're sad with gritted teeth. Daniel stumbled around still unable to register what the hell was happening. 

“Oh my god, you forreal?” she said.

“Who fucking cares? She’s a prude anyway. I got more action with you than I did her in the past, what, six months?” Daniel slurred. 

“You know what, you’re a fucking prick, dude. She deserves so much better than you; I bet your dick is small anyway,” the girl said.

“Fuck you too bitch,” Daniel spit. 

“I can’t believe you,” you said. 

“Oh, whoop-dee-doo, big fucking surprise. Babe, you’re a prude. Can’t you see it? I don’t know why I’m wasting my time with you anymore,” he practically puked out the words without any second thought. 

“Fine, then I hope you enjoy the rest of your night, you fucking asshole,” you stormed away holding in the tears; he wasn’t worth it. 

Almost three am and you just dumped your cheating lowlife boyfriend on the other side of town. Steve wasn’t answering his phone and you even wanna be near the club anymore. Walking speedily staring at your screen desperate to call an Uber home, you bumped harshly into a hard chest falling to the ground on your bum. 

“Fucking hell, I’m so sorry, darling,” the man said helping you up by your elbows.

“It’s ok. I wasn’t looking- Bucky?” 

“Oh, hey kid. What are you doing? It’s like three in the morning and you don’t live anywhere near here,” Bucky said, crossing his arms. 

“Daniel got himself kicked from the one by our apartment and Ubered here instead.”

“So where’s Daniel?” Bucky scowled; he’s always hated that guy, so did Steve.

“Probably fucking some other chick in the bathroom,” your voice cracked. 

“What?”

“It’s nothing; I just want to go home,” you cried.

“Hey, it’s ok; it’s ok. Do you wanna crash at me and Steve’s? He’s gone for the weekend with Peggy; you can stay in his room at least for the night,” Bucky offered; so that’s why Steve’s not answering his phone. 

“I don’t wanna intrude on your night. I can just call an Uber, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Steve’ll kill me if he found out I left his baby sis alone in the streets of New York at three in the morning. It’s not a problem, we were just bar hopping and I stopped drinking ages ago.”

“Are you sure, Buck?”

“Of course,” he smiled warmly at you. 

“Hey, Nat!”

“What’s up?” a beautiful redhead approached you both.

“Gonna head home ; don’t do anything stupid,” he chuckled. 

“You too,” she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, “Catch you Monday?” 

“You’re stupid. I’ll see ya,” Bucky laughed before grabbing your hand and headed towards his apartment. 

“Thanks again, Buck. For letting me stay here tonight,” you said once you entered his apartment. 

It had been a while since you hung out at your brother’s apartment but nothing’s changed. Typical men and their inability to change even a throw pillow. You set your small bag on the couch before Bucky led you to Steve’s room. There were pictures of you and him posing at Steve’s graduation; and later your own. Pictures of Steve and Bucky at a theme park, during a bar-be-que for Steve’s birthday. So many memories that Steve held onto in his room. 

“Time really flies doesn’t it?” Bucky said, slightly startling you.

“Sorry,” he chuckled.

“No, you’re fine. But you’re right. Feels all these pictures were taken yesterday,” you reminisced. 

“I got you some clothes if you need to change; I’ll give you privacy,” Bucky said, slipping from the room briskly. 

You sat on the bed frustrated with everything. Your body was so drained from being up so early in the night, to the fight with Daniel. The past couple months with him were so awful. He was just so mean to you all the time and you didn’t know what you did wrong. Where did it go wrong? When did things shift?

"Is everything ok, darling?" Bucky asked quietly, knocking on the door when you hadn't come out after a while.

"What did I do wrong? I thought he loved me," you choked out. 

Bucky sighed as he walked over to the bed sitting beside you before engulfing you in a warm hug. You cried into his shoulder and Bucky couldn't help the anger that bubbled inside him for your excuse of a boyfriend Daniel. He never got along with the guy and now he finally has a reason to knock his teeth in.

"You didn't do anything, I know it. That prick wouldn't know love if it hit him in the face. It's his loss. You deserve so much better than that asshole. Look at me, you're so beautiful and funny and fucking adorable; any guy who can't see how perfect you are, is a dense piece of shit." 

"James," you whispered. 

His words made your heart skip and your stomach flutter. But Bucky’s always had that effect on you. Even growing up. You weren’t going to sit there and pretend that hearing his words hadn't had a deeper effect than they would’ve coming from Daniel. Sometimes you wondered what being with Bucky would be like. You’re not the first to admit how handsome Bucky was and growing up you did have quite the crush on your brother’s best friend.  

You don't know what it was, whether it was the alcohol still swimming through your veins, or just feeling so vulnerable being in Bucky's arms but you wanted him badly. You needed him, needed to feel something again. And you knew he could give it to you. You pressed your lips to his and in an instant his hands dropped to your hips pulling you impossibly close against his body. Your hands went to the back of his head as you kissed him messily. Your noses bumped and teeth clashed but it was the best kiss you’ve ever had. 

“Fuck, your brother’s gonna kill me,” Bucky mumbled, almost to himself, as he slowly laid you down on your back.

Bucky’s hands trailed up your thighs, squeezing the soft flesh every now and then as he continued kissing you passionately. Your own hands couldn’t help but tug at his shirt desperately. When he did so, your breath was completely taken away. It had been years since you’d seen Bucky without a shirt. 

Not only had he been quite skinny just like your brother back then, but not long after leaving for college with Steve he was in a bike accident that left him with ghastly scars and burns along his left arm and shoulder. Since then, it’s fair to say Bucky never really ever took his shirt off. It had taken years just for him to remove the glove he’d always wear to cover the scars on his hand.

“You’ve gotten so strong, James,” you grinned, reaching out to brush the flexed muscles running down his front. 

He simply stared at you with an anticipating and anxious expression on his face, waiting for you to state the obvious. When you didn’t, when you pulled his head down to kiss him once again, he almost cried. Bucky hadn’t been with a woman in so long, afraid of this very moment. He knew at that moment, there was no one quite like you. 

Bucky fell in love. 

“Let me take care of you, darling. You’ve been so good to me,” Bucky whispered huskily in your ear as he trailed his hand under your own shirt brushing his fingertips along the underside of your breast.

His lips pressed softly against your hot skin along your neck before standing up between your legs at the end of the bed. He pulled your shirt off then played cheekily with the straps of your bra that you still had on. You smiled back at him with the same playful stare, reaching behind you to unclasp the material. 

You could see the way Bucky’s eyes darken and his pupils widened as he stared in awe at your naked chest. Your skin bursted into chills under his hungry gaze even though you felt like you were burning up. Bucky leaned forward kissing down the valley of your breasts, nipping once in a while playfully before laying you back down. He shimmied you out of your bottoms easily, kneeling on the ground leaving you completely bare before him. 

“You are absolutely stunning, princess,” Bucky whispered, running his hands up your thighs slowly. 

“Bucky, please. I need you,” you whimpered. 

“Don’t worry, darling. I promise I’m gonna take good care of you,” he smirked devilishly. 

He pushed your knees open, eyeing the arousal that glistened between your thighs. He brought his fingers up to you slowly rubbing your slick around before finally pushing a thick and long finger past your folds. Your body shuddered solely at the foreign but pleasurable feeling, already moaning softly. 

Bucky’s cock strained through pants upon hearing your beautiful moans; they were like music to his ears. He couldn’t help the way his hips would buck into the mattress in a desperate attempt to relieve some pain from his erection. Soon after he pulled his fingers from you slowly only to thrust them further in you, curling his fingers just right. 

He brought his mouth down to you, wrapping his lips around your clit sucking harshly. You gasped and your back arched, overwhelmed with pleasure Bucky was giving you with just his mouth and fingers. All the times that you’d given yourself to your ex, he had never made you feel this good before, feel this full; let alone with his fingers. Bucky was taking his time with you solely for your own pleasure and it made your heart swoon. 

Your legs trapped Bucky’s head between your thighs, squeezing as he continued to eat you out like a starved man. Your hands went to his hair pulling on his dark locks causing Bucky to moan deeply against you. You were so close to a release; your legs shaking violently and your stomach tightening. 

“Come on, princess. Want you to come all over my face. Can you do that for me, darling?”

“Fuck!”

“Be a good girl and make a mess,” Bucky teased.

His fingers moved faster as he swirled his tongue around and over your clit just as quickly. You were becoming overwhelmed and that coil bursted in the pit of your stomach. You pushed Bucky’s face from you, shrieking with pure pleasure; Bucky’s kept the rapid pace with fingers as you fell over the edge.

“Fucking hell, that was so hot, princess,” Bucky said standing up; his fingers, arm, his chest was covered in your arousal. 

“Did I do that?” your voice trembled. 

“Because of me,” Bucky winked playfully.

“I didn’t know I could do that,” you let your head fall back on the bed as you briefly caught your breath.

Bucky grabbed his shirt that he discarded not long ago and quickly wiped his chest and arm before discarding his pants and boxers. He nearly moaned at the feeling when he finally freed his dick from the restraining garments. His hand instantly wrapped around the base before pumping himself a few times. 

You brought yourself onto your elbows momentarily ogling at the sight of Bucky completely bare before you. Your mouth practically watered at the sight. Bucky crawled over you kissing you deeply and messily; but perfectly. He pulled away and you both had goofy smiles on your faces before bursting into a fit of giggles, Bucky’s head burying into the crook of your neck.

“You’re so goddamn adorable, princess,” Bucky’s voice was muffled. 

“Bucky,” you whined. 

You couldn’t resist squirming underneath the burly man. Although, you’ve just had what was probably the best orgasm you’ve ever had, you wanted more. You needed more; you needed Bucky. 

“I got you, darling. I got you.” 

Bucky wanted to tease you more, make you beg, but he was just as desperate to feel you as you were. He propped himself up on his elbows kissing you one last time before reaching between your bodies and lining his dick with your entrance. Both you and Bucky moaned simultaneously as he stretched you out; curses spilling from his lips as incoherent moans fell from yours. 

“So fucking tight, princess. Squeezing my cock just right, aren’t ya?” he whispered.

“Fuck, I feel so full,” you whimpered.

Bucky began to slowly move his hips in and out of you deliciously. He quickly picked up the pace, jetting his hips rapidly making your moans louder. Bucky sat up on his knees and gripped your waist surely to leave bruises in your wake. This new angle surprised you and you couldn’t help the squeals and moans that left your mouth. You chanted Bucky's name like a prayer; as if it was the only word you knew. 

Bucky watched you carefully, your face contorting with pure euphoric pleasure. He couldn’t help notice the small bump in your lower belly and without a second thought, he grabbed your hands pressing them firmly over your tummy. 

“You feel how deep I am, darling? Fucking poking through,” Bucky grunted. 

“Shit! Oh, it feels so good,” you moaned. 

“That’s right, no one’s ever gonna fuck you this good again. This pussy’s mine now,” Bucky growled. 

He took one of his hands and wrapped it around your throat squeezing the sides gently but firm at the same time. Your eyes rolled back and you moaned even louder, confident that the neighbors were sure to complain in the morning. Feeling Bucky’s hand around your neck was so exhilarating; you and Daniel had never ever experimented with anything beyond a pair of handcuffs, and that particular night went horribly. 

You like being choked by Bucky. 

“Fucking slut; you like this, don’t ya?” he came down to whisper huskily against your lips. 

“Mh-hm,” you moaned with a devilish grin, your bottom lip resting between your teeth before your eyes rolled back again. 

“Such a fucking beauty you are.”

Bucky hips snapped in and out and he knew it wouldn’t be long until he needed to release.

“God, I’m close, princess,” he growled. 

His hand moved to rest on the back of your neck to pull you up so you straddled his thighs and your chest was flushed against his. Your sensitive and hardened nipples brushed against his slightly sweaty skin causing you to shudder in pleasure. Bucky’s lips attached themselves to your skin along your collar bones sucking harshly leaving purple marks all along.

Your legs shook once again as they did before and soon enough with an arched back and shout of Bucky’s name you came all over his cock. Overwhelmed with your sex, Bucky bit harshly on your shoulder in a poor attempt to muffled the loud groans and moans he elicited. Feeling your velvety walls squeeze tightly around him pushed him over the edge, coating your walls with hot ribbons on cum. 

He fell forward almost crushing you but you were too tired to complain. Bucky continued to pepper soft kisses all over your skin whispering how good you were to him, how beautiful you looked. Just absolutely showering with compliments. You felt him slowly getting off you, probably afraid he was crushing you, but you didn’t want him to leave just yet. 

“Don’t,” you whispered, wrapping your arms tightly around his body. 

“I don’t want to crush you, darling.”

“You’re not.”

Bucky chuckled before settling completely above you, careful not to make you uncomfortable. Hardly any time went by when he felt the even and soft puffs of air hitting his skin, sure that you had fallen asleep. He picked himself up and with major guilt for his best friend, picked you up from the bed and walked you to his own room. 

After he was sure you stayed sound asleep, Bucky grabbed a clean pair of boxers and hurried himself to Steve’s room again. He collected all the discarded clothes and the dirty sheets and tossed them in the washing machine to clean right away. 

He hadn’t meant to fuck his best friend’s little sister, let alone in his own room, on his own bed, but it all happened so fast. 

He went back to his room letting the clothes do it’s thing, and quickly grabbed his phone. He messaged Steve, telling him that when he got back for his weekend with Peggy, he really needed to talk to him. 

Tonight made Bucky realize how much he loved you. Growing up, you two had always been close. But he doesn’t know when he stopped being friendly and instead began flirting. Bucky wanted to be with you; he knew it now more than ever. 

Bucky watched your gorgeous sleeping form on his bed. He smiled to himself before opening the window; the sun already rising and those beautiful golden rays seeped through the glass window, making you look angelic. He crawled into bed cuddling flushed against your naked body. He chuckled softly when you realized he’d returned, wiggling even further into his arms. 

“I love you, Bucky,” you mumbled. 

“I love you, too, darling.”

And he really, and truly did love you. As did you love him. 

=======================

ᴛᴀɢʟɪsᴛ: (For all my work)

@mathletemadison

@buckybarnes101-blog

@l-sofiamia-l  

@pluto-grrl-blog

@partr1dge

@stefans-wife

@cordeliaswhore

@fleurlovesbucky

@povsmarvel0720  

@missroro

Bucky Barnes Taglist:

@stolenxkissess

@bucknastayyy38

[sirennx7]

Bad Habits (2)

Pairing: Jimin x Reader, Tae x Reader (slightly)

Trope: Enemies to Lovers, cold CEO jimin, fuck budies to lovers, love traingle

Word Count: 3k+

Rating: 18+

Genre: angst, smut, fluff

Warnings: cursing, drinking, unprotected sex, annoying Jimin, toxcicity all around

Summary: What happens when you have a habit of seeing someone inbetween your on and off relationship? Especially when that someone also happens to be the boss you despise.

A/N: Originally I was going to have this as 3 parts but I think I might do 4-5 small parts instead. Anyway I had slight writers block with this one but now it has passed, whoop whoop! Hope you enjoy

Part 2

“Tae and I got back together…”

“I am aware.” He said in what sounded to be irritation, “I wouldn’t like to discuss personal matters at work please.”

I left his office and hurried to the desk. I know I shouldn’t have brought it up but I really need to talk to him about Friday. Since he knows me and Tae are back together it means that he had to have talked about it with Tae over the weekend. Did he tell Tae? Well I’m guessing not since I haven’t gotten an angry boyfriend over my house in the last 48 hours. Gosh why do I get myself in such situations. What happened was a mistake… I just need to make sure me and Jimin are on the same page. I decided I would go into his office after everyone left. I could call or text him later but that feels oddly too personal. As if his dick was just inside me- anyway, I just hope that this all doesn’t blow up and get out of hand.

-

Of course Lily had to stay a half an hour late in the office, making me spend that time doing the stupidest busy work ever, and by that I mean reorganizing my already organized desk. Although finally she left and I worked up the courage to knock on Jimin’s door.

No answer. That’s weird, does he really not want to talk about it this much.

I knocked again. Nothing.

“Come on Jimin, I know this is a weird situation but-” I barged in to see Jimin face down and snoring on his desk. “Oh.”

I walked closer to his sleeping figure. He looks exhausted, I guess work can do that to you. As strange as it may sound.. I couldn’t stop staring. He looked so cute with his mouth slightly parted and cheeks puffed up from sleep. After I realized I was looking for a far too long amount of time I went over and crouched down next to his chair brushing his hair away and whispering his name in a soft tone.

“Jimin, you fell asleep.” I said in the same soft tone as his eyes started to flutter open and he smiled slightly.

“Y/n…” He said so groggy I almost didn’t know what he was saying. He grabbed my hand softly and limply uttering, “Come back to bed.”

His eyes closed again before I saw slight confusion cross his face followed by an immediate shoot up of his head with wide eyes, immediately dropping my hand.

“Sorry I didn’t realize how late it was.” He said getting up and dusting himself off as I stood up and backed away, “What are you still doing here Miss L/n.”

“Works over Jimin.” I said, rolling my eyes, “And I came to…talk to you.”

“What do we have to talk about?” He said while putting his papers away and getting his stuff ready, “You are back with Tae and I’m your boss.”

“I know, but I just want to talk about what we are going to do about the whole situation.” I started walking back up to him to hopefully get his eye contact, but he was vividly avoiding that, “Obviously it was a mistake and-”

“Exactly, it was a mistake so let's forget about it and move on.” He said, still avoiding my gaze, “I can transfer you if that would make you feel better.”

“No!” I shouted a little too quickly, and to be honest I don’t even know why. Jimin paused his actions for a second. A transfer is definitely a better option, but it didn’t stop my mouth from saying, “No please I like it here.”

“Very well then.” He said continuing his previous actions, “If that is all then I would ask you to please leave my office.”

“Wait Jimin-”

“Mr. Park,” He said in a very angry tone, “Mr. Park in and out of work time now please.”

I simply nodded and left. Jimin has always been kind of cold and distant, besides the first month of me working here, but he has never once been genuinely mad at me like that. I really fucked shit up didn’t I. Oh well, Tae and I are back together, that’s all that matters, right?

-

Thursday

It’s been a month since the night with Jimin, and I can’t get it out of my head. What the hell is wrong with me? Every time Tae tries to initiate something I get really weird and make up an excuse. I should want to have sex with my boyfriend, but all I can think about when Tae’s lips are on mine is how much I wish they were Jimin. It’s so fucked up. I mean I love my boyfriend so much, he is my best friend. So why is this so difficult?

I got back from work after staying late for the third time this week. There has been a lot to do, and if i’m honest I use it to distract myself. A lot.

When I walked into the kitchen I saw Tae plating something he just made. He really was trying, and he is such a sweet guy. It was refreshing to have this after a long day.

“Just in time!” He said walking past me and putting the plates down on the table with the glasses of red wine already set up, “I thought you could really use a nice dinner after this week.”

He’s so nice and patient and thoughtful. He pays attention to everything and knows what I need all the time. I love him, I really do.

“Thank you so much Baby,” I said walking over to my chair and sitting down, “This is really sweet and you’re right, I did need this.”

He came over and gave me a peck on my forehead and smiled. Nothing. You think I would feel at least a little endearment from the gesture but I feel nothing but a twinge of sadness. Why can’t I just go back to how it was before.

“So I was thinking that we could do something Saturday since you have been working so much this week,” Tae started the convo, “Maybe we could go to the lake for a picnic, I know how much you used to love taking pictures there.”

Oh and did I tell you how thoughtful and romantic he is. He is perfect, really he is.

“Yeah that would be nice.” I said, giving a small smile and heading back to my food.

“Ok we’ll do that then,” He said taking a bite creating a moment of silence, “Do you know when Millie will be back.”

“She is staying over at her girlfriend's house tonight.” I said playing with my food. I know what my sentence insinuated, I really want to be with him tonight. I want to show him I really do love him… I just don’t know if I can.

“House to ourselves I see.” He said, giving me a wink and going back to his food. I continued to try and eat the delicious food in front of me. Tae really was an excellent chef but my mood has been stumping my appetite lately. I don’t want to through it away though, he worked so hard-

“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to Y/n.” He said, I could hear the pain in his voice as he kept his eyes on his plate. The room stayed silent for a bit as I finished the bite in my mouth and got up grabbing his hand.

“How about we go watch a movie?” I said pulling him up from his chair. He got up with my tug and smiled big at me.

“Can we watch the new Van Gogh movie that just came out!!” He said like an excited puppy dragging me to my room. And there it is again, the twinge in my heart.

This man is perfect, everything he does, and likes, makes sense. Everything fits together, and he is the textbook definition of a perfect, romantic, boyfriend every girl dreams about. Everyone but me.

“Yeah… sure.” I said following him into the bed. He puts on the movie and I watch as he sits in fascination.

I love him. I do, I love him.

After the movie finishes and the credits start to roll I feel his hand lightly grazing my thigh. It starts to add more pressure and soon shapes are being drawn into my skin as he turns and faces me.

“You look so beautiful like this.” He said, staring at me softly and dragging his hand up more, grabbing my waist and pulling me closer, “You look so beautiful all the time.”

His face inches closer and closer until our lips meet and he sighs, yet my memories from that one friday night come flooding back. I almost cry out as I push him off and bury my face into my knees.

“Ok seriously what has been going on Y/n?” He said pulling back, “Are you ok? Did something happen?”

“I don’t know…” I said, still not pulling myself out from my legs.

“Come on seriously, this isn’t fucking funny anymore,” He said and I could hear his irritation, “What has been going on with you? If someone hurt you I swear to god-”

“No one hurt me!” I screamed, “Nothing is wrong.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit Y/n you’ve been weird ever since we got together!” He screamed, “Do you even want to be together?”

“I don't know!” I screamed then the room went silent.

“Is this because of whoever gave you that hickey the night before we got back together?” He said looking at me with tears in his eyes.

“Y-you saw that?” I said finally looking up at him.

“Yeah Y/n I’m not fucking blind and you weren’t really covering it up.” He said looking away, “I thought it was you trying to get over the breakup but maybe not.”

“Tae-” I said but my voice broke off.

“Don’t worry about it Y/n, I’ll make this easy for you.” He said getting up and heading towards the door. He stopped like he was going to say something else but just ended up leaving the room. After a few moments I heard the apartment door shut and I broke down crying. Why do I keep messing everything up?

-

Friday

This time I didn’t waste my time trying to hide my puffy face and tired eyes. I got into work early before everyone so I could just seclude myself to my desk and not be bothered the rest of the day. Although that didn’t last long as Mr.Park handed me a pile of files a few minutes after he got into the office.

“I would like these in my office by the end of the day please.” He said without eye contact and left as swiftly as he came. Yay! More work to go through while in my emotional state! Usually I like to distract myself but I have a feeling I’m too raw right now, and this will probably be done less thoroughly because of that. The good thing is all of the work seems to just be reviewing so I can’t mess up too much.

I finished the files early and ended up bringing them to Jimin an hour before the work day was over.

“Here I finished reviewing all of them.” I said and headed towards the door.

“Miss L/n-” Jimin called out.

“Still not sick of terrorizing me?!” I said, turning around and snapping at him, “I’m sure you are enjoying this.”

“Y/n I don’t enjoy watching my best friend and employee hurt.” He said looking up with a blank expression, “I was going to say you can leave early today since you finished what I asked.”

“Oh,” Regret immediately flooded my system. I had no reason to be mad at him honestly, he did nothing wrong to me but be professional. I was the one who has been fucking him over, “I’m sorry…”

“Just go get some rest and come back Monday with a better attitude please.” He said going back to work.

“Yes sir.”

I pushed my way out of the office and packed up my things trying to get out of there as soon as possible. I needed to get out.

-

“We are going out tonight bitch!” I screamed as I walked into the living room where Millie was sitting.

“Well that’s the attitude I was looking for.” She said with a smirk and she turned to face me.

“C5 in 30 minutes, be ready I ordered us a lift.” I said running back to my room.

“Ok I’ll text Sulgi!” Millie screamed in response.

-

It was only an hour since I had gotten there and Jerry already cut me off. Not a good sign. I don’t even remember the last time I was this drunk.

After looking for a good dance partner the whole night I succumbed to the bar, no one was in my sights tonight, no one but one person.

Y/n:

Coe dow stairs

Jimin:

What?

Y/n:

Com dunstairs u lady fart!!!

Jimin:

I literally do not know what you are saying.

I looked up to the overhang that Jimin usually stays at during Friday nights but noticed he wasn’t there anymore. I swear I saw him when I walked in.

All the sudden I felt an arm on my shoulder and I instinctively turned around to see those dagger eyes that always send a shiver down my spine.

“I think you should go home Y/n” He said looking at me all serious.

“No!” I screamed at him and pulled him closer, “Not until you drink.”

“Y/n this is not-” He started but I cut him off with my finger.

“I will leave after you take a shot.” I said giggling at his reaction.

“You promise?” He said and I nodded.

Well one shot turned into two, then four, then Jimin was the one getting cut off by Jerry. I didn’t even know it was possible to take in as much alcohol as he did. All of the sudden we were on the dance floor so close to each other that we almost felt like one. His body felt so good, so right against mine.

Then we were kissing, I don’t know where, it was more quiet and dark.

Then I was on something soft, cushions? Sheets?

All I could feel was Jimin, all I could see was Jimin, all I could smell was Jimin, and all I could hear was Jimin, and his small moans that have replayed in my head since that friday.

Then, it went dark.

Saturday

Everything smells so nice and cozy. The cool, soft, sheets on my skin felt like heaven compared to the way my body ached. I felt something hot radiating from behind me. It feels so good and nice. I want to stay here forev-

Oh no not again. I started connecting the dots but the state of my body and Jimin's tight grip kept me in place. I started shifting a little and turned to face him. I saw his eyes fluttering open at the movement only to land on me.

“Oh, you’re actually still here this time.” He moaned groggily and closed his eyes again, “Well that’s nice.”

“I figured you didn’t want me to stay last time.” I said, still looking at his sleeping figure. He looked different here.

“And why did you think that?” He questioned, eyes still closed but hands not moving from their place around my waist.

“Because you said it was a mistake,” I said softly and his eyes opened slightly.

“I never said it was a mistake, I said we shouldn’t.” He said in barely a whisper.

“Same thing.”

“No, two very different things.” He combatted before closing his eyes again, “Now shh, I want to sleep off this hangover.”

“Don’t you think we should talk?” I felt his body tense around me as I said that.

“Later, just go to sleep for now.” He said relaxing again and pulling me closer.

“Ok.”

-

It was now 12 in the afternoon and I finally managed to pry myself off the bed and into the bathroom. I cleaned myself up as much as I could and trotted back into the room. I saw my cloths scattered on the floor but this time there was no was I was putting that shit back on.

Jimin’s closet was fucking huge. I mean he wears like the same thing everyday so why does he need all this shit. Rich billionaire CEO things I guess *eye roll*, but to be fair he did have really good style. I don’t know why but I started taking a mental note of the outfits I wanted to see him in. I have always been really into fashion. I decided to grab one of his hoodies and I swear it is 3x the size of me. Jimin isn’t that much bigger then me so I guess he gets his sweatshirts big. I can understand that.

When I threw it on and walked out of the closet Jimin wasn’t in the bed any longer. I guess trying to navigate this maze was what my next 10 minutes was going to succumb to.

“Jimin!!!” I screamed as I walked through the windy halls. I hear something coming from my right so I figure that is the best place to go. As I turned right into the main room a pile of fluff and slobber jumps on me tackling me onto the ground.

*Rough* *Rough*

“Mazzie get down leave the poor women alone.” I heard Jimin say as I felt him walking over to where I was on the floor currently being licked to death. I started chuckling at this adorable little golden retriever. This is not the dog I would have imagined him to have. I pegged him as more of a cat guy.

Jimin patted the dogs head and she finally got off me. He helped me get up and I stood there whipping the slobber off my face.

“Sorry she isn’t use to having people around so she doesn’t know manners.” He said while walking back to what I now know is the kitchen.

“It’s alright I don’t mind.” I said chuckling, “Although I do have to say I didn’t see you having a golden retriever.”

“Oh really?” He said going back to work on whatever he was cooking.

“Yeah I saw you as more of a cat person.” I said sliding myself onto one of the island chairs, “Or one of those weirdly obsessed lizard parents.”

To that he burst out laughing, and I think this is the first time I ever heard him do that. Manz keeps surprising me today.

“Well I definitely do not own a lizard.” He said sliding me coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs with ketchup and sriracha.

“How did you know I eat my eggs like this?” I said questioning the man infront of me as I started digging into the food. I was starving.

“I saw you bring it like this to the office a couple of times when you came early.” He shrugged.

I blushed. I mean thats a normal thing to remember right? It’s not like he was paying special attention to me.

“Thank you.” I said avoiding his gaze.

“Mhm.” He hummed and turned around to grab his food. Still staying across from me to eat though.

“So…” I started. Jimin looked up at me making intense eye contact but it was weird. His eyes weren’t scary, they had this little kid innocence to them.

“So.” He said chewing his food, “We fucked.”

Little kid innocense my ass. How can he look so adorable and spew such atrocities.

“For the second time.” I said looking back down at my plate.

“Third time.” He said doing the same.

[worldserasingandcreatinginmymind]

Unfaithful | Part Five

Series Summary: After dreaming of your perfect wedding since you were a little girl the big day is almost here. But after meeting the priest you start to question your relationship.

Pairing: Hot Priest x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2005

Warnings: angst, lots of angst, drunk priest, bad friend 

A/N: Please be warned there will be some themes of toxic/abusive relationship in this series. Also, spelling and grammar is not my strongest skill so please be kind :)

Part Four | Masterlist

- - - - -

I can’t sleep. 

Half excited for my hen party, and half nervous for the talk I know I need to have with the priest. 

I spend hours lying awake imagining how the conversation will go, all the possible outcomes. I must of drifted off some time in the early hours because I'm awakened at 9am by a text from Daniel: 

‘You looked so peaceful when I left for work I didn’t want to disturb you. But I just realised that since I’m going straight out with the boys for my stag do later, the next time we see each other I’ll be in my suit and you’ll be in your dress walking down the aisle to me. I can’t wait. Enjoy the fundraiser and have and wonderful hen party tonight. I love you Mrs Davison xxx’

The text makes me smile, until I read the last sentence. ‘Mrs Davison’ send a panic rushing through me. This suddenly all feels very real. I’m getting married tomorrow. I take a deep breath. It’s fine. I'm fine. This is just pre-wedding nerves. Completely normal. 

I take another deep breath and get out of bed. 

— — — — 

“Ah Y/N! You’re here” Pam greets me at the church doors and swiftly ushers me around the side of the building towards the church garden where the fundraiser has already started “We’ve got an emergency” 

“What do you mean?” I reply as she leads me through crowds of people till we reach a table lined with various numbered prizes. 

“Ruth was supposed to be running the raffle but she’s just called to say she can’t make it, ate something bad she thinks and now she can’t stop throwing up.” 

I grimace slightly at the story but mostly I’m just wondering what any of this has to do with me…

“So if you wouldn’t mind taking over and running it for us that would be wonderful. Tickets are a pound each. Thank you!” 

Before I can say anything she’s gone, rushing off to check the youth band are ready for their performance. I stand bewildered for a moment, looking around at the crowds until I spot the priest who is currently admiring cupcakes at the bakery stand and laughing about something. Suddenly he turns and locks eyes with me. His face drops, he stares at me like a deer in headlights. I give him a small smile, which he doesn’t return. My heart hurts. 

“Excuse me, how much is a ticket?” Someone asks, forcing me to turn my attention away

“One pound” 

“Can I get five please” 

By the time I complete the transaction and look back to the bakery stand the priest is gone. I scan the crowd again, but there’s no sign of him. 

An hour later I still don't know where he is. What I do know is I really need the loo. I ask the person on the stall next to me to watch the table while I head inside in search of the toilets, but when I enter the building I bump into someone. 

It’s him. 

“What are you doing here?” He asks

“Just trying to find the ladies room” 

“I mean here, at this stupid event”

“Pam didn’t really give me a choice” I explain and he just looks irritated “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise I wasn’t welcome”

“I just wasn’t expecting to see you here today”

“Well here I am” I say dryly and there’s an awkward silence. I take a deep breath before I speak again “I actually wanted to talk to you… about what happened-”

“Nothing happened. We agreed”

“But it did happen, Father, we need to talk about it”

“Oh, fuck you calling me Father like it doesn’t turn you on just to say it”

My mouth drops open, dumbfounded by his comment. I shake my head slightly as I try and think of something to say.

“I know what you’ve been doing” he continues

“Please, enlighten me because I have no idea what you're talking about!”

“Playing the sweet, innocent girl. Making me like you, fall for you. Making me think that you needed saving from the douchebag boyfriend… Was any of it real? Was anything you said actually true?” 

“I never lied to you” I almost whisper as he gets really close to my face, moving my hair off my cheek to study what’s left of the burn scars.

“Did he ever really hurt you? Or did you just make that up so I’d feel sorry for you”

“Fuck you!” I say through gritted teeth as I start to walk away, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I stop and look back at him “You’re the one who told me you loved me, remember? That was you! If you regret it, that’s fine. There’s no need to be such a dick about it” 

I turn and leave again, his final words repeating through my head as I walk away. 

As I walk home I can’t stop the tears from coming as I replay the conversation in my head over and over again. Why is he being like this? How can he be so loving to me one day and so nasty a few days later? What changed?

I get home and go straight to bed. I wrap myself up in the duvet and try to push everything out of my mind so I can get in a quick nap before I have to get ready for my hen party. The last thing I feel like doing right now is going out celebrating, but I know there’s no way I could cancel.

Thank God there’s going to be alcohol there. 

— — — — 

“Bride’s turn! Truth or Dare?”

“Truth” I say happily, finishing off my third glass of wine. 

“Okay… if you could have a free pass and choose any celebrity, who would you sleep with?”

The girls start whooping and laughing, but before I can even answer Tiffany cuts in.

“She won’t answer that, she’s far too vanilla”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, slightly offended by her tone.

“Don't start Tiff” Eva rolls her eyes

“I’m not starting anything, I’m just telling the truth. She’s only ever had one boyfriend and she’s marrying him tomorrow. She lost her virginity to him and I bet you anything that they schedule the days in the week when they’ll go to bed and have boring missionary sex. Vanilla! She’s never even kissed another guy…”

Maybe it’s the alcohol in my system or the way she’s talking about me like I’m not here, but I can feel myself getting more and more irritated.

“Actually I have!” I speak up and she laughs.

“A kiss from your dad doesn’t count”

The room falls silent as everyone stops to watch my reaction. I can see from Tiffany’s face she instantly regrets her words. She knows how much I miss my dad, but it’s too late to take it back now.  

“Well done Tiff” I hear Eva say as I walk away from the group. I head outside and take a deep breath of the fresh air. Looking up at the stars I find myself thinking of my parents and wishing they were here. 

“I’m sorry” Tiffany’s voice makes me jump, I hadn’t realised she’d followed me outside and was now leaning against the wall next to me “that was a low blow, I shouldn’t have said that”

“It doesn’t matter” I mutter quietly 

“It does! I should have thought about what I was saying… I just forgot”

“I forget too. So often I pick up my phone to call him and realise he won’t be on the other end. I would give anything for them to be here right now”

“I know, come here” she pulls me in for a hug, squeezing me tightly before leaning away to look me in the face “I’m sorry I called you vanilla”

“Maybe I am. You were right, I’ve only ever been with Daniel. Until this week he was the only man I’d ever kissed!”

“This week?” She pulls away completely and my heart drops as I realise what I’ve just said “You kissed someone? Who?”

“No I- I didn’t mean to say that” 

“Its okay, you can tell me. We have been friends forever haven’t we?”

“I guess… but you can’t tell the others!”

“I won’t”

“Promise me Tiff!”

“I promise!”

I take a breath. 

“I kissed the priest” 

“What priest?” She replies blankly.

“THE Priest! The one who’s doing the wedding tomorrow!”

She stares at me blankly for a moment as she processes what I’ve just told her. I can almost see the cogs turning in her brain and suddenly the penny drops.

“OH MY GOD!”

“I know”

“Y/N!” 

“I know!”

“Does Daniel know?”

“Of course not”

“You have to tell him!”

“Are you insane?! He’d go mad!”

“He deserves to know that his so called fianc�� has been cheating on him”

“I haven’t been cheating on him, it was just one stupid drunken kiss”

“If it was ‘just a kiss’ why haven’t you told him?”  

“Because-” I think about telling her the truth. That if I told him he’d get angry and most likely hurt me. But I don’t. “I just can’t”

“If you don’t, I will” 

“No, Tiff please you can’t”

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t go there now and tell him” she says and stares at me as I silently stare back at her. When she begins to walk away I panic.

“Because he hurts me!” I finally admit, and she looks back at me confused “That’s why I’ve been too scared to tell him”

“No” she shakes her head “No he wouldn’t, he swore he’d never be like his dad”

“And he’s not. He’s not as bad as his father was, he just gets angry and sometimes he takes it out on me.” I explain but she’s still shaking her head in disbelief “a few days ago I had to go to the hospital because he burnt me” I pull the collar of my dress down to expose the burn scars on my neck “this is what’s left of him throwing boiling hot coffee in my face”

She looks from my neck to my face, sadness in her eyes as she processes everything. After a few moments she finally speaks. 

“I won’t tell him” 

“Thank you!” I breathe a sigh of relief 

“But I also won’t be at the wedding tomorrow” 

“Tiff, you're my maid of honour! My best friend! I need you”

“I can’t pretend to be happy for you, pretend that I agree with this marriage. I’m sorry”

“Tiff! Tiffany!” I call after her but she continues to walk away, hailing a passing taxi and disappearing into the night. 

“Y/N? What happened? Where’s Tiff?” Eva asks, poking her head out the door and looking around. 

“She’s gone” I say simply, turning to look at her “Guess I need a new maid of honour” 

— — — — 

The following morning goes by in a blur. The girls, minus Tiffany, stayed at my house over night while Daniel stayed at his mate’s house. I was awakened by the sounds of the girls running upstairs, screaming excitedly that “today is the day” as they jumped into my bed. 

Once they’d calmed down we had all gone downstairs for a light breakfast before the girls began getting ready. Maybe it’s the constant sound of laughing and chatting, or maybe its the slight hangover from the night before but I suddenly feel the need to get out. I excuse myself and head outside to get some air, taking a seat on the front step of my house. I take a few deep breaths and allow my head to drop into my hands, my elbows propped up on my knees. A few seconds later I hear footsteps up the driveway and look up to see the priest. 

“Hi” I say, unable to hide the confusion in my voice. 

“can we talk?” 

Final Chapter

[robinrequiems]

mmm more clishes.... Idk reverse background or personality kind of au? :/

ill do you one better 1 of my favorite mutual, reverse & personality au, they’re the same age bc I have a tiny idea *shy hands*

this is uh. a really long one thay started to lag my phone too

• oh god guys I got vivid memories of ra’s being a good grandfather and I can’t get it out of my head

• i hate it ur honor

• but ok. krypton didn’t get blown up, instead, they all migrated to earth, more specifically kansas.

• the kryptonians are angry and enraged, they are treated as if they are monsters when they arrived peacefully. they tried to kill them.

• so in return, the aliens killed the humans.

• they created a secret underground. that secret underground is to help aliens or meta humans and kill humans.

• all of them hated aliens and sought to destroy them. until kal el found a reporter trying to help aliens who were injured due to an explosion the government did to take out one of their bases.

• kal el.. fell in love with her. lois lane, she is an reporter fighting for alien rights.

• he met with her. in secret. and they.. had formed a connection. an amazing one.

• and then they had a baby.

• at the alien base, but.. she was human and people did not like that. so they wiped her mind and made her believe that they never had a kid. like the last few months.. wasnt real. she had gone missing those months since the aliens didn’t want her trying to hide the baby, they made her believe the last few months was spent in a coma and kal had found her and taken her to a hospital.

• he couldn’t see her anymore. he mourned for her lost presence, but they would have killed her if she stayed.

• but now they had precious jon el. he would be the highlight of their cause.

• they noticed his powers came in faster than kal’s, so they perfected his powers.

• he was going to bring humanity down on order of his grandfather, jor el

• kal saw his son break slowly. loses that childhood innocence that kal tried to maintain.

• his sons amazing bright blue eyes dulling, loses the spark that he cherished.

• kal was going to get him out of there, try to refuge the remaining childhood he had. even if it killed him.

—

• damian wayne! the bright bubbly and prodigal son of bruce and talia wayne ( b & t are married, suck my— ). the press loved him, he was just.. him. he was the baby and was cute, the cutest ever

• he was an expert in martial arts due to the training his grandfather, father, mother, & so much more gave him

• ra’s owns a farm. he’s.. sorry all i get is farm ra’s vibes due to.. something:) think endgame thanos, yk?

• he was the baby robin, one that you never messed with due to the herd of heroes who would come save him

—

• kalel left jon with Lois, a brief note explaining the current situation

• it was weird, jon was ten and was meeting lois for the first time

“Hi, honey.. I’m lois.”

“I know.. Dad told me about you.”

“Oh.. right. What do you want for dinner?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You have to eat.”

“No! I’m not hungry!”

• an explosive, superpower alien. Lois is way out of her head.

• he had outbursts, a lot of them. it was hard, really hard for Lois; she took some time off from the planet and focused on jon

• he broke a lot of stuff. he sometimes could not control his strength, but she was working with him

• but then one night he ran away, or flew away. he felt remorse for making Lois cry. she saw this as a win, but she lost her kid

• but then a little robin found him

“Um. Are you okay?”

“Huh-what- what do you want? Why are you talking to me?”

“Because you look sad? Yknow - hugs make people feel better. My ahki ( brother ) hugs me when I’m upset and it makes me feel better.”

“Don’t touch me.”

*Damian walked to him, smiling softly* “cmon, i won’t hurt you, silly. I’m robin.”

“A bird?”

“Haha- no, a vigilante- i sorta snuck out. My family can be a bit overbearing- and I sorta embarrassed myself at this theater thing.. some person—“

“Did I ask?”

“No.. sorry.”

“Hey— what are you doing - !”

“Hugging you.”

Jon won’t admit that he likes it, it’s different and weird, like this traffic cone in front of him. Jon pushed him off though, making himself stumble and fall on his ass.

“Ow..”

“Don’t touch me.” With rhat, Jon flew off into the night. Damian didn’t know who this boy was. But he intended on finding out. Even if it killed him. ( maybe not that extreme, but- )

• look damian was smart, right? smarter than average, and smarter than everyone in his school. teachers included ( ha ha )

• so he had to find this boy! so he started looking into aliens. until his family put an end to it

“Damian, this is dangerous.”

“But baba ( dad )”

“No. Go to your room.”

“Ugh!”

• he did slam his door shut if you were wondering

• he will find the mysterious alien boy, okay? he will!

• his brothers teased him and said he had a crush

• no he didn’t! the boy was really mean, he pushed damian- why would he do that? whatta jerk!

• but damian did find him again when he ventured off to metropolis to visit an old friend, colin.

“Alien boy!”

“That’s not my name, bird boy.”

“And that’s not mine. You didn’t tell me yours!”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“It’s safer for you.”

“I can defend myself. You sound so silly, please tell me your name?”

“No.”

“‘Least the first initial?”

“Fine. J.”

“J it is.”

“Yours?”

“Wha- what? I told you my code named.”

“It’s only fair.”

“.. Okay. D.”

“D. Okay.”

• damian talked to him for a bit before jon did fly off when damian was talking about the stars, damian knew he was getting closer to him

• but he got grounded. whoops. he wasn’t supposed to go out

“Give me your phone, Damian.”

“What if I go out? I need a phone, baba.”

“I.. Your computer”

“School work.”

“Switch.”

“What! No- but-!”

“Damian.”

• yeah damian was very mad, but what made him madder was that apparently, his family was listening to the secret conversations between J and him. but d didn’t know that yet..

• his family needed to track down J, they didn’t care if people were aliens, the JL had aliens.. but they had no idea who this boy was, and the way damian was looking into the underground alien sanctuary, that worried rhem. Damian was smart and cunning, but he is able to portray an innocent persona, they all had the habit of undermining his intellect, so if damian began looking into this, it was for a reason

—

• jon found that D rambled. A lot. Even when jon didn’t respond. Jon doesn’t even know how D always found where he was. It’s so weird.

• but Lois noticed a change in jon.. he was. calmer. she didn’t know how, but when he went out, he came back calmer.

“I have to go to Gotham for a gala hosted by Bruce Wayne, would you.. like to come?”

“Do you want me to?”

“I’d like you to, but you don’t have to.”

“.. Fine.”

—

• lois walked to bruce with Jon in tow.

• “bruce.” “Lois, looking lovely as always.. who is this?” “Jon, my son. Say hi, Jon.” “Hi..” “He can hang around one of my sons— Damian, if you want? I’m sure him and his friends would love to have Jon around.” “What do you say Jon? Would you like that?” “Not really..” “I assume you, Damian doesn’t bite. Not anymore. And he’s pretty accepting.” “.. Fine.”

• damian was called over by his father and he did a double take. J. Was here. In front of him. Damian just internally shrugged and held a hand out, “Hi! I’m Damian! Wanna go play with my friends! there’s a game room so we don’t have to be with the gross adults.. you can also just.. sit there. My friends are pretty.. Loud?” “Okay.”

• jon had to take his hand back from damian since damian began eagerly tugging him.

“Damian seems to be accepting him pretty easily.” “I hope they can be friends, Jon.. doesn’t have any. I have only recently got him from his.. father.” “Odd, does he go to school?” “No, not yet, I’m still trying to get him adjusted.” “Ah.. Damian goes to West-Reeves. Maybe he could go there?” “That private school? Bruce.. I cannot afford that- not all of us are millionaires.” “Mhm.. I could pay.” “I can’t let you do that.” “He could get a scholarship.” “In what?” “Academics or athletics.” “Ill.. Talk to him about it. “ “well, ms lane, I just go talk with potential partners, I’ll see you later.”

—

• j got accepted into west reeves under a athletic thingy.

• that was cool. they became best friends!

• sorta

• flashforward 5 years to 15, their dynamic only grew. Damian told Jon his identity, jon didn’t become a hero, but did learn how to stitch damian up because tje idiot showed up bleeding a lot.

• everything was going great

On the phone, Damian: J! J! Guess what’

J: you’re so loud, D, what?

D: I got the lead! In the play!

J: no fucking way?

D: way!

J: Good j—— *crash*

D: J-?

D: J- Jonathan?

D: oh no.

• the call was ended abruptly. Jon always finished his sentences. Something was wrong. Something was really wrong.

• so damian called Lois quickly and ran downstairs to the batcave, lois wasn’t picking up either, she normally always picked up or at least sent a text. She did neither

“Baba!”

“Damian? You should be asleep.”

“Something’s wrong! Somethings really wrong!”

“Jon and Lois- Jon- I heard a crash- and- and”

“Habibi.”

“Mama?”

“Breathe; tell me what’s wrong.”

“I was on a call with Jon.. I told him about the play since I wanted him to go and stuff. Then I heard a crash. And then the line went dead. I’m scared— what if something happened!”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions, what happened with Lois?”

“She didn’t pick up the phone— she normally does! Or she texts me and says she will call back!”

“Maybe she is asleep.”

“No! You need to believe me!”

“Damian, calm down, I do, we will go to see if they’re okay, you get back to bed.”

“No. I’m coming with.”

“No you arent.”

“But!”

“Listen to your father.”

• okay fine. He’ll listen, damian went back up to his room for half an hour before calling his friends to do a rescue mission. He had an extra suit in his room, he can do this.

• with his team, it consisted of shazam, abuse, nobody, and green lantern, himself too, of course.

• captain marvel picked him up once he was ready and they met up with the other 3.

Maya: you said he’s in trouble?

Dami: Yes.

Colin: than let’s go save him!

• they went and saved the bestie, nearly got killed too

• oh and now damians sorta probably grounded when batman shows up 🤡

J:You came for me..?

D:We all did.. why are you so surprised?

J: * wraps his arms around damian * thank you

D: i- yeah.. anytime. what’re friends for?

• friends. Jon liked that. Jon also liked the way Damian’s cheeks went red when jon hugged him

• jon knew he chuckled before Damian’s arms wrapped around him. hard. Damian was a hard hugger

• jon became a superhero at 16. Damian had even more of a reason to sneak into his window every night now! Lois had began thinking the two were dating

D: Us? Dating? Please! He is way too good for me!

J:

L: awwww, gosh, how haven’t you been swept off your feet yet?

J: he has, but he has rejected them all

D: what can I say? I’m a gay theater kid ( this is a /j i promise a big big joke ) so they gotta be dramatic enough to put up with me, AND they need to do something big and bold to actually catch my eye

L: *laughs* take notes, jon

J: mom!

• jon has gone to a few of Damian’s plays and to dress rehearsals

• he was also there to watch damian wreck a car during his drivers test

D: there was a fricking squirrel there, J!

J: are you sure? maybe you’re just a shitty driver?

D: you’re a shitty driver!

J: cmon don’t pout

D: ‘m not!

• he was pouting. oopsie. jon did get him ice cream after

• jon goes by abnormal, because he’s an alien and because I don’t have any other ideas

J: this girl asked me out

M: oh? who! tell us!

D: ..what?

J: yeah, in my physics class

T: ooh! get it, jonno

M: give us a name, coward!

J: her name is Charlotte— but she goes by charlie. she’s.. different. red head. pretty freckles—

M: pretty freckles? does Jonny have a crush?! Oh my gosh, our sons growing up, Tai!

T: im about to start sobbing

J: fuck offff— D?

D: huh?

J: you’re being quiet, you plotting??

D: uh. yeah! duh- *he nudged jons shoulder with his, forcing a grin* figuring out ways to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend.

J: sucha brat- * jon ended up putting Damian into a playfully chokehold *

• damian just played along. he just smiled and watched as jon began walking with her instead of their friend group

M: hey- kid- you alright?

D: I’m onto a year younger than you Maya.

M: tou didn’t answer the question

D: I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be? You’re silly.

• tai ended up pulling him aside

T: when are you going to tell him?

D: how am I supposed to when he basically has a girlfriend now?

T: are you just gonna sit there and pine all day??

D: yes, thank you for understanding

• he’s a stubborn little shit and will absolutely not confess, his best friend is happy, who is he to ruin that?

T: he’s totally jealous.

J: so- do you- do you think it’ll work? That he’ll be surprised?

T: totally

J: thank you for lending me your girlfriend, Maya

M: anytime- not literally- you aren’t having her again

• this was all a trick, sorry, d.. jon does like you

• ( hope you all saw that foreshadowing earlier :) )

• damian needed big and dramatic. jon was gonna do that. even if he was uh. sorta aloof and shy.

• he learned how to sing and play the guitar for Damian. maya and tai were gonna scatter flower petals onto the floor for Damian to follow ( they will tell him too too )

• the whole school will probably watch as Damian finally gets a big dramatic proposal

• damian will love it

M: just follow the petals!

D: I’m confused

M: trust us

• damian did and followed the petals and low and behold, jon kent with a guitar and small smile

D: j-jon?

J: hey. I wrote you a song

D: no you didn’t

J: shut up and listen dumbass

*after that amazing song of how Jon asked damian out to homecoming*

D: that was amazing

J: dramatic enough for you?

D: YES! ( damian went and sprinted to jon, hugging him so tightly before leaning in to kiss him ) we are boyfriends now right

J: yeah, idiot

D: ur the idiot

• I can’t add anymore because myphones really laggy, I hope you enjot

[blossom-hwa]

Light the Pyres |Strike| - SUNGYOON

Based off the Burn It mv? Yeah I know it was like five months ago but whatever. Writing this honestly hurt me so I’m sorry if you’re reading it <3

(But no, really. This is a heavier and bloodier story. If this isn’t for you, please don’t read!)

Pairing: Sungyoon x gender neutral!reader

Genre: angst, bits of fluff, apocalypse!au

Triggers: cursing, death, side character commits suicide (no mention of suicidal thoughts though), semi-graphic depictions of blood

Word Count: 3.8k

As the world burns its last goodbyes, you find a jewel amidst the ashes.

Strike >> Next: Light

Golden Child Masterlist

“It’s insane, isn’t it?” You pace around your dorm. “I can’t believe it went so wrong. Not to say that I ever agreed with the testing in the first place, but –”

“I know.” Your mother sighs into the phone. “Anyone would’ve thought such a project would be handled carefully, no? It’s a miracle anyone survived at all.”

You sit on the edge of your bed. “I’m just glad you’re safe,” you say. “When I heard the shaking could be felt even from home…”

She laughs, soft and gentle in a way that sends a pleasant warmth tickling down your spine. God, you love hearing your mother’s laugh. “I’m fine, Y/N.” You can almost hear the smile in her voice. “I appreciate you checking in on me, but I’m perfectly fine. We had a few tremors, that’s all. No one is hurt.”

“Yeah, I know, I know.” You smile. “I have to go to class now, but stay safe, okay? I’ll see you this winter break, I promise.”

“I’m counting the days, darling. I love you and miss you.”

“Same here, Mom.”

You press your head against the car window as Daeyeol speeds down the empty highway. It’s been months since that call, months since the test bomb failed, mutating the few who survived into flesh-eating shades of their human selves.

Of course, no one knew it then. The survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and when they first woke up, there were no signs of abnormality besides some slightly shrunken pupils.

Then veins blackened, skin paled, and they attacked.

One infected hospital turned into an entire city. The few who managed to escape tried to spread the news, but no one believed them. Only a couple of the smallest news outlets, looking for a good scoop, related the stories of the shaking survivors of what they called a zombie apocalypse. Unbelievable, right?

Not so much when one zombie made its way into an otherwise healthy city and began biting people in full daylight.

Only a few states away, your mother was living her life when the government imposed a strict lockdown. No one was to leave their home. Certain stores would be open on certain days, and blocks would be allowed to shop at certain times. Otherwise, stay at home and do not go outside.

She called you that day and every day after until communications shut off. On the other side of the country, you panicked when your calls stopped going through, when your texts only rebounded with an “unable to send – try again” message that made you want to smash your phone against the ground.

Until several days later, in the middle of a class no one was paying attention to, she picked up.

Your professor doesn’t even blink an eye as you run out of the room, already halfway to tears. “Oh my God, Mom –”

“Darling, we don’t have time.” You can hear the cracks in her voice. “So many cities nearby have been overrun already, and we can’t use internet or even power anymore because we need to conserve. I don’t know how your call managed to go through.”

“I thought you were dead.” You slide to the floor, back pressed against the wall as you try hard not to cry. “Mom, I –”

“No, I’m alive.” She laughs, but there’s a frightened edge to it that you’ve never heard before. It feels like being doused with cold water, horrible – your mother, the woman who raised you so fearlessly in the wake of her husband’s death, is scared.

You can barely comprehend it.

“I’m alive, Y/N.” A tiny sniffle on the other end. “I just want you to know that I love you very much. I always will.”

“I love you too, Mom.” A tear trickles down your face. “I love you. I’m going to come for you, okay? I’ll come. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll come for you.”

No reply. You look down at your phone, only to realize the call’s disconnected with no way for you to know how much your mother heard of your last words.

You haven’t been able to call her since, not with her power completely cut off and your university going on lockdown just a couple of weeks later. But it doesn’t matter. When rumors that a wave of flesh-eating non-humans was going to hit your city soon, you rented a car with Daeyeol and set off for home, driving in a direction from where no zombies had come.

You’re pretty sure the rental owner knew you had no intention of returning the car, judging from the thin press of his lips as you handed over your card. He softened, though, when you slid into the driver’s seat. “Good luck,” he’d said.

That bit of luck seems to have paid off. After weeks of alternately walking and driving, weeks of crippling paranoia and sudden attacks, neither you nor Daeyeol has been bitten. You might be dehydrated, half-starved, and ready to collapse at any given moment, but at least you have no shrunken pupils, no blackened veins, and no hunger for flesh.

Daeyeol’s voice cuts through the car tires jostling on the road. “All right?”

“Mm.” You nod slightly, head still pressed against the window. A tiny smirk widens your cracked lips. “Still alive.”

It’s morbid. So many people you know or knew have died, probably more than you realize, so it maybe isn’t the best move to joke about being alive. But it makes Daeyeol smile, even if it’s more of a smirk than a real smile, and after everything that’s happened, you both need a reason to laugh every so often.

“Same here,” he says, words cracking slightly with disuse. His voice used to be smooth, sweet with his singer’s tones, but it’s all faded over days and weeks of silence.

Don’t exactly want to attract a horde of zombies for the sake of a bit of song.

His voice breaks you out of depressing thoughts again. “Get some sleep,” he says, glancing over. “We’ll stop at sundown.”

“Cool.” You stretch slightly, yawning. “I guess I’ll drive through the night?”

“If we don’t break down by then.” As if on cue, the motor sputters, nearly launching you forward, but thankfully, the car doesn’t stop just yet. Daeyeol sighs. “Halfway there,” he murmurs, more to himself than to you.

“Halfway there,” you echo as another faded highway sign flashes past. After nearly two months of travel, you’re over halfway home.

You let that thought comfort you into an uneasy sleep.

. . . . .

“Shit.”

You wake up to Daeyeol’s curse and the sputtering sound of the engine. He’s gone off the highway since you fell asleep, now trying to start the choking car on a street in what looks like it used to be a city. As you blink the sleep out of your eyes, he presses down on the accelerator, hard. The car jerks forward for a second, then stops.

Daeyeol groans. “We didn’t even make it to sundown.”

Sure enough, the sun still hasn’t fallen. From the beat up watch on your wrist, you estimate an hour or so before dark. Probably enough time to try and take a crack at fixing the engine or whatever’s gone wrong with the car.

“I’ll take a look.” You rub your eyes. “See if it’s something I can fix. Stay close, I might need your help.”

After years of growing up beside your mechanic mother, mechanical engineering was a no-brainer when you entered university. Since then, your technical skills have grown a little rusty when it comes to repairing cars (hey, not a lot of people drove around your college town), but in the months after the explosion, you’ve had to relearn those skills fast.

You don’t dare roll up your sleeves, not even in the heat of the afternoon sun and the warmth radiating off the engine. If a zombie comes out of nowhere, your layers are the only chance of surviving a bite. 

Wincing at the memory of your first close call, you start poking around the engine. It isn’t smoking, which is good, but something rattles when you tap at it with a wrench.

Great.

Sweat pours down your face as you fiddle around with the engine. A few bolts are loose – how you didn’t notice when you first took the car, you don’t know – but you tighten them carefully as the sun sinks lower in the sky. “Hopefully that’s it,” you mutter before pulling the hood down. Even in such an empty place, the small thunk makes you flinch, looking around for zombies to come pouring out of nowhere.

Nothing happens. You sigh in relief, plucking the keys from Daeyeol’s hand. “Let’s see if it works.”

It does. After an initial sputtering, the car moves forward. Reflexes keep your mouth shut before you can whoop, but you settle for a satisfied sigh as you beckon Daeyeol into the car, his eyes smiling in a way that’s become rare in the past month.

Then –

A shout.

A bang.

You freeze, one hand on the wheel.

Gunshots.

Daeyeol’s already opening his door, eyes wide with worry as someone screams and the familiar sound of dead groaning fills the air. “Come on,” he says, his tone booking no room for argument. “Let’s go.”

He’s too kind. Too selfless. As you run behind him, pulling out the gun holstered at your own waist, you try to push down the urge to drag him back to the car and just drive away from the growing screams and groans.

But Daeyeol is your best friend, one of your two last anchors to his barren earth. You may not have the same selfless streak that he does, but you’ll follow him into danger and watch his back if it’s the last thing you do.

Someone like Daeyeol deserves that much and more.

Following the noise, you sprint between two buildings, tall and dirty and abandoned. Broken glass crunches under your feet as you turn a corner –

And come face to face with black veins and white faces, pupils shrunken in death.

Whirling away from bloody, grasping hands, you club the first zombie over the head with the butt of your gun. It falls. Bang. Dead. You twist around the mass of stilted limbs and race after Daeyeol, yelling for him to slow down as you run into the fray.

Bang. Bang bang bang. Gunshots lead you into a space between four buildings where the ground opens up to reveal what probably was a subway. A horde of zombies claws at a tall bus stranded in the square, a lone man standing on top.

Him. Your eyes zero in on the tall figure, gun in hand that he aims at the zombies. There are too many, though, even if there don’t seem to be more coming.

Daeyeol scrambles on top of an abandoned car. You quickly follow. The man hasn’t caught sight of you just yet, still focused on avoiding zombies that get too close. There’s only a matter of time before they sense your presence and start chasing you instead.

Think. Think!

“You pick them off,” you gasp. “Pick them off from here.”

He nods. “Watch the back. Help me if I run out.”

You turn around. Back to back, you raise your guns, aim, and begin to fire.

Your gunshots and the allure of more meat turn deadened eyes and bloody mouths your way. Trampling over their shot companions, they lurch over to your car, stumbler closer even as you pick them away.

One. Two. Three. Each of your last thirteen bullets has to make a difference. Gritting your teeth against the smell of rotting flesh that still makes you gag even after so many weeks on the road, you shoot down another zombie that’s gotten too close and lock eyes with the man still standing on the bus roof.

The horde has thinned. The groaning has decreased. Zombies still claw at the roof, but if he jumps far enough and runs fast enough, he’ll make it.

“JUMP!” you scream, another bullet embedding itself into a head caked in dried blood. Three bullets left. “NOW!”

An uncertain glance. Daeyeol shoots away another clawing hand and glares at his still figure. “JUMP!”

He jumps.

Lands.

Pitches onto the ground.

Not far enough.

Zombies lurch forward, rotting arms reaching for the man who’s still scrambling to stand. You want to scream. He isn’t going to make it, all of this was for nothing, you’ve wasted ten bullets – eleven, now, as another tears into a zombie head – on a rescue mission that’s going to fail –

Daeyeol jumps down from the car and fires a last shot that goes haywire before grabbing the man and literally dragging him forward, narrowly missing a lurching zombie.

“DAEYEOL!” You jump from the car, kicking away a clawing hand. “YOU FUCKING IDIOT –”

He begins to turn, helping the man stumble forward. Something’s happened to his leg. Your eyebrows furrow – God, you’re going to have words with Daeyeol about putting himself in unnecessary danger when you all are out of this – as you grab at one of the stranger’s arms, dragging him across the bloody square.

All facing the same direction, none of you notice several leftover zombies creeping up from behind.

Daeyeol yells. His hand releases the stranger’s wrist and you watch in disbelief as skeletal, bloody hands drag him backward.

You scream. Fingers fumble for your gun that still has two rounds left, two rounds, more than enough –

But Daeyeol is already staring in disbelief at the blood seeping through a prominent bite mark on the top of his arm that’s beginning to turn black.

No.

No.

No!

Letting go of the stranger with a shriek, you raise both hands and shoot away the zombie still hanging onto Daeyeol’s shoulder. But you have only one bullet left in your gun and there are several zombies lurching towards you and it doesn’t even matter because Daeyeol’s been bitten, you’ve made it halfway home already and he’s been bitten –

Disbelieving eyes meet yours. Something crumbles in his expression and in his gaze you see everything – pain, horror, care, love, determination, resolve.

“Go,” he chokes, stepping backward directly into the path of the remaining undead. “Go!”

Tears blur your vision. “Daeyeol –”

“TAKE HIM AND GO!”

Dimly, you register a hand closing around your trembling wrist, dragging you back, away from your best friend of over twenty years, away from one of your last anchors to life. Gunshots tear through the air and you blink in time to see two of the zombies fall, Daeyeol gritting his teeth as he pulls the trigger on his gun again. And again.

He locks eyes with you once more. His gaze shines with twenty years of friendship and memories as he steps backward over and over, luring the last zombies away.

His instructions pound through your head. Go. Go. Take him and go.

Take him and go!

Your mind screams to stay but your body turns traitor, latching onto the stranger’s arm and stumbling between buildings, back in the direction of the car. He doesn’t move fast but you drag him along, shoes crunching glass and bricks and dried blood.

Something turns your head back in time for the last shot. It doesn’t split a zombie’s skull.

Instead, you watch the muzzle of Daeyeol’s gun fall away from his temple as he collapses to the ground.

Dead.

Dead. Dead. Your best friend is dead. Dead. Dead. Daeyeol is dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead dead dead dead your best friend is dead dead dead Daeyeol’s dead dead dead he’s dead dead dead dead dead he’s DEAD HE’S DEAD –

With a burst of strength you didn’t know you had, you haul the stranger forward to the car still parked on the street. Tossing open the passenger door, you shove him in, then throw yourself into the driver’s seat.

You jam the key into the ignition, turn it and hear the engine sputter to life. Instinct alone moves your limbs, foot pressing down on the gas, hands clenching the wheel so hard your knuckles burn.

Tears stream down your face as you drive into the setting sun.

. . . . .

The car dies ten miles down the road. Far enough to escape straggling zombies.

Not far enough to escape bloody memories.

You curse loudly, slamming a hand on the steering wheel as if it’ll do anything (it won’t. You don’t need two degrees in mechanical engineering to have that measure of common fucking sense). Next to you, the boy remains quiet, barely looking over as you hit the wheel again. And again.

It doesn’t bring Daeyeol back.

Still, you give the steering wheel one more whack before throwing open the car door to kick the vehicle in the side once. Twice.

“Don’t injure yourself.”

Ah. So he speaks. Mystery boy’s voice is a little higher than you expected. If you’d met him before the apocalypse, you might even say it was smooth. Nice. Like a singer’s.

Like Daeyeol’s.

You kick the car a third time, insides writhing.

And you hate it.

It’s irrational, of course, fully irrational. He hasn’t done anything to earn your anger. It’s probably not his fault he got cornered by a horde of zombies. It definitely isn’t his fault Daeyeol has – had – Jesus Christ, you can’t think of him in the past tense, your knees are already going wobbly and the tears are coming again – a stupid selfless streak that ultimately got him killed –

But how dare he speak. How dare he use his voice to warn you not to injure yourself when Daeyeol is the one who should be sitting there saying that. Daeyeol should be the one telling you to take care of yourself when the anger, the stress, the sheer enormity of the world and your own insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe start getting to your head.

If this boy hadn’t been in trouble, Daeyeol would still be here. He’d be here, alive, and though you’d still be stuck ten miles down the fucking road, at least he wouldn’t be dead. Dead because he sacrificed himself for a guy caught in the middle of a zombie horde on top of a fucking bus whom neither of you even knows.

With the last of your strength, you slam the car door shut before you say something you’ll regret. Sinking down on the dirty, empty highway, you close your eyes and take a shuddering breath.

You don’t cry. You just sit there, eyes staring into the darkness of your closed lids. There’s no telling how much time passes until a car door opens and shuts.

There’s a soft grunt. A gasp of pain. Then a presence settles itself on your side of the car, hovering over your still body.

Your fists clench. Unclench. It’s not his fault. Not his fault. Not his fault, not his fault, not his fault –

You open your eyes to stare flatly at the boy standing over you. “Yes?”

He flinches. It must have come out more accusatory than you wanted. You don’t do anything, though, only stare as he keeps standing, leg shifting awkwardly.

Not shifting. You lower your gaze, narrowing your eyes at his trembling limbs. Your mind flashes back to him jumping off the bus, the noise with which he landed, the way he was limping slightly as first Daeyeol, then you dragged him away.

He’s injured. No bones broken since he can still support his weight, but maybe a fracture. Something you don’t have the capacity to heal with anything but time.

Time that you don’t have.

“I…” He swallows. “I wanted to thank you. For helping – saving me.”

For some reason, that rubs you the wrong way.

“Don’t thank me.” Your voice slices the air, bitterly caustic. “Thank my friend. He’s the one who wanted to help.” You look away. “You know, the one who’s dead.”

He flinches again, hard enough to stumble backward. Only the car keeps him from falling over. A pang of guilt hits at your sharp words, but anger and grief for Daeyeol keep it at bay. “You can stay the night,” you say, still averting your gaze. “Take the backseat. Not like I’ll be driving any fucking further.” You stand and kick the car again, this time leaving a dent in the rusty metal. “Gonna have to go back to walking…”

Walking.

Your mouth goes dry.

This is the first time you’ll be walking alone. No Daeyeol to watch your back, no knowledge that someone who’s known you for over twenty years will be at your side. That’s gone, all of it. Gone with his death.

The thought ices your veins. You just want to curl into a ball and cry. But that’s not an option, not with this mystery boy enclosed in the same space as you, so you just throw open the door and slide back inside. He follows a little more cautiously, gingerly entering the car and closing his door softly before sitting in the back.

You sigh. “Close it fully.”

He blinks up at you in the grimy rearview mirror.

“Close the door fully,” you snap. “If a zombie manages to get in because you didn’t close it properly, we’re both fucked.”

It stings a little to be so rude, especially when he only opens the door again like you said and shuts it with more force. But nothing changes the fact that Daeyeol died for him, a person he didn’t even know, and that this boy is the reason why Daeyeol isn’t sitting next to you in the passenger seat, his silent, familiar presence comforting you into sleep.

A tear blinks out of your closed eyes. Why? you want to scream. Why did he do it? Why did he always want to help everybody, even if he knew it might come at the cost of his own life?

You know the answer. Humanity. Daeyeol told you every time you asked, every time you had another brush with death to save anyone you could. He had to keep faith, had to believe that there was something, anything he could do to alleviate some of the pain brought on by this tragedy.

It’s why you always admired him, were so loyal to him from the day you two first became friends in elementary school. Daeyeol always believed in strength that comes from kindness, believed in helping those who couldn’t always help themselves. It’s why you always followed him into the fight, regardless of how much you wanted to shove him back in the car and just drive away.

Bitterness lodges in a lump in your throat.

So much for humanity when all that kindness just got him killed.

If you enjoyed, please don’t forget to reblog and leave a comment to tell me what you thought! Thank you for reading and have a lovely day <3

(1 reblog = 1 prayer for Daeyeol’s soul :/)

[rosy-cheekx]

“You’re such a dork.” for the emotional writing prompts! I don't know anything about critical role, really, so for TMA :)

I spy, with my little eye, Bryce’s attempts to shove her own interests into her fics. Anyways, I am an American in college so I was basing this on my own experiences oops. Enjoy!

Date night was Wednesday evenings. Jon and Martin both found it preferable for a variety of reasons; it was the most likely nights for happy hours at the pubs in town, guaranteeing a cheap drink, and keeping to a weekday night minimized the chance of Jon seeing one of his students out. He hated seeing his students. Not that he hated them of course, he really rather liked them…not that they would ever know that. Being a professor, of parapsychology of all things, was rather rewarding. He knew the content inside and out (it felt good, using the mark of The Eye to actively work against it, to pass along information instead of consuming). And they didn’t seem to mind him either.

That was the thing about university students. They really didn’t care about who he was or where he came from. The fact that he was a scrawny, scarred Englishman in a lecture hall in Scotland didn’t matter to them. In the classroom, all they cared was whether he taught the material well (he did) and was kind to those with late assignments (he was. He had been a university student once too; he remembered the anxiety and depression that took him and his mates in waves). He was a good professor; Jon knew that objectively in the marks his students received. But in the subjective? His student had decided they liked him.

This had dawned on him at the end of his first semester; when he was inundated with emails of sincere thank-you for a great semester, for being such a helpful teacher, for taking the time to help review, et cetera. Martin had grinned at him, poking a tongue out his mouth and making some remark about teacher’s pets coming full circle (Jon was never a teacher’s pet though. He had always asked too many questions. He welcomed those questions with open arms now, to be the teacher he hadn’t had.)

The next semester it had been more obvious that students liked him now that he knew where to look. It was in the open “good-mornings” and questions about his weekend plans, and in the fact that he had the best attendance records of his department. It was in the way they asked genuine questions about his material and the waitlists miles long to get into his sections. Later on, it was in the gentle ribbings about his looking tired and the grey hairs even as they celebrated his fortieth birthday with him, bringing in cupcakes and sneaking in between lectures to decorate his office and the sincere questions over his scars, his life, his relationship with Martin (his introductory lecture always featured Martin and Her Regency, their thick orange tabby). To make eight wonderful semesters short, he was familiar with his students, and they weren’t afraid to be familiar back. Which was wonderful in the classroom and all, but not when he was trying have a relaxing evening with his husband.

Which brings them back to Wednesdays. Wednesdays were the days least likely to have students out in town, he had learned from Dr. Kerrigan, the positive psych professor, because Thirsty Thursdays started off the weekend’s partying and drinking for the undergraduates. Wednesday was the day students, in theory, buckled down to finish homework and give themselves a free weekend.

So here they were, Martin in a collared shirt, printed with tiny flowers, and jeans, hair bleached white from the Lonely and curling softly at his temples; Jon in a slouchy ribbed turtleneck and high-waisted pants, his own thick curls half-piled atop his head. Jon was listening intently as Martin spoke animatedly, talking about his own day as a guidance counselor at the local primary school.

“…and I swear Jon, if it wasn’t bad enough that Kimmy has decided never to speak to Lawrence again, now Lawrence has confided in me that he is positively in love with her.”

“Did he say that verbatim? In love, I mean.”

“I mean, no, but he said he was willing to give her all his Squishmallows for a playdate. Squishmallows. That’s real eight-year-old commitment, right there.”

Jon barked out a laugh and put on a puppy-eyed expression, grinning all the while. “Martin Blackwood, do you hereby take Jonathan Sim’s stuffed animals, to have and to ho-”

A gentle swat to the knee with Martin’s shoe cut Jon off. “Oi! Respect my children. They may be fools but its not their faults their brains aren’t developed yet. And yes, I know, ‘they’re not developed ‘til twenty-five and you can argue that your students’ brains aren’t developed either.’ But it’s different. They’re babies.”

“And I’m the All-Knowing One,” Jon mused thoughtfully around a forkful of food, earning him another love-filled kick.

“Speaking of,” Martin pointed to Jon with his glass, eyeing him deliberately. “Midterms next week, yeah? How do you think it’ll go?”

Jon shrugged, scratching at the back of his neck. “Alright, I hope. First exam went well but could’ve been better. I’m worried about Avonni, honestly, he’s nodded off a few times in class and I’m not confident he has someone to get the material from.”

“He has you.” A pointed, snow-white eyebrow.

“Right, but sometimes students don’t want to ask for notes because they think I’ll say no. Maybe I should email him. Speaking of email! Did I tell you what Suzanne sent out?”

“Oh no, what?”

They carried on like this through their meal and into dessert, and not for the first time Jon was struck by the sheer normalcy of it all. His greatest concerns were Suzanne’s passive-aggressive emails and his students, not the inevitable destruction of reality as they knew it to be. They were scarred, inside and out, everyone who had escaped The Magnus Institute was, but they were safe and free and happy. In defiance of everything that had happened to and because of them.

“Dr. Sims!”

Uh oh. Spoke too soon.

Bite of lava cake halfway to his mouth, Jon squeezed his eyes shut, rolling his eyes back in his head and willing there to be another professor with the surname Sims in the restaurant. When he opened his eyes, Martin was valiantly trying to suppress a smile as he eyed something, someone, over his head. Jon twisted awkwardly in his seat to see—

“Parker. What a surprise.” His voice was warm but carefully measured, and the dark-skinned boy waved, shit-eating grin on his face. “I have told you that you can call me Jon.”

“Yeah, I know, but you earned that doctorate! And “Doctor Jon” sounds awful, like you should have your own show or something.”

He hadn’t earned that doctorate, actually, but Martin’s expertise in lying and the disastrous apocalypse that had left everyone disoriented meant it had been easy to exaggerate some of Jon’s CV and manufacture a fake diploma.

“I do have my own show. Monday and Wednesday mornings, where I teach a bunch of caffeinated undergrads parapsychology,” Jon replied easily. “You’re welcome to tune in.” He liked Parker; he was a bit of a class clown, liked to ask off-topic questions or pretend to sneak a look at Jon’s answer sheets, but he was sharp and knew his stuff. Jon respected that. He reminded Jon of someone he dearly missed.

But Parker had already turned his attention to Martin, who was watching the interaction with mirth in his eyes. “Hello sir! I’m Parker McMichael, Jon’s favorite student.” Martin shook the extended hand and nodded in mock seriousness.

“Of course. Pleasure to finally meet you. Are you the one with the essay on ESP or the one on psychokinesis?”

“Neither,” Parker shook his head proudly, short dreads swaying gently with the movement. “The Validity and Continuity of Near-Death Experiences,” he made a mock marquee with his hands, arching curved fingers to indicate the title hanging in the air. “Researching any consistencies in near-death experiences stories, whether they’re legitimate, and what they mean if they are. But-” Parker shook his head and turned his attention back to Jon. “That’s not why I’m interrupting.” He took his phone out of pocket idly as he spoke. “I’m afraid I’ve come to settle a dispute among the 11 a.m. section.”

Oh no.

The Ceaseless Watcher whispered to him, unbidden, the dispute in question. Jon generally knew how to suppress the powers, and they were weaker than they had been, once upon a time, but when he’s caught off guard with the desire to know, to Know, it could still overtake him.

“This you?” A blurry screenshot of a Youtube video is shoved under his nose, a part of a text chain titled Sim’s Spoopy Spirits, captioned by many text bubbles expressing disbelief and objections and a variety of emojis. Jon took the phone and examined it, the truth already sure in his chest. Yes, that was him, dressed in his Jonny d’Ville costume, eyeliner streaked and eyes closed, mid-ballad. God, he wished he could be rid of those Youtube videos.

Jon’s gaping silence must have been enough of an answer for Parker because he whooped a little too loudly for the restaurant they were in and pumped his fist to his chest before typing very quickly on his phone. “I knew it! Take that Sabina,” he was mumbling to himself, lost in his texts for a moment.

Martin took the opportunity to clear his throat. “Sorry, uh, no one’s asked so I will. How did you know to look for him-us-here?” Jon frowned, He hadn’t thought about that.

“Oh, a couple of my mates work here and mentioned seeing Dr. Sims and his husband here a lot on Wednesdays and I dunno about you so much, but Dr. Sims is pretty habitual. Figured it was as good a guess as any. Some things can’t wait til Monday.”

“..an email. Parker. You could’ve sent me an email.” Fingers ran over scarred face, as if he could wipe the irritation (and Martin’s poorly-hidden laugh) from existence.

“But then I couldn’t do this.” His phone was back up again, level with his own face and he twisted so both his own and Jon’s faces were in the shot. “I’m here at 7:02 pm on Wednesday the 26, here to make a very important announcement,” Parker spoke to the camera with confidence. “Dr. Sims just confirmed to me that he is the one, the only, Jonny d’Ville.” Parker held the camera to Jon’s voice. “Anything to say to your adoring fans?”

Jon sighed and tugged on an errant curl. “Don’t forget, reading due Monday.” He wasn’t genuinely upset with Parker, just filled with fond embarrassment.

Parker sent the video off and clapped the back of Jon’s chair. “Well, Dr. D’Ville, its been a pleasure. Everyone’s really excited to get a confirmation on your status of coolest teacher. Any plans for the evening?”

Jon sighed through his lower lip, stray curls framing his scalp flying upward in the sudden burst of wind. “Watching a documentary and trying to forget—wait. What?”

“Oh yeah no, everyone thinks it’s badass. You’ve got a super nice voice and the stories you told were really interesting, if a little buckwild.”

Jon felt his cheeks flush and Martin grinned slyly at him from across the table. “Y-Yes. I guess we were rather good.”

Parker gave his farewells and Jon’s shoulders sagged (he had immediately righted his posture on seeing Parker, his grandmother’s voice in his ear reminding him of his manners), turning his full attention back to his husband. Martin had maintained that grin and was eyeing him intensely, like he expected Jon to say something.

“What, Martin?”

“God, you’re such a dork.” The words were soft, expression fond, and Jon could feel the radiation of unadulterated love Martin gave off in his smile, the one only ever used for Jon. “You really love your students, don’t you? You know how much they love you, right?”

Jon grumbled, but he couldn’t quite sweep the smile off his face either as their waiter made his way over with their check.

“No comment. But we are switching to Tuesday date nights.”

[gustafsnightangel]

Shattered Lives Ch 40 Pt 5

“Dad took them shopping.” Valter said as he took Sildie’s bag from Gustaf.

“Ahh, that explains it.” Gustaf chuckled.

“She’s looking better.”

“Still not all the way there, but yes, better.” Gustaf said quietly.

“You want me to hang or split?”

“Hang, you’re in the middle of getting you ass handed to you again.” He grinned as he scooped Lily up for some dad dad cuddles. Damn he’d missed this, he thought, all of them, but especially his Lily bear.

“Yeah. Thanks, bro.” Valter said sarcastically as he took Sildie’s bag to the bedroom.

“Boys, take it down a notch.” He said softly. “She’s not fully well yet.” Kissing her temple he snaked an arm around her as she slumped slightly, her energy spent.

“I need to go lay down ok?” She said to the twins. “You can come see me after my nap and we can have dinner together. I’ve missed that.”

“Love you mum.” Brendan hugged her fiercely. She knew it had hit him harder, the poor kid was slightly less of a mess than Gustaf.

“I’m ok B. I’m on the mend now and in a few weeks I’ll be back to normal.” The teen nodded. “It scared you?” She murmured holding him close.

“Yep.” She could see the tears welling in his eyes.

“I’m sorry love.”

“Sok.” He shrugged. “You’re back, that’s all that matters.”

“So what are you cooking?” She asked seeing the half prepped meal on the counter.

“Chicken soup for you. Grandpa helped me go shopping.” He said quietly.

She choked up. “Yum.” Her smile made the kid grin. “I’ll take anything that’s not jelly. Thank you, especially for helping Gustaf.”

“We’re a family.” Brendan murmured.

“We sure are love.”

“Bed Sildie before you fall down.” Gustaf said gently, he didn’t want to pull her away from the kids, but she was crumpling to the floor in front of his eyes.

“Going.” She looked over at Valter, the twins already whooping his ass again. “Thanks Valter.”

“Anytime, although I’m regretting that decision now these two are wiping the floor with me.” He grinned. “Again.”

Gustaf helped her shuffle to the bedroom, Lily intent on hugging her and getting snippy with Gustaf at his lack of urgency. “Hang on a second little lady, she’ll drop you if I hand you over.” Sildie sat on the bed, her sigh turning into a coughing fit. Sitting beside her he let Lily stand on the bed and hug Sildie.

“I’ve missed them.” She choked.

“I know love, they’ve missed you too.” He toyed with a wave of copper that had escaped her braid.

“He was so scared.” She let the tears fall, better out than trying to hold them back.

“We all were.” He whispered, his own emotions getting the upper hand.

“Mum mum mum.” Lily patted her cheek softly.

“I’m ok Lily bear.” She smiled through the tears and swiped them away.

“Nap then food or food then nap?” Gustaf asked.

“Nap. I’m wiped.” She barely had the strength to bend and unlace her boots.

“Let me.” He said softly and got on his knees to undo her boots.

“I have zero energy, it’s crazy. Like someone flicked an off switch or took my batteries out.” She chuckled.

“Your body has been through hell on the inside love, it needs time to recover.” He pulled her feet free of the boots and looked up at her. “I love you.”

“I love you too sweet man, and thank you for taking care of me.” She cupped his face in her hand and he leaned into it relishing the contact. Damn he’d missed her. “Even when I’m a cranky bitch and don’t deserve you.” She snorted, snuggling Lily in.

“You were ill, I think you get a pass on being a cranky bitch. I’m not much better when I’m sick. Makes me grumpy. I’m a bear, fair warning.” His quip got the smile he was after.

“Little lady you need to go to dad dad.” She said. “I don’t have the energy to hold you up.” She said smiling and Lily giggled as Gustaf kissed her neck, scruff tickling.

“Into bed love.” He kissed her softly and helped her get under the covers. “Your phone is there, text me if you need something or need to get up. I don’t want you struggling to get to the bathroom and falling.”

“Honestly, I don’t think I could get there without you.” She slurred, her body already pulling her under.

“Sleep love.” He kissed her temple and Lily said her soft mum mum as they left her to rest. Coming out into the kitchen he found Brendan making soup, their own dinner already in the oven. “Thanks kid.” He pulled the teen in for a rough guy hug. “For the soup, dinner, and keeping your siblings safe. For helping out. I’m grateful.”

“Thanks for keeping mum safe.” He mumbled. “I was scared.”

“Me too kid, me too.” Lily gave her brother a big hug too. “Even Lily thinks you’re awesome.” He chuckled. Settling in the one seat with her he watched the twins and let his mind relax, to just have a moment to zone out and not think. She was home and safe, the kids were ok, he was beat to hell, but they’d got through the worst of it. While Valter kept the twins occupied and smooched a happy Lily in his lap, Gustaf hit the workout room an hour or so later. Mentally and emotionally he was wiped, and he knew the physical tenseness would ease once he went a round with the bag. There was no anger to work through, or issue to address, he just needed to burn off some physical energy to settle. She was out cold when he went to shower an hour later, didn’t move when he dressed and kissed her brow. Relaxed and sleeping deeply now she was home and comfortable. The kids sat for dinner wanting Sildie to join, but knowing she needed to sleep. Gustaf thought about waking her, the need for rest too important at this stage. He took the time to sit with them, to joke and laugh, get them back to a semi normal routine after a week of upheaval. Valter stayed for dinner and left once the twins were getting ready for bed. Gustaf was finishing up bathing Lily when his phone beeped.

I’m awake, need to pee.

Just getting Lily out of the bath.

No rush.

Getting Lily out of the tub he dried her off and dressed her for bed. Leaving her with Brendan he made his way into the bedroom to see Sildie sitting up on the side of the bed. “Good nap?”

“Still tired, but I’m hungry.”

“Bathroom then food. The soup is really good I had a cup before dinner.” He said helping her to the bathroom.

“Did I miss dinner?”

“Yes, but sleep is more important for you right now, they understand. No way was I waking you.” He chuckled. Stepping outside while she took care of business he smiled, she was looking better after her nap and her appetite was coming back. “All good things.” He sighed.

Helping her out to the dining table she sat as he heated up some soup and toasted some dark rye bread. The twins rushed over to her after their bath and sat while she ate telling her about everything that happened while she was in hospital.

“Sounds like I missed a lot of fun things.” She whispered.

“You did. Don’t get sick again.” Finn said grinning.

“Don’t plan on it kiddo.” She coughed. At least it didn’t sound like a death rattle anymore, Gustaf thought. “This sucks.”

“We missed you.” Liam said quietly.

“Missed you too. Come here love.” She pushed her chair out and pulled Liam into her lap, her body feeling the fatigue at the action. “Scared you huh?” He nodded and hugged her. “I’m sorry it scared you. Scared me too.”

“Are you really going to get better?” He mumbled.

“It’ll take a few weeks but yes, I’ll get better, lots of sleep and rest and food.” She smiled and bundled Finn to her. “I’ve missed you so much.” She murmured, kissing each twin on the head. “Bed time for you though.” She said and the boys groaned. “Back to a normal routine, you have school starting soon.” She chuckled and watched as they went to bed to wait for Gustaf to read to them. “Thanks for the soup B, it’s really good.”

“I made Kladdkaka as well, but dad doesn’t know yet.” He grinned, placing it on the table.

“I think he could use a slice.” She smiled at him, he was such a good kid, so much like his mother, considerate, kind.

“He was super scared.” Brendan said, getting another mug of soup for her and setting it on the table.

“I know love.”

“He hasn’t slept in a few days either.” The kid said keeping an eye on the twins door, he felt like he was ratting Gustaf out.

“We’ll have to make sure he gets a sleep in tomorrow, ok?”

“I’ll get Lily and the twins in the morning, you keep him in bed.” Brendan grinned. “As long as we can play games.”

“Oh I see how it is.” She scoffed slyly. “Sounds like a good plan, can you clean up a bit? Take the load off him a little more? I know we’re leaning on you a lot right now Brendan but...”

“It’s ok. We’re a family and we stick together, help each other out.”

“Yes we do, but I feel bad sometimes at how much I lean and depend on you.”

The teen shrugged. “You can’t do it all Mum.”

“No, I guess I can’t.”

“And you shouldn’t have to. Family, that means all of us.”

“I love you Brendan. Your parents would be so proud of you love.”

“I miss them and I want them here, but I love the family we have.” He said softly.

“Me too kiddo.” She winked as Gustaf came into the room, Brendan nodding.

“Night mum.” The teen smirked.

“Night love.”

“Night dad.” He hugged Gustaf hard.

“Night B, and thanks for the past few days.” Gustaf kissed the top of the teens head. One of those rare moments where his subconscious had taken over because he was so exhausted.

“You bet.” Gustaf slumped into the chair as the teen headed to bed.

“You need to finish your soup love.”

“You need to eat your Kladdkaka sweet man.” She tossed back. “I’m working on my second cup.” She watched him over the rim of the mug, so tired. Bone weary exhausted, the slump of his shoulders something she never wanted to see again. The smile that bloomed across his face seeing the chocolaty dessert in front of him with a fork across the top almost made her weep with joy.

“The kid doesn’t miss a thing does he?”

“Nope.”

“Like someone else I know.” He said with a tired smirk as he took a bite. “Damn that’s so good. Want some?”

“That’s all for you love. He made it just for you.”

“I feel like an ass for dumping so much stuff on him lately.” He said quietly.

“He gets it. It’s what we were just talking about. We’re a family, it’s what families do. That’s where his heads at. I’d call it progress to a year ago.”

“It sure is. I’m glad you’re home.” He smiled, it was wearily, but it was that one he only kept for her.

“I am too.” She finished off her soup and could see he was asleep on his feet, already drifting as he had another forkful, the sugar probably the only thing keeping him upright. “Would you help me to bed, come snuggle with me?”

“I need to tidy up before I go to bed.” He sighed.

She shook her head. “Leave it. There’s just a few dishes which can wait for tomorrow. Brendan said he’d get them.” And she knew the teen would.

“Let me lock up and get the dishwasher started at least.” He stood and collected her dishes, the soft kiss to her brow making her smile.

“Ok.” She wasn’t going to push, she didn’t have the energy to argue and he was too tired. Pick your battles, she thought. She watched him move around the apartment, home, this was a home, their home and damn had she missed it. He helped her with her nightly routine and took care of his own before laying beside her. “Time for me to take care of you.” She murmured and kissed him tenderly. Pulling him close she guided his head to rest in her lap, fingers stroking his scalp, soothing. “Sleep love, you’re exhausted.” His arms curled around her like a child holding onto his favorite teddy bear and she felt the shuddered sigh, knew the tears were right there. “I’m ok, sleep now.” As his silent tears fell she kissed his head, soothed and cared for him as best she could. “My sweet man, I love you so much.”

“Love you too.” He mumbled, sleep about to claim him hard.

“Rest now, your turn to sleep and rest.” She felt him go under, like every muscle in his body had released its hold on the world. Smiling down at him she let her own tears fall, relief she was home and recovering, guilt for putting that fear into him and the kids. Sleep claimed her eventually, the crushing exhaustion no match for her depleted system. She had no choice but to comply with her body’s wishes.

@hausofobsession @ill-skillsgard @grandpa-sweaters @authentic90skidd @tuckersgirl @fairlyfallacy @flowers-in-your-hayr @raewritesfiction @stinkerbelle007 @kamie-b @mrsaugustwalker @skrsgardspam @loliwrites @trippedmetaldetector @lihikainanea @fay-walden @nandadb @grimeundglow

[devilmeows]

14 for the first prompt list and/or 15 for the second?

im a simple person, i see and/or, i disregard the or and i do Both

14. "But I love you!"

15. A and B reminisce about the first time they met.

again not beta read because it's midnight, my beta reader is Busy and my brain is Melting

14. "But I love you!"

Today was the day: Astrid was finally going to see Off the Hook live. Well, she’d see them through a screen, because train tickets to Inkopolis were expensive as hell. She was supposed to watch the concert with Viv, but unfortunately the inkling had caught a nasty cold and Finn had to practically tape them to their bed and bribe them with an astronomical amount of snacks to get them to stay home and rest. Oh well, at least they’d still be able to watch the concert. And there would probably be more concerts for them to attend together. One day.

There was still about half an hour to go before she would be sent the link to the website that would host the concert, but Astrid was already fully ready, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her bottle of juice and a packet of instant noodles she’d prepare once she received that link. Because then she’d have exactly fifteen minutes to do so, and it was just enough for her to cook and immediately inhale her food. And then the concert would start. It would be so cool. Her tentacles, which were tied in a simple ponytail for once, couldn’t stop twitching with excitement.

“Astrid?”

The octoling took her eyes off her computer screen to look at her girlfriend. His head was poking out from behind the wall that separated the living room from the corridor that led to their room. He was smiling one of those smiles that preceded him asking for a favour, because he knew Astrid couldn’t resist it. And he was doing the thing where his freckles flashed just a little bit for even more cute points.

“Yes?”

“Your concert’s starting in half an hour, right?”

“Yeah, about half an hour. Why?”

He stepped into the living room as his smile widened, holding two consoles in his hands.

“Wanna play some Pokémon with me while you wait?”

Astrid blinked. She hadn’t played Pokémon in a while, but Robin had been playing a lot of it since she’d introduced him to it. She figured he would like it, and she was happy that she’d been right. Sometimes, the sounds of Pokémon battles were her background noise as she worked on something else. Whenever she looked up from her work, she’d see Robin looking either very focused or smiling at his 3DS, both of which made her feel warm inside.

“Sure, why not.”

Astrid patted the floor next to her as an invitation for him to sit down. The other octoling happily complied, plopping down beside her and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. He handed her her 3DS, the silver one. She checked the cartridge slot at the back, and saw that her copy of Pokémon X was already in it.

“I was thinking of doing battles,” Robin said as she turned on her console. “I have a bunch of Pokémon I need to evolve first, but there’s a few teams I built that I’d like to try out! And also I just want to kick your ass.”

Astrid scoffed. “I’d like to see you try, my dear. My Pokémon are unbeatable.”

Robin smirked and hummed noncommittally. Astrid squinted at him, but he only smirked wider. I’ve been playing this game for longer than he has, she thought, and my pokémon are strong as hell. There’s no way I’ll lose. She was certain she could wipe that grin off his face in less than five minutes. She’d kiss him to make up for utterly defeating him. And then she’d kiss him some more, because he deserved it.

After making an Onix, a Feebas, a Haunter and a Pumpkaboo evolve, as well as accidentally trading the same Pidgey twice, they finally started setting up their battle. A simple 4v4 so that it wouldn’t take too long, any Pokémon, no banned items- Astrid did think that last rule was a little strange, but she didn’t protest. None of her Pokémon held any items anyway. The screen of her 3DS faded to black as she accepted Robin’s battle invitation, and as the Pokémon selection menu and both their teams appeared, she frowned.

“Alomomola, Houndoom, Mienshao, Cinccino, Bronzong and Cryogonal?” She thought out loud. “That’s...a team.”

“That’s my team!” He replied with a smile. He was sitting in front of her now, so that they wouldn’t be able to see each other’s screens. “I like it very much. I named the Mienshao after you!”

“Because I punch people in the face with my long arms?”

“That, and because you’re really pretty.”

Astrid’s lesbian brain froze. “How dare you.”

“Love you!” Robin blew her a kiss.

Finally, the battle started. Astrid led with Blaziken, while Robin led with Alomomola. Hm, a Water-type. That’s not good. That’s fine, I’ll take the risk anyway. She used Slash to gauge how much damage her Pokémon could land, and to her surprise, the move only took a little of the pink fish’s HP. Said pink fish then used Wish. Huh. Well, I’ll try something more powerful then. Before her Blaziken could use Sky Uppercut, Robin switched his Alomomola out for his Mienshao. Astrid almost felt bad as her alter ego took a good amount of damage....only to be immediately healed by Wish. Hm. Well, that was fine. Nothing to worry about. It’d be dead by next round.

...Except it did not die. Strangely, it seemed to take less damage than it had taken the round before. Astrid the Mienshao proceeded to use Swords Dance. Astrid the Octoling smirked. I’ve got you now! One more Sky Uppercut, and the enemy was almost in the red. Could’ve used Flare Blitz and killed it in one go, but oh well.

“Goodbye, me!”

The Mienshao used Aerial Ace. Her Blaziken instantly fainted.

“Yeah,” Robin said with a smile, “goodbye you!”

“How-” she shook her head. “It’s fine, I still have enough Pokémon to whoop your ass.”

Her girlfriend had the audacity to snort, so she sent out her Gengar. With one hit of Psychic, Astrid the Mienshao was gone.

“Aha! Take that.”

“Hm, okay, didn’t think you’d outspeed me, but okay!”

Robin sent out Houndoom. Astrid immediately retrieved her Ghost-type, letting Houndoom use Nasty Plot in the process. She squinted. Time for a quadruped fight I guess, she thought, sending out Luxray.

“What?”

“I am not sorry~” Robin sing-songed as his Houndoom took out her Luxray with a single Flamethrower.

She had no idea how that had just happened. The Dark-type even took some damage for some reason. “Okay, you know what?” Astrid sent out Gengar. “Fuck you!” She made it use Dazzling Gleam, which took half of the opposing Pokémon’s HP. But a second later, it was taken out by Dark Pulse. “How?”

Robin giggled, looking far too happy at Astrid’s distress. She was down to one Pokémon now, while the other octoling still had three. This wasn’t fair!

“It’s all up to you, big bird,” she muttered, sending out Honchkrow.

At the sight of the Flying-type, Robin gasped. He retrieved Houndoom, instead sending out...

“Oh and I was worried that I’d lose,” Astrid snorted as she watched a Cinccino appear on the field, “but you send a pile of fluff at me?”

Robin said nothing. His Normal-type’s HP dropped to the orange after Honchkrow’s Wing Attack, but that didn’t seem to alarm him. Instead, he just smirked as he tapped on the move his Pokémon was going to use. Astrid cracked her knuckles, ready to watch Night Slash obliterate the fluffy chinchilla- except said fluffy chinchilla somehow attacked first. It used Rock Blast. It was super effective, but it was fine, it hadn’t done a significant amount of damage. Maybe the deities of random would smile down on her and let the move only hit twice.

Except the deities of random had nothing to do with this. Rock Blast hit twice. Three times. Four times...

“What the fuck,” Astrid whispered, eyes widening as her pokémon’s HP started getting dangerously low, “What the FUCK- WHAT THE FUCK!”

Robin didn’t say anything, because he simply could not stop his laughter. He only laughed harder as his girlfriend threw him a shocked and outraged glare when her Honchkrow fainted after the fifth Rock Blast hit.

“HOW DID YOU DO THAT WITH A CINCCINO???”

The other octoling was now laughing so hard he was practically crying. Astrid’s tentacles twitched so much they were threatening to snap her scrunchie.

“Skill Link-” he took a deep breath, “Skill Link is a wonderful thing, my dear.”

“You- I- I- What-” Her stammering threw Robin into another laughing fit. Oh, her pride was wounded, injured, deceased on the floor. She must’ve looked hilariously crestfallen, because he laughed harder every time he looked at her. She threw her hands up in the air, then lightly pushed him. “How dare you do this to me! Go away!”

“But I love you!” He protested, wiping his tears dramatically and making his freckles flash at the word love.

“I don’t!” She joked, pointing towards the kitchen. “Go away!”

Robin was still chuckling as he stood up, blowing her one last kiss before he disappeared behind the kitchen wall. Astrid sat there, pouting, staring at her 3DS that still showed the Cinccino’s smug little bastard face. How dare. How dare he be better than her at Pokémon while he’d only started playing the games hardly a month ago. It was impressive though, how he’d managed to do it. The Pokémon he’d used weren’t the most popular and you didn’t usually see them in people’s top 10 favourites. Maybe there was a reason why he had picked those Pokémon in particular? She remembered how Houndoom had taken some damage with every move it had used, and something clicked in her brain. Wait, isn’t there a whole section of players who play strat? Is that what he did? She’d never bothered to go into that, simply because she had no patience for all the grinding it took to get a perfect Pokémon: she was good with spamming Flare Blitz until it knocked something out.

Her computer’s ding made her jump, and suddenly she remembered what she’d been waiting for and all the adrenaline rushed back into her body. There it was: the concert link! Her phone buzzed with a few texts, probably from an equally as excited Viv. Before she read those though, she needed to make her food. She clicked on the link and reached for her noodles as the page loaded...only to be met with thin air.

“Peace offering?” Robin had returned, smiling, with a steaming bowl of instant noodles in one hand and a can of soda and a pack of cookies in the other.

You’re too good to me. Astrid pretended to still be annoyed for a second before she made grabby hands at the food.

“Offering accepted!”

The purple octoling’s tentacles twitched happily, and he once again sat down by his girlfriend’s side, carefully setting down the bowl so that it wouldn’t spill. When he put down the soda and cookies, Astrid shuffled closer to him and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the chopsticks lying on top of the cookies, “but you didn’t have to do this, I still have fifteen minutes before the concert.”

“But I wanted to do this for you,” Robin replied with a purr. “Also, sunshine, I love you, but you’re way too excited to be allowed in the kitchen. You’d burn everything down.”

She slurped her noodles very loudly. ...Can’t argue with that.

“Can you explain how you did that, like, after the concert?” Astrid asked, pointing at her 3DS.

Robin smiled, and his freckles glowed happily. “Of course I can.”

He leaned against his girlfriend’s shoulder. Both of them purred.

15. A and B reminisce about the first time they met

Reef's heels clicked against the hard floor as she furiously stomped towards her office. Several octolings hurriedly stepped out of her way as they saw her- as they fucking should. She was in no mood to deal with any of their bullshit today, and if anyone got too close she would not be held responsible for how her tentacles would react. They were already having an absurdly hard time not busting out of her kelp's grasp. When she finally reached her office, she kicked the door open and slammed it shut behind her, effectively making the walls around her tremble. She stood there for a moment, looking around for something to smash against the ground with her entire strength, anything she could tear apart to channel her rage, but there was nothing that could be spared in her office today.

Absolutely fucking peachy.

Instead, she settled for a frustrated roar and went to sit down on top of her desk. She brought her hands up to her hair, and her impatient tentacles almost slapped her arms as she untied the strings of kelp. Once that was done, she buried her face in her hands while her hair writhed wildly.

Reef had received a report on more deserters today. Four of them had died - good fucking riddance -, two of them had been captured - she'd pay them a visit later - and only one of them had made it to the surface alive.

And of course, that had to be fucking Oleander.

Out of all the octolings that had managed to make it out alive, it just had to be her, because the world hated Reef apparently. It had to be her ex, the woman who had had the nerve to break up with her simply because she thought that maybe the inklings weren’t that bad and life on the surface could be nice.

(And also because she didn’t like how Reef treated everyone around her, but Reef didn’t see what the problem with that was, so she’d dismissed that thought entirely.)

She wished she could’ve been there. She wished she could’ve been the one to catch these traitors in the act. She wouldn’t have killed them, no: death was much too kind a fate for the likes of them. There was another place, far deeper underground than the most distant domes, that was perfectly suited for traitorous octolings. A place where the sunlight they chased after would never reach them.

Had she been there, that was where Reef would’ve sent Oleander.

She tried to picture it: her claws gripping the scientist’s shirt, holding her at arm’s length above a gaping, dark hole as she tried to escape her grasp- but she flinched as she tried to have a look at her face.

Reef let out a low growl.

Reef had no friends. Reef didn’t need friends: she had been created for one purpose, and one purpose only, and she was going to make sure she’d be up for it. Friends would only slow her down. The mere concept of friends hardly existed in the domes, anyway: you either had siblings or sparring partners, and that was it. There was no time for friendship when you were fighting a war.

But for some reason, Reef wanted to be friends with that octoling.

Her hair was what first caught her eye: in the midst of all the vivid colours, her lavender really stood out. A pretty colour for a pretty octoling. Reef saw her once on her way to training, and then no sign of her for a solid month. But she sure was on her mind. Moderately tall, dark green eyes, a neutral, almost bored expression...Probably a scientist, judging from the long white coat she’d been wearing.

At first, Reef didn’t exactly like how much she thought about that octoling. It made her feel things. And she wasn’t a fan of feeling things.

She saw her again during training. Reef had just successfully beaten an elite soldier to a pulp, and she’d been so busy gloating about her victory to the other soldiers watching that she almost tripped over the pretty octoling she’d been thinking about nonstop for an entire month as she inspected the defeated soldier’s wounds. Dark green eyes met ice blue, and Reef smirked to hide her embarrassment. Always an excellent go-to reaction to have. Smile, your big fang freaks them out and makes you look scary. And for some reason, the scientist mirrored her smirk.

“Impressive,” she commented. “I am no expert on fighting, but even I can tell that you are quite skilled.”

Reef felt her hearts miss several beats. “Why, thank you,” she replied, having no idea how she managed to keep herself from stuttering. “But that was nothing. You should’ve seen the time I fought three whole soldiers on my own and won.”

She flexed her precious muscles in a way that she hoped looked cool and somewhat natural. And somehow, that worked: the scientist’s gaze flicked to her toned arms, and stayed there for a long moment. Reef felt like she might explode right under the octoling’s eyes as she then glanced at her exposed abs. Ah, yes, she was quite proud of those too.

Someone behind them shouted something that Reef didn’t quite catch. Immediately, she turned around, tentacles flaring and coiling like a snake about to strike as she aimed her octoshot at the crowd.

“What was that?”

Silence. The assembled octolings all looked away, looking either embarrassed or scared. Good.

“Thought so.”

She clipped her gun to her belt, then turned back to the scientist, who was now looking at her with a new, admirative shine in her dark green eyes. The two octolings smiled at each other.

“I’m Reef,” she said, holding one hand out while the other rested on her hip. “Reef Moltentide. DJ Octavio’s future second-in-command, as soon as he gets tired of his current one.”

“Oleander Rivea,” the lavender octoling replied, shaking Reef’s hand. Her skin was so much softer than her own calloused hands. “I am simply a scientist...for now.”

Ambitious. I like that. Her smirk only grew wider.

They saw each other regularly after that event. Sometimes, they simply waved at each other when they had no time to speak, and sometimes they talked and talked and talked, until Reef could practically hear her voice in the silence as well as recall every detail of Oleander’s face once they parted ways. Their feelings quickly evolved into something that went way past simple friendship, but as it turned out, Oleander liked to make it a little difficult for Reef. She could tell by the amused glint in her dark green eyes as she subtly flirted with her in front of Reef’s superior officers, and how she stared at her through lidded eyes just a moment too long as they tested their newest model of googles. Those were moments where it was impossible for the elite soldier to flirt back, or else she would lose her position, or worse. She loved it, though: it always left her wanting more. She wanted so badly to hold Oleander’s waist and pull her closer, so close that she would be able to see every single detail in her irises, so close that she would feel her heartbeats under her skin. Every time she thought about the pretty octoling, Reef realised how much she wanted to kiss Oleander.

And her wish was granted on the night that they were both promoted: Oleander as dome 1’s head scientist, and Reef as Octavio’s second-in-command. After the mandatory celebrations and hours of being congratulated by every meaningless octoling in existence, Oleander had pulled Reef away and into her room, and they’d hardly waited a moment after the door was closed before they kissed. It was just as intense and felt just as amazing as Reef thought it would be. She held her face between her hands, tilting her head whenever she wanted to deepen the kiss, while the lavender octoling slowly ran her hands through the elite’s black and red tentacles. Occasionally, she would pull at them to interrupt their kissing and simply see Reef’s playfully irritated frown. She was the only one who could poke fun at her without consequences, and she knew it.

They didn’t sleep much that night.

That memory was followed by cold, cold dark green eyes, staring at her for one last time before storming out the door. And as her anger and frustration rose once again, another nasty, nasty feeling wormed its way into the mix: sadness.

She still loved Oleander, and she fucking hated it.

“Fuck off!” Reef barked as someone knocked on her door. With Oleander gone, there was only one person who she couldn’t be rude to, and Octavio did not knock: he simply came in uninvited. Therefore, she was perfectly allowed to tell whoever was behind that door to fuck off. Besides, everyone knew that, if they valued their life, they stayed away from her when she told them to.

Apparently, this octopus didn’t particularly care about their life, since they let themself in anyway. Reef’s gaze snapped up to meet the other octoling’s eyes. Of fucking course it’s the Callisto sister. She didn’t know her name, but she didn’t need to know that to remember how much of a pain in the ass that octopus was. She had always defended her worthless sister before they escaped with Ida, and since then she’d been particularly keen on annoying the hell out of Reef whenever she could.

(She remembered with a pang of anger that her other sister had been Oleander’s student.)

“I said,” Reef enunciated in a dangerously low voice, “fuck off, Callisto.”

Callisto said nothing. She simply stared at Reef, her gaze even and pink and blue tentacles staying perfectly still as opposed to her superior’s, which were vibrating with fury. There wasn’t a trace of fear in her eyes or posture, and Reef hated that.

“I have orders from DJ Octavio himself,” she eventually said. “He wants to see you in his throne room.”

Just what I needed, the commander snarled to herself, clenching her fists. Out of all the people he could’ve chosen to deliver this damn message, he picked the one I want dead the most. Sometimes she wondered if Octavio was as smart as he pretended to be. She took a deep breath and stood up from her chair.

“You’ve done your job,” Reef growled, “now leave.”

“I have one more thing to do before I leave,” she pulled out a file from the bag that Reef only now noticed that she had. “Oleander Rivea’s personal journal. I thought you might want to...peruse it.”

The insolent octopus had the nerve to smirk.

Before Callisto had the time to react, Reef gripped her face with one hand, placing her sharp claws at the junction between her head and her neck. The octoling’s smug expression vanished instantly, and was finally replaced by fear. With some anger too, because this was Callisto, and she hated Reef as much as Reef hated her.

“You are on thin fucking ice, Callisto,” she hissed. Her writhing tentacles cast a shadow on the shorter octoling, and she pierced her skin as she tried to wriggle out of her grasp. Dark blue blood started trickling along her neck. Reef smiled.

She would’ve stayed and punished Callisto some more, but Octavio was waiting for her, and she wasn’t in the mood to put up with the King lecturing her, so instead she tossed the soldier to the ground like a rag doll. She immediately brought her hands up to her neck, hissing in pain.

“Now get out of my sight.”

[justactsupernatural]

Table for 5

He never stood a chance, not when they were offering him a world of happiness, even if only for one meal. His brothers and him sold their souls to McDonald's.

Based loosely in that one post-credit scene in The Avengers where they are eating shawarma but Thunderbirds.

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

It had been a long rescue, like, 17 hours long kind of rescue. The flood, and subsequent mudslide, had hit the town at around 6pm, and IR had first arrived on the scene probably an hour later.

With a disaster of that magnitude, and all the Tracy boys on the Island (with John having come down from Five for the day) it was only natural that they all piled up on Thunderbirds One and Two to answer the call.

And now, hours later, they were tired, sore, covered head to toe in mud and hungry. Very. Hungry.

Which was why the McDonald’s that was just about to enter their flight path on the way back home was perfect.

“C’mon Scotty, there’s even a giant field in front of the place that’s perfect to land the Birds!” exclaimed Gordon, trying to convince the oldest Tracy to let them land and eat a burger or two (or five) in the fast-food restaurant.

The discussion had been taking place for the last five minutes, with both the youngest Tracy’s trying to win over their oldest brother with the promise of greasy food, while the second oldest and middle Tracy’s rolled their eyes and chuckled when the situation deemed it necessary.

“No Gordon, we have to get back home in case another rescue comes in and you know it” Scott said, because someone had to be responsible in this family and it might as well be him, even if sometimes he just wished he wasn’t mature enough to know that throttling his water-loving brother was not acceptable in this year and age.

“But Scott-“ said Alan, before being interrupted by the feeling of Thunderbird Two landing and his middle brother’s voice “I’m sorry Scott, but we’re hungry and tired and we are going to stop for a burger at McDonald’s, you’re welcome to join if you want”.

The whoops and cheering of Alan and Gordon, and the little smirk that John was trying to hide behind his hand and failing told Virgil that he had made the right call, and hearing Scott’s long-suffering sight before he voiced his agreement only proved that even responsible big brother wanted to eat.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 He never stood a chance, not when they were offering him a world of happiness, even if only for one meal. His brothers and him sold their souls to McDonald's.

Scott knew they shouldn’t be doing this, that videos and pictures of them, covered in mud and looking like they just took a dive in a swamp were going to be on the internet before they even sat down, but PR was the GDF’s problem and they deserved this break.

The moment they entered, the smell of oil and fries and food and the look on his brothers faces just kind of proved that point. Sure, everyone was looking at them like they were aliens, and the ones that weren’t were outside taking pictures and videos of their ships, but right now they couldn’t care less.

Joining the line at the cash register they started looking at the menu and discussing what to order, throwing the occasional idea to just order one of everything and to hell with it. After probably what was a too long time for such a discussion, Scott took everyone’s orders and let the others go find a table.

After standing in line for probably five minutes they were next, and the employee, despite her awestruck face and shocked behavior, took their order in stride.

“Hi, could we please have 3, no wait, 4 Big Macs, 3 cheeseburgers, 2 BBQ Crispy Onions, 1 Chicken Tenders, 6 large black coffees, 8 large curly fries, 5 milkshakes, 3 vanilla, 1 chocolate and 1 strawberry; 2 Caesar Salads, 1 Happy Meal and 10 apple pies. Oh and 1 vanilla scone. Thanks”, he said, looking from the menu to the wide-eyed guy and his fellow wide-eyed coworkers and giving them a smile.

The cashier smiled back and uttered a small comment on how their order would be delivered to their table as soon as it got out. With another smile, Scott took off towards his brothers and their table to wait for the food.

The establishment was medium sized and there were quite a few customers, so they had to grab one of the few tables big enough for them and all their food, an 8-person table in the middle of the place.

When he got there, he gave each of his brothers a large soda paper cup and went to the soda machine to serve his, not the healthiest thing to drink but meh. His brothers followed him and served themselves before returning to their table.

“Well, I don’t know you guys, but I think we deserved this after pulling that long ass rescue” said Gordon before taking a sip of his soda. “Language” said Scott while grabbing a napkin and passing it to John, who was trying and failing to clean a smudge of dry dirt in his left cheek.

“I love how you always criticize us for our language Scotty, like you weren´t in the Air Force and have definitely heard or said worse” commented Virgil, prompting a laugh out of Gordon and causing Alan to choke on his coke.

“Alright, I’m going to the bathroom” said John while getting up and patting Alan’s back, who was still choking on his coke and wheezing for breath. Virgil stood and followed his redhead brother to the bathroom; seeing the flash of a camera go off out of his periphery vision, Gordon sighed before turning to look at Alan.

“What the hell Allie just breathe, it’s not that hard!” Alan glared at the aquanaut while taking a gulp of his soda and managing to take a deep breath without choking, and then reaching up to his shoulder and unclasping his chest plate, letting it fall on the chair next to him. At the questioning looks he just shrugged his shoulders and said “What? It gets claustrophobic after a while; you try wearing that thing for 17 hours in a row and then we can talk”.

Scott blinked once before turning to look at John and Virgil’s figures, making the trek back from the bathroom; when his brothers were close enough Scott realized that Virgil had the top half of his uniform around his hips, the blue sleeves tied around his middle to keep the whole thing from falling, his flannel and white undershirt the only clean thing in sight.

He thought about making a comment about how they were supposed to respect the uniform and be presentable while in public or something like that, but that would be a lie because, like all his brothers, Scott had left his baldric in One and it’s not like keeping their uniforms would help to ‘keep their image’ when they were all sprawled on the plastic chairs at McDonald’s.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 45 minutes and probably too much food to be healthy later, they were all silently looking at nothing, all trapped in their own thoughts to pay attention to what was happening around them.

Picking at the leftover milkshake in front of him Gordon spoke up, “Do you guys remember that time, back at the farm, when we tried to sneak out in the middle of the night to get ice cream and Grandma found us because we wanted to take the car and none of us could drive so we tried to push it out the driveway and ended up slamming it against the wall?”.

Four pair of eyes turned to look at him before Alan burst out laughing, Scott, John and Virgil chuckling softly. “I remember that it was YOU who tried to sneak out and we were just trying to stop you” said John, pointing at Alan and Gordon with a look that clearly said ‘cut the bullshit’, and raising an eyebrow when the aquanaut only smiled.

“Meh, tomato tomahto;” chuckled Gordon before throwing an arm around Alan’s shoulders and pulling him close “we did good that night Allie and we shall forever remember how you got us out of trouble with your quick thinking and adorable baby cheeks”. The young astronaut slapped away Gordon’s hand when he tried to pinch his cheeks.

“Get off me Gordo, and if you ever try to do that in front of people again, I’m tying you to Three and taking you to Jupiter and leaving you there”. Hissed Alan while shoving off his brothers arm and straightening in his chair.

“All right, that’s it, let’s go” said Scott while signaling to the waitress for the check and turning to his brothers “we should be getting back and it’s going to be a long trip”. He took out his credit card and handed it to the waitress before smiling and telling her to add a generous tip; taking his card back he got up and signaled for his brothers to follow.

Groans and sights followed but they all got up and gathered the multiple trays to take to the trash in their way out, leaving the table almost as not quite spotless as it was when they arrived. The cameras, flashes and whispers followed them all the way to the parking lot before they crossed the street and walking towards the Thunderbirds.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 It really wasn’t a surprise, but Scott had thought the message would have been sent an hour ago, not just now.

Colonel Casey: Scott Carpenter Tracy you better have a good explanation for this.

Right under the text was the picture of a news article, the headline reading:

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE SAVING RESTAURANT FROM GOING BANKRUP: TRACY BROTHERS SPOTTED AT MCDONALD’S ORDERING ENOUGH FOOD TO PAY FOR THE RESTAURANTS EXPENSES OF AT LEAST A YEAR

Oh well, thought Scott, we probably did anyway.

[pearl-blue-musings]

Perchance to Meet pt. 3

whoops is it time for a little bit of angst??? i think it’s time for a little bit of angst. 

warnings: cussing, suggestive language, attempted assault, sexual assault, stalking, unwanted advantages,smut, angst, another smut warning cause i haven’t written smut in a HOT minute, please 18+ cannot stress that enough 

masterlist for my writing

Part 4 

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

One date had turned into three which sprouted into many many more. Despite having challenging schedules, the two new found lovers made time for each other. Aizawa didn’t really think he’d get a chance like this but here he is, standing outside the bookstore he frequents as often as he can with a tiny goofy grin on his face.

“Sorry, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

He stutters out a response upon seeing the outfit his girlfriend decided to wear. It wasn’t an easy thing to squeeze out of the man, but after the fifth date and the first time she spent the night at his place the couple made it official. Even his co-workers couldn’t believe the sleepy man had a girlfriend on top of everything he already does… But here she is, wearing one of his favorite outfits of hers as they meet up for a brief date.

“I was about to drop dead if I had to wait any longer,” he whispers as he leans in to give her a chaste kiss on the lips. “I love the way you look tonight.”

(Y/n) looks away embarrassed. Even though they had been dating for over three months now, she still couldn’t get used to Shouta’s flirting and downright cuteness. “T-thank you, Sho. I’m glad you get a few hours before your patrol shift starts.” She looks to him with bright and eager eyes that he could get lost in forever. “So, where are we going?”

It takes a little willpower in Aizawa to hold back a smirk as he enjoys the view of her impatience adorn her features. He’s not sure who will be more excited for the date, him or her.

“You’ll see,” he snickers. Her eyes roll as they stroll along the street. The setting sun ahead of them litters the sky with beautiful purples and oranges; a few clouds line the skies giving the world around them an ethereal feel.

They continue to walk for about ten more minutes, having mindless conversation about anything and everything, from how he’s going to be a homeroom teacher for the next year, how she wants to add a café portion to her bookstore to draw in more people and have more income, it flows seamlessly.

Soon they stop at a store front that is unfamiliar to the woman. Once she sees that her lover has stopped, she looks to the sign and suddenly her face lights up.

“Shouta, shut up are you serious?”

He leans down to her ear, “we’ve walked by this before and I’ve always noticed how your eyes linger here. So I got us reservations.”

The sparkle in her eye is unfazed as the grin on her face only gets wider.

“A cat café!? Shouta, I can’t- I mean you took me? Here? God, you’re amazing! I just-“ she ends her sentence by pulling him by his jacket collar and kissing him lovingly. After his initial shock, he cups her face with his warm hands and deepens the kiss. The feel of his lips on hers is a sense she never wants to tire of; she’s practically addicted to it already.

Aizawa hesitantly pulls away, “as much as I’d like to continue that, we don’t wanna miss our reservation, Kitten.” He kisses her on the cheek and pulls her inside the establishment. Once inside, the couple gets swept up in the ambiance of the place. (Y/n) had an inkling that this date wasn’t just to make you happy, but to make a certain cat lover of a man next her happy too. She had picked up on his love of cats and strays on their other dates and she may or may not attempt to adopt one of the cats as a surprise.

Two hours went by too quickly in the couples opinion, but they had to sadly leave. Their stomachs and hearts full, the two begin their walk back to the bookstore. A deep voice breaks the content silent. “I really don’t want to go on patrol tonight.” (Y/n)’s eyebrows furrow at his statement and silently urges Aizawa to continue. “I want to keep looking at you like this. So happy and content… I wish our schedules weren’t so crazy.”

“I do too,” she breathes, “but that’s how it is and I get it. I mean, we both know each other at this point and know that we’re busy. It’s life, we do what we love and hopefully someone will be there with us you know…”

The momentum of the conversation slows as they reach the bookstore. The words she wishes to say fill up her lungs begging to burst from her lips as she stares at the pre hero before. She gulps whatever anxiety she has and blurts out the words she’s wanted to say all night.

“I love you.”

Black eyes widen at the proclamation and then soften once he sees the shyness and slight fear (Y/n) poses in front of him. He steps up to her, staring at her lips then back to the eyes he can get lost in forever and whispers, “I know, I love you too Kitten,” and softly kisses her lips.

***************************************

“Hey, it’s (Y/n), I mean, yeah it’s me… But where are you? I’ve been waiting outside the club for about 10 minutes now. I know your patrol ended half an hour ago. Just call me back okay?”

(Y/n) grouchily hangs up the phone and pouts. She knew he was out late which is why she wanted him to pick her up from work so she could spend the weekend at his apartment. Aizawa had just finished the first week of school as the new 1-A homeroom teacher and his girlfriend knew he would need sometime to relax. Begrudgingly, of course.

She looks to her phone again and sees that it’s approaching 2:30 in the morning. Normally she doesn’t take closing shifts because of the bookstore, but wanted to align her schedule with Aizawa’s for some time together. After almost a year don’t you think he would have been a little more considerate of this fact? This wasn’t easy for her with the new café being added to her store and having to hire new employees; she needed this one little thing.

“Fuck it, I’m walking by myself.”

Clearly a bad idea. Blissfully unaware, she sullenly walked away from her second job and toward Aizawa’s apartment. The city at night wasn’t always the safest and she knew that, but she had been waiting for more than 20 minutes for Aizawa to show and he hadn’t so she took matters into her own hand. She kept her bag close to her body as she sped walk, attempting to keep her roaring thoughts at bay.

Her phone buzzes which halts her mind, and herself, and she stops in her path. She reaches in a sees a text from him saying “omw”. That’s it? And just now? Barely being on her way, she decides to turn around and go back to their original meeting place.

Bad idea number two. Roughly, she bumps into a stiff being and trips back a few steps. In front of her is a man in a long coat and hat, covering most of his identity. “Excuse me,” she mutters past him, but is abruptly stopped when his hand grips her forearm.

“You don’t remember me.”

“Sir, let go of me.”

“Why don’t you remember me?!”

Panic rising in her, (Y/n) begins to struggle against her assailant. “Sir I have no idea what you want from me! Please let me go.”

The man, clearly hysterical, pulls her into a nearby alley and slams her against the brick wall. The woman winces in pain and tries her best to not cry in front of this stranger. “Please, just take my bag… Don’t hurt me!”

“…Why don’t you remember me? You served me for months at the club. Months! You always made my favorite drink, always made me feel better. I love you (Y/F/n)! I always gave you extra tips when I came in and now I find that you’re thinking of quitting?! Is there someone else? I left my wife like you said I should because I wasn’t happy!”

The more the man rambles, the more she starts to remember. He went by the name Shuichi Oda and from what she gathered had a rough night. Obviously a drunk, it seems like things haven’t been going well for him. She remembers having some brief conversations with him to make her patron feel better but… Damn it! She knew that this was the downside of her quirk, some people took it too personally.

“Look, Shuichi-“

“You do remember me!” He exclaims and pulls her into an unneeded hug and starts to pet her hair. “I’ve been waiting for you to be alone for quite some time. Your quirk made me feel better. You, made me feel better.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” she shakily tries to reason, “I’m just a bartender. It’s my job to make people feel better.”

The man hits his head with his fist, frightening the woman. “No! With you, it’s different, see?” After he says he leans in to sloppily kiss her, holding her still against the wall behind her. His hands begin to roam in places they shouldn’t which make tears start to form in her eyes. “Please don’t cry,” he wipes a tear from her face but she moves out of his reach. “Don’t be scared, I love you. And you’re gonna come with me and be with me forever okay?”

“Please,” she screams, “let me go! I have- mmph!”

“Sh sh sh sh, we can’t have you screaming! Others could hear and try to take you away from me!” The hand he placed over her mouth is now covered in tears from her eyes. She bites at him, but his maniacal smile only gets bigger. “I don’t feel physical pain darling, just emotional.” As soon as he says that, his wandering other hand goes toward her breast and he sighs in contentment. “Oh how I’ve longed for this-“

“That’s enough!”

Soon Shuichi is being thrust into the air. He’s wrapped up in bindings and hanging from a nearby streetlamp. Eyes glowing red stare at the apprehended man and pull the wraps tighter, causing him to cough in pain. Aizawa tugs on the wraps to make the man hit his head on the light and pass out. Luckily some sirens are heard closely as someone walking by heard her scream and called for the police. Aizawa was on his way and followed the direction of the police cars hoping it didn’t involve his lover.

An hour later finds the couple walking into the pro hero’s apartment. A strong silver blanket is still wrapped around (Y/n)’s body as they make their way in. They both take off their shoes and settle in silence as the events of the last hour replay through their minds. They don’t even bother to eat anything and start to get ready for bed. Her pajamas are partially on when he sits down on the bed and mumbles, “why didn’t you wait for me?”

“Hm? What was that?”

Sighing louder, her turns to face her. “I said, why didn’t you wait for me like you were supposed to?”

(Y/n) scoffs as she pulls his shirt down her body. “Are you kidding me? Why didn’t I wait? Why were you late?” Her question came out more forceful than she intended but it had been a very long day. “I rearranged my schedule so then we could get off work around the same time for once. Where the hell were you?”

“Don’t give me that,” he states getting louder, “school went late so I began my patrol late.”

“Would it have killed you to tell me that instead of keeping me waiting?”

“Would it have killed you to wait where I wanted you to? Then maybe tonight wouldn’t have happened.”

Her mouth flew open at his assumption. “Are you saying me getting attacked was my fault?!”

Aizawa rolls his eyes as his frustration grows. “If you had just stayed there and waited I was going to get there.”

“Yeah sure! But did you forget the part where that nutjob has been following me for months? He would’ve gotten to me regardless.”

“That’s because you’re too kind. Letting people think that all their problems and issues will go away with just the right fix!”

“You’re ridiculous!” You yell, “Is that really what you think of me and my quirk? Is that what you think I did to you?” (Y/n) moves around the bed to get face to face with him to prove more of her point.

He stands up off the bed to look down at her. “It could be like that for him or any other guy you’re kind to or use your quirk on. All you had to do was wait!”

“And we’re back to where we fucking started. You were late! What was I supposed to do? Wait for the next guy to come along and fuck me over in the middle of the night?”

“(Y/n) that’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“Oh is it? Then why do you keep putting the blame on whether or not I waited?”

“Look,” he recedes slightly, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about me being late, but you can’t just walk around by yourself like that!”

“Fuck off, yes I can! I’ve done it before why does it suddenly have to change now?”

“Because I fucking love you, idiot!”

Throats hoarse after the shouting match, black eyes shut as he sinks into the bed. (Y/n)’s conviction begins to falter as she follows him onto the mattress. “Shouta?”

He takes a deep breath in attempt to control himself, “I know I should have told you I was late, I’m sorry. But, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. When you weren’t there, I panicked.” He leans onto her shoulder while she rubs his back soothingly. “I was so scared for you. When I saw him touching you, I saw red.”

(Y/n) breathes deeply taking in his words, “Sho…”

“I don’t want to lose you, or have you be hurt because of me. I’m a pro-hero and a teacher at a prominent school, I’m bound to have some enemies.” He sits up to meet her gaze, holding her face in his hands. “That guy hurt you because of you and I wasn’t there.”

“Sho, it’s not your fault.”

Silence falls over them, letting the weight of their words settle into their beings. He brings her forehead toward his as fresh tears fall from her face wetting his skin.

“Kitty cat, I’m sorry for yelling.”

She kisses him lightly, “Me too.”

He kisses her again, and again, and again, Until the light, chaste kisses become deep and full of lust. Her hands find solace in his hair as her lips grant his tongue entrance. He pulls her closer to him, hoping that she can feel his erection through his pants. The feeling of him grinding against her sleep shorts elicits a moan from her mouth that makes him harder. They break for air, a line of saliva connecting them as their pupils dilate.

“Fuck I wanna keep going but you’ve had a long day.” He tries to pull away from her only to be brought in for another breathless kiss. His hands automatically went to her hips. “Kitten,” he moans into her lips.

“We have the whole weekend for me to treat you right. The whole weekend for you to be screaming my name, calling me daddy,” he smacks her ass at that comment earning a hiss from (Y/n) which ended up making her even more wet. “But we need to sleep.”

“Fuck you Shouta,” she whines. “I wanna fuck you now. I’m already so fucking wet for you and I know your dick is itching to be in my mouth or better yet in me.”

Aizawa grunts at the implications but stays strong. “No, sweetie. As much as I really want to, we gotta sleep.”

“Please I want to forget he touched me so please do something or else-“

At that she’s quickly pinned to the bed with the strong man above her. “Don’t forget,” he whispers, “you asked for this.” He slowly drags her bottoms down her legs, exposing her dripping sex to him. It took everything in him to not move too fast. Once her pj bottoms were thrown across the room, he situates himself between her legs, rubbing his hands up her calf, to her thighs enticingly slow. A pressure is felt on her hips as she’s being held in place by her lovers grip.

On instinct her hips buck slightly, eagerly awaiting what’s to come. The feel of his breath on her inner thigh sends her thoughts into a frenzy, only for him to place his lips around the sensitive skin. His kisses are feather light that they almost don’t feel like they’re there, but she’s reminded as soon as his teeth make contact with her skin. A whine escapes her lips at the action, making Aizawa growl.

“Fuck, kitten, you’re so wet for me.”

“Mhm, ah, only for you Daddy- ah fuck!”

All his restraint came undone at the pet name as he wrapped his lips around her folds, sucking and tonguing her with earnest. The way his tongue would flit in and out of her wet hole drove him crazy; it was like she was made for him and only him. He continues to lap at her folds, already starting to feel the pressure build up within her.

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna cum for Daddy this early, eh? All I’ve done with eat you out and I’m not full. Plus,” he sneaks a finger into making her hiss and cuss, “I don’t think you’ve had your fill yet Kitty cat.”

Her moans and whines are music to his ears as he doesn’t let up his ministrations. Now two fingers deep into her, he begins to scissor her open while sucking on her abused and pronounced clit.

“Ah, fuck Sho. I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum,” (Y/n) is breathless as her back arches off the mattress for the umpteenth time. She can feel him smile against her as he lifts up to face her. “Then cum Kitten, cum for Daddy.” His motions speed up and upon hearing her scream out his name mixed with curses, he lets up. God, she looks beautiful like this. Her body is covered in a glimmering layer of sweat, her stomach moving in time with her rampant breathing as she comes down from her high. No one else will get to see her like this, no one. Aizawa wipes away sweat from her brow and leans in to let her taste herself on his tongue. The action alone is enough to make him want to burst, which he is tempted to do.

“Damn, you’re still so wet and slick for me,” he notes swiping a finger against her to reaffirm.

“Babe, rollover. I wanna ride you.”

The lovely man above her lifts an eyebrow at her request, “as you wish, princess.” He is then forcibly pinned, almost like what happened to her not too long ago. “Fuck, you look so hot from down here babe.” He knows that she needs this, to feel to be in charge and take the lead. So he doesn’t help her line up the tip of his hard cock to her entrance, and he doesn’t push himself up into her like he wants.

A wanton moan escapes his lovers lips as she finally settles herself on his cock. She feels the grumble and twitching from her his dick inside her and the feeling is euphoric. The pro-hero’s breath gets shallower as he waits for her to move on him, again holding himself back from taking charge. Once she starts bouncing on his cock, all he can do is whisper and moan out praises and curses. “Fuck, Kitten. That feels so fucking good.”

“Yeah babe? You like the way I’m riding your cock?”

He hisses, “fuck yeah. Please do it more- unf.”

Suddenly he feels a new and ecstatic feeling as she gyrates her hips in ways that have him seeing stars. He’s trying to figure out if there’s some kind of pattern. And then it hits him.

“You spelling your name on my cock, yeah?”

A gasp for air is heard from both of them before she responds, “I’m just, ah, letting you know who this belongs to baby.”

“Ah fuck, Kitten, I’m gonna cum soon. But first,” his voice lowers as he grabs her breast in his hand. His thumb flicks over her nipple, earning another moan before he wraps his lips around it. His tongue continues to work the hardening bud as his hand kneads her mound. His free hand works its way to her clit and begins to rub it fiercely.

“Fuck Shouta, if you keep doing that…”

A slick pop is heard as black eyes bore into lust filled ones. “I know Kitten, we’re so close. Come on, let Daddy cum. Let me cum inside baby.” “Yes, yes ah fuck- FUCK!”

The melodious sound of moans and whimpers fill the once noiseless bedroom as the couple comes down from their highs. They fall onto each other, sweat covered and full of love for each other. Their breathing starts to slow the more they wait out, still being connected by their sexes. (Y/n) is the first to move as she slowly removes herself from her boyfriends embrace, whining at the loss of contact. Aizawa leans up slightly to take in her form and beauty.

“I’ll go grab a towel and some water.”

He pecks her cheek and leaves the room. Once he returns, he sees (Y/n) and fondly smiles. She had finally fallen asleep after everything was said and done. He rolls his eyes but continues to clean up their little mess. He leaves her water glass on her nightstand while he had finished his.

Aizawa pulls the covers over the two of them as he cuddles into his girlfriend, watching her sleep soundly. She looks ethereal right now, no problems or stress on her features.

“I swear I will protect you. Whatever it takes.”

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

ha ha hahahahaha it’s so long whoops but yee if the option is there the taglist is open!  @kiribaku-queen @shinsouskitten @therealwalmartjesus @prk-pyo @cupcake-rogue

[tommysparker]

Good For You

Peter Parker x Reader

A/N: I dunno how I really feel about this one...but there will be a part 2! Inspired by “Good For You” from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, give it a listen and enjoy :)

Warnings: just pure angst, reader is disappointed but not surprised, and also # done

Six times. 

Six times he’s canceled plans last minute. 

And that’s just this month, so far. 

You were happy for him, honestly, you were. But had you known his newfound fame would have cost you hours of waiting, hours of your life that you will never get back, just to end up looking like a fool as you leave the restaurant, you probably would have re-thought some decisions. 

“Hi! This is Peter Parker, leave a--”

You sighed in frustration, tossing your phone and keys on the couch as you kicked off your shoes and shut the door to the apartment. Thankfully, your parents weren’t home so you had time to release some stress and anger. 

Dropping yourself onto the cushions, you grabbed the TV remote and pressed the on-button, hoping some good ol’ fashioned Disney Plus would take your mind off tonight’s events, or lack thereof. However, the television network had other plans. 

Sure enough, there was your boyfriend, dressed head-to-toe in that stupid red and blue spandex costume standing next to the great Tony Stark, who wore a regular suit and that signature smile the public adored. 

Really? He ditched me to hang out with some tech billionaire? Is what you would’ve thought, however, you were used to it at this point. The first few times you felt disappointed, but now all you saw was red. 

You turned off the TV, throwing the remote aside and grabbing your phone, hoping to see at least one message from your once adoring lover, but you were met with an old picture of you and him that you set as your lockscreen. 

With a heavy sigh, you went into your room and decided to catch up on all the homework you’ve been ignoring. What better way to distract yourself than with memorizing calculus formulas? 

The only text you got that night was from your parents telling you they’ll be home late. 

                                                       ---

The next day at school, you completely avoided Peter at all costs. 

Peter was beyond confused. 

He had gotten home late last night after spending hours with Mr. Stark teaching him the new customs of his suit and later going back to the lab to fix some minor bugs. 

When he came into school this morning, he was hoping for the usual bear hug you greet him with when he walked over to your locker. However, by the time he got there you were already gone. Betty, whose locker was right next to yours, said you went to class early to talk to the teacher. 

He shrugged it off, figuring he would catch you in between classes. 

But he never did. 

Every time he tried to talk to you, you would run off or ignore his callings. He thought maybe you were just having an off-day, you’ve been having a lot of those recently. 

By the time lunch came around, he knew something was wrong. 

No matter what mood you were in, you always made sure to sit next to him in the cafeteria, so when you didn’t show up at all, he had a feeling it was more than just an off-day. 

He didn’t see you for the rest of the school day. 

                                                        ---

You were done. Absolutely done. 

You woke up that morning ready to deal with whatever bullshit excuse Peter was gonna throw at you, but as you entered the school something inside you just snapped. 

Maybe it was because one of your friends were talking about the amazing date they had, or maybe it was because you were tired after waiting for Peter to swing by your window and apologize for missing another date then end up passing out on the window sill, but either way, you were done. 

You dodged Peter the whole first half of school, ditching after lunch because you weren’t ‘feeling well’.

The rest of the day you spent curled up on your bed, listening to music that related to whatever emotion you were feeling. 

You glanced over at the clock, seeing school would’ve been out about half an hour ago. Picking up your phone you texted MJ asking if she was down to go out later. You were supposed to be having a movie night with Peter but if he could skip your plans dozens of times, why couldn’t you? 

A ding followed by your phone lighting up took your attention off your laptop. Picking up your phone, you were hoping it was MJ accepting your invitation, and thankfully, the bookworm didn’t fail to please. 

A few hours later, you were almost ready to go out, when a loud knocking sound came from your window. 

Startled, you whipped your head towards the glass, and behind it stood non-other than your boyfriend. 

Did you forget to tell him you canceled? Whoops. 

Rolling your eyes, you opened your window and stepped back so he could come in. You were still upset with him, but that doesn’t mean you were about to make him wait outside when it was near zero degrees. 

“Hey! Sorry I’m late Mr. Stark wanted to test this cool new web settings and we kinda lost track of time but I got your favourite food to make up for it- oh are we going somewhere instead?” Peter tilted his head as he took in your outfit. Normally on movie nights, you’d welcome him wearing a pair of comfy pants and his hoodie. However tonight you were dressed in jeans and a top he hadn’t seen you wear before. When did you go shopping? 

“Yeah-no. It’s just me going, MJ should be on her way right now. Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier,” you shrugged, walking back to the mirror to finish doing your hair. 

“Wait- what do you mean? What’s going on? It’s movie night...” The vigilante expressed, trying his best to mask the disappointed look his face fell into. 

“Guess I’ll have to make it up to you, right? Just like all the times you’ve made it up to me.” You snapped, sarcasm laced with your words. 

Peter could sense something was wrong, your tone and the look in your eyes being a dead giveaway. “What are you talking about, Y/N?” 

“I dunno Parker, why don’t you tell me. Because I have been stood up too many times this month and honestly, I’m sick and tired of your empty promises,” You huffed, turning around to face him with your arms tightly crossed over your chest. 

The brown-haired boy was baffled. “Look if this is about last week, I told you I’m sorry. You know how much being Spiderman means to me--”

“--More than it means being with me?” 

Peter’s facial expression made it seem like the question slapped him in the face. “What? No! Why would you think that?”

“Um for starters, you’re always ditching me to go play superhero with a billionaire. Every time you tell me you’re gonna make it up to me, you never do! Yesterday’s date was supposed to make up for the one you missed last week, and that one was supposed to make up for the one you missed two weeks prior! I’m seeing a pattern Parker and I don’t like it.” 

For some reason, his ears fell deaf to everything you said except for the mention of his alter-ego. “Playing superhero? Really Y/n? I’m saving lives! I’m making a difference here. I have these powers and if I don’t use them, and bad things happen, that’s on me. You have no idea the kind of responsibility I have. Besides, you should be happy for me! I’m better than I’ve ever been before. Don’t you get that?”

You bit your lip, fighting back tears. “Yeah, I guess you're right. Well...I’m sorry I don’t fit into your responsibilities.” 

“What? No that’s not--”

“I’m not done yet! You got what you always wanted, right? Your dream is now a reality, well good for you, Parker. I’m happy for you, really I am. I just wish you would’ve told me that dream didn’t involve me so I didn’t waste my time loving you,” You spat. 

“Wait, Y/N please--!”

“I mean, are you even sorry?” You cut him off again. “‘Cause you say it all the time but you never act like it. The Peter I knew would’ve put everything aside in order to right a wrong, but you, you just worry about yourself.” Yes, that was a low blow, and far from the truth, but in the heat of the moment you could hardly control the words coming out of your mouth. Months of pent up frustration being released kinda broke the filter. 

Peter looked like a kicked puppy, he tried to say something but you kept ranting. 

“When was the last time you hung out with Ned? Or had a real conversation with May? All of us are hurting, Peter. We’re your friends, your family. And all you do is jump the fence over to “Mr. Stark’s” at the blow of his dog whistle. But, hey, if that makes you happy then fucking good for you. I guess if I can’t give you any fancy tech, o-or ‘understand your responsibility’ then go ahead and cut me loose. No, really, I won’t mind--”

“Stop it! Just stop, please!” He had tears running down his face, similar to your own. He took a shaky breath, wiping away the tears roughly before giving you a heart-broken look. 

You stared back, shoulders shaking and eyes red. You sniffled, pointing a shaky arm to the window. “Get out.” It was quiet, a huge contrast to the previous volume of your voice, but suddenly the energy was drained from your body, mentally and emotionally. 

Peter left without a word or hesitation. 

You walked to the window, swaying slightly as you watched him swing off into the distance. 

So you got what you always wanted, live with the consequences. 

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

Again....not ecstatic about this turned out but hoping part 2 turns out better :/

All: @greenorangevioletgrass @allegra-writes @soraitmnt @worldoftom @farfromparker @angel-spidey @parkerpeter24 @god-knows-what-am-i-doing​ @the-panwitch @rebekkah4766 @hollandsamor @spideygirl2003 @theactualprincessofeverything

Peter Parker: @rubberducky-jrr 

[matbaerzal]

Let Me In | B. Boeser

Summary: friends to lovers, need I say more?? Warnings: a swear, jealousy.. it’s not edited  Words: 3K (whoops) Copyright © @matbaerzal 2020 All Rights Reserved

You’d never been good at sharing your feelings. There were only a handful of people that you let see your vulnerable side, and your best friend Brock was one of those people. Well, he had been, up until you realized you love him. It’d been a couple weeks since the realization and to say you were freaking out would be an understatement. You’d been out for lunch with him, and everything seemed normal at first; like any other lunch you’d had together. But then he had to go ahead and be nice and sweet and stupidly handsome.

You were sat at a small café on a Monday, and you’d mostly finished eating, now just snacking on whatever was left as you talked. A woman about the same age as you both walked in and you could hear her order a long list of drinks, reading the order off of a note in a hurry, before handing the note to the barista. It was probably over ten drinks and it left you wondering how she was going to hold them all when she left. As all her drinks were ready, she seemed to be wondering the same thing. She had four drink holders all containing four coffee cups each. You and Brock were both looking at her trying to stack the drinks one way or another when Brock stood up, and walked the short distance over to her. “You need some help there?” He said, catching her off guard a bit, making her almost lose balance of the drinks before Brock reached out to steady them. You could see the look on her face, it’s the face most women make when they see Brock. He’s probably the most handsome guy you’ve ever met, and it’s obvious that most other women think the same thing.

“Yes! Sorry, if you don’t mind, I just need to get them out into my car across the street. Thank you!” she rushed, seeming nervous in her speech. He took two of the drink holders and looked at you, “I’ll be right back”. They walked towards the door, “I’m sorry for interrupting your date” you heard her say, and just before they exited the café Brock replied “oh no, don’t worry, we’re just friends.” His words unexpectedly stung, and looking at the two of them smiling as they crossed the road made you feel uneasy. It looked like a scene out of a romantic comedy, and it made you feel sick. Why it made you feel that way, you had no idea, and the confusion only added to your spiralling mood. You could see Brock making his way back across the road, the smile on his face, just made you feel worse. Without thinking much you stood up from your seat. “Sorry, I have to go, I uh-, I’m meeting Katie in a bit” you lie, not being able to look at him as you do so. Well, it’s only a half lie, you are meeting your neighbour Katie later, but not for another 5 hours. “I thought that wasn’t until later today”, he says, because of course you’d told him that. “Yeah, um, she just sent me a text saying she can’t do later after all” you lie again, whilst gathering your things up nervously. He hesitates, before sighing. “Ok, let me drive you home then”.

The drive over is quiet, and they usually are. But unlike all the other times, you have a million thoughts swimming through your head and you can’t seem to catch any of them. For the first time ever the silence between you feels awkward. Brock drops you outside your apartment building, and you almost forget to hug him before you leave, because you’re too wrapped up in your own thoughts.

When you get to your floor, you walk straight past your own door to the next. Knocking frantically, hoping Katie was home. She opens the door, surprised to see it’s you. “I thought we weren’t meeting till later? Did Brock have to cancel lunch or something?”. You walk past her and slump down on her couch. “No, we already went” you exhale, frustrated. Your thoughts are still running a mile a minute. “What’s up with you?” Katie says, eyeing you as she sits down on the opposite side of the couch. She’s obviously noticed you’re in a bit of a mood. “I honestly have no idea” you admit. “How’s that?” she laughs. “I mean one minute I was completely fine, and then the next I just, I don’t even know” you splutter. She gives you a confused look, “did something happen at lunch?”.

You think back to Brock and the woman at the café and huff out. “Not really, I mean, It’s stupid” you say. “Try me” she challenges. So you tell her about the woman, and you try your best to explain how it made you feel and going over the story just makes you even more confused about your feelings. When you’re all done, Katie looks at you, and you can’t get a read on her expression. “Wow” she laughs, ”what do you mean, wow?” you don’t mean to snap. “I just thought you didn’t want to admit it to anyone else, but turns out you don’t even want to admit it to yourself” she says. You’re even more confused now, and before you can even say anything Katie chuckles, “you’re jealous!”. “What?” that’s the last thing you expected her to say. “No, there’s no way, I don’t have a reason to be jealous” you continue, and the second you say the word, it’s like a flood of feelings rush through your body. “Oh my god, fuck, I am jealous” you cover your face with your hands, the thought alone makes you terrified.

On Wednesday, Brock messages you and asks if you want to come over and watch a movie, you come up with an excuse as to why you can’t. Lying is much easier over text, you find. It’s not until Friday that you see him in person again. You couldn’t lie your way out of this one. Petey’s birthday had just been, so you’d been invited out for dinner to celebrate. It had been planned for a while now and it didn’t feel right to cancel, especially because you hadn’t seen Elias in a while. You hoped the fact that there would be a couple of other people there, and that you could drink some wine, would help your panicked state. You didn’t even know how you should act around Brock now.

When you arrived at the restaurant everyone was already there. Normally you’d be early, but you had spent a long time trying to figure out what to wear and even longer freaking out at the fact that you now cared so much about your appearance. Upon seeing you, Brock practically jumped out of his seat to greet you with a hug. You hesitantly wrap your arms around him. “What took you so long?” he said, still not letting go yet. “I’m not that late, am I?” you mumble, feeling guilty now, and he finally lets go of you. You quickly move to Petey and lean down to give him a hug where he’s sat. “Happy Birthday” you say as you hand him your gift. “Thank you. It’s only 10 past Brock, she’s really not that late” he says. Looking up you greet the other guests, noticing that you’ve even arrived before a couple of people. “Just considering she’s always early” Brock mumbles. When Brock pulls out the chair next to him for you to sit down, you pretend you don’t see and sit down next to Petey on the opposite side of the table instead. Brock gives you a funny look, and to avoid being asked about it you turn to Petey again, “you can open your gift now if you want.”

The rest of the guests arrive shortly after you, and now you’ve all had your mains. You’ve had a bit more wine than you’d normally have, to try to drown the awkwardness you feel between you and Brock. You’d barely spoken a word to each other, despite his best efforts to start a conversation with you. Now that you’re waiting for dessert, you’re in deep thought, the conversations around you just noise. That is until you hear Brock say your name. “Sorry, what?” you say as you turn to look at him. “I was just telling Petey about Vanessa, the girl at the café” He says. “What about her?” you say, trying to keep your voice level and unaffected. You take a sip of your drink to try to collect yourself. “Well, she gave me her number, and we’re actually going out for dinner tomorrow” He exclaims. You try your best not to spit your wine out all over the table, swallowing too quickly, which then causes a coughing fit. Petey pats you on the back, not being able to keep himself from laughing at you a little. “That’s- That’s great” you manage to say once the coughing calms down.

Brock looks confused and you’re afraid your fake excitement didn’t convince him. The way he’s looking at you is too much, and you want to run away like you did the last time. Instead you excuse yourself and go to the bathroom. Once there you do the first thing that comes to mind. Katie doesn’t take long to pick up her phone. She doesn’t even bother saying hello, “How are you hanging in there?”. You can hear her smirk over the phone. “This isn’t funny Katie, I can’t even look at him without blushing” you groan. “And now he’s going on a date with that café lady tomorrow!” you continue. “Oh” she pauses “I’m sorry”. You sigh “I can’t hide in a bathroom forever, but I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing if I stay”. “Maybe go sit with someone else, and leave a bit earlier” she suggests. “Yeah, I guess I could do that,” it wouldn’t be too weird if you sat down and socialized with the other guests. So that’s what you do, luckily there’s a free seat next to Jake. You see Brock look at you in the corner of your eye, but you don’t look over. You try your best to focus on the ongoing conversation. The rest of the night you only look at him when you know he’s not looking at you. He looks distant, and you don’t hear him talk much the rest of the night. You make it through dessert before you go over to Elias to say goodbye. Before Brock can get up to hug you, you’re on your way to the door. You don’t notice the upset in his eyes as you leave without acknowledging him.

The next day all you can think about is the fact that Brock is going on a date. And after a lengthy conversation with Katie you’ve come to the conclusion that you can’t continue like this. He’s your best friend, and whilst you’ve now realized that you have feelings for him, he clearly doesn’t feel the same. If he did, he wouldn’t be on a date with Vanessa. You’d have to live with that, you couldn’t lose him as your friend, you would have to get over him somehow. For now all you wanted to do was sulk on the couch with a movie in the background. Trying your best not to think about Brock and Vanessa, and how they were probably having a great time. And that this was probably only the first of many dates, you’d have to meet her properly one day and pretend you’re ok with it. Brock would normally text you after a date to tell you how it went. So, when he doesn’t, you assume the worst. It had gone so well that he’d already forgotten all about you.

It’s not until late Monday that he calls you. The days in-between you’d spent moping around, trying to get a grip. Katie had tried her best to get you out, but you had simply been too stubborn. You hesitate before deciding to answer. Your heart feels like it’s beating out of your chest when you hear his voice. “Hey, can I come over?” he says. “Sure, yeah” you say, “ok, good, I’ll be right over” he answers before hanging up. Usually he’d just show up, without calling, so the fact that he felt like he had to call now just made you nervous. You quickly go to the bathroom to freshen yourself up, not wanting him to see the state you’re in. He’d know straight away that you weren’t feeling well and he wouldn’t give in until you tell him what’s wrong. You’d just managed to fix your hair a bit and change your clothes when there’s a knock on your door.

“How did the date go?” you ask, feeling a lump form in your throat. Brock walks past you, ignoring your question. A look of frustration adorns his face as he sits down on your couch. “Why did you ignore me at Petey’s birthday?” he presses. You freeze in your spot, “Wha-, Why-, I didn’t ignore you” you insist. “Please don’t lie to me” he sighs, running his hand through his hair, “just tell me what’s wrong”. You look down on the floor, still stuck where you’re standing, “nothing’s wrong, I’m fine” you manage to get out. You know straight away that he’ll see right through it. He sighs “Stop pretending you’re okay, because I know you’re not.” When you look up at him, he’s staring right back. The sadness in his eyes captivates you and you can’t look away. You could stare at his eyes forever, but he doesn’t let you as he tears his gaze away, looking at his hands. Before you can come up with another excuse he speaks up again. “You always pull away from people when something is wrong, and I’ve tried to give you space, because normally you come to me eventually and tell me what’s wrong.” His eyes find yours again before he continues, “but you’ve pulled away from me completely and I’m scared because I don’t know what I did wrong.. Just talk to me, please” His voice breaking as he pleads you.

Knowing that telling him anything but the truth wouldn’t be fair now, you take a deep shuddering breath before moving to sit down on the opposite end of the couch. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Brock” you sigh, “Then wha-” he starts before you interrupt him. “No, please just let me talk, because there’s no way I’ll tell you if you don’t let me” he gives you an apologetic look and gestures for you to continue. His eyes are studying your face, and you feel incredibly shy. It hurts to think that you’ve caused this yourself. You put a distance between the two of you, he blamed himself for it, and here he is desperate to know why you pulled away. Giving you the time and space you need to gather up the courage to tell him.

“I realized something a couple of days ago. Something that absolutely terrifies me, and telling you will change everything. But, I can’t lie to you anymore” Whenever you lie to him you can’t even look him in the eyes, so to make sure he knows you’re telling the truth you gather up all your strength to maintain eye contact as you’re about to change your relationship forever. You expect he’ll need time to process, and it’ll be awkward, but hopefully you’re not about to lose your best friend forever. “I was jealous of Vanessa when you met her at the café, and it only got worse at Petey’s birthday when you told me you were going on a date with her. That’s why I left the café early and that’s why I couldn’t even look at you during Petey’s birthday dinner. Because a couple days ago I realized that I love you, Brock” It feels as if the weight of the world has lifted off of your shoulders and you can’t stop yourself before you continue. “I love you, and I know you don’t feel the same, so I was terrified that if I told you that you’d freak out and I’d lose you as a friend. So I just needed some space to get over my feelings, because I can’t lose you. I can’t not be your friend, you mean too much to me”

You’re not sure what his reaction would be, but he’s just sitting there looking at you. Now he’s the one that is frozen in his spot, and you assume that he’ll need some space once he processes your confession. So you take your time looking at him, taking in all the small details about him. His hair that needs a trim soon, his broad shoulders, and his stupid, cute face. And his lips, that are now slightly smirking. No, that can’t be right. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, the whole time” He suddenly says, which leaves you even more confused. Seeing your confusion he continues, “You asked me how my date went.” In a flash the jealousy is back, but as quickly as it came it disappears when he says, “All I could think about was you, and why you were ignoring me. And more importantly, how that made me feel. The whole time I was comparing her to you, and I realized something too.” He’s definitely smirking now, clearly seeing something you aren’t, “what did you realize?” you ask him. “That I love you too, obviously”. He moves closer to you on the couch and by the time he’s next to you, you register what he just said “you love me?” you stuttered. “Yeah, and you love me, right?” he smiles, leaning in closer and closer. A smile finds your lips “I love you” you confirm. His hand slides around the nape of your neck, leaning in his nose brushes against yours. Your lips almost touching as you close your eyes, your hand finds his t-shirt as you pull him in the rest of the way. It’s unlike any other first kiss you’ve ever had, like you were meant for this. It feels like everything is falling into place and you are right where you’re meant to be.

[fanficimagery]

Someone You Loved

Summary: Imagine being in an abusive relationship that you've managed to hide from your friends. But after one fight in particular, you realize you can't keep this secret anymore.

Words: 3K Warnings: Mention of abuse. Language.

For the last two and a half years, your relationship with Adam has been a rocky one. He wasn't exactly what you were looking for in a boyfriend at the time he showed interest in you, but you grew to love him and all his flaws. You fell hard and there was nothing that could make you leave him. Not even the fights.

The fighting had started off small, the main problem being your social media. Adam would nitpick your selfies and grumble about the comments being made by guys you once went to school with. Then he'd try to control what you posted and would eventually throw a temper tantrum when you didn't take the post down. And if there was alcohol involved, you always managed to be pushed into a wall or wake up with a few new bruises from where he had grabbed you too tight.

But then you met a group of vloggers and numerous friendships blossomed. Adam was his usual charming, goofy self when the girls were around, but he was on sudden edge when the boys were there. His comments became crueler, he was a bit more aggressive, and he suddenly had need of you all the time to keep you from hanging out with others.

Hiding bruises became second nature, as did coming up with excuses on the spot if a bruise was spotted. The emotional abuse was a bit harder to mask, but you managed to paste on a smile and get through the day without making anyone suspicious.

You knew you couldn't keep this secret forever, hell you didn't really want to, but Adam was your first real love and you didn't know how to break it off. Fortunately for you, the decision would be taken out of your hands.

Adam has decided to go out with his boys, so you drive over to David's where they're having a casual kick-back. You sometimes made appearances in their videos, but you had to be careful to choose when to hang out because you couldn't risk a viewer spotting a bruise or noticing particular behavior you sometimes showcased when voices or hands were raised. But luckily for you, you and Adam have had a good couple of weeks and you were stoked to finally be with your friends again.

There are cheers and whoops of joy when you enter the house, and a drink is immediately shoved into your hand. Your friends all readily hug you in greeting and you're pulled down onto a beanbag with Matt and Carly.

"Where have you been?" Matt asks. "It feels like forever since I've last seen you."

You chuckle. "Sorry. I've been busy with work and Adam."

"Speaking of, how is Adam? We don't see him anymore," Carly muses.

"He, uh, he's not a fan of the whole filming and documenting everything on social media." You shrug and hope they're not too offended. "He actually went out with his boys tonight which is why I came over as soon as I could."

"Girl," Matt drawls, "you must be really secure in your relationship. I've seen Adam and even I can admit that boy is a looker. Did you really just let him out with his boys?"

"Yeah." Smiling shakily as thoughts of a now cheating boyfriend assault your mind, you take a sip of your drink and hope it's not actually true.

Your friends seem to drop all talk of Adam and you easily find yourself conversing with them about anything and everything. Several people are walking around with cameras, taking pictures and video of all the crazy antics going on. You pose for several of the pictures, drink in hand and making faces with the friends you've missed. The alcohol seems to be flowing and Zane's a riot in his drunken state, but you eventually switch to water because you know you have to drive home.

But soon enough, your phone starts buzzing and buzzing. Text after text after text comes through, all from Adam. He's apparently seen the photos and videos you've been tagged in on Instagram, and he's not impressed. In fact, he's livid if the insults are anything to go by.

He's calling you every derogatory name under the sun and even accusing you of cheating, screenshotting the pictures you'd taken with Jeff, David, and Todd as his so called proof.

Sighing after the umpteenth text has come through, you stand up and make your way towards a more quiet place in the house. But on your way to the bathroom, an incoming call comes through and you immediately answer it upon seeing Adam's name pop up.

The following call goes as expected, Adam accusing you of cheating and demanding you get your ass home as soon as possible. You obviously deny everything, only to end up in tears as he continues to degrade you over the phone. Eventually though you've had enough, caving and promising to be home in ten minutes.

Once your phone is tucked away in the back pocket of your jeans, you face the mirror to clean up the damage done after that argument. You turn on the water to wash your face, also using the water to cool down and pray the puffiness of your eyes go away. Then drying off, you give yourself a minute and curse the fact that you can still tell you'd been crying.

Inhaling deeply, you brace yourself for running into your friends on the way out. Unfortunately, as soon as you open the bathroom door, Erin is standing there with the guiltiest of smiles. She's heard everything.

"Hey," she calmly muses, "is everything okay?"

"Y-Yeah. Everything's good. I'm just- I'm gonna head home."

"Are you sure? That phone call sounded pretty rough."

"Yeah." Against your will, your eyes tear up and you chuckle nervously to play it off. "Adam's just had a lot to drink and he's not too fond of the boys. He's pretty insecure and you've seen our boys. They're hot and openly affectionate."

Erin laughs. "So what? He doesn't trust you? You, the girl who has stars in her eyes when her boyfriend is brought up in conversation?"

Shrugging, you say, "Like I said, he's had a lot to drink."

For the first time, you see Erin be hesitant to accept your answer. But eventually she pastes on another smile and laughs it off. "Yeah. Okay. We need to have lunch soon. I've missed hanging out with you."

"Of course." Leaning forward, you hug her. "It was good hanging out. Just text me whenever you want to hang."

Erin watches Y/N leave, her smile falling as soon as Y/N disappears around the corner. She had only been waiting for the bathroom when she saw it was occupied, but she got curious when the yelling and crying started. She had thought the voice was familiar, but she hadn't known who it was until the door opened. Then seeing Y/N standing there with puffy, red rimmed eyes made her realize something was up. Especially after hearing about an insecure Adam because as long as she's known him, he was never insecure.

But Erin lets it go and continues on with her night. She ignores her gut feeling that something is up and it isn't until nearly an entire hour later that her gut feeling proved to be right.

Only Erin, Carly, David, Natalie, Jeff, and Zane remain. Jeff and Natalie have been working to get Zane a bit sobered up so his hangover isn't as gnarly in the morning, and David and Erin are attempting to scribble on Carly's face since she was the only one to fall asleep.

Erin's phone dings with an incoming text, but she briefly ignores it. Then another comes in, followed by another.

David laughs. "Someone's popular tonight. Either that or TJ's wondering where you're at."

Erin giggles and pulls her phone up, she skimming through the text. Her smile quickly falls. "Um, guys? I think something's wrong."

David looks up from his own phone. "What? Why?"

"Because earlier, before Y/N left, I heard her arguing on the phone with Adam. She was yelling and crying, and I've never heard her like that before." By now, Jeff and Natalie have stopped messing with Zane and are listening to Erin talk. "She tried explaining it away as Adam having too much to drink, but she seemed almost scared that I wouldn't believe her. And now I get these texts from her- texts that are half finished or just random letters. But the last one that came through, all it says is help."

"Call her," Jeff says, Natalie and David agreeing with him.

Erin nods and calls Y/N, but it rings and rings until it goes to voicemail. She hangs up and tries again. Same thing.

"I don't like this," David frowns.

"Neither do I." Erin's about to call again when another text comes in. "Oh. It's a text. A voice message."

Erin hits play and the small group listen to what can only be their friend being beaten. Adam can be heard yelling, Y/N shouting back and crying, as well as glass breaking and furniture being thrown around. Y/N can clearly be heard telling Adam to stop and then nothing. There's grunting and gasping, and Adam telling Y/N that it's all her fault before cutting out.

"We're going over there." Jeff stands, hands fisted at his sides.

Erin immediately stands, followed by David who looks at a shell-shocked Natalie. "Wake up Carly and tell her what's going on. I'll call you with updates."

"Y-Yeah. Of course. I'll, uh, I'll call one of the other boys to help me with Zane."

          - X - X - X - X - X -

Crawling up onto the couch in a daze, you look around at your completely trashed apartment and start to cry all over again. You and Adam fighting was nothing out of the norm, but his sudden rage was. The hitting was always in a place that could easily be covered up, but tonight it wasn't. His hands always gripped your arms or wrists, but tonight they didn't.

Tonight was completely different and even Adam knew things had gone way too far if his sudden disappearance was anything to go by.

You're still sitting in the same place when there's a frantic knock on your apartment door, you cringing when Erin, Jeff, and David can be heard shouting your name. You knew this was inevitable when you had texted Erin in a panic, but still you can't help but feel uneasy at them seeing you like this. The moment your phone starts to ring from somewhere in the wreckage though, you know you have to get up and answer your door.

And the moment your door opens, you don't dare meet any of their gazes.

"Y/N, what the fuck?" Erin says, her breath leaving her in a rush. Tears start streaming down your face once more and you don't fight Erin when she steps forward to wrap her arms around you.

Jeff and David step around the two of you, and then Erin's ushering you inside. "I'm sorry," you manage to squeak, flinching at the pain in your throat.

"Oh honey, don't be. You did the right thing in reaching out."

"Where is he?" Jeff wonders. Apparently he and David had made a quick sweep of your apartment.

You shrug. "I don't- I don't know. I woke up and he was gone."

Erin tenses. "Woke up? Y/N, what do you mean by when you woke up?"

When you don't immediately answer, it leaves your friends a moment to really take a look at you. "Are those bruises around your neck?" David then asks.

Erin immediately steps back and though you want to hide from their eyes, you don't. Not anymore. So instead you tilt your head to the side and let them see what you're guessing are bruises that look suspiciously like fingers wrapped around your neck. Jeff quietly curses. "He, uh, he was pretty angry," you tell them, expression crumpling. "But it was my fault," you're then quick to say. "I knew he wasn't fond of you guys, but yet I still took all those pictures with you."

Jeff frowns. "Don't defend him. If he's an insecure piece of shit, then that's on him. Pictures with your friends does not mean he gets to beat you and choke you out."

You continue to cry and let Erin embrace you again, she now crying with you.

"Y/N," David starts, rubbing the back of his neck, "how long has this been going on?"

You don't answer.

"Y/N, how long?" He asks again.

"Since- since the start. It started off as small things, but then he got more aggressive and controlling after I met you guys."

"Motherfucker." Jeff shakes his head, his body tense in his own rage.

"Honey, I think you should go to the hospital," Erin says. "Your throat has bruised pretty fast, there's a gash on your cheek, and you need to make sure there's no damage anywhere else."

"But-"

"No buts, Y/N. This is serious."

"It also needs to be reported," David says. "This has gone on long enough."

Your mind and your heart are at odds with one another- your mind telling you your friends are right, but your heart telling you that you love Adam and shouldn't turn him in. But while you loved him, you also know that if something isn't done then the abuse will only continue.

"I- okay," you eventually agree. "Lets go to the hospital."

Reporting the abuse and pressing charges against Adam had been the hardest thing you ever had to do, followed by opening up to your friends and admitting everything to them. They were, of course, angry and confused as to why you would stay in that relationship, but they were there for you every step of the way.

Erin, and TJ after he had been informed of what was going on, volunteered their spare bedroom to you so you wouldn't recuperate on your own. And then when you'd gone back to your apartment to pack a bag, you discovered all of Adam's belongings, including some of your own, were missing. Your friends were shocked at Adam's ballsy move, but it only secured it more in their minds that you shouldn't be on your own, especially when Adam still had access to the apartment.

It wasn't long before Adam was picked up by the Police, but you knew he wouldn't be gone for long. He was looking at months in jail, less if he found a way to post bail. Which he did.

So with Adam out and about, your friends helped you talk to your building owner to let them know what was going on. Fortunately for you, the building owner was understanding and let you out of the lease without any hassle. And afterward, David was quick to ask you to move in until you were ready to be on your own again. You agreed.

It takes a while to get healthy again, both mentally and physically. Your friends stick it out with you, encouraging you in every aspect of your life along the way. So months later, it's no surprise to find you on a hike with Jeff and Todd.

          - X - X - X - X - X -

"How've you been?" Todd asks, panting.

Having just sprinted up an incline, you glare at your friend for daring to try getting you to talk so soon. Seeing your glare, Jeff laughs. "Fine," you grunt. Jeff passes you the mouth-piece to the water pack and you eagerly drink. Feeling a little better, you say, "Started looking at apartments, but David and Natalie keep making excuses for me to not move out yet."

Jeff grins. "They love you. We all love you and you seem more content when you're surrounded by your friends."

"Aw," you coo, reaching out and poking him in the cheek, "you going soft on me, Wittek?"

He rolls his eyes, chuckling, and moves out of reach. "Stop."

"Are you- are you blushing?" Todd laughs, teasing him too. "Or are you still red from the run?"

"You two are assholes. I don't know why I keep bringing you with me on these hikes."

"It's because you love us." You sidle up next to Jeff, wrapping an arm around his waist and grinning up at him. He returns the grin and then laughs when Todd joins in on the sideways hug, sandwiching you in the middle.

Then taking out his phone, Todd holds his sideways. "Lets take a selfie and post it. We all know Y/N's page is still being stalked, so it'll be fun to ruffle up some feathers."

"You really do love pressing Adam's buttons now, don't you?" You muse, shaking your head in amusement.

"Hell yes. He's a little bitch," Todd says. You, Jeff, and Todd quickly smile for the picture, you then laughing when they lean down and press a kiss to each of your cheeks in the next. "He deserves to see you flourishing without his abusive ass. Flaunt your freedom, babygirl."

"Okay one," you start, "never call me babygirl again." Todd laughs at your grimace. "And two, send me those pictures." You sigh when Todd cheers. "It's time I start posting what I want to post and stop second guessing whether or not it's going to piss off the ex."

"Atta girl."

As Todd walks ahead, Jeff keeps pace with you. "Don't worry about Adam," he says. "If he wants to get to you, he's going to have a lot of people to get through."

"Yeah. He will, won't he?" You look at the trail you need to take to get back down off the hill. Then picking up speed, you flash him a grin over your shoulder. "Last one down has to buy a round of post-hike smoothies."

You take off running then, passing up Todd and cackling at his next words. "Goddammit. Not again!"

[theydontknowaboutusimagines]

Behind The Family - Harry Styles Mini Series (Part 2)

Part 1 

2020

You woke up to the sound of soft giggling in your bedroom. You turned around on your bed to see your husband tickling the twins as they leaned against his leg. You smiled as you watched the smile on their faces and their tiny hands trying to push Harry’s large hands away from their bellies. 

“Whoops, looks like we woke Mummy up,” Harry said. “Sorry, love.” 

“Nothing to be sorry for,” you smiled. “I love waking up to the sound of baby giggles.”

He laughed kissing your forehead, “They woke up about an half hour ago. They’ve been fed and changed, so now it’s playtime.” 

“Aren’t you super dad,” you smiled sitting up beside. 

“Took you long enough to realize this,” he joked. 

You rolled your eyes and took Finn into your arms when he reached out for you. 

“Such a Mummy’s boy,” Harry laughed snuggling with Amelia. 

“He takes after his Daddy,” you pointed out. 

“That he does,” he smirked. 

You laughed as you wrapped your arms around your baby boy and he placed his head against your chest. You smiled kissing the top of his head as you rubbed his back. 

“Speaking of super dad, your first Father’s Day is coming up,” you smiled. “Is there anything special you want to do?” 

“Other than spend time with my babies, no,” he smiled. 

“Oh, so you’re okay with watching them while I go to the spa or something?” You joked. 

“Hey now! That’s not what I meant,” he laughed. “I meant all of us. You’re my baby too.” 

“Damn, there goes my plans,” you giggled. 

“Ha-Ha, you’re so funny,” Harry rolled his eyes. 

“Hey, you know I’m fucking hilarious!” You pointed out. 

Harry gasped covering Amelia’s ears causing her to giggle, “Y/N! How dare you use such language around the children.” 

“I slipped! Besides I get it from you,” you smirked. “I talked like a saint before I met you then it was down hill and bunch of F-bombs from there.” 

“Oh, puhlease,” He shook his head “You wish. I seem to remember you not being very saint like at all especially when you came waltzing into my room wanting to me undress you.” 

“Hey! I needed help,” you defended. “And you didn’t exactly turn me away.” 

“Because you were hot,” he said in a duh tone. 

“Am I not hot now?” You raised an eyebrow. 

“Now as in general, or now as in literally right now with your bedhead and sleepy eyes?” He joked. 

“You better watch it,” you pointed at him. 

He laughed, “Baby, you know you’re still hot. In fact, I think you may actually be hotter now than back then.”

“God, you make it sound like it was forever ago,” you laughed. “We’re not old even though you do dress like a grandpa sometimes.” 

“I do not!” He exclaimed. 

“Eh...” you shrugged. 

“Well then,” Harry said. “I guess I’ll go downstairs and make breakfast for myself and no one else.” 

“Good thing I’m perfectly capable of making my own breakfast,” you smirked. 

Harry looked back at you sticking his tongue out at you causing the babies to laugh and clap their hands. You and Harry both lost it when the babies tried to stick their tongues out as well. 

“They’re so cute,” you smiled. “We make some cute babies, don’t we?” 

“Yeah, we do,” he smiled tickling Amelia’s belly causing her to giggle. 

**

A few days have passed and you were still trying to place something special for Harry’s first Father’s Day, especially since he did such an amazing and thoughtful job on your first Mother’s Day. You were on the computer searching for ideas while the babies were napping and Harry had gone to the gym. You didn’t want it to be too over the top, but you didn’t want it to be small either. 

While searching on the internet wasn’t the most helpful, you decided to look at the folder of photos on your laptop instead. You smiled as you looked through all of the photos you’ve taken of Harry with the babies and during your pregnancy. That’s when you got the idea for a gift. You quickly gathered all of the photos you wanted to use in the collage and put them in an order. 

The middle and largest photo was one of Harry holding the babies for the first time in the hospital. He was shirtless, holding the two bundle of joys in his arms, as he looked down at them. Tears had fallen down his cheeks and it was one of your favorite photos you’ve ever taken. Surrounding that photo, you had chosen some of your favorites of him with the babies and of you from your pregnancy. You used those as a border for the larger photo, leaving a space for a caption “Happy 1st Father’s Day! We love you - Finneas and Amelia Styles” and a spot to put their handprints in the shape of a heart. 

Once you were happy with the outcome, you sent the photo to one of the poster/photo companies you work with when you need large scales of your photos printed. Just as you were finishing up, you heard the front door being opened. You quickly finalized your order and closed your laptop before turning around to greet your husband. 

“Hey baby,” you smiled. “How was the gym?” 

“Great,” he said. “I’m going to feeling in tomorrow though.” 

He grabbed some water from the kitchen before walking over to you and giving you a kiss. “How’d everything go here?” 

“The babies have been sleeping and I got some work done,” you said. 

He nodded, “I’m going to go shower and then I’ll take over baby duty if you want to rest.” 

“You’re the best,” you smiled. 

He smiled kissing you again before heading up to the bedroom. When Harry was out of sight, you grabbed your phone and started texting Harry L about setting up some things for Harry’s other Father’s Day gift. It was always a pain trying to find something the man hasn’t already got for himself or something he wouldn’t just go out and buy himself. Luckily, Harry L had gotten word of some new things from various designers and instead of telling Harry about them first, he contacted you. 

You had looked at the different pictures and chose a few pieces which you would be picking up in a few days. After taking care of that, you decided to look through the kitchen to make sure you had all the ingredients to make Harry’s favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You wrote down everything you didn’t have and made plans to go to the market tomorrow. 

While you are doing that, Harry had made his way down from taking a shower and wrapped his arms around you. 

“Whatcha doing?” He asked putting his head in your neck. 

“Just making a grocery list,” you said. “I’ll probably be going tomorrow if that’s okay.” 

“Should be,” he nodded. “I’ll be home most of the day.” 

You smiled turning around to face him, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Babies still asleep?” 

“They are,” he nodded. “I checked in on them before coming down.” 

“Sooo hypothetically if we wanted to have some Mummy and Daddy time... we could?” You raised an eyebrow. 

“Hypothetically, yes I believe we could,” he said. 

“Good to know,” you said unwrapping your arms from him and going back to your list. 

“Hey! Wait a minute,” he groaned. “What are you doing?” 

“Finishing my list,” you said. 

“So, we’re not going to be having any Mummy and Daddy time?” He pouted. 

“It was hypothetical remember,” you said. 

“That’s not fair,” he groaned. 

You laughed shaking your head, “Oh don’t be pouting. It was a joke, now come on,” you said taking his hand and pulling him towards the bedroom. 

**

It was finally the big day. Harry’s first Father’s Day since the twins were born. All of his gifts turned out perfect and were neatly wrapped and ready to be given. You made sure to wake up before him, so that you could sneak down to the kitchen with the babies to start making breakfast. You fed the babies and put them in their chairs with some toys while they watched you get to work on making breakfast. 

You softly played music as you danced around the kitchen, the babies loving every second of it. They even started to join in by moving their heads and arms around as they sat there. Even though you were cooking a lot of food, it didn’t take very long to finish everything up. You brought everything to the table that you decorated and just when you moved the babies over to the table, Harry started making his way down. 

“Happy Father’s Day!” You smiled quickly. 

Harry smiled sleepily as he scratched his belly walking towards his little family, “Thank you,” he smiled kissing you first and kissing the top of the babies head. “This looks delicious. I smelled it all the way from our room.” 

“I know it’s a little much for the two of us, but it makes great leftovers we can eat the rest of the week,” you smiled. 

“I’ll need to make sure I spend some extra time at the gym or some more Mummy and Daddy time,” he winked. 

“Behave,” you giggled hitting his shoulder. “Now, go ahead and sit down. I just need to get our drinks.” 

Harry sat down and looked over at the babies. They were staring at him as they chewed on their tiny hands. 

“Are you two hungry?” He laughed. “You’re still too young to have these, but I bet we’ve got some yummy baby food for you.” 

“On it!” You smiled grabbing some baby oatmeal and mixing it up for them and bringing it over. You handed one bowl to Harry, while you two the other bowl. 

Both of you started feeding the babies in-between bites of your own food. 

“One of these days I feel like I’m going to put the wrong spoon of food in my mouth,” Harry laughed. 

“Oh, I know,” you giggled. “Don’t jinx us, now.” 

After breakfast was over, Harry took the babies into the living room while you finished cleaning up. Once you were done, you went to join Harry. 

“Thank you, baby,” he smiled. “Breakfast was so good.” 

“You’re welcome,” you smiled. “Now, do you want all of your gifts now or later. Or would you rather have them scattered out throughout the day?” 

“Baby, you didn’t have to get me anything,” he groaned. 

“Says the man who went a little overboard with my gifts,” you pointed out. 

“That’s different,” he stated. 

“How so?” You asked. 

“Because I love giving more than receiving,” he said. 

“Don’t I know it,” you winked.

“Behave!” He mocked. 

You laughed, “Anyway, and that’s exactly why you deserve every little bit from today. Now, how do you want to do this?” 

“We can scatter them out, I guess,” he said. 

“Okay! I’ll go get the first one,” you smiled. 

The first one was something small. You had gotten him a ring with the babies’ birthstone and their birthday engraved on the inside. It also had two tiny gems on the side with your and Harry’s birthstones. 

“Oh, wow,” he whispered opening it up. “Y/N, this is beautiful. I love it.” 

You smiled, “I knew you had been talking about getting a ring or something for the kids, so I decided to get one for you. It works as both a ring or if you wanted to wear it on your necklace chain too.” 

“I love it, so much, thank you,” he smiled leaning over to kiss you, which was a bit difficult since the babies were cuddling into his chest. 

“You’re welcome,” you smiled. 

The rest of the day was spent with the babies and some more time for Mummy and Daddy. You also gave him the rest of the his gifts, which were mostly new shirts, shoes, and sunglasses. However, you made sure to wait on giving him the photo until after dinner. The babies had been put to bed and the two of you were enjoying his favorite dessert. 

“Now, there’s one more present left,” you said getting up from the couch. 

“Geez, Y/N,” he laughed. “You’ve already given me a shit ton already.” 

“I know, I know, but this is my favorite one and I know it’s going to be yours too,” you smiled. 

“Okay, now you’re killing me here,” he laughed. “What is it?” 

You went into the other room, pulling out this massive wrapped picture frame you had hidden behind a bookshelf. When Harry saw you with it, his eyes widen at the size. 

“Bloody hell, why’s it so big,” he laughed. 

“That’s what she said,” you joked. 

“Really, Y/N?” He laughed. 

“Sorry! Sorry, the wine’s getting to be a bit,” you giggled. “But go ahead and open it.” 

Harry put down his wine glass and quickly started tearing at the wrapping paper. He knew exactly what it was the second he torn the paper and saw the picture frame. Once all the paper was off, he took in every inch of the photo or should he say photos. 

He bit his lip as tears threaten to spill over at the sight of his babies tiny hands in the shape of a heart. Harry didn’t say anything for what felt like forever. You knew it was mostly because he was probably overwhelmed, but you couldn’t help, but wonder if it he didn’t like it. 

“So, what do you think?” You asked. 

“I love it,” he said not looking up from it. “It’s amazing. I can’t believe... well I mean I can believe you’d do something like this, but seeing it... damn it.. this is without a doubt the best thing I’ve never received. Thank you so fucking much.” 

You smiled wrapping your arms around him, “You’re welcome.” 

“I love you,” he whispered putting his head ontop of yours as he wraps his arms around you as well. 

“I love you, too,” you smiled. “Happy Father’s Day.” 

Harry smiled leaning down to press his lips against yours. It may have only been his first Father’s Day ever in his life, but it was already his most favorite one yet. 

[chaptersinprogress]

demolition lovers  |  4

"P'King!"

Sighing, he closed his eyes and sent the heavens a quick prayer for patience. Speak of the devil.

Rating: T

Warnings: mild swearing

Pairings: Ram/King; Bohn/Duen

King frowned as he checked his watch. What was taking Bohn so long? Surely the meeting with the professors hadn't run that late. He sighed and shot Mek a text.

K: I'm at the Gear Statue. Where are you guys? Is the case still being discussed?

M: Still outside the Dean's office. They're taking longer than expected. Might be more serious than we thought.

K: Damn. Still can't believe it was the archi department the nongs brawled with. We've always had a decent relationship with them.

M: Yeah. But don't worry, we haven't seen any sign of the med kid yet. We'll make sure Bohn doesn't run into him.

K: Thanks. Sorry for taking up your afternoon.

M: Bohn's our friend, it's nothing.

King pocketed his phone with a smile. Mek and Boss were far too good to them. He swung his bag onto his shoulder as he got up. He'd better go find the Year 1s now, or he'd be late for their tutoring session.

"P'King!"

Sighing, he closed his eyes and sent the heavens a quick prayer for patience. Speak of the devil. Opening his eyes, he found Duen standing in front of him, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"N'Duen," he said coldly.

Duen flinched slightly at his tone. "Ah, sorry to trouble you, P'King. Do you mind helping me pass this to P'Bohn? I didn't manage to find him this morning to pass them to him myself."

"Don't worry, you can consider the deal over. You needn't bother."

"But I want to," Duen replied slightly desperately. "I have to make it up for hurting him."

King let his eyes fall to the bouquet Duen clutched. Purple hyacinths were interspersed with daffodils, all enclosed within a ring of fresh snowdrops. He mentally catalogued the flowers - forgiveness, new beginnings, hope.

"And why should I pass this to Bohn?" he asked. "What are you expecting, N'Duen?"

"I...I..." began Duen, stammering. He took a deep breath. "I wish to court P'Bohn!"

King raised his eyebrows. "Oh? But I thought you found his attention... troublesome."

Duen flushed. "I didn't mean it that way! It's just... P'Bohn can be kind of forceful. And there are a lot of people who aren't happy about his attention being on me, so...um... they take it out on me. It's a bit scary sometimes," he admitted.

King felt himself soften slightly. He'd grown up with Bohn and knew first-hand just how aggressive he could get when he wanted something. That and people could get very ugly sometimes, especially when it came to matters of the heart. 

No wonder the kid had reacted so strongly. The stress of being pushed around by Bohn and the others had slowly built until he'd finally exploded. Bohn had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"But are you willing to deal with this?" King pressed. "There will probably be many times in the future that situations like this occur again. Who's to say that you won't react the way you did again? I don't want to watch my best friend get hurt."

Duen considered the question carefully. "P'King, I cannot guarantee you that I will never hurt P'Bohn again. We are both human, and we will end up making mistakes, some of which will hurt each other."

"But I can promise you that I've had the week to think about this,” he continued. “And I'm sure that P'Bohn is worth the effort. The future may be uncertain, but I'm willing to apologise for the mistakes I've made and will end up making. And if P'Bohn will have me, I hope to stay by his side for a long time."

King searched Duen's face for the slightest hint of insincerity, finding none. And the fact was, the type of relationship Duen and Bohn had was between the two of them. He had no right to determine it. Caving, he took the bouquet.

"Fine. I'll help you pass this to Bohn. But- !" he said as a smile spread across Duen's face. "First you'll need to convince Bohn to accept you on your own. Then you'll have to convince me that you're a good match for him."

Duen nodded frantically. "Yes, P'King! Thank you for giving me a chance!"

King sighed, already beginning to regret the decision. "Alright, alright. Scram," he said, walking off to find the Year 1s.

"P'King, over here!" shouted Phu.

King raised his hand in acknowledgement and strode over to the group of Years 1s huddled together at a bench in the Engineering Faculty's garden.

"Hello nongs, I've heard that you need some help. Your midterms coming up?" he asked, leaning against the side of the table.

Phu nodded frantically. "Yes Phi, but we're all lost when it comes to indeterminate forms of limits and L'Hospital's rule."

"Ah. Yeah, it can be a bit tricky to wrap your head around at first. Let me see, we can work through an example together."

King spent the next ten minutes explaining the concepts, first to the entire group, then tailoring the explanation to suit the individuals who still couldn't fully grasp it. When he had satisfactorily cleared the theoretical doubts, he assigned the group a set of questions from the textbook to try applying what they had learnt.

After giving them five minutes to attempt the questions on their own, he began walking around, checking their work and offering corrections and guidance to those who needed it. As he pointed out a mistake to one of the students, he heard Phu call out.

"Ram! I saved you a seat. Hurry up, P'King has already started tutoring!"

King felt his heart rate pick up. What were the chances that this was some other 1st year engineering student also named Ram?

He felt more than saw someone settle down opposite the student he was helping. King's palms grew sweaty. Still torn between wanting to know and remaining ignorant of who exactly had joined them, he forced himself to focus on the worksheet.

When he finished pointing out the errors and could delay no further, he slowly straightened up. His eyes dragged across the books stacked on the table to muscular forearms encased in a crisp white shirt, travelling along the length of a slim black tie, before arriving at a familiar face.

King swallowed heavily as Ram looked up at him, expression carefully blank.

"Ah P'King, do you mind explaining the concepts again to Ram?" asked Phu. "Sorry he's late, I forgot to mention to you that he had a prior commitment."

King hastily turned to face Phu, grateful for the opportunity to look away. "No worries, Nong. I'll be right there."

He made his way over to Ram at snail-pace, desperately trying to prolong the time it took to reach his ill-fated crush. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst right out of his chest.

Finally reaching Ram's shoulder, King took a deep breath before speaking. "So, um, do you have any particular questions or do you want me to start from the top?"

Ram nodded sharply. King waited for Ram to clarify which of the two he was referring to but received no answer.

"You do understand Thai, right?" he asked carefully.

Ram gave another jerky nod. When no further reply came, King ran a hand through his hair. "From the top then, I assume. Turn your textbook to the chapter on indefinite limits, we'll start from there."

He muddled his way through the explanations, relying on Ram's nods and head shakes to gauge his understanding. Assigning Ram a couple of questions, he stepped back and took a few moments to collect himself.

Shit. Having to tutor his crush was pure torture. He had been hyper-aware of himself the entire time - every breath, every tiny motion he made, and even the volume of his voice. The stress of having to be near Ram was going to be the death of him.

"P'King," Phu called. "Ram's having difficulty with this question."

Pulling himself together, King braced a hand on the table and leaned over Ram's shoulder to study the problem. As he did so, he caught a whiff of Ram's cologne - a heady blend of musk, wood and leather. The scent hung seductively in the air.

King inhaled deeply, subtly trying to fill his lungs with it. Too distracted by the smell to concentrate on anything else, he stared at the paper blankly, not processing a single word.

Ram turned his head slightly to stare at his suddenly all-too-quiet senior. The movement caused his nose to lightly brush against King's cheek. The touch burnt like the white heat of a comet trail and yanked the senior back to the present.

King jerked away like he'd been stung.

"I...er...I forgot about a meeting. Gotta go now," he stammered, grabbing his bag and the bouquet from Duen off the bench. "N'Phu, send me a photo of the question. I'll get back to you later," he said before promptly fleeing, leaving the 1st year students staring after him in confusion.

Bohn stroked a smooth petal delicately. "What did you say the flowers meant again?"

"Forgiveness, new beginnings and hope," came King's muffled voice from where he'd buried his face in the mound of pillows littering Bohn's bed.

Bohn hid the smile that had slowly begun to spread across his face in the bouquet. "King, he went through the trouble of making an apology bouquet."

"Yay... lucky you..."

Bohn shot his friend a glare. "What's your problem? You've been like that for half an hour already."

"Don't remind me," King moaned, attempting to smother himself with the pillows. "Or better yet, just kill me now."

"You have five seconds to start talking before I come over there and make you talk," Bohn threatened. "Five. Four. Thre-"

King threw a pillow at him without looking. It bounced off the edge of the couch, nowhere near Bohn. Grabbing it, Bohn chucked it back at King, and unlike his friend, nailed him right in the head.

"Ow! Alright! He was part of the group I had to tutor today and then I went and fucked it all up with my stupid crush, happy?!"

"What did y- "

Bohn's phone pinged. Deciding to drop the subject for the moment, Bohn reached over and picked it up. Reading the message, he whooped and jumped on top of King.

"He asked me out! King, Duen asked me out!"

King lifted his head up with a groan and wheezed, "He did what now?"

"He asked me out!" yelled Bohn into his ear. "Our usual bar, tomorrow night at 9!"

"Ok, ok, I heard you now get off me," King pleaded, gasping for breath.

Bohn promptly rolled off him and moved to text Duen. King put an immediate stop to that by grabbing Bohn's arm.

"Wait, are you sure you want to accept? This is the same guy who rejected you a week ago that we're talking about."

Bohn raised an imperious eyebrow. "Of course I'm sure. I always get what I want."

King sighed and let Bohn get back to texting Duen. He pulled out his own phone. Like hell was he letting Bohn walk into this on his own.

K: Our resident idiot has decided to accept that kid's request for a date tomorrow

P: You serious? The same one he was avoiding at the fundraiser?

K: Yeah. A bouquet of flowers is all it took for that resolve to collapse like a house of cards.

P: What's the plan?

K: I'm gonna go with. No way in hell am I going to leave them alone till I'm sure of his intentions.

P: Text me the address and time, I'll be there

K: No way. You have your hazing trip the next morning. Are you not planning to sleep? You're not coming.

P: You're not my dad. And that's my problem. Besides, Bohn's given you the slip plenty of times. As long as he doesn't know I'm there, we can keep an eye on him.

K: Fine. The usual bar, 9pm. I'll let you know if there's a change of plans.

P: Got it

[mamabearcat]

Daddy Inuyasha

This doesn’t really have a title yet; I’ll think of one later! Written for @dangerouspompadour after this morning (or evening’s) conversation about kids needing to be fed every single night. A Papa Yasha story.

---

“You’re only gonna be gone for one night right?”

“Inuyasha, you’ll be fine”, soothed Kagome, stuffing more clothes into her bag. “I’m really sorry to have to leave like this, but Mama sounded so ill on the phone. I just want to check up on her.”

Inuyasha snorted, continuing to walk around the room with Izayoi’s tiny hands held in his, while their toddler squealed in delight, her little feet balanced on his larger ones.

“And Sango has promised that she’ll come pick her up early tomorrow and take her to daycare”, she continued, “so you’ll be able to get off to work in time. You just have to make sure to pick her up by 6pm, otherwise daycare will charge extra.”

“That’s good. And yeah, I can do that.” He had a meeting with an architect for his current construction project at 7.30am tomorrow morning; they’d only spoken on the phone as yet, but the guy already sounded like he had a stick firmly wedged up his arse. 

His head was still swimming a little. Kagome had got off the phone with her mother, booked a flight, texted Sango and then told him she’d be coming home Monday night all in under half an hour. He knew he’d be fine; Kagome did this all the time when he was called away for work. And he adored Izayoi. Maybe it would be fun? Some Daddy daughter time?

A loud beeping sounded outside the door. “Oh, that’s my taxi already”, squeaked Kagome, shoving her feet into her shoes. She picked up Izayoi and gave her a squeezy hug, smothering her round cheeks in raspberry kisses. “Be good for Daddy baby girl. Mama will be home at bedtime tomorrow okay? I’ll call you tonight.”

Inuyasha bent down to kiss his wife before she could run out the door. “Be safe, okay. Text me when you get there. I love you.”

“Love you too.” The horn beeped again loudly, and Kagome rolled her eyes. “I gotta go. Be good you two. I love you!”

They all moved out onto the verhandah, Inuyasha and Izayoi waving as Kagome ran down the path with her bag and climbed into the taxi, shutting the door behind her. All of a sudden Izayoi’s bottom lip trembled and her soft pointed puppy ears lowered. “Mama go?”

Inuyasha squeezed her tightly against him, dropping a soft kiss onto the dark curls between her ears. “Mama is visiting grandma. So it’s just us for a little while Princess. It’s gonna be fun right?”

The taxi drove away.

“I wa-want Mama!” Izayoi’s soft sobs escalated quickly, and the sound of her heartbreak pulled at Inuyasha’s gut. He hated Izayoi’s tears almost as much as Kagome’s.

“Hey, hey, c’mon now. We’re gonna have fun.” He bounced her a little in his arms, racking his brain for something that would take Izayoi’s mind off Kagome for a moment. “Do ya wanna watch Ponies with me for a little while?”

He braced himself for the usual loud squeal of excitement she let out whenever her favourite show was mentioned, but instead she tucked her head under his chin and hid behind the curtain of his long silver hair. He watched as she silently placed her thumb into her mouth, slow tears trickling down her cheeks.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

 ---

Eventually Izayoi fell asleep on his lap, and he gratefully changed the channel. There was only so much pink and purple and magic of friendship he could take in one sitting. She’d watched the show with her cousin Rin, and she loved it. Kagome didn’t mind it. Him, not so much.

His stomach grumbled, and he angled his neck to look at the clock on the wall. Shit, it was nearly Izayoi’s dinner time. She usually ate earlier, and he and Kagome ate after she was in bed. When it was his turn to cook for him and Kagome he made steak. Or ramen. Both of those weren’t really toddler friendly. Cooking for Izzy was definitely Kagome’s thing. He though back over recent meals he’d seen Izayoi eat for dinner. Pasta. He was perfectly capable of cooking pasta, and he knew Izayoi liked it. Phew, crisis averted.

 -----

“No!”

Inuyasha was taken aback. As far as he was concerned, he’d cooked a perfectly acceptable dinner for a toddler. Pasta with peas and corn, and some fish fingers he’d dug out of the bottom of the freezer. “Izzy, c’mon, you like pasta. Daddy even cooked the ones that look like little bows!”

“No!” she growled, glaring at the plate in front of her.

“Izayoi!” he barked. He took a deep breath. “What’s wrong with the food on your plate.”

“Don’t like red!”

“Red?” And then it hit him. Kagome usually served Izayoi’s pasta with pesto, not tomato sauce. “Uh, we were all out of green. Why don’t you try it Princess, it’s yummy. Look, Daddy will eat some.” He picked up her tiny fork and took a mouthful of pasta. Not his favourite thing in the world, but perfectly fine.

Izayoi’s eyes looked like they were filling with tears again. Oh boy. His mind whirled frantically, trying to avert the tears.

“Hey, do ya know what else you can call fish fingers? Dippy sticks! Look!” He picked up a fish finger and poked it in the napoletana pasta sauce, then took a bite. “Mmm, dippy sticks, my favourite!” He made sure to scrunch up his eyes and twitch his ears for her, and his heart swelled in relief at the tiny giggle.

“I know, let’s have a race and see who can eat their dippy stick the fastest? I bet I can eat mine faster than you Izzy! Ready…”

“Steddygo”, squealed Izayoi, clutching a fish finger in her little fist and mashing it into the sauce. She took a mouthful and smiled at him. “Yummy Daddy!” She eventually ate most of her dinner, leaving the peas. Inuyasha couldn’t blame her, he didn’t think much of peas either. It was his job to put green things on her plate, he wasn’t going to force feed them to her if she didn’t want to eat them.

He scraped the peas into the bin and dumped the dirty plate in the sink, then piggybacked her to the bathroom. “Bath time for my princess. Do ya want bubbles?”

“Yeah!” She threw her arms out as wide as she could. “Lots and lots!” He chuckled.

“Okay squirt, you got it. Toilet first while Daddy runs the bath. You need help getting those shorts off?” he asked, pointing to the button and zipper.

She shook her head. “Nu uh. I a big girl.”

Just for a second, his eyes misted over, remembering the day she was born only three short years ago. One of the happiest days of his life.

“Do you think you could slow down the growing for me just a smidge, Princess?” he asked, watching as she flushed the toilet all by herself and then managed to finish undressing without help. The tiny underpants were a new thing that she was very proud of, because Mama had told her only big girls got to wear them, and she stroked them lovingly as she put her dirty clothes in the hamper. He snorted when he noticed they had purple and pink ponies on them.

She shook her head and stood on her tiptoes with her arms raised up high, grinning cheekily at him. “I bigger than Daddy!”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“Aw, that’s a shame, I guess you’re too big for me to do…. This!” And he picked her up and blew a huge raspberry on her stomach, then dropped her into the bubbles as she squealed with laughter.

When she was squeaky clean, and Inuyasha had been decorated with a variety of bubble beards and bubble hats, he helped her into her thicker overnight underpants and PJ’s, and snuggled her into her little bed with her favourite white dog toy tucked into her elbow.

“Story and song!” Izayoi demanded.

Inuyasha cringed a little. He’d forgotten about the song part of the bedtime routine. Kagome had a variety of songs she sang, and her voice was pleasant and mellow, perfect for lullabies. His, not so much. “Uh, I’ll do you a deal. How ‘bout, Daddy reads you a story, and we call Mama and she can sing you a song over the phone. How’s that.”

Izayoi blinked at him slowly. “Okay”, she said finally, with a skeptical look on her face, like he was trying to renege on a deal.

“Which story do ya want Princess. Eggs and ham? The one with the baby and the lion?”

“Witch and cat!”

“Room on the Broom it is then!” He grinned, because he liked doing the voices for this one, especially the dragon. He was halfway into the book when she crawled out of bed and into his lap.

“I am a dragon, as mean as can be, and I’m planning to have WITCH and CHIPS for my tea!” Inuyasha growled.

Izayoi clutched onto his shirt. “Dragon scary!”

Whoops. Maybe he’d gotten a little too into it this time. “Hey, it’s okay. We know the witch is gonna be fine because all her friends are gonna scare him away. He’s just a big scaredy dragon!”

Izayoi nodded, the soft pointed ears on top of her head flicking sleepily. She popped her thumb into her mouth as he finished the story, snuggling against him. By the time he was finished, her eyes were blinking slowly. He put the book back on the shelf and tucked her back into her little bed.

“Song”, she whispered.

“One song, comin’ right up.” He fished his mobile out of his back pocket and called Kagome. “Hi love. I have one sleepy princess requesting a bedtime song.”

“What. You’re not going to sing one?” she giggled.

“I think we both know that my talents in the bedroom lie in other areas.” She snort laughed and he grinned. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

Kagome’s soft voice cooed into the bedroom, and both Inuyasha and Izayoi sighed, ears twitching. “Hey little pup. What song do you want Mama to sing for you sweetheart?”

“Mama!” Izayoi said sleepily, her ears twitching towards the phone. “Love you Mama. Train whistle.”

Kagome laughed softly. “I love you too baby. Okay, are you listening?”

Izayoi nodded, and Inuyasha said softly, “Yep, she’s ready.”

Train whistle blowin' Makes a sleepy noise Underneath the blankets For all the girls and boys

Rockin' rollin' ridin' Out along the bay All bound for Morningtown Many miles away

“She’s asleep”, whispered Inuyasha softly, taking the phone off speaker and backing slowly out of the room. He sat down with a thump on the sofa. “How’s Mama?”

“They did some blood tests at the hospital, and apparently she’s really low in iron. They gave her a blood transfusion and she has an appointment to see a heamatologist next week.”

“Shit. Do they know why?”

Kagome sighed. “You know what she’s like. I doubt she’s been looking after herself properly, now that she doesn’t have Grandpa to look after. I was hoping now that she’d retired from the shrine that she’d do things that she loved to do, but I don’t think she’s doing that well Inuyasha.” Kagome’s voice sounded a little wobbly.

Inuyasha swallowed. He adored Kagome’s mother. He’d been a brash belligerent teenager when he’d first started going out with Kagome in senior highschool, and Kagome’s mother had seen it for the front that it was. Kagome had known that he was hurting after the sudden death of his parents in a car accident, and so had she. It was a situation the Higurashi’s were all too familiar with, after the loss of Kagome’s father.

Mama had refused to allow him to push her away, even though shrine families weren’t usually accepting of demons, and had loved him like a son. No one had been happier for them when he and Kagome had decided to get married. He loved her almost as much as he’d loved his own mother. He pictured the once bright eyed, busy woman sitting by herself in a small apartment. She was probably so lonely.

“Kagome. Do ya think she’d live with us? I mean, if she wanted, I could even build her a little house in the back yard. Then it wouldn’t be like she was livin’ in our back pocket. She could visit us when she wanted, and we’d be close by if she needed us. And Izzy would get to see her every day.” Kagome’s quiet sob on the other end of the line startled him. “Hey love, you okay?”

“I’m fine”, she sniffed. “I… I’m gonna ask her, okay?”

“Don’t cry! Dammit, I didn’t suggest it to make you cry, I thought it would make you happy! If she’s not lookin’ after herself, I want her to be closer!”

Kagome giggled. “I’m not really crying, I’m just… you are an amazing husband, do you know that?”

“Shut up.”

“You are! And an amazing Dad. How did dinner go?”

“I stuffed up a bit. Made her pasta with red sauce instead of pesto. But she ate most of it.”

“Good job Daddy.”

He could practically see the beaming smile on Kagome’s face on the other end of the line and he sighed. “I miss you Kagome.”

“I miss you too. Only one night, and then I’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you bring Mama too, if she’ll come. We could probably get her an appointment here, couldn’t we?”

“I’ll ask her. You know how stubborn she can be some times.”

“Yeah”, he chuckled, “I know. I got two stubborn reminders that live in the same house as me.”

“Hey!” He heard a soft voice in the background. “Okay Mama, be there in just a moment.”

Inuyasha sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Do you want us to pick you up at the airport?”

“No, it’s okay – it’s usually crazy at that time of night, and it’s too close to Izzy’s bedtime. I’ll just catch a taxi. Good luck with that meeting tomorrow.”

“Thanks”, he snorted. “Can’t say I’m lookin’ forward to it. Guy sounds like a first class prat.”

“Just… hold your temper”, Kagome soothed. “Bottle it up, and you can grump about him to me when I get home.”

“Oh no. I got other plans for you when you get home.”

“Oh really?”

Inuyasha lowered his voice to a rough purr. “Maybe I can get you to sing a bedtime song for me. Last time I went down on you I’m pretty sure you hit a few soprano notes”, he grinned.

“Shut. Up!”

“You love it.”

“You just wait until I get home mister! No mercy!” She paused for a moment. “I’m sorry hon, I gotta go, Mama’s calling. Love you.”

“Sweet dreams, sweet cheeks.”

Inuyasha ended the call despondently. The house just seemed empty without Kagome in it. He traipsed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, then shut it again. He looked in the cupboard, and there was one packet of ramen left on the top shelf. He couldn’t be bothered cooking anything else.

He slumped down on the sofa, clicking through the channels and then snorted in disgust, turning off the tv and his attention to his dinner instead. He may as well go to bed early without Kagome here, just in case Izayoi woke up during the night.

He dumped the plate in the sink and went and had a quick shower, groaning as he wondered if Kagome was in the shower at the same time as him, picturing her generous curves soaped up under swiftly falling water. Gods, he was pathetic. It wasn’t like they had sex every night, but now she wasn’t here, he missed her presence like a physical ache. He was away for work sometimes, true, but it seemed different somehow, when she wasn’t home and he was.

He dried himself off quickly, pulling on his soft grey sleep shorts and falling into the bed that seemed way too big without Kagome in it. He went over his meeting plans in his head, staring at the ceiling, wishing his wife was curled up next to him.

---

“MAAAAMAAAAA!” The high pitched scream had him bolting upright, and he flung himself out of bed, bashing his shoulder on the door frame as he careened down the hallway towards Izayoi’s room.

He kneeled down next to her bed. Her tear filled eyes were easily visible in the soft glow of the night light, and shuddering sobs shook her little body. “A Mons-ster!” she sobbed, trying to get her little arms free of the quilt. “Want Mama!”

“Hey baby, it’s okay, it was just a bad dream”, he soothed, stroking the sweaty hair back from her forhead. “There’s no monster here.”

“He ate Mama!” she sobbed, launching herself at Inuyasha. “Mama gone!” Her hiccuping sobs pulled at his heartstrings, and he picked her up, cradling her against his chest so that she could hear the solid beat of his heart.

“No monster”, he repeated firmly, as he carried her down the hallway towards his and Kagome’s bedroom. “Mama went to visit Grandma, and she’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yup. Sango will take you to daycare tomorrow, then Daddy will pick you up, and by the time you’ve had dinner and bath, Mama will be home again. I promise Princess.”

“Pinkie promise?”

It was a concept he had only recently educated in, but he nodded solemnly, viewing it as the sacred pact it was. “Pinkie promise”, he said, hooking his larger pinky finger around her smaller one.

His sleepy brain engaged a little more, and he walked them back towards the bathroom. “You wanna try goin’ to the toilet before you hop into Mama and my bed?”

“Okay.” She stood sleepily in front of the toilet and gazed at him without moving, so he turned her around and helped her pull down her PJ pants and underpants and plonked her on the toilet. He waited silently for a minute, then looked down to notice she was actually asleep sitting up. Chuckling as he fixed her clothes and picked her up again, he padded silently back to his bedroom, carefully placing her on Kagome’s side, hoping her scent on the pillow would help Izzy sleep.

He gazed at his little girl as she sprawled herself out like a starfish, her nose and ears twitching for a moment before she settled back into a deeper sleep. There was a time when he’d thought he’d never want children, because life had seemed to be determined to keep him alone. And then he’d found Kagome, or rather, Kagome had found him, bossing her way into his life and not taking no for an answer. And now they had this beautiful child together. His princess. He dropped a soft kiss onto the dark hair between her pointed ears and then settled back down to sleep himself.

 ---

“Daaaaadddyyyyyy!”

Inuyasha grunted as he felt the full weight of a solid three year old landing directly on his bladder. He opened one sleepy eye. “Yeah?”

“The door!”

“Fuu—iretruck!” he groaned, leaping out of bed at the sound of knocking on the front door. Had he slept in? Nope, 6.45am. He usually got up at 7. He opened the front door a crack, poking his head through. “Yeah?”

“It’s just us!” grinned a smiling Sango, holding Shinzu on her hip. “Miroku’s going to drop off the girls at school, so I thought I’d come over a little early and help you get Izzy ready for daycare.”

“Uh, okay?” said Inuyasha with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Kagome texted me and told me you had an early meeting. Did I get it wrong?” She laughed at the suddenly panicked face Inuyasha made as he opened the door wide to let her in. “I take it you do have an early meeting?”

She stepped inside, then grinned teasingly at Inuyasha, pointing at his sleep shorts. “Is this a really informal meeting? Because I don’t think those are going to cut it.”

“Shut up”, he growled.

Izayoi ran towards Sango and hugged her legs. “Saaaango! Baby Shiiizuuuu!”

Sango ruffled the dark hair on Izayoi’s head, being careful of her pointed puppy ears. “Hey Izzy – you had breakfast yet?”

“No. Daddy asleep.” She held her hand over her mouth and giggled. “Daddy snores!” She stuck her fingers in her ears as if to emphasise how loud it had been.

“Way to rat me out kiddo”, muttered Inuyasha, raising an eyebrow at her. Izayoi hid behind Sango’s leg, then giggled some more.

“Go get ready Inuyasha, I’ll get Izzy off to daycare. I’m pretty sure I know where everything is.”

Inuyasha jogged towards the bathroom, then paused. “Thanks Sango, I really appreciate this.”

“Enough to babysit and give me and Miroku a night out?” she asked with a hopeful air.

Inuyasha thought for a moment about wrangling the twins, Shinzu and and Izayoi combined, then shrugged. “I’ll talk it over with Kagome, but yeah, sure.”

“Done. Stop talking and go get ready!”

He was back twenty minutes later in his business clothes, long hair neatly braided and the tie he only wore for meetings with clients already choking him. Izayoi was seated at the table, happily eating yoghurt and fruit. He dropped a kiss on her head. “Be good today Izzy. I’ll be there to pick you up from daycare, okay?”

“Okay, bye bye”, she said happily, making a funny face at Shinzu so the baby squealed in delight.

Inuyasha rushed out the door. “See you later Sango! And thanks!”

“You’re welcome!” she sang out, her voice punctuated by the loud slam of the front door.

 --- 

Inuyasha growled as he gripped the steering wheel, glancing again at the clock on the dash. 5.55pm. He’d already called ahead to tell the daycare director that he was stuck in traffic and should be there soon, but that didn’t make him feel any less guilty.

The whole day had been a write off – filled with pointless meetings with pencil pushers and government know-it-alls that wouldn’t know good construction timeframes if they bit them on the arse. And thanks to them, he was late picking up his daughter, the very first time he’d been asked to do it. Shit.

It took another five minutes to find a parking spot, and he ran the rest of the way. The lights in the centre were off, but he knocked on the door, bouncing nervously, and a smiling lady let him in.

“Izayoi’s in the director’s office doing some colouring – right this way.”

“I am so sorry”, he panted, and the lady smiled at him, holding up a hand.

“It’s okay, you called and let us know what was happening. We let Izayoi know you’d be a little late, and she seemed fine. These things happen.”

Inuyasha poked his head around the office door. “Izzy?”

“Daaaadddy!” She vaulted herself into his arms, and he picked her up, giving her a squeezy hug.

“I’m sorry I was late baby. The car got stuck in traffic on the way here.”

Her bottom lip trembled a little. “Everyone gone home.”

“All the other kids have gone home?” She nodded. “I’m sorry you were the last one here Izzy.” Inuyasha turned his head towards the director. “I really am sorry for my lateness. I got caught up in meetings at work, and didn’t leave early enough to avoid the traffic.”

“That’s quite alright Mr. Takahashi. These things happen”, the director said, making a shooing motion with her hands.

They stopped to get Izayoi’s little backpack, then walked out of the centre.

“You know what?” said Inuyasha, swinging Izayoi’s little hand as they walked side by side towards the car. “Daddy had a grumpy day. And do you know what would cheer me up?”

Izayoi’s ears pricked up hopefully, and her eyes widened. “Ice-cream?!”

“Ice-cream”, he agreed, nodding seriously. “Should we eat it in a cone, or get some to take home?”

“Cone!” squeaked Izayoi, almost dancing on the spot.

Pretty soon they were sitting in an ice-cream parlour, Izzy with a small vanilla cone, napkin tucked into her shirt to save it from the drips, and Inuyasha with a towering triple scoop waffle cone monstrosity with extra fudge. Izayoi sighed happily as she licked, not quite fast enough to stop it dripping down her arm.

“I sticky.”

“Gotta keep licking!” said Inuyasha, turning her cone to the other side so she could lick the drips. If Kagome were here, she’d produce some of those wet wipes that seemed to fix a multitude of problems. Inuyasha snagged a couple more paper napkins from the paper dispenser and wrapped them around Izayoi’s little wrist, tucking the ends in. “There, that might help a little.”

“A bracelet! Thank you Daddy!”

Inuyasha snorted. “Glad to see my Princess is so easily pleased by paper jewellery. Keep licking Izzy, or it’ll fall.”

Once the ice-cream was eaten, it was time to go home. There was a short argument about keeping the soggy napkin bracelet, but after Inuyasha had promised to replace it with a real one when it was her birthday, she finally stopped stomping her small foot, and smiled. Crisis averted.

 ---

Inuyasha felt slightly guilty when he realised that Sango had done the washing up for him. Whoops. Oh well.

“You wanna help me make dinner Izzy?” he asked, hoping that would ward off any dinnertime disputes.

“Yeah!” She was rubbing her eyes a little sleepily, so he knew it would have to be something quick.

“How about boiled egg on toast?”

Izayoi looked at him quizzically, and Inuyasha remembered it was something she usually only ate for breakfast.

“It’s been a topsy turvy day. Let’s have breakfast for dinner!”

Izayoi snorted then giggled. “Silly Daddy!”

“Hey, it’s okay to be silly sometimes. Let’s boil an egg!” He let Izayoi pick an egg from the carton, then helped her place it carefully into the cold water in the saucepan. They put a slice of bread in the toaster, and she pushed down the lever herself, and then looked at him proudly.

“My princess is getting to be such a big girl!”

She nodded excitedly, then yawned.

Inuyasha buttered the toast and fished the egg out of the saucepan, peeling off the shell quickly and mashing it onto the toast.

“You want fingers or a squash sandwich?”

“Squash.” Her eyes blinked sleepily. He’d cut it pretty fine by taking her out for ice-cream; it was just about her bedtime now. Inuyasha picked her up and put her on her seat at the table. He folded the toast over carefully, making it like half a sandwich.

“Just eat a few bites princess, and then you can have a quick bath, okay?”

Izayoi nodded sleepily, then munched her way through the middle of the sandwich leaving all the crust.

“All done? Let’s go take that bath.” He ran a small bath, and washed her quickly; the fact that she wasn’t wanting to play told him exactly how tired she was. He lifted her out of the water and she stood on the bathmat as he rubbed her dry.

“Where Mama?”

Shit. Kagome had texted him that her plane had been a little delayed and she was just getting in a taxi, hopefully she would be home any minute.

“She’ll be here soon, Princess. How about Daddy will keep reading stories until she gets home?”

The bottom lip trembled a little. “Want Mama.”

Inuyasha helped her into her night time underpants and pj’s. “She’ll be here soon baby. Let’s go read those stories, okay?”

“Want Mama.”

Her little nose rubbed against his neck, ears flicking against his chin, and he felt a few warm tears slide down. Shit. C’mon Kagome. He carried Izayoi down to her bedroom, but instead of sitting on the chair, he sat down on her bed with her still cradled in his lap. She stayed curled up, her little thumb firmly in her mouth.

“Sad.”

“You’re feelin’ sad, cause Mama isn’t home yet?” Little nod. “I miss her too when she’s away. I love you and your Mama sooo much. All the way to the moon and back.”

“Moon story.”

“Goodnight Moon?” Izayoi shook her head.

“Rabbit.”

“Sorry kiddo, you’re gonna have to give me more than that. There’s a rabbit and a moon in the story?”

“Big Rabbit. Daddy Rabbit. And Little Rabbit. Izayoi Rabbit.” Inuyasha heart swelled and he dropped a kiss to her head. She was worse at tugging on his heartstrings than Kagome. Or better. Probably both.

“I think I know the one ya mean.” He reached over to her little bookcase carefully, and got a small battered boardbook. The first book they’d ever bought her, when she was still in Kagome’s womb. They’d bought it on the way home from the hospital after the ultrasound at twenty weeks. There were still little teeth marks around the edges where she’d bitten it as a baby.

“Guess how much I love you”, he began. A key clicked in the front door lock, and Kagome’s voice called out.

“Helloooo, I’m hoooome.”

“We’re in Izzy’s room”, he called out quietly, turning the page. “Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare’s very long ears.”

Kagome walked quietly into the room, leaning down to kiss Izayoi’s cheek.

“Mama”, Izayoi sighed sleepily.

“You want Mama to finish the story for ya Izzy?” asked Inuyasha. She shook her head.

“Daddy Rabbit.”

Kagome smiled at them both, and sat down on the chair. “I’ll listen too, if that’s okay.” She stroked Izayoi’s hair as Inuyasha read, and the little eyes drifted closed as he finished the last page.

Inuyasha rumbled a pleased sound through his chest. He couldn’t help it. Kagome was home, Izayoi was asleep and no longer sad. All was right in his world.

“Need some help escaping?” Kagome smiled. She helped lift Izayoi up gently so Inuyasha could slide out from underneath her, and Kagome pulled the quilt up over her, tucking her dog toy into her arms, and kissing her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Izzy.”

They tiptoed out of the little bedroom, and back down the hallway. Inuyasha picked up Kagome’s suitcase and carried it to their bedroom, Kagome following behind him.

“Mama didn’t want to come with you?”

“No. She was very definite about seeing the specialist there. Souta is taking the day off to go with her.”

“What did she say about our idea?”

“I think she might say yes. She’s thinking about it at the moment, but the idea of seeing Izzy everyday was very appealing”, smiled Kagome. She curled her arms around Inuyasha’s neck and hugged him tight. “I missed you so much! Did everything go okay with Izzy while I was away?”

“Pretty much. She missed you a lot. I did too.” His hands drifted down her back and over her bottom cheeks, suddenly wrapping around her thighs and lifting her up, snorting in laughter at her sudden yelp of surprise.

“We still haven’t finished the bedtime routine Ka-go-me”, he purred, walking over to their bedroom door and closing it firmly. “You owe me a song.”